January 18,

I see him by the lockers first thing. My heart skips a beat when I lock eyes with him. It's like I'm hypnotized or something.

He gives me a small smile before he turns back to his locker but it's not before I see that flash of pain in his eyes.

I want to go to him. Get him to talk to me but before I can, the queen bitch saunters up to him wearing the biggest smile ever. I swear her skirt is a millimeter below her underwear. That should be illegal in school. Even that bra top (if you can call it a top) barely covers her teats.

He doesn't turn to face her but he  simply says okay to whatever she's saying. She must have decided to invite him to her party herself then because I swear she's grinning like an idiot as she walks away.

And here I thought he was different. What is it with guys not being able to resist the skank. I stomp off in disappointment towards my geology class. Yeah, a little rock study aught to calm me down.

I settle down next to Zaraya whom I bumped into by the door. She's talking about this boy, Gerald. He's a guy on the swim team and he is cute. All things considered. She says he's asked her to prom. Like what the hell? It's just the beginning of senior year and people are already thinking of prom?

I look up to see a familiar face. Nathan. He catches my eye and I know he wants to say something but Miss Larsson our geology teacher appears and everyone starts settling down.

He's seating right behind me and I swear I can feel him staring at me. I don't want him looking at me. I don't do skank leftovers. Maybe I'm being a little harsh on him but there's no way he's my type of guy if he's okay with whatever Bitchy MacHitchy was saying to him.

The universe hates me. Miss Larsson decides to pair me up with Nathan for this semester's project assignment. She says something about how I'm the best in the class and my determination could help the new kid find his footing.

I hate this. I would have rather been paired up with Zaraya. Not the gorgeous boy I may or may not have a crush on who seems to be a little bit interested in Macey.

Speaking of Macey, I see the diva queen give me the stink eye from across the room. I'm pissed as I stomp off to my next class which, God help me, is History.

Nathan catches up to me and Zaraya conveniently has to go to the bathroom. The traitor.

I want to ignore him. I want to squash whatever little hope I had about us being together because there's no way he feels the way I do. The sooner I put a wall between us, the better for my fragile little heart.

He tries to make small talk but I keep my responses short.

We make it through history but I think he felt that tension hanging in the air as much as I did. It feels like I might suffocate. Damnit, why does he have to make me feel this way?

I can barely concentrate during the entire lesson. Doesn't help that Fitzgerald gave us a quiz today. I scored 95, that's just how distracted I am.

The siren rings. It time for a short tea break. I escape to my locker to get my books for my next classes. When I slam my locker shut I find him right there staring at me. He has one eyebrow raised, like he's waiting for me to answer some unspoken question.

I don't say anything but stare right back. If this is a staring contest then I'm game. The only problem is that I don't like uncomfortable silences.

"Did I do something wrong?" He asks.

"What are you talking about?" I ask as I tug on my backpack.

"You've been avoiding me since morning. One would even say you're a little pissed with me." He goes on.

"Psh, why would I be avoiding you or pissed off with you? I hardly know you besides the fact that you're new here." I respond.

I wish he'd just walk away now. This is starting to feel like an interrogation.

"That's true. Except I'm pretty sure you're pissed with me. You didn't seem pissed though when we met by the lockers but then immediately afterwards you were." He says thoughtfully. "Is it because of that red head... What's her name? Nancy... Matty?"

"Macey is quite territorial. I don't want her to ruin my life because she thinks I'm interested in you." I say as I finally decide I've had enough and try to leave.

Emphasis on the try here. He doesn't let me leave. He effectively blocks my path. When did I get trapped by my locker? There's hardly any space for me to breath. I'm getting light headed.

"Is that what's going on here? You think I'm with her? Are you jealous?" He asks with a smirk.

"Don't be ridiculous." I snap at him as I try to push him away. "Have you ever heard of personal space? Because you're in mine and I find this very annoying."

He gives me a smile before he backs off.

Thank goodness he backed off. I don't think my heart could take the proximity. Of course his next words surprise me.

"I like you, Kat Palmer." He says with a coy smile as he begins to walk away. "Oh and by the way, I have no interest in her. She merely invited me to her party and I could tell she wasn't going to stop until I gave her the answer she required. Didn't have to be true, she just had to believe it. You can rest assured."

Yeah right, like I believe any of that. I continue on to the rest of my day.