Geez I'm kinda disappointed at the lack of reviews for the last chapter. I guess the story isn't as well-received as I hoped it would be. :x But I'll still work hard alright! (: I'll try to be more quick in updating the story. strikedeathkd53019: Agreed! Can't imagine an all-mature Dan. :P But in this story he'll be mature sometimes, due to certain reasons which shall be revealed sooner or later. (; And yes, I totally love this pairing too. (: diamond heart 82: Now that's an idea. (; and nah, no problem, I love long reviews. :D runo: Glad you like it! :D

I blinked as I stood before my locker. My locker door was opened, and it was supposed to be empty. I hadn't brought any textbooks since my first day yesterday.

But boy, was I wrong.

"Aren't you gonna take those out?"

I jumped lightly, turning to my left. Dan Kuso's eyes were narrowed at the pile of letters in my locker, and he was clearly unamused.

"What are these?" I asked slowly.

Dan Kuso rolled his eyes, opening his locker door. A pile of letters fell out of his own locker too.

"You mean these?" Dan Kuso raised an eyebrow, pointing at the pile of letters. "They're love letters. I can't believe you don't even know, Kid."

"Who're you calling a kid?!" I yelled.

Dan Kuso shrugged, pointing a pudgy finger at the pile of letters in my locker. They weren't half as much as Kuso's, but to me, still plenty and too much for me to take.

"What're you gonna do with those, Kid? You're not gonna read all of them, are you?"

"I don't think I have the luxury of time to read all these..." I blinked.

"Good. Then it wouldn't be much trouble to help me take all of these to the trash too. Thanks, Kid," Dan Kuso turned around after pointing at his pile of letters and closing his locker door.

"What? Hey, wait!"

I let out a groan as I finally dropped all of Dan Kuso's love letters on his table. Alright, technically they were all on his head since the brunette was in snoozeville again.

Dan Kuso raised his head, eyes half-opened. He spat out a letter from his mouth, looking at me unhappily.

"Didn't I ask you to throw all of these away?"

"Take it all away yourself. These are the letters people who like you wrote to you personally. It's for you. I'm not throwing away all these for you," I rolled my eyes.

"What do you know about love letters?" Dan Kuso snapped.

"What I know is, Kuso, these letters are filled with the feelings of these girls towards you. Don't you know how hard it is for them to honestly pen down their feelings for you, and to actually have to write down their names even though knowing that there is the possibility of being rejected? Don't you have a heart?" I was horrified by the brunette's heartlessness.

Dan Kuso blinked at me, before turning away. The brunette pulled open his backpack, sweeping all the letters into it. I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm sorry," Dan Kuso said softly, before returning to sleep.

"Runo, you're officially my role model now! I can't believe you really got Dan to accept all our love letters!" A random blonde ran up to me and shook my hand.

During lunch, I found myself surrounded by a large group of girls, all thanking me for what I had done to Kuso. To be honest, I was more curious as to how news spreaded so fast. I could only return all the girls with awkward smiles.

The crowd only cleared long after, and the girls and I could finally eat our lunch in peace.

"I told them," Julie said proudly when I told the girls about my curiosity. I gave Julie a doubtful look, but the Australian gave me a thumbs-up. "You're the first girl who's had this much of a courage to speak up to Dan like this! And besides, I saw you two at the lockers this morning."

I didn't like the smug smile plastered on the silver haired girl's face at all.

"He was obviously jealous."

All the other girls at the table sqeualed, dropping their cutlery.

"What happened?" Fabia demanded.

"Oh, apparently our new girl is just like, the most popular girl in our school now?!" Julie said slowly, before letting out a scream. The other girls all gasped, before shooting me bright smiles.

I only blinked back at them. I had no idea what it meant to be popular. Back in Wardington, I was never really well-known. I only worried that for now, this so-called popularity would only make it hard for me to fit into the school.

"But I don't think Jenny and Jewels would be really happy about this..." Alice said slowly.

"Who are they?" I asked innocently.

"Who are we? You don't know who we are? Know your place, newbie!"

I turned my head to my left, only to see a green haired girl in a white dress and a maroon haired girl in a purple top and yellow dress. They both had their arms folded as they shot me disapproving looks.

"Jenny, Jewels, give her a break!" Julie protested.

"We're not doing that! We're supposed to be the most popular girls in Bayview, and a newcomer has replaced us instead! This is outrageous!" The green haired girl yelled.

"That's because Runo isn't as snobby as you girls..." Mira muttered under her breath.

