Music pulsed in Haley's ears, shutting out the sound of the world. The sun was in full force but she was used to its persistent glare. It was a mood every Californian was accustomed to. The smell of grass and hot concrete drifted around her.

From her designated lone tree she watched the ongoings of her peers. With nothing but lyrics and a pounding bass to hear, she formed conversations and stories around what she saw. A girl threw back her head and laughed as a guy beside her smiled.

Not dating yet, but give it a day or two and he will ask her out.

Another girl shoved a guy's shoulders, waved her hands and stormed off, tears already streaming down her face. A second girl chased after her, throwing the guy a death stare as she went. Sulking, the guy turned away. Haley took a bite of her sandwich.

Saw that coming two days again. Should know relationships aren't worth it.

Her gaze drifted over towards the tables and the clusters of students who had long ago marked their territory. Though the normal stereotypes were hard to distinguish, she knew they were still there. They always were. That's how life went, life was formed up by boxes and which ones people ultimately fell into.

It was how life made sense out of all the chaos.

When her musings landed her at the biggest table, she paused. Along with Jace was all the kids that made up the student council as well as the star athletes. A redhead sitting next to Jace was smiling at him, her meal forgotten in front of her. Jace's hands were moving about as he described some story. When his hands settled the girl laughed, the act flooding her cheeks with color. His lips curled in satisfaction.

And another one falls.

As Jace moved onto a new topic, Haley focused on the girl a few places down. She had black hair styled in curls, dark brown eyes, flawless skin and a manner of perfection. Everything about her said she was in control, even down to the way she sat with her ankles crossed.

A scowl formed on Haley's face as she tried not to think about the fact that she needed to talk to this walking beauty ad. But her thoughts were rebellious and focused on nothing else.

She was startled from her scowling when a shoe nudged her leg. Looking up, she found her brother staring down at her. His brown hair was neatly brushed aside and his t-shirt and jeans had the look of being ironed. Haley pulled out one earbud.

"What?" she asked.

"Sorry about this morning," he said. "I told you I had to talk over a project with Mr. Simpson."

"It's fine."

Haley was about to put her earbud back in when Matt spoke, his brown eyes curious.

"Who drove you here?"

"I had to get a ride with Jace, mom and dad were....talking."

Matt made a face at the ground and nodded.

"Yeah, I think I heard the start of that."

Silence was dragged between them, neither knowing how to get back a connection they had lost. Matt kicked at a twig as Haley fiddled with her earbud.

"Well, we'll leave at the same time after school. I'll meet you in the parking lot."

"Got it."

The earbud was back in its place when Matt tapped her leg again. Haley wanted to hit him for breaking her peace.

"Yeah?"

Awkwardly, he scratched the back of his neck. "Are you just going to sit alone?"

"That has been the general plan since...four months ago, so yeah I've decided to stick with it."

At the words, Haley could feel the missing presence of Lettie beside her. A presence that was now miles away and she hadn't heard from in months. But it didn't matter. Peace and quiet suited her.

"Hales, you could always come sit with me. You don't have to be alone."

"What's wrong with being alone?"

"Nothing, I'm simply saying there is space at the table."

She shrugged away his offer as well as his concern. "Thanks, but I'm fine here."

Matt nodded, his face unconvinced. "Alright."

When Haley returned to her music and raised the volume, Matt walked away. She watched him as he took a spot with a few other seniors. As she observed them she could tell by the way they threw jokes back and forth and exchanged laughter that her presence there would have only been a wet blanket. Besides she would miss the shade and vantage point of her tree.

A few minutes before the bell, Haley noticed Isaac walking back through the front gates. He walked with a distinctive lift in his step, as if he might float away at any second. Though he wasn't outright smiling, there was a look of contentment on his face. Haley knew that he must have been spending his lunch break with his dog. She wondered if all dogs had the power to make someone happy or if it was specific people who reacted to the affection.

The bell rang, cutting off her musings. Students reached for bags and balled up trash. Like feathers blown by the wind they scattered. With a groan, Haley picked up her own backpack, knowing what came next and regretting it.

Cutting a path through the dispersing crowd, she made her way to Rachel. She still sat at her table, smiling up at the muscular guy beside her. He was good looking with black curls and caramel colored eyes. Haley knew from sight that he was the football team's star running back.

"I'll see you after class," he said, standing.

He leaned down and kissed her before heading off. Wearing a happy grin, Rachel rose and found Haley waiting there. The look diminished to something more subdued.

"Did you need something?" she asked. Her voice was polished and Haley wondered if that was natural or honed from years of being a leader.

Collecting up her disgruntled words, she gave a reluctant nod.

"Yes, I am here to tell you that I will be working on the Senior Day project with you and..." she waved a careless hand. "whoever else was forced into this thing."

A frown flickered cross Rachel's face but she brushed it away as she would a stray hair.

"Great, I can always use more helpers."

"And I just love to help."

Rachel cocked her head, her expression skeptical. "You sure this is a project you want to be involved with? Cause you sound like you would rather eat your own hand."

"My answer is yes since I'm averse to cannibalism."

Rachel nodded once, her brown eyes on Haley as if she were trying to puzzle her out. Under the look, Haley fidgeted.

"Alright," Rachel said, "there is a meeting after school today in the student lounge. You'll get to meet everyone you will be working alongside of. I think you'll like everyone. A good amount of people signed up. I know you already know Jace and he brought most of the baseball team with him. The science club has offered to help out and the whole student council will be involved as well. So it will be a good collection."

"Okay, well I guess I'll see you at the meeting."

Rachel gave her a bright smile and walked away, her black hair swing long her back.

"Great," Haley muttered, "I get to be the loner in this cliche Breakfast Club."

**********************************************************************

Hello Noodle! ☺️

I know another chapter, woohoo. 🙄 I know you're really excited about this but can we please move onto why you're really here?

Thank you. So the reason we know we're here today is to discuss attractive males. And so on this topic we will be constructing the perfect male.

So you must tell me these things:
What actor would he look like?
What job would he have?
What style does he have?
And what pet name would he call you?

Go!

If you know me, you know mine:
Grant Gustin
Preferably a singer/actor
Jeans, t-shirts and converse but can rock a suit
Love
(Wow I think I just described Grant Gustin! 😂)

Vote, comment, follow!

Or I'll just take the adorable dog!