A/N- I know you were expecting an update from The Hunt, but I figured since I haven't updated this story in more than a month, I give you all a good update. Hope you all didn't forget about this story! I just want to say thank you so much for all the reviews…I know I don't say this a lot, but really I'm so happy that all you guys took the time to read my stories and review. Thank you all so much! I have a few things planned for you all, so be prepared!

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter Two: The Lack of Self-Assertion

He was known for being the player. The guy who constantly hits on one girl to the next. The guy who's known for his outstanding detention record for pranking. And only to his closest friends, the guy who on the inside has more problems to face than one could ever imagine.

But when Jerry Martinez gazed at Grace West, he was no longer himself.

With her coffee-brown hair hiding her face, Jerry gazed at Grace from the opposite end of the lunch table, as she laughed with her friend Kim, chewing on some pasta. Jerry's eyes instantly turned to the banner that was hung up on the top wall.

"HALLOWEEN BASH TONIGHT! GET YOUR TICKETS!

And your dates ;)"

That last part seemed to have been scribbled messily in marker, but Jerry casted a glance towards Grace once more, desperately wanting to listen to the poster. Yet, with his palms growing sweaty, his heart thumping loudly in his chest, and butterflies angrily swirling around his stomach, it was clear enough how Jerry Martinez was feeling—a sentiment he rarely ever endures.

Anxiety.

"Jerry!"

Snapping out of his train of thought, Jerry stared at his friends Milton and Eddie, who raised their eyebrows deliberately. Jerry rolled his eyes.

"What?" He demanded.

"Dude, you've been staring at Grace for like, the entire lunch period! Just ask her out already!" Eddie exclaimed. He then muttered something Jerry didn't quite catch.

"Just take her and leave me forever alone."

"Not now!" Jerry replied. "I'm...I'm not ready, okay?"

"You're never not ready for love!" Milton exclaimed. "See, I took the courage and asked out Julie…and look at me now."

Jerry let out a frustrated sigh, and rolled his eyes. While he will admit that they are cute, they're the most annoying couple he'd ever come across.

"Listen guys, I—"

"Go! The dance is tonight! It's now or never!" And Milton and Eddie shoved Jerry out of his chair, and heaved him over to Grace's tables. Nearly tripping, Jerry hammered his head onto the table, and fell to the ground. He looked up, seeing a shocked Kim and Grace with their jaws wide open. Jerry managed to flash in a sheepish grin, and with his balance uneven, Jerry stood up and stared at two.

"Sup girls?" Jerry grinned nonchalantly.

"What are you doing?" Grace asked skeptically.

"Uh…" Jerry stammered. "Just…wanted to ask you a question."

Grace stared at Jerry, furrowing her brow in impatience.

"I'm listening."

Jerry dilated his eyes in trepidation, unsure of what to say. What was he supposed to ask again? Jerry's eyes scanned Grace's entire body, and stared at her boots.

"Where did you get your shoes?" Jerry blurted. "Because girl, they are off the hook!"

His voice grew incredibly high towards the end. Jerry bit his lip in frustration, muttering curses under his breath. Kim and Grace exchanged puzzled looks, and stared at Jerry in disbelief.

"What did you do this time, and what do you need from us?" Kim demanded, folding her arms across her chest.

Jerry scoffed, and was taken aback at Kim's response. "I did not do anything! If anything, I'm trying to play the good guy who follows the rules!"

"Yeah, say that now but we'll be the first to point and laugh once we see Principal Squires grabbing your hand and shoving you into his office," Grace said, with a grin. "I'll give it five minutes tops."

Jerry raised his eyebrow at Grace. "Is that a bet?"

Grace's smile slightly faltered in confusion. "What?"

"If I don't get in trouble for the rest of the day today…" Jerry began, resting his back on an empty chair next to Grace.

And he stared at the banner and broke out a devilish grin.

"Then what?"

"You have to go to the dance with me."

Now her smile had fully disappeared, and she stared at Jerry with wide eyes. "What?"

"You heard me, mamasita."

Grace's cheeks colored into a deep shade red and she exchanged looks with Kim, who seemed to be enjoying this, with a wide grin playing on her face. She looked at him with nervous eyes, but attempted to mask a confident look as she nodded reluctantly.

