"Can someone please tell me how you find the angle?" I feel my head pound like a sledgehammer while trying to understand the foreign language of trigonometry. "Miss Collins, what formula do I use?"

Oh crap.

I look up from my textbook and stare at the board blankly. While Algebra comes naturally to me, this doesn't and makes my mind spin. I lick my lips and hope to god that the people around me don't start laughing.

"Sin68 times 27?" I raise an eyebrow at my most likely wrong answer.

Mr Frankel looks annoyed at my answer and moves to the other side of the board. "I've been teaching this for a while now. You said sin which is used when calculating the adjacent and hyptoneuse."

"I used the opposite and hyptoneuse?" Although I'm not confident with my answer I have a feeling that I'm actually not wrong. "That's sin because of the rule. SOH CAH TOA. Sin is opposite and hyptoneuse."

The class stiffles their laughter and I swallow out of fear that I've just made a complete fool out of myself. I glance to Blair for help who is biting on the pen lid with a massive grin. She raises an eyebrow at me and I look back to the teacher who's got smoke coming from his ears.

"I don't like your tone of voice," He moves to the wooden desk and pulls out something from the drawer. "Maybe you'll learn respect by serving detention."

My mouth gapes in shock as the bell goes signalling the end of class. Did he just give me a detention? I sink in my seat while processing it. I didn't think I was disrespecting him, merely pointing out how I got my answer.

Obviously he misunderstood that.

I shove my things inside my bag while approaching his desk when the classroom is almost empty. Blair hangs around near the door frame and Mr Frankel holds up a pink piece of paper for me to take. I stare at it out of annoyance and decide to question him further.

"Mr Frankel I don't think I deserve a detention," His eyebrows furrow, wrinkles appearing on his forehead. "I was only explaining how I got sin."

"But it's how you explained it," He sneers and I try to find words to speak as he continues. "I won't tolerate my students calling me out like that and being so rude."

My eyes flicker to the board. "Was I right? I have no idea whether that's correct-"

"I've had several girls like you before who play it stupid in an attempt to use their looks to boost their grades," Instantly my eyes snap back to him, shaking my head. That escalated quickly. "It won't work. So quit with the facade and we won't have a problem. Good day Miss Collins."

I feel as if I swallowed sand and despite my beliefs I take the slip. Blair looks just as gobsmacked as me and the fire blazing in her eyes forces me to pull her out before it explodes. I can't believe my teacher just accused me of that. I would never.

My grades aren't that horrible but they aren't that great either. I'm neutral territory and couldn't care either way as long as it doesn't mean I can't graduate. I wouldn't resort to those measures and I feel disgusted he think I would.

While we walk to English I zone out as Blair rants about the teachers audacity. I don't know how to react. I don't get detentions. I don't get in trouble. But so far this year has been quite odd considering I've become a beacon for trouble.

I don't like it and it's really starting to get to me.

I'm not a bad student. I don't get called to the principal's office. I don't get pulled out of class. And I certainly don't get given detentions. That isn't me and it feels like I'm slowly changing into someone I barely know.

Am I actually changing as much as it feels or is it just me over thinking?

Waving to Blair I enter my English classroom while keeping my head down. I feel nauseous knowing that I'll have to explain the detention to dad. That'll be another reason why he doesn't want me to be around Rhys.

"I told you she was here," Looking up I stop when I notice Rhys sitting on the third seat with mine being placed in the middle. I look between them with wide eyes and swallow before placing my books and bag on the table. "Did Blair forget - oh my god, what did you do?"

Taylor picks up the slip thinking it's for Blair. I slouch into my seat and run my hands through my hair while staring at the table. I feel sick and have this awful feeling. I'm not used to being in trouble and I don't like it one bit.

"You got a detention?" Rhys asks and I can sense the amusement in his voice. But when I look at him the smile slips completely. "Hey don't cry. Please god don't cry. I don't know how to handle that."

His eyes widen and he pulls me closer by an arm over my shoulder. I almost fall off the chair but the action forces me to push him away. Snatching the slip from Taylor I shove it in my jeans back pocket and get out my things.

"I'm fine," I lie, blinking in order to stop myself from crying. Don't cry over a detention. "Um. You do AP Calculas, right?"

Rhys nods slowly and glances to Taylor. "Yeah, what's that got to do with anything?"

"How are you at trigonometry?" I question and start to sketch out a triangle based on my memory. "Because I answered the teacher with what I thought was the right answer but he kind of just snapped at me."

