Chapter 3: The Bad Boy


Best Kept Private

Chapter Three- The Bad Boy

Johnny Tran was having a bad day, and when he had a bad day everyone had a bad day. He stormed into the main lounge bouncing another a student down.

"Watch where you're going."
He spun around to see the much shorter student on the ground. He didn't know the kid by name just knew him as the nerd who was always behind a computer.

"What did just say to me?" He snarled in the boy's face.

"Nothing."
Johnny pushed his shoulder on his way into the lounge. "That's what I thought."
He had a falling out with his father earlier that day and Letty was avoiding him. The last thing he wanted to deal with was a needy girlfriend but there he could smell her perfume as she neared.

"Hey Sexy." Johnny felt slender arms wrap around his waist from behind. Her perfume sold her out before she even touched him.

"Where are you coming from?" He spun her around with her still clung to him.

Johnny wasn't sure what he and Elena were. He definitely had feelings for her that much he knew but he failed to take their relationship serious when he compared how he felt about Elena to his feelings for Letty. He liked Elena for completely different reason that he liked Letty. If there wasn't anyone to compare Elena too he supposed they could have been happy. She wasn't a bad girlfriend, in fact she was amazing but if he was really taken with Elena then Letty wouldn't have been on his mind all the time and that was the only reason he couldn't be serious with Elena.

"A free period, Monica and I just sat there and gave Dom relationship advice."

"Dom? Relationship advice?"

"I know you don't like him, I'm not getting into with you."
She released him leaned and on the table closest to the door.

"I just want to know about your day. That's all."
He never had before but that didn't raise any red flags for Elena.

"Fine, there's trouble in paradise for him and Letty."

"Think they're breaking up?" He said a smug smile creeping up. He couldn't believe things were falling into place that easily. He would never jeopardize Letty's scholarship, he cared too much about her but he wouldn't let her know that. He only wanted her away from Dom. He had faith that he could get her fairly, there was no way he felt so strongly without her reciprocating even a little.

"I don't know, just that they're having problems."

"Hmm."
His thoughts raced about how to proceed with Letty and just like that Elena was forgotten confirming for the millionth time that he wanted Letty more.

"Don't look so happy about it." She brought him out of his reverie but by then he was smiling.

"He doesn't even deserve Letty." He growled under his breath but she caught it.

"Okay since when are you interested in what's best for Letty. She curses every time she sees you. And you of all people do not turn the other cheek."

"Let's get something to eat. My treat of course."

Luckily for Johnny Elena was easily distracted. Even though she was Dom's ex she was still gung ho about his relationship with Letty. He didn't understand it, everyone else acted like they had some epic romance. No one knew that he and Letty were actually friends her first semester at school. They all just assumed she and Dom met and it was love at first sight when he had loved her first.

He was the first person she met when she came to school, he showed her around and that was all he had to do to take a liking to her. They were quick friends and the more time he spent with her the more he couldn't find fault with anything she did or said.

Eventually he had developed feelings for her and that was an understatement, he was in love and thought she was too. He would hint and hint but she never picked up on anything.
She had set the record straight after he tried to kiss her behind the bleachers and she pushed him away. She said they could still be friends but she didn't have romantic feelings for him. He then set the record straight that it was all or nothing. He regretted ending their friendship that night but by the time he was ready to do something about it she had already fallen into Dom's orbit.

The school's cafeteria wasn't busy, not that it ever was. Most people bought food and went on their way but only a handful of students actually sat and ate. Probably because of the surveillance cameras that were angled toward the seating areas. Elena, Johnny and a few of Johnny's friends sat at the table furthest away from the cameras.

"You hear about the next car show?"

"When is it happening?" He asked putting his arm around the back of her chair.

"Right before Winter Break, Hector's taking care of the details."

"Hector? You mean Dom's puppet? Or one of them at least."

"It's hot that you're so jealous of Dom because we went out but you're going to have to let up sometime. We're long over."

Johnny rolled his eyes, Elena was not the reason he had a beef with Dom but he didn't stop her from thinking that was the case. She did find it 'hot' after all.

