Hmmm... Time passed by quickly. By second period, I was having the class with Ethan and Luke. The teacher introduced a transferee but the guys and I didn't pay attention because we were discussing the try-outs that would happen this afternoon.

The third period, which I had with Annabelle, was Creative Writing class. It was fine. We were given an assignment, though – which was a bummer, considering that this was the first day of school. Mr. D couldn't just wait to distress us, can he?

And of course, I didn't want to bother to say anything about Calculus because I didn't listen to a word in the discussion.

Was this the senior year that we had all anticipated? All the teachers were being all serious about college and lessons... I mean, we still had all year long to talk about college.

Geez, no need to pressure us into applying to Ivy League colleges. Not all of us were interested.

Without me noticing, it was lunch time – finally. I didn't have any breakfast this morning. I couldn't wait to wolf down some food.

YES!!! It was lunch break! I was starving! My stomach was grumbling all through History class. And in that kind of quiet class, a stomach's grumble can be easily heard.

It was all Aaron's fault. He hurried me to get out of bed so much that I didn't get the chance to eat breakfast. But whatever, I was going to eat now, anyway, so it didn't really matter much whose fault it was.

In any case, as I was grabbing a tray full of carbs – buffalo wings, hash brown, quarter pounder, and a 'DIET' Coke, I was guessing that everything that had been happening to me was just a part of fate's diabolical scheme.

In case you are not aware, I was destiny's new target to annoy. I was so touched.

Out of nowhere, someone gasped loudly behind my back. Her aura was so powerfully evil that I already knew who it was.

"Oh, my!" exclaimed by none other than the witch – Annabelle. "No wonder you look like that!"

I instantly turned to her. She was staring disgustedly at my food. I didn't have to glance around the cafeteria to know that they all heard what Annabelle said.

I rolled my eyes at her. "What now?"

Seriously, if she was going to start teasing me about how fat I was, she was totally blind. I happen to know for a fact that I was pretty average. So, what was up with the witch?

"Go look at yourself in the mirror, pig," Annabelle whispered to me in the most cheerleader-ish voice. "I'd like to see you eat all of that grease. If you're lucky, you might just do the world a favor and explode."

And just like that. I snapped.

"If this bothers you so much," I said with a low voice, throwing daggers at her with the use of my eyes, "why don't you blame your boyfriend for being such a morning person? After all, he's the reason why I didn't eat my breakfast this morning. That's why I'm eating all this 'grease' to satisfy my appetite."

Whoa. That was so not like me. I didn't usually say things like that.

Usually, I would've said, "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have time for this nonsense. Can you just step aside and mind your own food?"

But I can't take it anymore. Yeah, like I wasn't having enough of a bad day without Annabelle doing her usual remarks about me.

Anyhow, Annabelle just blinked. She was probably just stunned that I was capable of saying things like that – especially to her.

I didn't know what else to do, because she wasn't saying anything, so I just left her there and went over to where Alyson was seating. The students in the cafeteria were all wondering what Annabelle and I talked about because we had our little conversation quietly. And it was very obvious that they were also wondering what I said to Annabelle to make her glare like that at me as she sat on their table.

I ignored them and turned to Alyson, who was eating her favorite ice cream sandwich. She was looking at me weirdly or might I say curiously.

"Care on telling me what's gotten into you?" Alyson asked, grinning broadly.

"Starving is what happened to me," I answered, tiredly.

She nodded. "People do strange things when they're hungry."

"Ok, fine," I said impatiently. "That witch is getting on my nerves and I didn't have time to be mature about dealing with her because I'm starved. So can we please drop it and eat, Allie?" I added, begging Alyson.

She nodded again, with an amused reaction.

"Thank you."

Just as I was devouring my quarter pounder, Aaron went by our table.

"I'm gonna have lunch with Annabelle today," he said, smiling.

I guessed he would. I mean, it was the first day. He and Annabelle hadn't seen each other all summer. Of course, they'd spend time together on the first day of school. But it was still a bit heartbreaking to think that he was smiling about spending time with that witch.

Hmmm... I wondered if Annabelle was going to tell Aaron about our chit-chat.

"See you at class," Aaron told me, wiggling his eyebrows.

"I think there's something wrong with your eyebrows," I said seriously, frowning a little.

Aaron rolled his eyes. "And I think you've grown fifty years old since this morning. C'mon, lighten up. You're a nerd. You should be happy that school's started."

"Oh, yes. I'm very happy that those witches can torture me again. Wee... I'm jumping for joy," I said very sarcastically.

"Here," Aaron said as he placed a plate of sliced apple pie in front of me – my favorite food of all time. "Now, can you lighten up?"

I knew my eyes glowed after seeing that food. I slowly pulled the plate toward me and started eating it.

"What, got nothing to say?" asked Aaron, because I ignored his question. He widened his eyes in mock surprise. "Wow. That's a first."

"Ssshh. I'm trying to lighten up. Go away," I added, still focused on my apple pie. Man, this was freaking delicious.

I think I saw him smile widely in amusement as he left.

"You're welcome," I heard Aaron say over his shoulder.

I glanced at him for a moment. I'll thank him later, I thought.

"He's really sweet," Alyson blurted out, thoughtfully. I quickly looked at her. "To you, especially. Being mean to him, that's your defense mechanism. You may think it's a way of hiding your feelings, but the truth is, it is way obvious, girl. Why do you think Annabelle's been nasty to you all this time?" she added, raising an eyebrow.

"Huh. I thought she's just plain evil."

"Or maybe, she's just plain jealous."

I stared at her in disbelief. "What could she possibly be jealous about?" I paused for a moment. Then I said in realization, "Oh."

