sorry its late, i had the flu and yamisangel has no excuse... XD bahaha jk, it was COMPLETELY my fault. but still... she has no excuse. REVIEW!

Rachel Roth used her Sunday very productively. She decided that she let herself slip too far and too fast for this Garfield guy, and that now she was getting down to business. This time, to save herself from her emotions, she'd bottle them up and she'd make sure the bottle was closed tightly. She swung open her closet door and swiped all of her clothes out of the closet in a rage, quickly shoving anything with any color into a bag.

She quickly ferreted through her clothes, knowing she had to prove two things to Garfield, her friends, and everyone else judging her. She had to prove that she was in control, and that she was strong. And she had to show him exactly what he was missing out on. These were out of confidence and the last was no doubt out of spite, but her mind was just babbling and she knew she had to do something about it.

She was a little upset to see she didn't have anything like the things her friend, Kori, wore, but she was sure she could make something out of this nothing that she had.

That next morning, she woke up and refreshed herself, quickly following the make-up tips Kori excitedly showed her. She ran into the bathroom, applying a base, then foundation, then a grey eye shadow along with black liquid eyeliner to make what Kori called 'Cat Eyes'. She wisped a mascara brush over her eyes, giving ultimate length, and then ran to do something with her hair.

She swept up one half of her hair, then the other half that was still down she hastily added some curls and looked at herself in the mirror. She sighed. She looked great, amazing even, but it took A LOT of work. She smiled and blew her reflection a kiss as she saw Kori do plenty of times.

She then ran back into her room and slipped into a classic little black dress with a ruched yet corset typed style starting at the bust and going right down the seams end, along with a stylish black belt, buckle design that sits nicely under the breast line. She then slipped on a pair of black stilettos that she borrowed, only to immediately take them off. She then went through her closet for some… shorter, safer heels, but unable to find any, she added a pair of black converse high tops, deciding that they were more her style anyway. She then added an oversized black hoodie and zipped it up so she could get out of the house.

She raced down the stairs, "BYE MOM!" She then slipped out the door and into her car, feeling amazing.

Well, if it was one thing Garfield could now add to his experiences - it was a cough syrup hangover. He had a feeling that he... shouldn't have finished the entire bottle like that, but he just felt so incredibly lousy and it did actually help him. Although he had to go out and buy more now.

"Hey Dick, thank you for dropping me off at homeroom, and no thank you for the prank calling bullshit the other night."
He just smirked and waved it off as he walked away; leaving Gar alone to enter what he felt was the hell hole of all education. Although the only reason he showed up was to see Rachel. It always had been. So he took a bit of a preparation breath and stepped inside. Although what he saw made his heart skip a beat.

There Miss Roth was, wearing some seriously sexy attire - yet adding her own edginess to it. That's exactly what he adored about her, how she was all her own. Unique. And she didn't care what anyone else thought - she was her own person.

But one thing that he didn't like, which he unfortunately saw, was Roy sitting in front of her. It was extremely noticeable how he really wanted to have Rachel to himself. It was funny to Gar how Roy actually thought he had a chance. But then he realized that chalking up what he did... and how Rachel didn't even really like him at this point, maybe Roy did have a chance with her after all - more of a chance than Garfield himself had anyway. But that wasn't going to shut him down and keep the blonde from trying. No way, he was going to prove that she meant the world to him, no matter what he had to do or get through, he'd at least attempt it. So he sat down in the free desk beside her and gave a small yet apologetic smile.

"Morning Rae."

"Oh. Hey."

Rachel set her feet on the desk, crossing her legs as to make sure they couldn't see down her dress. She kept her sweatshirt on, but unzipped and she casually flipped her hair over her shoulder, knowing that the scent from her shampoo would find its way to Gar. She wanted to smirk, but at the same time she kept her emotions in check so all she would have was a blank expression. She reached into her bag and pulled out her novel.

"So... Rae... you doing anything after school?" Roy asked with a hopeful glimmer, and timid slowly shook her spine. She knew Roy was no good, but at the same time, she wanted to prove something to Gar, whether she knew what it was or not.

"Maybe. Maybe not. I guess it all depends."

"On what?" Another boy asked, hoping that maybe she'd say yes to him.

"On who asks me, and what they want to do." She crisply turned a page in her book, feeling important.

Garfield tried to remind himself that she was definitely playing 'Hook, Line and Sinker' with him. And so far, the stats of this game? She was winning, but he couldn't just back away from this. He had to challenge her back a little.

