Tatiana listened as her best friend vented about her weekend as they made their way to their seats. Mr. Clark served as both their homeroom teacher and their first period U.S. history teacher. 

“Hold on ladies, I did some rearranging, Farrah you’ll be switching seats with Andrew.”

“What?! He barely even shows up to school.”

“Well when he does he’s sitting with Tatiana.” 

Farrah and Tatiana shared a look that meant ‘we’ll debrief later’ before sitting separately. 

As the clock ticked closer to the start of class and the other students began filing in, Tatiana settled on putting her backpack on the empty seat next to her. 

Tatiana was killing time flipping through a magazine when suddenly a shadow was looming over her.

“Your bag’s in my seat”

“Oh, sorry Andrew.” she placed the magazine in carefully trying not to damage the paper before hastily moving the bag to rest by her feet.

He continued glaring at her for a moment for taking his spot beside her. Mr. Clark dimmed the lights to play a video tape and through the entire video she could feel his eyes burning into her, studying her profile. She had heard many things about Andrew Cody through the years, and none of them were good. And now she was stuck with him for an indeterminate amount of time. It wasn’t the first time one of her teacher’s had assigned her to corral one of the rowdier boys in her class and it was unlikely to be the last. She was well familiar with the song and dance. From what she knew about Andrew he wasn’t the run of the mill school bully or class clown. He was worse in a way because he was unpredictable. He rarely attended class, either because he was suspended or playing hooky, and when he did he had a hair-trigger for a temper. Worst of all he was quiet, too quiet where you never quite knew what he was thinking or what bothered him. Tatiana just kept her eyes fixed straight ahead deciding it was best to pretend he wasn’t there.

Mr. Clark flipped the lights back on without warning and was met with groans and students rubbing their eyes. He ignored their protests and passed out worksheets with questions about the video. Tatiana began filling in the answers but paused when she felt the warmth of Andrew’s body heat as he leaned in closer to her.

“I need a pencil.” he said more like a command than a request.

Tatiana wasted no time in fishing one out of her pencil case and handing it to him. She doubted anyone would ever believe her if she mentioned it, but she swore she saw him smirk at the oversized rubber smiley face pencil topper when he took it. It was the first time she really looked at him and she couldn’t help but admire his freckled skin and his dimples that flashed briefly. She also noticed he had the prettiest hazel eyes. She must’ve been looking a little too long because his brows furrowed and his signature scowl appeared.

“What” he bit harshly

“Nothing sorry” she muttered in response.

Tatiana was less than focused for the remainder of class. She wasn’t sure what to make of the boy next to her. Being in close proximity with him made the stories that followed his name harder to believe. Not impossible or improbable, it was just hard to see him as scary. Intense sure but he seemed somewhat harmless, for lack of a better word. 

“Alright, who wants to roll the TV back down to the library?” Mr Clark asked before sitting on the edge of his desk. “No volunteers? You get to leave class five minutes early” 

Tatiana’s hand shot up. She really didn’t want to return it; she just needed air and some space. 

“Okay it’s heavy so you’ll need a partner…” Farrah began rapidly shoving her things into her book bag eager to be reunited with her friend. “Miss Evans settle down, Mr. Cody will be accompanying Tatiana” 

Once again Farrah shot Tatiana a look. Andrew silently and unceremoniously rose from his seat and the duo made their way down the hall. 

 Her escape plan backfired so Tatiana decided to attempt plan b, making small talk. However, Andrew didn’t seem like he’d be particularly interested in shooting the breeze about the weather, or homework, or gossip about their teachers, or really anything she could think of.

“Thanks… for the pencil” he said, voice a little less gruff than the first time she heard him speak

“You’re welcome… um do you prefer to be called Andrew or is Andy okay? Or maybe Drew”

He stopped in his tracks, hand steadying the TV cart from rolling. Once again glaring down at Tatiana “Andy is fine” he continued just looking at her, reading her. 

Tatiana wasn’t sure what to do or say so she tried extending the olive branch a little further by offering up her nickname “you can call me Tati if you want, all my friends do.”

“Are we friends now?” he asked with a glint of humor in his voice 

“We can be…” she mumbled. Once again faltering under his gaze, she found herself staring down at their feet. 

