"I see you keep looking like a preyed animal." I almost jumped as Taylor appeared out of the blue as I stepped out Mrs Glennson's office, giving me a pointed look at my reaction. "See?"

"Well," I gulped. "I'm sorry, but when you sneaked on someone that use to be the effect." she rolled her eyes and fall into step with me. "Where's Kevin?"

"Late. He told me to get going. So? How did it go in there?"

"Good." by the glance she sent me I could tell she didn't believe it. "I mean, considering everything." I sighed, shaking my head. "I told her about Dawson and she's willing to add his name on it as well."

Not like it surprised me, after all, it would have been a total mess it it wasn't for the guy and I would had felt bad if his name wasn't on it as well. After I literally ran out the football field -with's Nate stunt in front of our more than half our entire student population and everything-, I thought I was screwed. I feel like a hot mess, on the verge of tears and so I waited for Taylor and the twins in the car.

Logan Dawson appeared the next day on my doorstep, as a weird knight in a shiny armor and a bunch of notes to help me fulfill the article.

To my surprise, he didn't bitch about me quitting like that nor asked anything. We worked on it the whole Saturday and so instead of a sport article or a mere interview the result turned out something really decent. Mrs Glennson had that satisfied look so I really had to thank Logan's collaboration.

Taylor hummed by my side as we reached my locker. "Not exactly a surprise considering you've been, like, all crazy over this stupid- excuse me." she corrected with a playful eye roll at my dirty glare. "This important article. Can't wait 'till it all over the daily tomorrow. Bet it'll be a bombshell. Better be. Not as much as that kiss but-"

"Taylor!" I groaned, glancing around in apprehension, my cheeks already warm. "Drop it."

"What? I'm just stating facts here, am I right?"

Like hell stating facts. Ever since I laid a foot in the school's building; I got this strange feeling that everyone was watching me, even though I was also damn sure nobody was, but I got this constant feeling in the small hairs of my nape, like someone's gaze was there. Ridiculous, I know, but I'd been kind of on the edge ever since Nate crossed all boundaries at last Friday's match.

I couldn't believe he went and kiss me.

But I also couldn't believe the burning spark ignited in the pit of my stomach, butterflies flying aggressively within me even after I pushed him away not even two seconds later. Yeah, not my brightest moment.

"You're not, so leave it." I grumbled just as we reached my locker where Vickie was resting, gaze down at her phone and long red flocks as a blind. Both of us realizing at the same time how bothered she looked. "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing."

"Bullshit."

"Taylor..." she sighed an unease breath. "It's fine, really."

But her voice sounded not fine and my blood boiled. I got a pretty decent idea of who'd gotten her like this. "What has he done this time?"

"I've told you, nothing! Just leave it." and immediately covered whatever she was feeling with a smile. "So? What did Glennson say?"

Taylor and I shared a look and she frowned as I sighed and went to open my locker. "You know we're not buying that lame attempt to change-" all words faded in my lips as a small piece of paper flew from my locker to the floor. Mocking our shock with its gentle fall.

What on earth?

Too shocked to move I just frowned as Taylor bent to pick it before the constant moving in the hallway due to the passing students heading to their next class made it flew further.

"What on earth, Hails?" she voiced my thoughts as I could only shake my head. "You got a secret admirer now?"

"I..."

"Who is it from?" asked Vickie while I took it from the short girl's hands and carefully unfolded it, not knowing what to expect. This had never happened before. Could it be from Justin? My heart picked up at the perspective, but was quickly deflated when I saw the narrow calligraphy. It wasn't Justin's. His was elegantly sophisticated.

Room 1.2

Fourth period

N.

I reread it a couple more times, my guts getting heavier as the seconds passed. N? Nate? He wanted me to meet him there? Why?

Oh, Gosh, I hope he won't try to kiss me again. I still felt my stomach jumping at the memory of last Friday.

"N?" Taylor tried to take the paper back to get a closer look, but I was quick in folding it again. She smirked wiggling her brows suggestively and read my mind again: "As in Nate?"

"Well well well, now this is something." smiled Vickie too, way more cheerful than moments before and even though I couldn't prevent the blush, I rolled my eyes and dropped the small paper in my back carelessly.