"She accepts!" Kim cried cheerfully. "But if you lose?"

"Well—"

"Uh-uh, now it's my turn." Grace stepped in. "If you get into any sort of trouble today, I'll set you up with one of the girls from the chess club." She smiled wickedly.

He cringed in disgust. "Not the chess club. Those girls haven't had dates since…ever!"

Grace chortled. "Hey, they're your only chance, Mexican boy."

"Not if I win."

"I'll make sure you lose."

"But what if I win?"

"I won't let that happen."

"Fine. It's a bet then."

Jerry reached his hand out towards Grace, beckoning for her to shake it. A hesitant frown crept upon Grace's face. For a second, Jerry could see the apprehension soaking in her eyes, as they briefly locked stares for a few moments. He felt her studying him for a second, which ultimately caused a smirk to sneak upon her face, as she took Jerry's hand and shook it firmly.

"Deal." Grace said. A vivacious, electrifying sense tingled up Jerry's arm as he locked hands with her, which immediately caused him to release from the longer-than-usual handshake. He sat back in his chair, and placed his palms on the back of his head nonchalantly.

"This is going to be the easiest bet I've ever done. Better pick a nice costume, Grace...I suggest something relating to aliens, since I'm dressing up as an alien for Halloween. If you're going to be my date, we need to coordinate."

"Oh, so you're coming as yourself?" Grace asked, with a triumphant sneer on her face. Kim laughed, and high-fived Grace. I rolled my eyes.

"Speaking of aliens…why isn't the new kid sitting with you?" Kim said, glancing over at my table.

"Oh, Jack? He's eating with the principal…lunch detention."

Kim solemnly nodded and returned to nibbling on the cold, disgusting sandwich the cafeteria has to offer. Her face seemed to darken when she heard Jack's name…as if they've been natural enemies when all Jack did was accidently bump into her…twice. Jerry found it a bit peculiar…after all, every girl in the entire school was practically drooling over this new kid…

What made her so different?

"Why?" He asked, raising his eyebrow. "You thinking about asking him to the dance?"

Kim shot him a threatening look. "Um, considering he caused me practical concussion, no thanks. I'd rather just go with Grace…when she wins the bet."

"What makes you think she'll win?" Jerry demanded

"I think we're done here. Why don't you just go, and catch up with your friends?" Grace said, with a smile. Understanding that she was so playing hard-to-get, Jerry stood

"Bye Kim." He waved. She gave back a little wave, and grinned at Grace.

"Grace."

"Jerry."

And he went back to his seat, explaining to Milton and Eddie everything that happened.

And he told them about the bet.

The one that he was going win.

And get that dance with Grace.

Biology.

Last period of the day.

Not the class you want to be in at the moment.

Especially when it's Frog Dissection Day.

Kim tied her honey-blonde hair into a tight ponytail, and buttoned the white lab coat, staring at the empty dissection tray in utter disgust, with Grace right by her side. Kim casted a glance towards Donna, Kelsey and Claire who had revolted looks on their faces, as they took the goggles like it was poison. She chuckled at the sight of the three girls who looked like they were ready to die…frankly Kim wouldn't have minded that.

Her eyes caught attention Milton and Julie holding hands with excited grins on their faces, as they stared at their dissection tray with anticipation. Kim smiled at the perfect couple—it was easy to picture them being noble peace prize winning, married scientists. Her eyes trailed to the seat next to them, seeing Jerry and Eddie poking eachother with the dissection probe. She rolled her eyes playfully, and anxiously waited for the frog to appear on her dissection plate so she could cut it open, and examine the frog guts.

Joy.

"Class! Gather around please! Martinez, Johnson…leave the dissecting tools alone!" Mr. Daniels screamed. The class came together and huddled around the stern-looking teacher who sat on his desk and eyeballed the students.

"Now, for this particular lab, I've assigned you partners for multiple reasons." Mr. Daniels said. "One of them being that some of you can be a little immature." And he glared at Jerry and Eddie who let out a sheepish grin.

"Now Jerry and Eddie…one more infraction like that, and you'll be sent to the office…again."

