Scholarly Misbehavior

Well, I'm back with another chapter! Thanks for all the review I've been getting for this fic! You guys rock! Well, hm…let's see what surprise Rei has in store for Jared this time…

Disclaimer: I don't own jack…or jill for that matter. Anyway, I wish I owned Sailormoon…but I don't…and I'm not even worth suing since I'm as poor as a church mouse…I'm just borrowing the characters for a little while…

Chapter 7

Jared pulled his car into park with a halting screech, and barely scrambled out of it without falling flat on his face. He couldn't understand what this rush was to see her, but he knew it was the first time he had felt like this. He blamed it on his hormones.

Then he saw Reichel standing outside the building, the soft shine of the streetlights illuminating her beautiful….frown. She was standing outside the old building with her arms crossed, tapping her heeled feet impatiently. He wished he could see what she was wearing under that classy evening coat of hers, but it was wishful thinking. She had it buttoned up to the collar, as if trying to hide herself from his prying gaze. Preparing for the worst, he quickly jogged up to her.

"What took you so long?"

"Uh…I had some unexpected company, I guess you could say."

She merely nodded and went on.

"Well, since I have no other choice than to be in your unbearable presence today, would you mind telling me where we're actually going that I have to get so dressed up?"

He led her around to his car, and opened the car door for her as she swooshed in. Then he got into the driver's seat and started up the car, her staring at him expectantly all the while.

"Well, if you must know, it's a business party. My father's a big-to-do in the community, and I'm always expected to attend."

"So why am I here though? I don't exactly fit in with this sort of society."

"I had to bring a date tonight, and you just happened to be in the right situation."

Rei shot him a deadly glare as they continued up the highway, him speeding up into the fast lane, or rather the "accident-prone lane", as Rei liked to call it.

"Don't flatter youself, Mr. Campton. I'm only here because I don't want my insurance premium to fuck up my budget."

"It's Jared, Rei."

"Excuse me?"

"Call me Jared, not Mr. Campton. I'm not balding with a pot belly yet, so there's no need for so much formality."

"Like I said, Mr. Campton," she went on, purposely ignoring his request, "I'm not here for your amusement. I'd just like for this to be over with as soon as possible."

The rest of the car ride there was filled with a tense silence as neither of them spoke for the subsequently suffocating half-hour. As they pulled up to what Rei assumed to be their destination, she felt herself smirk again, remembering what she had on under that coat of hers. This was definitely going to be a night to remember.

As Jared pulled parked in the gigantic parking garage in back, Rei hesitantly stepped outside, without waiting for Jared to open her door, and literally gaped at the spectacle that greeted her sight. The glittering marble columns rose up before her like towers from ancient times, and Rei felt like she had transcended time altogether. The estate was the quintessence of a picturesque scene, the huge mansion sprawling out for what seemed to be blocks. The fresh cut green grass filled the October night with a redolent fragrance and the gardens out back seemed to beckon to Rei, inviting her to partake in the pleasures of the wonderful day. She drew her breath in, afraid to breath out, as if it would melt away the utopian scenery before her.

Jared had finished locking up the car and walked over to join Rei, who was still staring in amazement and awe.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

"It looks like it's right out a fairy tale."

Jared was astonished at how she could be a fiery vixen one second and an innocent girl fixed in wonder the next.

"Yes, indeed it does. My father always makes sure the house is well maintained, even if he is constantly traveling around."

She whipped around to face him, surprise etched into her every feature.

"You mean, this belongs to your family?"

"Yes. I grew up here, but now it's just my father and stepmother living here."

"Why did you become a teacher when you could have had all this then?"

He shoved his hands into his suit jacket, shuffling around a bit, before deciding to answer her.

"It just wasn't for me."

Rei nodded and seeing his reluctance, figured not to pry any further for the moment. Then for the first time, she flashed him a genuine smile as she held out one gloved hand.

"Well, shall we go in then?"

He raised his gaze to meet hers and seeing no hostility, he smiled back fully and offered his arm as she draped her slender hand around it. They walked up the front steps confidently and entered the main reception hall, turning heads here and there. Everyone was apparently used to seeing Jared with a new girl, but this one seemed different from the type he normally brought. She was sincere, unaffected and not doused in an obscene amount of makeup, which were unusual characteristics of women from that circle.

