GAVIN.

Mr. Tattoo ass.

I fucking hate that guy.

Ever since he walked into the fucking classroom, it's like he has hypnotized everyone. All they can talk about is him...his hair, his tattoos...blah blah bullshit.

What's cool about his dreadlocks anyway? They make him look like a mop head. I bet all kinds of parasites have laid eggs in there. Super gross.

And...I just puked in my mouth.

Also, what's with all the tattoos and piercings? Didn't he feel pain getting all that ink on his skin? I'm terrified of needles so I can't even imagine having a tattoo or piercing on any part of my body.

Maybe the reason he has all those tattoos is because he's some sort of gang leader. Something about this guy feels totally off. There's more to him and obviously I will find out.

It's why I invited him to a party at my place this weekend. Some guy whose name I don't fucking know once said, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Speaking of, the guy has gotten awfully close to Carlito. Not that I have a problem with the people Carlito chooses to hang out with. But why did he have to choose Mr. Tattoo ass of all people?

Did he choose him because of the humor? Or his looks? What's so special about the tattoo freak? I just don't get it.

What's more confusing is this feeling that's currently residing in my stomach. It's like a sharp knife is being twisted in my belly over and over, causing immense pain. Why am I feeling like this? Why does watching Carlito smile with him infuriate me?

What is wrong with me? What is this feeling that's eating me alive?

I thought that pretending nothing transpired between us would erase him from my mind. Well, I thought wrong.

Because I can't stop thinking about him. I can't stop thinking of the moments we shared on the ride home. I can still hear the sounds of his laughter in my head. His laughter is a melody that I want to hear on repeat.

Then there's also the heated kiss which is still fresh in my memory. The taste of his lips awakened something in me. It ignited the flames of desire, one that no fire extinguisher can put out.

Fuck.

Now all I crave is him. And it scares me shitless. It baffles me as to why I feel this way towards him. One thing that I've always known for sure is that I like girls. But why do I feel these things for Carlito?

Is something wrong with me?

The sudden loud ringing of the school bell ported me from the jungle of thoughts that I was lost in.

"Make sure to submit this assignment before the next class." The biology teacher stated while scribbling something on the board.

"Before I forget, I wanted to announce that our ecological trip to Red Woods National park has been approved by the school board. "Her announcement triggered cheers in the classroom.

"Mrs. Hanna, when are we going?" Rosalia, the biggest biology nerd excitedly inquired.

"For how long are we going to stay?" Another student shot a question.

"Is it going to be cold there or warm? I need to know which outfits to pack."

"I hear there are werewolves in the park. Guys, stay safe." Some nerd announced.

"Werewolves aren't even real, genuis!" Madeline commented mockingly.

"Silence!" The biology teacher declared. "Guys, the trip happens tomorrow evening. We will arrive later in the night. Where we will spend two days at the park, learning about a variety flora and fauna. The trip will conclude on Saturday," She paused, "any other relevant questions?"

"Yes. I wanted to ask about the accommodation." A girl inquired.

"There is a resort in the park, where you'll spend the nights. There will be food too so don't worry. Sleeping arrangements will involve sharing a room..." She barely completed her sentence when loud murmurs erupted in the room.

"Omg. I'm totally gonna share a room with Lorenzo. He's so hot. I just wanna eat him alive." One of the girls who I recognized as a cheerleader shrieked to her pals who didn't hesitate to giggle like morons.

"Laura, I'm afraid that's not going to happen. Girls will share rooms with fellow girls. Same applies to boys." Mrs. Hanna dropped the bomb.

Normally I would be pissed by this kind of news but today I was feeling nothing. Unaffected by the fact that I won't be sharing a room with a girl. Up until recently, I enjoyed hanging out with different girls. I thrived in having casual one night stands with them.

To me, it was the best feeling.

But now, not so much. I mean, I couldn't even fuck Madeline this morning when she was begging so badly for it. She literally ambushed me in the boy's bathroom when I had gone to take a leak. I turned her down because I was not in the mood...at all.

I think that something is seriously wrong with me.