Jerry's eyes dilated in fear and anxiousness and he nodded vigorously. Grace and I couldn't help but let out a snicker at Jerry, who seemed extremely afraid of losing the bet. So far, according to Grace, Jerry hasn't been sent out to hall, excluded out of activities, chased by hall monitors, or called to the Principal's office once. But by the way he's acting right now, it looks like he's about to break.

Grace should be meeting up with those chess club girls anytime soon.

"Now let me just grab my roster, so I can tell you all who you'll be—"

"Sorry I'm late!"

The door banged open revealing a stressed out brunet who stumbled his way towards the teacher. The entire class fell silent as he scurried into the classroom, shoving a crumpled late pass into the teacher's hands. The teacher nodded in understanding and he took a deep sigh of relief. He was the boy who was excused if he was late. The boy that all the girls drooled over, even when he looked like he was about to pass out at any moment.

Jack.

"It's quite alright," Mr. Daniels said. "Now, moving on I'd like to give you your new lab partners for the frog dissection unit. Once you hear your partners, just grab a frog from the large tray over there and start dissecting! Now Milton, you'll be paired with Julie."

And with a cheer, they went into their seats, staring at their frog with eagerness.

"Eddie, you'll be paired with Stacy," Mr. Daniels said, glaring at Eddie. "And I did that for a reason." He added. Raising his eyebrows in a flirty way, Eddie walked with Stacey to the nearest table, grabbing a frog, placing it excitedly on the tray while Stacey pinched her nose in disgust.

"Jerry, you'll be paired with Grace." Mr. Daniels said, glaring at Jerry. Jerry shot a challenging smirk at Grace whose jaw was wide open. She clenched her fists in frustration, and glared at him, as he played with the frog that was sitting in his gloves.

"It's fate." Kim whispered in her ear, giggling as Mr. Daniels announced more partners. Grace gave her a penetrating glare.

"And Kim, you'll be paired with Jack."

And her jaw dropped as well.

Kim shot an annoyed look at Jack, who frankly looked…nervous, was it? Scared? It was hard for Kim to study Jack, under the thick, foggy goggles. But it was enough for her to see that this lab wasn't going to end well. Hearing Grace's laughter, she whispered something in Kim's ear.

"It's fate."

Rolling her eyes, Kim trudged to her seat, while Jack grabbed the frog and placed it on the dissection tray. For a second, neither of them said a word, as Kim took the dissection tools out of the bag and stared at the frog in disgust.

"You know, if you want to request a different partner, I'm okay with that."

Kim looked up at Jack, who rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, staring at her with apprehensive eyes. She rolled her eyes, and shrugged.

"Look, it's just a stupid lab. I don't really care." Kim snapped, trying not to make any eye contact with him whatsoever. The fact that this kid seemed so 'innocent' and 'helpless' aggravated Kim at the moment. He's not perfect. He's not a hunk, or Mr. Nice. She knows he has some evil side.

As far as Kim was concerned, everyone had an evil side in her life.

"Well, you should probably leave the dissecting stuff to me," Jack said, grabbing the scissors. "Don't want you breaking a nail or anything—"

Now Kim was fuming.

Jack reached his hand towards the frog with the scissors.

When she stopped him, with a karate chop to the wrist.

Jack's eyes dilated in shock, and he stared at Kim, who looked so infuriated, she was ready to hurt the boy. He dropped the scissors onto the tray and she snatched the scissors with the other hand, glaring at him.

"You do not want to know what I'm capable of." She said icily. "I don't need you telling me what I can or can't do. You guys just stereotype girls as these weak little…gazelles. Well guess what? This gazelle's got claws. Now leave the dissecting to me." And with a cold scowl, she vigorously started cutting the frog's skin open, leaving a conflicted Jack who was at a loss for words.

"Wait…that was a perfect self-defense technique." Jack said. Kim paid no attention, and continued burying the scissors into the frog's skin.

"You take martial arts lessons, don't you?"

Kim stopped her cutting, and stared at Jack, her angry eyes slightly softening. He was the first person to recognize that she'd taken martial arts…was she making that obvious? "I wouldn't exactly call it lessons but…wait, how did you know, Mr. Detective?"

"Because I take martial arts too. Well, I used to. I'm a black belt." He said, slightly smiling.

