Crissy stood again at her locker, rummaging through it in search of a certain book. “Hey, there!” chirped a voice from behind her.

She turned to see Sara standing behind her with a broad smile. Her hair was as wild as the day before, and her pants were even looser. Her white T-shirt had the word “Fight” written boldly across it in scarlet letters. “What’s up?” she asked.

Crissy gave a weak smile. “Nothing really. Just looking for my science book.”

“Oh that? Hold on.” Sara reached into her worn, brown duffel bag and pulled out a book. “Here, you can use mine. I won’t need it till third period. Just give it back before then.”

Crissy studied the book then her eyes quickly darted to Sara. “You’re in the same grade as me?”

Sara laughed nervously. “No, I’m in eighth grade. I just failed science last year.”

“You failed a class?! Didn’t you get in trouble?”

“No, why would I?”

“Your parents...”

Sara grinned. “I live with my grandma. She’s very liberal.”

“Oh.” Crissy replied, thinking back to the time her mother had scolded her for making an eighty percent in math, and recently when Christoph had beaten her for making an eight-nine percent on a science test. “You’re lucky.”

“Hey, why don’t you come to my house and visit sometime? My grandma would love you!”

Crissy felt her heart freeze. Oh, how she would love to have one night of freedom from her viscous brother. But she knew he would never allow it. “I’m sorry, I don’t think Christoph would let me.”

“Why not?” Sara asked, wrinkling her nose and narrowing her eyes.

“He’s very strict,” Crissy said, eyes downcast, “and he likes for me to stay at home for the most part.”

“That’s strange. You’d think he would want some time to himself.” Sara said, more to herself than to Crissy.

Crissy looked toward the far end of the hall, where Christoph stood with a few of his friends. He looked angry, so Crissy decided to cut the conversation short. “I have to go to class now. I’ll be sure to return the book.”

Sara looked in the direction Crissy had looked, then quickly looked back at her. “Crissy, are you afraid of Christoph?”

Crissy just walked on, pretending she hadn’t heard her. Sara watched Crissy off then walked across the hall to her locker. She deposited a book and pulled out another, stuffing it into her duffel bag carelessly. As she was closing her locker, a hand grabbed the door and pushed it open.

“How unusual,” a voice began, “that there’s a girl who doesn’t have a mirror in her locker.”

Sara looked up at Christoph, who was standing over her like a vulture. She forced the locker door out of his grasp and slammed it shut. “I’m an unusual girl.” she said dryly, turning to leave.

“Wait.” Christoph said softly, softly enough to cause Sara to turn around.

“What is it?” she asked defensively.

He looked serious, gentle, even somewhat kind. “I want to talk to you. Do you have a minute?”

“What could we possibly have to talk about?”

He stepped closer to her. “I just wanted to tell you how refreshing it is to see such a unique girl. In this school, they’re all the same. They’re so materialistic. You’re not like that, and I find it very attractive.”

She felt like rolling her eyes, but knew it would be rude, so she just smiled strangely. “Uh, Thanks. I really have to get to class.” She tried to dart off quickly but Christoph grabbed her arm. He whirled her around to face him.

“Sara, please, don’t go.” His eyes were sincere, pleading, and she couldn’t resist them. She felt herself beginning to blush, but she quickly regained control and jerked her arm away.

“Look, you’re really great and all, but I’m not looking for a boyfriend right now.”

Christoph’s eyes widened slightly. No girl had ever rejected him, no one had refused him. He couldn’t let her get away. He leaned forward and suddenly kissed her lips. She jumped back, looking at him as if he were some kind of monster. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help myself. You’re so beautiful.”

She didn’t take the time to respond, because she really didn’t know how to respond, before she took off down the hall. Christoph smiled widely and pushed his hands into his pockets. He struggled to suppress a giggle as he strolled casually down the hall.