UNEDITED 

"What?"

"What?"

"Seriously?"

Jake, Natalie and the principal say together at one go.

I am to shocked to even be offended by the principals remark.

"Alec what are you saying?" The principals asks,"You are the king and she is the queen you cannot dance with anyone else."

"Especially when she is not your date to the dance." Jake adds.

Alec looks calm and cool,"Why not? The queen can dance with anyone she wants too."

The entire audience takes a selective gasp and Natalie looks at him unbelieving and then blinks regaining her I am a bitch and I know it smirk and says,"Fine. Then I want to dance with Jake."

With that she yanks him towards her and I say,"Hey!"

The entire audience turns to look at me and I blush slightly and step back.

I mean I kind of expected her to have a massive meltdown but she is way too calm. But somehow her snatching Jake like that was as bad a slap as she would have given me.

Oh god Clara focus on one boy at a time will you?

Alec simply shakes his head and looks at me hopefully and stretches his arm out. It takes me a second to realise what he is gesturing to do so and I quickly take his hand and then the enormity of what he did hits me.

I mean sure defying the rules in some pathetic dance about not dancing with the queen seems stupid but in high school world it's huge.

Or at least I think it is.

"Told you to save me a dance." He says and smile.

"I didn't think it would be quite so dramatic." I say smiling.

He laughs, "Okay true. But it's about time that Natalie and I have that dance with someone other than each other."

"Natalie will freak out. I am surprised she hasn't already." I say,"I mean you did ditch her-"

"We broke up." He says cutting me off.

I give him a blank look as he wraps his arms around my waist and instinctively put mine around his neck as the slow song plays.

"I know not my best hour but-" I interrupt him.

"You broke up with her?" I say.

Our voices are quiet drowned by the music but everyone else was trying to eavesdrop.

Including Natalie and Jake who rather than actually dancing were shuffling and glaring at us.

I somehow found Jakes glare every bit as satisfying as when Alec glared at me and Jake.

Oh god lord what is wrong with me.

I shift my entire focus back to Alec and then I smiled.

Alec looked like Alec.Blonde messy hair and there was always a genuine smile.

A smile that well, totally melts my heart.

"Yeah I did break up with her," he says softly,"I don't think the relationship was fair to either of us."

I nod.

"That's all you have to say?" He says with a small smile as he raises his eyebrows up.

I am about to reply to him but my eyes catches Natalie and Jake who have finally started dancing too.

My sudden urge to slap Natalie is back. it wasn't unusual because it's been an instinct for me for the past four years I have wanted too but this time it isn't because she is with Alec.

I mean it's not possible that the reason is Alec with him standing so close to me and slow dancing with me.

It's not because of Alec silly, it's because of Jake. Rebecca's voice says in my head.

One boy at a time Clara.

"Well, I have no rights in your relationship.But you and Natalie are like opposites just like you and Michella were."I say.

I am surprised how easily I could talk about his ex girlfriends so easily. Especially when one was my ex best friend transformed queen bitch and my sister.

Enough said.

Well, that way who would have ever thought that I would be dancing in the winter ball as a homecoming queen nominee with Alec.

"Well, I thought it wasn't fair to either of us."Alec says,"I mean all we did is fight mainly and I treated her like a jerk."

Look now thats one thing I like about Alec. He makes a girl like Natalie also seem redeemable. I don't know how.

"In fact for the past year I have been a jerk." He says looking at me with his bright eyes,"And I am sorry that you had to baby me it's not your job."

"If I don't then who will?" I say softly,"Alec you and I have known each other for a very long time. And I have seen you at your worst as well as your best. It's okay you have your reasons for being a mess. I understand."

"Clara." He says softly and I shiver and the lights grow slightly dimmer.

"I really am sorry." He says

That jolts me back to reality hearing what Jake had said to me some time back for a completely different reason. I realise just how close Alec and I are and how easily we could kiss.

Maybe if I just trip.

But Just then the lights come back on in full force and I realise that the song has ended and we aren't the only people in this room.