"What was that?!" The maroon haired girl slammed the table before Mira.

"If you heard what I said, Jenny, then don't bother asking again!" Mira yelled back, slamming the table.

"Why you-"

"Stop!" All heads turned towards me, causing me to flush instead.

Jenny and Jewels both had their jaws dropped, before they walked towards me slowly, which only intimidated me further.

"Like Jewels said earlier, newbie, know your place," Jenny hissed.

"If you have a grudge with me, take it out on me. I don't want a snob like you trying to bully my friends. You're nothing but a blind bitch who's acting almighty in front of everyone else!" I shouted back.

The whole cafeteria became silent at once, while I could see Jenny growing as red as an apple. The maroon haired female raised an arm as she readied herself to slap me, while I backed away. Instead, I never felt any surge of pain, and only felt an arm circled around my waist, preventing me from falling down.

Dan Kuso had grabbed Jenny by the arm and was glaring at her fiercely.

"D-D-Dan..." Jenny stammered.

Dan Kuso roughly pushed Jenny's arm away, pointing to the door of the cafeteria. I could see Jenny's lower lip trembling furiously, before the maroon haired female burst into tears and dashed out of the cafeteria, with Jewels running after her.

Dan Kuso lifted me up slowly, before patting my head.

"You alright, Kid?" I nodded slowly, having not snapped out of my trance. "Thanks, Dan Kuso."

"Seriously, Kid? Just call me Dan. If anyone else bullies you, you can always find me, alright?" Dan gave me one final pat on the head, causing me to blush madly and lower my head. The brunette then briefly walked away.

"Oh," Julie breathed.

"My," Mira blinked.

"Gosh!" Fabia screamed.

"I think Dan likes you," Alice smiled.

"You think? I know it!" Julie squealed.

I slowly sat down in my seat, shaking my head wildly. "No, he doesn't!"

"I've never seen Dan done something like this for any other girl," Alice said honestly.

"You probably just don't know," I answered quickly, sipping my smoothie nervously.

"I can sense flowers of romance blossoming!" Julie cheered.

I slapped my forehead. The Australian had to be kidding me.

I fidgeted with my fingers nervously as I sneaked glances of the brunette next to me. I didn't know how to thank Dan, considering the fact that I hadn't really liked him as much until today when he protected me. Not in the romantic way, of course.

"How long are you going to stare at me for?"

I gasped lightly, turning to the brunette. Was he sleeptalking again? I gently poked him.

"I'm not sleeptalking, what are you doing? That tickles!" Dan hissed, getting up and giving me a glare.

"How'd you know?" My mouth was in an "o" shape.

"I can feel it," Dan shrugged. The brunette's chocolate brown eyes were half-opened and fixated on me. I presumed he was still half-asleep.

"So. What were you staring at me for?" I immediately turned all beet red, turning my head to the other side.

"Nothing," I said quickly.

I heard Dan shrug. "Well, suit yourself."

I quickly turned around, only to see the brunette lying on the table again. I sighed, knocking my own head.

I took out a piece of paper, and quickly scribbled on it, before sliding it over to Dan's table.

I don't think I've ever blushed this much in a single day, but I was still blushing as I did so. Refusing to see Dan read the letter, I placed my head on my hands, pretending to listen to class. A minute later, I felt something under my elbow, and lifted it only to see another piece of paper.

"You're welcome, Kid."

"... And then he passed Runo this piece of paper, and she went all red after that!" Julie finished with a dreamy look.

"Julie!" I yelled, furiously tapping the Australian to stop her.

"Give it up, Runo, when Julie sees something romantic she doesn't stop rambling about it," Billy laughed from the counter.

Julie, Fabia, Alice, Mira and I were all at Sweets 'N Treats, where Julie had dragged us to because she said she had 'something urgent' to tell us all. But I guessed the urgency was all about Dan and I.

"How'd you know all these anyway? I mean, it's not like you're sitting next to them or anything," Alice blinked while asking.

"My love radar, of course!" Julie's aquamarine blue eyes were positively sparkling. Her response only caused us all to sweatdrop. "While sitting behind them in class I was observing them the whole time!"

"Fabia sure was right about you being a stalker," I mumbled, sipping my drink.

"Hey!"

"Julie, you are the greatest stalker ever!" Fabia laughed.

"Says the girl who always heads to the soccer field to spy on Ren Krawler almost everyday!" Julie stuck out her tongue.

Fabia turned all beet red, immediately covering Julie's mouth. "You promised not to say it out loud!"