When I put the numbers in I turn it towards Rhys who raises an eyebrow. "Did you use sin?"

"So I was right?" I ask, he nods just as Taylor's phone beeps.

She quickly looks at it and I notice the essay length from Blair. "What happened exactly?"

"He asked me a question. I answered correctly according to you but he said I was wrong and I pointed out the rule for figuring angles out," I explain with a deep breathe. "Then he snapped. I asked him after class and he told me to drop the facade because apparently I'm only acting stupid."

I vent to Rhys who keeps his eyes on me the whole time. His jaw clenches at the last of my words and he nods, reaching for his phone tucked under his pencil case. The teacher comes in apologizing for being late.

"You have Mr Frankel?" I glance to his phone, the contact reading Lachlan. "Is that your teachers name?"

I run my tongue over my teeth. "You aren't going to -"

"I'm not going to get caught if that's what you're asking," I shake my head at him and steal his phone. "Give me my phone."

I tuck his phone into the back pocket of my jeans and quickly sit down with a raised eyebrow. "No. I don't want you doing anything because that's what you were going to text Lachlan about, right?"

"Kira give me my phone back," His voice drops and he moves his hand to my lower back. I inhale when it stops on the band of my jeans. "I don't want to take it forcibly but if I have to I will."

"Promise me you won't." I hold up my pinkie, leaning back when his thumb slips under my shirt to rub circles into it.

The contact sets of a pounding of drums in my heart while I try not to melt under his eyes. I've noticed they change shades of green depending on his mood. He's got gorgeous eyes and there's no denying that. Surprisingly his pinkie latches with mine and he smiles slightly.

"Now can I have my phone back?" I lean forward and before I can remove it he does. "Don't worry I didn't touch."

I run my tongue over my teeth and face the front with burning cheeks. Although I'm pretty sure Rhys can see them it isn't anything different from what he witnessed Saturday night. I get nudged by Taylor who mouths something I can't quite make out and I don't think I want to by the grin on her lips.

For the last hour I spent in detention I nearly fell asleep seven times. Contrary to popular belief - you aren't allowed to do homework - you sit there and stare ahead for an hour.

I've never been more thankful to leave the school than today.

While my phone loads up again I push open the door for the car parking lot. I make it down to the bottom of the stairs and look up while fishing my keys from my jeans. However I come to a complete stop when I see who's leaning against the hood of my car.

Someone who should not be doing so.

I continue with a tightening grip on the metal of my keys. My phone buzzes once it loads but I don't bother checking the text message while approaching Derek. He looks up hearing my feet kick a rock along the path while keeping a straight face.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, stopping a few meters away with a glare. "I'm sorry but you can't steal my car, it isn't worth that much money so find someone elses."

He raises an eyebrow. "Well I wasn't expecting a warm welcoming but you never really liked me. Don't worry I'm not after your piece of crap car. I actually wanted to talk to you."

"It's a shame I don't want to talk to you," I fake a smile and move to the drivers side door. "Now if you don't mind I'd appreciate you leaving, preferably to a different continent."

I barely get my key in the door and open before he slams it shut. "I think Blair would miss me too much. You know she's quite happy I'm back, she's still as naive as she was all those years ago."

"And you're still the same jerk."

Biting on my lip I try to open the door again but he stops me once again. "It's my personality Kira and you shouldn't be surprised by it."

"What do you want?" I ask, my level of patience vanishing completely.

Mr Frankel was one thing but my best friends tool of an ex boyfriend annoying me is another that I could go without. I loathe him and quite frankly couldn't care if he disappeared. Yeah, he hurt Blair that bad.

"I want to know whether it's true or not that you've got Rhys Adams wrapped around your finger," He smirks and I glare at him. "Apparently he's taken a liking to you or at least that's what I've heard from a few friends of mine."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

He clucks his tongue. "So you're saying he wouldn't get upset if I were to leave a mark or two on you?"

"You wouldn't hurt me," I state, tightening my grip on my keys. "Blair wouldn't come within a ten foot radius of you if you did."

He shrugs. "Fair point. But I'm not talking about Blair I'm talking about Rhys and what lengths he would go to in order to protect you."

"Protect me from what exactly?" My tone is bored although I'm trying to press for information. "He wouldn't need to."

"Oh how clueless you are. . ."