Why do I keep forgetting that?

We both take a step back from each other and I smile at him.

"Well, Thank you for giving me incentive for coming here." I say,"I mean I wouldn't have wanted to miss the look on Natalie's face for the world."

He laughs.

"Or the dance." I say quietly and he beams.

I want to say something more but my eyes catches Jake's who is looking at me. My throat suddenly constricts and I feel guilty.

Natalie is yet in her position with her arms loosely draped around Jake glaring at us. When she catches me staring she smirks and she pulls Jake closer to her and Jake breaks eye contact with me slightly startled.

Then Natalie looks at me for one last time and then turns around and grabs Jake's tie to propel him forward and kiss him.

________________________________________________________________________

Needless to say I found myself in the principals office for the second time this week. But this time along with Natalie and me, Jake and Alec were here too.

And Jake was pissed.

I am not sure because it was because of what Natalie had done or what I had done after that.

Nope it was definitely what I had done. After all he enjoyed the Natalie's surprise gift a bit too much.

"Sit."

Mrs Davis didn't look happy.

No one in the room particularly looked happy. Jake was glaring at me which was oddly satisfying. Natalie was glaring at Alec who was currently giving Jake the most murderous glare possible while I wanted to rip off Natalie's perfect hair.

So yeah definitely not feeling the love.

"This is completely unacceptable." Mrs Davis says and i feel like yawning,"You are seniors and the nominees and the winners for the homecoming dance and to create such a ruckus-"

"With all due respect Miss Davis." Jake interrupts,"That is the reason we are the nominees. Natalie and Alec are just better at making a scene than us which is why they won."

"Seriously you think anyone can beat Clara?" Natalie says looking at Jake,"I mean the girl has already turned this year into an entire mess."

"Oh thats real rich." I say angry,"I did not kiss someone else's boyfriend.In front of his girlfriend"

Conveniently forgot the word fake didn't I?

"Oh really?" Jake argued,"Because what you were doing with Alec would totally not be called kissing. It should be called a tongue dance."

"That is disgusting." I retort,"Besides I thought that you would be too engrossed with Natalie's mouth on yours."

"I at least stopped." Jake says running his hand through his hair,"I had to push him off you."

"Are you sure you stopped because you wanted too?" I say raising my voice,"Or because of the fear of getting herpes."

"Seriously, I am not Michella Wilson's sister." Natalie shouts back,"And whatever weird voodoo crap you have put on Alec remove it now."

"Thats ridiculous-" Alec says but I interrupt him

"Seriously you are calling me a witch." I say sarcastically,"Well you take it one step further cause you are a bit-"

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Mrs Davis shouts and all of us wince,"I am not letting you ruin the holidays. Stop acting like immature four year olds and sort these matters out somewhere not in this school. When we come back after the vacations I want all four of you back in my office and Miss Wilson and Miss Anderson will go straight to the counsellor. No arguments, am I clear?"

We all dejectedly nod and shuffle out of the principals office. I can't stand to look at Jake without imagining .....

Happy thoughts Clara, Happy thoughts.

I quickly leave the hallway almost running not wanting to face any of them. I reach the parking lot slightly out of breath and I see Samantha frantically waving her hand from near her car.

"Can you give me a ride." I say as I reach her.

"Yeah sure, I was waiting for you," she said,"Figured you needed one after.."

I nod getting in the car not wanting to talk about it but Samantha gives me a look and I snap,"What?"

Samantha starts laughing and say,"Its pretty hilarious to see you turn from ordinary Clara Wilson who can't say boo to a cat to Cinderella and princess Jasmine's tiger in a span of one day."

I laugh at that.

"So I am moody sue me." I say.

"I mean the entire school thanks you for it." Samantha says,"This is how ridiculous it looked. Natalie kisses Jake to spite you and you kiss Alec-"

"It was the other way around." I interrupt.

"What?" Samantha asks.

"Alec kissed me"I say,"I didn't kiss him."

"Really?" she asks turning her head and concentrating on the road.

