Zephyr lifted his head slightly as Sophia went up to bat again. She hit a long ball, but the outfielder caught out, however they threw it back wrong- really, it just confused him, but he could tell when Sophia slid in that it was a good thing. He smiled slightly as everyone started cheering. That was a good sign. Even in his clueless state, he knew it was a home run. He waited for a couple seconds before standing- finally. The end of school. Zeph tucked his hand into his pockets after pulling down his cap again- he didn't want anyone to see his face right now. He looked like a raw hamburger. He sighed slightly at the thought before walking down the steps and onto the ground, then towards his truck.

"Hey wait!" Sophia was walking away when someone came behind her and grabbed her shoulder. "Don't do that ever again. You hear?" Sophia wheeled around to see a young woman of about 25 years old. She looked like she was about to slap her. "Excuse me?" She asked, her head tilted. "You did that on purpose. Don't ever slide like that again. You'll break something. " she turned and walked away. Sophia was left speechless as she walked to her car

Zephyr was heading towards his truck when he heard a raised voice. He turned to see a rather infuriated looking woman yelling at Sophia. He snorted slightly- what was that person to tell Sophia what to do? He stayed ready to intervene until the woman walked away, then relaxed and headed back towards his truck. He put his bag in the back and leaned against the side with a sigh, a bit dizzy.

Sophia sat in the seat, her mind playing back the slide. She did it just as her coach had taught her to. She shook her head and drive home. Blake was sitting on his balcony when she got back. "Soph. I need to talk to you. Please" she walked into her house with a groan, making her way upstairs and into her room. "What do you want?" She asked out her door. She pushed it closed as she stepped onto the balcony. "I need to talk to you" he swiftly climbed over the railing as always. "I understand that. But about what?" She had her hands on her hips, sweat still present from practice. "Make it quick. I need to change. " Blake sighed. "I really want us to be more. Please Soph. Think about it. " she shook her head and stepped back. How could she tell him that one of the most -if not most- popular guys asked her to go to prom with him and she still hadn't told him yet. How would that make Blake feel? She shook her head, hugged him, then walked to her door. "I can't do that Blake. You know this. You've tried many times and it still won't work. You're like a brother to me... nothing can change that. But trying to date me might only make matters worse for us" she closed her door behind her and collapsed on her bed, falling asleep within minutes

Zephyr finally got in the truck and drove home. Another day had passed with no mention from Sophia- she had probably forgotten all about it. He sighed heavily. It's not like he expected not to be rejected, but like most people, he didn't enjoy it. Bringing his stuff inside, he treated his wound before taking a long hot shower and collapsing into bed.

In the morning he crawled out of bed and straight to the mirror. Welllll. He looked better, if you could call it that. The ugly red scar mark thingy was a little dimmer, a little more like a scar, and the black and blue had faded the slightest bit. He still looked like he got rammed in the face with a bowling ball though. Back to the hat. Zephyr pulled on some black clothing and a cap, the hurried to school, not wanting to be late. When he got there he pulled down the cap a little to hide his face as much as possible, then ducked his head and went inside. Stopping at his locker, he put his stuff away and got out what he needed for, yay, math.

Sophia was early that day, still trying to avoid Blake. She looked around the school as she stood at her locker. She wanted to see Zephyr... maybe even talk to him. She didn't expect anyone to want to talk to her infront of anyone else, and she had heard of his I just but still hadn't see it. Sophia smiled when Izzy walked through the hall. "Hey!" They greeted each other. "Sorry I wasn't ehre. I had a doctors appointment " she shrugged her shoulder. "How's you bruise?" Izzy asked as she fumbled with her blue streaks. "Still hurts and is still black and blue. Hoping it gets better by prom" Izzy tilted her head "why? Are you going?" Sophia nodded slowly "yeah. I think I am." "By yourself?" Izzy asked, her eyes questioning. "No... someone asked me. But I'm not telling you until I'm for sure going. Patience Izzy. Please" Izzy and Sophia stood at the lockers, both of them excited, though Izzy had a bit of surprise in her voice "ok!"

Zephyr sucked in a deep breath as Peter came up- the most annoying lovable person ever. Pete grinned. "C'mon man, you NEED to stop hiding under that cap like a mole underground. It's not like your eyes are white or anything! Everyone gets bruised." Pete snatched the hat away again while Zephyr groaned. "OHMIGOSHITLOOKSLIKEYOUALMOSTDIEDWHATHAPPENEDPOORBABY." Pete said in a highpitched voice, obviously mocking the other guy. "It doesn't look THAT bad... it's not like anyone can recognize you." He teased, earning a whack from Zephyr as he snatched back his hat. "Shut it." He grunted as Peter spoke again. "Dude, you took the dare, right?" Pete asked. Zeph shook his head. "I did NOT carry out the dare, because that would be wrong. I asked Sophia to the prom on my own terms. She has not responded, in case you were wondering." He said in an even tone. Peter laughed. "Have fun, bud." He chuckled before walking away. Zeph rolled his eyes and grabbed his stuff before realizing- Pete had stolen his hat. Again. "Peter get back here!" He called, but the other person was already gone.

Sophia looked around to spot a two guys talking. She shook her head and started walking when she recognized the voice. +Zephyr...+ how could she approach him? She shook her head. She wouldn't. If he wanted to know he would come to her. She walked to her class. She was happy that she didn't see Blake at all, so when she got to the art class, a deep breath escaped her lungs. "Oh sweet pencils!" She said as she pulled out some pencils and doodled. Flowers. Then she started to actually try. Dogs and Cats. Then she really out her effort in, her brow creased as she leaned over her work. Kittens and Puppies. They looked almost like they were jumping out of the paper! She stared at the basket of sleeping kittens, one falling out of it. Puppies were jumping and playing with each other on the other side of the page. She smiled and neatly placed it in her bag before going to the lunchroom. "Here's my drawing of the day" she said as she pulled out the paper. She looked around to see Blake hanging out with a group of wrestling guys. She shrugged slightly and turned her attention to the paper again

Zephyr groaned a little and ducked his head as he walked through the halls, now with no hat. He'd get Peter to give it back at lunch. He entered his math class, suffering through that, staggered to his history class, proceeded in the normal coma, and woke up at the end to walk to lunch. Midway there he paused, thinking for a moment to wait. As he noticed Sophia walking through the halls he hesitated again. No way was she going to say yes to Mr. Hamburger face here, but hey, it was worth a shot. Zephyr walked up to her. "Hey... do you have an answer about the prom thing or do you need more time? Sorry if it seems like I'm in a rush to know- I'm not- I was just wondering.." He trailed off with a slight wince. Way to bombshell that. He swore he saw Lydia off in his periferal vision making an exploding bomb. He hated that girl. Anyway.

Sophia shook her head "it's not rushed" she said. Izzy elbowed Sophia like crazy until she has to grab her elbow to get her to stop. "I'll go with you" she completely ignored the scar across his face, knowing she still had her own bruise. Izzy turned and looked at Sophia. "What!? This is who your going with!" She was so surprised, so there was not a single hint of anger in her tone she was practically jumping around. "Oh my gosh!"