We walk outside and as expected, Luke is waiting patiently, leaning against the lockers on his phone. When he sees us he gives me a look, but thankfully doesn't say anything.

The 3 of us walk into the cafeteria and I can't ignore all the looks being directed at me. I knew it was because of the Tiffany incident but it made me extremely uncomfortable. Instinctively I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hide at least part of my body that was presently on full display.

I sit down between Luke and Toby, once again dodging Aiden. I know he has fully noticed now but I can't help being annoyed. He said some asshole things so now he can deal with an annoyed me.

"That was intense," Toby says as soon as I sit down.

"What even happened?" Carter interjects.

"You look even hotter now. I mean the see-through shirt was amazing but this is pretty impressive as well," Blake makes sure to input. Charlie punches him on the arm.

"I don't know!! She told me to sta-," I begin, but then stop myself before I finish the sentence, and of course it's just my luck that everyone notices.

"She told you to what?" Aiden asks, the first time he had attempted to speak to me since our little argument.

I throw Aiden a quick look before replying hesitantly, "to stall the teacher so she could skip and when I refused she threw the water at me."

By the looks of it, Aiden didn't believe what I said in the least, everyone else seemed to believe it but I could tell that Charlie and Luke were also a little suspicious. Aiden goes to say something, but a cold look from me silences him.

Okay, so I think I'm due for my period. He really upset me, but maybe I'm being a little overdramatic.

The bell rings, saving me from Aiden's suffocating stare and our friend's complete obliviousness to the situation. We all stand up, ready to go to class when the loudspeaker sounds.

"Emily Collins, please report straight to the office, Emily Collins."

If everyone weren't already staring at me, they definitely were now. My face once again turned the shade of my bra and I practically ran out of the cafeteria to go to the office and avoid all my peers' patronizing looks.

My friends all give me weird looks for one, being called to the office and then secondly, rushing there, as soon as I'm out of the cafeteria I slow down and only then the fear hits me.

Fuck, what if I'm in trouble?!

What if Tiffany somehow made the water incident look like my fault, and what will the office ladies say about my boobs practically falling out of Charlie's shirt?!

I hold my breath as I open the office door, but calm down considerably when the office lady smiles at me warmly before signaling me over. She wouldn't smile if I was in trouble right?

"Emily?" She asks gently.

"Yeah," I smile, calming down even more at her tone.

"Oh sweetie, I'm sorry to call you in front of everyone, I know how embarrassing that is. Your previous school has just resent your reports over here on your principals' request and it turns out you are in some of the wrong classes." The lady who has a name tag reading Wilma says.

"Oh?" I ask curiously, scared that they will change me from bio because even though I was annoyed at Aiden, I genuinely enjoyed that class.

"Um so you are in our top Literature and calculus classes but not our AP systems, so I've moved you to AP calculus as well as AP Lit, Bio and Society and Culture will stay the same as they don't offer Advanced Placement in those subjects here, and I've also had to move you to AP history. Your reports were very impressive dear if I may say so myself, I had the opportunity to see them myself and Pearlacre High is lucky to have you." Wilma finishes.

I smile, the blush once again returning as I take my new schedule she is handing me. I had to admit I was an extreme overachiever and was surprised when I wasn't put in any AP classes, but I just assumed this school was filled with overachievers. I was excited to be in AP again, but also nervous in a sense. I would feel like I had to prove myself.

After saying my goodbyes to the sweet office lady, I check my new schedule and see I have AP calculus and then AP history, I must have Lit tomorrow. I make my way to calculus and nock on the door politely.

An old man who looks like not a lot of fun opens the door, giving me a frustrated look and waiting expectantly for me to reveal why I was there.

"Um hi sir, i've been put in this class. My name is Emily Collins." I introduce nervously.

"Uh I've been expecting you, I expect great things from you, Miss Collins. Please enter the classroom and take a seat," the teacher replies, before he walks into the room and goes back to explaining something in a strangely angry tone.

The room was set up in tables for 2 spread around the classroom. Charlie and Luke sit beside each other and give me excited looks when they see me, I smile back discreetly but then notice 3 spare spots. 1 beside a girl right at the front who is writing down in her notebook erratically with her bag on the spot beside her, one beside a guy who is smirking at me, one of Luke's teammates apparently by the varsity jacket he wears, and then one next to a smirking Aiden.

