Luis was running behind a brown-haired girl, giggling like a girl. Soon, he caught up to her and tapped her on the shoulder. "Tag! You're it!"

The girl spun around and started laughing. Luis started running the other direction. This lasted several minutes before they dropped to the ground in exhaustion. Luis panted heavily. "You—you've gotten…pretty fast…Stephanie…"

"You…too…"

Luis smiled. They stayed on the ground for a few minutes before Luis stood up. "Come on! My mom should have baked some cookies by now! Let's go eat some!"

Stephanie stood up. "Yes! Let's go!"

The two ran into the house, to be met with the smell of cookies.

Luis awoke to a loud banging right next to his ears. Jumping in surprise, he was sent flying backwards and fell down with his chair. The entire class laughed. "Sleeping again Mr. Luis?"

"Y—yes sir."

"This is the third time this week. Do it one more time and it's the principal's office for you."

"Sorry sir, it won't happen again."

The teacher went back up to the front of the classroom and resumed his teaching. Luis put his chair back in its place and plopped down, exhausted. Maybe I shouldn't have stayed up with Gary trying to beat that level last night…

Luis yawned and slightly stretched his arms downward. Tilting his head to the right, his gaze was set on Stephanie sitting two seats to the right of him. They were both now seventeen, sharing the same birthdays. They had known each ever since they were born. Their mothers met in the same hospital after they were born and hit it off. Soon, they were best of friends. Stephanie still teased Luis that she was older than him by a whole minute, but he learned to get used to it.

Stephanie turned towards Luis and smirked, shaking her head. Luis shrugged his shoulders indifferently. However, on the inside, his heart was pounding. Even though they had been friends forever, Luis just recently developed a crush for Stephanie. It was hard to hide, but Luis kept his feelings bottled in, in fear of ruining their friendship.

After thirty minutes, the bell rung, signaling the end of the class. "Remember, there is a quiz tomorrow, so study well tonight."

Luis picked up his backpack, put his schoolbook in it, and exited the room. Making it to his locker, he put his schoolbook in it, only to take out another one for the next subject. Zipping his backpack, Luis had just closed his locker when someone put a chokehold on Luis. Luis stepped back, knowing who was behind him. "Okay, Gary, you got me this time, now let go!"

The pressure on his neck left and the arm retreated. Luis gasped for breath before turning around. "How many times are you going to do that?"

"As many times as it takes for you to learn never to leave your back to me."

Luis shook his head. Luis had met Gary the first year of middle school, the only year he and Stephanie were at different schools. They were both the outcasts in their school, being nerds. They took all the same classes, so they saw each other every day. Soon, they became best friends. Stephanie transferred to their school the next year, and they became the new "Three Musketeers."

Luis sighed and walked along with Gary. "You're hopeless."

"I'm not the one always keeps turning your back to me."

Luis smirked and shook his head. "Ready for the test today?"

"Not at all. Steph is lucky, not having to take economics…"

"She already took it last year, remember?"

"I know, but still…"

Luis smiled. Stephanie was always a genius, helping Luis with homework ever since first grade. He readily admits that if it wasn't for Stephanie, he wouldn't have even passed the first grade.

Luis and Gary entered the class room and sat at their desks. Some other students were already there, noses buried in their books for a last-minute cram session. Stephanie had helped Luis the night before, so he felt confident and prepared. Gary was one of the crammers, his eyes hungrily scanning the pages of the book. Luis took out a pen from his backpack and leaned back in his chair. Soon, the bell rang again, and the rest of the students and teacher filed into the classroom.

"Alright everyone, I sure hope you studied for this exam."

There were a few groans, one coming from Gary. The teacher took out his briefcase and took out a pile of papers. "You have until the end of the period to finish the test. Once you're done, bring it to the front and place it on my desk. You may read a book, but nothing else. NO going on your phone."

Satisfied with his speech, the professor handed out the tests. Luis received his, wrote his name on it, and began. Alright…"In a free market economy…"

Luis started filling in the answers to the test. Forty-seven minutes later, he finished. Walking up to the desk, he placed the test on the desk, proud of being the first one done. "Done already Luis?"

Luis shook his head. "Alright then. Sit down and wait for the rest of the class to finish."

