"Amy, are you ready?"

"Yeah I'm just getting my jacket!" She yelled out to Ellie. As unbelievable as it sounds, Amy was friends with Ellie and Kai and they hung out during lunch. Ellie still talked to Nicole but Nicole was with Devin most of the time so, she didn't want to be around her. Eventually Nicole found out that Ellie and Kai were talking.

"Is Kai coming with us?"

"Uh.. he said he can't today but we can go with him on Friday. Are you down?"

"Yeah,"

They walked outside. It was the end of April, and the weather was a bit cold. This was the third time they were together at lunch, including the day they went to the university panels.

"I can't stand being in the school when I don't have class, they always have those panels now to bring awareness to gun violence and bullying."

"It's a good thing though?"

"I know it's a good thing but, they should focus more on mental health. I don't know much about depression or whatever but, that's like the main reason why school shootings happen. Someone can still do danger without using a gun. And the school never cared before."

"Well, recognition for bullies is why some students get depressed and want to harm their bullies and everyone else. But I agree about the mental health thing. And as far as gun violence goes... That's up to the law. The school doesn't care enough about contacting every parent to keep guns away from students."

"The school doesn't care about anything.." Ellie looked down.

"Hey, guess who I got a snapchat from,"

"Who?" Amy asked.

"Kai." Ellie showed her phone screen. It was a picture of Daniel.

"You snap?"

"Yeah. How else would I know he got pizza for the second time yesterday?"

"Right," Amy nodded.

Wow. Did they always do that or did it start now?

"What's your snap? I'll add it."

"Oh, I don't-"

She gave Amy her phone. Amy put her name in.

"Alright cool. I'm guessing you have Kai's?"

"Yeah he gave it to me like a year ago..."

Amy didn't use snapchat but that might have to change if she wants to sustain a social circle.

On Friday, Kai came with Ellie and Amy to Mcdonalds during lunch time.

"The only good thing about Mcdonalds is their fries."

"Not true, they have the best ice cream."

"yeah but who the fuck eats ice cream for lunch?"

"Doesn't matter, their icecream is good."

"What do you think Amy? What do you like the most from Mcdonalds?"

"..Honestly..." They waited for her response. "I think their sprite goes hard."

They both laughed.

"Okay she's right. The sprite is the best, no doubt,"

The three of them ordered and Amy went to the washroom. Ellie and Kai found somewhere to sit.

"So..."

"So.." Ellie said, smiling.

Kai grinned. "I can't take you seriously."

"Whyy?"

Kai glanced at the washroom section. He quickly kissed Ellie. She pushed him away.

"What the hell was that for?"

"what?"

"In front of everyone?" She whispered.

"Are you embarrassed?"

"No! it's just.." Her cheeks went red. "We're not really dating so..."

"Oh you're right," He said sarcastically. "You miss Devin and I'm just here so you can forget about him."

"Listen.." She leaned in. "You're like kind of weird and funny but I am not going back to Devin. He thought he was funny like you but he isn't, he's an jerk. At least you're funny."

"Am I a jerk?"

She looked at him, and her eyes scanned his body.

"No, you.. you protected Amy from Ethan... and you're hot."

A second later and they were kissing in their seats.

"Ew get a room!" A freshman yelled out but they ignored him.

While they were having their conversation, Amy was giving herself a pep talk in the washroom.

"Okay, you are going to go out there and act totally normal. Pretend you're having lunch with Kate.. well okay no, pretend you're having lunch with Kate in the ninth grade. And don't act overly smart or tell them random facts like last time because then they're gonna think you're a nerd. And you're not. You're cool."

A child came out of the washroom stall and stared at Amy.

"Why are you talking to yourself?" The little girl asked.

"Why are you alone in the washroom?"

"I'm not alone, I'm with you."

"Where's your mother?"

The child ran out. Amy sighed. She left and went towards Kai and Ellie. Then she froze when she saw that two teenagers were making out in her seat.

Except it wasn't any teenager or student that went to her school. It was Kai Halls and Ellie Marin. The fake couple she fantasized about before, in her sleep.

Her mouth opened wide and she walked closer. Ellie made eye contact and pushed Kai away again.

"Ow why do you do that-"

"Amy!" Ellie said. Amy looked at Kai and then back at Amy. She was biting her lip so she wouldn't smile.

"Please don't cry, I swear we aren't dating and I know you like him-"

"You guys are a thing?" She broke out in a smile.

Shit. I can't help it. Kai and Ellie were making out and I didn't even make it happen.

At least, not directly. Not on purpose.

"Wait you're not mad?"

"No.. Why would I be?" She sat down next to her.

"How are your chicken nuggets?"

Ellie looked at her food. "Um.. Okay I think. I don't know- they always taste the same here."

Silence.

Amy dipped her fries in ketchup and noticed they were staring at her.

"...You guys can continue.."

"No! No, we- listen..."

"I'm just a bit concerned on what Devin is going to do when he finds out.."

"Amy- Devin and I aren't going out anymore."

"Oh..." Amy said, surprised. It was pretty obvious at this point but Ellie never told her so Amy assumed they were together.

"Well, that's good because I don't really like him."

Ellie looked at Kai, nodding.

"What about um, Kai and I? If we did go out.. do you think it would be weird?"

Woah. Ellie is asking Amy about something she's self conscience about? as if Amy is a part of the cool kids squad?

"No. Why would it be?"

Kai smiled.

"So can we go out now?

"I think we are..." she said. "You ate my face in public and in Mcdonalds out of all places so.."

Amy choked on her fries.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she drank water and swallowed. "Sorry I had to laugh at that."

When they were finished, Kai went to hang out with some of the other boys in their grade. Ellie walked back to the school with Amy.

"Sorry I didn't tell you about Kai and I earlier. I mean I know you could tell since we're like, flirting probably... I mean, I didn't notice but Nicole said we do.."

"It's fine, really. If you guys want to be a couple in private then I won't interfere. I won't even tell anyone."

"Girl, everyone knows there's something between us. I don't hang out with Devin anymore. And some people saw us kiss at Daniel's party anyway."

"Wait you guys kissed at Daniel's party?"

"Yeah. That's how this all started."

"Damn.." Amy said.

"You probably don't want to spend your lunches third wheeling us I guess so, I'll tell Kai to keep the dates for after school."

"I'm not bothered by it. I third wheeled all the time in eighth grade. All of my friends were in relationships."

Ellie laughed. "Do you live near the school?"

"No, I take the school bus home."

"Right. I always come to the plaza after school. Now that Kai and I are 'dating' dating, we will probably go together."

"When did you start.. 'dating' dating?"

"Like 20 minutes ago when you caught us kissing."

Amy's eyes widened. "Ohh... well, congratulations," She said enthusiastically.

Ellie laughed and lightly pushed her. "That's what my moms gonna say when he comes over for the first time."

Amy grinned. She was being serious when she said that. Having a boyfriend wasn't a daily occurrence for her and she thought it made sense to congratulate Ellie.