The sound of my alarm clock woke me from my sleep. I groaned softly but got up anyway, turning it off with a soft 'click'. I yawned and stretched before heading to the bathroom (making sure I had my clothes with me) and hopped into the shower.

Instead of waking me, the warm water soothed my muscles and tempted to throw me into sleep again, but I forced myself to stay awake and quickly finished. Once I stepped out I put some 'Forever Romance' lotion on my legs and slipped on my underwear and strapless push-up bra. If the guy's will be staring, might as well give them something to stare at! I pulled on my skinny, tight, silver-like jeans, which hugged my figure, a baggy lavender tube-top with a black denim shrug, and black Gogo boots. Next I placed silver bangles on my wrist and silver dangling earrings, and added a touch of make-up. Next was my hair. Oh Lordy. Thanks to my aunt Charlene, a professional hairdresser, I learned how to put my hair up like the models; strait at the top and lightly curled at the bottom. With a grin, I gave my look a thumbs-up and a kiss, before heading down the stairs to grab something to eat.

Not wasting any time, I scarfed down a bowl of cereal, letting Emily sleep in, and headed towards the door. Then I realized that I had forgotten my purse, bag, and everything essential to school, and brushing my teeth. I raced back up the stairs, brushed my teeth while finding my bag and purse, spat out the remains of said brushing, checked myself again and headed back down the stairs. I got to the door when I heard Sam behind me.

"Whoa, hold it missy. I'll drive you the first day." He looked me over with a critical expression before raising an eyebrow. "You're wearing that?" I looked down at myself.

"Oh right, gotta tuck in my jeans." I did so. "Thanks Sam!" I shot him my award-winning smile. He shook his head and brushed past me to the car. I just about headed out, but then froze. How could I forget body spray? I told Sam to hold on a sec, ran back up the stairs. (God I'm doing a lot of running...yay deodorant.) I grabbed the first bottle my hand touched, (Cucumber Melon) and sprayed my body, my head, and rubbed the tip on both sides just under my jaw line and ran back out to Sam again. He took a whiff, and shook his head again, muttering something along the lines of 'Thank God I'm not a girl'. I flashed him another smile as he took off towards the school.

The ride was silent, and I gave him a chipper 'goodbye' before heading into the school. He'd pick me up later. I found the office easily, and grabbed my schedule without any problem. My school subject line-up was as follows:

Chemistry 2- Mrs. Smith

AP Language Arts- Mr. Paukert

Algebra 3- Mr. Barbero

Lunch

German 4- Frau Day

Physical Education- Mr. Sorenson

Drama- Ms. Green

Homeroom- Mrs. Lentz

I scanned over the school map she had given me, finding my classes with ease on the paper. The school itself...ugh. I look up, only to notice I had traveled into the commons. I heard Kim shout to Jared, snapping my attention to her and then to the boys, who were huddled around a cylindrical table. The wheels in my head started turning. With amazing skill I caught up to Kim and stole her hat. She squeaked and went to yell at me, but once she found out whom I was she unhappily let me take it for the moment. I slipped in on my head, making sure my face would be hidden from view, and cat walked past the guys, who stopped their conversation immediately. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed they where watching me as I past...or rather my ass as it left. I heard Embry and a couple others whistle loudly.

"Man, what I wouldn't do to tap that!"

I smirked and turned towards them, popping out my hip.

"Thanks, but I think you'll have to earn it Embry."

All of their jaws hit the floor, and their faces flushed a light shade. I laughed and headed over to them, tossing Kim her hat. As I reached the end of the table, I spun around giving them permission to look and flashed them a grin.

"Do I look okay?"

Seth grinned at me from the other end of the table.

"One more look?"

I puckered my lips cutely, but slowly spun around again. He gulped.

"You look sexy girl." I grinned as the others smacked him.

"Just for that, I'm gonna sit next to him."
The others gaped at me before putting in their own consultants. I shook my head with a playful smirk.

"Sorry boys, you gotta be faster next time."

Once again I sashayed my hips and walked around to Seth, only to notice there weren't any seats left. Seth grinned and patted his lap. I stuck my tongue at him and sat on the table. He pouted.

"I may be dressed like a whore, but that doesn't mean I am one."

"Come on," He whined, "I complimented you!"

I laughed but shook my head mouthing 'no'. He pouted again.

"You owe me!"

I grinned.

"Okay, name your price."