Wait Aiden?!

He can't be put in advanced placement, he's the bad boy. He doesn't get to be that attractive, that popular, and smart as well. That is not fair!!

"Miss Collins, is you will sit please," The teacher demands, the angry tone evident in his voice.

I look at the girl at the front who is still writing like Damon Salvatores life depended on it with her bag still on the seat, I guess not there. I then look at the smirking guy who looks me up and down, not even attempting to hide it, I guess not there either. I inwardly groan and go sit beside a smirking Aiden. If I wasn't mad at him, the spot beside him would be my first option but I was mad at him.

I look at him, pursing my lips, making it obvious I wasn't happy to sit there and instead of saying anything, he throws his hands up in the surrender position, the smirk still adorning his devilishly handsome, and undeserving face. I know he means the gesture as a peacekeeping, letting me know he won't talk to me and I'm not sure if the thought makes me happy or sad.

I sit down and open my notebook before I start jotting down all the notes that the still-unnamed teacher talks about.

***

History went along a lot better than calculus, Aiden or Charlie weren't in that class but Luke was, so obviously I sat beside him and actually found myself enjoying learning about Apartheid.

The bell had just rung and Luke and I were walking to the car park before Charlie catches up.

"Hey guys," she chirps happily. We both greet her and I feel around my pockets for my car keys until I remember that Dale dropped Charlie and I off.

"Luke's giving us a ride, we're going to the Diner first though" Charlie explains, almost like she knew I had just realized I couldn't get home unless I wanted to walk for 40 minutes (which I did not).

I smile in gratitude before a thought comes to mind, this could be an opportunity for Luke and Charlie to be alone.

"Actually guys, you go ahead, I have some work to do in the library and I just remembered that Dale was meeting me later so we can go and get something to eat," I lie, Charlie instantly knows what I'm doing and for a split second she seems excited before a worried look crosses her face, and I know that was only because she was worried how I would actually get home.

"I'll be fine," I reassure mainly Charlie, hoping she didn't see the brief jealous look that passed across Luke's eyes at the mention of Dale. I wasn't the most observant person but at that moment, Luke's face gave everything away.

"Okay, let's go then," Charlie replies hesitantly. After saying our goodbyes, I give Charlie the thumbs up and one last encouraging smile before she smiles gratefully and climbs into Luke's car.

Once they drive out of sight I close my eyes, maybe I should call Dale? He actually might want to get something to eat. My thoughts get interrupted by the pervy guy from calculus.

"Hey babe, need a ride?" He winks, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out he wasn't exactly offering me a lift home.

"Um, no thanks. I'm okay," I reply, attempting to walk away before he tries again.

"Oh come on, I can show you a good time, better than your football captain or bad boy," the boy continues, talking to my retreating back. It was both a curse and a blessing that most of the school had cleared out, I wouldn't be any more embarrassed, but there was also no one around which made it easier for pervy guy to say things without any witnesses.

"Get lost," I hear a voice come from behind me, and for the first time since our fight, I was glad Aiden was around.

"Come on man, look at her, give me a go," Pervy guy continues.

Um, what?

Feminist side once again triggered. WE ARE NOT OBJECTS.

Honestly, if Aiden wasn't here then I probably wouldn't be confident enough to say anything because as much as I hate it, and I do, men are physically stronger and I probably wouldn't be able to protect myself.

Before I can say anything, Pervy guy is suddenly on the ground, holding his bloody nose with an angry Aiden standing above him, fist clenched and ready to strike again.

"Aiden," I yell, pulling his arm back. He reacts instantly and walks away from pervy guy, pulling my arm along with him. He didn't have to though, it didn't matter if I was still upset with him, I would have followed him in this instance.

"How the fuck is a guy like that in AP calculus?" I ask, I know it was being stereotypical but after what he did, I had a right to be.

"His dad is rich and pays the school to let him on the football team and in all the AP classes," Aiden explains before his smirk once again comes onto his face, "you talking to me again Collins?"

I roll my eyes, choosing to ignore his comment, "What even is his name?"

"Harry, he's a complete dick." Aiden replies.

We stand in a very awkward silence for a while, I wasn't sure what I was waiting for, an apology maybe?

"Okay well, I'm gonna go," I comment after I realize he wasn't going to say anything.

