***

ELIZABETH DONALDSON

Subjects: Pure Math, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Physics, English & Literature

Birthday: April 22

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Age: 17 Blood Type: AB

Favorite Color: Purple

CALLIE HEMSWOOD

Subjects: Performing Arts, Art & Design, Spanish, Math, English & Literature

Birthday: August 14

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Age: 18 Blood Type: A

Favorite Color: Orange

ASHTON RIVERA

Subjects: Entrepreneurship, Economics, Law, Math, English & Literature

Birthday: January 20

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Age: 18 Blood Type: O

Favorite Color: Blue

NICOLE ROYCE

Subjects: Accounting, Economics, Spanish, Math, English & Literature

Birthday: April 9

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Age: 18 Blood Type: B

Favorite Color: Doesn't have one

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

"Come on, Liz."

"No."

"Please?"

"Nope."

"I won't bother you about any more parties after this."

I stuffed the last book into my locker and turned to face my best friend Callie. We'd been friends since freshman year and pretty much inseparable since then.

Her expression was hopeful. It was week two of her trying to convince me to go to some party that would be held tomorrow.

Partying just wasn't my thing. I didn't see the fun in being crowded in a loud, hot house, with people I didn't even know.

"What is it about this party that makes you feel the need to bother me so early in the morning?"

She was practically bouncing beside me in excitement. "It's an Ashton Rivera party!"

I shrugged and collected my books before closing my locker and walking off. "I didn't know he was having a party."

"Everyone's been talking about it," she rolled her eyes. "Do you live under a rock?"

"No, but my mind censors anything with the words 'Ashton' and 'Rivera'."

"Oh come on, Liz. Don't tell me you're not planning on going."

"Okay, I won't tell you."

Callie grumbled something under her breath before trotting to catch up with me.

"You always do this, Elizabeth," she argued hotly when I continued to walk away. "You never have any fun."

"Yes, I do," I defended. "In fact, I have a list of fun stuff planned for that night."

She folded her arms, unimpressed. "You're just going to spend the entire Friday night reading and studying. I don't think that counts as fun."

"You know I could be a drug dealer, but I choose to read books instead. Besides, if I'm going to get into the Royal University to study medicine, I have to keep my grades up."

"Missing one night of studying won't hurt," she insisted as we walked into our first period class and sat in our usual seats.

"Besides, it's not just an ordinary party. It's his birthday party," she persisted, still keen on convincing me. "Everyone will be there."

"That's just making me not want to go even more. You know I hate being around so many people."

"When are you gonna grow up, Liz? You're seventeen, live a little!" she huffed. "You know, one day you're going to wake up at fifty and realize that you missed all the fun in life."

I sighed. "Ashton hates me. Why do you even want me to go?"

"Because I want you there," she smiled, giving me puppy eyes. "Mel and Kevin want you to come too."

Melissa and Kevin were our other two best friends. As much as I hated parties I couldn't help but feel a little pang of jealousy when all three of them went out together without me.

She continued giving me puppy eyes. I could feel my resolve crumbling.

"Fine, I'll go," I relented reluctantly.

I think the whole school must have thought an alarm went off the way she screamed so loudly. That earned us a disapproving glare from our English & Literature teacher, Mrs. Smith.

"It's not like I'll be staying for the entire night anyways," I stated, rolling my eyes.

"How can you leave when I'll be driving?" she said, tauntingly waving her keys in front of my face. I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Callie, I have to be home by ten," I said slowly, hoping she got the point.

No reply.

"Calliiee," I sang, waving my hand in front of her face.

Still no reply.

I turned around to see what had gotten my talkative friend so tongue-tied. I had to roll my eyes when I saw all the other girls staring too.

It had to be him. The most annoying, arrogant and irritating player in all of Westwood High, the one that made every girl turn to jelly at first glance.

It was Ashton Rivera. Big deal! Wow, here comes the high and mighty king Ashton. Let's all bow down before him.

I scoffed and turned around in my seat and flipped open my text book. He was just a guy. A regular guy. At least to me anyways...

"Isn't he beautiful?"

"Yep, he sure is something," I replied dryly, trying to find the page we should be on in the textbook.

"He's so dreamy," she said still stuck in the 'Ashton daze' as I liked to call it.

"Yes, he's so dreamy," I said, placing my hands to my cheek and copying Callie.

"I'm glad you think so."

Uh oh... My heartbeat quickened as I slowly turned around. Standing right in front of me was none other than Ashton with a smirk playing on his lips.

"I didn't mean that," I said quickly, feeling my face heating up to different shades of red.

"Sure, you didn't," he said, watching me with an amused expression.

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't. Aren't you aware that there are other points of view that see you for the jerk that you are?"

His eyes darkened as his lips pulled down into a scowl. I turned around and studied my purple binder as if it was the most interesting thing on Earth. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. This was Ashton I was dealing with after all.

I could still feel his presence behind me, watching me, and my face heated up some more as I continued to stare at my book, wishing he would just hurry and go. He just wouldn't be Ashton without giving me a daily dose of irritation.

After what seemed like an eternity, I heard him mutter something before moving off to his seat beside his newest girlfriend Nicole.

I looked up as Callie placed her hand on my arm.

"He talked to you!" she squealed loud enough for everyone to hear. "This practically makes you not on his hate list anymore!"

I heard some giggles around me and rested my head on my desk as Mrs. Smith continued to go on and on about Shakespeare.

I was definitely going to be the popular talk today. I closed my eyes and sighed. Oh great. Just what I wanted.

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