The bell rings signaling the end of first period. I stand up and Alex catches me off guard by grabbing my hand. I look at our intertwined hands pointedly. "Do you mind?" he asks, flashing a crooked smile. Uh... What did he say? Oh I remember now. "No of course not. Just keep it to the hands, Gaskarth. Can't be getting too friendly." he laughs leading me out of the room. He leads me to my next period, which is Algebra 2. This is one of the three classes we don't have together. He stops by the door and looks at me. "This is where we must part my dear," he says grinning. At that moment a boy with long black hair with blonde bangs runs down the hallway right towards us. "ALLLEEEEEEXXX!" he yells almost tackling me by mistake. "Oh sorry I didn't see you there. I only had eyes for Alex," he says turning towards Alex and blowing him a kiss. Alex laughs chucking his friend on the shoulder. "Jack, I want you to meet Alaina. Alaina, this is Jack." jack comes over and gives me a hug and then slaps my butt so hard that I let out a profanity, "FUCK!" I yell. I think Alex and Jack are having a stoke or something because they're both on the floor laughing like idiots. "It's not funny," I grumble. When they see the look on my face they just start laughing harder. "ALEX," I say, "get your ass off the floor." they stand and Jack apologizes and heads off to his class, but not before I give him a little pinch. "Ha, jokes on you cause I actually liked that!" he yells running to his next class. I look over at Alex to find that he is already looking at me. Suddenly I get self conscious, "What?" I ask, scrunching my nose up. "Nothing, you're just interesting to watch," and he laughs. God. That laugh could make anyone want to join in. "But class is about to start so i'll save you a seat at lunch." he winks at me before walking away. This next class is going to be super long, is all l can think when I walk in and sink down into my seat. ****************************************** When the bell rings signaling the end of 4th period I get up and exit the classroom. When I get to my locker I see that Alex has already beat me. "I would've broken into your locker but I figured that you would turn into a fire breathing dragon or something so..." he trails off and I hiss at him causing him to laugh. He has a really adorable laugh I notice smiling. When we get to the lunch room I hesitantly follow Alex to where Jack and two other boys are sitting. "Are you sure they'll be okay with this?" I whisper anxiously to Alex. He gives my hand a light squeeze. "Hey guys I want you to meet Alaina, Alaina this is Rian and Zack. And of course you've met Jack," he indicates two guys, Rian has like no hair, and Zack's is close cropped. This is a really good looking group is what I'm thinking when Jack runs over giving me a bear hug and a noogie. "ALAAAIIIINNNA!" he yells. "Hey Jack," I laugh as I sit down across from Alex and next to Zack. "Hey," he says quietly giving me a sweet smile. Rian nods at me. "Hey," and bam just like that they make me feel welcome. I wasn't really 'popular' back home so it feels nice to be accepted. I can feel Alex touch my knee from across the table, smiling. "Told ya" he mouths. "So Alaina, you ever listen to blink?" Jack asks looking at me from over a can of red bull. (like the kid needs any more energy) I smile and nod. "Say it aint so, I will not go, turn the lights off, carry me home," I sing. They all stare at me. Uhh is there something on my face, I think starting to wipe at my face. "HOT," Jack says. I giggle. "Ya know, we're in a band. I play guitar, Zack's on bass, Rian is the drummer, and Alex sings." I look at Alex. Go figure. I've always had a thing for singers. "I also play guitar too, but my main thing is singing." he says looking at me. "I would really like to hear that someday," I say smiling at him. Alex's face lights up. "Really? We're having practice tonight after school. You wanna come?" his face is so adorable when he says this. "I would love to," I say smiling. How could I possibly say no that face?