"Congratulations." Kim snapped, tearing o pen the skin of the frog to examine the organs and intestines. The fact that she actually had something in common with this jerk was too overwhelming for her. "Why don't you make yourself useful, and hand me that probe?"

"First you tell me that you want to do the dissecting, and now you're scolding me for not doing anything?" Jack said, slightly annoyed as he handed her the probe. "Seriously, why do you hate me so much?"

"Maybe if you didn't judge me just like everybody else, I wouldn't hate you as much." She growled.

"Okay, look I'm sorry I said that. I just thought you didn't like dissecting…I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything. And I'm sorry for bumping into you earlier. I really am sorry. Can we just start over?"

Kim let out a big sigh, and tried looking into his eyes. Even with the goggles, she could see the remorse soaking in his eyes, begging for forgiveness. The innocence really annoyed her, but being a person who constantly picked on and insulted by others, she didn't want to say no to him.

She wasn't a bully.

Rolling her eyes playfully, she handed him the forceps with a small smile.

"Here. I'm Kim, by the way."

He did say start over, didn't he?

Grinning, Jack took the forceps, and started taking out the frog's intestines. "I'm Jack. Nice to meet you."

And he held out a slimy, gloved hand for her to shake. Kim stared at him.

"Um, how about I shake your hand when there aren't frog guts on your gloves."

Chuckling, Jack took his hand and returned to cutting out the organs to finish the dissection. While Kim still wasn't too comfortable with this boy and his attitude, she gave it another try to try and adjust to it. Even though they'll be nothing but acquaintances. But something that Kim herself knew very well was that she's never good at the 'adjusting' part. Especially to guy she's still not so confident with.

Only God knows how well their relationship will go.

"Jack!"

Jack and Kim's heads jerked up, coming face-to-face with a girl who had coffee-brown hair tied into a tight bun, while wearing a custom made pink lab coat rather than the mediocre white lab coats that everyone wore. In her hand was a beaker containing the sample of the demorphin or "frog juice" we were supposed to collect. A seductive grin played on her glossy lips, and she stepped closer towards Jack with her high heels clanking behind her.

"What's up, Donna?" Jack said a little half-heartedly.

"You two know eachother?" Kim said her eyes amplified in shock as she frowned at Donna. Just when she thought she could actually get to know the boy, he starts falling in love with the world's biggest clown, who's known for her so-called 'legs'.

Donna Tobin.

"Yes. Yes, we do. Got a problem with that, dear?" Donna snapped, sneering at her. Clenching her jaw, Kim returned to putrid frog, vigorously pulling out more frog intestines in frustration. How she wanted to beat the hell out of that girl so badly…

"So, what is it? Got a project going on here," Jack said a little impatiently. Donna giggled.

"Well, the Halloween Bash is tonight and I was wondering if you needed someone to go with." Donna said, putting a hand on Jack's shoulder. Jack took a deep breath, and gave Donna a half-hearted smile, slowly taking her hand away from his shoulder. Kim rolled her eyes.

"I don't know if I'm going." Jack said. "But if I do end up going, I'll just see you there."

She giggled. "I'll take that as a yes. Well, you have my number so just text me then." She smiled, her eyes flickering on Kim every now and then. Was she trying to make her jealous?

"Yeah. Sure." Jack said unwillingly. And with a feeble wave, he stood from his seat.

"Hey Kim, I'll be right back…I just need to go to the bathroom. Try not to do too much without me?"

Kim sighed reluctantly. "Fine. But hurry up. Class is over in ten minutes." And with a nod, Jack rushed out the door, leaving Donna and Kim alone. Donna made her way towards Kim and whispered something in her ear.

"Stay away `from him, Cinder-smella. Or else." Donna hissed in Kim's ear. Kim clenched her teeth and glared at her.

"Or else what?"

For a second, Donna didn't do anything. All she did was merrily smile at Kim, with a hint of malevolence peaking at the corner of her lips. She backed away from Kim, and stared at her. At first Kim grew skeptical about Donna's awkward silence.

But then it all became clear.

When Donna hurled the demorphin in Kim's face.

"Oh look! She wanted the frog juice all for herself!" Donna yelled so the whole class would hear. She could hear snickers burst from everyone in the entire class, with their eyes fixed on her. Kim cringed in disgust at the smell of the demorphin that was stinging her face. Her cheeks started burning, as she was struggling not cry. Mr. Daniels rushed over to her and handed me a towel with a baffled look.

