(James)

Sitting in my class I watched the clock, my head slumped down on my desk while the physic teacher talking about something. Finding it trivial I opted to watch the clock waiting for the impending punishment that was awaiting me. Watching the clock tick as the hands move I slowly found myself falling asleep. This wasn't a problem for me most of the teachers didn't even try to wake me when I fall asleep. This time however before I could enter my peaceful sleep the school bell went off

"That's all for today you can all leave," the teacher said as I sighed getting out of my seat, throwing my bag over my shoulder, and walking out. Exiting the class I noticed both Carlos and Carl walking out of the class next door. They were in fifth period Spanish

"Hey guys," I said as they walked over to me

"James? So this is where your class is?" Carlos said looking into my classroom

"Yeah physics," I said 

"Our class is next door," Carl said

"Yeah, I know. So where are you guys going?" I asked

"To your locker. We were planning on going to the Candy Bar"

"Didn't Libby cut you off sweets?" I asked

"It's cool she's tagging along with us. You wanna tag along?" Carlos said with an elated smile

"Sorry I can't," I said

"Why not?" Carl asked

"I got detention," I said

"Detention? Who would give you detention?" Carlos asked

"Principal. She said that my chemistry teacher insisted that I receive more than a slap on the wrist for starting a fight" I sighed

"Dann" Carlos chuckled, "Giving the boy genius a punishment. She's a boss" 

"How long?" Carl asked

"Three hours every day for a month," I said

"Isn't that overkill?" Carlos asked

"Three weeks for the fight and one for lying to a teacher," I said letting out an unhappy sigh

"Well I guess we'll swing by your house later," Carlos said

"Sure," I said lifelessly

"Cheer up J detention isn't all bad I should know," Carlos said

"We'll save you an ice cream sundae" Carl promised

"Yeah then I'll bring some comic movies and I'll even let you wear my favorite Batman mask as we watch" Carlos promised grinning at the thought of rewatching his many comic movies

"Thanks, guys but I think I'll just sleep when I get home," I said as put on a small smile. 

"You sure man?" Carlos asked

"Yeah. You guys just go to the Candy Bar. I'll be okay" I said

"Okay James. See you later" Carl said

"Yeah bye guys," I said as they walked away

Sighing I walked towards the detention room's door. This was the first time I was giving detention since I came to high school. That brought me back to when I was in elementary school so I chuckled. My many attempts of high school science back then had landed me in detention quite a few times. So what was I worried about now? Calming myself down I opened the door and walked in. Just as I expected it was just a normal classroom with lots of empty chairs. Unexpectedly the teacher in charge of detention was my chemistry teacher. 

"Good afternoon Mister Taylor please take a seat," she said head buried in her work

"Sure," I said as I walked over to one of the seats in the front and sat down. 

"So am I suppose to do something?" I asked

"Sit down, shut up and do something productive," she said

Five minutes passed and I just sat twiddling my thumbs before I took out my experiment book and started drawing alternative designs for my A.I. Just as I was about to finish the first draft design my pencil fell and rolled towards the door

"Great" I murmured as I got up

"No standing Mister Taylor. You'll disturb the detention" she said

"Disturb who?" I asked, "I'm the only one here"

"That's because no one is stupid enough to get detention on the second day of school except you two," she said

"You two?" I asked confused

"It's been a while hasn't it James," a familiar voice said as she walked into the room

"Betty? Betty Ann Turner?" I asked surprised as she giggled and picked up my pen. Betty Ann Turner. She was the first person I ever had a crush on. The most beautiful girl in town since elementary school but now she was the definition of sexy. I almost couldn't take my eyes off her amazing well-shaped body. She had short black hair, dark brown eyes, and naturally plump pink lips. In my eyes she was perfect

"Is that all the greeting I get? It's been what four years?" she chuckled playfully as she handed me my pen

"Yeah" he laughed shyly taking the pen

"No conversation. You're still in detention" The teacher

"Yes Debby," Betty said sitting beside me

"It's Mrs. Jones to you," Mrs. Jones said

"Yes Mrs. Jones" she mocked

An hour and a half of silence passed Betty leaned over to me and whispered

"Hey, you want to get out of here?"

"We can't" I whispered back

"Why not?"

"Because one the teacher's right there and two we might get even more detention or worse. Suspended"

"That's if we get caught" she chuckled

"Which we will"

"No, we won't"

"What are you two whispering about?" Mrs. Jones said

"Nothing Debby," Betty said before Mrs. Jones rolled her eyes returning to her work

"See" I whispered

"Just trust me"

"Fine" I reluctantly said

"Good" she whispered with a mischievous smile

"So how are we going to get past her?" I asked 

"I'm sure you can think of something" she smiled

"What? You don't even have a plan?"

