(Lila's P.O.V)

"You should show me around. It'll be fun."

"Death by torture can be fun too." I took out my blue and black sneakers and started putting them on. "For you, not me. I refuse to go through with that."

"Come on! We're going to the same place anyways."

"Doesn't mean I have to see you again."

"We'll probably be sharing classes."

I gasped horrified and dramatically peeked out my window to look at the dark haired boy leaning against his own window. "Why, I sure hope not!" 

He rose a brow in amusement. "You won't regret it."

 "I already do." I snickered and glanced at him. "And that is just a thought."

I grabbed my fluffy white sweater and put it on, a great combo with my black jeans. I hate winters, but till like mid-May it won't start getting warmer in Ladenhill. And it was still mid-April.

You know, he's not really trying very hard to convince me. It's just like a formality. Like, he has something else planned and that makes me cautious of him.

"Won't change anything." Derek shrugged, grinning and I gave him an unimpressed look, eyes narrowed.

Its hardly seven-thirty and this guy is irritating me on a school morning. That too about showing him around school.

An 'offer' that I've promptly refused.

How horrible of me.

"Have a nice first day." I smiled fakely at Derek, closing my window blinds and exited my room.

I mean, does he have any idea what he's asking of me? Besides, I don't want to receive any limelight, glares from girls or double torture from obnoxious boys.

Warren does enough of that.

I hugged Grace who was leaving for college again today by eleven. I wouldn't see her for a couple of months. But video-calls were our savior. 

"Don't miss me too much, go to parties and try to get passing grades, Grace." I winked at her jokingly. "And surely have hot make-out sessions with Eric."

She laughed. "And you have a fun time living next door to Greyson. You both were at it so early already." She suggestively wiggled her eyebrows and I smacked her shoulder.

"Shut up. You know it's all in your head." 

With that, I was about to leave when my Mom stopped me.

"Hey, Lila. Take these to the Greysons'." 

I blinked. "Um....Mom...are these--"

"--Keys to our house? Yes, they are." I gave her an incredulous look and she rolled her eyes. 

"Why?"

"You're alone almost always so they can keep an eye on you. Just in case."

My eyebrow twitched. 

Just because my mom was a doctor who was hard-working and almost always at work and my dad was a well-known lawyer and my sister in a college in Boston, didn't mean I wasn't fine.

Just sometimes lonely. I love my parents and I know they love me back and its not intentional ignoring. Just that they have hectic schedules and work.

"This wasn't the case for the past six years though, Mom. This was never a bother."

But I shrugged and in order to not waste time, took the keys and headed to the house next door.

•♤•

(Derek's P.O.V)

I rubbed my hands together evilly and waited.

When I saw Lila walking towards our house, I picked up my bag and headed out.

Desi met me on the stairs and grinned.

"You owe me for this one."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Not really. I mean it was just because I don't like talking to Mom face to face anymore. Not after...

I shook my head and freeing myself from the thoughts, picked up a red apple from the basket. Hiking the bag up on my shoulder, I waited right in view of the door.

The bell rang and Mom came out of the kitchen. When she looked at me, she smiled though it was a bit strained but I simply looked away. I know I hurt her....

But everything has consequences, Mom.

Should've kept that in mind.

Mom opened the door and Lila came into view. She had yet to notice me.

The steel grey-eyed girl smiled politely at my Mom and held out the keys, one hand clutching the strap of her bag over her shoulder.

"Hey, Mrs Greyson. My Mom wants you to have these."

Mom smiled warmly at her and I felt a pang in my heart. I blocked it out and glanced at Lila. Her hair was in a loose braid and hanging off one of her shoulders. 

"Thanks, sweetie. But why?" My mom laughed, slightly confused.

"Well, they want you to keep an eye on me or whatever so...yeah." She rolled her eyes playfully. "Anyways, I'll get going then. School, Mrs Greyson." She waved and started heading away.

"Oh, Lila! That reminds me." My mom's words stopped her and she looked at her quizzically. "Would you please show Derek around? I mean, it'd be good if he had a friendly face to keep him some company on his first day here."

I could see the slight horror in Lila's grey eyes but my Mom was giving her the typical pleading look. She opened her mouth.

"Um.....actually, I'm sure he'll make friends right off the bat so......"

Her eyes found mine when I moved to stand behind Mom so Lila could see me. Her eyes slightly narrowed and I grinned.

Her narrowed steel grey eyes were asking me: You set this up, didn't you?

I simply blinked and innocently shrugged, still grinning. It's like whenever this girl is in the vicinity, I have to grin. It's really weird but still good. 

I bit into my apple that was almost half gone now.

