Hey! Thought I'd keep this Author's Note short but I was really tempted to start something new. And I figured if I wrote in first-person POV, then I would let the words flow more easily and get my point across. This is a Dylan-centric story. I think she's amazing and I relate so much to her that I'm surprised that I didn't realize it before. You'll probably understand once you read this. I'm considering to make this a fantasy. And you know, go all-out and make it supernatural but this is still in the works. Reviews would be great. Thanks!

Disclaimer: The Clique belongs to the ever-wonderful Lisi Harrison.

The story title was inspired by Augustana's "Fire".

Lock Me Up Inside Your Garden

Chapter 1: Imperfect Is The New Perfect

So, Dylan Marvil…If I could change your entire world in an instant, would you let me?

It's such a life-changing query, if you ask me. Most people would ask me if I could get them into the huge bash my mom was throwing that would include the most famous celebrities, socialites, people they didn't even know regardless because they were good-looking, etc.

Or they would ask me why I didn't bother losing the remaining weight that I had to officially be a size 4, which stung like hell.

I always kept a brave face when I was ambushed by the stereotypical bitches that I've encountered all my years in the Big Apple. And the funny thing was…some of my real friends were talked about around the school to be a part of that stereotype but they never insulted me or picked on anybody. That job belonged to Layne, Kori, and Strawberry, the most despicable tramps of Briarwood High.

I was blessed to have met Kristen, top contender for class valedictorian and Alicia, captain of the dance team. They were situated in a whole new level of cool.

The level everyone could embrace.

But when Cam Fisher just had to waltz into my life, I just knew that things would be different.

Initially, he was an outsider because every male in the student body had it out for him. Practically every guy alienated him from orienting himself to the school. And even if I didn't know him at the time, I felt so sorry for his unnecessary dilemma. However, I knew that like every other male on the planet, he didn't need anyone's pity.

You know, since every straight or bisexual female was tongue-tied whenever he walked by any one of them.

He was dark which coincided with my apparently low-key obsession with vampire fiction. His beat-up leather jacket was one of the first things I'd noticed about him when I saw him checking in at the school office as a transfer student on the first day of senior year.

But once the school year went on, most of the guys didn't have it out for him anymore. That's when things started to get a lot more interesting.

He hung out with the likes of Josh Hotz and Chris Plovert. And even if those two bozos were in my social circle, I didn't bother pleasing the likes of them. It was beyond me what Cam's mutual interests with those two would be.

He was eccentric, having a multitude of interests, ranging from the renown sport around here that is soccer to the least expected aspiration coming from him that is creative writing, the elective I was first in line to sign up for.

And I loved to write. But I knew I just wasn't as great as I hoped I would've been by now.

I know what all of you are probably thinking. That I'm just this lovelorn Juliet that's waiting for her cheesy yet totally scrumptious-looking Romeo to come and sweep her off her feet.

It wasn't like that.

Our creative writing teacher, Mr. Kendrick ran into the classroom. His disheveled appearance would make students believe that the rumor of him canoodling with the new principal, Ms. Serendipity, was true. "Sorry for making you guys come after school but I had an announcement to make."

"What's up, Ignatius?" The most dreadful living creature of them all, Layne Abeley, smirked.

Snorts and giggles resounded. I rolled my eyes. I had to admit that the name was unusual but Ignatius wasn't the most embarrassing one I've heard.

It was hers. Layne wasn't her real name.

How did I know that? Because truth be told, she and I used to be best friends.

Our friendship's a total bore. We met in kindergarten…Blah, blah, blah…We took ballet classes together. We bought our first bras together. We did everything together until…shocker, she became popular in the seventh grade. She did the typical backstabbing stunt and turned everyone against me.

Making the 20 or so kids in our eighth grade class hate my guts was one thing but she crossed the line at one point. She plagiarized one of my own poems for English class.

It was unforgivable. She was the most heinous person that I ever came to know.

Seeing her in this class was the biggest slap on the face.

Funny how your best friend can be your worst nightmare but she didn't have me around her poisonous latches for that long. I had enough balls to stand up to her and by the time freshman year rolled around, I became Dylan Marvil, the cool redheaded chick that you could talk to about The Script concert that was coming up or about the latest update on the local murder trial that's sweeping the nation.

