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-fun filler chapter I needed to write for smooth transition-

Astrix jabs my shoulder and forces me to stop short of my locker. She widens her eyes in disbelief.

"Jack is Amara's older brother? Why didn't we catch onto that sooner!"

I sigh and shake my head. "I don't know! I guess we were charmed by her cuteness and blinded by Jack's...Jerky self. It went right over our heads, didn't it?"

Astrix laughs. "Jack isn't that bad. I mean...He did stand up for you against Cody."

I roll my eyes. "Cody is just a plain out dingus. I could have taken him."

Astrix nods. "I know, Oaklyn. But it's the thought that counts, yeah?"

I don't reply to her. I shove my books into my locker harder than necessary and take out the ones I need, in this case, Math.

I don't want to go to Math. I don't want to see Jack's face again, with his stupid little smirk and that gum and his...Well...Jackass self.

What I can't understand is how he knows. How does he know about my parent's death, and my financial difficulties? How does he know my name? And...WHY does he know? Who could have possibly told him?

I don't think it's plausible that he made a pit-stop at the office and they told him my whole life story. It would have taken professional, hard-core, investigation. But how and why did he do it? Why does he care so much in the first place? It's like he made it his personal issue to annoy me...And confuse me...What exactly was it that he did again?

I feel a sharp tug on my arm and realize that Astrix pinched me. I draw back and rub myself.

"What was that for!?"

She rolls her eyes. "You're in la-la land. Wake up. The bell is about to ring, and you're going to be late.

She spins on her heel and makes her way to her next class. I mutter under my breath and turn in the opposite direction to Math.

Mrs. Casper stands at the front of the board, ruler in hand, glasses firmly in place. I walk past her with my head bowed and take my seat.

I notice that Jack hasn't yet arrived, and the bell is about to ring. I inwardly breathe a sigh of relief. Good...I didn't feel like putting up with his shit. Well, I never do, but today especially.

To my dismay, just as the class is getting started, Jack waltzes into the room and takes the seat next to mine. I sigh...So close...

Mrs. Casper holds out her ruler. "You're late." She states.

Jack nods. "Yeah, I was, er, dropping my sister off at her daycare."

Amara? Daycare? I remember her mother mentioning something about a morning reprieve...

Mrs. Casper sighs. "I do not tolerate lateness in my class, no matter the excuse."

Jack opens his mouth. "Well-"

"No. I don't want to hear it."

"I was just-"

"NO."

"If you'd list-"

Mrs. Casper points at Jack with the tip of her ruler.

"No. I won't listen. You've had plenty of time to adjust to this school's curriculum, and...You've gotten a tardy that you'll just need to deal with."

Jack rolls his eyes. "How does your husband put up with your tardies?"

The room goes deathly silent. Mrs. Casper is one of those spinster teachers you just know not to mess with. You just don't, no questions asked.

Jack seems to realize his mistake. A hand snakes up his face and covers his mouth, behind which he stammers in late apology.

The entire class sucks in a big breath and watches the stare-down like it's a tennis match. Back and forth...Back and forth...

Mrs. Casper brings a perfectly manicured hand onto her hip and purposefully tightens her bun. Uh-Oh. Someone's in trouble...

Jack doesn't move a muscle, but I can tell he's tense. The eyes give it all away... They dart all over Mrs. Casper's face...Anywhere but her eyes. Even Jack Travels, the famed tough newbie can't look her in the eye.

After a moment, Mrs. Casper pulls out a crisp, pink pad and rips out a sheet of paper. She might just as well have signed his death certificate.

She silently holds it out and Jack gets to his feet, accepts the parchment, and makes for the door.

Before he leaves, he stops in the doorway and looks back at me.

"Keep Amara over for an extra hour before I come."

I freeze, not daring to say or do anything. At least, not when Mrs. Casper is watching my every move.

Jack winks at me and then walks away down the hall. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding and then feel a touch of annoyance. He winked...The nerve of him...

After a moment or so, Mrs. Casper pokes her head out the door and calls after him.

"Spit out the gum! You'll give yourself a cavity."

Officially, best teacher ever.