It was Hal Grenner. Rita's heart skipped a few beats. She thought she was going to faint, but she kept her cool. She didn't want Hal to think she wasn't the same tough, strong-willed Rita she had been back when she first met him. Roddy turned around and saw the boy.

"Hi, Hal Grenner.." Rita greeted hesitantly.

"This is Hal?" Roddy asked, turning around.

"Yeah, this is Hal," Hal said, looking at Roddy as if he had insulted him, "And who are you?"

Hal was more charming than Roddy had anticipated. He was tall, with a strong build and muscles like rocks by the looks of it. He had stunning light blue eyes and shining, flowing black hair that was a little longer than Roddy's. He had straight white teeth that shone when he grinned...even though he wasn't. Roddy straightened up, smoothed his shirt down and cleared his throat, ready for competition.

"I happen to be Roddy St. James of Kesington...and Rita's best friend and first mate," Roddy bragged, putting his arm around Rita's shoulders.

Rita nodded, still looking dumb-struck. Roddy looked down at her. He saw she was falling for this "Hall Grenner" fellow again. For some reason, Roddy had the strange urge to change that. Hal glared at Roddy. but when he looked at Rita, he winked and grinned charmingly. He slightly tipped Rita's chin up with his finger and walked off to the bleachers. Rita looked like she was in a dream-like state, walking Hal walk away. A surge of jealousy shot through Roddy's body.

"What's so great about him?" Roddy scoffed, "He seems like a real-"

"Dreamy guy..right?" Rita interrupted, still in her daze.

Roddy waved a hand in front her face. She didn't move a muscle. Roddy thought about this. An idea came to him that he knew would get her back to Earth.

"Rita...I have a confession to make.." Roddy said softly and smoothly, "I seem to have fallen madly in love with you Rita Malone.."

Rita snapped out of it and looked up at Roddy in bewilderment.

"What?!" Rita cried.

Roddy broke out laughing. He slapped his knee in emphasis to show how amused he was.

"You totally fell for it!" Roddy cracked up.

Rita smirked smugly, crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow and cocked her hip. Roddy slowly stopped laughing and looked at her. Roddy cleared his throat.

"I was kidding about that, Rita," Roddy insisted, "Seriously.."

"Mmhm..sure.." Rita sighed, the smug look still on her face.

She walked past Roddy.

"Seriously! I was!" Roddy said.

Rita nodded sarcastically as she walked out of the cafeteria. Roddy ran after her.

"Rita! I'm telling the truth!" Roddy called after her.

Just as he ran out the door, a strong hand grabbed his forearm and spun him back around. He came face to face with Hal. He winced in fear.

"Relax, St. James," Hal sneered, "I'm not gonna hurt you. All I'm gonna do is give you a warning. Rita Malone is mine. Not your's. Got it?"

This enraged Roddy. Roddy pried Hal's hands off of his shirt and smoothed it out. Then he poked Hal in the chest as hard as he could.

"Listen, you," Roddy snapped, "Rita Malone is not someone who is owned. She is a woman and you should respect her as a woman..not a TROPHY."

"I'll bet you $50 she'll goes to the Welcome Back Dance with me," Hal bet.

"Make it $100 and you've got yourself a bet that she'll go to the dance with me," Roddy negotiated.

"Let's make it interesting.." Hal grinned evilly, "Loser has to do winner's homework for the first semester. Deal?"

"Deal," Roddy spit on his hand and held it out.

Hal did the same and they shook hands on it.

"I hope you know this..NO girl can resist me," Hal sneered.

He walked away chuckling to himself. Roddy suddenly came into realization that he was treating Rita like a trophy! If Rita found out she'd kill him, bring him back to life and kill him again! And then never talk to him again!

What am I doing?! I can't bet on Rita! And how am I gonna win against Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome?! Oh god, Roddy old chap..you've got yourself a sticky situation!