A/N: Well I just found out that all of my breaks aren't coming through, so I'm going to have to edit my other chapters and come up with another break.
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CHAPTER NINE
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"The thing is, I lied about needing your help in English. The truth is that I have an A in that class. I don't need any help; I was just saying that so that you would spend your Study period with me."
"Why?"
"Well," Chad started to explain, but stopped. Taylor was a very independent girl. If she had found out how he was protecting her, she would probably get all mad at him and never talk to him again. And Chad didn't want that. Besides, Gabby and Troy had made it clear that they didn't want Taylor to know about their plan. So, he tried to come up with another plausible story.
"Well, I wanted to spend my study period with you, because, well, because, because, I, wanted to spend time with you." Chad could have kicked himself. Great, now she's gonna think that you like her, which I do. WAIT! No I don't. It's Taylor. We're just friends. She would never want to be anything more. Stop it! Neither do you.
Taylor raised an eyebrow. "And why did you want to spend time with me?" Careful Taylor, don't jump to conclusions. Just because he wanted to spend time with you, doesn't mean he likes you. What else could it mean?
"Because, well, you know, that's a funny story..." Chad laughed, trying to buy time. But he could see Taylor wasn't buying it. He sighed and swallowed. Time to take one for the team, Troy you owe me for this! "Alright, the truth is: I like you. That's why I wanted to spend my study period with you." He sighed, and waited for her response.
Taylor was quiet, thinking furiously. "How long have you liked me?"
Chad was surprised, and answered without thinking, "for a couple of days now." He realized that that might seem a bit sudden, so he added, "And that's why I wanted to get to know you better, by spending my study period with you." Chad was pleased, because this seemed like it could be true.
Taylor's eyes narrowed as she said. "You mean, ever since you found out I used to be a cheerleader?" It was said in a low voice, and Chad didn't hear the threatening note in it.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that, why?"
"Chad Danforth! You low-life, shallow, egotistical idiot!" Taylor started yelling, not caring that they were in the library.
Chad's eyes widened in fear, and he back away as Taylor stood up.
"You always date cheerleaders, and now that you find out that I used to be one, you think that you can just come up to me, and use your charm and get me to date you too? JUST because I used to be a cheerleader? Well think again Chad Danforth, this is one ex-cheerleader you'll never take out on a date!" Taylor grabbed her binder and ran out of the library. She headed for the only place she could think of: Troy's secret garden.
Chad was shocked. He could hardly move. Is that really what she thinks? That I like her because she used to be a cheerleader? That's not the reason. I mean it wouldn't be, because I do NOT like her. He sighed. Gabby was going to murder him! In six words, Taylor had gone from possibly liking him back, not that I like her back either, to hating his guts. This had to be some sort of record. He headed off to the gym. Shooting baskets helped him to think, and boy he needed to do some serious thinking.
