Chapter 1

Keys are for opening hearts - Lose the Key, lose the heart.

Lips traced along sensitive flesh and fingers danced across the soft skin of her lower back as a low rumble of laughter built up inside his chest. Intoxicated by his smell, a body-wracking shiver sped down her spine, dissolving into a tingle at the base of her back as the hairs on her neck raised in anticipation. Nails digging into the leather protecting his back, she felt the desire build up deep in her core, stirring impatiently, but she didn't let her feelings maneuver her from the task at hand.
Long, rough fingers circled her wrist tightly, while his other hand curled over her elbow, travelling up to wrap around her shoulder before tenderly cupping her jaw, and pulling away just enough for their lips to remain brushing. Hot breath fanned her face, and she found her own breathing ragged and unsteady as she stared at his intense gaze.
A soft chuckle escaped his throat as his eyes twinkled, full satisfaction clearly shown on his features at the dazed state he'd placed her in.
"You always fall for the same trick, every time." he murmured, his lips turning up at the edges.
"On the contrary..." she breathed, a mischievous smile gracing her face as he heard the familiar tingle of metal as she expertly slipped from his embrace and his grasping hands as he reached out to take what was his. "You are the one who falls."
Lips twitching as she contained her laughter, she dangled his keys before his nose, closing her fingers around them before he could snatch them away.
"Looks like you're not driving." she observed, biting on her lower lip.
"Neither are you. Too young."
Nonchalantly shrugging, she placed the keys in the back pocket of her jeans. "Didn't stop me before." Stretching, she grinned at him and redid the few buttons he had undone on her shirt. "But I never said I wanted to drive."
"You want to walk?" he groaned, arms crossed over his chest, eyes rolling at the female before him.
"My, my, aren't we lazy?" Grinning, she linked arms with him and led him at a leisure pace away from her house as his eyes stared longingly at his parked car. "Lighten up, soldier. The fresh air and exercise is good for you."
"What if I offered to take you on my motorbike?"
"Tempting....Very tempting. But I want to walk."
Besides, they'd be late if they went back to his house to get it. Even with his insane driving. What more, he was more than likely to trick her and drive to school in his car.     
"Or....you could walk..."he began, his hand sliding to her back and south. "...and I could drive."
Stopping his hand on its journey, she shook her head. "No chance. What would your mother say if she knew that you were leaving a lady to walk by herself?"
He groaned, knowing she was right. His mother was too paranoid about abductions and murders - even in broad daylight - and Yvotte was always more than willing to get him lightly scolded by his mother.
"We're driving tomorrow." he narrowed his eyes down at her, his tone giving her no room to argue.
"On your motorbike?" she waggled her eyebrows, eyes shining with hope.
"In my car. As punishment."
Shrugging her shoulders in a "Fair enough" manner, her head inclined towards the sky, looking at the cloudless blue sea of perfection.
"Rain tomorrow." she murmured.
"About time."
"I know...."she agreed, her eyes glazing over and her voice taking on a dreamy tone, as if the words were escaping through her trance. "I've missed it."
"Even when it messes up your perfect hair?" he teased, bumping her hip with his.
Laughter bursting from her throat, she rolled her eyes at him, amused. "Oh please. You've seen me in the mornings; I get up and go. I don't spend half the time other girls do getting dressed and doing my hair and make up. You're just disillusioned in thinking that I always look good."
No-one however, could deny the pleasure in her tone of voice, and the way her hand squeezed around the crook of his elbow.
"To me, Miss. Chamberlain," he began, pulling her closer to his side. "you will be the most beautiful creature even when you're old and fat."
"Charmed. But I wouldn't say the in the presence of your future wife."
"Fortunate that she's not around, then. Besides...." he grinned. "we could always end up together."
"No chance." the words came out in a snort. "Too much....awesomeness, I think. The world would blow up."
"Or get taken over by us."
"Appealing...Very appealing." she mused. "Mr. Michaels would certainly be placed in the 'slave' category."
His mouth dropped open in fake shock, and she smacked his side, rolling her eyes. "You know I'm joking."
"I know."
"Terry would definitely fit into that category too." she pointed out after a minutes silence.
