Dan has gotten in huge trouble.

And I'm not talking about getting expelled from Hastings's Academy for Boys even before he began attending.

I'm talking about going to jail. Without even being guilty. Let me explain.

For as long as I know, there's always been a family feud between the Cahills and some other rich family, the Starlings. The reason? Political issues.

So of course, when Mrs. Starling found out that a Cahill was going to attend the same school that her sons were attending, she simply had to find a way to stop that. And Dan, clueless, didn't even keep his guard up.

The Starlings are, among many other things, owners of a shopping center franchise all over America.

As told by Nellie:

"Dan went shopping for some new shoes for the academy to one of their shopping centers, even though he was clearly told he couldn't step a foot inside that building. And, unfortunately, Mrs. Starling, the Queen of Cold Hearts, happened to be lingering by. She was doing some monthly check-ups. Upon spotting that fool of Dan's disheveled figure, Lady Snake saw an opportunity and seized the moment. Somehow, some time, she managed to stuff a pair of very expensive shoes in his bag. The guards discovered 'his' rob, and sent him right over to the police station. She obviously pressed charges.

Luckily, the punishment isn't too serious. But Hastings's Academy cares too much about its reputation. What would people say if some kid with jail records attended the school? Of course they wouldn't let it, which is why I, being my very persuasive self, managed to keep it out of the academy's ears. To prevent the Starlings from talking, I also managed to get a warrant that made those idiots keep quiet about the incident. If a word's out, the Starlings will immediately be arrested (wouldn't that be awesome?), even if it wasn't them the ones who spread the news. I also managed to get some time to prove Dan's innocence. The police gave me a month, since, as you know, they are good acquaintances with the Cahills. But in the meantime, Dan will be forced to house arrest. He won't be able to attend Hastings's Academy for a month, and the school has a very strict rule that, if you don't show up at school after one week of its start, you're out."

Which is why, as you know, I'm pretending to be Dan.

"You must be Mr. Dan Cahill," a suited man says as he approaches me.

I nod.

He smiles at me, leaning closer. "But secretly, you are his sister."

My eyes widen. "Excuse me?

The man laughs. He stretches out his hand. "My name's Alistair Oh, and I'm completely in on your family's plan. In fact, I'll be the one to help you whenever you have any trouble, since Seattle and Boston aren't exactly close, and your au pair can't be rushing here if any problem arises, given Dan's situation."

I nod in understanding. "I see…is there anyone else in this, by the way?"

"The academy's doctor and the principal, Mark Rosenbloom," Alistair says, taking my suitcases. "The Rosenblooms have been quite good friends with the Cahills, so he was willing to…"

He continues to talk, but my brain shuts down at the mention of a Rosenbloom. How could I've forgotten that Jake's dad is the principal? And even more, that he attends the academy? I want to smack my forehead, but Alistair would think I'm crazy.

We walk outside the airport, with Alistair carrying the lightest bag and I the heaviest. We don't want anyone to suspect, even if we're not at the academy yet. He keeps talking, explaining all about the rules of the school and how to contact him. But I'm paying only half of my attention to his words. The other part is completely wrapped around Jake's warm brown eyes. I find myself blushing. I don't know if I should be excited or dismayed that we're attending the same school.

As you can tell, I have a huge crush on the guy. But it's quite impossible not to have one on Jake. Nice, intellectual, and with the sweetest smile ever, he's perfect. I met him when I was twelve, the first time I went to visit Taylor's house. He was thirteen, and he was (is) just as much of a bookworm as I.

"There's my chauffeur, Casper!" Alistair exclaims, waving at the blonde man.

The man looks horrified to be there.

Alistair smiles at me. "I caught him trying to steal some things for me. As a punishment, Mr. Wyoming has to be my chauffeur for six months."

I can't help but chuckle at that.

Once Casper helps me out with my suitcases, I step inside Alistair's SUV and we head over to Hastings's Academy.

He turns to look at me. "Did Nellie give you pointers on how to act like a guy?"

"Oh, yes she did," I inform him, shaking my head at the memory. She nearly gave me a guide.

Here's an expert.

Step 1: Look like a guy.

I look at my brand new short hair in the rearview mirror. Nellie had asked the hairdresser to make it sort of shaggy, since she didn't want to be too cruel with my reddish-brown locks. I smooth down a strand of hair from my boy bangs, sighing. I am not too pleased to have short hair. But it's obligatory.

