Chapter 2

Homeroom. Homeroom. He's in my homeroom too? I thought he'd just be here- at school. You know, there'd be the odd chance that I'd see him in the hall or outside during lunch or first thing in morning assembly but never in class.

Turns out I thought wrong. Way wrong.

Paul Slater was talking pleasantly with Mr. Walden, my homeroom. How on Earth could Father Dominic put PAUL SLATER in class with me? Maybe he's in EVERY class with me! Oh my God, please no, anything but…

Kelly Prescott, her eyes freshly lined, sided over to where I was casually talking with CeeCee and sashayed her skirt as an entrance. I looked up innocently at her and she glared back at me. What could I have done to tick off the Queen Bee already? I mean, it wasn't even ten o'clock in the morning and she was already annoyed? Maybe she was wearing her thong a bit too tight- I know she was wearing one, I had seen the frilly pink fabric jutting out from the top of her skirt this morning.

"Suze." Kelly started coldly. I shrugged, and didn't offer a reply to her statement. She continued on, arms crossed around her designer shirt.

"Who were you talking to this morning, and why were you talking to him?" Kelly tilted her head to one side and tried to look model-professional, but to me it just looked like she was too stupid to know how keep her head upright.

CeeCee nodded her white-blonde hair in agreement with what Kelly had just said. "Yeah Suze, we saw you talking to him-" She pointed a finger in Paul's direction "this morning, too. Adam and I, I mean. Who is-"

"Hey, I asked her first. So, Suze?" Kelly leaned in closer, waiting for an answer. "Who is the hottie? Was he asking for directions to a class? Well, that's probably just because he was desperate for help. We all know he definitely wouldn't be having a conversation with you." She snarled and I could see how her teeth were actually sort of crooked.

I didn't know if I should tell Kelly that yes, I was having a conversation with Mr. Not-So-Hot, or if I should not tell her anything. I looked at CeeCee who, like Kelly, just stared back at me. I looked over to see what Paul was up to, but he was still talking with the teacher. I sighed.

"Actually Kelly, I was having a nice conversation with him. With Paul, I mean. That's Paul Slater." I pointed a newly polished nail in his direction, and then swiveled in my seat and pretended to be writing something down in my notebook. I really didn't want to say anything more, because I didn't want to defend him- not after what he did to me. Yet, I didn't want to make it sound like I hated the guy, or else Kelly would have it in for me.

Apparently though, Kelly needed nothing more than a name, since she flounced right over to where Paul had just taken a seat. I rolled my eyes in disgust, how desperate can you get. I turned around to face CeeCee who was, disturbingly, staring in the direction of Paul Slater.

"CeeCee!" I snarled, snapping my fingers in her face. She blinked her violet albino eyes and shook her head in a daze. "CeeCee, what- I mean who- are you looking at? Certainly not Paul Slater, are you? Because believe me, he is evil. Oh yes, evil. He is very dangerous, take my word for it." CeeCee eyed me cautiously.

"What are you talking about Suze? How do you know him?" CeeCee toyed with her hair and waited for my answer. I bit my lip wondering how to explain. Why didn't I just keep my mouth shout?

"Well, you see Cee- Hey that's the same…"

"Suze. Seriously, tell me."

"Okay, okay, sorry. Well, I met him at the Resort I was working at over the summer, I babysat his brother. So, well, I got to see Paul sometimes and… he just doesn't seem like a nice person, okay? He was very rude to me and to his family and…"

"So is that why you agreed to have a burger with me that one night?" A sleek masculine voice said suddenly. I felt my tongue curl inside my throat- it was Paul. I winced as I spun around to face him.

"If I'm so rude, how come you're coming over after school today? Do you enjoy my rudeness, my bad company?" His perfectly shaped lips twisted into an upwards expression and his eyes filled with pleasure. Kelly leaned over his shoulder and gaped at me.

"You're going to his house?" Kelly wanted to know as she peered at me through silted eyes. I gulped and shot a rather wicked glance towards Paul, who seemed to find the situation amusing. How dare he be listening in on my conversation- how dare he bring up the fact that I'm going over! He knows it's because of our "special skills" that I'm going over- and I can't tell Kelly and CeeCee that! My mind raced, thinking of an explanation.

"Paul, if you remember correctly, I refused going out with you like twenty times before accepting your offer, and that was only because I felt sorry for you. You weren't to popular with the girls at the hotel I presumed, and since you were out with Mommy and Daddy every day I guess you didn't have a chance to meet any, either. And don't try and pretend that you were in your room getting lucky, because I was in there more than enough times- getting paid to watch your brother- and you most definitely were not." I shrugged casually with a toss of my hair and smiled at Paul. He frowned.

You always need two to play, and I had just joined the game.

CeeCee let out a giggle from her chair. Kelly covered her mouth with her hand. Paul didn't give up that easily, however.

"Thanks for the charity. But really, I think I was doing you a favor. I mean, in those shorts, it was quite obvious no one was going to be asking you out. And, you were constantly in the company of my younger brother, so I believe that wasn't doing you any favors either." Paul, confidence restored, folded his arms and smirked. I scowled.

"You know what, thanks, but I can get a guy anytime." Well, maybe not, but at least I had gotten Jesse to kiss me. Even if it was only one time, I'm sure I can persuade him again…

At least that's what I'll tell Paul. It really doesn't look like Jesse wants anything to do with me lately.

"So you know what Paul, I won't be coming over after school anymore, thank you very much." The bell rang, perfect timing, and so I snatched up my things and, with a stunned CeeCee in tow, headed off to my next class.