Allie was determined to keep her hat on her head.

It was one of those typical winter days. Frigid and snowy outside, cold and frosty inside- especially in a school that had a low budget and a crappy heating system. Today, however, this worked to Allie's advantage. Her plan was to keep her hat on as long as possible and hope that no onewould question her about it. So far, it didn't look like anyone was going to.

"Hey Al, what's with the hat?"

Except for him.

Allie didn't look up from her locker as she collected her books for her first period class. From the corner of her eye she could see him standing at his own locker a few feet away.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but the snow is outside," Ben said, raising his eyebrows as he stuffed his jacket away.

"And yet the school's insulation doesn't do the best job of keeping the cold air out, does it," Allie said, hardly looking up.

"True," he shrugged, "If only the school would take our warmth into consideration when spending money, instead of attempting to beat good grammar and the stages of mitosis into our heads."

Allie didn't respond and merely rearranged the books in her locker.

"So, you didn't answer my question," Ben went on, casually leaning against his locker to face her. "What's with the hat?"

"I did answer your question," she said, eyes focused on her books. "Because it's cold."

"Yeah, it's always cold in the winter and you've never worn a hat to class before," he said, raising his eyebrows again. "Besides, isn't it against the rules? I never took you for one to break the rules, Al."

"Don't call me Al," she snapped, glancing at him.

"Oh, I'll call you Al," he said as he walked over and leaned his shoulder against the locker beside hers. "At least until you tell me what you're hiding under that hat."

"I'm not hiding anything," she said, gritting her teeth.

"Oh, but I think you are," he said lightly. "What is it? Money? Food? Answers to a test?"

Allie looked at him. "Why would I hide food in my hat?"

"Don't you get hungry in the long hours before lunch?" he said, shrugging. "Don't think I've never considered that very idea myself."

"Oh, I won't," she said, turning back to her locker.

"Okay then," Ben went on, unperturbed. "Since I see it isn't money, food, or answers, I can only assume it's your hair."

Allie's eyes darted to her shoes.

"Ah," Ben smiled slightly. "I see I've touched upon something." She remained silent and continued to ignore him. She grabbed another book from her shelf.

Ben crossed his arms. "What'd you do? Use a cheap dye that made it orange? Burn it with a curler? Get a bad perm?" She didn't answer. He sighed. "I guess I'll just have to find out for myself then." He reached out his hand.

She darted away, but not quite fast enough. Ben managed to grab the tip of her hat and it came off easily. They stared at each other for a split second.

"Yes, it's a bad haircut!" Allie said finally, her face reddening. "All I wanted was a trim, and they ended up cutting off five inches! Now you know. Happy?"

Ben shrugged.

"What, not satisfied until you make fun of me?" she said hotly. "I already know how bad it is."

Ben rolled his eyes. "Allie-"

"Even my stepdad laughed at me, so please," she said, her voice faltering slightly. "At least – could you just – I don't know, lie to me?"

"Lie?" Ben said, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, if you must say something about it, you could at least be kind enough to lie," she said, her tone becoming cold. "If you're ever kind enough to do anything."

Ben glared at her. "I think it looks terrible."

Allie's face burned more. "I told you to- "

"To lie," Ben said, shoving her hat back into her hands. "So I did."

He stalked past her and continued down the hall. Allie stared after him until he disappeared around the corner. She paused for a moment before she abruptly turned back to her locker, dumped her books back inside, and grabbed the ones she needed. She slammed the door shut and started down the hallway in the opposite direction.

Her hat sat on the top shelf.