Tatiana didn’t move a muscle until she heard the squeaky wheels of the cart rolling. Once they completed their task they went their separate ways. 

Tatiana practically sprinted back down the hall needing to find Farrah before the bell rang.

“My poor baby,” Farrah sighed, pulling her into a hug. 

“Why is it always me? How come they never stick you on babysitting duty” Tati pouted.

“One, I'm smart enough not to sit in the front of class all the time. And two, you’re too nice to complain.” 

“Shut up” she rolled her eyes knowing it was the truth

“Shut up” Farrah parroted back in a mocking tone

Tatiana had a free period whilst her friends had other classes so she used the time to study. But during lunch they fell into their usual gossip, the day beginning to feel more normal. The cafeteria food was gross as usual, but they were rejuvenated from their time together.

Tati and Farrah walked into their chemistry class arms linked and smiles wide.

“Okay kiddos,” Miss Nelson clapped, getting the students’ attention. “It's a new marking period. Which means new seats and new lab partners.” Tatiana and Farrah wiped fake tears from their eyes and sniffled as they unlinked arms and found new seats. “Girls save the dramatics, you'll see each other later.”

“Teachers pet” Farrah snided, sticking her tongue out at her best friend who of course chose the lab table closest to the front. 

Tatiana stuck her tongue out in response and started getting her belongings out of her book bag. She saw a familiar pair of shoes in front of her bag. She followed the legs up to be greeted by Andrew Cody in front of her for the second time that day. 

“Is anyone sitting with you yet”

“Nope,” she patted the stool next to her “all yours” 

Their science teacher got on with the lesson and before she knew it Tatiana felt someone tapping her with the end of their pencil. She reached back to take the note as subtly as possible. 

“again??? are you kidding me” was scribbled in glittery blue ink with her best friend’s familiar handwriting. 

Tatiana looked a few rows back to Farrah who was making a face that was a combination of disgust and disbelief.

Tati mouthed “it’s fine”  before resuming her notes.

Miss Nelson was a little wacky, sort of like if you combined Bill Nye and Miss Frizzle, and she somehow made even the most complicated parts of the subject seem simple so her class never dragged on like the other periods.

“Alright I want last week’s homework before you leave and then you are free to go.” 

Farrah made her way to the teacher’s desk and dropped her paper in the bin. She waited just outside the door expecting Tatiana to be on her heels as usual. Instead, she saw Tatiana get up to leave before being stopped by Andrew grabbing her wrist. They spoke for a moment before Tatiana finally left.  

Farrah watched Andrew as he followed, of course not producing any homework. She waited until he was a distance away before speaking.

“So what’d he say? Did he like steal your lunch money? Or ask you to do his homework or something?”

“Nothing he was chill, he just was giving me my pencil back from earlier.”

“He was chill, what is he your new best friend or something? Are you two gonna go jump some nerds together later?”

“RE-LAX. Andy’s not that bad”

Farrah held the back of her hand against Tatiana’s forehead “ANDY?!?! Not that bad?! Are you getting a fever or just going insane”

“Fay, stop, he's not bothering me, it's fine.”

Farrah huffed and shook her head “Whatever Tati, your funeral”

“My funeral?”

“Yup.” 

“Well tell my parents to bury me in those earrings I’m never giving back to you then.”

The rest of the week continued that way. Tatiana attempting to befriend Andrew and him barely humoring any conversation.

By Friday Tatiana was starting to take notice that he was strangely truant and punctual. From what she heard you were lucky to see Andrew Cody at school for more than five days in a month let alone in a row. Frankly she wasn’t sure how he wasn’t expelled. So Tatiana and Farrah were gobsmacked to walk into class and find him at his desk before any of the other students, hands folded and sitting straight as a board. His eyes were locked on Tati from the moment she was in the door frame until the moment she sat down. He said nothing to her, nor did he return her smile, he just watched her. Watched her as her conversation fizzled out and she pulled out one of her magazines and waited for the class to start. 

“Why do you always read that crap?”

“Pardon” she squeaked

“10 ways to get him to notice you. Does he love you? Find out for sure. 1000 ways to make a man crazy” he listed deadpan.

She giggled in response “I know the headlines are goofy. But honestly I just buy these for the beauty tips.”