He stared at me, shocked, and looked at the others for help. They too where shocked. I raised an eyebrow giving him a smug expression. He smirked and patted his lap again. I rolled my eyes, but obliged. His hands latched around my waist, and I gave him a kiss on the cheek before going to stand. He wouldn't move. I tried to pry his hands off, but they would budge. I glared at him, my look plainly saying I was done playing. He puckered his lips cutely.

"Don't make me bite you." I hissed. He grinned.

"Just one."

I looked at him, confused, before getting what he meant. I narrowed my eyes.

"No."

He batted his eyelashes and gave me the puppy dog pout.

"Please?"

I thought it over. His grin grew by the second. Sighing, I nodded.

"Okay, fine, but you have to let me go first." He looked at me skeptically. I rolled my eyes. "I promise I'll give you a kiss." With a grin, his hands immediately flew from my waist. I stood up, shook out my hair and turned to him, stepping over him with one leg over his lap; his eyes grew as I leaned in...and shoved him off the seat, still standing. I crossed my arms and glared at him, stamping one foot and turned back and sat on the table. I narrowed my eyes at every one of them, minus Jared. They where staring at me, then Seth, wide-eyed.

"Don't you ever," I seethed "ever, try to get anything from me, got it?"

They nodded solemnly. Seth stood up, rubbing where his head hit the floor. I purposely got off the table and sat next to Embry. He gave me a confused look. Seth noticed and pouted.

"You promised!" He whined. Embry nudged me.

"You did promise." He muttered unhappily. Jared and Quil chirped an agreement. I glared at them and they fidgeted in their seats, avoiding my gaze. Knowing they were only trying to be good friends, I let them off the hook. I walked over to Seth and pulled him by his shirt down to me and gave him a quick peck. He dodged the hand I flung at him afterwards.

"No more at school. I don't want to be a whore, thank you." I hissed at him.

"You're not a whore!" Quil shouted, "Who called you that? I'll pound his face in!" I rolled my eyes, my slight temper dwindling by the second.

"Quil, I've been to too many schools. I'm just saying that I need to watch myself; there are plenty of people who would love to make the 'new guys' life a living hell." I smirked "The last thing I need is to be expelled for pounding someone's face in."

Quil shrugged and unhappily left the subject alone. I walked back to Embry and sat next to him while random subjects where brought up. I pulled out my class schedule again, checking it over. Jacob snatched it from me and passed it around the table.

In first period I had Paul and Jared, Kim in second, Jared and Quil in third, everyone for lunch, no one in German (I pouted at that; German is cool!), Jacob, Quil, Embry, Kim, Jared, and Paul for P.E., no one spoke up for Drama, and Jacob, Quil, Embry, and Kim in Homeroom. I gave Seth, Collin, and Brady a questioning look. Jacob told me they were only 15. I just about gagged. Kissing a 15 year old! Then again...he was awesome to hang out with, and wasn't a bad kisser...oh well. Only fate knows where it could lead! I guess I could play along. ;P

The first bell rang, and I skipped happily to my locker, getting directions from the guys, and started to do the combination, when I heard some footsteps behind me. I tried to ignore it as I stuffed my things inside the small space. I closed it and turned around, only to come face to face with some dark skinned, toned, jock. He grinned at my shocked expression.

"Hey cutie." He cooed. I whipped my head around to find an escape route, but his posse had circled around me. I tried to keep a strait face. "You know, I'm free this afternoon, and it's supposed to be cold..." A sly smile spread across his face and he leaned in closer to me; I could smell his cologne. "You should keep me company, and we could warm each other up..." he raised both of his eyebrows "If you catch my drift." I narrowed my eyes and shouldered past him.

"No."

His hand latched onto my upper arm and he swung me around to face him again. He was very angry. Fear built up in my chest and I tried not to let it show.

"You don't understand," he hissed "it's not an offer you can refuse."

I tried to muster up the best glare I could.

"I believe I just did." I spat back, wrenching my arm away from him and retreating a few paces away before I turned around.

"Come on baby!" He called after me "Don't leave the Tyrone alone tonight!"

My feet moved faster and I flipped him off without turning around. A deep 'thunk' was heard behind me, and I turned around just in time to see Tyrone clutching his throat and glare and Jacob's disappearing back. A small smile played on my lips. That was sweet of him. Then I noticed the locker behind Tyrone was dented in. I stared at it wide-eyed. Jacob must've been really angry to do that...oh well, at least it wasn't my locker.