"What's going here?" Mr. Daniels roared. Grace rushed into the scene, giving Donna a penetrating glare.

"Kim tripped me, so I accidently dropped the frog juice. Sorry Mr. Daniels." Donna pouted. Mr. Daniels stared at Kim in disbelief.

"Is that true, Ms. Crawford? Did you trip Donna?"

"No she didn't!" Grace yelled defensively. "She spilled it on her!"

"Alright, alright enough is enough!" Mr. Daniels bellowed with frustration. "Last period is almost over, so we'll discuss this on Monday. Now Kim, just for your safety I'll write you a pass to the nurse so you can get yourself checked—demorphin is not something you'd want to have on your skin. So just pack up your things and head over there. As for the rest of you—start cleaning up!" And with an annoyed sigh, he returned back to his desk, and the normal chatter erupted again in the classroom. With a sneer, Donna pranced off to her table, high-fiving Claire and Kelsey. Not even making eye contact with anybody, Kim immediately stood up from her seat, and dashed out the door, avoiding all the laughter and comments. While Grace was repeatedly calling her name, she didn't bother to turn back.

Kim was used to Donna humiliating her.

Yet, she couldn't help but shed a tear or two.

4:58…4:59…

"Alright, you wretched children. Now get out before I keep you in here for another hour of detention."

Jack swooped his books into his hand, and scurried out the door, along with the other boys behind him who were oh-so desperate to get out of that classroom. While walking out of the vacant school building, he jammed his books into his book bag, and lifted his hood above his head, so his hair wouldn't get drenched from the rain that was pouring outside. He breathed out a sigh of relief to finally be out of that tiny classroom he stayed in for the past two hours doing absolutely nothing.

This is what he gets for standing up for friends.

As soon as he stepped outside of the school building, he could hear the loud splashes of rain slapping the pavement brutally. Adjusting his hood, Jack's eyes scanned the parking lot, searching for a grey BMW, and as soon as he found it, he rushed to his mother's car and slammed the door shut.

"Hi mom." He panted. Jack's mother didn't say anything as she started the engine once more, and drove out of the Seaford High campus. She kept a stern face on, as her hands tightly gripped the steering wheel in frustration. Jack could sense the anger from his mother, which caused a guilty feeling to stir inside of his stomach. Ever since yesterday, his mom's been giving him the "silent treatment" which Jack always despised, especially when it came from his mother…who was the only "family" he had left.

"Mom, how many times do I have I'm sorry?" Jack said impatiently, staring at her mother with forgiveness drenched in his eyes. Jack could see his mom's enflamed eyes focused on the road, not even returning any sort of eye contact. The car fell silent, with nothing but the squeaking noise of the windshield wipers echoing throughout the car, as it slid back and forth. Fed up, Jack slumped further into the leather car seat, staring at the window, more specifically on the droplets of water racing down the glass.

"You remind me so much of your father."

Jack tore away from the window and stared at his mom again, his jaw clenching in frustration. His mom's face had suddenly gone pale, with tears forming in her eyes. Still not making eye contact with Jack, she tried focusing on the road…well, at least she attempted until she nearly bumped into another car with a spontaneous red light.

"It's just detention, mom. It's no big deal." He growled. "You don't need to bring him up in every single conversation we have."

"Jack you don't understand—"

"He's gone, mom!" Jack screamed. "Will you just forget about him? He chose to go out of our lives! Now, I may seem like a troubled, messed-up kid, but I am nothing like that bastard you married."

"Jack Anderson, don't you use that language with me!" She yelled. "One day into school, and you already got yourself a week of detention! You know that I barely have enough work hours as it is, and now I have to pick you up every day!"

"It's just a week!" He argued.

"That's not the point!" She countered, finally making eye contact with him, her green eyes wide in anger. "You just never learn, do you? I thought you were done with fist fights after what happened in your previous school! But you just can't keep your hands to yourself! I made a big mistake enrolling you in martial arts when you were little."

"And guess what?" He screamed. "You didn't enroll me! Dad did!"

