Hi,

Chapter 5

I pull up to Connor's place, slam my car door shut, and march up to the house, still fuming. Who does she think she is? I thought Friday's party would set things straight, but apparently, some people still want to mess with me. The guys aren't here yet, but I never have to wait to get into Connor's place. I walk in, head straight for the fridge, hoping for a beer.

"Good morning, honey. Rough day?"

Miss Harris's gentle voice floats in, like a mother's voice should. Calming. I shrug and shut the fridge when I don't find anything worth drinking. Grabbing a glass, I fill it with tap water, lean against the counter, and take a long, unsatisfying sip.

"I'm glad to see you, Nathan," Miss Harris says, settling herself at the kitchen table.

She's always been kind to me. No pressure, no expectations. She doesn't demand explanations or answers. She's seen me at my worst, and the Harris family was there when I had no one else. I'll always be grateful for that.

"Good to see you too," I mutter, placing the empty glass in the dishwasher.

Connor's car pulls up, and I greet him with a fist bump as he walks in, Marco and Dustin trailing behind. We head down to the living room, crashing on the couches without much conversation.

"So, what's the deal with those flyers?" I finally ask, breaking the silence.

"No idea, man. It's messed up, though. People are pathetic," Connor replies.

I laugh, nodding. "Yeah, but you know what? I'm thinking about playing along."

Dustin raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah," I say, leaning forward. "That dude thought he could step up and protect his girl. Tried to fight me like an idiot. What better way to shut him up than by taking his girl? Lexi challenged me, and I'm gonna win."

"Bro, that's cold," Dustin says, grinning.

"She's hot, though," I add. "Don't even know why I haven't gone for her yet."

"Maybe because she's not in our crowd?" Marco says.

He's right. She's not someone I'd usually see at our parties. In fact, last Friday might've been the first time I even noticed her. I'll have to start showing up to school more often if I'm gonna make this work.

"Speaking of out-of-circle girls, Marco," I say, "who was that girl last Friday?"

Marco shifts, trying to hide a grin. "I've been talking to her online..."

Dustin hoots. "Marco! You're blushing, man!"

I chuckle, giving Marco a playful shove. He shoves back, and we both get up, mock-fighting with raised fists.

"Oh, and she's friends with your new target. Her name's Mackenzie," Marco says, still smiling.

"Good to know," I reply.

Connor smirks. "Knowing her name or knowing her best friend?"

"Both," I shoot back, matching his tone.

Connor gives me a look, and I realize something. "Where's Haze?" I ask.

Connor smirks again, and Dustin shifts awkwardly. Marco's focused on his phone.

"Dust? Where is he?" I repeat.

Dustin sighs. "When I told him we were meeting up, he was talking to Lexi. Said he wasn't coming."

My stomach tightens. Lexi's been pushing my buttons, and now she's cozying up to Haze? That guy will do anything for attention, especially if it means one-upping me. This can't go unchecked.