"Yeah I was shocked too." I say remembering what happened at the dance.

The minute I saw Jake and Natalie kissing. I thought I was having a melt down but before I could do anything Alec kissed me.

It was our first proper kiss and boy was it good.I mean sure the circumastances could have been better. Much, much better but this was what I had wanted for as long as I could remember. Neither of us were dared to do it nor did I think he was someone else.

It had everything, the butterflies the sparks and everything I imagined. It was sweet and gentle unlike my kiss with he who shall not be named with whom it was hot, hot, hot.

But just as good.

Maybe it was the shock or the fact that I didn't pull away or the fact that I had wanted this kiss for a very very long time. But the kiss was much more than that, It was a confirmation of Alec's feelings for me.

He liked me back for sure.

I was ecstatic of course but I somehow was disappointed too for some reason and I had no idea why. But when Jake pulled Alec off looking furious the reason became disturbingly obvious.

Jake.

I am so screwed up.

But I like Alec. Always have and well since he has broken up with Natalie don't see the point of the fake dating thing anymore.

Lets face it.

It was a spur of the moment lie that Jake had said and we just decided to go with it.

So what's the point of carrying this on?

I sit in silence for the rest of the car ride and Samantha unlike Rebecca who would press me for details knows that awkward silence is the best way for me to deal with things.

"Bye." She says as I get out of the car,"See you day after tomorrow at the airport."

I nod not registering what she said and she speeds off. I make it to the front of Jake's porch when I finally realised what Samantha said.

New York, airport, wedding , bridesmaid.

I had completely forgotten about that but who could really blame me I had other two very big things on my mind.

_________________________

For the entirety of my sunday I spent trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do with my clothes all locked up in my house.

On Monday morning I finally got it. Yeah I am bit slow but when you have to spend your entire day locked up in your room avoiding your "house mates" and trying to stop thinking about them, you can't really blame me.

Yesterday Ashley had a dinner and insisted everyone was there to commemorate our stay in the house.

Suffice to say it was one of the most awkward I have had and trust me that is a very high bar because of the sad excuse for family dinners I have had with my sad excuse for a family.

But it was definitely bad with the three of us sitting on the different corners of the Henderson's or soon to be Evans giant dinner table trying more like going that this would get over as soon as possible.

It didn't.

Ashley had done just about everything in her power to delay us. She talked animatedly trying to get us to talk but the three of just sat there in uncomfortable silence. Eventually she gave up and we all ran in different direction.

Alec did pause to talk to me but I didn't give him the chance. I had finally decided what I was going to do.I was going to end my "fake" relationship with Jake and then the world would be right again.

After all Jake is only a friend. I never I would day that he would be my friend or even an acquaintance but here I was.But I still needed to clear my head before talking to Alec so I chose the best time to do it would be on the plane.So I went to sleep and woke up today morning remembering that I literally had no clothes except for the few clothes I had packed for my stay here.

Stupid, Stupid Clara.

When the solution finally came to me it was so pathetic It was sad but what can I say I was desperate.So that was the reason I found myself standing in front of Jake's door at ten in the morning.

I knocked lightly and waited but there was no response I knocked slightly louder but there was no response.

He is probably not there in the room.

I slowly open his door and see that room is completely messy but with no Jake. There is a suitcase on the bed which is tiny and only stuffed with books.

Makes sense most of his clothes must still be New York.

My eyes search for the small black book with poetry written on it but when I don't find it my eyes focus onto the thing I had originally come here for.

I can see my room and its lilac curtains neatly drawn from his window.Yes I am doing exactly what it looks like.

For clothes.

I am potentially risking my life by jumping from Jake's window to mine FOR CLOTHES.

Now this may seem ridiculous and I totally agree but I am desperate and that is because I cant step into New York without my clothes and that was all because of my mom.

Because then I would be forced to wear whatever my mom gives me and I would rather jump off a cliff than take the clothes she decides to give me. Yes, it they are that bad. I cannot possibly take the clothes I brought over to stay here because well they are all ratty jeans and T-shirts that I have worn so many times that it's not even funny anymore.