Then the butler asked for Rei's coat, and that was when everyone really started staring, Jared most of the all. What was strategically hidden underneath the black coat was the most stunning dress and the most stunning figure he had ever laid eyes on. She wore a dark-violet, strapless gown that laced up the front with black lace that wrapped around the entire bodice. The skirt flared out in a burst of black tulle that shimmered with stardust glitter, interlaced with violet lace. The body of the dress was tight-fitting, accenting Rei's perfect figure, showing a promising bit of cleavage. It was showy and classy without being too revealing, a flawlessly balanced combination of grace and refinement as well as temptation. Her sophisticated twist hairstyle completed the ensemble, and although she more minimal makeup, Rei played the part of the elegant, rich girl exquisitely.

Jared found himself gawking open-mouthed at his lovely partner for the night, along with the rest of the male population in the room. He knew she was gorgeous with a slamming body, but he never imagined in his wildest dreams that she would have as much of a lasting effect on his mind and body as she did in that dress. It was all his pin-up fantasies and movie dream girls embodied in one woman.

Rei allowed herself a moment of complacency at Jared's reaction. Hook, line and sinker.

"Hey Jared, are you going to stare at her all day, or you going to introduce us all?"

Nathan's deep voice broke into Jared's thoughts and with a slight jerk of his head, he refocused his attentions on his group of friends, who had made their way up to him. Each of them had a woman hanging of his arm, but from the look on their faces, they all knew that none could even begin to compare to Rei.

"Gentlemen, this is Reichel Lambert, a close friend of mine."

"Oh come on, Jared. We've all heard the story from Kyle already. There's no reason to hide it from us." Nathan then turned to Rei. "So Reichel, is Jared as good a biology teacher as he claims or is he bragging again as usual?"

Rei blushed profusely at having been found out, but instantaneously regained her composure. If they want a show, that's exactly what they're going to get. She smiled warmly at all four men, including Jared, and their respective partners.

"Depends on your definition of good. But then again, I don't suppose any 'good' teacher that I've ever had has ever given me a 'C' before."

The group echoed with laughter as Jared blanched with horror. A few moments later, even Rei gave into the urge and started laughing with the rest.

"She's something Jared." Kyle commented, still chuckling.

"Well, since my secret's already out, are you going to introduce me to the rest of your posse, Mr. Campton?" Rei's voice was teasing, but Jared knew she was out to make a fool out of him, and he was just as determined not to let that happen.

"All right, Miss Lambert. Indeed, it was rude of me. Meet Kyle Renford, my stepbrother. He's a novice lawyer at Walters and Brimenstone, but don't trust everything he says. Nathan Erickston, my close friend and a business manager at Halmenstein financial. And lastly, Darien Paeterson a stockbroker for my father's firm." Jared calm voice steadily recited all this while still looking intently at Rei, almost making her squirm under all the attention.

"Good lord, Jared. We asked you to introduce us, not give the 411 on our lives," muttered the ebony-haired man whom Jared had previously announced as Darien. The sparkle in his dark blue eyes signified his jesting intentions, but the firmly set features on his perfectly chiseled face indicated otherwise. He was tall, lean, and well built, like each and every one of the other men, and in an expensive looking pinstripe suit, he looked like he should have been in a magazine ad instead of entertaining the bored-looking, prissy red-head by his side. Still, Rei felt herself wondering about this man more than the others. It wasn't attraction, but just a feeling of déjà vu. She could have sworn she had seen him before. Shaking off the uncanny feeling, she turned back to Jared, whose glowing blue-grey eyes were burning into her like smoldering embers. She stared back without any hesitation, knowing she was the only one who could play this game of cat and mouse.

Jared tore his eyes away from Rei long enough to roll them at his friend.

"Geez, Darien. You just have to spoil all the fun here." Desperate to be alone with Rei for the moment, he pulled her aside, and said to the rest of the group, "Well, as there is music, I suppose there should be some dancing going on, too. I'll catch up with you all later." And then they were off, mingling into the older crowd, in the direction of the varnished dance floor under a great, glittering crystal chandelier.

"By that he means next morning," grinned Nathan.

"Interesting friends you have, Mr. Campton." Rei state the dubious fact with raised eyebrows as she felt herself being pushed towards a swaying crowd.

