Drained..

Closer.

Justin's POV

"There's no way! I tried 37 times at the same speed and Mario can't get through the boss! It's not fair!" Ben cried. "You still haven't passed that level? I did ages ago." I smirked.
"Oh hush up butter cup! I want to complete it myself!"

"Knock, knock?" A sweet voice called. I turned around and saw Ariana. She looked as cute as a button. "Greetings." I replied.

'Greetings' ? Are you fucking kidding me? Are you some idiot? Try acting cool for once, instead of acting like a complete nerd!

I sighed.

"There's a small problem with the competition dates.. Apparently they got cancelled because of the school play that's being performed. The drama club is taking 7 field trips around the state. The play is a hit and the school hasn't got enough money to pay for us." Ariana said with sadness in her voice.

"What? This can't be! We've been studying for hours everyday for this!" Shane threw his hands in the air.

"What about the fun raiser money from the summer carnival last month?" Ben asked.

"They're using that money too. For renting the bus and for getting the props to every location. They have to stay in hotels too. I'm sorry everyone.." Ariana looked down.

"Looks like we have no choice but to wait until the spring boys." I sighed.

+

"Je serai à la maison plus tard maman, je suis rester après l'école. D'accord. Salut mere."

"You speak french?" I asked Ariana after she hung up the phone.

"Yeah, I speak it with my mother. She was born in Italy, but French was spoken to her when she was young. Then she passed it on to me." She said proudly. "That's astonishing.. Umm.. Hey Ariana?"

"Yes?"

"A-are you doing anything later today?"

"No, why?"

"Well me and the boys are going out to look at the stars tonight, and I-"

"I'd love to go Justin." She said with excitement. "Thanks for the invite, you've been so kind to me for the past few days."
"Well, you're my friend and I just want this first year here to be fun for you."
"Thank you." She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed the life out of me.

The boys all started snickering. I really didn't understand why she hugged me all the time. But of course I'll be a gentleman and hug her back.

+

Ariana's POV

"Do you guys always come here?" I asked.

"Yes, it's relaxing. It gets school off of our shoulders for a little while. Even though I adore education." He said with pride.

We sat down on the blanket that lay on the grass while Ben and Shane set up a telescope.

"The sky is beautiful tonight." I said while laying back. We were out in an open field, it was dark, but the stars and moon lit everything up perfectly. We weren't alone, there were other people in tents a few feet away. I guess this was the perfect spot to settle down and keep your mind off of stressful things.

"Have you ever dreamed of something that you always wanted to reach, but you always felt like you couldn't reach it?"

I turned and looked at Justin and nodded. "Every night, I make a wish on the brightest star I see. It gives me hope. People just don't understand me, I have an imagination that no one understands. Sometimes I just want to run away and be alone, isolated away from everyone." Justin said gazing at the stars.

"Why is that?" I asked. I was open to listening to every word he had to say.

"I just.. Being the 'nerd' I am, is difficult. Sometimes people use me just to get answers and people bully me around like I'm nothing. But I'm a human just like everyone else. That's why I usually stay home and play games. Being alone makes me feel so much better. I know I can't be alone all the time, that's why my mother signed me up for the Math Team. She knows I'm antisocial. I've made friends with Ben and Shane, and even Matt. Also you of course. Just knowing that people care, makes me feel like I'm actually worth something. And I've never felt that way before. I always feel like I'm nothing, worthless. And it hurts."

"Justin.. I want you to know something. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. You are you. That's all that matters. I think you're an amazing person. And you should keep doing what you're doing. You're a smart kid." I said, sitting up.

"Thanks Ariana." Justin said sitting up aswell.

"So, tell me about yourself. Like, your family, where you're from." I said smiling at him.

+