"You're coming to the pep rally next week right? We're gonna get everyone pumped for our game against Nolan Heights in two weeks."

"Ugh, like I care about football." He leaned back dismissively.

"But you care about me right?" She put her hands on his biceps forcing him to look at her. "Come for me," She pouted her perfect lips and he caved.

"Fine, whatever." He growled making her shake his hand off her.
That set her off, she picked up her bag and stowed the crate her sandwich was in and pushed herself out from the table.

"I shouldn't have to wring your hand just so you could come see me cheer Johnny." She didn't say anything else, she knew Johnny didn't like to be scolded in front of his friends. That didn't mean she was done, she would call him on it in private.

As she began to walk off she heard hysterical laughter and they all looked at the front of the cafe where Letty and Dom were buying their usual energy drinks and protein bars. The athletes were oblivious to their audience and continued laughing at whatever was said between them.

"Guess they've worked it out." Elena said before leaving in the direction Letty and Dom came in.

Johnny looked on as Letty got onto Dom's back kissing his cheek and neck. He knew she wasn't doing it on purpose, she hadn't even seen him yet she was so wrapped up with Dom. Just for a split second he worried that his efforts were all in vain and he should have focused on the girl that actually loved him. As he watched Elena walk away the decision to fight for her walked with her and he didn't make a move to stop her.


"Hey love birds." Elena called behind Dom and Letty. Dom had just taken a swig of his red bull and had Letty securely wrapped around his waist. Dom didn't even need to hold up his athletic girlfriend but he wasn't going to pass up any opportunity to touch her.

"Hey El," Letty waved her as she passed them. Dom was moving much slower carrying Letty on his back while taking sips of his red bull that Letty held for him all the while she ate a granola bar.

"You really think you'll find a player before the game? You have two weeks Dom."

"It's Braga's idea. I don't think it'll turn up anything. Anybody who can play as well as we need them too is probably already on the team. I don't know what he expects to find."

"Do you want me there Saturday. I'll be out there anyway most of the day training."

"Yeah, maybe it will suck less with you there."

"I'm there." She murmured between bites.

"You're getting crumbs on my blazer." He scolded and she shook off the granola crumbs from his shoulder.

"Sorry babe."

"What do you say we blow off evening classes, find a blind spot and spend some 'quality time' with each other." He said with a chuckle in his voice.

"You're such a bad influence. I need to be in class Dom, don't tempt me and I'm supposed to meet Mia after class."

"Come on," He spanked her butt as he adjusted her on his back and she shrieked laughing. "We've barely had any alone time for the longest while. When we do it's always cut short for training or practice lately."

She felt his frustration pulsing in a vein on his neck and she kissed the spot calming him down.

"I can't cut class Dom, sorry but I can blow off training. I pushed too hard yesterday anyway."

"You're not still worried about losing your scholarship?"

"I'm petrified but right now some things are more important."

"Which blind spot? Ladies choice."

"Behind the bleachers. I gotta call Mia, tell her we can't hang out later."


Mia's legs were stretched out on her bed, her socked feet tapping the headboard of her twin bed as Brian fiddled around with her playlist on her desk. He was still in A for alternative when her phone buzzed on the desk next to her ipod. He tossed her her phone.

"What's up babe?"

"Don't babe me so fast babe."

"Why?What'd you do?"

"I'm spending some alone time with your brother later foiling our plan yet again."

"Is that what they're calling it these days? Alone time?"

"Oh come on, you know I wouldn't give it up without telling you."

"Yeah I know, but don't pretend you're not going to be sticking your tongue down his throat for hours."
Brian watched as the words left her mouth, his eyebrows perching high on his forehead.

"Only you can make making out sound so vile Mia."
She chuckled and watched Brian settle on a song and sit down on her room mates bed. The bed was stripped bear and it gave her an idea.

"I have an idea, my roommate is still in the sick bay, chickenpox is apparently going around but who the isn't vaccinated these days anyway ou should crash in my room tonight. We need to catch up I don't know where to begin."