And then there is Michella.

And there was no way in hell that I was wearing what I had currently with me in front of her. I know its pathetic and sad and stupid but usually I don't care what people say about me but when Michella does I care.

I care way too much.

I look at my window sill again seriously considering to do it. I mean it was not that far, but considering my luck I would probably trip or something.

This is ridiculous Clara, do you have a death wish?

I look at the window sill again and slowly get up on the ledge of Jake's window. I mean come on this is the new and improved Clara. Shouldn't she be doing something wild and rebellious? And nothing screams wild and rebellious than jumping from a window ledge to another.

More like nothing screams more pathetic and stupid.

I shake my head and realise just what a pathetic and stupid not to mention sad thing I was about to do. I was risking my life for clothes just so that I can prove myself in front of my sister. I mean granted there would be close to zero chances of falling with the ledge being close but still I defy the laws of Physics.

I turn around and am about to get down but just then I hear the door swing open and Jake's voice calling out my name which of course made me loose my balance and trip.

That probably must have been the most terrifying moment of my life and my whole life flashed before my eyes as I tripped backwards but almost as immediately as I fell Jake caught hands and pulled me back in falling on the carpet with me on top of him.

All this for CLOTHES.

God what is wrong with me.

My heart is beating really fast and my eyes are tightly shut, trying to get over the fact that I could do something so so stupid. I have a 4.0 GPA for the love of god doesn't that mean I have brains?

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Jake asks me as he gets up pushing me slightly off him.

My eyes are yet tightly shut.

I cannot believe I can be such and idiot.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" he asks and I finally open my eyes to see him glaring down at me.

"Can you please forget that you saw that?" I ask.

"If you were going to kill yourself seriously why couldn't you have picked someone else's room to jump from?" Jake says,"Although I doubt the fall would kill you."

There is Jake the asshole.

"I don't want to kill myself, please." I say," I wanted to get something from my house."

"So you decided to jump from a window?" he says incredulously.

"I have been locked out of my house if you haven't noticed." I retort trying to hide the fact that I was doing the stupidest thing ever.

Jake glared at me and I glared back and I half expected him to start shouting but instead he started to laugh.

Jerk.

But pretty soon I started laughing too. I mean it was ridiculous. Scratch that, it was stupid even for me. I mean I cannot believe I was that desperate either.

"That is the most pathetic thing I have ever heard." Jake says,"I mean you were actually considering to jump into your house, last nights dinner was not that pathetic that you want to get away from here."

So Jake things that I was trying to go back to my house to get away from Alec and him.God I don't know whats more pathetic. Going for my clothes or getting away from them.

I suddenly realise that I am more or less sitting on Jake's lap and considering the fact that I had decided that I was ending this "relationship" because well Alec liked me I had to stop doing this. I was just confusing myself more.

Suddenly there was an awkward silence in the room and we both quickly stood up uncomfortably.

"So you like to read, huh?" I say.

He raises his eyebrows,"What you thought I was illiterate?"

I nod my head,"Absolutely. I never pegged you as a Pride and Prejudice kind of guy. More like a Playboy magazine guy."

"That is extremely sexist." He says," But what is wrong to like both."

"Well, if you add twilight to that list." I say smirking,"Then you have a serious problem."

He turns red.

"I do NOT like twilight," he says.

"Why?" I say,"Edwards sparkly skin doesn't totally turn you on?"

I laugh at my own joke while Jake just sits there looking like a tomato. This is what we do best. Talk about anything other than the things that are actually relevant.

"I mean you have to like it to own it right?" I say.

He shakes his head,"My eight year old cousin sister gave that to me, she knew I liked books so she gave me the twilight series thinking since it was such a big hit I would like it. So I accepted it rather nicely so that she doesn't read it, trying to find out why I didn't like it."

I look at him trying to make out what was going on with Jake. I mean he was a grade A asshole at times but in the other he was willing to swallow his "manhood" for his cousin sister.

