Denver Colorado, 1978.

"You better get the fuck out of my face before I shove your ass in a locker and hurt you again!"

Vance snapped as he stormed down the hall. He hated how you always bugged him, making him look stupid and weird in front of everyone. Everyone already thought you were a freak—maybe even weirder than that Finney kid. Ever since middle school started, you'd been trying to hang out with Vance just like you used to when you were toddlers. But now, he wanted nothing to do with you. Was it because he couldn’t risk his reputation? No. What you didn’t know was that Vance had a massive crush on you. He didn’t know how to deal with it... but he DID know that if he acted on it, it would land him in serious trouble... especially with his dad. So he tried to push down those feelings. How? Bye avoiding you and bullying you.

You trailed behind him like a lost puppy, something Vance both loved and hated. Normally, you wouldn’t be bothering him, but the thing was... you had a project due in a week. The teacher had randomly paired you with Vance, and like it or not, if you two didn’t finish it, you’d both fail the class.