Alex's p.o.v

I wake up an hour early for school. Still excited about holding hands with Tristan, I bounce out of bed energetically, despite my morning sickness. After I've finished in the bathroom, I pick out my school outfit with care. I know holding hands doesn't make us, like, official. But it was still a nice feeling. I pick out some sleek leggings, a white crop-top, and my vans. I curl my hair and put on some mascara, lipgloss, and eyeliner. I quickly grab my school bags and head downstairs. I grab a muffin and drive to school.

When I get to school, Claire is waiting by my locker. I'm immensely surprised. Claire usually left me alone, unlike some other nerds who managed to get on her bad side. She crooks a finger for me to follow her and starts walking to the cafeteria. Afraid to disobey, I trail along behind her. When we reach the lunchroom, Claire climbs on top of one of the tables. I'm confused. What is she doing and how does it involve me?

I stand there stupidly as she claps her hands loudly to get everyone's attention. She begins to speak in a loud, clear voice. "Ladies and gentleman, we have a slut among us." Oh God, I think I know where she's going with this. "And that slut is Alex Foster. She slept with a fucking 50-year-old! Then again, she's also slept with the whole football team. Boys, don't get too near her. She'll just have sex with you. Girls, don't let your boyfriends out of your sight. This is just a warning to everyone, beware of her."

She smiles smugly at me and steps down from the table. I feel hot tears leaking from my eyes. My vision blurs and I rush out of the cafeteria, running to the nearest girls' bathroom.

The girls' bathroom is the one place I know I'll have guaranteed privacy in, especially from Tristan. I must look a mess, and I don't want him to see me like this. More tears slide down my cheeks as I lock myself in a stall. Sadness weighs over me like a black cloak of impending doom. But at the same time, anger rages through my veins. How dare she spread a lie like that? What a fucking bitch!

With shaking hands, I pick up my phone to call Sarah. I'm sure she'll pick up and help me out. She's good in these situations. I hear the door bang open and I stay silent, hoping whoever it is will go away. Then I hear a painfully familiar voice call out my name, sounding distressed and anxious. It unnerves me so that I drop my phone. In the toilet.

"Shit!" I scramble to get it out. Thank god my mother bought me a waterproof case last Christmas. My phone is saved! Unfortunately, the noise alerts Tristan to where I am. "Alex?" he calls. I don't answer. Maybe he'll go away. But of course, he remains as stubborn as ever. "Come on, princess. Open the door." The princess remark almost melts me, but I refuse to give into him and his  adorableness. "If you don't open this door, I'm breaking it," Tristan warns in a low voice.

I sigh. Should I just open the goddamn door? But what if he thinks I'm pathetic? What if he came to rant at me about how proud he is of his girlfriend? What if-

My thoughts are cut off by a loud knocking on the door. "Alex, I'm serious. If you don't unlock this fucking door right now, I will break it down." Without further hesitation, I wipe furiously at my bloodshot eyes, trying to make myself appear presentable. "1...2...." I scramble to flip the lock. As soon as the door is unlocked, Tristan flings it open. I back away, expecting an angry explosion. Instead, he does the unexpected: He wraps me in a huge bear hug.

I'm so surprised I almost pull away, but quickly catch myself and allow him to hug me. When he finally pulls back, his eyes are filled with sorrow and guilt. Oh dear God. His eyes. So perfectly sky blue. He stares right back into mine, causing me to get a little lost in his eyes. He leans forward slightly, and a million questions erupt like popping corn in my brain. What is he doing? Is he going to kiss me? What did he do with Claire? Soon the questions settle down as he leans ever closer, until our lips are mere inches apart. I want so much to lean upwards and kiss the life out of those perfect lips. Wait, this isn't right. He has a girlfriend.

I snap my gaze from his, ruining the moment. He looks down at his feet. "Um...." he begins, then starts again. "I broke up with Claire. I'm really sorry she did that."

You do realize that now he's single, don't you?

Shut up, inner self.

You need to go for him. He totally likes you.

I said shut up!

You know I'm right!

OMG, LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!

Suddenly I realize how utterly stupid this sounds. I'm having an argument with my mind. Maybe I am going crazy. Then I notice that Tristan is looking at me like I'm completely off my rocker. What did I say? Oh god. I did not. I did not just have that argument aloud. I put my head in my hands. Why does life hate me?

Tristan's p.o.v

I don't know what came over me. Holding her hand in the mall yesterday was awesome. Seriously. She brings out my soft side. She sends tingles up my spine and plants butterflies in my stomach. God I sound like a girl. But, my point is, I almost kissed her! If she hadn't looked away, I probably would have. Which is.....Good or bad? Well good because she's affecting me this way, and bad because she's a nerd and I don't date nerds. I don't kiss nerds. I don't hold hands with nerds. Yet, I did. Or, almost. and why? Because she is, quite literally, amazing. She never ceases to amuse me and she makes me blush. I'm Mr. Badboy! I don't blush. But for this girl I did. What the fuck is happening to me? Maybe my friends are right and I am whipped. I should at least explore my feelings for this girl, shouldn't I? I think so. I'll go to her house after school, and I'll give us a try. I'll explore with her. If she wants me, too, then I'll figure stuff out. This will definitely be a complicated thing, but I'm willing to sort it out if I get to spend time with Alex.