"It's nothing. And it's not happening so let it be."

"Like hell!" I hated it when they speak the same to go against me. It's just unsettling. But they laughed at that and pressed further. "You're going."

"I'm not."

"Then I will." Taylor rose one shoulder and I rolled my eyes getting everything else I needed and finally shutting the locker.

"You have a boyfriend, Tay."

"Eww, not for that, you dirty minded. I just want to go and said hi."

I frowned. "Say 'hi'?"

She nodded and Vickie scowled as well. "And what for?"

"And why not?" her arms folded stubbornly. "Someone has to since Miss Reporter here won't. Let me see where-"

"I'm going!" I immediately stepped out her reach when she moved as if to get the paper again.

Like hell I'm letting her play whatever she was planning. Nothing I would want less by now that any of them interacting with the quarterback... No.

Now that the interview was done, I just wanted to forget about him again. Just like ever since the course had started. I mean, yeah; the school isn't exactly huge, but just enough for us to be able not to interact if we didn't want to... and I certainly didn't. Now that the only reason why I'd broken my word in speaking to him again was done, I was finally ready to cut all bounds.

Even more than before after his game last Friday. I mean, what was his deal? He kissed Trish Palmer, then me... I wouldn't even be surprised if at the victory party he'd made out with some other girl. Probably Nadia Lawsich for the way she was eye-devouring him during the match.

That thought ignited a bitter spark in the pit of my stomach and it irritated me further.

If it really meant so little why couldn't I get that moment out of my head?

All of the sudden Nate took one step forward, his hand sliding from my hip up to my spine and suddenly I was tightly held against his chest.

What the heck-

But before I could even finish the thought he leaned forward abruptly and forcefully slammed his lips on mine.

Still too shocked to react I stiffened, eyes wide, as I felt him molding against me, the arm around my waist pulling me closer and arching my back against him as his other cupped my face. All while his mouth melted over mine in a rather rough kiss as I struggled to process what's happening... and as soon as I did anger overpowered whatever the other feeling was, burning in my veins.

He used me, mocked me, insulted me... and I was letting him kiss me?!

Hell no!

I pushed his chest harshly, breaking away from his grasp and -before even realizing what I was doing- slapping him across the face.

"The hell is wrong with you?" I yelled wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, still feeling tingles there that made my stomach churn in a weird way.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you?" he snarled back, rubbing his cheek, glaring at me. It couldn't have hurt him much since it was a rather lame blow, merely a warning, but he glared either way.

As if it was my fault.

As if he got the right to kiss me out of no were like that.

He couldn't. He couldn't just all but do that. Especially when we're fighting. And especially not to me! Maybe this was how he gets it his way with other girls, but after how he'd treated me he couldn't just do that and expected me to comply.

I shook my head, feeling like ripping my hair out outta shame when I remember we were kinda in front of everybody. I felt like throwing up.

"Isn't this what you wanted?" he rolled his eyes, still rubbing the spot in anger. "What you were so frustrated for?" My mouth gaped open and I felt my face heating with both fury and embarrassment. But then his eyes widened and he cursed under his breath. "Oh, fuck. That wasn't your first kiss, was it?"

I blushed harsher if possible, my ears ringing.

My first kiss? He thought I was mad because he stole my first kiss? Right after insinuated I was begging for his attention?

He really thought I was pathetic, didn't he?

But apparently he wasn't done and shook his head dismissively. "Nah, couldn't be. You said Justi-"

Panicking, I shoved his chest again, successfully cutting him off before he could voice it and mortify me further. Especially now that we'd gathered some attention on us.

He couldn't be exposing me like that.

Just no.

"Shut up shut up! You-" tears pricked the corner of my eyes as I glanced the people not that far from us, splashed on the field or crowding the bleachers.

More eyes than I would like to admit were on us and my stomach twitched. One particular set of blue once burning deeply in my mind. They looked confused, shock and something else I couldn't point through the distance. Maybe they couldn't hear us, but I was pretty sure most of them had seen that kiss...

Damn it, Nate Herond just kissed me!