In the first three hours of my day I had been tripped, teased, my books had been knocked to the ground, and just about everything you can think of, including people hitting me in the back of my head with scrunched up paper. At least it wasn't spitballs. I guess it got around that I refused Tyrone, and therefore was a test subject to see who could piss me off and/or get to sleep with me. Not pleasant. The guys wanted to help, but I told them not to worry about it; it's always rough the first day of school, especially with my personality.

I sunk into my seat at the lunch table, exhausted, and started to play with some of the food on my plate. At least they had good food here; chicken nuggets with chow mane (I seriously don't know if that's what it's called) and a fruit cup with fries. Good enough for me. Embry, Seth, Collin, Brady, and Jacob gave me a questioning look. Kim rubbed my back apologetically. Paul was stabbing at his food angrily.

"Everyone's been givin' her a rough time, just 'cause she won't sleep with anybody."

The boys gaped at me; I shrugged it off, eating my chow mane. I finished that quickly and went to grab a fry when a hand snatched the tray away from me. I took in a deep breath and ignored the looks from the guys. They were all tense; even Kim seemed quite upset.

"Ignore it." I muttered. They wouldn't stop staring just behind me. Then I heard the faithful crunch of one of my fries disappearing. That finally got me. I stood up and whipped around; the boy behind me smirked, and he wasn't from Tyrone's group. I glanced at one of the lunch patrols; he crossed his arms giving me a 'make-one-wrong-move-and-you'll-be-expelled' look. I clenched my jaw.

"Those are mine." I hissed. He grinned and dumped the tray on the floor. My fist tightened and I glanced at the teacher; he narrowed his eyes. I recognized him as Mr. Bergs (a very sexist teacher) by Quil's description. I'd have to keep my cool around him.

Damn.

Jacob stood up; Embry and Quil were right behind him. The boy in front of me smirked.

"You gonna use your body guards now huh? How much did they cost? Probably a lot to hang out with you."

I bit my lip and turned to them, Jacob was shaking, but he looked me in the eyes and got the message to stand down. Reluctantly he did, along with Embry and Quil.

1...

2...

3...

I took a deep breath, counting from one to ten and back down again three times. I looked at the boy and a grin crossed my lips.

"At least I don't have to pay for real friends, but you wouldn't know about that, would you?"

The boys behind me chuckled while the one in front of me narrowed his eyes.

"At least I don't have to dress up to get attention."

I glanced at Mr. Bergs, he didn't move. I took a step closer to him, narrowing my eyes.

"If we were somewhere else, you'd be on your back, begging me to stop beating you."

"If we were somewhere else," he crooned "you'd be screaming my name and begging me to go faster."

I scoffed and took a step away from him, crossing my arms.

"Oh please, you could make a three year old scream."

The boys behind me started making a riot while Quil looked terrified but protective. I couldn't imagine why. Did he have a sister? No, I remember him telling me he didn't have any siblings. Maybe he was an Uncle? Oh well, I'd figure it out later. The boy in front of me balled his fist, but didn't make another comment. Taking this as a victory, I turned to sit back down when he spoke.

"Yeah, you go ahead and leave, you one night stand! Go and be a whore just like your mom!"

The riot froze, and I slowly turned around, my fists clenched so tight, blood was traveling between my knuckles. I glared at him, but it wasn't a normal 'you're-being-an-ass' glare, it was clearly saying 'you-pushed-it-and-now-you're-gonna-die'. The boy in front of me paled dramatically, and the aura around me screamed 'DEATH'. I was shaking horribly, and I glanced at Mr. Bergs. He gave me a long look, and turned around. A sadistic smile crossed my face and I motioned the boy to look around. Every single one of the teachers had turned their back, giving me permission to kick his ass. I spoke, death ringing in each one of my words. It would've been better (for him) I had screamed.

"You can mock me all you want, call me a whore and claim to have sex with me, but don't you ever, and I mean EVER, mock my friends and especially not my mom, because I will kick your sorry ass so badly you'll need to eat through a tube the rest of your miserable life!" My face was pressed next to his, and he was leaning as far away from me as possible. The whole lunchroom was silent, watching the scene before them like it was the climax of a horror movie. "Am I clear?" The boy didn't move. "I said, AM I CLEAR?!" He squeaked and nodded. I narrowed my eyes further. "Then get out of my sight." He hesitated. "NOW!" he shrieked and stumbled away into his friends and from me. I scanned the rest of the lunchroom and my eyes landed on Tyrone. "And that goes for the rest of you too!" I raised my voice and spun in a full circle, landing on him again. He smirked, but I could still sense his fear radiating off of him.

With that said, I grabbed my bag and headed away from the commons (or lunchroom), towards one of the doors and into the cold, rainy, world. I sat on a section of table that wasn't soaked and tried to calm down.

