Chapter One

"Stop being a dick, Ray," Beat screeched as Raymond continued to tickle the sides of her sleek waist.

 

"Not until you tell me who he is," he picked her up, throwing her on his shoulder. That made Beat scream again, "Nobody! He's nobody. Now if you don't leave me in the next five seconds, I'm gonna make you regret it," she warned.

 

"Oh really, love?" her best friend smirked at her. "Okay, I give up. I'm dropping you now."

 

"NO!" she fell with a thud. "You, a*****e!"

 

Ray howled with laughter. He was one of Beat's only best friends. He was the Prankster and could be a real pain in the a*s sometimes but underneath all that, he was still a nice guy. Though, he wasn't a guy who parents could trust their daughters with.

 

"Wait till I get my hands on you, Simon," Beat glared at the dark haired boy.

 

"Aww, are you mad, Parker?" he mocked her, clutching his gut as he continued to laugh.

 

"I wouldn't be laughing so hard if I was in your shoes, you know," the smirk on Beatrice's face gave Ray a spine-chilling, creepy feeling.

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"I still have those photos of you getting all warm and cozy with, what's her name? Diane?"

 

"You wouldn't dare," said Ray, any evidence of humor gone from his features.

 

"Oh yes, I would."

 

Ray sprinted towards Beat, seconds after which she took a run for her life. Chasing her through the parking space of the school, to the corridors, somewhere in between, Ray lost sight of the devil princess.

 

Beat was faster than he was. As she ran along the busy hallways, she used the first chance she could and slid into an empty classroom.

 

Closing the door shut, she let out a snicker. Northern Riverside High was used to the cat-chase of the duo. Often Ray and Beat would run around the school campus, creating chaos and chasing after one another. No number of detentions could stop them.

 

Hell! Detention was like the favorite meal of the day.

 

Beat realized that she wasn't alone in the room when she heard a chair rumble.

 

Her smile grew wider, "Alexander."

 

"I - I was just going out."

 

"Hey, c'mon. Don't you wanna get to know me?" Beat made a predatory move towards him. "We are partners, afterall."

 

The comment made Alex blush, which nothing but amused her even more. Her eyes scanned him, taking in his calm, ocean blue eyes, his messy brown hair, the grey hoodie that might have been a size too big for him and his left leg, which he couldn't stop tapping. Alexander Hayes was a nerd, and it wasn't hidden from the other students. He usually got the highest grades and almost never missed school. He was a guy who would submit his homework before it was due and who the teachers were incredibly fond of. He never got into any trouble.

 

But that was about to be changed.

 

"So Alex, when do we start?" Beat casually asked.

 

"Start what..?"

 

"The project, nutty."

 

"Oh, right. Anytime," he quickly replied.

 

"I'll see you at your place? After school is fine with you, right?"

 

"Uh, yeah. Sure." Beat smirked at his stammering reply and leaned in to plant a small yet sensual kiss on his jaw, very close to his lips. "Later, nutty," she turned around and left the room, leaving behind a surprised Alex.

 

Alex walked into his English class just in time for the bell. He was still in a daze after what had happened between him and Beatrice during lunch. He couldn't understand her sudden interest in him.

 

Why did she choose to be his partner?

 

Why did she want to start working on the project so soon?

 

And was she.. hitting on him?

 

Confused with all the thoughts running in his head he placed his bag on his usual place, next to his best friend Brendon, behind Tyler.

 

"Dude, what took you so long?" Brendon hissed at him, and Tyler turned around to quiet the two.

 

"Bren, after class."

 

Alex had been friends with Brendon Keller since as long as he could remember. They practically grew up together. The phrase, "brother from another mother" could not describe them any better. Tyler Dickson had joined the two in middle school and ever since then they had been inseparable.

 

Alex was probably closer to these two than he had ever been to his older brother, Jake.

 

The class begun, Mrs.Wilson was on about something but Alex had zoned out on her. All he could think of was what had perked the Bad Girl's interest on him.

 

"Alex, you're zoning out," Brendon nudged his foot under the table, making Alex jump up. "What the hell is going on, dude? Where's your head at?"

 

"I - uh, I don't know, man. It's nothing. Forget it," Alex said, dismissing the conversation

 

".. so I've got nothing to do tonight," Alex caught only the last bit of what Tyler was saying, as he and his two friends to the parking space after school.

 

"My parents are going out and they called in a babysitter to look after Lucy and Chase, so I guess I can come too," Brendon had two younger siblings, Lucy - who was five and Chase - who had just turned eleven last month. Though he was supposed to be the responsible older brother, Bren's parents could not trust him with himself, let alone with the two little kids and the entire house to himself. Hence, even though he was old enough to be left alone, taking care of his little siblings, a babysitter was something very important if Mrs. and Mr. Keller wanted to return to a "house".

 

"What about you, Alex? You free tonight?" Tyler asked.

 

"Yeah sure, whatever," Alex absentmindedly replied.

 

"Seriously, what is it?!" Though Tyler looked like a calm person, he had a very bad time being patient. And with Alex acting like a zombie all day, his patience was running thin. "Is there something you need to tell us?"

 

"No, why would you.. Oh s**t! How is she gonna get home without the address?"

 

"Who is getting where?"

 

"Beatrice."

 

"As in, Beatrice Parker?" Brendon and Tyler stopped in their tracks and turned towards their friend. "And why is Beatrice Parker coming over to your house?" Bren bombarded him with questions. "Wait, is she the reason why you've been acting weird all day?"

 

"I haven't been acting weird. I was just.. thinking."

 

"And what was that?"

 

"She paired up with me for the Biology project," Alex explained to his friends. "I have no idea, why."

 

"Maybe she needs help with the subject," Brendon suggested.

 

Alex glared at him, "Beatrice Parker does not need help in any subject."

 

With a shrug, "I was just saying.." Bren continued before being cut off by Tyler.

 

"I don't think she's coming today," Tyler said, his eyes trained on something behind Alex.

 

Confused, Alex turned around to see a Jeep, leaning on which were two people, one of them being Beatrice. She stood between the car and one of the popular guys from the football team. Her hands twisted around his neck, while his gripped her waist. They were kissing.

 

Disgusted, Alex pulled his keys from his pocket, "So what's the plan for tonight, guys?"

 

Author's Note

Uh.. I'm not sure if swearing is allowed here. Let me know if it's okay?