A/N: What is this? Updating after 4 years? These files were just sitting in my old computer and I just decided that the story needed to be finished. I apologize if the writing is poor, I wrote it back in high school. Thanks to seeing Phantom of the Opera again, I went back to this site and got re-obsessed with Red Eye again. I am very surprised there is still some sort of fandom here!

His & Her Circumstances

Chapter 2

I look at my watch. '7:00' it reads. "Great, now I'll have a half hour to study before school starts." I pull open the door and one of my teachers greets me with a "Good morning Lisa. You're here early."

I decide to flatter the teacher. "Oh I know. But I can use the time to study for that big test we have today."

She pushes her spectacles back on the bridge of her nose and lets out a warm smile. "My my. You certainly are a hard worker. Your parents must be proud."

"I should hope so," I say under light laughter. "Well I'm off to go study. I look forward to your class today."

"Well I look forward to seeing you in my class today. Good luck with that test."

"Thank you Mrs. Lee." I give her one more angelic smile and then I walk away, my smile quickly transforming into an evil grin. How easy teachers are to manipulate! I make my way down the empty halls and up two flights of stairs to finally arrive at my destination. I look through the window to find that the lights are on, but Mr. Anderson is not at his seat.

"This door better not be locked," I say to myself as I reach for the doorknob. Lucky for me, the door opens and I enter the classroom.

"Hello Lisa."

I gasp and look towards the direction where the voice came from. A boy is there, seated at a desk by the window. He has brown bangs extending just below his eyebrows, parting at the middle. His sharp jawline is softened by starry eyes of sapphire blue, that watch me like a cat.

"Did I scare you?"

I laugh. "A little, I guess."

Oh, did I mention that Jackson's in my classes too? That's right. Every one of my core classes. How I suffer! This is the last person I want to see in the morning! Nonetheless, I'm gonna keep smiling, even if it kills me.

"Well you're up early Jackson."

"I should say the same." He scratches his head for a moment, an awkward smile forming on his lips. "So…Are you ready for the test?"

Oh you bet I'm ready for that test! I've been studying all weekend. And tomorrow, when the highest test grades will be pasted on the wall for all the world to see, it will be my name written at the top in all its glory. I'll be number one and you will be drowning in your misery of defeat! "I do hope I'm ready for the test. Are you?"

"I guess. I studied, but still."

"Oh I'm sure you'll do fine."

He smiles at this statement and decides to return the comment. "You'll do good too. You're really smart." We both beam pleasantly at each other.

You're such a fool Jackson. That smile plastered on your face is the last thing you'll see before I'll send you straight to hell!

: :

My exam ended two blocks ago and I finally am lifted of the burden. Actually, I think I did quite well. Jackson is going down for sure. I can't wait to see that look on his face when I take the top spot!

Right now it is the last block, study hall, and I am working on a math problem. Because of the level of difficulty, Miss Seers decided to make it extra credit. A lot of kids are failing in that class, so right now practically everyone is struggling to get those extra points.

My fingers click against the buttons of the calculator. With a push of the equal sign, I finally arrive at the answer. But so does someone else.

"Oh Jackson, did you get the answer?" says the girl with the over-teased hair. Her skirt is far too high as well as those platform shoes of hers.

"Just got it," replies Jackson.

Others hear and they start to huddle around him, pestering him on how he came up with the conclusion.

"Damn you Jackson," I say under my breath. Those people were supposed to be around me. I want to be the center of attention. Why do you have to be here, ruining my glory? I was the one who used to stand out from the crowd. People turned heads when I passed by. But now I am nothing more than everyday rubble. It is you who stands out now. Your brown hair that falls neatly over your eyes is a breath of fresh air compared to the buzz cuts and short hair of the boys. Those penetrating blue eyes and winning smile you own can't help but gain attention from the girls. And how you just seem to be perfect at everything makes you at the top of the league—my rival. I hate you Jackson. I hate you so much it's like an obsession. Oh how I wish tomorrow will come. All my pain will finally pay off when I will take your place, the spot I most rightfully deserve.

My thoughts are interrupted by the ringing of the bell. School is out, which can only mean that it's time for cheerleading practice. I stuff my notebook into my bag and head out to the gymnasium. None of my team greets me there, for I am the first one to arrive. Unfortunately, for some crazy reason Jackson's here as well, bouncing a basketball back and forth between his hands.

"Oh, Jackson. What a surprise. What are you doing here?"