"Wait Collins, I'm sorry about earlier. I was out of line, let me give you a lift home," Aiden says just as I'm about to walk away. I could tell apologizing was uncomfortable for him and for some reason the fact that he still made the effort to apologize makes me forgive him almost instantly.

Who am I kidding, it's because I like the asshole.

"Yeah sure, that would be great," I smile but then I remember, "Wait you can't drive, you're stoned."

"Not anymore Collins, I didn't have much and it goes away after a couple of hours ," Aiden smirks the smirk I was so used to and had grown so fond of.

I debate my options for a while, I could call Dale but that would be unnecessary considering Aiden literally lived next door to me and Dale lived on the other side of town, the poorer side. Mom and Robert were both working and I wasn't going to call Luke back.

"Fine, but don't smoke, it's bad for you," I agree after a moment, Aiden smirks.

"Always worried about me aye Collins? Don't worry, I'm used to smoking, it's part of my irresistible bad boy ways. Why do you think everyone is crushing on me?" he winks. I roll my eyes not being able to say much because I was also crushing on him.

"Where is your car?" I ask, I didn't recognize Aiden's car anywhere in the car park.

"At home," he shrugs nonchalantly.

"What?" I ask astounded, "How do you expect we get home then?"

Aiden just continues walking until he stops at a motorbike, a smirk still on his face.

How fucking predictable. The bad boy has a fucking motorbike.

Can this get anymore cliche?!

"No way," I demand.

"Oh come on Collins, live a little," Aiden smirks, holding out his helmet for me.

I had to admit, the prospect of riding a motorcycle with Aiden sounded very inviting. I wasn't scared, I was actually kind of excited.

Glaring at him I take the helmet and begin putting it on, "Why don't you have your car?"

"I only use my car for racing, preserve it you know, I was just fixing up my motorbike and I finished this weekend." Aiden shrugs.

I nod in recognition as he climbs on the back of his bike.

"Wait what about your helmet?!" I ask.

"You're wearing it, I'll be fine. We wouldn't want to damage one perfect hair on your pretty little head would we Collins?" He smirks.

Agh go away you stupid butterflies, he was literally mocking me!!!

Rolling my eyes and sticking out my tongue at him, (mature I know) I climb on his bike, using his shoulders as support.

"Hold on Collins, and don't let go," Aiden says, I can hear his smirk. Before I get the chance to question him, we're zooming off.

I squeal automatically and grab onto him, feeling him shake underneath me with what I assume to be laughter. The adrenaline pumps through my veins, and all too soon I feel Aiden coming to a stop.

I climb off his bike, a huge smile on my face. I struggle a moment with the clips but as soon as I get it off I see Aiden looking at me smirking; "so" he asks.

"That was incredible!!!" I enthuse

"If you want I can take you to school on it from now on," Aiden offers, the smirk still on his face as I hand him back the helmet.

"Yes, yes, yes!!!" I squeal excitedly, jumping on him and wrapping my arms around his neck in excitement. He reacts instantly by supporting my body weight so I don't fall before he gently puts me down.

A light blush covers my cheeks when I realize what position we were just in, but calm myself down when I remind myself he didn't seem to mind.

"I'm going to go inside now," I say, another blush forming on my cheeks at my nervous blabber. Aiden just looks at me weirdly, obviously confused at my random change of attitude.

I LIKE YOU, IDIOT.

"Why?" Aiden asks, still curiously. I would expect he asked because one second I was happy, literally jumping into his arms, and the next I was blushing and rambling on.

"I promised Dale I'd call him," Is my immediate lie. Obviously I wasn't initially planning on it, but now it actually seemed like a good idea.

Aidens expression instantly goes from happy but curious, to annoyed. I was never good at reading people so the fact that I could read him easily meant I was suddenly becoming psychic, or he was really annoyed. Unfortunately, I think there wasn't much chance I was becoming a psychic, so I'm going to put my money on annoyed.

"You okay?" I ask him, suddenly worried about the guy that I had come to care for.

"Fine, I'm leaving. Call Dale." Aiden replies coldly, I don't get much of a chance to say anything before Aiden is suddenly on his motorbike again, zooming off into the distance. But that wasn't what worried me, he had left his helmet on the ground in front of me.

Still shocked, I grab the helmet and walk inside to call Dale, wondering where I went wrong.