chapter 3

I snap the picture, the sun chose the perfect time to shine. Streaks of light glare in the picture, creating a glowing effect on him.

I smile down at the screen as I admire the beauty of his features.

The faint sound of the school bell rings and I snap my head up to meet his eyes.

"I have to go." I rush out.

I have this thing where I'm scared to be late to classes. Does anyone else have that or is it just me?

I quickly jump out of the car and grab my bags. Blake follows me and takes my bag from my hands. I look at him confused and he just walks while slinging my sports bag over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Walking you to class." He tells me like I'm stupid.

"I can carry my own bag, you know?" I whine, trying to grab it back from him.

"What gentleman would I be if I didn't carry the lady's bag for her?" He holds the bag away from me, smiling down at my pouting face.

"Whatever." I laugh, crossing my arms.

"So, what class do you have?" He asks, following me through the halls.

People give us weird looks. Especially the girls, glaring at me from every part of the hall.

"Robotics."

"Oooh." He playfully draws out, laughing.

"You like building robots?"

"I'm only in it for the engineering program." I tell him, rolling my eyes at his assumption.

"I've never met a girl that likes engineering before." He smirks down at me, raising an amused brow.

"Well, I'm not like most girls." I say quietly, holding the strap of my backpack.

It's true. I'm not like most girls. I don't wear makeup or high heels. I'm not a cheerleader or Volleyball player. I'm a nerd who kicks a muddy ball around a field all day.

"Yeah, you're right." He agrees while staring straight ahead.

"What?" I ask, my smile fading and my feelings deflating.

"You're better than most girls." He winks back at me.

I laugh at him and stop before my classroom door.

"This is it." I tell him.

He hands me my bag and smiles a cute toothy smile.

"Thank you, for walking me to class...and holding my bag." I look down at my feet, feeling my face take on a deep blush.

"It's no problem at all. I'll text you later, Alright?" He takes a step away, hands in his pockets as he smiles at me one more time.

"Okay." I smile back at him, he turns around and walks away.

I walk into the classroom and see my two friends staring at me in awe. Their eyes look between me and the door. I push past them, sighing because I know what's coming.

"Who was that?" Blair asks.

"Why is he going to text you later?" Kyla pipes in.

"That's Blake. What does it matter that he's going to text me?" I throw my bags down and slump in the seat in front of my computer.

"Wait, that was The Blake Daniels? As in the Captain of the football team?" Blair asks, her voice raising an octave with each word as she looms over me in my seat.

"I didn't know he was team captain, but yes."

"How did that happen? He didn't even know you existed. You barely even knew who he was!" Kyla admits painfully.

"I know Ky, he caught me at lunch and started talking to me. No big deal." I shrug my shoulders.

It really is a big deal. I never attract guys, especially ones like Blake. So, it's a surprise that I have him walking me to class. Or even looking at me.

"What do you mean? This is a huge deal?!" Blair exclaims.

"Are you two a thing?"

"Gosh, no, Blair. I just met the guy."

"And? Time is just a number that won't matter in the end."

"He doesn't even like me like that." I look down at my hands, nervously picking at the dead skin around my fingernails.

"Oh, sure he doesn't. That's why he walked you all the way to class and wanted your number." Kyla buts in.

I look in between them both and sigh. I hate when they're right. I also hate when they jump to conclusions. It's so annoying.

"If this is what happens when I don't eat lunch with you, then I'll leave you alone more often." Ky laughs.

"Oh, shut up." I roll my eyes, softly punching her arm.

"Now, then. Tell us everything." Blair smiles wide, her eyes squinting.

"Everything?" I grimace.

The awkward parts are embarrassing to tell, even to my best friends.

They both eagerly nod, waiting for my long story.

"Okay..."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

An excruciating 30 minuets pass as I go through the whole story of what happened at lunch. The two squealing girls in front of me continuously interrupting to ask questions.

"And that's why he walked me to class." I conclude my story and sigh in relief knowing that I'm done.

I left out the parts that Blake told me about his family and certain ones about his dad. I thought they were personal.

"He promised to go to your games?" Blair squeals, clapping her hands and bouncing in her seat.

"We both made a deal. It wasn't a one sided decision." I roll my eyes at her.

"Does this mean that we have to go to every game?" Ky grunts, annoyed.

"It means that I have to try to go to every game. You guys don't have to go."

"Oh, we're so going." Blair nods her head and elbows Ky in the side.

"Ow!" She whines. "Fine, but one of you has to buy my ticket."

"Deal!" Blair jumps, a huge smile on her face.

"You don't even like football, B." I groan, pinching the bridge of my nose.

It's not like I don't want her to go, I just don't want to be annoyed by all the questions she's going to ask.

Like 'Why is that guy touching the other guy's butt?' And 'Why don't they just throw the ball to the colored grass already?'

"So? Can I not go and support my team?" She puts her hands on her hips, a dainty eyebrow raised.

"I'm afraid of what her idea of 'Support her team' actually is." Ky nervously runs her hands through her hair.

They are both complete opposites, Kyla and Blair.

While Kyla is tall and a little thick, Blair is short and has lots of curves in the right places.

Kyla's short blonde hair frames her red freckled face. Blair's curly black hair falls effortlessly on her shoulders, surrounding her light tanned face.

Kyla is a socially awkward nerd, like me. Her thick glasses magnifying her blues eyes, making them appear bigger.

Even though she's awkward, everyone loves her.

Blair, on the other hand, is an outgoing girly- girl. She never leaves her house without makeup and all the guys love her.

And then there's me. Someone that not really anyone likes. They only see me as Danielle, the quiet nerd who hangs out with Kyla and Blair.

They don't see me as Danny, the girl I really am.

But, somehow, I feel like that's going to all change.