Theo and I, along with Paris, go to all of our classes together. Of course, I don't know if Mariah ran her mouth and told everyone that he's my stepbrother, but from the looks of things, I think she has.

Kayla from my English class was bold enough to meet me at gym when we were doing warm ups, asking if Theo is single or not. Of course, I told her no and then she slipped her number in my hands and told me to let her know when he's single!

I had to stifle the laughter threatening to erupt from my mouth because it amused me how she thought he'd ever date her. First of all, he's older (that doesn't stop anyone), he's a police officer (law-abiding to the core) and something tells me that his moral compass is sharper than a two-edged sword.

Due to the fact that I'm currently unemployed and so are Kathy, Fabio, Jenna and Taylor, my weeknights are spent at home, curled up on the couch watching TV or on my reading table studying.

''You have a message from one of your female admirers,'' I tell Theo, slipping the paper containing Kayla's number into his hands. He has the gift basket that Mariah gave him earlier in the day in one hand and his books in the other. ''My advice is you don't put anything that is edible from that basket,'' I point to it. ''in your mouth.''

God knows if she poisoned it given the snake that she is.

''You don't like her all, I could tell.'' I wonder what gave that away. ''You could smell the hostility from a mile away.''

I shrug nonchalantly. ''It's life. You can't like everybody and vice versa.''

''Touche.''

I turn our focus back to the initial conversation and slip another paper in his hand, this one given to me by Courtney when Paris and I were talking by the bleachers during a free period. Adelaide girls are so funny and desperate.

He groans out loud and I chuckle. ''This is the fourth and fifth number I'm getting and it's barely been twenty-four hours. I wish I was this popular when I was in high school.''

Students in uniform are filing out of Adelaide and into their various cars. Winter season is upon us and I won't be surprised if it starts snowing. The weather is so cold to the point that I started carrying two jackets with me, along with my school sweater.

''You weren't popular in high school?'' That's surprising to me because I thought he has been handsome all his life.

''God, no,'' he cringes, getting out his car keys from his pocket. ''I was the nerd who was deemed an outcast because of my looks.''

That's the one thing I hate about high-school: the segregation. You're either a jock, a cheerleader, a nerd, an outcast or the weird kid. If you're not a jock or a cheerleader, then you're automatically seen as uncool and not worth associating with. That is why I always butt heads with Mariah. She thinks she's the shit because she's white, rich, tall and pretty and many times, she has tried to bully me.

But, the one thing she fails to realize is that I would not be intimidated, not by her or by anyone. Not everyone has the same resolve as I do; I've seen a bunch of girls cry because Mariah said something insulting like calling them ugly or fat.

I pity the likes of Mariah. A year from now, we'd all be out in the real world and she'd come to the realization that being a bitter bat won't take you very far in life. Hopefully it's not too late by the time she comes to the realization.

''Earth to Melody,'' I hear Theo say as he flicks my forehead.

''Sorry, what did you say? And Ouch! You flick like a wrestler!''

He rubs the back of his neck. ''My bad. I was just explaining in details about how I was the outcast.''

Oh.

''But now that I think about it,'' he grins. ''Maybe it's best you don't hear the story.''

''Why?'' I tease. ''Scared I'll use it against you?''

''Something like that.''

I dump my bag at the backseat and Theo does the same. ''Hey do you think we should grab lunch before we head home?

He doesn't respond to my question.

I stick my head out from the back. ''Theo I asked if-''

The words die on my lips as soon as I see two men, very intimidating might I add, having a staring match at the driver's side. They both turn their attention to me, one in particular giving me goosebumps with just his eyes.

He hasn't touched me and I'm already having goosebumps!

I close the door shut and jog to where they arw positioned. ''Hey, Jason,'' I greet in a small voice. ''What's up?''

What's up? Really?

''Nothing much,'' he says in a thick voice. ''Although I can't say the same about you.''

