Zephyr ran a hand through his hair as he walked to his next class. What was it again? Oh, useless history. They should teach about something more interesting. Like the Civil War. Not a bunch of random facts like who our 34th president was- Zeph didn't care who ruined their country. He glanced around at all the whispering faces before ducking his head and striding quickly to the classroom. This was going to be a fun semester. He sat in the class and tried to listen as the teacher droned through way too many boring things. The class was soon over, after he had almost been put into a voice-induced coma, so Zeph stood and walked to the cafeteria. Instead of his normal spot in the middle of everyone he tried to hide at the back, but of course, the middle of everyone came to him. At least 4 girls came chriping over to his table. He hid a small groan and wished he could disappear into the shadows of the wall.

-

Lydia sniffed as she walked into the cafeteria. "Ugh. How is he still the center of attention? He's not even that cute." She said snippily, plopping down at a table in the middle of the room with a couple other boys and 4 other girls.

Blake and Sophia shouldered their way through the crowds to the lunch table. "So what did you draw today?" Blake asked, his head tilted toward her backpack. Sophia was gifted in the art department, but she only showed her good friends. She shrugged and sat down at the table. "Oh nothing much. Just a few flowers and a sunset. Wanna see?" She was already pulling out her backpack, obviously knowing his answer. "Of course " he replied, leaning over the middle of the table to see. "Oh! Nice!" He sat back down just as Izzy slid into the seat next to Sophia. "How was art? Oh! Pretty! Ok. I got something to tell yall! So apparently there are softball tryouts today! Sophia, are you going to go?" She bumped Sophia with her elbow. Blake raised an eyebrow. "Softball huh? I'm going to wrestling tryouts tonight. Can't make it" with his sarcastic tone. "Oh shut it Blake. " Izzy turned back to Sophia. "Soooo..?" Sophia's face was bright red. "I guess"

Zephyr ducked his head as he ate, mumbling answers to questions just to get them to stop. He tilted his head slightly as he overheard that there were Softball tryouts tonight. That meant there were also Basketball tryouts! He smiled a little as he finished his food, escaping the room quickly, just to run into Lydia. The girl crossed her arms angrily. "You can't keep acting like you're the center of attention. I'm the popular one! You only became popular BECAUSE OF ME. So stop it. No one cares about you anymore." She snapped, wheeling in his face before stomping away. Again. Zeph sighed heavily. It's not like he ever wanted to have a spotlight on him at all times. He walked to his locker, got ready, and shot off to the next class.

Later that evening he headed towards the changing rooms and got dressed in last year's Basketball uniform he had- the coach had said to come in the former uniform if you had it. Zeph then jogged out onto the court. The tryouts were honestly easy- he was skilled in this sport, and he loved doing it. He made the team captain... but a small part of him dreaded the upcoming weeks. People would just be more attracted to him now that he was the Basketball captain.

Sophia made it to tryouts early, warming up with Izzy. The two talked about summer and what they did. Once other players arrived, some stopped to warm up with the two girls while the others wandered around. The coach gave all of the girls who made it their practice jerseys. "Here you go girls! Enjoy! See you tomorrow!" Sophia and Izzy smiled as they walked away, pulling their bags hover on their backs. They passed the gym. "He's really good isn't he?" Izzy asked. Sophia only gave a nod before continuing on.
-

Blake grabbed his bag and hurried to the small old gym that was used before the new one was built. He pulled on his clothes and walked onto the mat. He pinned the guy in a matter of seconds, holding him down. "Gotcha" he said, pulling himself off. "You're on the team again, Blake. Congrats" Blake gave a small smile. He walked away, changing and meeting Izzy and Sophia at the front of the school

Now that school was officially over Zephyr gathered up his things after changing and walked outside, his head lowered as to hopefully not attract attention. He obviously failed miserably, because Lydia came up again- probably wanting to cause another scene. She was already glaring at him. "Zephyr, you are such a show off. Just cause you think you're good at basketball doesn't mean you deserve to be in the captain's spot! For your information, I EASILY made it into the lead Cheerleader spot. I don't want to cheer for YOU though. You have always sucked. I don't know why I haven't said it before." She spat. Highschool drama. Always fun. Zeph dropped his backpack and crossed his arms. "Lydia, why are you trying to cause a bunch of scenes? If it's for the attention, go stick your head in a toilet. You'll get plenty then." He finally stood up for himself, answering rather haughtily before picking up his backpack. "See you tomorrow, Miss Perfect." He snorted as he walked away, his head held higher now. If this was going to be the entire year maybe he could at least get people to not like him so he would be ignored. Lydia gasped at this, staring in shock at his back. "Y- you are a stupid boy, Zephyr!" She yelled after him.

