A whole Friday and Saturday devoted to being a girl has gotten me quite tired. I go home Sunday afternoon feeling relieved that I can finally take a break and just curl up in the couch with a book. I finally start the next novel that we are assigned to read for AP Composition, Kate Chopin's The Awakening.

I am suddenly struck by the thought of Christian when the protagonist's problems regarding men were mentioned. Hah, I'm glad I don't have boy problems.

Monday rolls around and I take my time to get ready for school. I look at my full length mirror and mutter to myself, "Well, that's as good as it's gonna get." I laugh at myself knowing I am just copying Mia from The Princess Diaries.

I say bye to Ray and drive off, anxious to experience whatever school has planned for me.

When I walk in to my AP Comp class, I am greeted by Ms. Alice. Oh no, I am way too early.

"Ms. Steele! I'm glad you could make it today! I trust that you are feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you. I hope I didn't miss much last Friday." Somehow, I feel like she knows I faked a sickness.

"We started on The Awakening but that's pretty much it." She turns to her computer and ignores me.

This is what I mean by the awkward silence of arriving in class way too early.

I watch as the clock tick. This has got to be the longest 8 minutes of my life. I put my head down and I wake with a jolt when the bell rings, telling students to get to their assigned classes. I keep my head down. I didn't want to see Christian walk by with his smoldering gray eyes.

"I hope you all read the first three chapters of The Awakening! We're having an in-class essay this Wednesday and I'd like you all to have a practice outline for a practice prompt. Have a partner pick a prompt for you in the list of prompts that I have there," she points to the board as the projector lights up, "and work on it for the rest of the period! We'll be checking them tomorrow to get you ready for the essay! Get to work!"

I look at Jenna who is sitting across the room and who is also looking at me. We smile at each other, taking this as a sign that we are partners. I feel a tap on my shoulder, I turn around to see Christian smirking at me. Ugh, how dare he use his beautiful face?!

"Will you be my partner?" He asks, still smirking.

"Sorry, I already have one." I smile an apologetic smile.

Suddenly his eyes are cold and distant. What is wrong with him? Is he that spoiled?

I ignore the thought and get up from my seat to walk towards Jenna. She pulls up a chair and points at it, telling me to sit there.

"What's wrong with the new kid?" She whispers to me when I am finally seated on the chair.

"I don't know...he's just weird, I guess."

We start working on our outlines and I notice from my peripheral vision that Christian was getting up from his seat and is walking towards Ms. Alice. He leans in from the other side of her desk and asks her something. She nods and says something.

I don't have much skills figuring out what people say based on their mouthing, but I'm pretty sure she said "Of course, that's fine."

He turns around and I quickly look down. I can feel him staring at me. Oh dear, what is he going to do now.

"Ms. Steele, Ms. Alice said we could work as a trio and since I don't know anyone else in this classroom, I thought I'd work with you and your friend here." He smiles at Jenna and she practically melts. Is there anyone immune to his perfect smile?

"Okay," Is all I say.

He sits down, defeated that he couldn't get any more out of me.

We sit in silence for the rest of the period, feeling quite proud of myself that I didn't get distracted by his constant staring. I was really starting to get creeped out. Was being a psychotic creeper a part of his indefinite suspension from his former school?

The bell rings and I quickly get up to walk back go my desk and pack up my stuff only to trip on one of the chair that is being moved.

Christian catches me and helps me steady myself. "You okay Steele?" He asks, his eyes full of worry.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I pull away from his hold and keep going.

As I walked through the traffic of people trying to get to their classes, I notice a handsome Christian walking next to me.

"Look, I'm sorry... I know I pretty much ditched you last Thursday. I just... I um..." He seems to be really hurt.

"What Christian? You just what?" I snap at him. "You can't just be all 'Oh, don't look down, I like seeing your face' and just leave me hanging like that." I keep walking, hoping he'll leave me alone.

He stops me by reaching for my arm.

"I know...and I'm sorry. I really am." He assures me. "I want to make it up to you. How about we...uhh, I don't know. What do normal people do for fun?"

"What do you mean?" I am so confused by this man. What does he mean 'what do normal people do for fun?'

"I don't know."

I turn back around and head for the classroom.

"Do you want to go out with me?!" He yells.

I turn around to see him still standing where I left him. Everyone is still rushing to their class. I look down on the floor and shake my head. Telling him no.

I go on and sit on my seat in AP US History. I notice Christian never actually went to class when the bell rings and Mr. Dane takes attendance and asks if anyone has seen Christian.

Lunch time couldn't come any sooner. I walk to my locker to get my packed lunch and I see Tanner leaning next to it with his arms crossed over his chest.

Tanner has been my crush since who knows when, I'm guessing since third grade. My 'crush' for him has died down but there's still something there, lingering and hoping that my third grade dreams will come true.

"Hey Ana," he greets me as I open my locker.

"Hi Tanner. What are you doing here looking as hot as ever?" I tease him knowing that he knows I was obsessed with him when we were little.

"Still funny, I see... Well, I came by to ask you out."

I am shocked and my jaw drops.

"You don't mean that."

"I do. I miss chasing you around the playground." He teases.

"See, now I know you're actually messing with me." I smile at him as I open my backpack to put unecessary materials in my locker.

"Oh come on, Ana. Say yes? We can go to a movie and a dinner. Hell, maybe we could even go to Homecoming if our date goes well." He looks serious.

"Okay Tanner, who put you up to this? Who paid you to talk to me? To ask me out? Hm?" I stand my ground and cross my arms.

He takes my face so I can look him straight in the eye. "No one. I promise. Now will you please say yes?"