"It's Jared, damn it," Jared all but growled out.

"I'll call you whatever I feel like, Mr. Campton, and personally, it would be quite disrespectful of me not to refer to you by your professional title." She bit out each word as if spitting out some distasteful food.

His grip on her tightened almost painfully, and she winced at the uncompromising force.

"I will not have you embarrassing me in front of all these people."

"Oh? And I suppose you actually considered my situation? Do you know how much this will ruin my reputation if word of this gets out?"

"I don't see how that really applies to you. What have you to lose?"

"My pride. But seeing how you really don't care about anything but your self, I don't see why I'm standing here trying to reason with you."

Her skirts swirled about her in a flurry of shimmering violet and midnight colors as she turned to walk away, meaning to fully disgrace him among everyone. But she couldn't even move a step. Jared's grip on her arm was unrelenting as he whirled her around to face once more, his face a stony mask and anger etched into his every fair feature.

"I assure you, Miss Lambert, that you will lose much more than your pride if you leave right now."

His face betrayed no hint of emotion as his voice turned monotone and low, uttering the none-too-subtle threat. At that moment, Rei truly feared for herself for the first time. She had awoken a previously sleeping fire-breathing dragon and the wrath she would face would be terrible. She stared at him blankly, too stunned to muster up any hint of her trademark glower.

Suddenly, Jared's face softened, as if sensing Rei's horror. He released her and offered his hand instead.

"I'm sorry about that. Come on, Miss Lambert, the night is still young and so are we. Let's act like it."

Rei still stood there, uncharacteristically indecisive, not knowing whether to step up and accept his generous offer or to shy away like a naughty child. Apparently, Jared didn't plan to give her an option as he took up her hand and pulled her towards the dance floor. He gripped her hips softly and drew her in to his well-built form, swaying softly to the music. Rei was stiff at first, but soon the mood and the music took her over and she actually began to enjoy herself, even allowing herself to give Jared a tiny smile, but no words were passed between the two for a long time. The silence was welcomed though.

As a waltz struck up, Jared gave Rei a questioning glance, as if asking if she was up to the challenge. Rei haughtily stuck up her chin and granted Jared a grin that all but said "Only if you can keep up with me." The tune picked up and the two started. Both were shocked out of their skins. They danced in perfect harmony, like angels had deigned them to be together. The pair danced the song away in a medium where the whole ballroom had melted away into an empty void and only the two of them existed in each other's arms. As the ending chords died out, they were still so engrossed in each other that they didn't notice other couples on the floor had already stopped dancing. Together, they stumbled into another pair, who shot them annoyed and dirty looks. After apologizing profusely, they looked to each other simultaneously and burst out laughing, his deep, reverberating voice and her lustrous, clear one mingling together.

"Wow, I had no idea you could dance so well, Mr. Campton."

"Well, it comes with the whole package. I guess it's what happens when you grow up being the son of a CEO. I always hated those ballroom dancing classes though. I only thing I enjoyed was my dance instructor's nice ass. By the way, where did you learn to dance like that? I wouldn't have expected it from you."

"Well, there's a lot of things you don't know about me."

"I'd like to change that, if you'd give me a chance."

Not knowing what to say, Rei looked up into Jared's eyes, and expecting to see his always joking airs return, she almost had the wind knocked out of her by the seriousness she saw in his captivating blue depths. This was her decision and she wouldn't allow herself to have any regrets. She had made up her mind and that was it.

She took a step back from Jared, her lips set in a flat line, ready to tell him exactly what was on her mind…

~Oooohhh….what will Rei say? Will she tell him off again? Or will something else happen…? Hm…I wonder. (Actually, I already know. I just have to write it out.) So…how bad do you all want the next chapter? Leave me some messages! I love reading them! And they're food for the typing fingers…hehe. Ok, well, til next time! Please review! The more people I know are enjoying this fic, the more I want to write it!

Oh by the way, please check out my new fic on Zyler/Amelia called "Gliding on Thin Ice." The teaser is out, so tell me what you all think about that one too! And if there's any confusion about the characters in these two fics, just check out the characters profiles which are posted under the title "Scholarly Misbehavior Character Profiles" even though it's going to be the same characters for all 5 fics I plan to write.

Icedrop13