Greenhouse 1

Eric was in here. They were doing their class, and the teacher had taken out a row of small plants. They had to de-seed them, but need their cloves since the plants bite.

Holly was working with Eric, as this stuff had to be done in pairs. She had a pair of thick gloves on, since the plants were biting.

However, someone had forgotten to wear her gloves. She had bright, thick red hair, and her eyebrows were arched in surprise. She held her hand and cursed under her breath. "It bit me!" she called out. "Professor Sprout, this isn't poisonous, is it?"

Professor Sprout frowned. "No, they're not poisonous! But if they bite deep enough, it's mostly the bites that are bad. Why didn't you bring your gloves?!"

Eric, however, was watching this happen with a slightly pink tint to his cheeks. He didn't even notice when the plant was trying to gnaw his right glove off.

"I left them in the common room!" the girl pouted.

Holly, however, looked down and noticed the plant trying to eat Eric's glove. "Uhm, Eric?"

Professor Spout frowned. "Well, I'm sorry, but that's not tolerated in my class. If you can't come prepared, you'll have to make up for it after school. How about staying behind and cleaning the shovels with me?"

"Hmmm?" Eric responded, but suddenly he felt the teeth reach his fingers. He jerked his hand away, and looked down in shock. "Ow...!"

"But look, Professor Sprout! He got bitten and he was wearing gloves!" She crossed her arms. "These plants just like to bite is all! I shouldn't be punished if other people are getting bitten too!"

Professor Sprout frowned. "That's not the point. He brought his gloves, and you didn't. Therefor, you have to stay behind and clean the shovels. I'm sorry, they're rules."

Eric felt bad for the girl, but turned back down to help Holly. She was really cute, that girl.

She frowned, and went along with her work, looking quite PO'd. That's so unfair! she was thinking.

"Is your finger okay?" Holly asked Eric gingerly, still tending to the plants.

Eric nodded. "I had my glove on, it just shocked me. Hey, excuse me to ask, but do you know that girl's name?"

"Hey!" Holly called down the table. The redhead looked up. "What's your name?"

"Jessica!" she called back, attempting to wrap a tissue from her bag around her finger.

"Jessica," Holly told Eric, smiling.

Eric went bright red. "That's a nice name..."

Holly grinned at him. "Does somebody have a crush?" she asked in a low voice.

"NO!" Eric gasped. "No, no! I don't have a crush!"

"You do! You're getting all defensive! Aww, Eric, you're really maturing!"

"Why are you saying that?! I'm mature. I just don't have a crush... And now I do!"

"So you admit it!"

"It's no big deal." Eric mumbled, and returned to his work. "So I like somebody. It doesn't matter."

"I guess you're right," Holly mumbled, but went back to the plants. "It's just weird because... well, I don't know, most people get a crush on somebody before they're seventeen, and you're my best friend! I have to be happy!"

He shrugged. "It's not like she'll like me. There's not much to like about me. I'm just made the guy friend. I mean, it happened with all of you. I shouldn't even try."

"That's the opposite attitude you should have!" Holly whisper-hissed. "Hey, why don't you get to know her? Maybe she actually likes you back."

Eric shook his head. "No." he said simply. "I don't have the guts."

"Get some guts then! Eric, really, you need a girlfriend, it's healthy for you! I mean, don't you teenage boys get... I dunno, moods? To do that stuff?"

"I try, Holly. I tried with Karin. She's not even our friend anymore, I'd never forgive her either way. I tried with Selia, that never worked out. Sorry, but you're just one of those girls who I can't see more than a friend- Fry's said so much about you in our younger days, I guess I couldn't think of you more than a friend. But that's not the point, the thing is is that I can't stand getting put down again."

Holly stood in silence, plucking the seeds off of the plant. "I forgot about that. But you know, Eric, not everyone can have a relationship like Fry's and mine. It's a part of life to be rejected, you know. And, you know what they always say! Third time's the charm!"

He blinked. That was true. "Whoah... Holly, you're making a point!" He looked nervous, but excited at the same time.