"They don't allow that."

"Yeah, they don't allow breaking evening classes either but that hasn't stopped you either babe."

"Guess you're smuggling me in then. I'll see you after training."

"I'll be there, Elena is throwing a hissy fit about our routine for the pep rally. She needs a xanax."
Letty laughed. "Then it's a plan."
Mia hung up returning her attention to Brian. They had been hanging out in her room for just about half and hour. They covered the basics starting with last names and roommates making small talk until music had come up and he rifled through her playlist.

"Cool room."

"Thanks, I wanted a single room but my brother has a roommate and what's good for his eldest is good for his youngest says my dad."

"Sucks." The only time his parents had ever told him no was when he begged them not to send him away.

He zoned out and took in the NASCAR car posters on her wall on her side of the room. "You're into racing, you have to be the coolest girl I have ever met." Mia laughed shrugging out of her blazer. "You don't understand Bri-"

"Whoa, A.T, he's ranked first in the entire world right now. Undefeated." He pointed to the picture directly above her bed of Mia and A.T hugging with a trophy between them. "Can't believe you met him."

"Brian,"

"Yeah." He finally stopped his fanboy rave to look at her.

"I'm not his fan, I'm his daughter."

"You're kidding-the T stands for-"

"Toretto? Yeah."

"No shit, that guy is worth millions. When you said you were rich I didn't know you were rich...rich."

"Yeah well there's not much a millionaire's daughter can do in a boarding school. Plus my credit cards have limits."

"As far as I can tell this place isn't so bad. Trust me I was ready to hate this place but I can't complain now that I'm here."

"I didn't say I hated it but- I've been here since I was fourteen years old. It gets old real fast."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Well," She sat up but kept her legs on the bed, "everyone here has to come from somewhere. Roman's dad has like five Grammys, Elena's father is a designer, Hector's father owns the most popular chain car dealerships and Leon's mother is a celebrity chef. We may not be the entitled brats everyone else thinks we are but we're all pretty loaded. So what about you?"

"Ugh, politicians son." He prayed silently that her questions would stop there.

"Really-"

"Yeah, listen we just met and I don't want to ruin a normal conversation. So for both our sakes can we not talk about it. Me and my parents had a bit of a falling out. It's not something I want to get into."

"It's totally cool. Soon we'll know each other well enough you'll feel comfortable to talk to me about anything."

He smiled at her. "You think so?"

"Oh I know so."
He couldn't possibly think about coming clean to Mia about his past. If keeping his secrets wouldn't alienate her then surely the truth would. Some things were best kept private.

"Why are you so far away?" She patted next to her on her bed. He slowly made his way looking more than skeptical.

"I won't bite, what's wrong?"

"Uh, I heard about your brother."

Mia nodded as he sank down on the bed next to her.

"I'm not gonna tell you that he'll be cool. My brother is crazy protective and I love him for it but I like hanging out with you so if it's not too much trouble maybe we shouldn't tell anyone about it."

"Oh thank God."

"You're relieved?"

"Course. We should just see what happens."

"Brian O' Connor you are officially my dirty little secret."

"Dirty?"

"Just you wait."

She saw the change in his posture as he relaxed and a smile that made her feel to grab him by the collar and kiss the smile off his face. Fortunately she had some semblance of control.

"Been getting around easy?"

"Sorta, but you can help me out. There's a blank block on my schedule Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Is that a free periods?"

"No that just means school assembly. It's mandatory and more fun than you'd think."

"I thought those were on Mondays."

"That's more of a homeroom assembly just the seniors, juniors... but three days a week Headmasters sees the entire school."

"Today is Wednesday did I sleep through it?"

"We have evening assembly. That's why classes finish at two instead of three on those days."

"Cool, save me a spot next to you?"

"Sorry, we sit according to class."

"Bummer."

"Tell me about it." Her eyes twinkled and he couldn't help from smiling. He wouldn't be surprised if actual sparks could be seen around them. If he was being honest she was probably the reason he had taken a liking to the school.