A/N: So so so sorry about the wait everyone! (And for how short it is *winces*). But this chapter really didn't want to be written and life's been a little hectic....Thank you all for all of your reviews and for continuing to follow this story! It's definitely what keeps me writing (or...trying to write :D). Anyway, enjoy!

FRIDAY

"Hey," Ryan welcomed from his customary seat on her desk as she ambled into class.

"Hi," she returned uneasily, her hands tightening unconsciously around her books. She wasn't sure how to act around him anymore. He was a cocky son-of-a-bitch, to be sure, but for a moment yesterday – however brief and short-lived it had been –he had seemed almost…real. There had been a fleeting instant when the bravado and conceited act had faltered and she could almost see someone she wanted to know better.

She realized, abruptly, that a still silence had fallen between them as she mulled and that he was staring expectantly at her. I should give him a chance, she decided and opened her mouth –

- and shut it quickly as his voice washed over her.

"I know, I know. I'm gorgeous," he shrugged superciliously, "so gorgeous that you don't know what to do with yourself. So, why don't you come over here and we'll find something for you to do." He winked and licked his lips slowly.

There was a flash of stunned surprise before seething fury overtook her. That little... Her jaw clenched and she narrowed her eyes as she spat, "Excuse me?"

He burst into laughter and she eyed him warily as he doubled over. "Sorry," he choked out between guffaws, "but the look on your face." He snickered again. "Priceless. Absolutely priceless."

"That was a joke," she said slowly.

"Yes," he grinned. "I have a little more class than that."

"Sure you do," she muttered, without any real ire. She was more relieved than she'd care to admit. "You're a prick," she said conversationally.

"I know," he smirked.

She rolled her eyes, "I suppose it'd be too much to ask you to sit on a chair like a normal person?"

"I can do that," he said as he slid into her seat.

"I meant your own."

"Ah, but where would the fun be in that?" he grinned.

"Yeah, god forbid you don't have fun," she said sarcastically. "And where am I going to sit?"

He patted his lap, "Right here."

Should've seen that one coming, she thought wryly. "I dunno," she said slowly, "you couldn't even carry a few books on your lap yesterday…"

His eyes narrowed, "I still owe you for that."

She waved her hand dismissively. "Great, now can you get out of my seat?"

"Ah, Mr. McCarthy, I see you're making progress," Mr. Winterborne remarked as he passed by them. They both swiveled to look at him. "You've finally mastered the art of sitting in a chair. Now let's see if you can find yours?"

Ryan stood up with a flourish, pulling out Dana's chair suavely. She looked suspiciously at him, but seeing that they had the entire class's attention, she quickly sat down - not before whispering threateningly, "If you pull my chair out from under me, so help me God…"

"You're welcome," he said in a low voice, bringing his mouth to her ear. She shivered involuntarily as his warm breath ran over her and he smirked triumphantly as he sat down in his seat.

"Ass," she mouthed. Mr. Winterborne glanced disapprovingly over their way. She smiled weakly at him, unable to shake the feeling that he had somehow heard her wordless statement, before slouching further into her chair.

"Remember class," Mr. Winterborne resumed, "your proposal for your final project is due in exactly a week. Do not, and I stress this, do not wait until the night before because I will be able to tell. Now, let's resume our discussion on Crime and Punishment. Thoughts? Comments?"

A small wad of paper floated gracefully onto the center of her desk. She peeked at Ryan who blinked angelically back and she scowled. But, unable to staunch her curiosity, she stealthily unfurled the scrap of paper.

Yes. I know I have a nice ass. Feel free to look anytime.

Frowning, she shot a look at Ryan who beamed widely and winked. She flipped the paper over and thought for a moment before scrawling a quick response. Satisfied, she balled up the paper and carelessly pushed it off the edge of her desk.

Ryan raised an eyebrow which she returned apathetically, silently challenging him to retrieve the note. His eyes brightened at this test and there was an instant of thought before he grinned. Negligently, he slumped to his desk, feigning sleep. Mr. Winterborne noticed a few moments later and opted to none-too-gently drop his hardcover copy of the book onto Ryan's desk.

He shot up, startled, and toppled off of his chair – falling conveniently beside the note which he surreptitiously slipped into his pocket. Dana had to hand it to him, he was quite the actor. If she hadn't instigated his little performance, she definitely would have bought it. There was a titter of laughter, and a few scattered chortles, in the classroom as Ryan scrambled to his feet and back to his desk.

"Sorry 'bout that teach," he said breezily.

"I'm sure, Mr. McCarthy," Mr. Winterborne said sardonically. "Do restrain yourself in the future."

"Aye aye, sir," he saluted, to the pleasure of the class. Mr. Winterborne rolled his eyes before plucking his book off Ryan's desk.

"Now, as I was saying, Dostoyevsky –"

Ryan easily tuned him out, eager to read the note he had gone to such lengths to obtain. He casually slipped it out of his pocket and spread it flat on his desk.

I have. It's quite impressive. Precisely the kind of ass that every girl dreams -

He hastily flipped over the paper, and squinted at the words penned beneath his own.

Theirs looked like.

Dana smirked victoriously as he gawped soundlessly.

A/N: Review? Please? :D