The bell sounded, signaling the end of third period. Immediately I stood up, throwing my backpack over my shoulder, ready to speed-walk to Chris's room. Apparently I wasn't the only one excited for lunch. One of the guys from my class, a junior I didn't really know, jumped up from his seat with a whoop. A few of the other students, myself included, turned to look at him. In his hand was a pickle. I watched in amusement as he quickly slapped it across James' face before bolting out of the room, guffawing with laughter. James made eye contact with me, a horrified look in his eye. I couldn't help but laugh at him. 

"Thanks, Holly!" he called as I headed to the exit. 

I waved my hand back at him in response, not wanting to stop and have a conversation with him. If I wasn't headed to the biology wing I would've stayed, but I was more excited for lunch. Casey's mom was a cook that almost rivaled Chris. Almost. Chris was still the best chef. 

As I was rounding the corner to the classroom, someone tackle-hugged me, almost knocking me to the floor. It took all the strength I had to keep myself on my shaky feet. Groaning, I attempted to push the man off me. "Jeremy, you're too heavy." 

"How did you know it was me?" he complained, releasing me of his crushing weight. 

"Not many people would come running and jumping on me." 

"Ah, true. You seem very fragile." 

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Seem?" 

He grinned, his green eyes twinkling. "We both know how much of a punch you can pack when you try." 

"You mean when I get lucky," I corrected, "and I rather not think about those darker times, if you don't mind." 

He snorted. "Darker times..." 

I pushed open the door to Chris's room without knocking, my eyes immediately searching for him. When they caught sight of him I froze, causing Jeremy to run into me. "Er..." 

Chris's head whipped in my direction, his eyes widening slightly when he saw Jeremy and myself. I cocked an eyebrow, taking in the scene before me. Casey was against the chalkboard, Chris holding her there with his hand on her mouth. Lance was also there, perched on Chris's desk, going through a pile of papers. It was an interesting and bemusing view. 

"What are you doing?" Jeremy demanded, brushing past me, and marching up to Chris. "Get your hand off her." 

Chris immediately dropped his hand. "Look, you don't-" 

"Are you okay?" Jeremy asked seriously, facing Casey. 

"I didn't attack her," Chris said flatly, crossing his arms. "She's just wouldn't shut up." 

Casey sniffed, turning her head up at him. "I was just being curious and he suddenly slapped his hand to my mouth!" 

"After he told her to stop talking a million times," Lance added. "Rudely, I have to say."  

"Of course I would! You don't ask things like that!" 

"Things like what?" I inquired, moving closer to the group. "Casey... Are you harassing Chris?" 

She shrugged innocently. "I was just curious about your relationship..." 

Chris scowled. "She asked me if-" 

"I don't want to hear it," I said quickly, saving myself from the embarrassment that was sure to come if I heard the questions she asked him. Already I could name three off the top of my head she would surely ask. 

Jeremy patted her on the shoulder. "Good luck. He won't even answer me." 

"Who would?" Chris snapped at him. 

He smiled, moving his hand from Casey's shoulder to Chris's head. Like he usually did to me, he ruffled Chris's hair. "Too embarrassed to talk about it?" 

Chris quickly slapped his hand away. "Jeremy, just shut up." 

I grinned. It was nice seeing Chris together with the other three most important people in my life. He acted much more like himself. Less serious and more like a child. An adorable child. Unfortunately, he caught me grinning at him. I quickly dropped it. "H-hey, Chris." 

"I know what you're thinking," he told me flatly. "That I'm like a child?" 

My jaw nearly dropped. "Wow! You're good!" 

"No, you're just easy to read." 

I glared at him. "I am not!" 

"Yes you are," Lance, Jeremy, Casey, and Chris chorused. 

Grimacing, I let my shoulders sag. "It'd be nice to know at least one of you was on my side." 

Lance hopped off the desk, coming over to me. "I'm on your side, Holly, but I can not tell a lie..." he trailed off, smirking. "Unlike Heywood." 

"What are you talking about?" Chris sighed. 

"Holly." 

"Let's not talk about that," I interjected quickly, shooting Lance a warning look. "I'm actually really hungry. Casey, food?" 

She nodded eagerly. "Yeah! It's in the supply closet." 

