Chapter 3 - New School

For the next three days all he could think about her, her blonde hair, her blue eyes, her soft voice saying his name...God damnit. He was losing his shit. Over a girl he didn't even know. Over a girl who was his brother's FIANCE. But there was just something about her, more than just her beauty, which was intoxicating enough. There was depth there, he could see it in those blue eyes. Francis only saw what he wanted to see, which was a hard to handle girl. Hell if I was being forced into getting married I would be a little more than hard to handle, he thought to himself as he remember the fire in her angry eyes. The way she talked about basketball was a whole other story, her face just lit up and the enthusiasm was actually cute. If Francis would have looked up at her face he would have seen it too, but somewhere inside Bash was happy he didn't.

Looking at the clock that read "7:00AM" he sighed and finally pushed himself out of bed. First day of school. Joyous. The only thing that he actually looked forward to was practice after school. His father had pulled some strings and managed to get him a secure spot on the team. Not that he needed much help, the tapes from last season and his state medal were already rather convincing. Now all he had to do was beat out the guy in his weight class and he could start looking forward to the season.

He slipped into his jeans and threw on a wrestling shirt from his old school. He grabbed the keys on his desk that belonged to the red Dodge Ram out front, it was about ten years old and got horrible gas milage, but never the less a truck he felt comfortable with his father buying him. Catherine had been furious about his father's gift until she realized this meant less roaming around the house with nothing to do. Causing Catherine to fly into fits of rage was becoming quite entertaining, especially since his father would just brush her off.

As soon as he reach the school parking lot he almost wished he hadn't come. The rich kid cars were just lined up; Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, even a couple Lamborghinis... They filled the parking lot. He managed to find an open spot further away from the expensive cars, god forbid some one try to blame him for a scratch or dent on a car.

The secretary in the office gave him his schedule and pointed him towards his locker. He had about ten minutes before class started. He was at his locker when he felt a hand grab his shoulder. He turned to see his brother and what seemed to be a couple friends.

"Looks like you're finding everything ok, I wanted to introduce you to my friends," Francis pointed to each one of them as he introduced them.

Bash didn't bother remembering their names, they came off as a little cocky, something about sophomore guys that he didn't particularly care for. Bash noticed that Francis' eyes had caught something down the hall as his friends took over the conversation, glancing in the same direction he spotted what it was that probably had his little brother's attention. A girl of course. Her dark hair fell in waves which complemented her fair complexion. She was skinny but definitely fit, and by the nature of girls she was surrounded by he assumed she probably was a cheerleader. Honestly, he had to admit she was extremely attractive, however, his mind was currently preoccupied with someone else. Bash saw the girl glance towards Francis when the thought finally occurred to him, he didn't know if being faithful was part of the engagement for Francis and Lexi, or not. Even though he couldn't get anymore information out of his brother he knew the arrangement was solid. How many other people even knew of the engagement? Before his mind could conjure up anymore questions the bell interrupted his thoughts.

"Calculus I" was what was written in the first period time slot. Bash was good at math, hell he could do it in his sleep, but because he didn't quite care for school he just brushed by with all the other students in his previous school. He entered the classroom and took a seat closest to the window, if he had to sit through this class he might as well have a nice view.

"Is this spot taken?" Bash looked up for his backpack knowing exactly whose blue eyes he would meet. Alexandria.

"Yes and it seems that she has just arrived," he grinned at her. Her innocent laugh made his heart skip a beat.

She took her seat only for him to remember that this was calculus, "What is a little sophomore doing in this class anyways?"

"What, a girl can't have looks and brains?" she joked back, but the lightness of the comment made Bash realize that she didn't particular believe it herself.

He leaned in a little as the class was now full of students talking about summer adventures and whispered, "Well cute little sophomores should be more careful about who they decide to flirt with."

He heard a gasp and Lexi's face took on a shade of red. "Well you're cheeky," she managed to blurt out before the teacher called the class to attention. The rest of the class flew by with Bash learning two things: Lexi's fragrance of choice was lilies and she was definitely as much aware of him as he was her.

Lexi kept eyeing the clock, she fruitlessly tried to wield the minute hand to move faster. Not only had Bash accused her of flirting with him, which was maybe a little bit true, there was no way she was retaining anything the teacher was scribbling on the board; not with Bash within inches of her. The bell finally rang and she was on her feet as quick as possible. Of course Bash was just as fast.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" he asked falling in step behind her.

"I need some stuff out of my locker before the next class." she couldn't come up with anything better, although she did remember she had left her water bottle there. Which was good since it looked like he was going to follow her the whole way. Almost to her locker Lexi turned around to say something when some guy cut in front of her. She lost her balance just long enough to fall back into Bash's chest.

"I'm sorry, the halls get a little crowed during passing time," she said gently pushing off him. Yep. Those would definitely be muscles. Not that she didn't expect it from a wrestler but still, now that she knew it for fact her mind was not a safe place.

"Heyyy, Lexiii!" was what they heard before Bash could make any comment about her current facial expression.

"I'm almost 100% sure we have French together nex..." Rebecca trailed off when she realized her friend wasn't alone. A mischievous smile spread across her face, "So you must be the half brother, Sebastian Rouselle."

Bash turned to Lexi with an accusing smirk before Rebecca jumped back in, "The whole school is talking about you, illegitimate son of Henry Mercier, half brother of Francis, Montana state wrestling champion, and official hottie." Lexi's mouth almost hit the floor. If there was one thing Rebecca loved, it was gossip. She knew everything about everyone. Unfortunately, being subtle wasn't a characteristic she possessed.

"Bash, this is Rebecca Roberts," Lexi introduced her with a glare. Rebecca ignored it.

"Official best friend of Miss Alexandria Devereaux." Rebecca chimed in. Rebecca stood a couple inches taller than her 5'5" friend, and by the way her body was toned she obviously liked to get physical on the basketball court. Her deep burgundy hair fell just beyond shoulder length, tan skin and feisty personality fit the color perfectly. Spicy with a bark just as bad as her bite.

"Well it is a pleasure meeting a friend of Lexi's, I hope I get the chance to visit longer next time," the comment directed towards Rebecca but his attention was kept on Lexi. "But I need to get to class, you ladies have a wonderful day." Bash bowed with a smile and walked away.

"Mmmm, he could pin me down any day," Rebecca purred, she was now leaning seductively against the locker. Lexi smacked her friend's arm angrily.

"Really, I know you know everything but there are some things that you don't need to say out loud." she scolded.

"I was only stating a fact. Besides the whole school is talking about him. That definitely won't be the last time he hears it. And you..." her expression turning serious, "You need to be careful. You know how easily rumors spread. Not only is he illegitimate and for a lack of a better word poor but you are engaged to his brother."

"I know, I know, nothing was going to happen anyways." Lexi sighed. Rebecca was right, this place, her world, revolved around status and money. It was best that she not pull someone like Bash into it. He didn't deserve that, no one deserved that.

Authors Note: Yay new characters! I think I quite like Rebecca and you obviously got a glimpse of someone who will be a bigger part of the story in the coming chapters, I'm excited for that. Sorry if it has been a slow start, the next chapters will have more development in them. Thank you for those of you who have been reading my story though :)