"Well, Roy would want one of two things. The first one being sex or at least second base, and the next thing? Something to do with touching you inappropriately. So I'm thinking that you're a soft girl on the inside of that hard exterior. So how does an evening picnic under the stars, with someone who's looking for more than a beautiful body - which you do have of course, but it never hurts to dig a little deeper. You never know what kind of treasure you'll find when you look hard enough." He explained with a soft smile. Oh damn, I'm impressing myself!

She felt her heart skip a beat and butterflies rose within her stomach. She gaped at him, feeling so vulnerable. All she wanted to do was say yes, then pull him into a soft embrace... sadly, she couldn't. No she wouldn't let herself! She wasn't sure how to answer, so she just flipped a page in her book. She sighed to herself, sad to let this opportunity pass.

She then looked up from her book with a rather surprised expression. She glanced at all three boys, then said, "I'm sorry, did someone say something?" She shrugged then dismissed it, pretending she was just too caught up in her book and distracted than to listen to their pointless drabble.

Garfield had a feeling that she was playing another game she was so incredibly good at, 'Hard To Get'. But that was a good thing - seeing as Gar did love a good challenge and Rachel definitely was one. But he just gave a sigh. An idea crossed his mind and he gave a smile as he leaned towards Rachel to whisper something to her that specifically neither Roy, nor anyone else could hear, besides her.

"Alright Rae, you can pretend you don't notice me... but if you give me the chance - I can be just like that dream guy in your romance novel. But you have to decide one thing - am I worth the risk?" He finished his message, hoping that being that close to him gave her goose bumps just like it did him. Actually, Gar was quite impressed that he was able to do that himself.

But he just turned to focus on the teacher, even though it was so hard to do with thoughts of his Rae floating around within his mind.

Rachel had goose bumps, alright. She was even shaking! She pulled her feet off the desk then shoved Roy off of her desk and shooed the other guy away. She was really flustered, and this was easily proved by the rouge slowly taking over her whole face. She pulled up the hood on her sweatshirt then looked back her novel, biting her lip. This was going to be a long week, but there was no way he was going to beat her at her own game. The bell rang and she stood to leave, unexpectedly dropping her book onto the floor, right in front of Gar. She then continued to bend over in front of him, only 'hoping' that her short dress wouldn't ride up too much.

A cheeky grin crossed Garfield's face as he caught the entire glimpse he needed. But then he decided not to be a sexist jerk and go out of his way to pick up the book for her. "Here Rae, oh... and your legs are amazing. Just saying, not that I'm a total jerk and all, y'know?" Breathing was a lot harder than it seemed, especially when it felt like his heart was pounding in his throat.

She took the book from him. "Thanks, if only you could see my tattoo." She began to pull up her dress a bit, and then slyly dropped it. "Well, you probably don't care about my stupid tattoo." And with that, she slung her backpack over her shoulder and head out of the classroom.

Garfield's mouth gently dropped open as she walked away. He would've loved to see that tattoo of hers. He changed his agape mouth to a smile as he glanced over to Roy.

"She has a tattoo?" The red headed male wondered in complete awe. Gar just gave a revengeful smile.

"Yep, and I saw more than you ever will."

The group sat in the cafeteria at their lunch period. Dick was sitting across from Kori, drinking in her beauty. To the left of him was Vic, being nagged by his girlfriend Karen. Aren't they just the cutest couple? And to the left of Dick sat Gar. He was still in a daze from today's eventful amazing homeroom.

Garfield couldn't even concentrate on anyone around him. There was only one thought that went whirling through his mind, 'Where exactly is that tattoo? It could be something feminine and sweet, like a butterfly or a flower of some type. Or maybe it's like, a Chinese or Japanese symbol for 'strength' or 'courage' or something. Whatever it is, I hope I get the chance to see it. Not just 'cause I want to, see her without clothes on... or any... thing like that... oh shit, am I drooling?' Garfield subconsciously wiped his mouth - just in case.

"So, Rich, are you gonna not be a Dick today?" Gar laughed nervously as he glanced at his new bottle of cough syrup in his hand. "Bottom's up." He told them as he began to unscrew the cap of the medicine that was his relief from all this sickness crap.

"Dude!" Dick hit Gar's arm. "Are you gonna not hit on me today? I'm still not gonna cuff you..."

The blonde let out a laugh and he set down the bottle he opened. "Oh Dick, you know that you'd enjoy it too." But then he bit his lip, trying to keep from busting out with laughter at Richard's rather disgusted face. "Chill man, it's all good. If you're lucky, I'll hit on Vic this time." He told his friend as he tilted back the bottle, definitely taking in about half before closing up the bottle to grab some water to wash it down with.

Then, as if on cue, most of the guys at Gar's table froze and whipped their heads to the door, as the new and improved Rachel strut in. She ignored pretty much everyone though and walked straight to Gar's table, taking the seat across from him.