"Nope none of my usual tricks work on Debby but luckily I'm stuck with the resident genius so I'm sure you can think of something"

"We could use knock out gas on her"

"Won't she wake up and then we'll be stuck here longer"

"No, I made it so that the person never wakes up"

"What!" She yelled horrified getting Mrs. Jones' attention as I laughed

"What are you two up to?" Mrs. Jones asked glaring at the two of us

"Nothing," we said simultaneously before she returned to her work

"What do you mean about by not waking up," she said still shocked and slightly fearful

"I was kidding" I whispered

"Not funny," she said hitting me

"Yes, it was. But I did make a knock out gas that when the person wakes up they don't remember being knocked out"

"Really?"

"Yeah, it was something I was working on over the summer. It works by-"

"James, dear I don't care about all that science mumbo jumbo. Are you sure it works?" she asked me

"Yes. One hundred... ninety-five...eighty percent" I estimated

"And you sure it won't harm her?" she asked concerned

"One hundred percent" I smiled confidently

"Okay let's do it"

"Um Mrs. Jones," I said getting out of my seat

"Yes Mister Taylor, something I can help you with?" she asked looking up at me

"I wanted to show you something," I said

"This isn't show and tell return to your seat" she ordered

"Please it's for a class," I said taking out the perfume bottle

"It's a perfume I made," I said

"That is something that should be done in class. This isn't the time or place for that" she said

"But can't you at least tell how it smells," I said before spraying it in her face

"What is thi-?" She asked before she fell on the table unconscious with a small thud

"It actually worked," Betty said in disbelief

"Did you ever doubt me?" I asked

"Of course not," she said as she slowly got up from the desk she was heading behind

"Mhmm," I said rolling my eyes

"I think we should get going," she said

"Fine," I said before we took up our bags 

"Wait," she said mas we almost made it to the door

"What is it?" I asked

"I need something first," she said moving over to Mrs. Jones draw after opening it she took out a phone before leaning closer to Debby's face

"We're gonna laugh about this someday Debby," she said snapping a photo with the sleeping Mrs. Jones

"Now we can go" she smiled

"So where to?" I asked after we walked out of the classroom

"Don't know. But I could go for a walk in the park" she said

"Okay," I said

"I'll drive," she said

"You have a car?" I asked

"Not necessarily," he said as we walked to the parking lot and saw a motorcycle

"A bike?" I said surprised

"Yep. Let's go" she said getting on the bike putting on a helmet

"What about my car?" I asked

"We can come back for it," she said

"Okay," I said as she handed me the helmet

"Thanks," I said getting on and putting on the helmet

"Hold on tight genius," she said as I wrapped my hands around her slender waist and she drove away.

We drove to the park and parked the bike. Half an hour of walking passed and we were sitting on the bench feeding the birds while taking a few photos

"So how have been these past three years?"

"Busy" she laughed

"Is that why I haven't seen you these past three years?" I asked

"To be fair many people haven't. The person who's seen me the most would probably be Debby"

"Yeah, you seem surprisingly close to her. How did you manage to pull that miracle off"

"Nothing special I feel in with the wrong crowd and Debby was the one that helped me out of it. The real surprise is how you and little miss badass broke up"

"It can't be that much of a shock" I sighed

"Oh, it was. I had never thought I would see the day. ur entire middle school thought you two would grow old together" she chuckled

"Well sorry to disappoint" I joked

"So why did you break up? Word on the street is she dumped you for Nick" she said

"Nothing like that happened. We just had a disagreement"

"If you say so" she shrugged

"I'm out of bread," she said

"Okay, so where should we go now?" I asked

"I don't know about you but I'm getting a little hungry"

"Okay, so where should we go?" I asked

"I don't really care. You decide" she said

"Okay come with me," I said as we walked towards the bike and she went on

"No-no-no. It's my turn to drive" I said

"Do you know how to ride a bike?" she asked

"No, but I want to try," I said

"I don't think that's such a good idea," she said as I smirked

"Come on I'm a genius. How hard could it be to ride a bike" I said

"Okay," she said unconvinced as she got off the bike

"Alrighty," I said getting on the bike and she stood at the side

"Well, aren't you getting on?" I asked

"Oh, I will. After you turn it on"

"Hmm no problem," I said looking at the controls

"First turn the key," I said turning the key

"Then?" she asked smugly

"Um... then I..." I said stuck

"Need some help?" she asked

"Just with this," I said

"Put the bike in Neutral," she said

"Um?" I said unsure how to do that so I looked at her. She shook her head while smiling before grabbing the handle and doing it herself. After she was done a green N lit up

"Alright, then I..." I asked

"Press the kill switch to the start position"

"The kill switch?" I asked confused

"The red switch on your right," she said

"Oh," I said flipping the switch

"Now pull the clutch and press the start button which is the button under your right handle" she instructed. I soon got the bike started and smiled brightly

"Told you I could do it," I said before she rolled her eyes

"Okay let's go," I said

"No"

"Why not?" I asked

"Not until you ride around the block"

"Why?"