Can I just say that is adorable?

I roll my eyes at myself at that. I mean that made me sound like one of those desperate stereotypical blonde girls or worse, like Rebecca.

"Okay," I say still grinning. I am considering whether I should bring up the topic of last night and how we should you know stop doing whatever we are doing.

Whats the rush?

I look at Jake with his big green eyes and messy black hair but for some reason I can't get myself to say it. So instead I say,"Bye." And walk out of the room.

After all its what I do best: Run away from things when I am not falling face first into them.

___________________________________________

When I sat on the plane I was still trying to forget what a stupid stunt I had tried to pull in the morning. It was stupid pathetic, desperate attempt for me to try to prove myself that I was different from the spineless girl I was before but when it comes to Michella I will always be that girl.

God thats sad.

I hate plane journeys. Always have always will. Despite the fact that this plane was a private jet, courtesy the Hendersons and as luxurious as it could get I hated planes.

Something about being trapped in a metal bird which can plummet straight to the ground from about 36,000 feet didn't seem to appeal to me. I wasn't air sick or something I just hated planes.

The plane despite being huge was pretty stuffed up due to the number of people.

Samantha sat with her parents right in front. Her dad had known Mr Evans forever and they had even gone to high school together.

Jeremy sat with Rebecca who was his plus one to the wedding and his parents sat behind him.

Apparently Rebecca had already gone through the meet the parents phase and they loved her.

Ashley sat next to Nathan looking gorgeous as ever and he looked dorkier than usual but they were animatedly talking about something completely immersed in their conversation.

Natalie surprisingly showed up despite her recent break up with Alec.

Her parents were invited of course ands she had decided to accompany them wearing her biggest I am a bitch and I know it smile.

Jake sat alone with his earphones on seemingly sleeping while Alec sat next to me.

The minute he came he apologised and sat next to me in the plane and all Jake did was glare and then pour his earphones on ands drifted into his usual I don't give a fuck mode.

Ashley tried to stir up conversation but when she failed she turned all her attention back to Nathan saying kids these days.

Meanwhile Alec who sat next to me looked particularly excited and he apologised for the mess he had created In the ball but said nothing about the kiss.

I will be damned the day I actually talk about something relevant with either of them.

We talk about random things like the weather in New York and how it must be snowing there.

We talk about holiday homework we have and about Christmas and how he is the best man at the wedding.

Eventually he yawns and falls asleep saying that he had had a long night.

Natalie glared at us through out our conversation and for the first time in a long time things felt right again. Things felt like the way it should have been and how I had imagined it to be. Except maybe one thing.

I slowly slid out of my seat and made my way to Jake and sat next to him. His eyes were closed but his earphones were blasting out a song by imagine dragons.

Okay Clara its time to do this.

I poke him in the arms and he opens his eyes and sees me. He gives me a confused look and then again closes his eyes completely ignoring me.

Asshole.

I take of his earphones and he gives me an irritated look and says,"What, You want to jump of the plane too?"

I blush embarrassed but then angrily reply,"No. I want to talk."

He look confused,"About what?"

"umm."

Now that I have an opportunity to say it out loud I have no idea what to say.

"Are you going to say something?" He asks.

I keep on staring.

Why can't I say it.

"Okay anyway I was meaning to tell you something." He says slowly.

Maybe he is thinking the exact same thing as I am.

Maybe he also wants to ends this.

Maybe he has a real girlfriend New York.

Then why do I feel so bad?

"What?" I ask slowly not sure wether I want the answer.

"Umm. You know when I proposed the fake dating thing I did have an ulterior motive." He says.

My eyes narrow.

"There is this girl back in New York." He says slowly.

So I was right about something.

"And I need your help to get her off my back." He says.

"And you chose me?" I say suspicious,"Natalie is currently single and is probably the best person for this not to mention prettier too."

He shakes his head,"Oh come on. I helped you. I mean what harm is it in to make Alec slightly more jealous?"

