[Otto's POV - The third day of school]

The next morning, I find myself standing with the others of my class.

How long have I known these people? I've shared a class with most of them for years and I've never felt the urge to start a conversation or even to spend breaks together. But here I am. Enjoying myself as the conversation around me continues pleasantly.

I'd coincidentally arrived earlier than usual this morning and found myself standing all alone while waiting for Jessy, Jasper or Lindsey to show up. But the first to show up was Nick, a sweet and serious boy from my class, finding himself in the same situation as I was. We'd decided to chat until the others arrived. But when they did arrive, instead of splitting up like we usually do, everyone joined the conversation naturally.

I don't even mind Alex's presence this morning. He is sitting on a bench, the rest of us standing in a circle around him. He seems to be too tired to pay attention to me.

I watch him as he stifles a yawn behind his hand and shakes his head slightly to wake up. I see Jessy mimics his yawn unintentionally.

"You seem tired?" Micheal voices my thoughts.

"Hmm, yeah," Alex says slowly. "It was half past eleven when I finally got home yesterday and I hadn't even eaten dinner yet. It was well past midnight when I finally got to bed."

"Psht! Woosie! I never go to sleep before eleven o'clock," Jasper says with a challenging grin. Alex's eyes flick to Jasper's for an instant, as if he'd measured his opponent and deemed him unworthy. Wait, is Jasper actually holding his breath in fear?

"You know," Alex finally says. "There are tons of things I could say to that, but I don't think you have the right to torment me today, mister sunset."

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Jasper instantly turns bright red.

"What's that all about?" Jessy instantly asks. Seriously, she's too curios for her own good.

"I have sworn to secrecy," Alex says dramatically as he leans back on the bench and closes his eyes, clearly satisfied that he managed to silence Jasper with a minimum effort. "If you want to know, ask him."

All heads turn to Jasper now, but he avoids all their stinging gazes pointedly, mumbling "Damned traitor!" under his breath.

"Did something happen in the park yesterday? After we left?" I ask as it doesn't look like Jasper is going to answer. Jasper's brow twitches. It's a tell-tale sign that I guessed right. "Did you meet up with Alex in the park? Wait, ... Does that mean that you also have been out until half past eleven yesterday? Man… your mom must have been livid."

With every question I ask, the color drains a little more from Jasper's face, which gives me all the confirmation I need. When I look over in Alex's direction, I catch him looking at me through heavy-lidded eyes.

"Clever girl," his eyes seem to say before a smile ghosts over his lips, and he closes his eyes again. I feel my cheeks heat up.

"All I'm going to say," Jasper suddenly says, and I snap my head back to him, "is that that guy definitely climbs trees and you all better check up above before you decide to sit under one."

His statement confuses me.

I guess it is something between the two of them since Alex reacts to his words with a sneer.

But when the bell rings and I fall into step behind Alex, I recognise the backpack slung lazily over his shoulder as the one Jasper found in the park yesterday, and I realise that Jasper's words had been meant for me.