"I'm not letting an inexperienced person like you ride me. You're lucky I'm even letting you ride my bike. Against my better judgment I might add" she said before I sighed in agreement.

"Okay here goes," I said before moving off a little too fast and slamming my head on the controls before quickly pressing the brake

"You okay?" she laughed

"I'm fine," I said rubbing my aching head

"Just let me do this one more time," I said before trying and failing many times until I was finally able to ride around the park and back

"So how'd I do?" I asked

"Not bad. Now we can get going" she said getting on the bike and wrapping her arms around me. It was so sudden that I jumped a bit almost turning over the bike

"Are you okay?" she asked smirking

"I'm fine. Let's get going" I said my face a deep shade of crimson

"Okay" she smiled before I drove off

We drove to my mom's bakery and I got off, after turning off the bike, and then helping her off

"Trudy's bakery. I love the cookies and cakes here" she said

"Really maybe I can get my mom to give you the recipe," I said

"Your mom's owns Trudy's"

"Yeah I thought her name being Trudy would give it away" I chuckled

"I didn't know your mom's first name is Trudy," she said

"Oh yeah. That's probably because you haven't met my mom" I said about to walk in

"Wait"

"What is it?" I asked

"One quick snap before we go in," she said latching unto me

"Sure," I said before she took the picture then walked in. 

Mom had opened her bakery four years ago and it was massively popular with the people in town, many of them coming right after work. So from the time frame of three pm to five the bakery was filled keeping everyone busy

"Wait here," I told Betty walking past the line

"Is my mom here?" I asked

"Yes, she's in the kitchen. Should I call her for you?" 

"Thanks" I smiled before she disappeared behind the kitchen doors. Shortly after my mom came out 

"Hi sweetheart" she smiled brightly

"What brings you here so suddenly?" she asked pleasantly surprised. Though her surprise was warranted, in the going on four years of this bakery I had only visited a total of ten times opting to rather go home and focus on my inventions

"We were hanging out and decided we wanted something to eat so we came here," I said

"We?" she said before noticing Betty not too far away from us

"And who is this?" She asked with a smile

"Betty Ann Turner, she's one of my friends,"  I said signaling for her to come over

"Hello Mrs. Taylor," she said with a coy smile

"Betty Ann Turner that name seems familiar," she said

"James and I use to go to elementary and middle school together"

"Oh yes, now I remember. You're the girl my son had a crush on for two years. It's nice to finally meet you. I must say you are quite beautiful" my mom said

"Moooooom," I said embarrassed as Betty giggled

"Thank you for the compliment. It's a pleasure to meet you as well Mrs. Taylor" Betty giggled

"Nice to meet you too. Would you like a cookie?" Mom asked

"I'd love one," Betty said

"YO! What's the hold-up!" A customer in the middle of the extremely long line yelled

"Please be patient sir. I'm doing my best to move as quickly as possible" the cashier behind the counter said apologetically making my mom sigh

"Here you go. Sorry about that. The place is really short of staff" Mom said handing Betty the cookie

"I could help out if you'd like" I offered

"Would you?" Mom asked

"Sure. I guess I have to see you later Betty" I said

"I'll help too," Betty said

"You sure?" I asked smiling

"Sure if that's okay with you," she asked my mom

"Glad to have you. Grab an apron" she said

"Just let me take this first," she said snapping a picture of mom's cookie before putting away her phone

We helped her straight until the rush ended and we didn't even get one break until it ended, though Betty would stop from time to time to take pictures, so we dropped down on the yellow leather couch, Betty laying her head on my shoulder but I was too tired to even notice

"Okay boy and girl we got one more order," the cashier said as we groaned

"Cheer up. It's the last one and it's a delivery to the Candy Bar" she said

"Fine," we said as we got up and she gave us the bag

"So who's driving this time?" I asked as we walked out

"First to reach the bike drives," she said

"Okay you're on," I said

"Let's see what you got James," she said

"Okay bring it," I said

"Consider it brought. Best of luck" she said kissing my cheek. That kiss shook and left me in a trance causing me to stupidly stand there watching as she ran to the bike

"Not fair Turner," I said snapping out of my trance, unrooting my feet from the ground and chasing after her. Not that it mattered because Betty was already sitting comfortably on the bike

