Description: It was simple enough. All she had to do was make him jealous. A simple enough task. Let the mission commence!

AN: This is the prequel to Argument.

Jessica stared at Gina, eyes wide in shock. "W-What did you just say?" she asked, completely dumbfounded. Her best friend let out a sigh and repeated herself. "Wait, so you want me to make him jealous? But how's that going to-"

"Because, " Gina began, for what felt like the thousandth time. "If he really does like you, then he'll definitely get jealous if he sees you with another guy."

Jessica nodded, understanding slightly more. The problem was: which guy am I supposed to choose? It can't just be anyone! She glanced around the hall at all the boys in her grade. Normally she wouldn't pay any attention to them but today she looked just like any other girl in her grade, longing for someone to pay them attention or strike up a conversation.

It would be so much easier if she could just admit to Toby how she felt about him. The problem was, Jessica had never really been any good at telling people how she felt. No, she decided. This was the only way.

She knew immediately of two people she definitely couldn't pick. The first was Nick, who she might have picked if it wasn't for the fact that he was Toby's brother and she didn't want to be the cause of unnecessary conflict between them. The second was Lucas, who she couldn't pick unless she wanted Gina to be mad at her, as she was fully aware of Gina's crush on him, so he was out too.

All of a sudden, her eyes rested upon a guy with floppy-brown hair. She noticed immediately that he was very good looking which explained the huge crowd of giggling girls surrounding him. He could be a potential contender, she thought to herself. "Hey, Gina," she nudged her friend with her elbow and jerked her head in the guy's direction. "Who is that?"

Gina followed her gaze and promptly started choking on her juice. "Who is-who is that? That's Nate Roberts!" Jessica realized her expression must have looked very puzzled as Gina hit her fist against the table in frustration. "He's only the second most popular guy in our grade!"

"Oh." Jessica said simply. Inside, her mind was whirring. Handsome? Popular? This guy fits the equation. Her decision made, she decided that "Operation: Make Toby Jealous So I Can Find Out How He Feels" would be put into motion that very day.

The first lesson they had was Art. Normally Jessica would sit next to Toby admiring his work as he happened to be an exceptional artist, especially when it came to comic book style which was the focus of the term. However, on this day, she moved forward a few desks until she was stood next to Nate's desk. Upon noticing she was stood there, he looked up.

"Um, do you mind if I sit here?" she asked, inwardly wincing at how her voice trembled as she spoke. Way to make a good first impression, Jessica!

He looked at her, his eyes searching her face before grinning, "Not at all." She waited patiently as he moved his bag off the spare seat so she could sit down. "You're...Jessica, right?"

"Yeah," she said, wondering how on earth she could engage in a conversation with him when she knew nothing about him. She glanced at his drawing which was quite good and asked, "So what's your comic about?"

As he explained, Jessica turned her head round to glance at Toby and noticed, to her satisfaction, that he was already glaring at Nate. Wow, I've barely started this plan and it's already working! Nate made a joke and she started laughing along with him. "Oh my, you're quite the comedian!" she wheezed, breathless with laughter.

"Yeah, well, I have to entertain my billions of cousins somehow," he laughed. "Well, more like twenty eight, and that's mainly on my mom's side. They're all younger than me so I get stuck with babysitting duties whenever they visit.

The lesson continued with Nate and Jessica making small talk and Toby, unbeknownst to both of them, incessantly glaring holes in Nate's back. As the bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson, they both stood up. Jessica had found herself enjoying his company, much to her surprise.

"You fancy hanging out later? I'd like to know more about you." Nate asked, looking at her with no nervousness in his gaze whatsoever. He must be used to doing this, being so popular and all. "We could hang out at my house after school or go out somewhere."

As he picked up his bag, Jessica asked, "You mean-like a date?" Maybe I'm better at this than I thought!

Nate turned and grinned as he walked out the classroom. "Sure, if you want it to be." He glanced around the corridor before mouthing, "So what do you say?"

Noticing that Toby is walking past her desk to leave, she said, "Sure," making sure that Nate can see her and Toby can hear her. As she expected, he turned around and asked, "Sure what?"

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about," she lied easily, hoping that he couldn't see her twisting her fingers behind her back. Unfortunately, for her, he did notice. He moved toward her until he was stood right in front of her. Focus, Jessica! Don't let your feelings distract you!

"Oh, I think you do," he said softly, placing his hand on her arm. No! Concentrate! "I've always been able to tell when you're lying."

Looking desperately around the room, she suddenly cried out, "Oh, look at the time, I've got to go! See you later!" Before he had chance to react, she had escaped his hold and left the classroom. That was too close! If you keep acting like that every time he gets near you, he's bound to smell a rat!

Jessica decided that she would casually mention her date to her friends the lesson before lunch as they all shared a table. She wouldn't say who, of course, but it would definitely intrigue them.

The day dragged on as usual until the lesson before lunch, which was Maths. Jessica took her usual seat and waited for her friends to join her. Everyone talked in the lesson because the teacher was old and deaf so they could get away with it. Usually the four of them would wait until the teacher had finished talking before they started to, so that they could actually learn.

As the teacher finished explaining the concepts of trigonometry, Jessica asked, "So what are you guys doing today?"

"Well, we thought we'd catch that new movie after school. You want to join us?" Nick asked.

"Sorry, I can't. I would, but I'm busy tonight." Jessica said apologetically. "Maybe some other time?"

Nick nodded, "Don't worry about it, Jess." She nodded at him gratefully.

"Busy doing what?" Toby interjected suddenly, looking directly at her.

"Well," Jessica said slowly, as though deliberating what she was going to say, "I'm going on a date if you must know."

There was a slow pause. Three, two, one-

"What? With who?" All three of them demanded in unison but Jessica shook her head and refused to say anything. Glancing over at Toby, she saw the unmistakable look of jealousy written all over his face.

Her plan had worked- Operation Successful! She would have to prepare for a lot of questions though...