Kayla's POV:

"So what was kissing him like?", Steph questions. It is Monday morning and we are skipping first period, standing in front of a bunch of lockers.

"Kissing him was meh"

I am a liar. When Aaron and I agreed to this, I didn't even expect him to catch me properly, much less to kiss with so much... passion. Even at the party, we had had a moment, though that was only because we were performing for the crowds.

Still...

I had been worried when he left without warning, with that look of panic on his face. I had wanted to contact him, but I realized that I didn't even have his phone number. Eventually, I had forgotten about him as I had been parting all weekend, but now, as I was in school about to see him again, I couldn't help the hint of concern which I felt.

A mild, very tiny, almost invisible hint.

I voiced my concerns to Steph who gave a light smile.

"He probably has to run home or something. A boy like that isn't used to such a huge party and needs some air."

Her explanation makes sense but I remember the look of desperation, almost a type of fear on his face. I shake it off. Frankly, I couldn't care less as long as he is still alive to play my fake boyfriend.

"So what did you do?", I ask, and she grins.

"Dad grounded me again, so I had to use the apple tree to get to the party. They are pissing me off Kay. One of these days, I'll open Lion's cage and set him on them."

I laugh. Lion is Steph's pet python, and he's basically harmless. Still, I get her wanting to put a snake on her parents – if I had a father who wouldn't let me take over a law firm that I had been dreaming of since I was a kid, I'd be pretty pissed too.

We chat for a while before I look at my watch and decide I should be off.

"Well, I've got to go", I wave.

"To class?", Steph asks, a look of mock horror on her face and I grin.

"Of course not. I'm off to the arts lab. Aaron hasn't turned me good yet", and with a smirk, I set off while Steph walks in the opposite direction.

I have barely gone anywhere when I suddenly feel a sharp tug on my arm and I am jerked into an empty room, landing hard on my butt. Groaning, I get up rubbing my backside to find a pretty brunette glaring at me.

"Girl what is your problem?", I say as I glare at her.

"You are my problem.", she replies, her voice high and haughty, like all those villain princesses in Barbie cartoons. Don't get me wrong though, I don't watch Barbie, but some shorts come up on my TikTok and YouTube.

Anyhow that's the vibe I am getting from this girl

"How am I your problem girl", I say, moving towards her. "I don't even know you. do you want to fight or something?" I am already hyped up. I haven't had a proper fight or prank in days.

"Oh no", she says, turning up her perfectly pointed nose as if a fight would be beneath her. "I'm Alicia Gray. Aaron's ex girlfriend." She offers me a hand to shake.

So this is her.

I mentally did a closer examination of the girl – I mean she is my competition for the next month or two.

Perfectly pointed nose, perfectly neat uniform, not a hair out of place and diamond hairclips in her dark hair. I could practically smell the aroma of a rich privileged girl who had had everything she wanted since she was old enough to speak.

"Nice to meet you.", I say with a little grin. "I'm Kayla Barnes, Aaron's current girlfriend."

I don't take the hand that she offers me and she eventually puts it down.

Kayla 1, Alicia 0

"Anyway, I just wanted to know who Aaron left me for", she says.

"If I remember correctly, it was you who left Aaron right?"

Her face turns red, but I can't tell if it's from embarrassment or anger. Probably a mixture of the two

"Don't get too comfortable Kayla. It's only a matter of time before he comes back to me. I've got him wrapped round my finger and soon, you'll just be another ex-girlfriend looking for a rebound."

"If that's all you have to say,", I sat calmly, "then I think I should go to class."

"Oh please, the bad girl going to class?"

"Yes", I say smirking as I walk out the door. "Aaron always gives me... rewards when I attend classes."

And with that suggestive remark, I saunter out, leaving the totally pissed girl behind me. Yeah, I am way better than that over pampered Barbie. I mimic her sassy walk as I stroll down the hallway

And walk right into Aaron.

"Dude, why are you everywhere", I groan, rubbing my head which had been savagely attacked by his hard chest, while I silently pray that he did not see me doing that stupid walk.

"You're late to class. The teacher told me to come and find you. Apparently, everyone knows we're dating now"

"Even your ex."

His ears perk up at once in an almost doglike manner. "How do you know? Have you spoken to her?"

"I might have", I smile evasively, though his interest makes me slightly annoyed. "Maybe I'll tell you, maybe I won't."

"Why you little... Tell me what she said or..."

