Author's Note: For all those of you who though that the drama ended at "Brick is released from the hospital." Heh. Heh heh. Wrong answer.

Chapter 12: Fiasco

Blossom

School was a lot different than it had been in recent weeks. Instead of sitting quietly at the table with my sisters or mousing around the hall, not speaking to anyone, I was social and happy.

Brick was feeling better...

... and he loved me...

... and I loved him...

... and that in itself made my mood skyrocket. I talked to all my friends, and said "Hi" to everyone I crossed. People definitely noticed the change in me. Girls walked with me to class, and guys looked at me in a different way. My sisters watched me transform back into my old self, and were thrilled.

I sat down at my desk in chemistry. It had been a great day, but I was ready for it to be over. Chemistry was my last period before the end of the day. Someone I didn't know sat down next to me three seconds after I had gotten comfortable, as if he had jumped towards me.

"Hey, you're Blossom, right?" he asked.

"Uh-huh," I replied, smiling. No reason not to be friendly.

"I'm Riley," he said. I looked him over for the first time. His hair was a light shade of brown, and his eyes were hazel. His features were handsome and he was charismatic, but I really wasn't interested.

After all, I had a better guy already.

"Oh. Hi, Riley," I said, opening my book to the page we had left off on.

He seemed to expect me to start a conversation with him like all the other girls he spoke to did, but I didn't. Again, I wasn't interested. He waited awhile, looking at me through his twinkling eyes, and then he realized that I was fine with the silence.

"So, what are you doing after school?" he asked.

"Hanging out with my sisters," I replied quickly.

"Well, could I come?"

"... shoe shopping?" I looked at him quizically. Was he blind? I wasn't interested.

"Sure. I love shoes. On girls," he smiled widely, thinking that he was funny. One girl, who had been listening to the conversation, heaved an exasperated sigh. Glad it was working on her.

"Yup," I answered shortly.

"Well, can I?"

"Nope."

"Maybe you can come to a movie on Saturday?"

"I don't think so."

"How about Friday?"

"No."

Geez, did I really have to spell it out for this guy? Was he truly that stupid?

"Well, maybe if --"

"I said no, Riley," I spat his name like it was painful to say. "Please, please please please, don't ask again."

He looked shocked for a moment, and then looked as if he understood everything. "Ahh..." he breathed slowly, that charming smile spreading across his face that made another girl nearly fall off her chair. "... I get it. You're playing hard-to-get. Don't worry, I love that game."

"I'm not," I snapped. I was seriously starting to lose my patience. "I'm just not interested. Please stop talking to me."

He winked at me. "I get it. I love that. It's so sexy." A girl literally sighed and passed out -- something I thought only happened in movies.

The teacher silenced the class. "Would someone please take Ms. Green out of the classroom and get her some ice? Thank you. All right, we're ready to start class. Open your text to page 334, and begin reading Chapter 12."

Riley winked at me. I groaned inwardly.


Class seemed to pass by quickly. I ignored Riley's staring and collected my books hurriedly after it was over. Practically lunging into the hallway, I tripped and almost fell... I found myself in familiar arms.

Damn. It.

"Riley, what do you want from me?" I pleaded. He released me from his hold, and I straightened myself up.

"A date," he replied sweetly. He put his arms behind his back and rocked back and forth innocently. "What do you say?"

"For the millionth time, NO!" I screamed. It was all I could do to keep from punching him.

"Okay, okay. Now playing hard-to-get is getting old. Come on... open up to me. I'm right for you..." He inched towards me, as if I didn't notice. He thought he was being discreet... I thought he was being a --

"Blossom..." he interrupted, holding one of my hands.

I was ready to fling this guy out a window somewhere.

Suddenly, and quite without warning, he pressed his lips forcefully to mine. The utter shock of it kept me still in his arms, my eyes open wide in disbelief. It took me a moment -- a moment too long -- to pull away. I turned away from him, ready to let loose a long stream of insults, but I was left silent at what I saw behind me.

Oh, no.

"Brick?"