Note: Thanks and welcome to all the new readers.

Thanks to all who were kind enough to share their opinions and make the decision easy for me.

Since most people seem to like the new storyline, that's what I'm going with. Apologies to anyone who liked the older one but maybe I can write another story similar to it? Thanks though.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

"So….saved by the bell, huh?" Lexi grinned slyly as Darcy shot her an irritated look.

As it was she found it hard to focus on anything. She wasn't a brilliant student but she liked to do well but if the first two periods were any indication, she might as well apologize to her parents and admit that there was a very good chance she would fail this year.

Paul haunted her mind like never before. Previously it was like she missed him, the good times they had and sometimes she also reminisced the incident and immediately distracted herself to forget everything. But today, nothing, absolutely nothing could distract her and it wasn't even anything bad, it was his face, his smile, the way his eyes lit up when they met hers, the way he whispered her name, making her go even weaker in the knees if that was possible.

And then the bell rang.

Lexi had shown up with Embry in tow, some other guys had followed them but she was way too distracted to pay attention. Lexi had proceeded to take her arm and had to pull her away cause she was very busy just staring at the man who had captured her heart, played with it and then thrown it out the window.

Argh..this was frustrating. It was lunch now and they were just picking out the more edible stuff but Darcy's mind was pre occupied which was why it was her other senses which alerted her to Paul's presence.

The prickling of her skin, the hitch in her breath, the racing of her heart made her hyper aware of his presence behind her. As soon as she became aware she became clumsy.

Her tray almost slipped but the awesomeness that is Paul was quick to come to the aid of any maiden that required it.

The moment his fingers brushed against hers she decided to go against her body and keep her mind.

"Thanks" she muttered while trying to scurry away quickly.

"Darcy…" The way he whispered her name made her believe he cared for her.

Almost.

"What is it, Paul?"

He winced and she felt just a teeny bit guilty for making him.

"I want to talk to you."

"There's nothing to talk about." Darcy tried to get away but with him blocking her way, it was impossible. She had grown taller but so had he and he still towered over her.

"Yes, there is and there is also a lot to apologize for."

Her eyes shot up to his in surprise but she let out a snort.

"Paul Lahote wants to apologize? What for? For not destroying me completely? For not making me beg for just one more time?"

Paul watched as her nostrils flared in anger and the tip of her nose and ears looked a little red.

A small smile made his way to his lips.

Big mistake.

"Uhh! You have the guts to stand here smiling at me after everything that happened?!"

"What? No, no, that's not why I was smiling. It's just..you were just… you look really cute with the tip of your nose and ears turning red and your beautiful eyes dilated like that."

Darcy froze as his hand reached up and touched the corner of her eye and then traced her nose before settling on her ear. His complement seemed genuine so did his smile. What troubled her though was she had never seen him act this way before; not with her, not with anyone else either.

"Lola! Come on!"

She turned to see Lexi become her savior. She was calling to her to go sit.

Paul watched as she turned and left but he noticed the blush on her skin and knew that she did believe him if only a little.

Luck didn't stay on her side for long as she watched their once empty table fill with Embry and then some other boys who they had never sat with before.

It was like it became a beacon for all of them once Embry settled there. The icing on the cake? Paul came over as well and surprise, surprise, sat right next to her, the seat left vacant for some reason.

But she was distracted when she watched her brother come over as well.

She raised her eyebrow in question but he didn't seem to notice, too focused on polishing off the food on his tray at an alarming rate.

She decided to question him on the way home.

It was strange how similar they all looked and comfortable in each other's presence. She also noticed that they seem to have formed new friendships and stayed away from their previous friends which was strange since they were different age groups and never interacted before.

Her mind twirled this information in her mind but soon she found her eyes glued to Paul who kept sneaking glances at her. He smiled once their eyes met but Darcy got up with her tray.

"Hey, where you going?" Lexi questioned.

"I have to get to class early." She made up the excuse while walking out quickly.

Paul sighed and hung his head.

"She's never going to forgive me."

"Give her time, she will. She's really upset. You can't expect her to just forget everything. She loves you and she was hurt. You don't forget things like that but that's what should give you hope too."

Lexi tried to pacify him.

"You spoke in the present tense." Paul grinned.

"What?"

"She loves me, that's present tense."

"That's all you picked up isn't it?" Lexi asked slightly amused.

Paul just grinned and promised himself he would do whatever it took to make her forgive him.

AN: Gotta work for it Paul!

What did you guys think?