"Take that genius" she celebrated handing me a helmet

"You cheated" I sighed taking it

"No that was a preemptive strike. Now hand over the keys" She said

"If you say so" I sighed handing her the keys

"Come on genius," she said before I got on the bike. I faked a sulk all the way to Sam's Candy Bar so she pulled me into the shop and walked up to Sam

"What took ya so long. I almost canceled ya brats" he said

"Sorry Sam evening rush was hectic today," I apologized

"Whatever just give me the cookies. I'm starving here," he said

"Here you go," Betty said giving him the bag

"So what? You kids want a sundae?" He asked

"I could go for a sundae," Betty said turning to me

"Me too" I smiled at her

"Good," he said before he went to make it

"That will be five dollars," he said as we gave him disbelieving looks. Almost forgetting how much of a cheapskate Sam was

"You didn't think it was free did ya," he said pushing his hand forward

"Of course not," I said giving him the money and sitting down in one of the booths

(Sophie)

After being dragged to the Candy Bar with Libby, Carlos and Carl I sat in a booth staring out the window. The three of them were talking about something but I couldn't hear because I was busy thinking about what Libby had said to me earlier today. What does she mean won't be single forever? If Taylor decides to get a girlfriend that's good for him. That's none of my business. What does she think I'd be sad or something. No way!

"Earth to Sophie," Libby said as I noticed her snapping in front of me so I started listening again

"Huh? What's up?" I asked

"You okay. You look lost" Carl asked

"Yeah, I'm fine. What were we talking about?" I asked

"The couple over there. They've been talking loudly ever since they got here" Libby said

"I think one of them is J," Carlos said

"Taylor? Why would he be here? Shouldn't he be in detention?" I asked

"Maybe he's on a date," Libby said

"A date?" I laughed skeptically

"There's no way Taylor's on a date," I said

"I think he is and that other person sounds familiar. I just can't put my finger on it" Carlos said

"I think that's Betty," Carl said

"Betty as in Betty Ann Turner," I said

"Yeah. It definitely is her. We're in the same drama class" Libby said

"What? Why didn't you tell me? I thoughts she already left our school" I said

"I didn't think it was important. Why? Does it bother you?"

"Does what bother me?"

"The thought of Betty and James on a date,"  she said

"No. It doesn't. Why would it bother me?" I said still looking at their table

"So why are you still looking over there?" she said

"I'm not. I'm just curious" I said

"Curious huh?" she said disbelievingly

"I just have to see this for myself," I said as I got up and walked over to the table

"So you're telling me you took detention rather than just giving up your phone" Taylor laughed

"What can I say. Nobody messes with my phone" Betty said before I decided to clear my throat announcing my presence

"Oh hey Vortex didn't see you there," he said

"Obviously," I said

"So what do you want?" He asked

"I wanted to know if I should come over for the project tonight" I lied

"Um after what happened today I think we should do all projects somewhere with other people like in the school lab or something. You know until our parents come back" he said

"Yeah, you're right. Wouldn't want a repeat of today" I said awkwardly

"Hello Sophia," Betty said

"Betty? Betty Ann Turner? I didn't see you there" I lied with a fake smile as fake as the bag she was carrying

"It happens," she said giving me the same smile

"So how have you been?" I asked

"I'm fine. I have just been around"

"Glad to hear," I said

"Well Sophie I was talking to Betty so I'll see you later," he said

"So you two are talking again. When did that happen?"

"I actually just saw James again in detention today. We're actually catching up. So if you don't mind" she said

"I'm so sorry to interrupt. You two can go back to your date" I said with more attitude than was necessary

"It's not a date," he said

"If you say so," I said before I walked away still hearing their conversation

"Let's take another pic," she said

"What are you gonna do with all these photos?" he asked

"Put them on the gram of course. My name is Queen B if you wanna check them out," she told him. I gagged as I made it back to the others

"So?" Libby said 

"It's them alright," I said as I took up my bag

"Where are you going?" Carlos asked

"I'm going home," I said 

"Why so suddenly?" Libby asked

"I just remembered I have something to do at home" I lied going out the door. Once I reached my house I threw my bag on the couch before changing into my gi. After a round of working out, I sat on the couch drinking a bottle of water exhausted. Curiosity got the better of me so I took up my phone and typed in Betty's pretentious username. They had pictures of them at the park, his mother's bakery, and the Candy Bar. The captions on the photos were annoying but what annoyed me more was the comments claiming relationship goals and that they looked cute together.

"Taylor? And Turner? Cute together? Relationship goals? Don't make me laugh"  I scoffed throwing the phone on the couch before finding my second wind so I went back out to continue practicing my moves