A/n - Another thanks to the people who have favourite-d & followed this story – I'm hoping to gradually make the chapters longer as the story progresses. Any suggestions to the story/any ideas are welcome as well as any reviews/PM.

Chapter 3: First Week Over

(Wanda's POV)

The rest of the week went quickly, no dramas caused by Mel, or any of this year's trouble makers, which there were a few of in my classes. I really feel like Mel's trying to change, I'm glad, I much prefer this Mel.

Throughout the week I could feel her getting more and more excited for tonight – I had told her my plan of distracting Jared's friend so they could get some privacy, maybe one of them might actually suggest a date!, she was thrilled to be able to spend time alone with Jared – even if she was mad at me for a day or two for not including her in my plan from the start.

I was looking forward to it too; it feels like I've lived at school this past week what with my extra courses and school clubs. It'll be nice to relax for a night.

When Mel and I arrived at school I grabbed some books for my first two classes and headed to the administration office to sign up for this year's year-book committee. I had been on the committee last year and it's by far my favourite club/school activity, plus it doesn't take up too much time, just 1 hour sessions after school 1 day a week, easy to manage into my schedule.

As I pushed the door open to the office, something felt different, like I was being watched. I remembered the feeling from Monday morning at my locker… what was his name again?

I quickly glanced around but didn't see anybody staring, just my imagination.

Scrawling my name on the sign-up sheet I quickly left to make it to my first class before the bell.

I rounded the corridor corner just in time, only to see a group of students hanging around my classroom door. What's going on? Isn't Mr Davis here?

I stayed towards the back of the group until Mr Davis finally turned up, jogging down the corridor towards us with the classroom key in hand. His cheeks bright red and a gleam of sweat on his forehead – clearly his too-large stomach and short legs didn't allow for much jogging.

Being at the back of the group outside, I was the last one to enter the classroom. Making my way towards my usual spot at the back I realised it had already been taken; in fact, all of the single desks had been taken. I know we don't have an assigned seating plan but I've been sitting in that spot forever, surely everyone knows where they sit?

Sighing, I looked around the room, searching for the only empty chair left.

Why did it have to be next to him? He had his head down, reading from his notes, but it was unmistakeably him. After only seeing him twice now I think I'd recognise that dark copper hair anywhere.

Taking a deep breath I made my way over and slid into the seat beside him, why can't I remember his name?
I took my books out for class as Mr Davis began the lesson. Was he just going to ignore me all through class?

He finally looked up towards the front of the class, jumping almost out of his chair as he turned around towards me suddenly with a confused expression. This, in turn, made me jump and throw my pen across the desk, onto the floor by our feet.

He just stayed where he was, turned in towards me, looking at me like he didn't understand why I was here. What's his problem?

'Sorry' I mumbled and scooped down to grab my pen, my cheeks lighting up at how close he was. I straightened in my chair and could see he did the same, out of the corner of my eye I could still see him look my way occasionally. He hasn't even said anything?

I didn't pay much attention to what Mr Davis was saying for the rest of the class, I could only focus on who was sitting next to me. I saw his hand and arm move as he scribbled notes down for the class, I was noticing how he sat in his chair, how close he was... Heat started rising to my cheeks again at the direction of my thoughts. He seemed to notice as I caught site of a smile tugging the corner of his lips, is he laughing at me?

The bell rang for the end of class and I started closing my books and stuffing them into my small bag.

'Hi' He was turned towards me again, hand outstretched, 'I'm Burns, well Bernard, but everyone calls me Burns' I just stared at him stunned, Bernard that was his name!

'Hi, I'm Wanda' I shook his hand, feeling too formal and shy about the whole handshake greeting.
He grinned as his hand lingered on mine for a moment too long.

'I've gotta get to my next class, but I'll see you around?' He stood and gathered his books, making his way towards the door. What did that mean? Did he want to see me around?

Only when he left the classroom did I realise I hadn't even answered him, I'm sure I looked like a stone statue after that short conversation, well at least he seemed nice…

(Mel's POV)

Tonight. Tonight. Tonight‼!

I can't concentrate all through school, my mind elsewhere as teachers took the opportunity of my far-away-gaze to pick on me and ask me questions. Of course I didn't know the answers, one too many times later I ended up staying in my Chemistry Lab cleaning up test tubes during my lunch period. Not quite a detention, more of a warning for my future classes.

I put the thought of tonight out of my mind and, as quickly as I could, made my way through the rest of the day – running out the door when the final bell rang.

