Freddie's POV

I still couldn't believe I'd accepted such a bet. Sam and I were sure in a fix now. It sucked but there was no way I was backing down. I was going to push her buttons until she gave up and then I'd be victorious, and she'd be covered in paint. I was tired of losing, and this time I wouldn't.

At least, I hoped I wouldn't. Sam didn't seem intimidated by my flirts; in fact, she flirted back. I knew it wasn't going to be an easy task getting Sam to lose for she was very determined. But I sure as heck wasn't losing either.

The girls and I walked through the doors of Ridgeway High and every head turned to stare at us—mainly Sam and I, for we gave off a lovey-dovey aura by my arm around her. People started whispering and pointing; girls looked either saddened, maddened, or just awed. Most of the guys were in shock and admiration for me. I got to admit, it felt nice.

The girls went to their lockers and I stood by Sam's side awhile before going to mine, which was farther away. Sam seemed annoyed which made me feel smug. I knew having to fake being in love with me—a nub—would make her miserable. There was no way she'd win. I had it in the bag.

A girl walked up to us. She had on a blue basketball jersey on. Her hair was brown, but lighter than Carly's shade. It was done in a ponytail and she had freckles about her face, and was looking at me questioningly.

"Hey," she greeted, "I wanted to ask you something, Freddie." Sam and I both faced her fully. I wasn't sure what the girl was about to say but Sam looked like she did, and she wasn't happy.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Well…I wanted to know if you wanted to go to a movie or something—" she started but Sam stepped forward.

"No, sorry, he can't." she spat, "The boy's with me." She then backed up and kicked my shin lightly, and I got her message. I put my arm around her waist and hugged her to me tightly. The girl was dumbfounded and kept switching her gaze from Sam to me.

"O-Oh," she finally sputtered, "s-sorry. I didn't realize…" Sam gave her an icy glare and she gulped. She began backing away as Sam's glare intensified. Then she just sprinted off to her other basketball buddies. Every other teen in the hall had watched the scene with interest and astonishment. I too was amazed; Sam had told the girl that we were together and basically to back off or she'd claw her eyes out. Though Sam was supposed to be my girlfriend I was surprised at how good of an actress she could be. I might not have this challenge in the bag.

"Wow. Feisty." Carly said, smirking as she resumed putting her books away.

"Mama gets possessive over her man." Sam said, giving me a smile that somewhat caused me to shiver. But there was no reason to; it was a fake smile.

"No need to get into a catfight over me." I said, and her smile wavered, "You're the only girl for me." I hugged her nearer to me with my arm (it was still around her hips). I inhaled and her scent filled my nose: she smelled of bacon and honeysuckle. The bacon part was obvious but the sweet aroma of honey was unexpected. It was an appealing smell and I felt weak in the knees as I inhaled.

"Um, I better go put my stuff away." I said awkwardly, releasing Sam and moving away. Her scent was overwhelming me and I couldn't be so near to her with it lingering. She waved me off as I walked away but a devious idea popped into my head. It was evil and it might surely set Sam off. I turned back and walked over to her and Carly. They were talking animatedly with each other but stopped when I appeared by Sam again.

"You forgot something." I said, winding my arms around her again and pulling her to me. In a flash our lips had connected. Gasps chorused around us but all sound suddenly disappeared as I kissed her. She was a phenomenal kisser and I felt myself get weak holding her so close. I was relieved that she'd pull away and I wouldn't have these raging emotions but…she didn't.

She didn't yank away or even try to do it casually. Instead her arms went around my neck as she kissed me back, like she enjoyed it. I even felt myself enjoying it…No, no, no, no, no! I screamed inside my brain, You're hating this! You're only kissing her for the challenge! But the kiss was explosive and wonderful, even if the girl was Sam.

When we finally pulled away I realized I was breathing heavily. We hadn't come up for air so the kiss had been lengthy. I still hugged Sam to me, meaning we were still dangerously close. Our heads were an inch apart. I hastily let her go and she stepped back, also breathing hard.

I suddenly felt someone bop me in the head with what felt like a newspaper. Rubbing the top of my head, I turned to see it was indeed a newspaper, being held by Mr. Howard. His beady eyes looked down on us and he looked murderous as usual.

"No making out in the hallway!" he shouted, spraying spit over my face, "You want to, do it on your own time!" With that he walked away, mumbling something rude about teenagers. Sam smirked awkwardly at having annoyed a teacher and turned to me.

"We will now, won't we?" she said, winking at me. I felt my face grow hot and even Carly looked embarrassed. Sam seemed supercilious at my blush and slammed her locker shut. Just as she did the bell rang. I groaned, realizing I'd be late since I hadn't put my books away.

"I'll meet you guys in class," I said, walking to my locker sulkily.

"Late, babe." I heard Sam say. Another shiver went up my spine with her tone. The crowd of students went to their classes as I opened my locker.

The day wasn't over and already I felt exhausted. We had announced we were "dating" and even had a make-out session in the hall! Wait, a what? ! Ugh! I thought as I slammed the last of my books in my locker. Sam and I made out in front of everybody. Me and Sam! She didn't even back away, which made my original attempt futile. It was supposed to make her grossed out so she'd yell at me and lose the bet but she was smarter than she looked.

I walked to Mr. Howard's class, ready to be humiliated for being late. I knew whatever would be my punishment would be bad since Mr. H hated kids even more than his wife. At that moment the fact he hated his wife didn't seem so mean…

I entered the classroom to find him glaring at me, his arms crossed. Every other kid stared at me, including Sam. She gave me a flirty wink and I blushed.

"Late, eh, Mr. Benson?" Mr. Howard said, walking towards me, "All of a sudden you're a delinquent, kissing up girls and being late…" Snickers erupted around the room, from Sam too. Mr. Howard gave me a satisfactory scowl and I felt his hand clamp around the scruff of my neck.

"Get to your seat, Benson," he growled, shoving me into my desk, "and if I see your lips on anyone's face, I'll call your mother!" More giggles echoed round the room. My face flushed an even deeper pink and I sat down.

The class went on with Mr. Howard droning on and complaining that he didn't want to be here. I kept feeling as though I was being watched throughout the classtime. I was because Mr. H kept looking to me with a hateful gaze but I meant from the back. As if someone was staring at the back of my head.

Someone must have been because soon I felt something whap me in the head. I refused to turn, thinking it was some jock pelting me with spitballs for some reason. Later I got hit again. I still didn't turn. The third time I felt a flick in the head. It was different than what had hit me before, meaning it hurt more. I turned to see Sam holding out a piece of folded looseleaf paper. Trying to pass me a note, I thought, taking it. She flashed me another wink as I turned back, and my stomach did a flip. It's only an act, I thought, She has no feelings, nor do you.

I nervously looked to Mr. Howard: his back was to us. Knowing I was safe, I carefully unfolded Sam's note.