"That's no way to speak to your girlfriend rulebook", I giggle, enjoying the feeling of torturing him like this. "Now hold my hand as we walk to class"

"Why should I", he folds his arms. "You need to tell me what Alicia said"

I shake my head in disappointment. Alicia was so much worse than I expected and its a bit pathetic how downbad Aaron is for her.

"Hold my hand and walk me to class, and maybe I'll tell you", I stretch out my hand and he hesitates for a moment before he takes it."

"Now ", he says as we continue walking, "What did Alicia say?"

I start to tell him about the conversation I had with his ex, and he listens with rapt attention.

"She's going to be angry at you", he says, but he doesn't seem to happy about it. In fact he seems worried, his hand in mine a bit shaky.

"You don't seem as enthusiastic as I imagined"

He hesitates a bit before he speaks. "When Alicia gets angry, she can be very... unpredictable"

"Well I'm pretty unpredictable too", I grin, pushing his fears aside. "No way am I going to be scared off by some prissy Barbie"

Aaron looks frustrated as he opens his mouth to say more.

"Well, well, the couple of the year."

We turn around to see Jason leaning against the wall, his eyes on us. Seriously is everyone's ex just loitering around today?

"You just love to take things from me don't you Delany.", Jason continues. "My position as team captain, my girlfriend. Why can't you be satisfied with your own life?"

"From the way it looks, you are the one obsessed with my life", Aaron responds, stepping in front of me protectively.

A cute gesture, though I can handle myself. Also, I don't like the thought of Aaron fighting Jason. Jason is quite strong, and I would hate a lowlife like him to hurt Aaron.

"So you and Kay are together huh? She's a hot one – though if you're looking for a little honey in the bedroom, not exactly the right choice since she..."

Jason never finishes his sentence as Aaron's fist crashes into his face at that second.

"Don't you dare talk about my girlfriend that way."

I am shocked. Jason is shocked. Heck I think even Aaron is shocked as he looks down at his fists. Jason's mouth is bleeding all over the floor and some of that blood is on Aaron's fists, but he doesn't seem too bothered by the fact.

The bell rings, and students come pouring out of classes, but pause when they see the blood and Jason whimpering like a pathetic cat in the corner. One girl screams, and a teacher appears like magic.

"What is going on... Aaron Delany, Jason Deere, can you explain yourselves."

Oh shoot.

Jason and Aaron instantly pull away from each other. Aaron's usually neat uniform is now untidy and skewed, but otherwise, he is unhurt. Jason on the other hand looks worse. His mouth is bloody, and the blood is dripping down the front of his shirt. He has a very pissed off look in his eyes

If Jason spills the beans, Aaron might get suspended. Yes, I want to win the bet and make him a bad boy, but I don't want to ruin his future in the process.

I am just about to step up and take the blame when Jason speaks.

"We were just horsing around sir"

The teacher raises a heavy eyebrow and I instantly recognize him – Mr Kabab, the calculus teacher, renowned for his long detentions.

"Are you sure about that, Deere? You look more beat up than anything."

"It was just some guy horseplay.", Jason repeats, though his voice is hard and stony.

Mr Kabab sighs. "Since you are beat up, I won't hold this against you. Go to the nurse's office and tell them to clean up this blood."

Jason gets up and scurries away like the worm that he is.

"As for you," Mr Kabab turns to Aaron, "I am highly disappointed, you are to be a model student, not running around causing trouble. Adjust your uniform at once."

"I'm sorry sir", Aaron apologizes, and he does sound really sorry as he fiddles with his tie, adjusting himself until he is back to looking as neat as possible.

"That may be the case, but you still need to be punished. Three days' detention for you, young man, and I hope that you think about your actions while you're there.", he says, wagging a finger in Aaron's face.

Aaron doesn't even argue. He picks up hid glasses which must have fallen on the floor during the fight, and quietly walks down the hall until he has disappeared from my sight.

"As for you, young lady", he turns to me, his face registering distaste, "you have my class now. Hand over your homework and we'll go. And fix your uniform. The tie belongs around your neck, and your buttons should be done to the top."

Quickly, I make up my mind.

"Sorry old kebab, I did your assignment, but my dog ate it. And I am not going to adjust my uniform. I have the right to freedom of expression, and this is my expression"

Mr Kabab's face turns pale, then red. "Then I have the right to give you detention, until you learn to show respect."

I grin. "Of course Mr Kabab."

Before he has the opportunity to take back his decision, I grin and scurry away from his presence.

A/N: So to those of you that noticed, this is a double update because I was just too anxious to put out the new chapter. So... what do you think of the book so far? Any suggestions? Also what do you think of Aaron and Kayla?