I decided to walk home, maybe the fresh air will clear my head of worries and I won't be a nervous wreck tonight. Oh who am I kidding, I could have walked around all day and still be nervous about seeing Jared in a different environment. …If Wanda can distract Jared's friend this will be the first time we'll be on our own, in private.

My hands and face were clammy by the time I made it back home. Wanda had gotten the bus and beaten me back; she was already in the front room with a study book.

'Hey' I said half-heartedly as I ran upstairs to jump in the shower.

2 and a half hours later, me and Wanda were sat in front of the vanity mirror in the bathroom putting the final touches to each other's hair and makeup. Not that either of us wore much makeup, but the effort was still there.

At 7pm, right on time, the doorbell rang. Wanda looked at me with a gleam in her eye; she hopped off of her seat and ran downstairs to the door. I gave myself one final glance over, making sure I didn't look at nervous as I felt; I put the last bit of powder on my nose and wandered into the upstairs hallway.

'Hi, how are you?' Wanda sounded like an excited puppy 'We're almost ready, Mel's just finishing up upstairs'

'Hey, that's okay. This is Ian, Ian this is Wanda' Just hearing his voice made my heart start pounding. I smoothed my dress one final time.

Wanda and I are both more Jeans & t-shirt kind of girls, but today we're both wearing simple day-dresses. Mine hugs what little curves I have and falls into a flowing skirt, stopping mid-thigh and leaving the rest of my legs exposed to the cool night air, whereas Wanda's is a cute floral pixie type dress that exaggerates just how short and cute she is.

As I make my way downstairs, staring at my feet so I don't fall in my strappy wedges, I listen to their greetings and try to get my breathing under control.

'Wow' I hear as I make it to the bottom step, I look up to find Jared staring at me, Wanda and his friend oblivious to my entrance, in a conversation of their own.

'You look…wow' Jared exhaled as he spoke, his eyes shining.

'You don't look too bad yourself.' I grinned as I spoke, taking in his casual tee and khaki pants, seeing him outside of his diner uniform made my heartbeat increase.

'Everyone ready to go?' Wanda pulled me out of my trance and she motioned towards the door.

'Hi I'm Ian' So this is Jared's friend? I shook his offered hand and said my hello's.

'So where are we headed tonight?' Jared asked as we made our way down the porch steps towards his car.

'Why don't we just take a walk? Maybe stop by the movies if there's anything good showing?' Wanda suggested as she walked ahead with Ian, leaving me and Jared walking side by side behind them.

We spent the next hour talking, walking and getting to know Jared's friend, the typical jock, not exactly bright, and wanting to play football in college. He wasn't great for conversation which made me feel guilty for Wanda having to spend most of the night with him so Jared and I could be alone.

I think Jared caught on pretty quickly to our plan, he held back with me when Wanda and Ian walked off ahead of us, claiming they were going to check out what movie was playing tonight at the small local theatre.

When we were alone silence fell over us, not the awkward kind but the comfortable silence between friends.

'I like spending time with you guys, especially out of the diner, I never get to hang out properly when it's busy over there' Jared shook his head 'I guess I mostly like spending time with you…'

I think my heart stopped, my breath caught in my throat, was this it? Is he finally going to tell me the words I hoped would one day come out of his mouth? I couldn't say anything; I had to focus fully on not falling over as my knees grew weak.

Jared turned towards me and rested his hand on my upper arm, heat immediately spread from beneath his fingers making my arm feel numb, I could feel the warmth spreading over my face. 'I guess what I mean to say is that I really like spending time with you…just you.' He looked so serious and focussed, his hand travelled down my arm to hold my hand, could he tell it was shaking?

I wanted to speak but I didn't want to interrupt him while he was saying these wonderful things to me, 'I like you a lot Mel, from the first time you and Wanda stumbled into the Diner laughing and making jokes. I don't expect you to say anything or feel the same way; I just wanted you to know. I'm glad Wanda is letting us be alone together tonight…'

He dropped my hand and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, I was still frozen, all I could do was stare into his hazel eyes, my heart feeling completely full, now beating rapidly as if nothing could ever go wrong again. I felt warmth behind my eyes, as if no one has ever felt this happy, I could barely believe it was happening to me.

'Hey, why are you crying?' Jared whispered, looking hurt and confused as he wiped away a tear that had escaped down my cheek.

'I…I just feel s-so happy' stop crying! Stop crying!

Smiling, Jared leaned in towards me and kissed my cheek where a tear had fallen. Taking my hand in his we continued to walk towards the movie theatre.

Now I knew I had fallen for him completely.