Tiffani paused in mid-sentence of reading her favorite book. She had the uncomfortable feeling that she was being watched. Slowly, she looked up and found Emily and Ophelia sitting across the table from her, watching her.

“What do you want?” Tiffani growled irritably. To Ophelia, she added, “Get away from me. I don’t want anything to do with you.”

“Look,” Ophelia began, but Tiffani cut her off.

“Go crawl back into AJ’s bed, you tramp,” Tiffani snapped.

“I wouldn’t sleep with him for all the chocolate in Germany and Switzerland combined,” Ophelia shot back.

“So, what, you’re calling AJ ugly now?”

“No. He’s just not my type.”

“Liar.”

“Damn it, Tiff, I’m in a relationship right now, and it sure as hell isn’t with AJ.”

“Like hell you are.”

Just then, they both felt a strong hand on the collars of their shirts, yanking them further apart from each other. Startled, they turned their heads simultaneously to find Ms. Gibson glaring at them, her grip on their collars like iron. “You two, out in the hall, now,” Ms. Gibson hissed, as she released them.


Heads lowered in shame, Ophelia and Tiffani followed Ms. Gibson out into the hallway.

“I am appalled at how you two were behaving,” Ms. Gibson scolded. “I walked into my classroom to find you two practically ready to kill each other.”

“She started it,” Tiffani muttered, glowering at Ophelia.

“I don’t care who started it! I’m finishing it!” Ms. Gibson snapped. “We don’t have all that much time left before graduation. Do either of you really want to be suspended or expelled?” Ophelia and Tiffani shook their heads. “Now, look. If you two are fighting, deal with it outside of school. At this point in time, I’m so ticked off about how you two acted in there just now, I almost don’t care if you two blow each other’s brains out, but damn it, if you’re going to kill each other, don’t do it on school property. You hear me?”

“Yes. I’m sorry, Ms. Gibson,” Ophelia said softly.

“So am I,” Tiffani added, not wanting Ophelia to look better than she did.

“What’s done is done,” Ms. Gibson said firmly. “Now, what the hell were you two so angry at each other for?”

“Well,” Ophelia started.

“She was--” Tiffani said, simultaneously.

“One at a time, please,” Ms. Gibson sighed. “Ophelia, you first.”


“Emily told me that AJ and Tiffani broke up because Tiffani thought AJ was fooling around with me, and I wanted to talk to her and let her know I haven’t been doing anything with AJ.”

“Yes, you have,” Tiffani contradicted. “I see how he looks at you.”

“There’s a big difference between him having a crush on me and him actually doing the horizontal mambo with me,” Ophelia argued. “I’ve done nothing to encourage him. And for your information, Tiffani, I’ve been dating Cy for the past few months.”

Tiffani stared at Ophelia, mouth wide open, before finally speaking. “The tall redhead who graduated last year? The one who picks up you and Emily on Fridays?”

“Yeah.”

“But… but you… but he… she…”

“Tiffani, your side of things?” Ms. Gibson said.

Tiffani bowed her head, embarrassed. “Never mind,” she muttered.


Graham leaned against the wall, watching the students exit the classroom, chattering, talking on cell phones, and pulling out supplies for their next classes. He shifted his weight to his right foot, biting his lip anxiously. Maybe I’m just wasting my time, he thought. She’s totally going to reject me. He sighed a little. Ugh, I feel like I’m fifteen again, scared to ask some chick out to the upcoming school dance! As the last student left the room, Graham took a deep breath, steadying himself. This is it, he thought. Now or never. Live or die, make your choice. He swallowed hard and slowly walked into the classroom.

Jade her back to the door and was packing up her belongings. Nervously, inch by agonizing inch, Graham made his way over to her. Hearing his approaching footsteps, Jade turned. When she saw him, she smiled warmly.


“Graham, what a surprise,” she cheerily greeted him. “What brings you here?”

“Jade,” Graham began, then swallowed, embarrassed by how high and young his voice sounded. Calm down, he told himself. You’re nervous, and it’s showing. Relax. You don’t want to sound like you’re going through puberty again. “Jade, I wanted to ask you something,” he started again, a bit more confidently.

“Hm?”

“Well, my band’s going to be playing at a bar in a few weeks, and… well, we’re not big-name celebrities, obviously, but I was thinking, maybe you’d like to go there and watch us perform. And, and maybe after, we could go out for coffee or something.”

Jade’s smile widened, and she responded, “Sure, I’ll be happy to come. Just tell me the time and place, and I’ll be there. I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

After a few minutes more of talking and finalizing plans, Graham finally left the classroom, a joyful expression on his face. She said she’d be there! She didn’t turn me down! he thought happily. This is going to be great!