I was a regular teenager until I met him. There was something off about him that made me want to know more. Was it just his irky personality or something else that awaited to be discovered

Hi, I am Scarlett Sanders, sweet and simple, born in Ohio, transferred to Kentucky West High

The moment I stepped into my classroom , my teacher , Mr. Jonathan Clarke introduced me and made me sit in this empty seat in the last row. Now my bench partner was a weirdo, he didnt say a word until lunch , half time as he calls it. As I hoped to speak to him during lunch, my hope was shattered as he grabbed his lunch and walked out on me.

Brently westwood Jr. His name. But no one ever calls him that. Brent he is. Star football player, quarter back, hates pep talks not even about football. Weird. Isnt he?

Nothing in the next two days except from silence from Brent. And me being just as stubborn as I am , never made the effort to make him talk too.

On the third day, he finally spoke up. No, dont get your spirits uplifted. He asked if he could borrow my pen. Not being able to pretend to ignore him , I did lend him my pen.

In the evening, there was a knock at my door and when i opened the door there he was, a tall figure, black hair , deep blue eyes staring down at me. I'm a few inches shorter than him. None other than Brently Junior was standing in front of me. What gave me the shock of my life was a simple affair.

Scarlett: Hey, surprised to see you here.

Brent: Hi, I'm Brently.

Scarlett: So you realized, you never really introduced yourself to me.

Brent: I'm sorry..

Scarlett: Scarlett. Scarlett Sanders. Did you never had a peek at my identification card?

Brent: No

Scarlett: Figured that.What brings you here Brently westwood?

Brent: Your pen, I forgot to return it. I am sorry.

Scarlett: And how did you know I live here?

Brent: The address book.

Scarlett: Cant believe you pulled those many strings for my pen. Could've returned to me tomorrow Brently. Come inside.

Brent: No, I'm in a hurry and it is Ben.

Scarlett: What?

Brent: Call me Ben.

Scarlett: See you at school ben.

Brent: Bye.

The next day was an improvement. He smiled at me whenever we locked eyes, accidently of course.

And then one day while I was on my way home, a voice dashed straight into my ears. Scarlett.! Scarlett. I turned around to find my silent mate, brently. Oh sorry Ben.

Scarlett : Hey ben!

Ben : Scarlett, I was looking for you back in the football field. You are always there right?

Scarlett: Oh yes, I play football too, quarter back just like you. Just not so good. I'm a little down today so I had Mr clarke sign me a leave notice.

Ben: Mind if I walk with you.

Scarlett: Sure.

Ben: I have been really silent these few days. Figured you were reluctant to talk to me the past few days. I do talk Scarlett.

Scarlett: Oh you do?

There is an outburst of laughter.

Scarlett: I like the way you can ignore people.

Ben: Some people are better ignored. Especially people called Cody Blanc. He is trouble.

Guess he had seen Cody talking to me back in the library. I showed no particular interest but Cody just wouldn't give up. Hes cool just not my type. Even if he was , I have sworn not to date. Past breakup was tough to overcome.

Scarlett: Its nothing. He just wants to be friends with me.

Ben: Cool, see you then.

Scarlett: Hey ben, is something wrong?

But he had already left by then leaving me in a state of confusion seeking some serious answers. Why was he suddenly interested in talking to me and influencing me on not to be friends with Cody?

After Brent had walked me home. I dashed straight into my room wondering what hea meant by saying that cody is more trouble than help.

I slipped into my night dress, ready to doze off. I lied down on my bed, then suddenly, I heard a notification ring. It was a friend request...From Cody Blanc. I hesitated to accept it, Brent's words going around my head. But then I couldn't help but accept it.Another of those teenager instincts, I was eager to know why he wanted me to be friends with him.

After a few seconds another ding. We chatted for some time before I slept through the conversation.

Cody: Hey newbie!

Scarlett: Names Scarlett. Well cody? The purpose of this request?

Cody: Of course this request is sent to friends.

Scarlett: Okay. So?

Cody: You want to have lunch with my friends tomorrow?

Scarlett: I usually have lunch with Brent. Is he allowed too?

Cody: If you insist.

Scarlett: Okay then.

Cody: Scarlett! Are you sleepy?

Yeah then I doze off.