"I'll get it," Chris offered, heading toward the adjoining room. 

"Me too," I said, hurrying after him. "He might need help carrying it..." 

Casey gave me a knowing look. "Yeah, he's way too weak to carry a cooler all by himself, right?" 

Jeremy snickered as I flushed, slipping into the supply closest. Chris turned on me at once. "Can we kick them out?" 

Smiling, I shook my head. "Come on, Chris. It's not bad." 

"Yes it is." 

"You're enjoying yourself," I told him, putting my hands on my hips. "Whether you think so or not." 

He frowned at me. "Why do you think that?" 

"You've said it yourself that Jeremy is your best friend. If you thought he was so irritating, you wouldn't be friends with him," I pointed out. "Also, you've said before you liked my friends, so I don't think you hate Casey and Lance." 

Looking impressed, he flicked my nose. "Maybe you pay more attention than I give you credit for." 

"What's that supposed to mean?" 

"It means I love you," he responded, quickly kissing me on my forehead. "Now let's get out of here before Jeremy makes a comment about-" 

"Hurry up you two! You can do your lovey-dovey stuff later. I'm hungry!" 

Chris narrowed his eyes. "Never mind." 

I laughed, leading the way out of the supply room. "Calm down you guys, we come bearing the cooler." 

"You guys have to try my churros," Casey insisted excitedly. "I don't know how long I spent on making them! It was really hard. For some reason no one ate any at the reunion though..." 

Lance and I exchanged worried glances. Casey wasn't exactly the best cook in the world. It didn't take a rocket genius to guess why no one ate her treats. Ignorant to our wary expressions, Casey bounded over to the cooler, snatching it from Chris. She set it down and began pulling out copious amounts of foods- sandwiches, salads, chips, deserts, chili, pizza... Finally she pulled out the churros. They were in a small white plastic container. Smiling widely, she took the top off of it and showed us her proud production. 

All expression was wiped from our faces. Whatever was in the box surely weren't churros. Frankly, they looked more like charcoaled turds. Casey looked at each of us expectantly. "Aren't you going to try one?" 

"I'll pass," Chris and Lance replied quickly. 

Her face fell. "Oh, okay..." 

"I-I'll try one," I said, hesitantly reaching out for one of the alien pastries. It nearly crumbled under my fingers. Everyone watched intently as I brought it to my mouth, taking a tiny bite. Almost at once I spit it out. "Ugh!" 

"Holly!" Casey cried, highly offended. 

"I'm sorry!" I apologized. "It's just... you know you can't cook, Casey. I can't eat this..." 

She frowned. "But I tried so hard..." 

"Let me try one," Jeremy demanded, holding his hand out for the container. "I bet it tastes fine." 

Chris sent him an amused look. "Good?" 

"Really?" Casey responded eagerly, shoving the churros into his hand. "Go ahead! And tell the truth." 

Nodding, Jeremy boldly picked up one of the burnt churros, holding it carefully. "Here I go... 

We all watched him intently as be brought it to his lips. To all of our surprise, he popped the entire thing into his mouth with no second thoughts whatsoever. However, his expression betrayed his action. It was screwed up in disgust. Casey sighed, placing the churros on the closest desk to her. "Thanks for trying it..." 

Jeremy shook his head, swallowing the food in his mouth. He held out his hand. "Give me another." 

"Are you crazy?" Lance questioned. "You might die!" 

He ignored Lance, staring intently at Casey. "They're not horrible. Why let them go to waste? I think they're fine." 

"You don't have to force yourself," she told him, cupping her elbow with her arm. "It's fine. I'm not a good cook anyway." 

"Casey." 

With a little shock, I found my heart pounding. Jeremy was too romantic! My eyes found Chris's and I grinned at him. He just shook his head, letting out an almost inaudible sigh. Those two really were a cute couple. Chris could not deny that now. Jeremy finally got the container of churros and began eating another one. Although she would deny it, there was a slight tint to Casey's cheeks. 

Lance noticed this too and hung his head. "Guess I'm the fifth wheel here..." 

"Go get a girlfriend." 

A smile slowly began to spread across his face. He brushed his blonde bangs away from his face, shooting me a smug look. "Actually, I talked to Lexi today." 