Of course, I was close to her boyfriend. I was the best friend. And if the way I felt for Aaron was noticeable, then Annabelle would surely be jealous because she can't do anything about the fact that I can be close to Aaron whenever. Because – duh, again – I was his best friend, wasn't I? There was no malicious thing about it. However, she was overestimating me. I mean, she was the girlfriend.

My eyes wandered to Annabelle and Aaron's table. They were being sweet, that was for sure. Watching it made me lose my appetite, which didn't make any sense because I was almost finished. But that was even worse because I felt like I was going to barf.

I hated having this feeling. Ugh. Why did I have to fall for my best friend? There were gazillions of other guys to fall for. Why did it have to be him? Was this a curse, for being a cynical person? I didn't think so.

I sighed.

If only things would change this year. If only I get to meet a guy who would notice me as someone to like. If only that guy would look at me past the physical looks. If only I get to feel what it was like to be loved – or even just liked. If only...

"You okay?" asked suddenly by Alyson, making me jump back into reality again.

"Yeah," I said vaguely, not meeting her eyes.

Krrrriiiiiing!

There goes the bell. We better get to class. Our Physics teacher was a very strict one so we had to behave for the next hour.

So you see how bad my first day can get? I wonder how peaceful my day could've been if I just stayed at home.

Oops, I just saw Annabelle quickly walking past me – with a venomous glare, by the way. Awe, man. I hope she didn't make a big deal out of our chit-chat at lunch. I was not myself! She should understand. People say strange things when they were hungry (got that line from Alyson). But why should I be bothered? Wasn't it about time that I stood up to her? Nah. It was not very diplomatic and mature of me to stoop down to her level. Anyways, it was her fault for being such a provocative cheerleader/witch.

Alyson and I got to the Physics Lab in time – thank goodness.

The moment we all took our seat, Mr. Clinton paired us off to do some lab work, on the first day of school! Ugh. Today, we would do a trial assessment about a moving object's momentum. In our case, that moving thing was a golf ball.

I looked around the room and didn't see Aaron. Where was he? He knew perfectly well how strict Mr. Clinton could be.

Suddenly, the door slammed open. Aaron and Luke came in.

"Being late in my class is not tolerated, Mr. Ford and Mr. Wright," grumbled Mr. Clinton, with an expression that can make little kids run away.

Aaron, however, was expressionless. Uh-oh. I know that look.

Luke was the one who replied, "We know, Mr. C. It won't happen again."

Mr. Clinton stared at them for a minute, as though searching for any signs of disobedience.

"Very well," Mr. Clinton finally said. "Miss Wallace, I'd like you to be paired with Mr. Wright," he told Alyson. Then, he turned to me, "And Miss Evans, with Mr. Ford. This," – he faced Aaron and Luke again – "is to make sure that both of you will behave righteously in my laboratory."

After the last word, Mr. Clinton went on to get the golf balls in the cabinet. Alyson stood up from the seat beside me, smiled sheepishly at me, and went to sit beside Luke. Aaron gazed at me as he took his seat at our counter. I tried to look away but he kept on staring at me as Mr. Clinton handed us a golf ball.

"What?" I asked, a bit annoyed but nervous at the same time.

"Did anything happen at lunch today?" Aaron asked casually, but I can guess where he's going.

This was it. This was why he wore that look on his face. He was angry. Annabelle told him what happened at the jet line. And I can tell that Annabelle exaggerated on her story.

"Yeah," I answered indifferently, turning my eyes on the golf ball.

"Really?"

"Yup – I ate a delicious apple pie, remember?" I said, all smiles.

"Dakota," Aaron said my full name, making me face him again. His face was stone hard. "Why did you have to tell Annabelle our ritual every morning?"

"You call it 'ritual'?" I snorted, but stopped immediately when I looked at his eyes. I frowned. "What's the big deal?"

"She misunderstood what you said – that's the big deal," he hissed, trying not to be loud with his angry voice.

"And what did I say that upset your girlfriend so much?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You told her that I'm the reason you didn't eat breakfast this morning," he answered, still trying to keep his voice in whisper. "She jumped to conclusions and got mad at me. We had a fight – that's why I was late."

Oh. So now, he was blaming me for having a fight with Annabelle. Great. Just great. Everything was my fault now?

"First of all, you are the reason. Second, don't blame me for snapping at her at lunch today. Third, it is absolutely not my fault that she freaking jumped to conclusions." This time, I was hissing already, too.

"I'm not blaming you for anything. I just wanted to ask why did you have to say that to her? It ruined our first day together."

I stared at him in disbelief. How dare he say that? I ruined their day??? How about my day – no, how about my entire high school life?

"You selfish jock," I said, gritting my teeth. "You think that I'm having such a swell day? Who do you think forced me to go to school this morning then suddenly blames me for the fight he had with his girlfriend in the afternoon?"

He scowled. "I already told you. I'm not blaming you –"

"Funny. You sure as hell did."

"Dakota –"

"I can't believe this," I said, cutting him off. I shook my head. "You two are making such a big deal over what I said that it even ruined your precious day. Amazing..."

That was it. This day officially sucked. There was no doubt about it.

"You're right, D," Aaron said in a low voice, after a moment of silence. "I –"

"Well, congratulations!" I whispered, interrupting him. And I gotta say, even though it was rude, cutting him off like that made me feel good. "We just had the conversation that completely made this freaking day a disaster."

And with that, I picked up the golf ball and started working.

Aaron opened his mouth to speak but before he could say anything, Mr. Clinton said in a loud voice, "I hate to interrupt but could the both of you please stop murmuring and start on the observation?"