Dick quickly turned his gaze away from Kori, knowing he'd only have one more second of her attention before she turned to Rachel, and he blurted out, "WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME?"

Kori's eyes widened in shock. First of all, why was Friend Richard, or as Rachel enjoyed calling him, 'Dick' asking her such a question.

"Why would you be yelling out a request of the going out variety Friend... Dick?" Garfield chuckled and then decided to take a moment to just play around with this situation.

"He's asking me out Kor, y'know... the whole hand cuff situation, he likes it." Richard's eyes widened in horror. Gar could feel his friend's death glare planning to scrape out his insides, so he figured that he'd undo what he just did. "Actually Kori, Richard really digs you, he likes you very much so and in fact, he likes you so much, he was wondering if you'd like to join him for dinner this Friday evening?"

Richard was too nervous to say anything else as he waited for Kori's response.

Meanwhile, Rachel wanted to scoff and tell her that guys were nothing more than useless jerks, but she decided against it as she reached into her bag and pulled out her lunch – a metal tube with a red cap on the top. She began shaking it then set it on the table, pointing the label that read "Ready Whip" toward Gar.

Kori glanced over at her friend Rachel nervously, she wasn't exactly sure about what might happen when it came to guys. She did know how upset Rachel was when Friend Garfield did not return her affections, that of a kiss. But perhaps she wouldn't have a problem like that with this boy? She glanced at Garfield, and then Richard. "That would be most glorious Friend Richard; I accept this invitation for the 'date'." Kori beamed.

Gar looked at the can of 'Ready Whip' and then blushing, he grinned towards Rae.

Rachel rolled her eyes at her friend as her and Richard began to plan their evening and talk sweet nothings to each other. Rachel looked back at her 'lunch' as she pulled off the cap. She then titled her head back and squirted some on her mouth. She looked back at Gar.

"Are you staring at me again? Do you honestly need another lecture?"

'Well, if you're the teacher - I need a lesson and week's detention." Despite what his mind wanted him to say, he knew he'd get slapped for it - or the bat again. And that was something that was pretty decently traumatic and wouldn't want to experience again. "Sorry Rae, I wasn't actually... y'know..." He decided to just shut up, considering that it'd be rather pointless for him to go on. "Anyway, how was your morning?"

"Fine."

He had a feeling that she was again playing this difficult game with him. But the challenge made Gar want to pursue her that much more. Forget those easy skanks - he was much more intrigued and enchanted with Rachel. "Oh that's good. You have any homework yet?" He attempted again, trying to get this small talk going somewhere other than down the drain.

"Yes."

At that moment a small guy that both Rachel and Garfield knew from their math class came over. He was a small lanky boy, just barely taller than Rachel. He was shy, and well... pretty nerdy to say the least. But Rachel had talked to him before and he was sweet. His name was Ryan and he wore a wrinkled polo and a pair of khaki pants, along with some thick glasses that just magnified his blue eyes. He ran a hand through his limp black hair then decided to interrupt.

"Hey, guys." He gave a dull smile.

Rachel gave a small smile in response, "Hey, Ryan."

Garfield couldn't help but to figure he had more competition when it came to his Rae. But of course he had tons of it - she was gorgeous after all. Curse her great genes.

"Hey, how's it going?" He greeted back friendly enough, but he wondered just what the true motivation was for approaching their table. Or the one they were currently occupying anyway.

"Well... actually, Rachel... I was maybe wondering if-"
Gar couldn't help but to bite his lip in anxiety, just what was Ryan going to ask Rachel? It best not be anything beyond homework notes.

" - maybe I could walk you to class?" He gave a big grin and she smiled back for a split second. She couldn't turn him down, thinking he was too innocent and sweet, though not her type.

"Sure." He grabbed her bag before she could and was off into the hall. She watched him for a moment until she made sure he was turned around, and she pulled her sweatshirt around herself, zipping it all the way up to her neck. She briskly followed him out and left Gar alone at the table.

Garfield just held his head up with one arm on the table. Hmm, what to focus on - Karen's nagging or Richard's sweet talk and Kori's precious responses. Ding! Dick and Kori definitely won over Vic's chick. But even though he watched the cute scene between Richard and Kori - he couldn't help but to wish this cough syrup would hurry the hell up, kick in and knock him out already. So he finally decided to rest his head upon his arms, gently placed on the table. He didn't bother to eat anything today. He just couldn't stomach anything and figured that he'd let his thoughts keep him occupied. 'Ah Dick, I wonder if you'll thank me later - you bastard. Ahaha, love ya man.'