Once again thank you everyone for reviewing, I love the feedback. It makes me want to write faster...hint, hint. ;-) And just incase anyone cares I tend to go back and update/rewrite previous chapters when I'm bored so it might help to go back and read chapters periodically. Ok, on with chapter three...

Chapter 3 (Strike One)

"Ms. Lishcak, we have an open seat back here if he doesn't mind slumming with the girls."

Shrugging, Eric took the offered seat not even sparing a glace at the slightly flushed girl to his right; or at the death glares the dark haired kid in the front row was sending his way.

He was used to this kind of attention, girls blushed and fell all over themselves until they realized he wasn't interested or, that he was nothing more than a loser from the wrong side of the tracks, whichever came first. As for the guys, Eric had been on the receiving end of the 'stay away from my girl' speech more times than he could count. From the looks of things, Arcadia High wasn't going to be any different.

"Alright class now that we have that settled lets begin."

Tuning out the rest of the lecture Eric pulled out his notebook, scribbling down a few lyrics floating around in his head. Engrossed in his writing Eric didn't seem to notice the sideways glances being thrown his way every few minutes.

Joan was trying to pay attention to the lecture, really she was, but she just couldn't resist glancing at this Eric, still not sure if he was really there or if her eyes were playing tricks on her. After all it wouldn't be the first time Joan had fantasized about God incorporating him self into her life in this particular form. In fact she had fantasized about this exact situation more times than she would care to admit.

"Joan? Joan! Hey earth to Joan, wake up!" Grace practically screamed in her ear.

So lost in thought, Joan hadn't heard the bell ring; signaling the end of class. Realizing that Eric wasn't beside her anymore, her head snapped up just in time to catch a glimpse of his dark head before he disappeared out the door.

As if by instinct Joan jumped to her feet grabbing her things in her haste before running after him, leaving a confused Grace and a very irritated Adam in her wake.

"What just happened here, yo?" Adam asked gruffly, walking up to Grace.

"I'm not sure, but I've got a better question for you. What the hell is going on between you and Girardi, Rove?" Backing up a few steps at her somewhat hostile tone, Adam rubbed his eyes tiredly. Not really wanting to explain what he himself didn't yet understand.

It had all seemed to make sense at the time, but now he wasn't sure of anything anymore. He had been angry with Joan when he agreed to go out with Iris, and although he did like her, his feelings for Joan just wouldn't go away. Now after seeing Joan's reaction to this new guy, Adam was beginning to think his decision to put some space between them wasn't such a good idea.

"I just needed some space to figure a few things out, that's all. "

Grace just stared at him for a few moments, unsure if she should hit him upside the head for being so dense or just let things play out on their own.

Deciding on the latter, Grace left him with some advice, "Well you better figure it out soon Rove, because you never know when someone might come along and take your place."

There was no missing the implication behind her words. His time was running out fast and Adam was left to wonder when his life had become so complication.

Once out the door Joan darted her eyes up and down the halls, searching for any sign of which way Eric had gone. Spotting him a little ways down she quickly moved after him fighting her way through the sea of students.

"Excuse me, I need to get thro-" before Joan could finish her sentence, she was pushed from behind sending her crashing forward.

Bracing herself for impact, Joan was pleasantly surprised when- instead of the floor- she fell right into a pair of strong arms. Peaking one her eye open she found herself staring down at a white T-shirt and her own hands grasping onto the black button-up worn over it. Finally daring a glance up into possibly the most beautiful pair of honey coated eyes that she had ever seen, Joan blushed ten shades of red seeing Eric Wyatt grinning down at her.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly.

Even his voice was the same she noticed absently, shivering slightly as the smooth sound washed over her.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Good, than could you let go." He gestured to her death grip on his shirt.

Jumping back as if burnt, Joan quickly disentangled herself. Now this isn't awkward at all. Straitening her shirt she looked around for her bag, spotting it at her feet she snatched it up- almost losing her balance in the process- before turning back to him.

"Oh sorry about that," she apologized with a winning smile screwed in place. "By the way, I'm Joan Girardi. I'm in your Chemistry class...I was sitting right next to you," she elaborated, at his blank look.

"I remember, you were staring at me through half the class." The softness from a moment ago was gone, replaced by an almost bored tone.

"Yeah, sorry about that, you look a lot like someone I know. So I just wanted to welcome you to Arcadia and offer my services if you need someone to show you around. Or since it's your first day, you're welcome to sit with Grace and I at lunch. You know, so you don't have to sit alone." Wow this guy was good; throughout her entire speech he hadn't so much as blinked, he simply stood there staring at her as if she weren't even there.

Finally, one dark eyebrow arched and a slow smile spread across his lips. Leaning toward her slightly, purposely invading her personal space he whispered a soft, "No thanks," before skillfully stepping around her.

"Wow." Was all Joan could manage, eyes fixed on the dark figure walking away from her.

Now if only she could remember how to breathe.