She took a deep breath, and clenched her teeth, obviously trying to control herself. Jack stared at her in rage, waiting for her next argument. But he knew very well the conversation would end here.

Just like it always did.

"I'm done talking about this. What you did was wrong, and if you can't accept it, then just do whatever you want. Get expelled. Get arrested. Follow your father's footsteps. See what I care."

"Mom!" Jack yelled, her words piercing him like knives.

"I said I'm done, Jack." She stared at him sternly. "I'm just done."

And the signal finally changed to green.

She could still smell the demorphin that was lingering on her face no matter how many times she washed it, as she trudged into the White's Mansion, throwing her bag to the side in exasperation. According to the nurse, thankfully the frog juice wouldn't affect her skin, as long as she rinsed it with cold water every twenty minutes. She collapsed on the couch in exhaustion, thankful that Kelsey and Claire haven't come home from school yet.

All Kim wanted was one day.

One day without being insulted, or humiliated by them.

But it looks like they're going to embarrass her even on Graduation day.

The only thing Kim was looking forward to today was getting out of this place, and having fun at the dance with Grace, dressed in the same costume she's been wearing for the past couple of years. A witch.

"Kim! Where are you?"

She muttered curses under breath as she heard her stepfather calling her. Sighing in frustration, she rose from the couch and hurried over to the living room, seeing her Uncle Ty admiring himself in the mirror. He turned around and faced Kim with a scowl on his face.

"Ah—what took you so long?" Ty scolded. He sniffed the air, and flinched in revolt.

"What is that horrible smell?" Ty said, staring at me. He walked closer to her and inhaled once more. She stared at him with fearful eyes.

"Ugh, it's you1" He said in disgust. "What did you do? Do you always smell like this?"

Kim shook her head vigorously. "No actually—"

"And what is that around your neck?" Ty demanded staring at Kim's necklace. Before Kim could say anything, Ty tanked it out of her neck, causing her to wince in pain. The necklace was diamond encrusted with the name "Haley" craved on the pendant.

"Did you steal this? Who's Haley?" Ty roared. With the flaming look in his eyes, it looked like he was about to slap her. Avoiding any sort of physical attack, Kim snatched the necklace from his hand. She quickly reattached it around her neck, clutching the pendant in her hand, so he wouldn't yank it off and break it.

"Haley's my mom." Kim said softly. "She gave this to me before she passed away. I never took it off all these years."

"Aw, what a cute sob story," Ty said sarcastically with a sneer. "Now, I don't have much more time to talk. Today's my away tournament with the boys at San Diego. I'll be back at around midnight, so in the meantime I have a list of chores I need you to complete." He shoved a piece of folded paper into her hand. With a baffled look, she started unfolding the piece of paper.

By the time she finished unfolding, the list reached to the floor.

With wide eyes, Kim skimmed through the paper, looking at Ty like he was absolutely insane…which is true, actually.

"Vacuum the driveway? Polish the tiles? Clean the girl's bedrooms?" Kim yelled. "This is going to take all day!"

"Then I suggest you get started right away." Ty said. "By midnight, I want this entire house to be…pristine. Otherwise you get grounded for another week…understood?"

"But…the dance is tonight." She said softly. Ty raised his eyebrows.

"Well that's just too bad. We're having a special guest to come this weekend for lunch and I need this house to look its best."

"But can't I—"

"Understood?"

Kim stared at Ty, with a tsunami forming in his sea-blue eyes. Kim's heart sank in dismay, her eyes filled with hurt. She was about to say something, but it looked like if she did, Ty was going to smack her until she started bleeding. But she wanted to say no. She wanted to say she didn't need him. She wanted to tell him that he was torturing her. She wanted to stand up for herself, for once.

Instead, all Kim Crawford said was one word.

"Understood."

A/N- Okay, so definitely not my best work, but I hope you all enjoyed it. I'm sure you have a bunch of questions in your head, and you probably know how this story turns out. But, be prepared for the twists! So Jack and Kim have switched from enemies to acquaintances, and I did that for a reason. You'll find out in Chapter 3 which I already have partially written. Did Jerry with the bet? Will Kim get to go to the Halloween Bash? Will Jack and Donna go together? All these questions—we'll see what happens!

Review please! Thank you guys so much! Hope you enjoyed it!

~Taylor