By the time the bell rang for the next class, my lips were a lovely shade of blue, telling everyone how long it took for me to get my level head back. No one dared to say anything to me or any of the gang through the next three periods (Homeroom, German, P.E.) and by the time Drama came around I had a smile on my face and my lip color was back to normal. I walked into the classroom, fully expecting to be left alone, when I saw Jacob in the circle of students on the ground. I gave him a questioning look and he patted the seat next to him.

"I wouldn't expect you here." He shrugged.

"Yeah, well, I needed the credit." I puckered my lips cutely.

"And I thought you were actually here for the drama."

He rolled his eyes but said nothing else. The class chattered away for about ten minutes before the teacher came in. She looked not a day over nineteen, with a cute baby-like face, pale, short blonde hair and hazel eyes. She had a spunky aura around her that made me smile. I already liked the class before she walked in the door. She explained a few things like what we would be doing throughout the trimester, and things like that, and then she started a game called 'Freeze'.

Basically two people would go up and start randomly acting, and if you got an idea from what they were doing you would call 'Freeze!' then you would take one of the peoples spot and continue on a completely different subject. At first, very few people wanted to go up, and I just sat back and watched the show, but I couldn't take it as one boy –Jeff? - was bent over another boy –Brandon's- knee. I called 'Freeze' and everybody stopped laughing, staring at me with wide-eyes. The boys froze, like they were suppose to, and I shooed Brandon off and straddled Jeff's back. I gripped his shirt in one hand and rose the other.

"Yippy kie ay!" I shouted and Jeff, being a good sport, whinnied like a horse and began trumping around the stage. Someone then called 'Freeze' again and Jeff stopped, the girl who called stood in front of me, beaming happily, as Jeff slid out from underneath me.

She was cute to say the least, not skinny but not chubby with a slightly pointed face, thick black hair, and a very light shade of brown eyes.

"Oh, Kyle, get off that couch and help me out here." She called out, and the game went on like that. I was eventually replaced, but I kept coming back with knew and unusual acts. Needless to say, it was a ton of fun. Ending school with drama was going to be one of the best things ever! No body judged you in that class, and it was like the incident earlier never happened, which I was glad for.

To soon the bell rang. I had actually learned most of the names in my class, and once realizing I wasn't a monster who would easily tear someone's head off, some promised to help get some of the rumors to die down and wanted to hang out sometime. I repeat; drama is the best thing EVER! I agreed and told them that if they ran into any problems to come get me, which they happily obliged. I waltzed to my locker, only to run into Tyrone again. Just my luck, happy, then pissed in a matter of seconds. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Go away Tyrone."

He chuckled.

"So much spunk, so much pizzazz, I like that about you, and you turning me down, well, that's just a turn on."

"Leave her alone Tyrone." I felt a hand on my shoulder, and looked up to see Brandon, Jeff, and Chelsea standing around me. Jeff was with a group of his friends, and Chelsea a group of hers. Soon others stopped by to see what was going on. I noticed Jacob and the gang further back, but close enough to do some damage if necessary. Tyrone smirked and snapped his fingers, and out of nowhere his punk drones shoved people away to stand by him. Brandon's hand tightened on my shoulder. I touched it and stepped forward to meet Tyrone, now only a few feet rest between us.

"Look Tyrone, I don't want any trouble, and I don't think you want any either," he snorted; I clenched my teeth and continued. "All I want is to get my stuff and go home, so if you step aside-"

"I might be willing to do that, for a trade." I swallowed uncomfortably, the people behind me started whispering to one another and the tension was suffocating me.

"Okay, fine, what do you want to trade?"

A snide grin crossed his features.

"You of course."

Shouting exploded from behind me, but Tyrone didn't look anywhere but me. On instinct my fist clenched and I seriously thought about ramming it through his head, but I knew that wouldn't do anything. I took a couple deep breaths and sighed. I took another step forward and Brandon's arm stopped me from going any further. Tyrone's eyes lit up. I started to hear some of the shouts clearer.

'Don't do it!' 'Tyrone you bastard, leave the poor girl alone!' 'Don't give him what he wants!' I rubbed my temples as the shouting continued. I REALLY didn't like attention on the first day of school.

"Okay." The word seemed to slice through the crowd, and everything and one was in shocked silence. Tyrone grinned and took a step forward towards me, and I him. He reached for me, taking a hand and tying it around my waist. He toyed with a small piece of my hair between his fingers.

"I love it when I win."

