SOPHIA

  I nervously watched as Mr. Robinson made his way from desk to desk, handing out our English tests. He was really taking his time walking and gauging the reactions of my fellow classmates.

  When he finally came to me, he gave no clues as to what might be written on the paper before me. I almost didn't want to look. What if it was a B? Or even a C? What if it was D?!

  No, I couldn't think like that. Everything was going to be okay. It was just a grade. Nothing to worry about - just my whole future. No big deal.

  My hands were shaking and my leg was jumping up and down so fast. I had to know what it said. Hesitantly, I forced my eyes to the red mark on the page, and released a big sigh of relief. Another A+. Just as it should be. Everything was okay.

  I didn't feel any elation, it shouldn't have been anything else in the first place. I wouldn't let that happen.

  The teacher started to talk, but the bell rang at the same time, so no one listened to him anyway. I put the test in my bag, careful not to crumple it, and quickly left the classroom. I had to hurry up to my debate club.

  In the last few years I've been swamped with activities. I filled up every empty space I had in my schedule.

  The meeting was about to start, so I was walking as fast as I could without paying attention to my surroundings. I was still shaking a little, not fully calm yet.

  Suddenly I bumped into a wall. No - not a wall. I looked up and my eyes met with the most beautiful being I have ever seen. His features were as sharp as a knife, unforgiving. Those dark eyes held me captive, but I didn't see any warmth in them.

  Instead I saw something akin to disgust, when he said "Those cheap glasses don't really seem to help you much, do they?" The words just rolled off his tongue and I could hear a faint Italian accent. The nicely dressed group that surrounded him burst into laughter and I realized what he was saying.

  Heat immediately enveloped my whole face, first in embarrassment, but then it quickly shifted into anger.

  What a dick.

  "It was just an accident, don't get your panties all up in a twist," I retorted.

  Who does he think he is?

  He ignored my comment and proceeded walking with his friends, who were still laughing at his joke. As if I wasn't worth even another second of his precious time. They all seemed to think they were better than everyone around them, just because they had their mommies and daddies who could buy them everything they liked.

  What a bunch of assholes.

  I snapped out of it and realized I was going to be late.

  No, no, no, this can't be happening. I was never late. And I wasn't going to be. So, I hurried to get to the classroom.

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  I made it just in time, when everyone was still taking their seats. I sat down next to Lina, who has probably already been there for a while, prepared to start. Just like I would if it weren't for him.

  We exchanged a quick smile. She was one of the only people who understood my need to succeed. We were both doing our best to earn our place at our dream universities.

  We began to focus on the president of the debate club, who stood up to start our meeting. Well, at least she did. I tried to, but I couldn't stop thinking about those cold eyes. That suit that was probably tailored to his sculpted body. That perfectly styled dark hair, which looked to be intentionally messy.

  I remembered how he looked at me, like I was less than the dirt beneath his shoe and the feeling of anger returned anew. I hated these kinds of people, who thought they were better than everyone around them.

  Whatever, I wasn't going to spend one more minute thinking about his stupid face. I didn't care. At all.

  I brought myself back to the present and did my best to pay attention. Even if my thoughts kept slipping back to that unnerving boy.

  MARCELLO

  I walked down the hall to my locker with my so-called friends. We weren't really that close but we hung out because our parents knew each other from their businesses together. I didn't even like them that much, but I had to act like it because 'it's appropriate' or so my father said anyway.

  I was laughing along to the insult I threw to the girl that bumped into me. The girl with the big blue eyes that seemed to stare right into my soul.

  Seriously, what was it with those eyes? I couldn't stop thinking about them. They looked so confused and turned right to hatred when I spoke those words. I kind of wanted to take it back, but then caught myself. She was a nobody. Who cared? I sure didn't.

  But then what was that feeling inside. Whatever, I wasn't going to worry about it. It'll pass just as it came. I had to get to the club anyway. I promised dad I'd play a round of tennis with him. I've been trying to beat him for so long, but so far I haven't been able to be better than him.

  He wasn't taking it easy on me. He never was. At anything.

  When I got there I changed into some more comfortable clothes and went to the tennis court.

  My dad was already waiting for me, looking impatient. "I see someone finally decided to show up." I bit back my response and got into position.

  I was late because I couldn't stop thinking about that girl. Where did she have to be so urgently? You'd think someone was about to die with the way she was running through the hall.

  Suddenly I felt a small breeze and heard the ball drop to the floor next to me. I've been so preoccupied with my thoughts that I hadn't noticed my dad started playing.

  "What are you doing? Keep your head in the game," he urged.

  I shook my head and focused. I really had to move on from that encounter. It wasn't even that interesting.

  We kept playing for an hour and at the end, to no one's surprise, my dad won. We went home together and on the way he pressed me about school. I was at the top in my last school and he wanted me to remain there at the new one too.

  At least he cared unlike my mother.

  "I assume mom's not at home?" I asked even though I already knew the answer.

  "She had to go on a business trip again. She'll be back by the end of the week." I didn't care that much anyway. We were more acquaintances than family.

  All she cared about was that I find myself an amicable young woman to spend the rest of my life with. Happily or not. As long as she fits all the criteria created by my mother.

  As if on que my dad started "So, has anyone caught your eye yet?"

  I was going to say no - once again - but what came out of my mouth was "There was this girl..."

  What was I doing? It was like I was on auto-pilot.

  "Really?" He sounded as surprised as I felt. "Is she from a proper family?"

  That was always the question, wasn't it. She didn't look like she was, but I said it anyway.

  "Of course."

  "Your mother will be so glad."

  I'm sure she would, I thought.

  Then I quickly climbed up the stairs with an excuse that I have to study - which wasn't even a lie - so I could escape any further questions.

  What was I getting into?