"I'm just gonna be playing a game of basketball with some guys, that's all." He shoots for the basket and makes it in.

"Wow, you're pretty good," I say, making it sound like I care—which I don't. "Are you trying out for the team?"

"Nah."

'Yes!' "How come? You'd be really good."

"I don't know. Maybe I might reconsider."

'No, don't do that! Stupid me, I'm encouraging him!' I hear the creaking of the door and there they are, my team, chattering away.

"Hey girl!" one calls out to me.

"You girls ready for practice?" I ask.

They all drop their bags and comes towards me. "You bet!"

"Okay, I have a new move to show you."

"Hold on Lisa." They turn their heads, their attention focused on the boys starting a game of basketball. "Oh. My. God." Margie says. "He's so fly!"

"You mean Jackson?" questions Lindsay, the one with the ponytail. She sort of reminds me of a giraffe. "He's such a hottie!"

Suddenly our cheering practice turns into an "I Love Jackson" meeting, where our precious time is spent swooning over Jackson every time he gets the ball into that hoop. And let me tell ya, he constantly makes that basket.

"He's so hard to get," says one girl. "So many girls asked to go out with him, but he turned them all down."

"Whelp, I guess our chances are pretty slim, huh?" They all start to giggle, and I am left to tear at the plastic strands of my pom-poms.

"Uh, guys…"

They squeal in delight. "Look at him run, look at him run!" Jackson dribbles across the court, while the other boys try to guard his path. He is too swift for them though. He soars through them, his hair flying with the wind. Swoosh! goes the ball in the basket. The girls all cheer for him and he glances at us. His eyes find me and a smile stretches across his face. I look away in utter disgust. 'Curse you Jackson…'

Could the minutes go by any slower? This is like torture, having to watch Mr. High and Mighty like this. Go away Jackson. Find somewhere else to play! Why does my team have to be so air-headed?

Finally, it's towards the end of practice. We haven't accomplished anything really. We practiced a few steps, but that's about it. I change out of my uniform and push open the door, leaving the girls in the locker room to gossip all they want.

The blue sky welcomes me as I exit the school building. It is such a relief to get out of there! Today was a horrible day, with Jackson seeming to be at every corner. Wait a second…Speak of the devil!

I pretend I don't notice and I strut past him. He catches my arm.

"Lisa."

I spin around. "Oh Jackson! Where'd you come from? Are you done playing basketball?"

"Yup." He pauses, his eyes scanning the sidewalk behind me. "You walking home?"

'Quick Lisa, think.' Too late. My mouth answers for me. "Yeah."

"So are you heading this way?"

"Uh-huh." I start moving, hoping he'll stop with the talking.

He catches up with me. "I'm going this way too. Can I?"

'God! Must you torment me so?' "Oh yeah, sure." His face suddenly perks up and we walk side by side. After a few seconds of awkward silence, we both stare in different directions: his eyes on the road and mine watching the houses pass by. A sports car whooshes past us; its radio booming out of the windows.

"So…What kind of music do you listen to?"

"Oh I prefer classical music," I reply. "It's perfectly structured, and I enjoy studying it." 'Really I like classic rock. The Eagles, The Whos, Rolling Stones—you can't go wrong with that!'

"Oh really?" He ponders on this for a bit, then says, "I think I have a CD at home you'll like. I'll bring it over sometime."

'You got to be kidding me. This geek actually listens to that junk!' "Oh that would be great."

"Good." His eyes fix on me, and I can't quite put a finger on it, but his eyes seem to be pleading for something—a hidden angst. As fast as that thought enters my mind I dismiss it, turning from his gaze and watching the cracks pass under my feet. We walk on and I can see the brown shingles of my roof. I quicken my pace, careful to make sure it isn't too apparent, and arrive at my destination. A silent smile crosses my lips, for I will finally be released of Jackson's horrid presence.

"Well this is it," I say as I stop in front of the brick pathway. "Thanks for the walk home."

He seemed a bit down for a second there, but he immediately lightens up. "My pleasure. I'll see you at school then."

'Unfortunately.' "Yup, see you tomorrow." I turn my back on him and go up the path and into the entranceway, eager to find the keys to the house. I couldn't wait to leave the stench of this day behind me.

A/N: Again, sorry for the out-of-characterness! I promise their characters will seem more realistic in the coming chapters (hopefully). And I did get my hands on a list of 90's slang, in case you noticed the weird expressions. Thanks for reading!