The Australian forced Fabia's hand away, glaring back at the dark blunette. "Well, we're all like family! We should share secrets!"

"So, who's Ren Krawler?" I asked with a sly smile, head resting on my hands.

Fabia immediately turned beet red.

"Hey, Ren!"

All our heads turned to Billy, who was waving at a white-haired boy. The boy waved back, and I presumed that he was Ren. He was awfully tan, and rather muscular on top of that, and had a soccer ball tucked under his arm.

"Same old thing, Billy," Ren grinned, fist-punching Billy.

"Coming right up!" Billy turned around to the kitchen to take Ren's order.

Ren rested against the counter, before widening his eyes when he spotted us. Or rather, Fabia.

"Hey, Fab!"

Fabia immediately turned redder. The shade of red was indescribable.

"H-h-hi, Ren!" The poor blunette stammered, giving Ren a little wave.

"Didn't see you at my practice today," Ren gave a sad smile, cusing Fabia to look down.

"Sorry, I'll be there during the next!"

"Be waiting," Ren smiled sincerely, grabbing his order and leaving the cafe.

All four of us gave Fabia sly looks.

"No wonder you didn't want to be dragged by me to the cafe..." Julie grinned.

"Be waiting!" Mira mimicked, causing us all to burst out laughing.

"Fab, I think he likes you, honest!" I smiled.

"And he knows you've been going to his practices," Alice added curiously.

"Well, about that... There was once when he was playing soccer and he scored a goal, and I jumped up and cheered for him. The whole soccer team knew I was there then," Fabia knocked her head on the table repeatedly. "And stupid Dan Kuso started laughing at me."

"You sure he wasn't sleeping?" I giggled.

"Positively!" Fabia pouted her cheeks. "Honestly, Runo, do you like him then?"

"No! N! O! No! The brunette's such a doofus. I would never like him!" I protested, marking an 'X' with my forearms.

Mira, Julie and Fabia had all paused and were staring behind me, while I only blinked. Alice and I slowly turned around, only to see Dan Kuso and Shun Kazami behind us. I immediately turned beet red. Well, it wasn't just me, actually. Alice was blushing furiously too.

The two males stood behind our seats, and paused for a moment before they further proceeded into the cafe.

All five of us immediately clustered together, whispering furiously.

"What just happened?" I gasped.

"I think they heard you!" Mira hissed.

"No way!" Fabia gasped.

I started hammering at my head, when I felt something warm over my shoulders. I turned to my right, only to see Dan putting his jacket over me.

"You don't want to bend over like this, it's inappropriate," Dan said coolly.

I immediately turned red again, and quickly sat back down in my seat.

The girls all let out squeals as soon as Dan moved to the counter.

"I'm dying. This is all too fluffy for me to handle," Julie gasped, dramatically sliding down into her seat.

"Whatever, girls," I quickly said. I took out my handphone, only to realise how late it was. "Oh my goodness, I didn't realise it was this late. I'm so sorry, girls, I really have to return, or my dad will slaughter me."

Without waiting for an answer, I got up and quickly left the cafe with a little wave.

As I walked down the path home, I couldn't help but smell something really nice. It came from Dan's jacket. Surprisingly, for a boy, he had a really sweet smell. One that makes you swoon, literally. And just that smell was enough to make you imagine yourself in his embrace... Wait. What am I saying? I sound like a lovesick idiot!

I heard footsteps behind me, and turned around only to see Dan. Was he tailing me? I quickly turned around again, quickening my pace. I was reaching home soon, but Dan was still behind me!

As soon as I reached the entrance of my house, I stopped, only to realise that Dan was still behind me and walking towards me! Was he so determined to stalk me?!

"Why're you following me?" I gasped, pointing at the brunette.

Dan stopped with a raised eyebrow. He pointed to the house next to mine. "I live there."

I turned to where he pointed, and immediately turned twenty shades of red.

Dan had not moved an inch from his spot, and I realised that he might have wanted his jacket back.

"I'm sorry about this," I pointed at his jacket, taking it off. "I'll wash it and return it to you tomorrow, okay?"

Dan nodded his head briefly. "You live here?"

I nodded. "I didn't know we were neighbours."

"Neither did I."

There was a long pause as I fidgeted uncomfortably. "W-well, I'm going back now."

I quickly retreated back home before Dan could reply. I leaned against the door, gasping for breath. Why was my heart beating so fast? Why was my face so red?

Why?

And that's chapter 4. Hehehs hope you guys are excited for more! ^^ I hope that the story will be even more well-received, yeah? Do remember to leave a review yay. :D