Another chapter today. Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy!

Lacey had a hard time focusing on her homework that evening. Danny kept invading her mind, and she didn't like it one bit. The fact that she allowed him to get under her skin got to her. She is usually a pro at that. It usually takes a lot for somebody to take up residence in her mind like this. But Danny did it. She hated that. She also hated the fact that avoiding him would be damn near impossible since he was in 3 of her classes. How she managed to actually pick his name as her lab partner was also plucking her nerves.

The way he just suggested they go on a double date was sorta weird. She didn't like that he was trying to involve others in this little game he was playing. And she didn't know why he was playing games with her. He doesn't know her to play games with her like this. But she really hated the fact that somewhere in the back of her mind, she wanted to believe it. She wanted to believe that she could leave her past behind, and move on. But moving on is a hard thing to do. She wants to forget it and move forward. And Danny is trying to make that harder for her.

Damn him!

Why did he have to come along and mess up everything?

Why couldn't he just do like other guys and ignore her?

But no, Danny wanted to give her hope. He was selling her hope by the case. She needed it, but didn't wanna buy or accept it.

Lacey had a fitful night of sleep. He managed to crawl his way into her dreams. This was not good. He needed to stop. He needed to stop leading her on and leave her alone. She was perfectly willing to be his friend, but everything else had to stop. And she would tell him tomorrow.

After tossing and turning most of the night, Lacey knew she would have a rough day at school. She decided to dress down and not look like she was trying too hard. Maybe Danny will get the hint. So she put on her camouflage cargo pants and green and white tee. She set it off with white Nike's and a green page-boy hat. She still felt like she looked cute, but not like she was trying to get attention.

She decided she would walk to school to get a better feel of her new neighborhood. Her school wasn't that far at all. Only about a 15 minute walk. The fresh air could help wake her up and help to clear her head. She arrives to school with a little time to spare, but she just goes straight to Ms. Fisk's class. Since she interrupted the class yesterday, she doesn't want to do it again. She has no idea the kind of teacher she really is and whether she hates for her students to be late. She goes into the class and takes the seat she was given the day before. Soon, others in the class start filing in. Phoebe and Joe walk in hand in hand. They are a cute couple, even if Joe rubs her the wrong way. Today, he actually speaks to her instead of just waving. Phoebe sits down and immediately starts talking.

"So you survived your first day, huh?"

"Yeah, and I barely have any scars."

They both laugh as Danny walks in. He instantly locks eyes with her and Lacey visibly swallows.

Why does he have to be so hot? Damn him.

He fist pumps Joe and Archie, and says hello to Phoebe and Regina. When he sits down in his seat he leans forward and smiles.

"Hi Lacey. You look cute today."

Lacey tries to control the butterflies in her stomach, and hopes she isn't smiling or blushing.

Damn him!

"Hi Danny. You look cute too." He's wearing a simple pair of blue jeans and a white polo. His hair is in a bun though.

You could be wearing a brown paper bag, and you'd still look cute, Lacey thinks.

"Have you decided what you're gonna wear on our date Saturday?"

You would think a record scratched, because it seemed as if all talking stopped, and everybody was focused on their conversation. She hears a few girls whispering. And they are not happy with what they just heard Danny say.

"He's going on a date, WITH HER?!"

"How did she convince him to go out with her?"

"What does he see in her?"

"He must be joking."

And the way that Joe looks at Danny is the worst of all. He looks at Danny like he's grown two heads. Phoebe looks happy, which isn't surprising. Danny has ignored all of this banter around him and is still grinning like an idiot, while looking at Lacey. Luckily, Joe starts talking to Danny so she doesn't have to.

"You two are going out on a date?"

"Yeah."

"Who asked who out?"

"I asked her out. Why?"

"Danny, can I talk to you in the hallway for a minute?"

"Sure. I'll be right back, Lacey."

The girls in the class are throwing daggers at Lacey. She could smack Danny for doing this to her. Phoebe turns to her practically squealing.

"You guys are going on a date? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't have a chance to."

"Oooh, maybe we can double."

"That's the same thing Danny said."

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

Meanwhile, in the hallway...

"What in the hell is wrong with you, Desai?"

"What are you talking about, Masterson?"

"You really asked her out?"

"Yes. Why are you so surprised?"

"Are you fucking kidding me, man?"

"No, I'm not fucking kidding you. What's the big deal?"

"You really wanna take her out? Her?!"

"Yes, I do. Why do you care?"

"I'm trying to look out for you, bro."

"I don't need you to look out for me."

"Have you though about what going out with her could do to your reputation?"

"It seems you care more about my reputation than I do."

"All of these hot ass girls around here that fawn over you, and you choose to go out with that?! Did you lose a bet or something I don't know about?"

"No, I didn't lose any bet, Joe."

Joe is seriously starting to piss Danny off. And he should probably be careful with that. Best friend, or not.

"Then what is it? A dare? Did Archie or one of the guys dare you to ask her out?"

"I wouldn't do that to her if they did."

"You really have a thing for her, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do."

"What in the hell has gotten in to you? I thought you were just kidding around yesterday."

"No i wasn't kidding around yesterday. I really like her and I really wanna get to know her better. I was just as shocked as you when I realized that I liked her."

"I can't wait until Sarita finds out. That will be epic."

They both laugh and head back into the classroom.

Ms. Fisk springs their new assignment on them. It's met with a lot of groans.

"With the addition of our new student, there's an even number of you. So i decided to make this assignment about couples. And I'll be choosing your partner."

Everybody hates that idea.

"And since this is 2013, there will be some same-sex couples. When you hear your name. join your partner. You will have to sit together for the rest of this project. How well it goes, is how long it will last. It should be fun, ladies and gentleman."

Ms. Fisk is reading off names, and Lacey is just waiting to hear hers. She's dreading it though. She doesn't know these people. Hopefully she'll be paired up with Phoebe. She does NOT want to be paired with Danny. And especially not Joe.

"Regina Crane and Amber Scott."

"Lisa Miller and Archie Yates."

"Joe Masterson and Leslie Evans."

Yes! One down, one to go.

"Phoebe Daly and Trevor Knight."

Shit!

"Danny Desai and Lacey Porter."

Shit! Shit! Shit!

Danny looks devilishly happy. He actually winks at her.

Shit!

The assignment actually involves them acting like an actual couple, and they have to detail their experiences. But there's a twist to the assignment. All of the couples are given an obstacle that they must face and address in their relationship. Lacey and Danny's obstacle is her being pregnant with twins and neither one of them is ready because they're only 16. Lacey wants to kill Ms. Fisk. She's getting satisfaction from their discomfort. The whole class can see it.

How am I supposed to avoid this guy when she just threw us together? Damn her!

"You know you could look a little more excited about this assignment, Lacey."

"I am excited. See!" She turns and flashes him a huge smile. Showing that cute dimple. Danny is suddenly aroused. And he's thankful he's sitting down.