( oooof sorry I was figuring out percentages and cross-multiplying with my mom. xd I’m not even supposed to be learning them yet, but I can’t figure out these problems without them. I’m here now, tho! )

Spencer shrugged but nodded. "I don't think it was romantic at first, but it changed pretty quickly. So yes."

Fraya sucked in a breath. “Wow. I would never have guessed that. Really?”

Spencer struggled to keep from rolling his eyes. He offered an exasperated smile as he thought of the answer to his own question. "Probably since we met. It was just mild at first, growing as I knew you better."

Fraya glanced — no, glared — at Jacquelyn until she got the hint and popped her ear buds back in, but not without a look obviously stating, ‘You’re telling me everything later.’

Turning back to Spencer, she said rather shakily, “You first.”

Spencer reddened again. Slightly, but he could feel it and he knew it would be visible. "How long have you liked me?"

“Nope,” Fraya replied, flipping her fiery red hair that reflected her sassiness. “You were just too blind to see it before. I feel bad for you sometimes. Like, how can someone be so cluele—“

She stopped herself when he gave her a look, and rolled her eyes. “If you have something to say, go ahead.”

Spencer snorted. "You care all of a sudden, do you?"

Fraya felt a smirk cross her lips. “Awww, burn yourself? That’s too bad.”

"Not really. Finished Prisoner B-3087, onto Refugee. I'm on an Alan Gratz kick." Spencer took a bite of his pizza and hissed in shock at the temperature of the cheese. He forced the bite down his throat and took a drink of his water to cool down the roof of his mouth.

“Hey Spencer,” Fraya replied after a second, realizing he’d addressed her.

The silence was heavy for a second, and since she wasn’t really feeling the turkey sandwich she’d packed for lunch today, she decided to end it.

“So... what’s up? Anything new?”

She mentally cursed herself for asking this. She knew the answer to that question already. Sure, they’d been avoiding each-other completely in the real world, but on their text chat they’d gone on like nothing had happened.

(I feel like I should remember who Sam is...)

Waverly smiled gratefully. She hadn’t seen Oscar all day, and she hadn’t been sure what to do if he was absent for whatever reason. She honetly hadn’t expected her new friends (at least, she hoped she could call them friends) to let her sit with them. So right now she was just thanking her lucky stars. Then, as they sat down, she smirked.

“Why were you asking about Sam?” she asked quizzically. She couldn’t remember who’d been asking, but whoeveer answered this time, she definitely wouldn’t forget.

Spencer punched in his student ID number to pay for his food and got a nod from the lunch lady, so he took his tray and headed for Fraya's table. He sat down heavily.

Jacquelyn, seeing his expression, pulled out her earbuds. She didn't know what was about to happen, but she knew she wasn't involved, and she had no plans to change that.

Spencer hesitated, watching Fraya watch him. He didn't know if she wanted to talk first. She stayed silent and shot him a quizzical glance, so he spoke. "Hi, Fraya." His words caught in his mouth, so he picked up his pizza to cover up the awkward silence.

Eli:

He nodded. "Sure, Waverly." He spotted an empty table at the back of the cafeteria, "Hey! I see a table. C'mon." He said, briskly walking towards the table with his sisters and friends in pursuit.

Waverly saintered over to the table the Gerons were at with Ria and Brianna as someone asked about Sam.

“I haven’t seen him,” she said with a shrug.

After a second’s hesitation, she asked, “By the way, can I sit with you guys? Sitting alone is no fun.”

Absent-mindedly, Fraya sat at her usual table with a few other kids she vaguely knew. Jaquelyn sat here now as well — was that her name? — so she didn’t have to worry about trying to keep up a conversation. The other girl did most of the talking, which she only half listened to. She was too distracted. Hating to admit it, even to herself, she was staring at a certain someone and couldn’t tear her eyes away.

When she heard something about the dance in her conversation partner’s rambling, she perked up. “What was that? Sorry, phased out for a sec.”

Gabby:

She smiled to herself at the twins voice, but didn't really bother to acknowledge. They were like two other sisters to her-no need to say help every time they saw each other.

Maddie:

"HI BRI!" She said, after getting over the scare. "I don't know. Anyone see Sam?' Maddie said, glancing atround.

Brianna:

“Here I am!” She squealed, tackling into Maddie’s shoulders. Rita laughed from behind her as Maddie’s frightened look came into view. After Brianna had settled down, Ria said, “Where are we sitting today?” She didn’t expect Gabby to answer, who was still reading her book, not bothering with the fact that the twins had suddenly appeared out of no where.

Eli:

After the fun time at the bakery a few days before that, Eli was resentful to go back to school. Especially since his big track meet was this weekend. He shuddered nervously at the thought of the meet. Eli was prepared for the meet, but he couldn't help but feel anxious. He realized the lunch bell just rang and he quickly stuffed his binders into his backpack but jogging out the door. He caught up to Maddie, who was walking next to Gabby-who as usual, had her face in a book. "Hello!" He called to them as they turned toward the school cafeteria. "Hey Eli!" Maddie and Gabby both said to him. "You see Ria and Brianne anywhere?" Maddie asked, looking around the already crowded cafeteria for their friends.