"I can't believe you did this."

Fiona looked up from her book to see a bright-eyed Holly J glaring down at her. So he did it then. I guess this will be interesting.

She decided she would pretend to be disturbed and annoyed by the interruption. "Care to let me in on why you're angry, and apparently blaming me for something." She chirped ignorantly.

Holly J stepped closer, "don't bother acting like you don't know because I'm not playing around right now."

Fiona sighed and stuck a piece of discarded paper into her book, she saw her hands shaking and felt heat rise to her face at the sight of it. "Why don't we go somewhere where we can't be overheard, please?" She walked to Holly J, expecting her to start moving, but she only stood her ground and looked Fiona hard in the eyes. Fiona's face became hotter than she thought possible. The look in Holly J's eyes and the stubborn setting of her jaw made her ache and feel wet.

After a few seconds of staring, she turned on her heel and briskly walked out of the library, Fiona had to almost run to keep up. She followed her all the way outside and crossed the street where Holly J stood in front of a picnic table away from any other students. Fiona wondered if she was supposed to sit while Holly J stood above and scolded her. As silly as she thought it was, she felt very apprehensive as she seated herself on the opposite side.

Holly J did in fact remain standing with her arms folded above her. Fiona only thought she looked ridiculous and arrogant; when she was being fierce through patronization and frustration, it was attractive. But when she tried to seem authoritative when she was really upset, it just seemed fake. "What did you tell him to get him to break up with me? Did you tell him the truth? I think I recall you 'ordering' me to not say anything to him."

Fiona smiled smugly. "I did say that. I didn't want you to tell him- I didn't want me to tell him. Things change." She was going to play this cool. Holly J was obviously flustered and Fiona felt she had the power in this situation.

Holly J did not smile; but now she looked less angry and more confused. "I think you're both crazy."

"Why?" She knew exactly why Holly J thought so.

"First you corner me in the auditorium and confess your love for me, and then you go to my boyfriend and beg him to break up with me. And the kicker- he agreed. There's nothing normal about any of this."

Then why are you talking to me right now? "So, at least you'll never be bored with me."

"I'm not going to be with you ever. You really thought that this would convince me that I should be with you? That is insane- as I've said. Was there more to your plan? Are you going to show up in my room in the middle of the night, kidnap me, and then tie me up your basement?"

She thought this would be a perfect opportunity to lighten the mood and employ her charm. "I don't have a basement. But I'd be more than happy to tie you up in a more elegant place."

But she knew she probably had jumped the gun when Holly J looked genuinely disgusted. "You're sick." And she got up to leave.

"Okay, okay; that was inappropriate. Please don't leave now."

But she didn't stop; she didn't even hesitate or look back. So Fiona sat there marveling at the mess she had made. Who knows what rumors may spread about her? She might even spread rumors about her brother- well actually she probably will.

But still, she couldn't help but feel amused about Holly J's reaction. She didn't really understand why she was apparently the only one who wasn't intimidated or annoyed by Holly J. She thought it was so arousing when Holly J yelled at anyone else and they cowered in fear. But when the smarminess and the condescension was turned on her, she was merely amused.

Holly J, with her bow-adorned strawberry-blond hair and adorable freckled face, shouldn't have been able to scare anyone. It should not be possible for venom to drip out of those soft pink lips or for those always-bright green eyes to hold anything but sweet feelings. Yet Holly was still fierce and tough as nails. A true enigma, that one. Fiona had seen a picture, through Declan, of Heather Sinclair. Now that was a face she could see frightening children and convicts alike.

She thought the best thing to do was trust that Holly J would protect her own reputation by keeping quiet about what Fiona had done and said.

And, who knows? Maybe Holly J would even come around after she cooled off a bit. She certainly didn't seem too broken up about losing Declan. She was only extremely angry.

And obviously that anger was more about her being conspired against; not her loss of a boyfriend.

So, Fiona decided that the anger had been the best reaction she could have hoped for. If Holly J had been weepy and devastated, she would have known that the girl was far too emotionally attached to her brother for her to have even the slightest chance of winning her over.

But the anger was promising. If her anger for Fiona was stronger than her pain over the break-up, then Fiona was obviously the more important one.

Fiona looked at the door through which Holly J had disappeared with a smile on her face. Mostly, she was happy that the cool, calculating Holly J had given herself away by confronting her and showing her interest in Fiona's motive and involvement. She had unknowingly given Fiona more incentive to continue her pursuit. And, the greatest part, there was a chance Holly J would realize what she had done and be on edge; thinking about and looking out for Fiona all the time.

So, she would give it time. Let Holly J obsess over her for a while. If she pestered her now, she would lose the upper hand. But if she kept Holly J on her toes, it would be only a matter of time before Holly J came to confront her.

And sure, she felt like a lunatic for plotting this… 'Psychological warfare', but she was so glad to have something to live for; something to really want to live for.