Matt walked down the corridor. Kim and Warren had gone home earlier. Especially for today, Matt seemed to be spending an even longer time at Los Angeles Senior High School. Matt did it with a purpose of course. The two tickets in his bag were the real reason. For the first time, Matt ventured to engage Avril in conversation. Why was Matt really nervous?

Matt noticed the broadcast room and deliberately monitored it from afar. As soon as Avril came out, boom! Matt would surprise her like she used to do to him. The broadcast had ended 30 minutes ago. Matt was still pretending to wait and some people started to notice him. Not a good thing at all!

Not long after, Avril came out. Matt heard a buzz from inside the broadcast room followed by laughter. Avril was still waving to everyone in the room. At that very moment, Matt hid his face nervously. This was it! This was Matt's chance. He had to do well this time.

Matt glanced at Avril again. This time, Matt was reciting the lines he had practiced earlier. Yes, Matt had practiced asking Avril to the show. Who else would be so lame about it? But, Matt didn't care at all at the moment. the one ticket in his bag had to be in Avril's hands. Period!

Just as Matt's heart was getting hard, Evan launched into a frenzy. The man ran down the corridor. No, no, no! Why did Evan have to be here? Then, after Evan, Jack appeared with the same excitement accompanied by the sound of footsteps behind him. Not long after, Johanna appeared with her book with Zed. Albert was engaging Johanna in conversation to which she replied with a short answer. It was over!

"You didn't forget our promise, did you, A?" Evan said excitedly.

Avril laughed. "Of course! I can't wait to eat ice cream."

Evan nodded in agreement. "You haven't been to Venice beach in over a week! You really should come now."

"Exactly!" Jack added.

Evan gave Jack an amused glance. "If you're lucky, you might get to see Jack throw up!"

Avril laughed. "Well, actually I was just at the beach yesterday. But, don't worry, I'll never get tired of the beach."

Evan paused. "You went to the beach yesterday? Weren't you at cheers practice?"

Avril blinked uncomfortably. She glanced at Zed who was standing casually beside Johanna. The man was somewhat surprised to hear Evan notice that detail. In fact, Avril's statement just now managed to make Johanna shift her focus away from the book. One more person was paying attention to that detail now. Matt looked down while watching the toe of his shoe. However, he was clearly listening to the conversation between Avril and her friends.

"Exactly!" said Avril with an awkward laugh. "I'm practicing cheers, of course. Don't bother thinking about that, okay?"

Evan didn't seem to want to let that one pass at all. But, he forced himself to skip that detail. Avril turned around and smacked her lips. Matt noticed Avril and in that moment, he had to realize that Matt had to hide. For God's sake! The school radio area was definitely not the classroom area. It was obvious that Matt wanted to come here to see Avril Marie Miller.

"Oh, my gosh! We can't waste any time at all! Mr. Bone's ice cream might melt on the beach!" said Avril.

Evan laughed. Apparently, he had complied and missed that detail. Matt, who was thinking of ways to hide, froze as his eyes met Avril's. Damn it! Matt was completely caught off guard. Johanna behind Matt even raised her eyebrows as if the man's presence there was exactly an anomaly to be analyzed.

"You're going with me, right, A? To the beach?" Evan said trying.

Avril was still watching Matt. Upon hearing Evan's voice, the girl blinked several times. At the same time, Zed, who was standing next to Johanna, raised his voice.

"Too bad, Evan! Avril promised to go with me!" Zed said. "Maybe next time, Anderson!"

Evan snorted. "This really sucks!"

Avril glanced at Zed. The girl obviously didn't have any plans with Zed. The man just made an innocent face but somehow, Avril nodded. "Yes. I'm going with Zed."

Zed smiled with satisfaction while Johanna rolled her eyes. Matt was frozen in place. He completely forgot the fact that he had to hide at that moment. The interaction between Zed and Avril had left him speechless. Matt didn't even have enough energy to take a step and hide himself. Matt could see Zed's satisfied smile. Then, there was that forgotten detail. Why did Matt feel that Zed and Avril had a secret? What secret were Zed and Avril hiding? They were even hiding it from their own group.

Matt thought he was messed up enough watching Zed and Avril interact. Unfortunately, Matt was even more messed up when his gaze met Avril's. The girl was clearly looking at Matt. However, Avril turned as if Matthew Connor was transparent at that moment. Johanna also did the same thing with Matt. While Zed, the man actually watched Matt for a split second before finally looking away.

"Whoever comes to the beach last, we'll push into the sea!" Evan said. "Don't care if it's you, A"

Avril laughed amusedly. "You think me and Zed will lose? What if it's you Evan?"

Avril's voice was getting smaller at the end of the corridor. Matt was still silent in his place. There were several things bothering him. Why did Zed notice him earlier? Matt was used to being transparent. Usually, people didn't bother to notice his existence. Neither did the popular group. No one was busy paying attention to the man at the end of the corridor who was standing upright like a stray! They didn't even bother to glance at Matt. What did that look from Zed mean?

Matt forced his legs to move. That was it. Matt couldn't take Avril and of course the show was tomorrow. Then, Matt laughed. That's how people were in Avril's world. The girl was clearly filled with interesting things. Matt snorted in annoyance. What did Avril say? She and Zed won't lose? How sweet!

So, what about the way Avril ignored him earlier? Matt couldn't lie that he felt a tight feeling in his chest. Matt was definitely in pain. The fact that Matt failed to hand Avril a ticket was even more infuriating. Matt had clearly failed and he was being ignored. Was Avril tired of Matt already?

Walking down the main corridor, Matt sighed. Matt really needed to go home and lie down on his couch. That claustrophobic feeling was still keeping him well company. Whew! Matthew Connor! You really are something. At one time you wanted to stay away from him and now you're hurting because he's staying away. Matt blamed himself for allowing himself to hope. Yes, in fact, Matt did get his hopes up for Avril a bit. He should never have done that in the first place!