I should really get some sleep, but….

"So, let's say…Thursday?"

"Thursday it is."

She turned and walked away. It didn't take long for the guys to reach Sam from the other end of the hall.

"So?"

"So, what?" Sam said.

"What did she want? Maybe a goodnight-"

"Stop it, will ya?" Sam said.

"Sorry, Sam. But come on, what's been going on between you two? I mean she's starting to hang on you and vice versa."

"We made a deal."

"What kinda deal?"

"She helps me studying, while I help her get her P.E credits."

"That's why you've been spending so much time with her!"

"Well, no shit."

"What did she come to you for this time?"

"We're going to her place on Thursday to study."

"Uhh, Sammy's going home the Chambers house. Who would have seen that coming?"

"Will you take a break, guys! We're just having a great time together."

"I bet."

"Listen, if you got a problem with that-"

"Take it easy. I mean, Sam, you've completed your challenge. You got a brain. She's yours if you want her to be. Now, let's get back to the ones with huge melons."

"I'm not spending time with Diane to complete some lame challenge you guys made up. I spend time with her because I want to. We help each other out."

"Sam she's a-"

"A what? Nerd? Geek? Loner? Or some other word you got to describe a girl you know nothing about. You haven't been with her. She- she's just an amazing person who has a lot to offer.
You can call her what you want, as long as I know it ain't true. But I tell you this: No one decides who I'm gonna spend my spare time with."

He had had enough and didn't need to hear a response.

"Come on, Sam! We're just-"

He turned and walked away.

English classes had never been better. Now that Diane had asked him to join her down on the second row, he really got a lot more out of English. Not only did he have her besides him as company, she would also poke him whenever he didn't pay attention to something important. Every time she wrote notes, so would he. Just changing seats from 7th row to 2nd had made him improve his acquaintance to the teacher and his grades. He was sure Diane was somehow proud of him.

It was Thursday afternoon and they were heading home to Diane. Sam was stunned to see the enormous luxurious house, Diane called her home. Through the last couple of months he had gotten to know her pretty well. And yes, she had mentioned her family was quite wealthy; just not that wealthy.

"Well, this is where I live."

"It's huge, Diane."

"I feel the same way," she sighed.

"Something wrong?"

"No, it's just-…All that money spent on one house while there are people starving and freezing to death on the streets."

"What does your mother do to be able to afford this place?"

"Nothing," she snorted.

"Come at me again?"

"It's due to my dad. He was rich when he married my mom and when they divorced, she got half of his estate, including the house."

"Wow. Then your mother was handed all this?"

"You could say it like that, yeah. Once poor and fighting, now rich and sharing cocktails with the US governor."

"She sounds…interesting."

"We don't spend a lot of time together. She's always busy visiting rich, famous people. So mostly it's just my cat and me."

"You got a cat?"

"Her name is Elizabeth. She my best friend."

"I'd sure like to meet her."

"Don't worry, you're going to."

They entered the 3 floored paradise house.

"Just come by anytime, Sam. There's plenty of space for you too," she smirked.

"I will, I will," he laughed.

Her bedroom was on the second floor. It was the size of his bedroom times 3. One of the walls was pink and the rest white. Every wall had its own decoration. One was filled with family photos. Another one was covered with poster of unknown celebrities. Maybe he knew of them. It looked like one of the presidents. Kennedy, maybe?
On one of the bookshelves there were sitting 5 puffy teddy bears. And there was a whole more bunch of teddy-bears to be found. She had a king-sized bed (of course) with curves.
Sam couldn't decide whether the room was typical-ish or special. Something in between.

"I like it," he said.

"Thank you. We can uhm- well we can sit on the bed. Just bring your books over here."

"Sure."

He had stayed focused for more than 2 hours. He tried to understand what she was explaining to him, but it didn't always sink in or make sense to him. Nevertheless, it was still a huge help. He wouldn't have understood a thing if he had read on his own.

"Now, you see, what he's doing here-"

"Diane?"

"Yes?" she said and looked up.

"Is that your cat?" he asked and pointed at the cat stepping through the door.

She smiled.

"Yes, that's my Elizabeth."

She pushed her book aside and rose from the bed to go get Elizabeth. The cat let out a sweet 'miaw' as Diane picked her up.

"Sam, I'd like to introduce you to my confidant, Elizabeth."

"Very nice to meet you, your highness," he said and ran his fingers down the back of cat.

"Now, where were we," she said and put Elizabeth down.

"Ah yes, what he meant to do was-"

"Diane?"

"Yes?"

"Truth or dare."

"You're kidding me, right?" she smirked.

"Not really."

"I thought you needed help studying."

"Well, we've been studying for 2 hours straight. It'd be nice with a fun break, wouldn't you say."

"Alright then! But it's not my fault if can't follow in the next classes-"

"I know, I know. Truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"Slide down the banisters."

"Sam, I won't leave the room for it. I come up with something simpler."

"I can't."

She sighed and then smiled.

"Truth then."

"Alright. Why do like reading so much?"

"I've always done it. It's a part of who I am. It's a spare time activity, I've had since I was a child."

"Okay then. You ask."

"Truth or dare?"

"Truth!"

"Why do your friends have something against us seeing each other?"

"Oh- well they don't. Not entirely. It's- hard to explain."

"Try at least."

"Well, usually I spend a lot of time with 'different' women. Not just one."

"So, you're a player?"

"That'd be an easy way of describing it."

"Your friends don't like me coming in the way of that?"

"You could say it like that. I mean, they don't know you. They only judge you based on your behavior."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry. I'm trying to tell them that you're much more than that."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"Sam, will you just explain me one thing?"

"What?"

"If you're supposed to be a player, how come I've never seen you with another woman?"

"Uhm…Well-" he said. His hands were trembling out of the sudden.

"What?"

"Let's say I'm taking a break from all that messing around stuff."

"Okay."

"Truth or dare."

"Dare me," she whispered.

Kiss me.