Disclaimer: Sorry, this chapter has been giving me grief and I`ve been busy.


Chapter 8

Kim`s POV

"Determined little bugger ain`t he?" Penny snickers, closing her locker door after a final check in her mirror. Her hair was still spiked and still blue and red. I glance down at the floor, biting the inside of my cheek.

After our little get together at Emily`s and Sam`s, Jared`s been no more than 5 paces behind me. He`s been doing this for 4 days now. He never says anything, he just smiles and follows. You know the worst part? Nathan and Luke are warming up to him. They like having another man around the place, place being the school.

I sling my bag strap over my shoulder and stride towards History. Oh didn`t I tell you? Jared`s also in that class and he has decided to switch places with my partner Kayla. I never was a fan of that girl, too helpful she was. She happily bounces from her seat and molsies on over to Jared`s old seat, having the gall to wink at me as though we`re best buddies. I flip her the bird.

"Don`t know why you`re so grumpy Kim." Lindsay links her arm through mine, pouting her lips. "I wouldn`t mind having a gorgeous guy follow me around. It shows how dedicated he is in your relationship."

"That`s the clincher right there. There is no relationship Lindsay. We don`t speak to each other."

"He`s actually a pretty good guy Kimmy." Luke says, shaking his head. "He can throw a hell of a football." I can feel Jared`s smirk behind us. Creepy I know, I`ve been around him long enough to feel his expressions. I also believe he has excellent hearing. Or he can read lips.

"Isn`t anyone going to take my side on this?" Some friends I have, they`re supposed to be on my side for everything. It`s in the book of rules for friendship. "Nathan, you agree with me on this, right?" Come on come on...

"I`ve got nothing against the guy Kimberly. He doesn`t do drugs and he seems to be dedicated to you." Nathan twirls some long pen-like thingie in his hand. "He`s nice enough."

"Argh! I hate you all!!"

"Have fun in History Kimmy! We love you too!"

I ignore Lindsay`s voice as I stomp into my classroom, throwing myself onto my stool and glaring a hole into the board. I hear Jared seat himself beside me. I slouch in my seat, snarling without looking at him. "You`ve brainwashed them."

The bastard chuckles.


Jared`s POV

Kim`s so cute when she`s embarrassed. I love when she wears blue. Because it had snowed last night, she had a dark blue toque and large blue woolly scarf wrapped around her neck and most of her shoulders over her leather jacket.

I glance inconspicuously at her. She`s wearing a black long sleeved shirt and army green cargo pants. And her lovable combat boots. Is she blushing?

I think Kim`s blushing. I wonder why.

"If you are willing to take your eyes off Miss Connweller, Mr Thane I`d appreciate an answer." I slowly look at Miss Haze. She`s a mean ol broad.

"Uh..."

Tap... tap-tap.

I glance down at Kim, with my eyes of course. She`s pointing to a date in the text book. She seems to be bored out of her mind as she stares out the window.

"1936." I reply without thinking. Miss Haze sneers.

"Good guess Mr Thane. Kindly pay more attention in my class."

I rest my elbow on the table, returning to bemusedly staring at the gorgeous woman beside me. I grab a piece of paper and scribble a quickie.

Thanks for the save.

Don`t talk to me.

I`m not talking to you. I`m writing you a love letter.

I`d rather poetry.

I gape down at her writing. She wants flowery crap. Very well then.

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Candy is sweet,

And so are you.

I slide the sheet over to her, my face splitting into a grin.

Kim snorts, raising an eyebrow at me. Her face is set in is-that-all-you`ve-got? She quickly begins scribbling with her pen. She`s got long fingers. Piano player maybe, no Embry said she plays the flute. I greedily grab the paper as she slides it over.

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Candy is sweet,

And so are you,

This is a good sign!

But the roses have wilted,

The violets are dead,

The candy dish is empty,

And so is your head.

Ouch.