Everyone believed that I was this totally cool person. Popular. Admittedly, it was safe to say that people thought I was attractive. I was timid when it came to the topic of my weight but as long as no one brought it up, I was golden.

See, that's the thing. I wasn't always golden. Layne and her cohorts of pure evil just had to prance around and try to ruin my day with any chance they could get.

And then there was the worst.

Me.

I was a force that even I couldn't fight. I couldn't help what I felt about myself, which was usually negative most of the time. I did a pretty good job covering up my infinite lack of self-confidence from the rest of the world.

"Layne, even if it's past school hours…You've got no right to talk to me on a first-name basis." Poor Mr. Kendrick reddened at the class's response.

"What a joke." I heard someone mutter with a sigh that followed. I didn't notice that Cam was sitting beside me.

Finally, someone had the nerve to retaliate against Layne besides Kris, Alicia, and me. "Couldn't agree more," I whispered in response.

I knew he wasn't directing the comment toward anyone so when he turned to see me, he raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"His name?" He asked me skeptically.

I knew I wasn't wrong about who he was referring to. "No." I looked at Layne, flipping her hair and giggling like the stereotype she never failed to personify. "Her." I nodded towards the demon.

He smiled. "Didn't think anyone around here opposed to anything she said. I'm impressed. And I don't even know your name."

It was my turn to blush when Mr. Kendrick had moved on to shuffle around with some papers from his briefcase. "I'm Dylan."

His eyes moved toward the front of the class. Well, that was the end of that, I guess.

"I was impressed by the short stories you submitted last week that I showed them to the film club. For the film festival that's coming up next month, they're considering 5 short stories to make into short films." Mr. Kendrick smiled proudly as he sat in his cool spinning chair.

The entire class rejoiced at the news. Layne was gloating about how she was definitely a shoo-in. I wonder whose work she's been stealing from since the start of this class.

Cam surprised me by taking my hand and writing on it with his fancy pen.

I read my hand. I'm Cam. His handwriting was another significant thing about him that grasped my attention. It wasn't freakishly neat but it was beautiful…In a non-feminine sort-of-way. Of course, it added on to his mysterious allure. When I couldn't sleep at night, I would think about the amazing quirks that were Cam Fisher. This was just another thing I could ponder about when I was experiencing insomnia.

…

"Hey. Did you forget we were meeting after school today to work on decorations for the pep rally?" The second I walked out of Mr. Kendrick's room I saw Derrick Harrington leaning on a locker while he was scrolling through his smart phone.

Derrick's lazy smile widened at the sight of me. I'm glad I didn't let him confuse me anymore. Last year, he was all I could ever think about. He was the reason why I needed to step it up this year and dedicate myself just to school. And nothing besides that. "No, I didn't." He walked beside me to the gymnasium. "I just came from the band room and my brother texted me saying he didn't need a ride home. I'm not slacking off if that's what you're assuming."

I huffed and smiled. Derrick was a really good friend. Even if it hurt that he never reciprocated my feelings. "When you assume, you make an ass of you and me. And FYI, I didn't assume anything, Harrington."

"Ouch." He laughed as he opened one of the gym doors for me to enter in first.

"Thanks."

His smile lingered in a way that junior me would have believed that he could have possibly liked me more than he let on.

But now that I'm a senior I wasn't going to be so easy to fool.

As a house captain for Briarwood, I was a role model to the underclassmen as well as to my other classmates. Being a house captain was kind of like being a class prefect, having responsibilities in student affairs, promoting school spirit, all that good stuff. One of my duties was to set up for the back-to-school pep rally. I was in charge of music. The previous captains that would get this job picked the cheesiest songs or the songs that played on the radio all the time. It drove me mad. I was looking for something creative and…

"Original." A voice came from behind me. I almost jumped out of my seat on the bleacher.

"Huh?" I turned around to find Cam Fisher approaching me.

"Thirteen Senses. I didn't think anyone here knew they existed."

