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"Do you have a reason for nearly being tardy, Dakota?" Mr. Finley asked, staring over at Dakota from in front of his desk.

"I wasn't aware that I had to give you a reason for nearly being late. I only need a reason if I'm actually late. Which I'm not."

"Just don't make it a habit." He pushed his thick glasses up the bridge of his nose. Dakota rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath so softly and faint. "Don't take a seat just yet. I'm about to do an arranged seating chart."

The class groaned in response, clearly displeased with this announcement. I didn't care if he made an arranged seating chart. If he did it by last names, I wouldn't be seated next to Dakota. If he did it by first names, I still wouldn't be forced to sit next to him. I was safe either way. But if he did it by random I was totally screwed.

A boy at the front of the class asked: "Why can't we just sit where we are sitting now, sir?"

Mr. Finley hushed him. "Stop being so negative about it. It's only the first day. Also, I'm trying something new with you guys. This year the seats will be arranged by birthdays. Is that's fun?"

The class was not amused.

"You haven't heard the actual fun part yet. You have to find out whose birthday goes first and when among each other. Without talking! Only use your hands. Nod or shake your head. But no speaking whatsoever. And don't try to think you can trick me. I've already pre-written the chart so I will be checking if you're right or not."

Wow. He really didn't know the definition of fun at all. Before anyone could voice their opinion on the matter, he instructed us to get up out of our seats. I collected my things and waited for people to start moving around. I knew I'd be somewhere near the back. My birthday was December the 4th.

The only down fall with this little activity was that I didn't know what Dakota's birthday was, so I didn't know where he'd be placed in the room. I discreetly tried to watch the hands he showed people, but there were way too many students moving around. I couldn't get a clear view. He wrote his birthday down on his hand, showing people. But it was so far away that I couldn't see.

A few people started showing me their birthdays by using their fingers. I flashed the numbers twelve, and then followed it with the number four to students. I got to the back rows of seats, making my way through all of the other birthdays before mine. It was no shock that I took the very last seat there. I planted myself down and looked around the room, finding my heart in my throat when I saw him coming toward me.

Dakota was gradually getting closer and closer to the last row where I was.

Oh, God. Please don't have a December birthday. Be a November child. Please.

My prayers were useless. He was in front of me in no time. I held up the numbers twelve, and then four. It matched the numbers he had written on his palm. 12/4

Just. My. Luck.

His scowled at me. "You've gotta be kidding me."

"No talking!" Mr. Finley called out.

Dakota turned around. "There must be a mistake."

"What is it?" Mr. Finley walked over to us, glancing at the both of us. "What's wrong?"

"She's lying. That's what it is." He accused. "She's put up the numbers of my birthday. I bet she's only doing it so she can sit with me."

I snorted. Oh my god, he was unbelievable. "Get over yourself. You're nothing special. No one in their right mind would want to deliberately sit with you." I turned to Mr. Finley and motioned to Dakota. "Is there somewhere else you can place him?"

"Is there somewhere else you can place her?" Dakota shouted back.

"Now, kids. I'm sure you can settle this in a much calmer way. And nothing offensive." Mr. Finley sighed and looked at his chart in his hands. "Hmm, that's interesting. You guys have the same birthday. You're in the right place, you're supposed to sit next to her." Dakota didn't move. "Can't you just sit down already?" His calm voice was getting rough.

"I'd much rather break my own two arms before even considering to sit there. In simpler terms, that's a no from me. I won't sit there."

Mr. Finley huffed a deep breath. Needing a solution, he called over Faye to sit in between us. She did it with a frown on her face the whole time. She had a November first birthday and I could tell that the last place she wanted to be was near Dakota.

"Is that better?" Mr. Finley asked.

Dakota sat in the seat one over from mine, and faked a grin. "Much better."

"Drama Queen," Faye snarled.

"I heard that." Dakota grumbled.

"You were supposed to, dumbass. Now shut-up before I regret sitting here in between you two." Her glare was threatening, taking over her freckled, innocent face. It looked so strange on her face. She didn't look like the cursing type. I was pretty sure she was the only one not afraid of Dakota, which meant she was one of the few people I liked. I had a feeling she didn't like me though.

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please vote and comment

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Song Birthday by Kings of Leon

Lyrics:

❝We're gonna gather around like it's your birthday.

I don't wanna know just what I'm gonna do.❞

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