He chuckles and brings his hand up to my cheek. I flinch back but before I can stop it his hand is pulling on the colllar of my jacket to keep me from moving. My hand comes up on instinct and I can feel the spark of fear shoot through my body.

"Rhys isn't a good guy and you would be surprised at how familiar we are to one another." I swallow when he closes even more distance to the point I can smell the mint of his gum.

"Kira?" A small voice questions and I notice Derek looks over his shoulder as well.

Nate looks at the position and I notice the uncertainty in his eyes. But I shake my head in the slightest to tell him not to get involved. Derek turns his focus back to me before pushing me into my car, I catch myself on my roof resisting the urge to stab him with the keys in my hand.

"You're in for a rude awakening, Kira. I'd be very careful from now on."

Derek walks over to his car and I readjust my collar. I open my car door despite the slight shake in my hand. Nate steps off the path and still keeps his eyes on Derek. He can't tell Rhys. That might seem stupid but I don't want Rhys to risk anything over someone like Derek.

"Who the hell was that?" I shove my things into the passenger seat while shaking my head. "Kira! He almost had you by the throat and you looked absolutely terrified."

"It's nothing to worry about," I lie, although I'm not necessarily sure whether ot not thats the truth. Derek is a jerk but he wouldn't resort to abuse, I don't think. "This stays between us, okay?"

"Okay no," He scoffs, shaking his head. "Who the hell was that guy? Do you know him? What did he want?"

"I'm fine and that's what's important," I avoid his questions and exhale. "Please don't tell Rhys about this."

"It wasn't one of the guys that worked with Rhys was it." Nate trails off and I shake my head. "If it was he needs to know. You might want him to stay out of trouble but this is dangerous."

I look over to Derek who is getting in the same car that Rhys said was his cousin. The driver sticks his hand out and waves in a taunting manor that sends chills down my spine. What the hell was that about.

"Just an ex boyfriend that can't let go," I tespond vaguely with an exhale. "What do you mean this is dangerous?"

Nate sucks his lips in as if he said something he shouldn't have. "Well you know about his work colleague. Half of them had criminal records already and those same ones don't necessarily want Rhys back at work while his boss does badly."

"So he's resorting to scare tactics?" He nods once and I scoff. "What kind of boss does that? It's completely unorthodox."

"Rhys was really good at his job," Nate sighs. "He wants him back but the other employees don't. It's a different pay scale which takes from them."

I furrow my eyebrows. "Different pay scale? I don't see how that would work when he's only eighteen. . ."

"Actually he's nineteen," Nate states and I blink a few times. "He started school late."

"Why did he start late?"

"Is this 21 questions or something?" His eyes flicker nervously and I cluck my tongue.

He's nervous. There's something I don't know and it's obvious in the way he seems to fidget. If I can't get Rhys to tell me the truth I can get it out of Nate. He seems to crack under pressure.

"Your brother is really secretive," I change the subject seeing his eyes land on me while he licks his lips. "Normally I wouldn't really mind because everyone is entitled to their secrets but I've got a bad feeling about his. Would I be right in assuming they aren't something as simple as hiding a talent?"

Nate swallows and I hear a car pull up behind me. "I have to go. Rhys is here."

He quickly rushes and I turn to face his car, waving slightly to Rhys. "You didn't answer my question."

"What question?"

Rhys tries to speak softly but I hear it, twirling my keys as Nate gets in the car. I know that was mean to put him in the middle but my curiosity is getting the better of me. Especially when all I'm getting is bits and pieces. Quite frankly I want to know how his salary is higher than someone older than him.

"She was asking if I was going to the dress up party this weekend," Nate lies sparing me a glance. "The answer is yes."

Rhys visibly seems confused as he leans forward slightly to look at me. "I didn't think you would go to a party - or that you knew Lachlan was throwing it - but I guess I'll be going now."

"Purely because I am?" I question and he gives a one shouldered shrug.

"Well someone's got to keep an eye on you," Nate closes the door and sinks in his seat slightly. "You better get home before it gets dark."

Nodding I try not to say anything back or ask why he would say that to me. I'm not a little girl and am well aware that I shouldn't be alone on school premises. A great example would have been what could have happened if Nate didn't turn up when he did.

I wave goodbye as they drive off and turn back to my car. All I can think of is what Nate said, he stuffed up and I want to know  how that would work.

The next few chapters are going to be reeeaaallly interesting at least I hope.

Question: thoughts on Derek?

Thoughts? Feelings? Predictions?

-inspiredrlh 💕