After that day, I didn't have the dream again. But I still felt exhausted, irritated, upset, and most of all, confused. All because of Mr. Hall. And the way he looked at me… and the way he said my name… I liked it. Nobody else could set my face ablaze with a single word, or a smile. That was what I hated about these feelings the most. I walked into school, lazily swinging my messenger bag side to side. I tried not to care that everyone looked at me now, but I still felt their eyes boring into the back of my head once I got ahead of them. It bothered me. A lot. Why I was such a huge spectacle now, I didn't know. Turning down the hallway, I froze. At the end of the hall stood Leah. With Jade. Jade stood on crutches decorated with Sharpie, her foot in a plaster cast. She was talking animatedly with Leah… like they were best friends. Leah looked up, and smirked over at me, before whispering in Jade's ear. She looked over at me, her expression a bit cold. I guiltily bit my lip, and looked away, walking off. I kept my head down the entire time. I couldn't bear the guilt of what I did. Classes went by slowly. They only consisted of me constantly checking the clock on the wall, waiting for the bell to ring. When lunch came around, that guilty feeling attacked my stomach, and I didn't bother to go. My feet took me down the corridor near Mr. Hall's room again. I didn't think I could go in there either. Not after yesterday. I turned back to leave, but I heard somebody behind me. "Persephone?" I whipped around, and inwardly groaned. What was David doing there? "…what?" "Why are you here? I didn't peg you as the detention type"- "Detention? What did you do?" I arched an eyebrow. David blushed, glancing down. "Skipping class." "Mr. Hall gave you a lunch detention for skipping class? We don't even have class with him yet." "Well, I was already in class, but I lied about where I was going… I was trying to find your class… and he caught me." "Why were you looking for me?" "I thought about what you said a while back… and you're right. But I know the difference between love and lust! And I love"- I laughed, cutting him off. Was I really making the most popular guy in school freak out like this? It was amusing, really. "No David, you don't." "Listen to me! You're the prettiest girl in school, and"- "Sorry I'm running late. I had a meeting." a voice said. Mr. Hall was walking down the corridor, getting his room keys out of his pocket. He looked up, to see a red faced David, and I. I felt my cheeks burn red, and David took a defensive step towards Mr. Hall. "Mr. Hall, I"- "Just get inside the classroom. I'll be with you in a moment." he said, glancing at me before handing David the keys. David reluctantly left, taking Mr Hall's keys, storming inside the classroom, and shutting the door behind him. Mr. Hall studied me for a moment, and I stood there, before the silence became too much for me. "So… David, huh?" he said out of the blue. I was taken aback. "What about him?" "You know, he says he loves you." he shrugged, smiling. "…are you jealous?" Mr. Hall paused, adopting a thoughtful expression. "Yes. Very much so. But I'm upset too." I blushed madly, looking away. "Why?" "He called you the prettiest girl in school… Persephone, you're the most beautiful person I've ever laid eyes on…" My blush deepened, and I turned to face him. "R-really?" Suddenly, he had his arms encircled around me, ensnaring me into an embrace. "Yes, really…" he breathed. He was so close… I was tired of all the foreshadowing. Every conversation I had alone with Mr. Hall, I ended up a millimeter away from him. "Just kiss me already…" I mumbled, and I instantly gasped. I never meant to say that aloud. Mr. Hall smirked, leaning closer. "Like this…?" He gently pressed his lips to mine. And I blacked out. --------------------------------------------------- The awaited kiss! No, it's not a make out session… that'll happen later. Not a surprise Persephone fainted, either.