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“Thank you, Mr. Collins!”

“Not a problem.” He smiles.

I don’t even notice someone entering the room until I hear a voice beside me.

“Don’t you two look chummy? Already trying to gain points with the new teacher, are we?” Peyton says, then pulls away and flashes our English teacher a smile. “Morning, Mr. Collins. I’m not interrupting, am I? The door was open.”

“Good morning, Peyton. And no, you didn’t interrupt anything. Why don’t you girls take your seats? The bell is about to ring,” he says with a friendly smile aimed at both of us.

I’m about to do as he says, but first I open my textbook and hand him this week’s assignment ahead of schedule. He throws me a conspiratorial wink, chuckling under his breath.

“Kiss ass,” Peyton mutters as I walk past her.

I simply shrug it off and continue toward my seat, biting my lower lip to contain my excitement.

One of my stories could actually end up in the newspaper.

I’m flying so high that not even Peyton can ruin my mood today.

I take my seat as more students start arriving, my leg bouncing beneath my desk, unable to keep still.

It sucks that Sienna, Misty, and Milo don’t have the same English period as me. I’m bursting at the seams to tell them the news.

No. No, I can’t do that. Better to keep it to myself.

If I don’t win, I don’t want them feeling sorry for me. Besides, it’ll be a nice surprise when I win the competition. I mean…if I win.

Easy there, Max. Don’t start planning your Pulitzer acceptance speech just yet.

Still, all in all, it’s shaping up to be a great week. Sophomore year is already looking a hell of a lot better than freshman year.

Misty is back to being our friend. Whatever is happening between Milo and me is finally starting to blossom into something more. And now I have Mr. Collins doing everything in his power to help make my writing dreams come true.

Yep. This year is definitely shaping up to be the best year ever. And I am so here for it!

By the time the final bell rings, Sienna and I are already making our way across the parking lot toward Misty’s car. She’s waiting for us exactly where we agreed to meet, leaning against the driver’s door with an amused smile on her face.

A minute later, we’re all settled inside the car and heading out of the school parking lot.

“You look overly happy. What’s up?” Misty asks me as she starts driving us home.

“Nothing. I just had a good day.” I continue to smile.

“Well, stop!” Sienna says from the back seat. “You look unhinged.”

“It’s a smile, Sienna. People smile all the time, you know?” Misty comes to my defense.

“I know. It just creeps me the fuck out,” Sienna grumbles.

“Smiles freak you out?” I turn in my seat to look at her. “This from the same girl who’s binged every slasher movie in existence? Smiling is the thing that freaks you out?” I ask as Misty laughs right along with me.

“Hey.” She points a finger at us. “Some people get the heebie-jeebies from spiders and clowns and shit like that, don’t they? So what if I’m averse to big smiles? Sue me.”

“Pretty sure that’s not a phobia. You’re just weird,” Misty retorts.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, Smiley,” I tease.

“Hey, take that back before the stupid nickname catches on,” Sienna scolds. “I don’t smile.”