"Oh." He was talking about the song I was testing out. It was "Talking to Sirens" by the incredible band.

"Well if I'm going to be honest…" Oh, crap. I was thinking out loud again. Oh well, it's not like I was telling him that I danced to "Risky Business" in a T-shirt and undies in my living room like Tom Cruise every weekend when no one was home. "I was looking up a bunch of songs yesterday and I came across this one. They're pretty good."

He sat beside me. I was timid about telling him to bolt before someone else did. He wasn't supposed to be here but his two different colored eyes were so captivating. I just-

"Dylan!" Derrick was going from being my major crush to being at the top of my hit list. "House captains only! Sorry Cam!"

"My bad. See you at practice, Derrick!" Cam laughed it off, to my amazement. I didn't know if he could sense the bitterness in Derrick's tone the way I had. Was it jealousy that was radiating from him?

That was impossible. "Sorry, I should've mentioned that earlier." I walked him to the exit that led to the student parking lot.

"Must have slipped your mind." He grinned at me knowingly as he opened the door to let himself out. He ran his hands through his tousled dark brown hair. "I'll see you tomorrow."

When I ditched the rest of the captains to head home on the subway, the image of Cam's easy grin couldn't get away.

It's so far-fetched that he started talking to me a lot more often after that. I mean, why is it that when you become intrigued by a person, they start to appear almost everywhere you go?

"Dyl!" Kristen ran up to me. She was sweaty from her soccer practice. "So are you going to do it?"

Kristen, one of the easiest people to talk to yet one of the most difficult people to ever comprehend, initiated one of our legendary conversations with that. "Do what?"

She frowned at my feigned stupidity. "You know what. Swim team tryouts? They're tomorrow. Please say you will."

"Kris…" I wasn't excited about it because I was insecure about people seeing me in a swimsuit. I know it sounds ridiculous…Well, I know it is.

"You are an amazing swimmer. You're depriving the team from going to regionals this year. Do you want that to be weighing on your conscience for the rest of your life?" She was really good at guilt-tripping me.

I couldn't deny that I loved to swim. One of the pros of having a TV host for a mom was that she did have connections. They weren't something that I flaunted around the way Layne flaunted that her dad was a famous manager for renown musicians but since my mom had us both get memberships at the local gym, I was enamored with the Olympic-sized pool. I swam almost everyday. Well, usually when it was super early…at an ungodly hour so no one could see me.

No one needed to tell me. I was ridiculous beyond comprehension.

"Now I wouldn't want that…" I began nervously.

"Leesh and I are going to make sure you get yourself in that smoking red one-piece and get yourself in the water after school tomorrow." Kristen was like my second mom with how she always wanted what was best for me. Plus, she couldn't let go of the fact that she was 7 months older than me. Alicia was older than us both.

"Thanks, Mom…" I groaned. "I can drag my saggy butt there myself."

She frowned. "Quit being such a sourpuss!" She chastised. "We're gonna be making dreams come true here!" She placed her palm on her forehead for having to deal with me.

"Fine! Okay. Just calm down. I'll do it." I started breathing heavily. I was so close to hyperventilating at the realization that I was going to distance myself from my comfort zone.

I would be swimming and people would be watching.

I couldn't sleep that night because I was nervous about so many things. I was nervous about if I knew what I was supposed to be doing in the water. I was anxious about people seeing me half naked, my legs bare and my curves exposed. I was a wreck about whether I'd make the team or not to add on to my freak-out session. I knew I was going to need to cover up the bags under my eyes tomorrow.

I knew I was fast. I was a completely different person when the water and I became one. I was confident. I was comfortable in my own skin. I felt like I was being who I truly was.

It made sense in my head but I wasn't sure if anyone else would understand.

"Hey!" A male voice called out to me. I slammed my locker door shut after getting the stuff I needed for tryouts today. I turned to find Cam coming up to me. He was ever good-looking. His eyes had a glint of mischief in them and I always wondered what went on in his mind. Who knows what kind of life he lives outside of school? He's got every girl on her knees for him.

"Cam. What's up?" I was ever the smooth one.

