Mandy smiled and gave her friend a mini hug as they reached the hallway where they parted for their different routes to third period. As Beck started down the corridor, she turned back and stage-whispered, “Now all we have to do is figure out you and Theo!”

Mandy made a noise like a startled mountain lion, started after Beck, thought better of it after a mental image of her head in Mrs. Angelo’s teeth, turned to go to English, and ran head on into Neal Rowan.

“Whoa, there, Greenie!” Neal brayed, bending down to pick up Mandy’s books. Mandy, her face scarlet from the double embarrassment, quickly joined him and began scooping up papers. She grabbed the last one from under a freshman’s foot and started to stand up, but Neal caught her arm and kept her kneeling. “So, who’s this Theo guy, huh?”

“My neighbor, I mean nobody, I mean- just a guy.” stuttered Mandy, very aware of Neal’s warm hand on her arm. “Neal, we’re blocking the hallway…”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Neal stood up. “SORRY EVERYBODY!” he yelled.