So, I might've asked Grace to plant the idea of the keys in Kitkat's Mom's head last night and then convinced Desiree to ask our Mom about Lila showing me around because I knew she would never agree to me.

But Kitkat seemed like a person who doesn't like being rude to her adults.

That is really working in my favor.

"Please, Lila?"

The mahogany-haired girl sighed heavily and glanced at her house. Probably expecting what her parents would say at her behavior did she choose to act inhospitable.

I already knew I won.

"Sure, Mrs Greyson." She sent me a discreet glare over my Mom's shoulder and I smirked in triumph.

"Thank you, Sweetie." 

When my Mom left, I headed out the door, crunching on my apple. Lila was already walking away and I headed towards my bike.

"You're gonna show me around, huh?" I teased.

She gave me an unimpressed look. "Discretion isn't your best suit, Greyson." She threw my words from last night back into my face and I chuckled.

If only you knew, Lila. I was very discreet when I watched you dancing. Like a fucking creep.

Dammit! Insulting myself is NOT on the list!

"You takin' the bus?" She kept walking and ignored me which I took as a 'yes'.

I grinned and called out to her one last time, knowing she wouldn't like it. "Want me to give you a ride?"

She flipped me the bird. "Stop with the perverted jokes."

"You're the one who took it the wrong way. I was just talking about my bike." I innocently replied and she turned around to level me with me a flat look.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Greyson."

If I hadn't known earlier, I knew now: Lila Smith does not blush easily.

But I intended to change that. She was no open book, but I wanted to read her nonetheless.

I chuckled again, feeling actually good on a Monday morning in a town I was sure I would be miserable in. 

"Offer still stands, Kitkat. I could never turn you down!"

"Good thing I'll never ask then."

•♤•

I put my hands in my pockets and scrutinized the school building as I waited for Lila's bus to arrive.

After I parked my Honda SP125 with mint green streaks in the parking lot and drew some curious stares, I was on guard to catch the mahogany-haired girl.

I was not letting her get out of her word. She's gonna show me around like she promised my Mom and then I can irritate her and get to know her.

Since we didn't have each other's numbers yet either, this was my best bet because I know I arrived earlier and I know the bus makes three more stops on the way. Yes, I did my homework.

We'll have to change the numbers' dilemma soon though.

I observed the building that would act as my school for the rest of the year. I was around three weeks late in starting school but whatever. The building was actually well-maintained. I could see a fine-looking soccer field in the distance on the campus too so I figured soccer is a big deal here.

Good thing I play.

Besides that, the school seemed to be well funded and pretty big to my surprise considering the small town it was situated in. 

Okay, so that is a stupid comparison but I can't help it, okay?

I played with the zip of my jacket because it was kinda still cold here. My sleeves were rolled up though and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying showing off my tattoos.

A lot - and I mean, a lot - of students attended this school. I was expecting to be approached. I mean when you have a face this gorgeous and charms so easy, it's a given.

And I was right.

"Hey! You new?" A girl with pretty red hair and black eyes trailed a hand up my arm and I grinned at her.

"Yeah. I am." I drawled.

"I could be your guide, you know."

Why do I want to hear Lila saying this to me?

I smirked at her and leaned in close. "Sure, babe. I'd like that a lot. Let me know when." Well, I just scored myself a good lay on the first day.

"I'm Veronica." She giggled and her short red skirt and blue crop top with the school crest.....

Belonged on a cheer squad. 

Which meant she was a cheerleader. Well, they're flexible at least. And this one isn't blonde. 

It should be fun banging her.

Right next to Lila's room.

Where she can hear me.

And it'll piss her off.

I grinned.

How did my thoughts go from Veronica to Lila?

Before we could continue, my eyes caught the bus rolling in and I smirked. "Well, Veronica, see you later?" 

She nodded, even though she looked a bit disappointed she couldn't be 'my guide'.

But I had to catch a certain girl who was hiding behind her braided hair discreetly - which I don't understand because her hair is braided - and heading towards the entrance doors.

I quickly caught up to her, even as people threw me curious glances and I simply winked back or smirked in response.

"You can't get rid of me this easily, Kitkat." I grinned and threw an arm around the unsuspecting girl who glared at me. 

Still she didn't seem taken aback. Huh.

Peeling my arm off her shoulders as we entered the holy threshold of Laden High for my first day of beloved learning, she sassed, "Well, I'll just try harder then."

"I always like a good challenge." I grinned at her and she smiled sweetly.

"And I like putting up a good one." Her steely glare was at odds with the wide smile she was faking.

I rose a brow. "Guess we'll see what happens when copper and steel clash."

She rolled her eyes, snickering at my insinuation of our eye colors being associated with metals. 

I chuckled, excitement filling me.

•♤•

A/N

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[Fully edited.]

~Skyler