I look at him suddenly pissed,"Plenty. And what makes you think I will help you?"

"Cause I am saying please." He says,"And come on I helped you."

"Okay fine." I say sounding pissed but for some reason I was slightly happy.

"Now it takes a lot for this girl to be convinced." He says,"So you and I have to be like a proper lovely dovey couple."

"And how do you think we will be able to pull this off." I ask.

"Oh come on baby." He says raising his eyebrow.

I give him a disgusted look.

"Okay you can't make a face like that." He says.

"I will stop if you never ever do that again."

We both laugh.

"So how pyscho is this girl." I ask.

He shudders and says,"She breaks the scale."

That should have been my first clue.

"And you want me to go up against the ex girlfriend?" I say,"Are you trying to get me killed?"

"She is not that bad." He then pauses,"Okay maybe she is."

"great." I say,"I cannot believe I agreed to this."

"Well, you had no choice." He said.

"Copy that." I say just as the flight landing announcement is made.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You have to kiss me." Jake says as we are heading out of the plane.

"Do you want a lap dance with that?" I say trying to keep my voice even.

He stops making me bump into him,"Yes please, baby."

"Yuck." I say,"Why can't be like we were? It worked on Alec and Natalie didn't it?"

"They are idiots." He says flatly,"She is smart, Harvard smart."

That should have been my second clue.

I drag my small tiny bag which I had stored in the overhead compartment.

"Since we are acting now shouldn't you be nice and carry my bag?" I say.

He smiles and says,"Sure sweety."

That makes Alec who is currently taking out his backpack drop it on the plane floor. Suffice to say he is jealous as hell.

Good.

Jake takes the bag from me and I do feel bad for ditching Alec, but I have to help Jake. HE helped me and now I have too.

I slowly walk down the aisle and reach the door of the plane. Jake's hand suddenly finds mine and I can feel my pulse race.

Seriously thats just sad.

The sun blinds me as I go down the stairs. Despite the sun it is cold, almost freezing and I involuntarily shiver.

God its cold.

I finally reach the run away and I feel like kissing the tarmac under my feet. Who knew I would miss the ground so much but no sooner than I think that I trip and fall face first onto the tarmac.

I didn't mean that I actually wanted to kiss it.

Jake helps me up and I am about to say thank you when a voice calls out,"Jake!"

"Hey I know that vo-"

Before I can complete the sentence Jakes pulls me by my waist and then kisses me. It's a quick and hasty one but yet long enough.I am to engrossed with the kiss to notice that was strike three.

When I finally pull back I let out a sigh and see Alec looking at us in a state of shock, disgust and anger but my attention is diverted to the much more bigger, prominent problem in front of me.

The girl is a pretty blonde who stands as tall as Jake which means a good head taller than me. Her pretty grey eyes look at me with a sense of total confusion as if she can't believe that I am standing in front of her.

I turn to look at Jake with a look saying I hope you are kidding.But he simply gives me sheepish grin back and mouths,Surprise.

"Clara?" The girl says in a confused tone.

I take a deep breath in and vow to kill Jake as soon as he is alone and put up a weak smile up and say,"Hi sis."

_____________________________________________________________________________

AUTHORS NOTE:

So I guys I hope you liked this chapter. I am not too happy with it as it was written in a rush and I wanted to complete this chapter before I went on my educational trip.If you guys want me to change it please tell me. I swear I will.

I also wanted to thank you guys for 1000 votes on The Guy Next Door. It's seriously such a huge milestone for me. Also the fact that I was amazed that in the span of two weeks this book has come got more than 4K reads and thats just brilliant.

Jake: *pouts*I can't believe you made the announcement without me.

Author: Then you should have come earlier.

Jake: You try getting away from Clara when she is pissed.

Clara: I can hear you, you know.

Jake: I am so screwed in the next chapter.

Clara: Yeah, *turns to author* You better update soon.

Samantha; With good grammar please.

Author: *crosses her hands over her chest* Scouts honour. So don't forget to vote and comment to tell me what you think of this chapter