I stirred slightly when I felt a light but noticeable tapping on my shoulder and groaned, "Go away, Mannie," I told my older sister. This was our routine, she disrupted my sleep and I told her to go away. Refusing to get up, I laid there hoping she'll think I was dead and leave me alone. No luck. 

I guess this was my price for watching Indian dramas all night. But you couldn't blame me, they so long and there was always another part! Plus, I couldn't go to bed on a cliffhanger, I wouldn't sleep anyway.

Simultaneously yawning and stretching tiredly, I raised my head from my desk and opened my eyes sleepily. I frowned in confusion. My desk? Why am I not in bed? Slowly my eyes trailed up the figure in front of me and my eyes widened. If I could've blush, I think Santa would choose me instead of Rudolph in that moment. Standing before me with his arms crossed unhappily across his chest was my math teacher, Mr. Best, scowling down at me.

He didn't look too keen at having his student who was sleeping a few seconds ago tell him to go away. I chuckled nervously and said, "Mr. Best, smile! Angry is so not your look!" My math teacher 's frown only sank deeper as he furrowed his milky brows.

There was an eruption of laughter behind me and Mr. Best held up his hand which quieted the class immediately. They certainly were not going to join me on whatever punishment I was going to receive. I sighed and fiddled with my fingers, awaiting the outcome. Right now, I really hated those dramas.

"Am I boring you, miss?" He asked.

"No! Of course not, sir! I just love listening to you go on and on about last semester's work. Its just so intriguing. Believe me," I said sincerely. "Did I ever mention that you are my favourite teacher?" I was so screwed. That response came out ruder than I intended and the deepening scowl on my teacher's told me he thought it was insolent as well. Right about now, I wish I could wake up to Mannie waking me up. In my bed.

"Detention." 

My mouth dropped open and I flew my arms in air, "I can't! I have to work this afternoon. I can go tomorrow. Just not today. Please!" I begged. My frantic cries seemed to have no effect on him as he just stood there staring at me with the same stoic expression he wore all day, everyday. You know that one teacher in the school who never smiled and one glance from them sent you running for the hills? Yeah, that was Mr. Best at Regal Anthony High. He was just a ray of sunshine!

"My decision is made up." He dismissed me and turned around resuming his lecture like nothing happened. I don't know what came over me but somehow I got the stomach to repeat him in a low-ish grumpy voice and mocked him. A wave laughter washed over the class once again and I even heard Tobias snort behind me and shot him deadly glare. Mr. Best froze in his steps and it was then I knew I was royally screwed and fucked. 

His face was red when he calmly said, "Get up. To the Principal's office. Now" Oh, shit. I stood, grabbed my bag and books and left the classroom. Why can't you ever hold your tongue, Armelle? I scolded myself. The walk to the office quiet and my footsteps echoed through the still corridors. It made the fear raise higher in my throat.

As I entered the office, the secretary took one look at me and pointed to Principal Stein. I scoffed, well hello to you too. She only rolled her eyes at me and returned to her work. I sat down in the comfy leather chair and rested my stuff in the chair next to me. The principal looked at me with a bored expression as I did so.

"Why are you here, Armelle?" He questioned and I shrugged. 

"Well..." I started. This is not going to be pretty. "I sort of fell asleep in class and when Mr. Best woke me I may told him to go away. Then when I told him that angry was not a good look on him he gave me a detention. But I tried to explained that I had work this afternoon and he was like 'my decision is final' or something like that," I explained still mocking him in the voice, "So mocked him and hear I am now, Mr. Stein."

"Armelle, you realize that I can strip of your title Captain of the Spoken Word Club for this behavior, right?" My heart lurched in my throat and I nodded tentatively. He couldn't, I love spoken word! That club means the freaking world to me. "But I won't," a relieved sigh left my lips. "I'm suspending you. From the club, not school."

Tears gathered at the brim of my eyes and my voice cracked, "What?" He nodded. "I'm sorry. I really am! Please don't do this, Principal Stein. It was all a mistake, I swear!"

The principal only sighed at my plea, "I'm sorry but I can't allow you to do these things without punishment, Armelle. The suspension will last the rest of the month. During this time you will be allowed to go to club meetings but will not be able to participate in various club activities. Understood?," I nodded sadly but didn't respond. "Look, the month will fly faster than you realize. You are dismissed."

Principal Stein was a nice man, I knew that. He took the time to consider what was best for students around here and worked hard on keeping our standard high. He was on the chubby side with receding salt and pepper hair and loved to wear those striped office shirts. But no matter how nice he was I knew he was following the rules. It was my fault for falling asleep anyway.

"Thank you," I said before leaving.

When I reentered the classroom, I wish I could say everyone became quiet but there was no noise to die. It was so peaceful that you would have thought a baby was asleep in there. "Back so early, miss Parker?" Mr. Best smiled and I want to knock out those twigs he called teeth. Jesus, does he even brush his mouth? Why are they so yellow...and skinny? 

