DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING, ESPECIALLY HUSH HUSH CHARACTERS, THEY'RE THE PROPERTY OF BECCA FITZPATRICK

THIS CHAPTER: IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, TAG ALONG WITH NORA AND HER FRIENDS AS THEY MEET THE 'NEW' STUDENT AND ANOTHER HUSH HUSH CHARACTER YOU'LL RECOGNIZE ;)

CHAPTER 2

"THE NEW STUDENT"

The things that you least expect to have an impact on your life are always the things that come back to haunt you in the end. For example, I never thought that Patch would come back into my life and push his way into my personal boundary zone.

It would have been nice for someone to have given me a clear warning at least, but that didn't happen either; I was hit with the full force of tropical storm. Patch walked back into my life sooner than I would have liked and I had no control over it. I still have my theory that it was all a setup, but in all honesty, it was actually a pure coincidence. But my 'setup theory' still makes more sense; coincidence my ass!

(rolling my eyes)

Yeah, yeah, I know: everything happens for a reason. Well, that belief did prove to be correct in the end, but we're no where near that yet; it's only the beginning. So anyway, I woke up the next morning with the first day of school being the only thing on my mind; Patch didn't become a part of my thoughts until later that morning...

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

What on earth was I thinking when I bought that damned thing?! Alarm clock is code name for torture device... no, really...

I sleepily reached out in the dark for the dumb thing and blindly began pushing random buttons to try to shut the cursed object up. But because of my extraordinary luck, the beeping only became louder.

I let out a groan and chucked it at the wall, waiting for the satisfying CRUNCH as it collided with the it, except it never came. I had forgotten one teensy weensy detail... it was still plugged into the wall. So, what happened was: it stretched out, bounced back, and hit me squarely in the head.

(NOTE TO READERS: This really does happen...trust me. It's not fun LOL)

The good news is it did shut the damn thing up. The bad news was that I was going to have a bad headache until the end of the century. I clutched my aching head as I pulled off my covers and swung my feet over the side of the bed. Well, so much for sleeping today. So I did my daily morning routine; I took a shower, got dressed in my assigned uniform (yes, we have one), grabbed a bite to eat, brushed my teeth, and began to search for my car keys.

I finally found them on the coffee table across from my drunken father who lay passed out on the couch. There were empty beer bottles everywhere, including one gripped tightly in his hand still. I shook my head in shame as I began to gather the empty bottles one by one. If it weren't for me keeping the house straight, this place would be a disaster fit for demolition.

I shouldn't have to deal with an alcoholic father; I deserved better. Each and every time that I had to clean up after his mistakes, it served as a reminder as to why I push myself so hard. No teen should have to deal with this... I sighed as I looked down at the last beer bottle wedged in his grip. I slowly slipped the bottle from his fingers, careful not to wake him, and threw all the beer bottles in the garbage can.

With the car keys gripped tightly in my hand, I headed out of the front door making sure to slam it behind me. I was glad to be out of there and, one day, I would be out of there for good. I hopped in my vehicle, shoved the keys in the ignition, and took off. With all the background information that I've told you already, you probably know that I don't have the nicest car.

It's one of those 'family cars' that my aunt Dorothea passed down to me; so basically, it's a complete and total pile of crap. But I really don't care; it's not like I have anyone to impress. When I graduate, I'm going to get a better car with all of my saved up money, but until then, I would just have to take what was given. At this point, I was willing to take anything I could get.

I pulled up in the school's parking lot and made my way through the front doors with my book bag slung over my shoulder. Blissfully unaware that I was about to get the biggest surprise of my life.

~P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N*P&N~

I swung my locker open to get my required books as I told Vee and Bella about last night. They were listening over my shoulder intensely to every word that I said.

"...first, he spilled his drink down my shirt and he got me kicked out of the movies. Then, he practically stalked me until I agreed to let him drive me home!" I finished, still a little angry about the previous night.

"Uh! What a jerk!" Vee said, finishing off another bag of Twizzlers.

"You're the one to blame! If it weren't for your stupid Twizzlers addiction, none of that would have ever happened!" I accused, teasingly.

Vee pretended to gasp as if I had hurt her ego and she placed a hand on her bag of Twizzlers.

"Don't say that! You'll hurt their feelings!" she said, tenderly caressing the bag of candy.