"Holly shit."

"What?" Nate sounded genuinely confused and when his voice vibrated in my palms I realized horrified they were still of his chest form pushing him away. I immediately let go, as if its touch burned, and matched his step as he move forward as if to reach me. He frowned. "Hailey-"

But I just turn around and ran.

A hard chest in my path snapped me out my unwanted flashback and I was forced to step aside at the last moment not to crash against it... almost crashing with the lockers instead as the jackass and his friends laughed at it but kept going unbothered. Well, not unbothered a couple of them turned to me and I recognized them from my Biology class.

"Hey, Gracie." they mocked blew kisses and my face burned in anger and shame. "Share with us too, would you?"

My fist clenched as they laughed and go away.

That was it. I was the punchline of the joke.

Thank you so much Nate. Soooo freaking much.

"Hi." my gaze moved from glaring the jerks now at the end of the hallway and to the platinum blond next to me, brows pursing in what looked like concern.

Nadia Lawsich. One of the main cheerleaders, blond senior and charismatic. And she was actually talking to me.

It came as a surprise, I think I'd never exchange more than a couple words with her so far.

"Are you okay?" she tilted her head, actual worry in her beautiful light eyes. "Joel can be such and asshole most of the time, but he's harmless. Don't let him get you."

Now that the corridor was way less crowded and I felt less as in the target for new rumors about what happen, I was allowed to unclench my teeth and forced a small smile to the cheerleader.

"It's alright. I'm just a bit on the edge today, you know? Don't mind me."

But she wasn't buying it. "It's fine. I know last Friday was a bit weird and they're giving you a hard time because of it. I just want to know how are you."

I looked at her, for real this time. Surprised her out of all the people was the one there checking up on me. I couldn't shake the suspicion within me, but she looked genuine and the girl did have a sweetheart reputation. It must be her kind nature.

"I... I'm fine, really, I'm just not used to be this... exposed? " I cleared my throat and forced out a more relaxed smile that she returned immediately.

Yeah, definitely a kind nature.

"Don't you work on the Daily?"

I was surprised she knew. "Mm, yes, but not as the one who's important. More like the name at the rock bottom."

"I guess." she laughed and shrugged one shoulder, shifting the backpack slightly. "Don't you worry, Gracie. You know how people are. In a couple of days it all will be back to normal. And Nate... well, that was Nate being Nate. You know how he is."

Bet she must know it first hand, considering their constants messing around. That sparkled an idea. "Oh, speaking of which," I unzipped my bag. "Hold on..." Nadia did, tilting her head curiously as she watched me struggle. "Here!" I finally found the folded paper from earlier. "You can have it."

"What?" her frown shifted to an arched brow as she read the content and lifted her gaze back to me. "Fourth period is now, isn't it?"

"You can still catch him." I encourage, mentally patting my back for having such a wonderful way to get rid of it. It's a win-win situation. The blond seemed to hesitate, tho.

"But isn't this supposed to be for you?"

I scoffed, but covered it with a soft cough. "I'm pretty sure he'll rather your company."

"Are you sure?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die."

"Cool." Her lips lifted in a smile that lighted up the whole school and she folded the paper, sliding it into the pocket of her pale jeans. "You just saved me from another hour of boring History. Ugh. You're in that class as well, right? I think I've seen you there. Thank you so much, for this. Are you really sure? I owe you, now."

"None sense." this time it was me who waved it and we parted ways. I felt so good, so satisfied with myself and how I've not only avoided and uncomfortable situation, but also managed to make it for all the parts. I was sure the quarterback much rather enjoy the sweet girl company and I for sure prefer History.

My heart pounded harder when I stepped into the class and my sudden good mod faltered as I took in that the table next to mine was already occupied.

By Justin.

As always since the course start last month. But there was something in his body language that was different. I could sense it from the door and as I get closer it only increased. I couldn't point if it was good or bad, but as usual, as soon as thos beautiful blue eyes met mine my heart melted a bit. I was a lost case.

"Hey." I greeted more breathlessly than I intended and his lips curled upwards in a breathtaking smile, making my guts twist.

This is going to be a long hour.

.