"If you have any more questions, come to my office. Otherwise, have a lovely day. " The biology teacher's statement drew me back to reality.

****

It was lunch period and I was beyond famished. Roman, Shirley and I headed to the cafeteria. Rom and Shirl are more than family. They are my pack. The only people I actually like in this doomed place I call school.

After getting our order, we headed to our usual spot in the cafeteria. Everyone in school knew that the table was reserved for me and my pack. No one dared to sit there. They knew the consequences that would befall anyone who sat there.

But looks like someone forgot to read the freaking room. Seated on my table was Mr. tattoo ass. I admit, he has some balls trying to claim what is mine. Don't worry, I'll remind him his place.

I'll show him who runs shit in this place.

"I think our table has been claimed." Roman stated the obvious.

"I can see that genius." I spat while heading to the occupied table. I noticed that Carlito was also present there. Of course he had to be there.

Great.

When I got to the table, I placed my tray of food on it, loud enough to draw their attention.

"Hey Lorena...I see you've made yourself at home." I commenced.

"Yeah. It's a beautiful cafeteria you guys have in River Bridge." He commented, scooping pasta from his plate. Completely not bothered by the fact that the three of us were hovering over his seated form.

"It is. I guess the one you had back in Italy didn't have rules like this one."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, we have rules here. And one of the rules is that this is our spot." I confessed.

"I know. Lito already told me about it. But you see, I like sitting here. It's more comfortable." He declared, scooping more pasta and shoving it in his mouth.

Did he just say that to my face? Who the fuck does he think he is?

"Okay. So you're not going to leave?" I inquired.

"Nope. You can join us if you want. There's enough space for everyone." He suggested with a smile.

I was this close to shoving his face in the plate of pasta until he suffocates in it.

"Gav, the new kid's right." Shirley whispered.

"Okay." I swallowed the anger that was bubbling inside me. "We would love to join you." I plopped on the bench next to Carlito.

"So, which school did you study?" Shirley who was seated next to the tattoo freak inquired. She was clearly fascinated by the guy. Just like everyone else.

"Hey." Carlito who had been quiet the entire time suddenly whispered.

"Hey." I replied, adding ketchup to the salad on my tray.

"Thank you." His statement made me halt my culinary activities.

"Why am I being thanked, I wonder." I said.

"I'm thanking you for the way you handled the situation. You could have done anything to Lorenzo but you didn't." He stated.

I turned to face him.

"I didn't do it for you." I breathed, my gaze locked into his. We were so close that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body.

"Then why did you do it?" A question slithered from his pink, pouty lips. The same lips that I yearned to claim once more. What had this boy done to me? To make me want him like this.

"Gav, can you imagine that Lorenzo's former school had a statue." Shirley's question managed to disrupt my battling thoughts.

"Statue of puberty I suppose." A comment left my lips.

"Also, did you know he can sing? Isn't that freaking amazing?" She ranted.

"Yaay! Maroon 5." The words rolled off my tongue. I was already exhausted of the guy's accomplished lifestyle.

"Roman loves singing too, you guys could write a song sometime." Shirley's proposal nearly made me choke on the meat ball.

Absolutely in no way am I letting him get close to my best friend. Roman is off limits. Composing songs with Roman has been our  thing for as long as I can remember. I won't let him take that from me.

He's already taken enough.

"No. I'm sure Roman doesn't need his help." I blurted, my gaze shifting to Roman. His loyalties lie with me. Not some mop head.

"Umm-- I mean, It is not such a bad idea to share insights with another artist." Roman did not just say that. I must be hearing things.

I seriously need to evaluate our friendship.

"Fine. If that's what you want, who am I to oppose. " A sarcastic smile made its way to my lips.

"I would love to work on a song with you sometime, Roman." Said the mop head.

"Me too." Said the betrayer with a smile.

"That would be super cool. I will definitely listen to it on repeat." Shrieked the fan girl.

What is it about this guy that everyone likes him? First it was Carlito and now these two won't stop singing his praises. He might have managed to fool everyone with his 'cool guy' act but not me.

I can see right through his mask. He is not who he seems and I'm gonna find out exactly who this guy is.