I rolled my eyes and closed my locker before I began to wind up the lock.

"I have the weirdest friend in the world," I said with a laugh.

"Yeah, but you still love me. Babe," she said, shoving another Twizzlers in her mouth and giving me a chipmunk cheek smile.

"Sadly, yes," I replied, hitting myself in the head, jokingly.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" she asked demandingly.

I just laughed as she chased after me all the way to the classroom. When we reached home room, we all took our seats in the back of the classroom. I wasn't looking forward to a whole year of school; just because I was good at it didn't necessarily mean that I liked it. I was just in it for the reward-a high school diploma and hopefully a college scholarship to get the hell out of this God forsaken town away from Hank, my "father".

"Hey, we have a new student this year," Vee informed me.

"So what? We have a new student every year. What's so great about this one?" I asked, groaning as I laid my head down on my desk dreading the monotony of the first day back, and still sporting my earlier headache.

"I heard that he's freaking hottt," Vee said with a smile, making me roll my eyes.

Vee was completely boy-crazy and if you only knew her, then you would know that 'boys' is the only word that comes out of her mouth. (yes, that was just an expression)

"No, Vee, you may not seduce him," I said with a laugh, snapping her out of her fantasy.

"Now, what makes you think that I would do something like that?" she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes at me.

"Well, for one thing, you were drooling," I joked.

Vee rolled her eyes, but couldn't hold back a smile. In the next moment, we had all lost the ability to hear as the first bell rang loudly, busting our ear drums. Well, if I wasn't awake a minute ago, I sure as hell am now! The loud clicking of heels could be heard echoing down the halls, and I didn't even need to look up to know that the Principal had just entered our room.

"It's good to be back in school, everyone," she said cheerfully, making me sigh in frustration. I mean, really? What's so great about it, aside from one day closer to getting the hell out of dodge. "I'd like to introduce our new student, this is Patch Cipriano."

There was an excited murmur among all the girls. The guys didn't seem to like the new student because, apparently, he already had all the ladies' attention.

"Oh. My. God, Nora, it's him!" Vee squealed.

Wait... did they just say that his name was PATCH CIPRIANO?!

I picked my head up so fast that I almost got whip-lash and forgot to breathe. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I found myself staring at the same smirking idiot from the night before.

"No. Effing. Way!" I said in disbelief.

What was going on?!

"What is it?" Bella asked.

"That's him!" I said, pointing an angry finger at him.

"Yeah, Nora, we know," Bella said.

I had never told them that the 'jerk' from the movies was the same guy that had checked me out. So apparently, we were talking about two different things. They were talking about Mr. HOTTIE from the snack stand and I was talking about Mr. Asshole from my own personal hell.

"No, you guys don't get it! That's him!" I said, desperately trying to make them understand.

"Nora, we know, we were there," she repeated slowly as if I was mentally challenged.

"No! He-" I started, but was cut off by another voice.

"Nora Grey, can I see you in the hall, please?" the principal asked.

In translation, that means 'get your ass over here now, no objections or dallying'. I groaned heavily muttering under my breath as I picked myself up from the desk and followed the principal outside into the hall. I tried to control myself when I saw Patch already standing there, waiting for us.

I have a feeling that this is not going to be good...

As soon as I saw him, he locked eyes with me, and I had to force myself to look away.

"Ms. Grey, Mr. Cipriano is new here and needs a guide to show him around the school, as I'm sure you know. I would greatly appreciate it if you would do him the honors," she said. (that's code for 'you're going to do him the honor'.

"Huh?" I said, dumbfounded and Patch smirked 'innocently' from beside me.

Yeah, he must feel real proud of himself, look at the smug face. Grrr

"I've assigned you as his official guide and I've already put him in all of your classes. So if he ever needs you, you'll be there for him," she said sweetly.

I whimpered softly, which Patch of course heard and snickered.

"But I-I don't have time for that. Can't another student-" I began, but was rudely cut off.

"I understand that you're our best student. You will be perfect for this assignment!" she said with firm conviction.

"But I-I-" I started.

"This would go on your papers towards building your scholarship," she concluded.

At this, I began to think and my words came out in stutters. Which was worse: being attached at the hip with an asshole or losing your life long dream? Was the scholarship even worth this kind of misery? Remembering the events of this morning with Hank, I immediately knew my answer.