My heart skipped a beat. "You did? What did she say?" 

"I asked her on a date," he replied proudly. "She said yes." 

"Only because I turned her down," Jeremy insisted in a teasing voice. 

Casey's eyes widened. "You did? I thought you liked her?" 

"Er... She's not really my type," Jeremy muttered, shoving another churros into his mouth. 

Lance shook his head at the pair. "Doesn't matter. She said yes to me. That's all that does." 

"Actually," Chris spoke up, "she caught Holly and I kissing today." 

"What?" Lance and Casey cried, both turning to stare at me. "Holly!" 

I blinked back at them. "What? Why the accusing looks? It was Chris! He-" 

"Holly just could not keep her hands off me this morning," Chris interjected, collapsing into his chair at his desk. "We were late. She wouldn't let me go until I kissed her and when I did, she still wouldn't let me leave." 

Lance shook his head disapprovingly at me. "Holly, Holly..." 

"That wasn't what happened!" 

Jeremy looked impressed. "Taking the lead, eh?" 

Exasperated, I threw my arms up. "No! He made me kiss him!" 

"Made makes it sound like I forced you," Chris said, frowning. "That wasn't the case." 

"Argh! Whatever! The main point is Lexi saw us." 

"What did she say?" Jeremy questioned. "I'm going to take it as she isn't telling anyone because you two are still here." 

Chris nodded. "She said she wouldn't tell, but I don't know..." 

"She seems kind of... featherbrained," Casey added, snatching one of the sandwiches from the cooler of the desk she placed them on. "She's nice, but kind of..." 

"Hoe-ish?" Chris guessed. 

"She's not!" Lance cried in denial. 

I scratched my arm, biting my lip. As much as I wanted to deny it, Lexi was a little... flirty. Although she really did seem sincere earlier. "I don't think she'll tell," I stated. "There's a difference between boys and secrets." 

"She's never actually done anything bad to us either," Jeremy pointed out. 

"Except getting you drunk," Casey countered. 

"How did you know about that?" 

I waved my arm at him. "Guilty. Sorry. You're a funny drunk. I had to tell someone." 

He scowled at me. "Thanks, Holly." 

"Haha, anyway," I started, adverting my gaze from him. "Just so you know. Keep an ear out, okay?" 

"Definitely," Casey and Lance agreed. 

"I'm going to have a sandwich now," I announced, examining the different sandwiches on the table. After a moment I decided on a tuna sandwich with lettuce and tomato. "Chris do you want one?" 

"Same as you're having." 

I grabbed another one and brought it over to his desk. In one swift motion, he had his arm around my waist and pulled me down onto his lap. My face immediately heated up. When we were alone I didn't mind this, but in front of the other three? I tried to scramble off his lap, but he held me down. 

"Aww," Casey cooed, her eyes twinkling in amusement, much like Jeremy's did. "You guys are adorable." 

"W-what if someone walks in?" I mumbled, trying to ignore Casey's comments. 

"The door's locked," he responded simply. 

I narrowed my eyes accusingly at him, but let it drop. Casey and Lance were my friends. It shouldn't be weird to be comfortable with Chris with them in the room. If we ever got married, they would be visiting a lot and... I shook my head. Marriage? I was thinking way too far into the future. 

Chris opened my sandwich for me, placing it in my hand before starting on his own. The room slowly fell into silence as all of us began to eat our lunch. Time was moving by fast. Soon fourth period would be starting, which meant students in the classroom. Resisting the urge to sigh, I nibbled on my sandwich. I just wanted to graduate. I wanted to have a public relationship with Chris. Sure, the taboo of it was fun, but I wanted to go out in public with him and hold his hand. 

And I just wanted to be done with high school. 

"Two months," Chris stated suddenly, his arm tightening around my waist. 

"W-what?" I responded, startled. Had I been thinking out loud again? 

He shook his head. "Nothing. Just thinking out loud." 

I smiled. It was nice to know we were thinking about the same thing. Jeremy must've guessed it too because he grinned at us. 

"Oh!" I cried suddenly. 

"What?" Chris demanded, surveying the room on instinct. "What is it?" 