Officer James, I mean Theo, subtly pulls me to his side and I raise a brow. Does he know something I don't?

''I wanted to talk you, but this guy,'' he stares Theo up and down. ''said you're unavailable.''

''And she is,'' Theo retorts gruffly. ''We were just headed home.''

Where is this tension coming from? Why the sudden hostility when they literally just met?

''He's harmless,'' I say to Theo, in a bid to calm him down. ''Jason probably wants to talk about school stuff.''

''Well he can say that in front of me.''

''I want to speak to her alone.'' Jason objects.

''In that case, you can say goodbye.''

''Who is this guy to you, Jones and why is he acting as your mouthpiece.''

''My name is Theodore Clayton and quite frankly, the only foreign one here is you. Who are you to her?''

''She's my girl-''

''Okay, stop,'' I yell, already tired of their bickering. They've barely known each other five minutes and there's already bad blood. ''Jason, this is my step-brother, Theo.'' I nudge him in the ribs but he doesn't flinch. Must be the abs.

''And this is Jason Blunt, captain of the basketball team and a friend.''

Actually, he's a frenemy, a crush and the guy I swore I'd stop thinking about even though I know it's impossible. I swore that I'd stop thinking about boys and dead my attraction to Jason, but I can't help it. His smoldering gaze is enough to leave me breathless and again, he hasn't even touched me yet.

''He's just being an overprotective brother,'' I explain on behalf of Theo. Theo glares at me but I ignore him. What is up with the switch in behaviour?

''You wanted to talk to me?'' Truth be told, I actually have a few things I need to get off my chest, something I've been itching to ask about but haven't had the…courage to.

''Not here.'' He points to where his Veyron is parked. ''There.''

Alright then.

''Sure,'' I say, but Theo holds my hand. ''Are you sure you want to go with him?''

I roll my eyes. ''It's a parking lot full of people. He can't harm me.'' I know he's my pretend step-brother and brothers are overprotective and shit but he's taking his role a little too seriously.

He's your bodyguard too. Remember that!

''Besides, we're just talking.''

Before he could protest any further, I grab Jason by the arm and instantly almost drop it because I could've sworn a lightning bolt passed through. I guess he noticed it too because his gaze falls on my hands joined to his arm. I hide the blush threatening to make its way to my cheek and clear my throat awkwardly.

''You wanted to talk to me,'' I ask, my arms crossed over my chest like an armour to protect my heart.

He nods. ''I did.'' Does he have to look like a snack everytime we meet? It's so unfair! ''I didn't know you had a step-brother.''

That's what you want to talk to me about?

''I do. I didn't think it was anyone's business though.'' I respond a tad bit too defensively. It came out as aggressive, I know, but in my defence, I'm playing a role here!

He clears his throat. ''Right.'' Jason is clad in his tracksuit. Truth be told, most times I see him, he's always wearing a tracksuit.

Basketball practice must be everyday then.

''I wanted to ask you if you heard anything from the police regarding the situation that happened that night.'' I've gotten over that night but him bringing it up again leaves a pang in my chest and a sour taste in my mouth.

''My apologies. I didn't mean to open up old wounds.''

''It's alright,'' I reassure him. ''I'm just being sentimental. If you must know, Khalil was arrested two weeks ago. Thanks.''

''I didn't do anything much really.''

But, he did. He did a whole lot more than he actually could imagine. He saved me from Khalil, he gave a statement at the police department and while I was almost hysterical relating my experience to the officer who kept handing me tissues, I faintly heard him say that he'd sue the whole police department if they swept the case under the rug.

When it comes to cases such as assault or robberies in my turf, they are usually overlooked. The police get a lot of phone calls pertaining to them that it gets a little overwhelming for them. Thus, they, to an extent, deem it as 'normal.'

Crime shouldn't be normalized, but that's how it is when you live in my trenches.

I smile and meet his aqua blues. ''You did.'' More than you'll ever know.