"Fine..." I mumbled, reluctantly giving in.

"Great," she said with a bright smile as if I had a choice in the matter, "Now, off to class you go!"

With that she turned around and her clicking heels could be heard until she rounded the corner. When she was long out of sight, I turned around, ready to explode in Patch's face.

"YOU!" I roared angrily, pointing an accusing finger at him. "What are you doing here?!"

"The same thing that you are," he said all innocent-like. "Getting an education...?"

"No! I mean, what are you doing here at this school?! Why did you have to transfer here?!" I whined.

"What? Are you not happy to see me?" he asked, looking down at my name tag. "Angel," he mocked.

"Hang on, did you just call me Angel?" My name tag clearly read 'NORA'.

"If I did?"

"I don't like it." I snapped and narrowed my eyes.

He grinned. "It stays. Angel."

I growled furiously, ripping my name tag off and throwing it in the garbage can as I walked back into the classroom. I never saw the point in name tags anyways! I stormed back to my desk, fuming, leaving Patch by himself.

"Is something the matter?" Bella asked.

"Yes! Everything's the matter! He's actually here!" I snapped.

"Yes, for the millionth time, we know!" Bella said, rolling her eyes.

"No! You don't know! He's the jerk from the movies!" I finally got around to pointing out my problem.

There was a moment of silence as Vee and Bella exchanged confused expressions.

"I thought that he was the hottie from the snack stand..." Vee said with a raised eyebrow.

I smacked myself in the forehead and shook my head. God, they were slow.

"They're the same guy!" I said, swishing my hands dramatically.

Their jaws dropped open as they put the puzzle pieces together. Thank God that had shut them up, because at that very moment, Patch came over and took the vacant seat right beside me. I could feel his eyes burning into me and I had to force myself not to look at him. Vee and Bella kept looking back and forth between us in disbelief and I could almost feel the awkward tension building.

Why me? Why?!

Vee and Bella huddled closer and lowered their voices to whispers so that he couldn't hear our conversation.

"He's drop dead gorgeous!" Vee exclaimed.

What?!

"Umm... hello! Did you guys miss the part where he's a total jerk?!" I said.

"Oh, come on. I'm sure that whatever happened at the movies was just an accident. Give him a chance!" Vee said with a wink.

I just could not believe what I was hearing! They were taking his side! I thought that friends were supposed to have each others backs! Whatever happened to our conversation moments ago?! Back at our lockers, when they were nodding their heads and agreeing with every word that I said!

"You guys can't be serious..." I muttered, still in disbelief.

"Well, you do think that he's cute, right?" Bella asked.

"Well, yeah... but that's sooo not the point!" I said, trying to cover up the fact that I had just slipped up majorly.

Ha! Him, cute? Please, excuse me while I go throw up.

"Hey! My friend here thinks that you're really cute!" Vee stated out loud to Patch while pointing down at me, laughing.

God, please tell me that she did not just say that...

I think that I just felt my brain shut down. I have never felt so humiliated in all of my life! (except maybe at the theater)

"Oh, does she?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah, she-" Vee started, but I cut her off as I grabbed her and pulled her down.

"What are you doing?!" I hissed.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm hooking you guys up," she explained nonchalantly.

"I don't want to hook up with him! I HATE him!" I said matter-of-factually.

"Oh, please. You don't even know him yet, Babe!" she pointed out.

"And I don't want to know him!" I retorted.

Just then, the bell rang for next period and students started to pack up and rush off to other classes. I didn't have to get up because I remained in the same classroom... I guess that meant that Patch did too. Groan.

And what made it even worse was the fact that now I was completely alone in this class; Vee and Bella had calculus together in a separate room so they had to leave me with Patch.

"Well, we'll just leave you two lovebirds to get to know each other," Vee said, giving us a wink.

Oh how I wanted to strangle her at that moment. There was no bond strong enough for this kind of traitorous behavior. I watched as they left the room, then I turned back to Patch to clear things up so that he didn't get the wrong idea.

"Umm... don't listen to a single word that they say. They're insane, really, they integrate for a few classes from the special kids program and ride the short bus, basically they're insane." I explained in a sickeningly sweet voice filled with fake kindness.