I fought to keep myself from laughing. My shoulders shake. Beside me, Kimberly shakes her head, rolling her eyes in amusement. She leans over and barely whispers. "That`s real poetry Thane."

I can`t keep the grin off my face. "So there`s hope for me yet."

She frowns, puzzled. "What`d you mean?"

I scoot my stool closer to hers as Miss Haze glares at us. Apparently there`s assignments to be written. Who cares? I`m making history here!

"Well," I reach out and run a finger up and down her hand. "You told me an answer to question I didn`t know was asked, you are willingly talking to me, you`re not sending me a death glare at the moment, you smiled at me, and you wrote me poetry." I now hold her balled fist in my hand. "Everyone knows poetry is the letters of love." I raise her hand and press it against my cheek. Her fist is so soft. And very cold.

Kim bites the inside of her bottom lip. Her eyes are staring at her hand now pressing against my face. I smile. Kimmy looks so adorable when she`s confused.


Kim`s POV

No I am not confused! How dare he say I look adorable when I'm confused! I`m adorable? No! Bad Kimberly. Pull your treacherous hand away from your nemesis` face! Pull awaaaaayyyy now! Ook now! Now! Now damn it! That`s it, right hand you are comin off come Tuesday!

"Kim..." I watch in frozen stature as Jared`s face draws towards mine. Nonononononono, he wouldn`t dare. He would. He`s going to! Shit! I don`t need to be kissed in front of my fellow classmates and teacher! No nonononononononono!

His nose brushes mine. No! I am not an idiot! Pull away Kimberly Ann Connweller! Defend yourself!!


Paul`s POV

Smack.

Oh shit. I can`t believe she just did that.

"Ow! For all that is good and holy on this mother-fuckin earth!!"

I can`t believe I just heard silent Kimberly Connweller swear. In front of Miss Haze.

Jared`s leaped from his chair and now trying to examine Kim`s hand. She`s having none of it. "Get the hell away from me you crazy ass bitch." She just called him a crazy donkey female dog.

I grit my teeth as Jared`s hands fall to his sides. His eyes are brimmed with pain. And moisture. Oh no. I leap over to him in 2 long strides and stand between him and Kimberly. I speak so only he can understand what I'm saying. "Jared, do not cry. I swear if you start to cry I'm going to stuff the largest stick you`ve ever seen and shove it up your ass. Then you`ll have something to cry about."

Jared`s mouth draws into a thin line. His body is shaking. "She hates me Paul. My imprint hates me."

"Miss Connweller! Sit down immediately! How dare you speak such vulgar language in my classroom! Report to detention after school!" Miss Haze is red in the face. That ol girl needs to get laid, then she might loosen up.

Jared whirls on her, his face a mask of fury. "What? You can`t give her detention! Kim didn`t do anything! It`s all my fault!"

"Jared, stop it. You`re making matters worse." I mutter, trying to ease him into his seat.

"Don`t you raise your voice at me young man! Now sit down!"

Jared`s entire frame is shaking. I really need to get him outta here. Barely masking my own fury, I grit my teeth. "Let's get outta here Jared. Now."

He`s ignoring me. How rude. "None of this is Kimberly`s fault! I hurt her an-" His face is turning into a grimace. I begin attempting to push him out the door.

From my left, a hand reaches out and touches Jared`s wrist. Jared`s body freezes, his face pleading with her. Kim`s shaking her head, whispering. "Jared, enough." Rachel always says that to me if I`ve lost my temper for no good reason, which happens a lot. "Please. Sit down and stop talking." Jared all but falls into his seat, both hands holding her uninjured one tenderly.

"I`m sorry babe. I never meant to hurt you."

Kim`s eyes drop. "Forget it. Just... don`t."

"Paul, have a seat! Unless you wish to join Kimberly in detention!!" Boy, Haze really needs to get laid.


Sorry it`s so short, I`m having writer`s block. I`ll snap out of it soon.