Luis shook his head and went back to his desk. He had failed to bring a book with him, so he just looked around the classroom the entire time. After what seemed like an eternity, the final bell rang. The class heaved a collected sigh of relief, and the remaining stragglers quickly circled random answers on their tests. "Pens and pencils down. Anyone who still hasn't given their test up, please do so now."

Luis observed several people, including Gary, stand up and walk to the desk. Luis picked up his backpack and walked out of the room, glad that the day was over. Gary was soon next to him.

"Dude, I can't believe that you finished that quickly!"

"I told you before, Stephanie took that class before and helped me last night."

"Lucky. I should have her help me too."

Luis shook his head. "You can go ask her. I'm not sure what her answer will be, but the worst she can say is 'no'…right?"

"Actually, that's not quite true. She could probably call me a cheater, beat me up, and throw me out of her house."

Luis shook his head. "Most of what you said are actions, not words."

"Same thing."

"Not really."

Luis went to his locker and took out all of his books. Gary leaned against the locker. "So, what do you want to do today?"

"Well, I have to do homework…so I guess I'll just do that for a few hours."

"Lame. Well, I'll be at my house still trying to beat that impossible level. Call me when you're done with your homework."

Luis didn't answer Gary. After zipping up his backpack, he walked out of the school entrance, and saw Stephanie talking to Gary in the walkway.

"What are you two talking about?"

Stephanie turned to Luis and smiled. "Oh, just that he wants me to tutor him in economics too."

Luis slightly laughed. "See Gary? I told you that the worst she could say is 'no'."

Gary blushed. "I guess you did…"

Luis gave Gary a lopsided grin and rolled his eyes. Turning to Stephanie, Luis asked, "So, what are you planning on doing for the rest of the day."

"The same thing Gary told me you were doing, homework."

Gary piped in. "I also told her that she was lame!"

Luis acknowledged Gary's comment, but didn't look at Gary. "Well, I guess I'll let you do that then. The smartest girl in the school shouldn't be distracted by a dumb guy like me."

Stephanie playfully punched Luis on the arm. "How many times have I told you not to say that?"

"Obviously not enough for me to learn my lesson."

Stephanie again punched Luis on the arm. "Alright, I'll be going now. I need to avoid the abuse I'm getting here."

Gary shook his head. "I'll go too. See ya guys later."

Luis waved goodbye to Gary and told Stephanie goodbye. Walking to the parking lot, Luis got into his car and put his backpack in the back seat. Sitting down in the driver's seat, he stared in front of him, heart pounding. The worst she can say is "no"…Maybe I'll tell her…maybe…

Luis started the car and drove off.

Gary arrived back at his house and collapsed on his bed. His body felt like it was melting into the sheets. Well…I guess I'll go and beat that level now!

Luis arrived at his house and parked his car on the driveway. Entering the house, he set his backpack down on the kitchen counter and walked toward the refrigerator. Looking inside, he spotted an orange in the bottom bin and took it out. Peeling it, he cut it into slices and took them upstairs with him. Going to his desk in his room, Luis turned on his computer and set the orange slices next to the computer. He raced back downstairs, grabbed his backpack, and raced back up. Soon, he had his history book in hand and started researching for his report.

Several hours into his research, Luis heard the garage door open. Closing his book and laying his notes down, Luis exited his room and went downstairs. His mom soon greeted him. "Hey honey! How was school today?"

"Fine. I think I did well on the Economics test today."

"That's good."

"So how was work?"

"It was work…"

Luis sighed. "Why don't you just quit that job? You hate it anyways."

Luis's mom sighed. "Sometimes, you pick a career you were interested in years ago…but then lose the passion for that career. That happened to me. Just don't let it happen to you."

Luis sighed. "Mom, you're not going to change my mind! I want to be an attorney when I get a career! I—I want to prove that Dad was really…really innocent…"

Luis's mind flashed back to that dark day. Him looking at the judge while the entire court looked at him. A booming voice from the side pierced his ears. "Now Luis, please testify correctly, who killed Barbara Therman?"

Luis's mom's voice penetrated his memory. "Luis…you need to stop beating yourself over that…"

"Mom! I got Dad put into prison! That stupid prosecutor intimidated me to testify against Dad! I committed perjury!"