“You don’t need them” he said it more like he was pointing out the obvious than paying a compliment. 

The bell sounding spared her from having to come up with a response. 

She thought she was getting used to Andrew staring at her but she felt a heat that never left her face all class long. 

“Don’t pack up yet we still have a few minutes,” Mr. Clark admonished, “as you know each semester there’s a research project. This term it will be a group project. Your seatmate will be your partner. If I see anything that indicates what’s turned in you will receive an F. Do I make myself clear?” Mr. Clark focused on Tatiana with the last sentence, he was giving her a warning.

“Yes Mr. Clark” the class groaned unanimously

“Good, I'll be assigning you topics next week. You may go” The kids scrambled wanting to be anywhere but stuck with the authoritarian for another second. “Tatiana, stay for a moment.”

“Just Tatiana,” he added, looking at Andrew and Farrah. They looked at each other awkwardly before leaving the room. Farrah was confused as to why Andrew seemed to be following her. 

“Can I help you?” she eyed him suspiciously

“Tati’s locker is this way isn’t it”

“Yeah it’s next to mine…” she broke from his glare and began speeding up wanting to put some distance between them.

Meanwhile Tatiana was unsurprised by why Mr. Clark requested to speak with her. It started with the same you’re a good kid speech her teachers always gave when they were using her as a means to control their troublesome students. 

“Listen Tatiana you’re a very smart girl. You have a bright future ahead of you. That Cody kid however, he probably doesn’t. He’s been behaving since I sat you two together but it won’t last. It never does with him. Don’t try to help him. Don’t try to save him. Just do your work. And if I catch you doing his I will fail you for my entire class do you understand?”

“Sir I don’t how see this is fair...”

“What, asking you not to participate in plagiarism?”

“That’s not what you’re asking me..”

“Then what am I asking for, you tell me.”

“I dunno… to”

“You dunno,” he interjected condescendingly.

“Mr. Clark I…” she stammered

“Listen if you can figure out what exactly you’re trying to say we can discuss it Monday. Have a good day” he gave her a disingenuous grin and gestured towards the door. 

Tatiana sighed wearily, resigning to her fate. Her head was hung as she made her way to her locker only to find Andrew leaning against it waiting for her.

“What was that about?” 

“Nothing”

“You’re not a good liar.” he replied simply. Before giving her room to switch out her books and binders. 

“What days work best for you to work on the project?” she asked happy to have the metal door acting as a partition between them

“What do you mean?”

“Well I usually work after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and all day on the weekends. So Tuesday and Thursday are the best days for me but if that’s inconvenient for you we can figure something else out.” She took a deep breath before closing the locker and facing him, expecting him to be shooting daggers. Instead there was a softness in how he was looking at her, like he was surprised she was considering what he wanted.

“That’s fine”

“Tuesday and Thursday?”

He just nodded

“Okay we can meet in the library after last period, it stays open until 4:30. Oh but there’s no bus after…”

“That’s fine, I drive to school. I’ll drop you off at home.” 

“That’s so sweet Andy, thank you” she put a hand on his shoulder but quickly removed it feeling his muscles tense, “I have to go but I’ll see you later in chemistry”

Tatiana recited the conversation to her friends during lunch.

“You’re gonna tell him where you live” Farrah asked in disbelief

“What he was being nice,”

“Yeah and I’m sure Hannibal Lecter seemed pretty cool before he started eating people” Fallon suggested

“Hey I thought you were the nice one” 

“We take turns” the twins answered simultaneously

“Andrew is a twin too, right?” Tatiana asked 

“Yeah Julia is his sister,” Fallon replied, pointing to a girl sitting near the exit, “she’s in a few of my classes. Barely shows up to school either and when she does she never talks.”

“She looks sweet,” Tatiana said, looking back at her one last time.

“Ugh, Fay’s right you need to be sent to the looney bin” Fallon growned

“Seriously you’re buggin’ why do you care so much about the Codys all of a sudden?” Farrah chimed in.

“Well Andrew’s not that bad so…” 

“You don’t even know him,” Fallon sighed, “Look, all that stuff about him and his sister. They’re not rumors. It’s stuff people saw with their own eyes. We saw him beat someone up for looking at him too long freshman year. He’s bad news.”