"Yes," I answered trying to think of a comeback but nothing came to mind. The fight in me was gone and Mr. Best smiled more, he had won this round. I sighed, school sucks.

"Alright, take your seat and the class will resume."

°*°*°

Lunch rolled around the corner and I still felt sulky. Spoken word was my favorite thing at this school! Its the only thing I can actually tolerate here. Well, that and principal Stein. The kids there were real. We spoke about topics that was occurring in the real world and brought awareness to them. Even though it was one of the least preferred clubs here, I didn't give a damn, I loved it and as Mr. Best would say, My decision was final! ...I think.

Tobias kept trying to cheer me up but nothing he said or did could change the fact that I wasn't going to be doing spoken word for the rest of the month. He kept saying that it wasn't the end of world and that it was only for a month but I just wouldn't have it. He was so persistent on seeing me happy that I think he would be next person I told to go away for the day. At least they both would be for reasonable causes.

At our lunch table, I allowed Sasha to comfort me and tell me it was only a month. She was in spoken word, Tobi wasn't. She knew what I was missing out on and could relate to me in a way Tobias couldn't. At least the only good thing was that since I wasn't going to be leading the club, Ash would. I knew she was exuberant but not showing it for my case. Heck, I'd be too. Sasha was like that. She'd try her best to make you feel better but her eyes would tell you what she really thought. It was my favorite thing about her, the way she was easy to read. One of the reasons we remained best friends since middle school.

Tobi kept ranting about how girls were so annoyingly weird because he tried to comfort me and it didn't work but Ash said pretty much the same thing and it did. It was pretty cute. "I'm just saying, most guys won't know what to say. But I did. But did that work? No," he said dragging out the no childishly which made me giggle, "Then bam! In comes Sasha and everything becomes better. It's like you give no chance to the male population, El."

Ash poked me with her elbow but I ignored her. For months, she has been trying convince me that Tobi liked me. It wasn't that I didn't find him attractive, he was in many ways. I think he'd be one of the most hottest boys in our school. But I wasn't going to jeopardize our friendship for a stupid little crush that'll pass. I love him but just not in that way. I giggled, I seemed to be doing a lot of that lately, "Com'on Tobes! Don't be mad. Ash is in the club that's all. She can relate to me more than you can," I explained to him. A cute pout shaped his lips but he gave me a smile anyway.

"Aw, okay. Its hard not to forgive you, baby. You're too innocent." The endearment shocked me. Its had been the first time he used it and I kind of liked it. It sent tingles in my stomach, that was too had to ignore. I inwardly groaned. This was exactly what I didn't was to happen. God, he was my best friend for Christ sake! I shouldn't be feeling this way.

I squirmed in my seat, flustered. "I'm n-not i-innocent," I squeaked. Gosh, I turning into a blabbering fool and I certainly didn't appreciate the way my palms had sweat that I had to put my fork down in fear that it would slip and embarrassed me even more. Next, to me Ash smiled when 

Tobi responded, "Oh, really?"

If it was even possible my heart beat accelerated even more than before. I couldn't believe he was making innuendos right now. Tobi sent me a wicked smirked, knowing and liking the effect he had on me, and it filled my mind with thoughts a 17 year old virgin shouldn't be able to think. I decide to play his stupid game, "Besides who are you to speak? You'd jump anything with boobs!"

Ash snorted next to me, "Does that mean you'd do Caitlyn Jenner? We know how you like them older. What's is it you say again? The older they are the more experience they have?"

We both cracked up when Tobi glared at us. "Both of you aren't in any position to talk because at least I'm not the one who swoons over celebrities twice my age, okay?"

I choked on my laughter, "Hey! If you were a girl you'd understand, these celebs are too hot to be true, it's like Aphrodite hand-crafted their faces out of clay herself!"

Ash chimed in, "Have you seen those abs? Swoon."

I rolled my eyes at my friend, she was abs crazy. Once, she even said if a model kidnapped her she wouldn't mind, once they had abs and remained shirtless the whole time. That, ladies and gentlemen, is my best friend.

Tobias rolled his eyes while standing and lifting his shirt. He scoffed, "Please. Take a look at this" A girl from the table behind me sighed lustful and Tobias smirked at her. Such a playboy. 

"Sit your ass down, no one enjoys looking at your flabs, Tobias," Ash said.

Tobi only got up and went over to her, flirting some more. He came back grinning, "Score! I got digits."

I rolled my eyes. That's why I believe Tobi won't ever really like me. Sure a fleeting crush might pass but he would never actually like me. All the years, I've known him, he has never been in a serious relationship before. They were all just flings. I once had a childhood crush on him when I was fifteen. That jumped out the window when he told me lost his virginity. It continued on like that since, never serious. Why was I getting worked up over this?

Tobias looked over at me, "Elle, don't you like them?"

"Huh?" I replied not really knowing the direction the conversation went, "Yeah, of course."

Ash and Tobi both burst out laughing and I just rolled my eyes and grunted.