At the sight of Lydia, the three walked faster. Blake out his hand on Sophia's back like he always did, but she could sense a different reason. She shied away, lightly shoving Izzy toward him and continuing to walk. Blake's face fell as if he had just been stabbed in the gut. After they escaped the yelling, they stopped at their lockers. Sophia grabbed her books, quickly putting them in her bag to escape the unasked questions Blake had. Izzy waved at them as she walked away, but Sophia didn't wave back. She and Blake walked in silence. His hand was in his hair, his eyes darting from her face then back to the floor. Blake walked her to her car. "Soph..." he didn't finish his sentence in time. Sophia was already in her car. She started the car then drove away. She had to get away. If starting 11th grade meant Blake had different intentions, then Sophia had to remove herself. But she couldn't think about that now. She had to get home first. Blake stood in the parking spot, watching the car leave before hopping into his truck and driving to his house. He followed Sophia, pulling into the driveway next to hers and quickly walking into his house. He ran upstairs and stood on his balcony, watching Sophia. "Soph " he started. He knew she could hear him. This was their lifelong thing. This was how they communicated when one of them was grounded or bored, before they had phones... Sophia opened her door and stared at him. "No Blake. I need some time to think please. Please" she closed the door and finished changing

Zephyr made sure he had everything before getting in his truck and driving home. He exited to walk into the small house, then looked through his mail. One slip read *Invitation to yearly prom in two weeks blah blah blah*. So the school prom was coming up already? He sighed heavily. Every person was required to go, so he had to find someone to go with, whether he liked it or not. He made a face and did some work before showering and falling asleep.

Early next morning he got up and brushed through his hair, pulling on black boot cut jeans, a navy blue flannel shirt, and boots. Maybe he wouldn't get noticed as much. He drove back to school to be greeted by one of his actual friends, a guy named Peter. Peter wasn't popular in any way shape or form, and a lot of people resented Zeph for having Pete as a friend, but they had been friends forever. Zephyr smiled slightly as he walked up. Peter grinned and pushed Zeph's shoulder. "hey slugger! So, you got the invitation too? You ya takin to prom man? You are literally the most popular boy in school, you could take ANY of the pretty girls chasing after ya." Pete said cheerfully as they walked in. "I think I'm gonna ask Sam. She's nice enough to maybe actually consider it." He commented before lifting an eyebrow. Zephyr sighed. "I don't know. I've always taken Lydia but she's being... herself. I'm glad we, well, broke up, but man does she really have to yell it to the whole school? Now everyone's all excited." He snorted. Peter grinned. "I can maybe solve that. So, I'm unpopular, eh? And you don't like popular girls? Well I dare you to take out this one girl, her name is Sophia." he said. Zephyr lifted an arched black eyebrow. "Are you insane? No." he answered firmly, putting his stuff away. Pete snorted. "What do you mean no? C'mon. I double dog dare you." he challenged. Zephyr finally huffed. "Fine. If you'll leave me alone." He half growled.

Sophia couldn't stand seeing Blake, so she ignored him and walked to her car early, driving to school. Blake was a few minutes behind her, but he pulled into the spot beside her. Sophia walked into the school, her brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. She pulled her backpack higher up her shoulder, quickly stopping at her locker.
-

Blake couldn't believe that after 10years, she would ditch him.

Pete laughed. "See you after class buddy." He walked away. Zephyr sighed heavily and grabbed his stuff, glancing at a girl and a boy that walked in. He recalled the boy... Blake... and that sent a line to the girl. She was Sophia, wasn't she? How could Pete dare him to ask that girl out? She always stuck to Blake's side like a leech. Not in a bad way, just... Zeph guessed Blake would ask her out first. He decided to wait till the end of the day, and if she hadn't been asked by then, he would go ahead.

"Blake. Quit following me. Find someone else to pester for the day please. " she quickly finished her thought before he could butt in "I just need time to think about how to handle you right now..." she walked away to her first class.
-

Blake stood there, flabbergasted. He shook his head, his eyes wide. "What?" He asked as she walked away. A few people glanced at him as he grabbed his backpack and walked away.