My face is make-up free, and I let my eyebrows grow out. Not that they're bushy. They're still quite girly. In fact, my whole face is! Which worries me. What if they find out?

Of course, most of you are probably wondering about the girl issue…the one located right on my chest. Nellie saw somewhere that wrapping wide surgical tape would help. And, even though I feel as if I can't breath, it did work. The fact that my uniform shirt is loose on me helps, too.

Alistair waves at the window, smiling. "There's the famous Space Needle."

I look out the window, and stare in awe at the height of the Space Needle. It looks as if it's touching the clouds. I wonder how it feels to be up there.

I seat back on my seat, feeling nervous. Hastings's Academy is near the Seattle Needle. I remember Nellie's words before she coaxed me to accept.

"I know you can do it," she'd said, with such security in her eyes.

I bit my lower lip, trying to convince myself that she's right. But there's still that nagging negativity in the back of my head.

Step 2: To avoid any suspicions, act like a rude guy.

After fifteen minutes, we turn the corner to a street surrounded by trees. I spot the large entrance gates to the school. I gulp, feeling my mouth dry in anxiety.

"I won't be able to walk you to the lobby," Alistair tells me. "But the principal will surely have someone waiting for you there. He's more than willing to help you, especially after he heard that you're Taylor's friend."

I gasp, turning to look at him. "Does she know?"

He shakes his head. "Mark's sworn to secrecy."

I sigh in relief. If Taylor doesn't know, then there's a huge chance that Jake doesn't know. And after the incident back in my school's cafeteria…well, it would be awkward.

The car pulls over in front of a Victorian-styled building. Casper opens the door for me, my bags already in his hands. I take them from him.

Alistair pokes his head out. "Call me whenever you want…Dan."

He offers me his business card, which I gratefully take, before he wishes me luck and speeds away.

As I make my way toward the large, oak entrance, I spot a group of tough-looking guys by the doorway.

I try to recall Nellie's instructions on how to look like a rude guy.

"Purse your lips, and always chew on something."

Since I don't have gum or anything of the sort, I pretend I've got something chewable inside my mouth.

"When you walk, sort of glide. And with every step, lower one of your shoulders to the side."

I take my first step with my right foot, and I slightly lower down my left shoulder. In that same nature, I make my way toward the steps.

"Always look straight ahead, and make sure you've got a look-but-don't-touch expression on your face. Oh, and furrow your eyebrows."

Okay, I'm trying my best with that look-but-don't-touch expression, though I don't think it turned out the way Nellie wanted it to.

Especially because one of the toughies near the entrance stuck out his leg and tripped me. Toughies don't bully other toughies, which is the whole purpose of me acting as one.

"Fresh meat," the blonde one announces to his friends.

One that looks like a rapper appears next to him, laughing at me. "He looks quite the pretty boy, doesn't he, Hammer?"

I try to stand up, but one of the toughies holds me down with his foot.

'Hammer' chuckles along the rapper kid, kneeling down next to me. He caresses my forearm. "He's got quite soft skin too. Sort of like a girl's."

I feel as if my heart stops.

Rapper kid nods, chewing down gum. "What's your name, whimp?"

"Dan," I answer, surprised at how steady my voice sounds.

"Well, Dan, let me introduce you to the gang," Hammer announces. He points at rapper kid. "That's Jonah."

Jonah smiles smugly.

"And those are Evan," he says, pointing to the ugliest guy I've ever seen. He points to the one next to Evan. "And Kurt. I'm Hamilton, but most people call me the Hammer. Wondering why?"

I'm smart enough to know what's coming next, so I whimper: "Not really."

"Ask him why," Jonah exclaims, scowling at me.

I immediately obey. "Why?"

"Because I beat up softies like you," Hamilton says, smiling in a sickening way. "Leaving them hammered down to the ground. And what better way to start off the year than to beat the newbie up?"

Step 3: Avoid fights, unless you want to be left nearly dead in the hospital.

I guess it's too late for that step.

Author's Note: Haha, I'm sorry to the Evan fans about Amy's description on him. But that's sort of like my revenge on him for sinking my ship :P Well, I just wanted to thank you guys for the reviews. I'm glad you liked the first chapter, and I hope that you equally enjoyed this one. Our dear Ian is appearing in my next update, by the way, so stay tuned for that!