After that, I quickly turned away; glad to have gotten that settled and off my back. Patch laughed from next to me, but said nothing. Hallelujah!

"Hello, Class! Welcome to World History!" a tall distinguished-looking guy with gray hair, an intelligent but slightly nerdy look greeted us. He wrote his name on the board Mr. Blakely. "Over the next few weeks, we will be covering the history of Europe..."

After that, I zoned out as he went over the class procedures and stuff. I've heard the 'beginning of the year speech' every year since kindergarten and the information was now useless to me. For the first half hour, I was completely bored... that is, until the guy in front of me turned around to talk to me.

"Hey, when do we get out of here?" he asked.

"Ten forty," I answered without even having to look at my schedule.

The boy glanced over at the clock and groaned.

"Damn. We still have a whole hour left," he whined. "I think that the clock on the wall is slow."

"Tell me about it. It goes slower when you watch it," I said, making him laugh.

Usually, I like to avoid boys, but this guy was so easy to talk to that I actually didn't mind.

"I'm Scott," he said with a perfect smile. 'Scott' was tall and well-built with a silver hoop through his right earlobe. His bedraggled Levi's looked like they hung dangerously low and he wore a tight fitted T-shirt. His hair was sun-streaked brown and hugged his head like a cap, his eyes were hazel, he had a dimple in his cheek and full, sensuous mouth with sculpted, symmetrical features. He looked every bit the part of a guy who might play bass in a rock band, but he still had a sort of boyish charm I instantly liked.

"Nora," I said with a small nod, returning the smile.

I heard a 'Psh!' from beside me, but I ignored it as I kept my focus on Scott.

"We should hang out some time," he said with a grin.

"Yeah, sure," I said with a flirtatious smile, causing Patch's desk to shift from next to me.

Scott gave me one last sexy smirk before turning around to face the front. Wait a minute... did I just say that?! Was I... was I actually flirting with him?!

What is up with me?!

"Yeah, I see how it is..." Patch said at my side.

"What are you talking about?!" I hissed, turning to face him.

"You tell him your name, but you leave me to figure it out for myself, Angel. Smooth," Patch said. "And are you actually going to hang around him?"

"So what if I am?" I challenged.

"Fine. Do what you want," he said, folding his arms and slouching down in his desk.

"Fine," I repeated, turning around and giving the teacher my attention for once.

I was actually feeling proud of myself all of a sudden. I had made him angry and I was satisfied. Score one for me, YAY! For most of the class period, I talked to Scott and Patch said nothing as he watched us.

Yeah, that makes you angry, doesn't it, Patch? (*smiles devilishly*)

Patch, however, did eventually talk to me because he was irritated that Scott was getting all the attention.

"Hey, do you have a pen that I can borrow?" he asked, tapping me on the shoulder.

He doesn't need a pen; he just wants a reason to talk to me.

"Yes," I replied sweetly.

"Well, can I have it?" he asked with a roll of his eyes.

"No," I answered smugly.

"And why not?"

"Because I don't like you."

"Aww you're not still mad about last night, are you?" he teased slyly.

"I really don't care about what happened last night!" I snapped.

Liar. That's what started this whole feud.

"Well, then give me the pen," he demanded.

"No!" I refused.

The next thing that I knew, his hand shot out and grabbed the pen in my hand. Oh, no you don't! I held on to the pen as if it were my very life and we began to play tug-of-war over it.

"Let go!" I cried.

"No!" he said stubbornly.

He slid his hand further on the pen to get a better grip on it and I gasped as I felt his skin brush against mine. Patch noticed this immediately and smirked evilly at me. His hand crept closer and closer until he was holding my hand in his. I instantly pulled back like I'd been burned, gladly handing over the pen to him.

"Fine! Take it! In fact, you can keep it!" I said.

"Thanks, Angel. I knew that you would warm up to me," he said with a wink.

Ughh! This was going to be a very long day! As if I didn't already have a headache!

Okay, so there it is, chapter number 2. It's different but I hope that you guys at least give it a try. Just because there aren't my normal 'steamy' lemons doesn't mean there won't be romance :) Will it be with Patch or Scott though...(I'm not telling!) Next chapter is called 'The Art of Stalking'.

review, review, review...plzzzzzz :D