AN: thank you guys so much for sticking through this with me. I know how irritating it is when an author doesn't update. I had no internet whatsoever at my house. now that it's back, I will hopefully updating much more often. =)

"Sarah! Don't you lock me out, girl!"

I sighed heavily, leaning against the door. With luck, she would forget about it in a few days… oh who was I kidding. She wouldn't give it up until she had dragged a detailed description out of me, something that, were it anyone else, would take days, but she would have it out of me the moment she had a chance to corner me.

Groaning, I sunk down to the floor, took a few deep breaths and made my decision. A few minutes later, I was in bed, with the door still locked. She could just wonder about it. Maybe I'd tell her tomorrow… or not. I liked the second one better.

The next morning, I slipped quietly out of the house. I figured that if I left earlier than usual, she wouldn't catch me. I walked into the classroom and sat down, pulling my homework out, going over it quickly, and insuring that my name was on it. Satisfied, I stapled it together and pulled out my textbook, planning to study a bit, happy that I had time to myself.

My reprieve was short lived, however, because within minutes of my entrance, the door opened a second time. Please let it be the teacher… please let it be the teacher… I found myself hoping silently as I looked up. I stifled a groan. It wasn't the teacher, but at least it wasn't Leslie… not that Jareth King was much better. I looked back at my work, hoping he didn't realize I noticed him enter. My hopes were short lived.

"Hello, Sarah. How are you this morning?"

"Fine, King…" I sighed, "How are you?"

"I am doing well."

"King?"

"Yes, Sarah?"

"Why are your mannerisms and your looks so opposite?"

"What do you mean?"

It's just… you dress as though you want everyone to think you are an arrogant jerk, and yet when you talk… oh never mind."

"I understand. You wonder why I seem as though I am cultured even though I act and dress as if I lived on the streets."

"Yeah. But forget it."

"Why?"

"Because I decided that I don't really care about you or your past."

"Sarah, you wound me to the quick!" he replied, pressing his hand against his heart and sliding into the seat directly beside me.

"No. I don't," I rolled my eyes and continued my last minute study. Despite my determination, I was unable to focus on my work. My senses kept concentrating on him alone. I could hear him breathing, feel his warmth, and my eyes wouldn't stay focused where I wanted them. I could feel his eyes on me, watching my every move. Underlying all of it was a scent that reminded me of safety, of home, and of magic.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to him and locked eyes with him. "What do you want?" I demanded.

He smiled. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

I glowered. "You know exactly what you make me."

He smirked and started to speak.

"Never mind! I suppose you don't know! You are an egotistical, arrogant ass who thinks that just because I'm female I'm going to fall all over you. You are so… so… irritating!" I flung at him.

He simply smiled at me for a moment. "Are you still curious as to my conflicting attributes?"

I was still fuming. "Will an answer in the affirmative make you go away?"

"Perhaps…" came the vague answer.

"Well, it's worth a shot. Yes."

"Simple. I was raised to lead, but still allowed to be rebellious. My parents wanted me to learn to listen, but still to fight for what I wanted. Therefore, they instilled in me a sense of responsibility, but challenged my beliefs at every turn. They drove me over the edge again and again until I learned to control my anger and use it to my advantage," he paused and smiled, "then, for a portion of my life, I was sent to live with the people that would, in the near future, become my responsibility. There I learned how to take care of myself, what frightened the average person, and how to deal with people in general. It was a valuable lesson and I am grateful for it," he finished with a shrug.

Despite myself, I was intrigued, wondering what kind of a background he came from. Raised to lead? People that would be my responsibility? Maybe his arrogance came from being raised a certain way and not from the man himself. When I thought about it, I realized that Leslie was right, he was teasing me… and thoroughly enjoying it, obviously. I hadn't been home in months… I'd been so caught up in school… I'd even forgotten what it was like to have someone tease me, one of Toby's favorite activities. Taking a deep breath, I vowed to be more in control of my emotions around Jar- King. Maybe… if I gave him what he wanted, he might leave me alone. He enjoyed provoking me, and I was done giving him the satisfaction.

With that thought, the bell rang and I realized that not only had I failed to study the way I wanted to, I hadn't even noticed the class filing into the room. I sighed, changed my book to the appropriate page, handed King some of my materials and listened to the teacher begin his lecture.

The second day passed in much the same as the first one, with a certain blonde partnering me at every turn. When I made it home that night, I set my homework out, then set out a second set of supplies in case he-

A knock at the door sounded. I shook my head and opened the door, knowing that it would be him on the other side. The only thing I didn't expect was what he held in his hand, a crystal so identical to the one he gave me the night before, that if I didn't know for a fact that it was in my room, I would assume it was the same one. I sighed, opening the door wider. A few seconds passed and I found a slight blush rising to my cheeks, as he looked me over. When his gaze made it back to mine, he moved toward me, brushing against me as he passed, and then seating himself without a word. I pulled myself together and slid into the chair beside him.

As I picked up my pencil, he opened his mouth to speak.

"The same rules apply, King. If it doesn't pertain to the work or the restroom, I don't care."

He chuckled. "As you wish, Pet."

"Don't call me that!" I said, exasperated.

"What? Never been called by a pet name before, Precious?"

I gritted my teeth, the truth being that I had never even been on more than one date with any given guy. Not nearly long enough to be given a pet name. The closest I'd ever come to even a nickname was when Leslie called me 'girl' or when someone close to me abbreviated my name to 'Sar.'

"No, King. I have never been called by a pet name… because no one ever called me one twice, can you guess why?"

He chuckled. "Because you wouldn't let them? Because they were mild-mannered creatures that lacked a sense of fun and daring in their life?"

"Yes to the first one. As to the second, I'm not even going to dignify that with a serious response."

He chuckled before lapsing into silence. Exactly one hour later, he set his pencil down and turned toward me, completely silent. I sighed, barely having made it through a quarter of my work.

"Yes, King?" I asked politely, already fairly sure of what was coming.

"Nothing."

"Then get back to work and stop staring at me."

"I am finished with the work."

"Why did I expect any different?" I muttered under my breath before turning to look at it. "Good job," I praised him reluctantly, "so here's a question."

"Yes?"

"Why aren't you in a more advanced class? With work like this, you should be far ahead of your entire class. Considering how easily you finish it, I would think you would get bored with it quickly."

"Finally curious about my life precious?"

I started to protest but was cut off.

"Because I have looked into this teacher and discovered that he is the most qualified to teach someone that thinks the way I do."

"Of course…" I muttered, "I guess it's just too much to ask that he would just leave…"

I could have sworn I heard him chuckle at that point but decided it must have been my imagination, because I know I hadn't spoken loud enough to hear.

"I'm sure you have something to do tonight, so I suppose I will say good-bye. Good-bye, King," I said cheerfully while herding him out the door, insuring that he couldn't get a word in edge-wise.

"Sarah," he stopped me with a word, standing on the front step, "catch."

I reached up automatically and found my hand closing around a crystal. I held off a small smile, replacing it with a frown, "goodnight, Jar-King."

He smiled knowingly at me before walking away.

I sighed and walked back to finish my work.

AN: thanks for reading! please review. I could use as many pointers as I can get!