(Several hours later)

"…Perfect" Robb said proudly, patting me on the head. "I'm not a dog!" I said smacking his hand away from my head. He lay on his bed tiredly. He yawned, it was only then that I realised how good looking he was.

His big blue eyes stared at me. My eyes were locked on his for what seemed like an eternity look away already baka! It seemed Robb had the same thought, he turned to his left and we both laughed awkwardly. What the hell was that?

"So ummm… I start on Monday right?" I asked going over the plan. "Yeah, there's this new kid joining our school but he's not coming for another two weeks, all you have to do is pretend to be him and claim you came early" he replied. "What happens when they find out I'm not really him?" I asked, though I didn't honestly want to know the answer. "I'm not sure exactly but they can't do anything too bad" he said comfortingly.

Suddenly, my phone rang and I jumped at the unexpected sound of my ring tone. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and answered. "Hello? I'm at Robb's. Now? Do I have to? Fine. Yeah, bye" Robb looked at my blankly. "That was my mum, I've got to get home" I explained. "Oh okay well see ya" he replied. I couldn't read the expression on his face, I think he seemed a little disappointed but I couldn't be sure. "See ya" I replied, keeping my voice normal.

When I got home it was well past eleven. My mum had a huge go at me and gave me a lecture on 'responsibility'. I apologised sincerely and changed the subject by telling her about the school exchange thing. She seemed to believe me so there was no problem there but I began to feel horribly guilty for lying to her. Then I thought of how she would react if I told her the truth and that eased the guilt a little. I tried to drown out my thoughts as I went up to bed.

The rest of the weekend was spent practising speaking like a boy, watching boys play football through my window and going around town to listen in on groups of boys making conversation.

…

"Are you ready for this?" Robb asked as I stared through the maximum-security, steel gates that would inevitably lead to hell. I gulped.

The school looked terrifying. It was an old Victorian style building with a massive playing field and lots of small blocks based around the main one in the middle. All over the walls there was graffiti and splattered blood. On the field there was a stampede of boys chasing after a little blond boy who was running for his life.

The ground was plastered with gum (some of which had not dried) I could barely make out the colour of the ground. And the two sets of doors on either side of the main building were just as uninviting, the once painted-green wood had long rubbed off and they were a pale, cream colour and the handle on one of the doors was missing. I stood in front of the school not moving an inch.

"This was a mistake" I squeaked. "It's not as bad as it looks" Robb said giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. I wasn't even aware he was holding it before then. "They were chasing a little boy, is that not bad to you?" I asked turning to point at the kid that I saw running. He was nowhere to be seen but the huge mob of boys were still there. He's probably mince meat now. "Oh that's just a game some of the juniors like to play" he explained calmly. "Those are j-j-juniors?" I stuttered. Oh crap. "Sure, its just harmless fun" He looked at my expression. "Don't worry, the seniors aren't much taller, most of them have stopped growing now anyway" he said. I obviously didn't seem convinced "It'll be fine!" he said patiently.

"Come on lets go inside" he said pulling me towards the entrance and leaving me with little choice. There was a voice in my head telling me I shouldn't follow him. I did.

I rolled my eyes. Stupid brain; you should know by now I never listen to what you tell me to do.

Robb lead me inside the school and into the doors on the left of the main building. "We need to let the office know you're here. Oh, by the way you're name is Zasuke" he added. "Zasuke" I repeated nervously. We went into the office and Robb did all the speaking. I nodded when appropriate but I was too caught in worry to take much notice of what was being said and what was going on. "We can go now!" said Robb already half way out of the door. "Right" I said following him.

"Is it that terrifying?" he asked handing me my new planner as we walked through the seemingly endless corridors. I didn't answer but I glared at him for a little while. He chuckled. "You'll get used to it eventually".

After a while of walking, we entered another building labelled 'science block'. It looked odd, surprisingly untouched. It was obviously new. Robb lead me underneath the staircase were a bunch of boys were casually talking. This seems safe. Robb cleared his throat loudly to get everybody's attention "Everyone, this is Zasuke, Zasuke, meet my friends" "Hi" I said nervously trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

"Sup?" one of the boys asked, I looked up and I could feel my eyes widening. Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God. This can't be real! I rubbed my eyes and looked again but he was still there. My eyes weren't deceiving me. It was really him. The guy I met on the bus just a few days ago was really here.

That's when I realised everyone was staring at me expectantly. "Oh sorry, umm, nothing really you?" I asked embarrassed. Robb just smiled at me. "Do you wanna sit down?" he asked patting the ground next to him. "This is Corey" he said pointing to a boy who was slightly overweight but quite cute in a way. "Nice to meet you" I said shaking his hand.

"And this is Darume" he said pointing to a very skinny, tall boy with long platinum blonde hair and a big fringe which almost covered both eyes, he too was pretty good looking. I shook his hand "Everyone calls me stilts so you don't need to bother remembering my real name" he said as he let go of my hand. "Cool" I replied smiling at him.

"And this is Natsume" Robb said pointing to the most attractive boy there. So that's his name. I shook his hand and felt an impenetrable rush of pleasure at being so close to him and feeling his skin-without falling on him! The shake lasted a little longer than necessary and we both pulled our hands away apologetically.

I missed the other two names of his friends because my brain had gone into shock after the physical contact between me and the boy I had not stopped thinking about since I first met him. "Could you let me see your time table?" Robb asked when he was done introducing me to his friends. I stared at him blankly. "In your planner" Natsume hinted. "I knew that". I opened my bag and gave Robb my planner.

I saw a frustrated look on his face. "You're lucky" he said through gritted teeth. "You've got Natsume in most of you're lessons". Woohoo! As I was internally celebrating I felt a tang of guilt for Robb. He probably wanted to be the one to help me out. The bell rang. I sighed. Nothing I can do about it now. Before the group separated, Robb asked everyone to look out for me. Everyone walked off in their separate directions. "Where am I going?" I asked Robb. "Follow me, you're in my form" he said slightly happily.

We went to what seemed like the other side of the school; I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going, God forbid I ever attempt to get to any of my classes alone. Around us, the rest of the school was descending into chaos, there were boys running in every direction, finishing what I hoped were cigarettes and wrestling in the mud. When we got to our form room it was no wonder we were late. All of the boys were dead silent and well behaved. What the hell is going on?

Robb opened the door and lead me into the room, I was amazed. Every single boy was perfectly still; you'd have never thought this was Graham Park in a million years. No way. What's going on? I noticed they were all staring towards the front; my gaze followed there's and lead me to the teacher who was staring at me and Robb. Then I realised why they were all acting like this. The teacher was young and beautiful. She had perfect blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes and a slim figure. Her outfit didn't leave much to the imagination, she was wearing an incredibly tight shirt with one too many buttons undone and a short pencil skirt.

She smiled friendlily. "Robb, I know it's difficult but could you at least try to be on time for registration? Just once?" I looked at her; she couldn't possibly be a teacher. Could she? I looked at Robb who (thankfully) was the only boy in the room not gawking at her. "Sorry Mrs" he replied shrugging casually. She sighed "What am I going to do with you?"

She turned her attention to me, still really friendly. "Who's this?" she asked addressing the question to Robb. "I'm Zasuke, I'm new here" I said. "Right well welcome to Graham Park" she said smiling. "Boy's welcome Zasuke" she instructed. "Welcome" they all said their voices almost zombie-like. They didn't even look at me, they were all hypnotised by her. "Are they always like this?" I whispered to Robb. "Only when she's here" he whispered back taking a seat.

I sat in the chair next to him. I didn't realise how little I understood boy's till then.