The next day at school when the lunch bell rang I asked brent to join us in lunch with cody and his friends. But he frowned and refused. The reason ofcourse is unknown.Why? Because the Brently doesnt share his feelings. I had fo refuse Cody and find brent.

I found him on the swing. I sat down on the swing next to him.

Scarlett: What is the matter with you and cody?

Brent: None of your business.

Scarlett: Dont be rude.

Brent: I am rude. But atleast I'm myself not Cody who pretends to be sweet and nice but is dark as hell on the inside.

Scarlett: Ben, Stop it. I can't understand you. You are so moody and sulky at times and sweet at others.Who are you?

Brent: You dont have to understand me. Go away Scar.

Scarlett: I'm going brent. I hope to never talk to you again.

I left the playground at once. that was the first time I had shouted at Brent. But he deserved to be treated that way. He hurt my feelings. He didnt even consider me a friend. Why was I so indulgent in him anyway. it is partially my fault. Then I started texting cody in frustration. After all he was the one I knew except Brent.

Scarlett: Cody?

Cody: Yes.

Scarlett: Lunch tomorrow? Wont cancel. I promise

Cody : Sure. Are you busy?

Scarlett: No, why?

Cody: Can you come to the park for a bit?

Scarlett: I dont think so Cody. My parents dont allow me to go out after 8.

Cody: I understand. See you at school scar.Mind If I call you that?

Scarlett: Not at all Cody! Good night.

Cody: Good night.

The next day at lunch, I didnt wait for brent. I left to have lunch with Cody and his friends. I couldn't stick with Brent and be treated like trash and have no other friends to stick around for me And Cody was really great. he never hurt me or made me feel left out. His friends Kim, Sarah and Damien were so welcoming

Brent wasn't really happy about it. but who cares anymore. He wasn't my friend. Was he?

The next day, when I reached school, Brent wasn't sitting in his usual place. He was sitting beside his cousin Bianca Westwood and had asked her best friend Vivian Woodland to exchange places with him. I angrily threw my backpack on the ground and took my seat heavily.

He was unbothered all day and I didnt confront him either. If he wanted our friendship to be over then it was going to be that way.

At lunch, I stayed where I was, sulking in that corner of the class where I had started my journey . I hadn't talked to vivian at all and having no attention to herself she had left to eat with Bianca. Brent was sitting in his place too but he didnt come over or apologise. So I ignored him all through lunch. Then ,after I finished eating, cody came in to help me with geography. I sucked at geography and It was usually brent who helped me with it. Cody wasn't bad himself. He taught me everything so easily. I thanked him and offered him to teach me the next day too and he gladly agreed.

After school , brent didnt come rushing to walk me home as he always did. I missed my friend but I couldn't let myself head over and ask for his friendship. Then someone called out my name and I was thrilled. But when I turned around, it wasn't Brent. it wasnt Cody either. Instead it was Bianca.

Bianca: Hi Scarlett!

Scarlett: Hello bianca.

Bianca: Brent cannot walk you home today. He has his cleaning duties after school today.

Scarlett: Did he send you here?

Bianca: I'm afraid not. I'm here to talk to you if you are willing.

Scarlett: Bianca, I'm sorry. Can we talk later?

Bianca: Sure but its urgent.

Next day at school, I saw Brent helping Mr. clarke with carrying his books. I was proud of my friend but I couldn't appreciate him because ofcourse he was reluctant to talk to me.

Finally at half time, Brent walked up to me and apologised for his behaviour.

Brent: Scar, I'm sorry. I shouldnt have done that to you?

Scarlett: You want our friendship to be over. It's over then.

Brent: I dont. Scar please.

Scarlett: Okay, but only if you give me a hug.

Brent: Much as I dislike to do so. Here you go.

Cody came in at the moment and saw Brent hugging me. He didnt seem too pleased about it. He was disappointed and with a look of disappointment, he left the classroom. I wanted to go behind him and clear things but Brent held me by my arm.

Scarlett: Brent why? What is your problem? What has Cody ever done to you? He is so nice after all.

Brent: You dont know anything about him. You are just a transfer student.

Scarlett: You wont tell me, so how will I ever know what he has done wrong? Is it because he is trying to help me? And you dont want him to come closer to me?

He leaves without saying a word preferring to keep me in the dark. Once again we left off where we started. Damn it ,Brently Westwood. I am sick of you hiding everything from me. I'm going to find out what you are keeping from me and yourself. Mission secrets!!