I take his hand off my face and sigh, "Fine." I mutter.

"What?" Is he really making me repeat myself?

"I said fine, I'll go out with you."

"Really?! Ok, I'll meet you after school. Maybe we could get some coffee later or something." He looks happy.

I smile at him. "Sure, I'll see you later."

He kisses my cheeks and I blush.

"You just made me the happiest man on earth. Thank you Ana! I'll see you later." He walks away, pumping his fist and saying 'YES!'

On the other side of the hallway, a few feet away from me, Christian is leaning on a locker, mimicking Tanner's stature earlier. Oh god, how much did he hear? He looks mad... Who cares?! I'm not his. It's fine to go out with Tanner.

He looks furious.

I take my lunch and leave, not taking another glance at him. As I walk in the cafeteria, I see Kate and I am relieved there is only one spot left in our usual table.

"Tanner asked me out." I blurt out as soon as I sit.

"It's about time. You two have been crushing on each other since we were little. I knew he was gonna ask you out at some point but seriously? Why so late?"

We talk about our classes and the stress that our teachers like to bring. Everything seemed carefree until she brings up the worst subject she ever could.

"So how about Christian? Now that you're going out with Tanner, I guess Christian isn't in the picture anymore? I would take Christian anytime. He's so mysterious. And Tanner, well you've known Tanner all your life."

"Christian was never in the picture." I reply.

"What happened to you Ana? Hahaha! Just a few days ago you didn't even consider having a boyfriend and now you have two men wanting you!"

When school was finally over, I go to my locker then head for my car. I see Tanner next to my car. His right arm on the hood and his leg crossed. He smirks at me when he sees me.

"Hey Ana.." He says in a seductive voice.

"You have to try better than that. I am immune to your seduction." I tell him with my own seductive voice.

"Well damn." He reaches for my cheek and caress it with his finger as we look at each other's eyes. "Is that better?"

"Oh you're good," I tell him. "So where are we going?"

"I'll drive. It's a surprise."

As I walk around my car, Christian grabs my arm and looks me in the eyes, furious and confusing as ever.

"What do you want, Christian?" I snap at him, "I have to go, let go of me."

"Ana, is there a problem?" Tanner asks as he approaches me. "Hey man, let go. That's my girlfriend you're harassing there."

"Girlfriend?" Christian whispers.

"Yes, girlfriend." Tanner answers for me, "Now will you please let go? Your grip is pretty tight there, buddy. I think you're hurting her."

I look down at my arm and feel the uncomfortable grip he had on me.

"Will you go away for a second and let me talk to her?" Christian snaps at him.

"I can't do that." Tanner looks at him, just as furious as Christian. "Now let go before I rearrange your face."

Christian lets go of my arm but closes the gap between him and Tanner. "Rearrange my face? Maybe I can rearrange yours."

"What's your problem, man? Who are you even? Your obviously not his boy friend, so I suggest that you just walk away." Why is the sight of two men fighting about me turning me on?

Before I know it, Christian raises his arm to punch Tanner. I step in the middle of them, pushing Christian away and holding on to his face, squeezing his chin. "CHRISTIAN! STOP IT." He keeps pushing for a few seconds and stops.

"I'm sorry, Ana... I uh... I wasn't thinking I'm sorry." He runs off.

I turn around and see Tanner holding his his chin, moving his mouth like he is readjusting his jaw.

"Oh my god. Are you okay, Tanner?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. And if I knew how you have so many admirers, I would have pursued you a long time ago. Jeez, that was something." He smiles at me to assure me that he was fine.

"I'm so sorry about that... I'm glad you're okay." I touch his face.

"Well, actually... I think a kiss could make the pain go away." He teases.

"You are impossible as ever." I kiss his cheek and smile as I pull away.

"That's better."

I giggle and take his hand. "Let's go, I believe you have a surprise for me?"

He drives towards my old neighborhood and I finally realize what the surprise is.

"I thought I'd take you back to our Elementary school." He looks at me to see my expression. "Maybe I can chase you around?"

I hit him playfully on the arm and giggle.

We go on the swings and I feel very carefree. It's amazing. I used to dream that Tanner will sweep me off my feet and be my boyfriend and maybe we could have kids and live happily ever after. He takes my hand and we swing together. I feel like a child again.

"As much as I'd love to spend more time with you, I have a lot of homework." I tell him.

"It's alright. I had fun. I'll drive you home. Come on."

I really think that Tanner is perfect for me. Yes, the relationship seems shallow but I think it's because we're just starting it off. Surely, as we get to know each other better, it'll have more depth.

He drops me off at my house when I realize that it was my car that we've been driving around in. "I'll drive you back to the high school. I feel bad." I assure him.

"Don't worry about it. It's not that far. I can walk." He assures me.

"No, no. I'll drive you-" before I am able to finish, he is out of my car.

"I had fun Ana. Don't worry about it. Do your homework. I don't mind the walk."

He walks me to my front door and looks down at me, takes my chin, and looks me in the eye. I knew he was asking for a kiss but I turn away.

"I don't know if I'm ready to kiss you yet..." I tell him honestly.

"It's okay, don't feel pressured." He smiles at me and hugs me instead. "I really did have a lot of fun. You're my girlfriend now right?"

"How would I know?" I laugh and lets go off me.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Bye." He hugs me one more time and walks away, giving me a wink.

I fumble my keys and drop them when I am haunted by a thought.

Why does it feel like I'm cheating on someone?

I look back to see Tanner, walking with his hands in his pocket, skipping now and then, moving farther away and out of my sight.

"Christian." I whisper to myself as I realize that I feel like I am cheating on him even though we were never even a thing.

Speak of the devil...