To bad he didn't notice my knee flying. It connected with his groin; he doubled over and glared at my innocent and surprised façade. Which was funny, because I really didn't mean to hit him...well, at least, not like that. He posse tried to help him up as cheers where heard all around me, congratulating me on a job well done. He glared at me and hissed something I didn't catch, then he and his posse left with others screaming at him as he passed by. I shrugged it off as the people started to disperse, though my newfound friends stayed around me, Brandon never leaving my side.

I quickly got my stuff out of my locker.

"That wasn't exactly the smartest move," Brandon scolded me "Tyrone always gets what he wants, and you refusing him is just gonna make him work harder."

I sighed.

"Yeah, I kinda figured that, but after the little performance we just had, I think he might leave me alone, even if it's only for a couple of weeks."

Chelsea chuckled.

"Yeah, you know, your status in the school went from new guy to loser, from loser to scary bitch, from scary bitch to hero all in one day. I never knew that was possible!"

I laughed with her.

"Ah, so is the drama of high school."

They all laughed with me on that. Jeff waved goodbye, saying he had to catch his mom before she freaked, Chelsea left with him after we exchanged numbers (he was her ride home) so it was just Brandon and I as we talked. I had to drop off a slip to the office, which I did, and we where heading out the doors when he held up my cell phone. How he got it, I'll never know.

"One picture."

I giggled and held my hand in front of my face.

"No Brandon! I hate pictures!"

"Ah come on!" He tried to push my hand out of the way, and it turned into a small scrap before he whisked behind me and picked me up, his hands around my waist, spun me around and stumbling as he put me down. I was squealing the whole time. A throat cleared. I looked up and saw the gang in front of me, and they had their arms crossed.

"Hey guys, what's up?"

Quil narrowed his eyes and jerked his head towards the doors.

"Sam's waiting for you."

Brandon let go of me and awkwardly stood beside me.

"What is with you and giants for friends?" He whispered. I giggled.

"Maybe it's because giants are more fun to control."

He elbowed me playfully at the double meaning. I elbowed him back. This turned into an elbow war, which then turned into a slap fight. Paul cleared his throat again. I stopped and started to pay attention to them again. Paul jerked his thumb to the doors. I sighed.

"I guess I have to go. See ya around."

Brandon gave me a 'don't-leave-me-here-alone-with-these-guys' look. I tried not to grin.

"Walk me there?"

He sighed in relief and started to follow me, Embry pulled him back.

"Not so fast. We need to have a little talk with Romeo here."

I gave Brandon an apologetic look, while he stared at me terrified.

"Guys-"

Jared pointed at the doors. I reluctantly followed his unspoken order.

The ride home was silent, and Sam noticed my 'I am really not happy' face.

"If he doesn't talk to me again I'm gonna kill them." I spat. Sam sighed.

"Don't worry. They just want to keep you safe; they're not going to kill the poor guy, rough him up a bit maybe-" I stared at him, terrified. He groaned, knowing he said the wrong thing.

"Rough him up a bit? Sam, he doesn't stand a chance against any of them! He'll get killed!"

"Natalie calm down. If they hurt him in any other way beside verbal, I'll give them hell, sound like a deal?"

I crossed my arms.

"They'll just lie to you to get out of trouble."

He chuckled.

"Have some faith, they can't lie to me."

"I'll take your word for it."

I was an uncomfortable wreck the rest of the day. The boys never showed up at the house, even for dinner, and it terrified me to know they where avoiding me. I ate very little and couldn't focus on my homework, so I frolicked online halfheartedly when I heard the doorbell ring. I shot down the stairs, screaming 'I got it' and flung it open. Standing in the doorway was a very soaked but unharmed Brandon. I sighed with relief. He grinned at me sheepishly an awkwardly before holding out my cell phone.

"Um, I never gave this back to you..."

I laughed and took it gratefully.

"Thanks, you want to come in?"

He paused and looked around me inside. He was looking for the boys, I could tell. I laughed.

"They're not here, come on."

He shook his head.

"I wish I could, but, um, my mom needs some help you see..."

My face dropped. It was obvious he was lying. He saw my dejected face and caved.

"Okay, but only for a little bit, my mom really does need some help."

Brandon stayed for a while, but after the twentieth time of looking at the door I told him he'd better go home. He obliged gratefully and gave me a kiss on the cheek before he left. Unfortunately, both Sam and Emily saw it. Emily teased me about it, but Sam didn't say anything, and I was sure Brandon would be having another talk with the boys tomorrow.

~*xxx*~