The Love You Give

Saving the Day

There were ten minutes in between classes and Ezra realized that moving forward she would just take both her Biology and Chemistry textbooks with her. She found her locker and exchanged books before walking back to where her science classes were. On the way, she watched as a stereotypical blond flanked by two minions picked on a Vietnamese girl. Ezra could see the girl wasn't fazed by the blonde's lashing, but it upset her. It upset her that people watched as it was happening and either walked past or stopped to look and listen. Ezra walked over to them and put her arm around the girl. "Hey boo, you didn't come get me after class. We're going to be late." Ezra quickly moved the girl around the trio and began walking like she hadn't interrupted anything. "Who the fuck was that?" They both heard the blond say, but kept walking. Once they were out of earshot and eyesight, Ezra moved her arm. "You're sweet for doing that, but I fear you just put yourself on Charlotte's radar."

Ezra made a face and shrugged. She didn't need the attention or headache, but she couldn't let another girl be bullied by the likes of Charlotte. "I'll deal with that. I'm Ezra Cole." The girl nodded and smiled. "I know. Sean told me about the new girl in Hartford the other day." Ezra's eyes lit up. "You know Sean?" She nodded and chuckled. "We've been friends for a really long time. He thinks you're great. Says you're exactly what this school needs." Ezra shook her head as the five-minute warning bell rang. "I don't know about all that." They laughed together. "I'm Kathy. Kathy Nguyen."

"It's really nice to meet you Kathy. I hope to see you around." Ezra said as they said their goodbyes and she walked into her AP Chemistry class. It was fuller than when she entered her Biology class, which meant less seats. She took a seat near the windows and next to a boy with thick, brownish red hair and a 5 o'clock shadow. She could feel his gaze on her but stayed focus on the view outside. The final bell rang and Ezra heard the teacher say "Welcome, Mr. Scott." She shook her head turning expecting to find Jackson again, but was met with Jacob. He smiled at her before taking his seat in the back. Being in a quality school was something Ezra had always appreciated. She forgot how much she loved having teachers that cared about the subjects they taught and their students. Mrs. Connelly spoke about Chemistry in a way that made Ezra fall in love again. She was a nerd for all things science, music and literature.

Ezra could feel Jacob's gaze on her, but she could also feel the gaze of the boy sitting next to her. She finally gave in and looked back at him, which startled him and forced him to look elsewhere. She smirked at this before going back to taking notes. The bell rang and students began getting up. "I highly doubt you took any notes today," Ezra said to the boy beside her. "I took some," he responded shyly. "I'm Ezra," she introduced. "I'd be happy lending you my notes if you want to copy them during lunch or something." He looked at her with vibrant green eyes and gave a small smile. "I'm Henry and its fine. I took notes. I'm good at multitasking." Ezra gave a small chuckle before Jacob walked up. "Hey there, sweetheart." He placed his arm around her before kissing her temple. Ezra looked at him crazily before removing his arm. "It was nice meeting you Ezra," Henry said quickly before leaving them.

"What the fuck, Jacob?!" He shrugged his shoulders indifferently. "I saw that ass wipe staring at you all period." Ezra exhaled loudly. "So, your plan was to what...pee on me to mark your territory?" Jacob wiggled his eyebrows. "I mean, it's kinky babe, but I'll try anything once." Ezra hit his shoulder. "I'm being serious, Jacob. We can't risk your parents finding out. Do you want me to be put back in the system?" He could see her anxiety rising. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I was just jealous. I'll be better next time." Ezra leveled her breathing before nodding. "Do you know where AP Calculus is?" He nodded as they walked out, while telling her how to get there. "I want to kiss you so bad, babe." He whispered to her. "Later, I promise." She gave him a wink before heading off to her locker and then Math class.

Ezra was happy she had five minutes left as she walked into her AP Calculus course. She found a seat in the middle of the classroom and opened her binder to the third divider. She would write her courses down on each tab and further organize it to her liking once she got home. Home. She thought on the mansion she currently lived in and Mr. & Mrs. Scott who were presumably done with defending her honor and doing their part to fight systemic racism. She couldn't help but smile at how her life had taken a turn for the best all thanks to Hannah's ability to convince her to do anything. "I hope that smile is for me," Mason said taking a seat next to her. "Mase," Ezra beamed. "Yeah, I can get used to that kind of welcome." He smiled back at her as the bell rang.

"Welcome, Mr. Scott." Ezra looked up to see Jace make it in right on time and shook her head. He nodded at a few football players to the back before noticing her. She smiled at him, but he didn't return it. Instead, he glared at the boy sitting right next to her. "Have a seat, Mr. Scott." The teacher instructed before going behind his desk. Jace took his seat all the while still glaring at Mason who seemed unfazed. "Last week was short and we spent the majority of it going over expectations and the syllabus. You are all seniors in an AP course. I expect you to behave and work as such. Before we dive into the material, we have a new student." Ezra groaned loud enough for only Mason to hear her and chuckle. "It won't be that bad," he leaned down and whispered. Jace caught this interaction and further fumed.

"Mr. Ezra, can you come to the front and introduce yourself. Tell us something interesting about you." Ezra sighed before standing up. "It's Ms." She said making her way up to the front of the classroom. "Hi, my name is Ezra Cole. I moved here from Rhode Island and an interesting fact is that I can play the guitar and piano." She looked back at the teacher who simply nodded and made her way back to her desk. "Acoustic or Electric." One of Jace's football buddies asked from behind her. She turned to look at him. "Both." She turned back around ready for the teacher to begin doing his job. "That's hot," they could all hear the football player say causing a few laughs. Jace wanted to wring his neck.

The class went on without much of a hitch. Ezra realized Mr. McCaslin was no joke when it came to the class and had already written five pages of notes. "I want you to read chapter 2 and do the ten problems on page 20 by tomorrow," Mr. McCaslin instructed as the bell rang. "This class is going to be the one." Ezra groaned as they got up. "What do you mean?" Mason asked her as he shouldered his backpack. "There's always that one class that you find yourself scrambling around for or asking God to give you a B- or C+ at least. This is going to be that one for me." Mason chuckled and shook his head as they made their way out of class. "I don't think so. I think you're going to do amazing in this class just like your others, because you're brilliant." She smiled up at him and he returned it. "Do you know where World Literature is with Ms. Gatlin?" Mason's eyes lit up.

"I most certainly do," he held out his arm. "Shall we?" She chuckled as she took his arm. Jace watched the interaction between Mason and Ezra and scowled. He usually took his time getting to his next class because it was so nearby, but wished he had left. He allowed the football players to share their made-up stories of pussy they got the weekend before and played the role of jock to fit the image he had spent years portraying. He wished he could be like Jackson and just throw his middle fingers up to the world and do whatever the fuck he wanted, but though they were triplets he and his brothers were nothing alike. "Did you see the body on that new girl," one of his cornerbacks asked. "She was sexy as fuck. Did you see those legs?" A safety asked groaning. "I heard she has a boyfriend," Jace threw out there wanting it to spread like wildfire. "Damn," they all said.