Chapter Text
Amy's POV
I step through the gates with a sense of nostalgia buzzing around in the pit of my stomach. This is my last first day of high school. The last day where everything is new and exciting and full of surprises. I walk into my tutor room and head to my desk, the desk I've chosen for the last 6 years. But as I swing my backpack off my shoulders to put it on the desk, I realise somebody's sitting there: Jake Peralta.
"Morning Santiago!" he shouts, waving his hand and doing that insufferable smirk of his. How did he end up being head boy? Sure, I guess he's cute, and funny, and kind of smart... but, I mean, he's Jake Peralta! He's meant to sit at the back and make stupid comments and have Boyle follow him around everywhere high-fiving him. But here he is, in my seat, smirking at me. That smirk.
"Jacob," I nod, "you're in my seat."
"I don't see your name on it," he replies, kicking his feet up onto the desk.
"Well no," I say, pushing his feet off the desk, "but I've sat there in tutor for the last six years. If you think I'm breaking that tradition now, in our final seventh year, then you don't know me that well Peralta. You ought to know your head girl." At that, his face seemed to light up, at least for a brief second.
"Ah yes! You're head girl. Of course. Well then, m'lady..." At this, he gets up, bowing towards my seat. "I suppose this is yours." I slide my bag onto the desk and go to sit down. But, just as I'm about to claim the chair, I hear him yell "PSYCH!" and slide onto the chair just before I can fully sit down, leaving me sat on his lap. I sit, stunned, unsure of what to do. Of course, this is the exact moment Mr Holt decides to stroll in to start tutor.
"Miss Santiago," he drawls, in that monotone voice of his, "your personal relationships should stay outside of my classroom, thank you." Blushing furiously I jump up, adjusting my skirt.
"But Ra- I mean, Mr Holt, it's not my fault! You see, that's my seat-"
"Forgive me if I am wrong but I do not see your name on it, Miss Santiago." At this, Jake turns to me with that smirk of his. Always with that smirk. That damned cute smirk. Pushing my hair behind both my ears, I consider appealing to Mr Holt about getting my seat back but I decide it's just not worth it. I grab my bag and slide into a different seat, leaving one space in between me and Peralta. I look over to see him high fiving Boyle and - would you believe it? - smirking. He glances over and me and gives a cheerful wave as if nothing just happened. I sigh. This is going to be a long year.
Jake's POV
Despite my cheerful wave, Amy makes no further contact with me, just pushes her hair behind her ears again and turns away. Amy and I are going to spend a lot of time together this year, us being head boy and girl and all. We've got so much to do that there's no way I can't achieve my goal. I'm determined. This is it. This is going to be the year I make Amy Santiago fall in love with me.
I mean, we'd be the ultimate power couple. Amy's smart, beautiful, brave, pretty, funny... did I mention how great she looks? And I mean, come on, I'm Jake Peralta. I'm about to run the school and look good doing it. I am ready. I am-
"Mr Peralta," Mr Holt says. I can tell from his tone this isn't the first time he's tried to get my attention.
"Why, yes sir?" I reply, turning my head towards him.
"Ah, it is good to know your ears do indeed still work. Mr Peralta, I do believe the uniform states you should be wearing a tie." I glance down, although I'm not sure why because I already know what I'll see; no tie. I mean, what is the point of ties? They just tie around your neck like a noose, strangling you all day. If teachers really do want me to work, I don't know why they expect to keep this piece of material stuck to my neck all day.
"Really, sir? After six years you would've thought somebody would've told me that."
"Ha ha," Holt says, monotone as ever.
"Well, actually, Jake-" Boyle begins, leaning forward in his seat.
"Let me stop you there, Boyle," I say, turning towards him. "Yes, I know I should be wearing a tie, but you see," I say, turning back to Holt, "I got very held up this morning because I had a very big drama happening at home and I was simply so overwhelmed I didn't have a spare moment to remember my tie."
"If you're going to be head boy, you're going to need to try a little harder to look presentable. I couldn't stand it if you looked scruffy," Amy interjects, turning back towards me.
"Well I wouldn't want to disappoint you now, would I?" I reply, smiling. It's true, though. If I truly like Amy - which I definitely do - I can't stand to do anything to let her down. I won't.
"Would you care to explain what this family drama is, Peralta?" Holt asks, looking at me expectantly. Thinking fast, I come up with a story.
"But of course sir! It all started when I was seven, and my dad left-" I begin, sitting up in my seat to prepare for this. Sadly, this is the exact moment the bell rang.
"First lesson!" Holt barks. "Peralta, you got away with it this time. I expect to see you in a tie tomorrow." I salute at him as he walks out the door, laptop under his arm and head held high. I head towards the door where Amy is, her giant English binder cradled in her arm like a baby.
"After you, Amy," I say, gesturing to the door. She smiles at me and heads toward the door. "PSYCH!" I shout, jumping through the door ahead of her and sliding through to the sound of her sigh. I turn back round smirking. "See you in English!" I wave, high fiving Boyle as I head down the corridor.
"English is downstairs, Peralta," Amy shouts after me.
"I knew that!" I reply, spinning on my heel and turning back towards the stairs. And, as I do, I think I see her poorly concealing a smile. Maybe this whole 'getting Amy to fall in love with me' thing will be easier than I thought. This is going to be a good year.