Chapter One:

I wake up to the sound of rain tapping against my window. It is a familiar sound, one that I have grown used to over the years. But today, it feels different. I sit up in bed and look out at the grey sky, wondering what the day will bring.

I get out of bed and hurry to freshen up. After quickly getting ready, I step out of the bathroom and make my way straight to the kitchen. As I enter, I see my mom standing at the stove, flipping pancakes. I greet her with a cheerful "Good morning!" and she returns the greeting with a warm smile.

Taking a seat at the table, I eagerly wait for my breakfast. My mom skillfully serves me a plate of what seems like the most perfect pancakes I have ever seen. She pours me a glass of cold milk, ensuring I have everything I need for a satisfying breakfast.

As I begin to indulge in the fluffy pancakes, my mom joins me at the table. With a serious expression on her face. She shares,"Mads, I'll be going on a business trip to Japan." The thought of her being away doesn't really upset me.

I've been alone almost my entire childhood. I've spent days without her as a child. I escaped my loneliness by solving the math questions, I find them quite interesting, they're the only ones who've got my full attention.

As I'm about to leave, my mother comes running and hands me an umbrella, I grab my book on the table by the shoestand and leave. "Bye, mom. Have a safe journey.", I say as I wave at her. "Bye, Mads. Have a nice day."

I'm on my way to school. I've to learn and revise all the formulas by today."Okay, so here, x equals to...", I stand by the gate and thankfully Liv arrives on time today. As she approaches me with her sunshine energy, I start walking up the stairs to my class. She catches me up and says,"Madie, not today please! Please let's go grab ice cream before class begins.", she says, as usual. I deny, as usual.

"Please, you always ace all the exams, your scores won't be affected by just hanging out with me.", Liv whines. "Look Liv, the exams are approaching and I don't have much time to revise these questions.",I answer. "The exams are literally 1 whole month away!", she says as she finally gives up and runs to class.

The bell rings and our history teacher walks in. He claps to grab everyone's attention. "Good Morning! Today I'm going to announce the project, I told you about yesterday. So, You've to team up with one person and then I'll assign you the projects." I look at Liv, sitting beside me. "This is what you get!", she teases as she approaches Isabell, who agrees right away to team up with Liv. The history teacher claps again and all the commotion settles down. He says,"I'll be assigning you with your partners for the project, write your name on a piece of paper and hand it over here."

Everyone follows his orders. "I'll pick up two chits and the following names in them will be partners." He picks up and as he unfolds the pieces of paper he says,"Liv and Chris.". I look at Liv and smirk, "Now this is what you get." She says," I hope you end up with that nerd ...", I look away at the right moment when the teacher calls out my name, "Madeline and Cameron." No, this can't happen. Not that Cameron! Liv chuckles and teases me.

I look at Cameron, he's already smirking. Eww, no. I can't. I'm changing partner. I'm about to get up when teacher says,"These partners will not be changed."

I try to listen to the project details carefully, but I can't. All I can think is about changing partners. What do I do?! Liv would help me if I get her ice cream.

The bell rings and I go up to Liv,"You know-" Liv interrupts,"No, I'm not going to team up with you.", she scoffs. "I'll get you ice cream, Now! Let's go!", I say and pull her with me. She starts shaking her head as she pulls me back, "Chris is getting ice cream for me, I've got the best partner!", she says as her face lits up. "But-", I'm about to say but someone interrupts. "Hey!, Partner.", a deep voice behind me. It's Cameron. It's Cameron.

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