Alvie's order of not upsetting Tyler boggled Sage, but she tried not to dwell on it too much as Tyler would tease her for being confused and she would seriously maim or kill him if he did- and that would not benefit her as she would end up stuck with all the idiots.

It was all going well and Alvie's warning stopped bugging her after a fortnight.

That was until Dean Archer arrived.

He was tall, athletic, good with the ladies- stereotypical jock minus the bullying and jerk-y attitude. And he was considerably smart, easily picking up playful banter with Tyler and Sage as if he'd known them for years.

"A smart blonde- wow, I'm impressed." He looked Sage up and down, nodding his approval. Sage pursed her lips- she hated people assuming she was a stereotypical blonde. Tyler was the only one not to make that mistake, the one reason he first became her best friend.

Dean casually leant against the lockers, his arm folded against Sage's. Sage took a step back, standing to Tyler's left. Dean was too close.

Tyler put a friendly, reassuring hand on the small of her back, smiling sweetly. He nodded at Dean and moved 'fathead'. Dean didn't notice, messing his dark brown hair into a seemingly messy state- or trying to. His brown-green eyes were fixed on his dull reflection on the locker doors as he ran a hand along his square-ish jaw.

Sage gave a nod of agreement, narrowing her eyes at Dean. Her books were in her locker and he was in the way.

"Dean, can you move?" He looked at her expectantly. Sage tilted her chin up in defiance. Tyler shot Dean a warning look from behind her and Dean stepped back. Sage brushed past him and yanked her locker open.

"Whoa!" His eyes widened at the amount of books in her locker. "You read?"

"No, they're just for decoration. I really am a stupid blonde." Sage muttered. "Tyler, why is your lunch here?"

"So that's where I put it!" Tyler grinned. "Ew, it's gone mouldy. How long has that been there?" Sage shrugged and started looking for her school books. "Oh, cookies. Mine." Tyler declared, snatching the half-eaten packet of cookies from her locker. Sage glowered at him, but made no attempt to get them back.

"I'm in your class, doll." Dean smiled at Sage.

"Well done. Tyler, did you do the homework?"

"'Ere wa' ho'wor'?" Tyler managed around a mouthful of cookie. Sage shot him The Look and his shoulders slouched in defeat. "'Ich 'eache'?"

"Campbell." Tyler swallowed his mouthful and smiled.

"Oh, he likes me." He waved it off.

"Hey, is she your sister?" Sage turned back to their new friend, but he had already run off to greet Lilly. Whatever he said had her blush a bright crimson and she looked uncomfortable.

"He really needs to tone down a bit." Sage decided furiously, storming over to rescue her beloved sister. "Oy!" Dean glanced at her casually, smiling. "You do not harass my sister, do you understand me?!"

"Crystal clear, doll."

"And I wouldn't call me 'doll'," She spat the word with as much venom as she could, "if you like having limbs!" Sage turned to Lilly, forcibly softening her tone. "Come on, Lilly."

"Nice name, sweetheart!" Dean called. Sage made to turn back and tear him to shreds, but Lilly grabbed her by the arm and dragged her away.

Dean laughed heartily, clapping Tyler on the shoulder. "I like your girlfriend- feisty."

"She's not my girlfriend." Tyler muttered pulling away from him. Dean seemed like an OK guy, just too forward and flirty for Tyler's liking. And he didn't particularly trust that mischievous gleam in Dean's eyes.

There was Charlie-mischievous and then there was Dean-mischievous. One was adorable and hilarious while the other looked like trouble.

Sorry it's short, but believe me, I'm trying and this was a lot longer in my writing book!