TIFFANY'S POV:

I stood at my locker the next morning, organising my books for the rest of my lessons when I saw Darren making his way over to me. Leaning against the lockers, he watched me…

"Can I help you?" I questioned

"No, but maybe I can help you." he informed me

"Yeah? And how do you figure that one out?" I inquired

"By making your life a hell of a lot better with me in it." he admitted

"Pardon?" I asked, turning to him as I shut my locker door

"Why don't we go out after school tonight?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow at me

"I'm okay, thanks." I replied

As he was about to reply, I heard a laugh and turned my head, seeing Justin walking over towards us, moving to lean on the other lockers behind me…

"You heard her, right?" he asked Darren "She's not interested."

"Whatever." he replied, turning on his heel and walking away from us both

"Thanks." I stated as I turned to Justin once Darren was out of sight

"Like I said, I have an obligation as your stepbrother." he informed me

"Fulfilling your duty," I informed him "I better be going. See you later."

JUSTIN'S POV:

"I thought you hated all of them?" Darren's voice questioned as I stood in the lunch queue

"What?" I inquired

"Your family, I thought you hated all of them?" he asked

"What business is it of yours?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him

"That thing with Tiffany earlier," he informed me "you didn't have to get involved…"

"She's my stepsister, of course I'm gonna get involved." I admitted

"Anyone would think you wanted her for yourself…" he chuckled

"Do you wanna shut that mouth of yours before I shut it for you?" I inquired

"Okay, I was only having a laugh." he admitted "Very defensive, I see."

"She doesn't need some idiot like you pretending to be interested in her." I informed him

"Who says I'm pretending?" he questioned

"So what you're saying is that you like her?" I inquired

"Maybe, yeah…" he replied "And I think you do too."

"You're delusional, mate." I informed him

"Well for what it's worth, I think she likes you too." he admitted "So why don't we make a little bet to put it to the test?"

"What did you have in mind?" I inquired

"I bet she'll have told you how she feels and you'll have kissed before the month's out." he informed me

"You're on." I proclaimed, holding out my hand to him

"What does the winner get?" he questioned

"I'll think of something." I informed him as he shook my outstretched hand

Oh dear, oh dear…