A/N: Okay, well this is embarrassing...I haven't posted in months although I already have the chapters at hand. I'm sorry, finals got me, then graduation, an internship...life in general I guess. I will update more regularly now! And thank you for your support! Oh, and IseeButterfly, no you are not dumb haha. I feel the same way! But in the manga, the character is so obsessed with her image, she thinks that people expect her to be perfect and the male character can see this and uses it against her. A little dramatic, but that's how it goes downXD

His & Her Circumstances

Chapter 5

I catch myself staring at Jackson again. His eyes are downcast, the brims of his eyelashes slightly quivering as he reads his book. A strand of his hair runs astray and so he flicks his head to put it back in its place. Feeling my gaze on him, he looks up and points with his eyes to the homework in front of me, hinting that I should finish the job. My expression immediately sours and I slam my hands on the table. But he doesn't approve of this form of protest, and his features suddenly harden. I find it hard to go against him when looks like this, and so I surrender and flip to the backside of the page.

Lately my body's been betraying my mind. And every time it does, I have the urge to slap myself as punishment. Why can't I control myself? Every touch from his fingers sends an electric shock coursing through my body, and with every genuine smile that crosses his lips I can feel my cheeks flush. And this horrible habit of looking at him! It's as if my eyes have a mind of their own and before I know it, I'm staring at my rival—not with contempt, but…No, I cannot let this go on any farther. Lisa Reisert will never like Jackson St. Clair. It is a pairing never meant to be!

"What problem are you on?"

I am suddenly jolted out of my reveries. "Huh?" I blink a couple of times before looking down on the blank sheet in front of me. "Um, I'm getting there."

He rises from his seat and snatches the paper, shaking his head once he sees the lack of answers on the page. "Get your head out of the clouds, Leese. I don't have all the time in the world. I need this done now." He throws it at me and I have to stop it from hitting the floor.

"Hey! Be happy I am doing this for you!"

"Be happy I'm not spilling your secret," he snaps back. But his expression immediately softens in realizing his brashness. Sighing to himself, he runs a hand through his hair. "Do you know what this Friday is?"

I look over the schedule in my head before answering, "Does it have something to do with homecoming week?"

"Yes. It's the homecoming dance."

I laugh. "Like I care."

"You should."

"No, I shouldn't. I never go to the dances. It's a big waste of time if you ask me. I have better things to do."

"Like what, lazing on the couch and watching Beverly Hills 90210?" He jeers at me and it causes my chest to boil with anger.

"No!" 'Cheers reruns actually.' "I have work to do! Lots and lots of work!"

"Well it's gonna have to wait because you're going to the dance with me."

I am taken back by this sentence. Immediately my anger evaporates and a state of shock envelops me. My eyes are wide and my mouth seems to be stuck in a permanent "O." The only part of me that moves is my heart, which thumps achingly against my ribcage.

He is analyzing me again, and I am ashamed that my face is so readable at the moment. I expect to see that signature smirk of his, but he keeps a serious demeanor, the corner of his cheek twitching as he grinds his jaw. "I'll take your silence as a yes," he finally says.

The words seem to break my spell. "I will not!"

His eyes grow livid and he strides over to my side and takes my wrist, pulling me up so that I am looking straight at his face. My cheeks are unbearably hot at the moment.

"Let go…"

"Say it."

"Say what?" I struggle to release myself from his grip, but such an attempt is fruitless.

"That you're going to the dance with me."

"No!"

"Say it!" His clutch tightens and I wince from the pain.

"Okay!"

"Okay what?" he says through gritted teeth.

"Okay, I'll go to the dance with you!"

He releases my wrist and that cocky smirk of his finally returns. "Good."

I slump back into my seat, panting from the sudden closeness we shared. My wrist is red and I rub at it, although I know that it won't help in stopping the formation of bruises.

"Let me see." Jackson kneels down in front of me, turning my wrist as he presses the marks gently. "Does it hurt?"

"I'm fine." I hate the unexplained giddiness exploding inside me. I jerk my arm away and look down at my knees. "Why?"

"I don't know. You just seem to be really good at pissing me off."

"No, not that." I gather the courage to look at him again. "Why me? There's lots of girls that you can ask. Why choose me?"

A hand drops to the floor as he contemplates the question. "I don't want to go to this dance anymore than you do. It's a social obligation and I'd rather not make the evening any worse by spending it with a bimbo hanging off my arm."

For some reason I am hurt by this statement. He only wants me to go with him because I'm safe. To the eyes of our peers, wouldn't we be the perfect couple? We both excel in everything we do and even our looks (although I hate to admit it) are compatible with one another. It is a rational choice and yet…

'What were you hoping for, Lisa?'

I manage to shift my frown into a weary smile. "I guess that makes sense."

He gets back up on his feet. "I'm glad we're on the same page. Now finish your work." He walks back to his seat and after finding his page in his book again, sits back down across from me. I return to the task at hand and work on translating sentences in Spanish. The janitor walks into the classroom and realizing we are occupying it once again, goes back out grumbling to himself. It is a typical night for the two of us, a night that I can't help but admit I will miss when it's gone.

A/N: So we see some of Jackson's aggressive side in this chapter. And if any boy does this to you, you should stay away from him! But anyway, next chapter involves getting Lisa ready for the dance, with Jackson playing the role of stylist. Sorry, a little guilty pleasure here. I just love makeovers:)