"You look a little stirred up. Is there a problem?" He cocked an eyebrow.

It was a long day, quite agonizing. The words slipped before I could even think it through. "Why do you care?"

"Can't I?" He questioned innocently and what made it all freaky was that he was most likely being sincere.

It was the least expected reply I would expect. I must have misjudged him because he grew more fascinating within every moment.

"If you must know, I've got swim tryouts." And the second it's out of my mouth, I regret it wholeheartedly.

What if he proposes to come and watch? Then that's one other person I'll have to worry about seeing my in my swimsuit. A panic attack would ensue soon enough.

It was beyond my control. I ran off without a second thought. I despised being this awkward.

"Hey…Dylan! Wait, where are you going?" He shouted.

I didn't turn back. I ran into the girls' locker room to change. I put a robe over my swimsuit. Claire Lyons was there, raising an eyebrow at me.

"What's the point of putting that on if you're just going to take it off?" She flaunted her British accent. I didn't know if it made her sound more likable or despicable. Claire and I never really crossed paths at school so it was pretty unusual for her to strike up a conversation with me.

I sighed. "What's it to you, Claire?"

She shrugged. "I don't see any point in it."

Here I was, taking a risk. I took off the robe to reveal my red one-piece. It was tight on my waist and my torso so I felt even more self-conscious than I'd have expected. My freckly legs had goose bumps from how cold the room was but it was probably because of how I wasn't collected. "How do I look?"

Claire gaped. Okay, well that's the initial response I would expect, followed by laughter and taunting if it came down to it.

"Hideous, huh?" I winced.

"Are you mad?" She laughed. "You look voluptuous. Extremely fit!"

"Huh?" I was confused at her words. "It actually sounds like you're complimenting me but I'm not entirely sure."

She got off from the bench, all in her swimsuit glory. Her pale skin was complimented by her aquamarine swimsuit. Her goggles hung on her wrist like a bracelet as she got up to adjust her swim cap. "It means that you look sexy. And where I come from, being a fittie equals being a hottie."

I turned bright red. "Oh…Well…Thank you."

Claire looked at me. "You're better than you give yourself credit for, Marvil."

Her words blew me away. Was it true? I thought I was pretty realistic with myself. I didn't like to get my hopes up. I could only be expectant when it came to writing my stories.

She noticed my stunned silence and rolled her eyes. She made me look at myself in the mirror. "Why are you so nervous about today?"

"Well, it's my first time trying out for the team…"

"Obviously, that's not all." She nodded at the robe in my hands.

I avoided her eyes. "All right…I might just be…a tad insecure about my body but I mean, come on, who isn't?" I tried to laugh it off.

Claire's expression changed into that of what I believed to be concern. "Really?" She asked softly.

I nodded stiffly.

She bit her lip and thought to herself. God only knew what she was going to say next.

"What makes you self-conscious when you don't need to be?"

I stood there like an idiot.

"Or better yet…Who?"

"Um." That was all I could manage.

"Dylan, I know that we aren't the best of friends but I'm not the standoffish, aloof bimbo that everyone thinks I am. I do have a heart."

I grabbed my goggles from my Nike bag. "I can't help it. No one needs to tell me that I'm…not the skinniest girl out there."

"But what does that matter?"

"…People like Layne mess with me because I'm different. I set myself apart from girls here who barely have a waist to put their designer jeans over. And it sucks."

"You do realize that girls like that wretched Layne spend half their lunch period puking their guts up in the bathroom stalls to maintain those so-called waists." She was good at making me look like an idiot but she was trying to help. I couldn't stop her. She was on a roll.

And you know, maybe I did need help or maybe I just needed to suck it up.

"You're right." Well, there was no denying it now, was there?

"Dylan, you came here to do something that I assume you love, swimming, which is all that should matter at this point. The fact that I'm jealous of your body means that you are perfectly fine."

Now she was flattering me and she was pretty persistent. I didn't have a choice but to cave in. "Oh, okay! I'll go out there and not give a damn! I guess I have a rocking body so whatever anyone says shouldn't get to me?" I knew she could tell that I was still unsure.

But Claire nodded with approval. "It's a start."