AN: Sorry for the long wait between a new chapter guys, had some stuff going on. I hope you enjoy this one though and don't forget to review telling me what you'd like to see more of.
I'm also gonna apologise for any typos you mgiht see in this, I really don't proof read my things before posting as I get distracted easily :/.

Also, I'm just gonna shove the disclaimer bit here as I forgot to last time. *slaps wrist*

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing XD


Alice had mercilessly made fun of Shane when Biology was let out, especially when they met their friends for lunch. Throughout the entire journey to McDonald's Alice had told all of their friends about Carmen and Shane's reaction to seeing her, this was the first and hopefully last time that Shane would ever get compared to a 14 year old boy.

It got so bad that half way through their tasty fast food binge Shane asked Bette if she could take Alice back to class, not wanting to have to listen to her best friend tease her any longer.
Bette kindly agreed, only after making a deal that she got to hear all about Carmen first hand from Shane later that night.

When they arrived back at school Shane bolted it from her car and went straight to her English class. Despite not enjoying academia in general, Shane loved English. It wasn't a subject where the answer was right or wrong, it was entirely opinion in a way, plus it was a subject that she was actually passing.

Even with the trip out for lunch Shane was early to the classroom. Rather than just standing awkwardly outside and shuffling her feet, she decided to enter the class and take a seat close to the back. Once she was situated comfortably she grabbed a book out of her bag and picked up from where she left off.

After what only seemed like a few seconds she heard a voice say something to her.

"….here?". The voice was soft yet raspy at the same time, Shane swore blind she recognised it.

And sure enough when she looked up she saw the face of Carmen.

"Wha?" oh Shane was so smooth, she cleared her throat and tried again. "Sorry, what did you say? I was a bit too engrossed in my book." She sent a mock glare at said book and then made eye contact with the Latina in front of her.

"I was just wondering if I could sit here?" she pointed towards the seat next to Shane and made a little head nod, just so she was clear.

"Oh. Right, sure, no one ever usually sits there and it isn't like we have a seating plan in this class. Go right ahead." Shane smiled at the girl and removed her bag from the seat. She also took her legs off the table in front of her and sat up straight, obviously nervous.

"I'm Carmen." The girl shoved her hand out in an attempt to introduce herself properly. She also sat down next to Shane and glanced at the book the older girl had been reading.
"Ohhh The Perks of Being a Wallflower. That's an interesting book".

"I'm Shane" she offered one of her signature smiles, then glanced at the book she was holding. "Yeah, it's one of my favourites, next to the Harry Potter books of course". She winced slightly, already she had lost any cool points she had built up in the mere seconds of meeting the brunette beauty.

However, she was surprised when she heard a giggle from right next to her.
"Yeah, those are pretty awesome books. Plus they got the casting for the film just right. I mean, who would have thought Hermione would have become such a hotty?".

Shane couldn't believe what she heard. Firstly, that Carmen actually liked the books and secondly a hint towards the girl actually being…well interested in the same sex. It was like all her Christmas's had come at once.

She was about to reply when the teacher and other students filed in. Stupid classes interrupting her Carmen time.

Once class had started Shane had zoned out though, surprising since she was usually on the edge of her seat taking notes about everything the teacher said. The reason for her zoning out was the girl sitting next her, taking notes just like she should have been.

The only thing that made Shane zone in again was the teacher discussing a presentation, due in week 4.
"Your partners for this presentation can be found right next to you. Usually I would let you chose your own partners, but after what happened last time I am pairing you up". She sent a sharp look at Shane after making this point.

Last time a presentation had to be done Shane and Alice paired up, this wouldn't have been so bad except for the fact they got high just minutes before they were due to give it. Being high and giving a presentation on Tipping the Velvet was not a good idea. If it wasn't for Shane's brilliant mind then they would not have passed that assignment at all, something that Alice was constantly reminded of.

It was no wonder that they were moved into separate English classes after that incident.

"The presentation can be on whatever you and your partner want, just keep it clean." Yet another look was sent Shane's way.
Shane locked her eyes with the teacher however and refused to back down, starting a staring contest right in the middle of class.
Although the teacher participated in this she also carried on with her speech.

The only think that broke Shane out of this encounter was a piece of paper that had been pushed towards her. She sent a pointed glare at the teacher and then looked down and the crumpled sheet in front of her.

'She really doesn't like you, does she? – C '

Shane smirked to herself and then sent a fleeting look towards the other girl.

'It's a love hate relationship. Especially since me and Alice got high when we did our last presentation. – S'

She pushed the paper back to the other girl, in a ninja like manner really, and then waited for her reply, she instantly heard a snigger though.

Just as Carmen began replying the bell went and the teacher shouted some information to the pupils that were running out of the class.

Shane was about to talk to her new partner, try to find some more information about her, however the girl was gone without even looking at Shane.

Feeling a bit disheartened the short haired girl just packed her things away and got ready to leave. It was then that she saw the paper left on the table. It confused her first but when she unfolded it she saw Carmen's name along with numbers.

Shane had managed to get the girl's number without even asking for it, this made her undeniably happy. It also meant that Carmen was at least interested in her, particularly since underneath the phone number there was a message:

'Call or text me some time. It would be good to have some one on one time together, plus I need someone to catch me up with English and I hear you are the best at it. ;) x x x'


Shane couldn't wipe the grin off her face, no matter how hard she tried. It didn't go unnoticed by her friends either, yet they didn't say anything knowing that Alice had already used up all of the older girl's patience that day.

When she got home she immediately text Carmen, nothing too formal yet not too laid back either. She then put her phone away and started on cooking dinner for her younger brother, he was coming over for a visit tonight and she wanted him to enjoy himself.

At 6.00pm on the dot Shane heard the front door open and the loud steps of Shay in the hallway, that boy would never grow up to be a burglar, that's for sure.

"I'm in the kitchen. I got some awesome movies for us tonight too, you best be ready to piss your pants little man, tonight is all about the horror".

"Pftt as if, you just want me here so you'll be less scared". He was a cocky bastard some times.

After their delightful meal in which they has a 'who is the best walrus' competition they settled down to watch a few movies, completed with lots of junk food.

When 11pm rolled around Shay was fast asleep, so Shane carried him up to his room and tucked him in. Making sure he had the dinosaur night light plugged in, just because he was a huge baby after scary films.

She then went down stairs and began tidying a little. Only then did she remember to check her phone for a reply from Carmen. It didn't say much but it was a start.

Thinking that the girl was most probably asleep by now Shane just decided to reply in the morning, at a more reasonable hour. Instead she grabbed her phone and called Bette, deciding that she would have to talk to her at some point.

Once she had finished up talking to Bette she washed the dishes and set them aside to dry. Thinking that the house finally looked presentable again Shane decided to try and do some homework, despite it being one in the morning.

Some people may find Shane's living arrangements weird but she loved having it like this, she was independent from the age of six and by the time her 15th birthday rolled around she had gotten emancipated from her dead beat parents. Now all she had to worry about was her and Shay, though he had an actual family that cared for him….well an actual dad that did. Their mother was in Vegas the last Shane heard.

She had a house, a car and she was happy, it was almost like she was living the American dream already and she was only in her mid-teens. She could do anything she wanted now and she was happy about that.

After an hour of hard work Shane passed out at her desk. The insomnia was really catching up with her and she just couldn't help it, she was lucky in the fact that Shay would wake her in time for school tomorrow and if he slept through then she knew that she could rely on Alice coming and waking them both up.

After all it was her turn to drive.