I know, it's been—what? Two weeks? In my defense, all I can say is that I've had busy weekends and busy weekdays. Sorry. And just a heads up, I probably won't be able to update next week. I have yet another tournament eating up half my weekend, and homework devouring the other half.

Hey, no one said high school was easy.

(Anyone get the reference?)

Lissa didn't mention the date thing again for the next few days, but I knew she hadn't forgotten. Every time I interacted with anyone of the opposite sex and she was in the room, she watched me like a hawk. It was actually kind of creepy, but I knew she meant well. I just didn't think that stalking me was the answer.

Not to mention that she'd flip out if she figured out the truth.

Unfortunately, I couldn't quite focus on my new stalker, because I was too busy trying not to sleep in class. Dimitri was taking advantage of our deal and working me even harder, and while I knew I would improve, I didn't enjoy my lack of free speech when it came to working out. Still, I knew that my dress—as well as my friends'—was at stake. And I loved dresses.

So I bore it with a grimace and a glare, and tolerated the slight (but sexy) smirk that graced his face whenever he told me to run, or condition, or do anything, really.

Saturday couldn't come fast enough.

I hadn't expected trouble from Jesse after all that had happened, but I should have known he'd try to get me back for blackmailing him into silence.

It happened during lunch the day before we were supposed to go shopping. I was happily eating my beloved pizza and already calculating how many donuts I could eat while both satisfying myself and not acting like a total pig (thank god for my metabolism, since I didn't have to factor in actually looking like a pig) when he sauntered up, the biggest shit-eating smirk on his face. Instinctively, I knew that no matter what he was about to try, it would not bode well for me.

"Hey, Rose," he said, the smirk never fading. I eyed him warily, trying to make him think of my last warning to him. His smirk wavered for a second, before it came back, full-blown.

"Jesse," I acknowledged. I shifted in my seat, both nerves and irritation. What on earth was he trying to do? And couldn't he at least let me finish my food first? I took a bite of pizza, trying to make him get the hint that I wanted to freaking eat.

He took a breath and attempted to stop smirking. It didn't really work. "Will you go to Homecoming with me?"

I almost spat out my food all over him. In retrospect, I kinda wish I had. He definitely deserved it.

"Excuse me?!"

"Homecoming. With me."

I looked at him like he had two heads and five arms. "Hell, no."

"But—"

"I'm rejecting you, Zeklos. Get that into your head."

"But—don't you like me?"

I snorted. "No. Where the hell did you get that idea?"

He fidgeted, the smirk now faded completely. "Well—when you agreed to, you know—"

I held up a hand. "Stop right there. Agreeing to that was me trying to get you to leave me alone without really listening to what you were saying."

He flushed a bright, angry red, unable to think of any retaliation.

"Plus, you drool too much."

Fifty shades of fire truck red, anyone?

"Also...next time you decide to ask a girl out as a joke..." I trailed off, enjoying his suddenly ashen blanch, and finally allowing myself to smirk. "Pick someone stupider."

"I—"

"Save it, Zeklos. No one has a shit-eating grin on their face right before asking a girl to Homecoming."

And with that, I got up to pick up a few donuts, leaving a very embarrassed Jesse Zeklos in my wake.

The next day, my friends still would not shut up about it.

"I can't believe—"

"—so amazing—"

"—my life's goal to see—"

"—everyone aspires to do that—"

"Argh, shut up!" I cried in frustration. Even Dimitri turned around at my outburst, an eyebrow raised. "Enough about Jesse!"

"Jesse Zeklos? The one who—"

I cut Dimitri off. "Yes, Comrade. THAT Jesse Zeklos."

"What did he do?"

I raised both eyebrows at him. "Teenage girl much? He asked me to Homecoming and forgot that I'm not an idiot and can tell when it's a joke. Not to mention that I'd reject him even if he'd been serious, but still."

He smirked slightly and turned back to the road. Lissa was watching him in a way that made me remember to act oblivious to all members of the male sex. Mia and Jill were watching as well, slightly shocked at the fact that's I'd managed to talk like that to Dimitri Freaking Belikov and he's only smirked in response. Sydney, of course, was too busy listening to an audiobook to really care either way.

Lissa turned to me then, appraising me not-so-subtly, and I mouthed Really? My teacher? to her, rolling my eyes. She shrugged and turned back around, no giving much indication on whether or not she realized how absurd that sounded.

Never mind the fact that it was true.

I glanced at Dimitri. Since he was driving, I couldn't see much of him, but when I glanced at the rearview mirror, I swore I saw him watching me, before his eyes flitted back to the road.

After browsing for hours at the mall, everyone had found a dress. Well, everyone but me.

Lissa had found a pale green dress that accentuated her eyes and her lean physique. Mia had hooked a silver dress that seemed shapeless on the hanger, but looked great on her. Jill had fallen in love with a blue pick-me-up dress, and Sydney had gone for a purple gown.

Me? I was aimlessly rejecting every dress I laid my eyes on.

We finally reached the back of the mall, where a final store awaited. It didn't seem too popular, but it was my last shot at finding something I liked, so we walked in. I browsed through racks and racks of dresses, each one too long or short or uncomfortable, finally beginning to lose hope. And then I saw it.

It was a short black dress, tight and dangerous-looking. It showed off my curves and hid just enough that I wouldn't obtain an undesirable reputation.

I fell in love.

Lissa nodded, eyes wide. "That's your dress."

I grinned and nodded and caught Dimitri's eye. He had his game face on, but he was watching. "That's my dress."

When we got back, I still had training. Granted, it wasn't as intense as it usually was, but training was training. When I finally made it down to dinner after a nice, long shower, Dimitri was waiting for me.

We ate in relative silence. The season was starting in two weeks, and we were both a little on edge about that.

On the way back to the dorms, I tried to divert his mind from the deadline. "Did you see my dress today?" I asked him, saying the first thing that popped into my mind.

He was silent for a second, then replied, "Yes."

"Did you like it?"

No response. I pushed on.

"Will I endanger my reputation in it?"

He was once again silent. We arrived at the female senior dorms, and I turned to open the door. As I pulled it open, I heard him say so quietly that I wasn't entirely sure that I hadn't imagined it, "You'll endanger the school."

A little RxD for y'all. And Lissa seems to be getting warmer...uh-oh. And, of course, a Jesse smackdown. Next chapter: Homecoming! Yeah, it was a little short, but I do still have homework to do.

What Homecoming drama is in store for Rose? Review and tell me what you think!