"Aww. Don't be mad. Next time just pay attention so you won't agree that you me in bed."

I grunted in response. Tobi frowned at me, it was not like me to be like this, usually I would laugh it off and get back to normal. His eyes widened as if he figured out everything.

"Are you jealous?" he asked wiggling his eyebrows. "Don't worry, Melly-bear, you're the only girl that truly has my heart." What? Is he joking or not?

As if I was destined to embarrass myself further I choked on my food. I stood up abruptly and cleared my throat, "I'm- I'm g-gonna go to t-the bathroom." Jesus, the last thing I needed to do was stumble on my words.

"Alright," Tobias winked at me. He freaking winked! It was official, I was going to die. Then he said the thing that was sure to sign my death certificate, "baby." 

My breath hitched in my throat before I left the cafeteria. I only made it to the hallway before I took a breath. I knew Ash was behind me and was coming soon so I stood here and waited. It was supposed to be our little trio! What was happening?! If Ash didn't come soon I might start hyperventilating.

"I thought you didn't like him," Ash laughed.

"I don't," I insisted, happy that I could speak without stuttering. I looked at my other best friend. The corner of her eyes crinkled in amusement at my situation. This is not funny! "Help me!" I cried.

"I don't know what to tell you. I was trying to tell all this time but you never listen." She smiled. Why the heck was she smiling?! "Besides you like him too."

I gasped at my best friend. She knows I don't like him that way. "What? No, Ash. We already established this."

"Whatever you say, but in my opinion, I've never seen you act so flustered around a guy you didn't like before." She shrugged and walked away, "No, no. I've never seen choked on food around a guy you didn't like before."

I mean he's really cute and nice and sweet. I groaned and put my face in my palms. What was happening to me. Somehow my brain seemed to be forgetting that we were best friends. Even longer that Ash and I. We were raised together! So why was I feeling this way?

I tried to clear my head and returned to the cafeteria. As I sat down next to Ash I gulped and smoothes my hands on my jeans and let a breath. See, everything was okay and did not like my best friend.

"Everything okay there, babe?," Tobi asked me sweetly. He was not worried or concerned, he was teasing me. I can't believe I liked someone so mean. I racked my head for a response but the only thing that came out was,

"H-huh?"

"I said," He leaned forward and our mouths were only inches apart. No, more like centimeters! My eyes locked on his lips and I licked mine unconsciously. I saw his gaze flicker to my lips. "Is everything okay, babe?"

Again, the endearments did things to me. I cleared my throat my eyes still on his lips. They weren't full like an actor's but they were thin and sort of long-ish. And from my close view, I could tell they were slightly chapped. I nodded like those bobby-heads people put in their cars, "Of c-course. W-why wouldn't it b-be?"

"Just asking because the way you're looking at my lips makes me wonder if you ate enough."

Oh sweet baby Jesus. "Uhhh," I frowned at my inability to speak. He returned it with one of his smiles. It wasn't anything to taunt me, it was innocent and sweet. "Why didn't you wake me in math, Tobias?," I asked him, changing the subject. He seemed to have enough of the teasing and left me alone now.

"I didn't want to," he replied honestly, "You were snoring." I was snoring in front of him? I didn't even know that I snored.

"You didn't wake me because I was snoring," I deadpanned. I loved this boy but sometimes he made me want to smack him upside the head.

"It was cute," he protested, "sort of like a lion's purr." I rolled my eyes and played around woth my food. A yawn escaped me and Tobi watched me, "How much sleep did you get last night, El?"

I yawned again. Jeez, it was like when you started you couldn't stop. "A few hours," I lied. I probably got two hours tops but I wouldn't tell him that. I knew that he was my best friend and everything but he worried too much. And likewise to Mr. Best he wouldn't listen to me when I tell him it didn't look good on him. "I'm fine. You worry too much Tobi."

He nodded, "How many hours?" I frowned. I hadn't realised that Tobi noticed my receding sleep hours.

"Four."

He wouldn't meet my eyes because he knew I was lying, "Okay."

The rest of the day I wasn't able to focus properly in class. No matter how many times I told myself that I needed to focus Tobi's behavior danced I'm the back of my mind. Both his flirtatious and worried behavior. How long had he noticed I was losing hours? I didn't pay it any mind. It started with waking up at early hours in the morning and not being able to fall back asleep. It's nothing really and Tobi was freaking out over nothing.

I smiled to myself. What are best friends if they didn't worry relentlessly over you for nothing right? Then I frowned. What if my feelings grew for Tobi? Would he even consider me? He's really sweet and caring but I don't know... Something could happen between us and what if it damaged our friendship?

"Armelle, did you hear what I just said?" My teacher, Mrs. Sweet asked me. I shook head in reply and apologized. Like her last me suggested, Ms. Sweet was, well, sweet. She sighed because her patience was probably wearing thin and scolded, "Pay attention please."

That did nothing to my focus as

the inevitable question clouded mind. What if Tobi and I together destroyed our friendship?