"I forgot to tell the others!" I told him, glancing at him before turning to Casey, Jeremy, and Lance. "Make sure to go visit Aaron in the hospital!" 

They all cocked an eyebrow. 

"He wants to apologize to you." 

Now all their eyes widened. 

"What?" 

"Why?" 

"How?" 

"You're crazy." 

I winced at Lance's last remark. "I'm not crazy. We did some talking. He's willing to apologize for what he's done." 

"By talking, do you actually mean whipping?" Jeremy questioned, crossing his arms. "He wants to apologize?" 

"Yes," I told him, frowning. "I'm serious. He's already said he's sorry to Chris and I and it was really sincere." 

Chris agreed reluctantly. "It was." 

"What exactly did you say to him?" Jeremy inquired, furrowing his eyebrows together.  

I placed a finger on my lips. "Secret." 

"That's no fair!" Casey pouted. "I want to know!" 

"Nope." 

"Ah, Casey, you have a little something here..." Jeremy reached over and brushed his finger at the edge of her lips. "Mustard." 

My mouth fell open and I turned to Chris, unable to form a word. He just flicked me in the nose. "Don't even say it. He definitely took that move from a movie." 

"They're so cute," I gushed in a whisper. "They're cuter than us!" 

"No one is cuter than us," Chris disagreed. "Well... at least cuter than me." 

"Hey!" 

He chuckled. "I'm kidding. You're cute too. You're a lot cuter than me. In fact, you're cuter than kittens." 

Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. "Okay, now you're forcing yourself." 

He flashed me a handsome smile. "If it's for you I will." 

Lance suddenly banged his head against his desk. "I need a girlfriend!" 

There was a moment of silence before everyone in the room, aside from him, started to laugh. He just scowled back at us. Fate seemed to be on his side, because the bell rang before any of us could make a comment. I promptly hopped off of Chris's lap, putting a safe distance between us. The corners of his lips turned down the tiniest bit, but he said nothing. 

"Ah! I have to pack all this food and make it to my next class!" Casey exclaimed, quickly scrambling to put all the food back in the cooler. 

"I've got it," Jeremy told her, pushing her away. "You can head to class." 

She beamed at him. "Thanks! You're a lifesaver!" 

"You owe me now," he responded, mussing with her hair. "See you in gym." 

"Okay! Bye guys!" she called, waving and heading for the door. 

"Time for biology," Chris declared, balling his trash up and shooting it into the wastebasket. His eyes met mine and he smiled evilly. "Did you do your homework, Holly?" 

My body froze. Crap. 

"Ah, the third time in a row," he started teasingly. "I think that deserves a detention." 

"Chris!" 

"Tomorrow, after school." 

I glowered at him. He was really unbelievable. 

"We'll go get ice cream." 

His response threw me off guard. When his words finally registered, I laughed. "You're an awful teacher." 

He winked. "I know." 

"But I love you." 

"I love you too." 

"Hey," Lance interjected. "I'm still present. I don't want to hear this sappy crap." 

Jeremy clapped him on the shoulder. "Good look getting a girlfriend then, bud." 

The door opened and James came marching in. "Hello!" he greeted brightly. 

"Hi," we all responded at once. 

He blinked at us, but shrugged it off, heading for his seat. I followed suit, sitting at my normal spot. It was time to go back to just being student and teacher. Chris's eyes met mine and he grinned a little bit. 

Well. Almost just student and teacher. 

___________________________________________________ 

Okay! Here's the second part! Sorry it took a little longer than promised. I kind fell asleep for about half an hour :P But then I forced myself to wake up so I could finish xD Now I'm going to go watch Ghost Adventures (surprise, surprise). 

OH. Before I forget. Some of you mentioned how I only add 's to Chris's name. And before you say anything, you CAN do that. Some of you have said you can't. I've triple checked with my English teacher. With James' name I doesn't because it sounds stupid, but with Chris's, it works. Try saying it out loud. You see what I mean? :O 

Anyway. Please, please, please vote c: It really does mean a lot to me. And um, tell me your favorite band in a comment. I'm looking for some new ones! Hot Chelle Rae is one I just downloaded. I really like I Like To Dance. 

Facebook link in externaal link!

I Like To Dance - Hot Chelle Rae