"You, my dear girl, are evil."
"You corrupted me." she shrugged.
"And I couldn't have done a better job."
"Egotistical...But with good reason. You should be proud of your creation."
"I am. You're like a mini-Frankenstein monster."
"Does that give me the license to kill?"
He paused, his eyes skimming over her face, calculating. "That was a bad example."
"On the contrary, I thought it was a great one. I already have a mental list of all my victims-to-be."
Smiling, he ran a hand through her hair, his fingers getting mixed in the tendrils. "You're too beautiful to be a monster."
Slowly, her eyes slid up his upper body, to meet his. "Sweet talk will get you nowhere."
"On the contrary-" he used her favourite phrase as his lips found her ear. "-sweet talk will get me everywhere." And before she knew it, his keys had slipped out of her back pocket and appeared, dangling before her eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~
Whispers surrounded her as she walked down the hallway, her heels clicking loudly against the floor. Smirking, she met every gaze, watching as their complexion reddened and their eyes averted. This would be an easy task.
Grabbing the kid at her side by his collar, she brought her face close to his, smiling serenely as she opened her mouth to speak. "Hope Parker. Where?"
Shaking, and swallowing loudly, the kid pointed to the end of the hallway, and straightening up, the girl frowned as she watched him seduce a student he was obviously close to. No matter. She would be an easy target to get rid of. It wouldn't be long before she would claim the prize.
Seeing the girl stare at them as she brushed her lips against Hope's cheek, she murmured "Who's the new girl?" Before sliding back down his body, and smiling cheekily up at his face.
"Walk with me." he murmured, wrapping a hand around her waist and pulling her close. "Dana Kane. Your new rival."
"I haven't had one of those in a long time. But it's not like we have anything to rival about."
"Except for m....uh....the Queen S**t position."
Yvotte shrugged, frowning as she felt the burning stare in her back, and as whispers surrounded them. "She can have it."
"What if I came with the position?"
His words stopped her short, and it seemed as if everyone around them stopped breathing. Scowling at the attention they were receiving, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an empty classroom, locking the door from the inside and sitting her down on the teachers desk.
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean." she told him slowly, pronouncing every word with great articulation.
"If you're the Queen S**t, then as your partner-in-crime I am the man-w***e. There can't be one without the other."
"What are you saying?"
"If you were to lose to her.....You would lose me."
Silence settled over them. It was as if she'd frozen on the spot. Hopelessly searching her eyes, he winced at the anger that slowly entered them, and the knuckles that were slowly turning white with the force she clutched at the table.
"Who says?" she demanded.
"The whole student body."
"And you're going to....stop being friends with me, just because a bunch of stupid little high-schoolers told you to?!"
"Of course not....We just wouldn't be able to play the game any more...I'd have to play it with-"
Pushing him, she hopped down from the table, and for good measure, pushed him again with enough force to make him stumble backwards.
"That's our game!" she hissed at him. "Our game! How dare you toss it around like it means nothing to you?! Or have you finally gotten sick of playing with me?! Have I turned boring?!"
"No of course not. It's just that-"
"Just what?!"
He sighed, detesting the way her eyes watered, and how she shook in her attempt to keep herself together.
"I see." she murmured. "You're just leaving me for something better. I don't see why I'm so upset. It's not like we ever had anything. It was all fake. And that was the whole point of the game wasn't it? To break the others heart. Congratulations, Hope. I hope you're satisfied, and enjoy yourself with your future toy."
Pushing past him, she grabbed the door handle, ready to twist the lock when he called out. "So what? I mean that much to you? You're not even going to fight for me?"
She didn't reply. She didn't even seem to acknowledge him or his words, rushing out of the room, her footsteps echoing loudly down the hallway. Walking out of the classroom himself, he watched her flee, his teeth gritting, his body tense.
Frail, small hands suddenly slid up his back, around his shoulders, and a soft voice whispered in his ear. "Is there a problem?"
Turning around, he studied the girl in front of him. The new girl was attractive that was for sure. Almost other-worldly in her appearance.But was she enough to give up Yvotte?
Muttering an "Excuse me." he disappeared in the same direction as his now ex-best-friend.