Chapter Three

"I heard he's been to six schools in the past two years."

"Really? Someone told me that his ex girlfriend broke up with him and he was so distraught that he had to move. Poor thing."

"I guess that explains why he blew you off."

"You're both wrong. Apparently he got caught up in the drug scene, so his parents sent him away."

The three girls turned to me in the lunch line, "what do you think Sophie?"

"I think he likes the attention," I replied simply before grabbing my lunch tray and stalking off.

How much longer was all this gossip going to last? No matter where I went, Dougie was the centre of conversation; in assembly, in the female toilets, at the cafeteria, and in class as students passed notes. I frowned; it was really starting to annoy me.

I scowled and stalked over to Jess, before slamming my lunch tray onto the table.

Jess looked up, "hello to you too."

"I hate him!" I announced.

Jess raised an eyebrow, "let me guess… Dougie."

"Who else would it be?" I asked gesturing wildly as I slid into the seat opposite her, "All this gossip is driving me up the wall."

My eyes scanned the cafeteria until they landed on him. I glared… typical that amidst all the gossip, Dougie would be sitting casually by himself sketching in his notebook without a care in the world.

Across from me Jess grinned, "Sophie, I think you like him."

My eyes flew to hers, "what?"

She shrugged, "well for someone who hates him so much, you certainly cant keep your eyes off him."

My mouth dropped open, "I do not stare."

'You do to," Jess retaliated, still grinning, "admit it."

"I don't stare!" I insisted.

Jess stared at me.

I paused and shrugged, "ok maybe a little bit."

She raised an eyebrow.

"A lot." I sighed and pouted, "are you happy now?"

She grinned, "that you've confessed to a Dougie staring addiction? Very."

I opened my juice box and took a sip, "do you think he notices?"

"Definitely."

My eyes widened, "are you serious?"

She nodded.

My eyes flew back to Dougie's form, and I nearly had a heart attack when my eyes met his. He winked slowly and deliberately.

I sunk down into my seat. How mortifying.

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I was out of the cafeteria, and at my locker grabbing books for my next class when Dougie caught up with me.

"Hey," he greeted, leaning his shoulder against the locker next to mine.

I cringed and was just opening my mouth to say hi back, when something completely different popped out. "I don't stare at you," I blurted.

Oh god. I did not just say that. I desperately wished the ground would just open up and swallow me whole.

A sly grin crossed Dougie's face, "yeah you do."

"I do not," I insisted.

Dougie shrugged, "its ok, I mean if you find me attractive or whatever you can tell me."

I slammed my locker shut and pushed past him.

Dougie grinned and raced after me, "you don't have to be embarrassed. I mean, its not like you're the only person staring. I tend to have about twenty pairs of eyes drilling holes in the back of my head on a daily basis. I'm not all that sure why. I never really considered myself to be that attractive, but I guess I must be."

I froze in my steps and stared at him in amazement. In general, if anyone else had ever been that arrogantly obnoxious, I probably would have slapped him or her across the face. But since it was Dougie, something truly amazing happened…

I melted.

I suddenly felt all warm and happy; as though I thought what Dougie had just said was sweet and endearing.

And then amazingly, a come back flew into my head.

"Ya know Dougie," I mused stepping into his personal space, "to catch me staring, you must be doing quite a bit of looking yourself."

Dougie met my eyes.

I stared. I had never been this close to him before. I had always thought his eyes were grey, but this close I noticed beautiful flecks of blue and green.

He leaned closer to me, and for a few wild moments I thought he was actually going to kiss me; until he suddenly veered to the left, and hovered his lips around my ear.

"Staring is such an ugly word," he murmured, "I prefer to think of it as appreciating." He pulled away and smirked at me, before turning and walking off down the hallway.

I glared after him.

Infuriating bastard.

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Afternoon health class consisted of a very boring video about the wonders of puberty, among other awkward subjects. The darkened classroom, filled with snickers and giggles granted me the perfect opportunity to jot some thoughts onto paper.

A circle, round and complete

A logical flow and structure

Beautiful, simple and strong

"What are you doing?"

I blinked and glanced to my right to see Dougie leaning across the aisle and peering at my notebook.

I slammed it shut, "none of your business," I whispered back.

He pouted, "If you show me yours, I'll show you mine."

All kinds of inappropriate thoughts raced into my mind. I frowned at him, "I'm sure you would."

He grinned and shrugged, "fine." He settled back into his chair and returned his attention to the video.

I sighed and returned to my poem.

Visions of blue and green

Swirling around a black sphere

Watch as they intertwine with symptoms of lust

Never to be the same again

"I thought poems were supposed to rhyme?"

I snapped my notebook shut again and glared at Dougie who was leaning so far across the aisle he was able to see what I was writing. "Have you ever heard of privacy before?" I asked him.

"I'm curious."

"Well keep your curiosity to yourself."

Dougie clutched his heart in mock pain, "aw, you've hurt my feelings. I'm not going to invite you to my party now."

I glanced at him, "what party?"

"My welcome to town party," Dougie grinned, "next Friday night."

'Your throwing a party for yourself?" I questioned dubiously.

Dougie frowned, "you say that like it's a bad thing."

I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face, "its not bad, its very original."

Dougie raised an eyebrow, "so you'll come then?"

"I thought I wasn't invited."

Dougie shrugged, "I lied."

I watched as he tore a piece of paper from his notebook and made a big show of writing on it. I was utterly confused about what he was doing until suddenly all the lights in the classroom flickered on.

"Mr Poynter what are you doing?" our teacher demanded from the front of the room.

Dougie hid the note, "nothing."

"Writing notes in class I see," she continued, "alright, on your feet and read it to the class."

Dougie met my eyes and I could see the humour there as he got to his feet and read aloud, "Party next Friday night at my house. 7 Worcester Rd. Tell everyone you know. Bring alcohol. Everyone's invited." He grinned and glanced around the room, "hope to see you all there."

Everyone laughed and cheered.

Dougie smirked and sat back down and passed the note to me.

"You planned that entire thing," I accused him.

He grinned, "of course I did."

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To be continued...

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