24, 26, 30....

I could still hear them talking.

30... 34....

There we go. I couldn't hear his boasting anymore. Then I saw the teacher's lips start to move.

Shit

I pulled out my headphones and got my pencil out; ready to start taking notes on his daily lecture.

English class.

I love English, and everything about it. Well everything except the class this year.

I was the lucky one who was seated in front of the most obnoxious boys in the entire class. Every day, I had to listen to what haircut they got, the score on last night's game, insults being thrown at each other and his drivers' licences.

The tallest one, Jay. I had him in several classes before, but I never had to sit near him.

Not until this year. And this was the year he got his license.

As the year went on, he got both his G1 and M. So he could operate a motorcycle legally.

I really didn't care, but every day, it was someone new being driven home on the bike.

Stacy from science, Lizzy from Math, Rose from History.

I would hear about how cool they thought he was, how much fun they had. But from what I got, was he was just a crazy driver.

Running over curbs, weaving between traffic, doing wheelies in the parking lot.

He was crazy, and had crazy hair to match. For some reason, his short brown hair always stuck up on his head like he had been struck by a small lightning bolt. Even after he took off his helmet and dumped it at the front of the room because he was running late, it still stuck up. But it matched the crazy look in his deep brown eyes. The height didn't help. The kid was at least 6'. He towered over the teacher.

One day, I had forgotten my headphones, so while I did my work, I could hear every stupid word that came out of his mouth.

"Eliza was on the back and she clung to me so tight as I took a sharp right..." He babbled to his brainless friends that listened to him no matter how stupid the story was.

I was getting annoyed; I couldn't focus on the reading. So as I looked at my paper, I mumbled a thought: you'll run off the road one day and die trying to impress a girl. Still couldn't get one in your pants though.

Apparently, I said that louder than I expected.

"What?" I heard Jay scoffed.

"What?" I asked turning around.

"You think I'm a careless driver?" He grinned back at me.

"Yea. Pathetic." I made a face at him.

"How would you know?" One of his friends chimed in.

"Listening to your boasts all day, seeing you drive by when I get on the bus... You know. Obvious things." I rolled my eyes.

"You just assume?" Jay asked smirking.

"No, I know. Idiots." I shook my head and turned back to my work.

That after noon, I pulled out my wallet and realized that I didn't have any money for the bus.

Both of my friends had already gotten on the bus, so I said screw it and decided to walk. It was pretty nice outside.

I turned out of the side street the school was on, on to the main road.

As I approached the intersection, I heard the rev of a motorcycle engine coming down the street.

As it got closer, it became quieter, until it stopped and became an idled noise. I looked to my left; there pulled into the side street parking beside me was Jay, decked out in his motorcycle gear, straddling his bike. I wasn't an automotive person, I couldn't tell you what type of bike it was.

He had pulled off his helmet and was staring at me.

"What do you want?" I asked, pursing my lips. He looked good.

"Still believe I'm a reckless driver?" He countered.

"Yes." I raised my eyebrow. "Is that all you stopped to ask me?"

"No, actually, I'm offering you a ride home."

"Why?" I asked, as I fought back a cough. I just took a deep breath of exhaust and cologne?

"I saw when you said you had no ticket. I'm being nice and offering a ride. Take it or leave it." He shrugged.

"I'll leave it. I value my life." I shook my head and walked away.

"Oh come on. I'll be careful." He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Fine." I replied. I was okay with not walking.

As soon as I got on the back, I was suddenly conscience of all the little things on my body. The way my brown hair was frizzy and wavy from the humidity, the little red spots all over my face, the smudged eyeliner around my right eye because I had forgotten that I was wearing makeup and scratched my eye. The pudginess I had on my stomach, thighs and arms. I bit my lips as the light turned green and we took off at a neck breaking speed.

He weaved in and out if traffic, sped up at amber lights and when he turned, he almost always went over the curve.

When we finally stopped at a red light, I flicked the back of his neck where a bit of his skin was exposed.

"Ow, what the hell?" Jay called back.

"Please take me home. I really don't wanna die." I replied. I had only just realized that we had passed my house miles ago.

"Okay fine. Where it is?" He asked, gripping the handles.

"River trees." I replied just as the light turned green and we took off.

When we finally arrived back at my house, I shakily got off the bike to stumbled around for my backpack and keys.

"Thanks for the ride. I think." I licked my lips. It was actually extremely fun, but still terrifying. Also, there was no way I am admitting to Jay I had fun.

"So, what time should I pick you up on Friday?" He asked, taking off the helmet and shaking out his hair. It still stuck up, but bent at the end.

"Excuse me?" I asked, finding me keys.

"For our next date." He tried to give me a charming smile.

"Nope. If you keep driving like that, and keep acting like a cocky little prat, I'm not going anywhere with you." I turned towards the door.

"You're welcome." he mumbled as he put his helmet back on and drove out.

I watched him leave before I walked through the door. I closed it and lean up against it and sighed.

Honestly, I would do it again. Or go anywhere with him.

Just as I thought that, I mentally slapped myself. Why would be interested in me? Or, do I really wanna die?

Stupid thoughts. I sighed and put my stuff away.

The next day, at lunch I met up with one of my friends who had asked to talk to me alone.

"Mia, I don't know." I groaned as I put my head down on the park bench. We were sitting in the courtyard. She had seen me get on Jay's motorbike. She wanted to know what the hell I was thinking.

"But he's Jay! 'The pain-in-the-ass guy that pisses everyone off in English'!" She protested.

Oh yea, she was in my English class.

"Look, he just wanted to prove a point. He just enforced the fact that I was right." I said getting up and sitting on the table.

Mia got up and sat with me. "You don't like him, do you?"

I put my head in my hands. "No."

She looked at me.

"No!" I replied again. "Maybe. I don't know. You can't tell anyone."

"I promise. But just know what you're getting yourself into."

"What do you mean?" I asked and sat up straight.

"I heard the last two girls he had on his bike are not the... cleanest girls in the school." Mia whispered.

"Mia, I'm not going to sleep with him!" I yelled at her throwing my hands up. I saw some heads peak out from the windows around us.

I waved them away and turned back to Mia.

"I'm just saying. He isn't a sweet guy that you keep wanting. He's a little rougher around the edges, if you know what I mean." She shrugged.

"I know." I sighed and looked at the time. It was time to go to English.

When we got in, we were one of the first people in.

When Jay walked in, he walked past me and gave me a subtle wink and took his seat.

I looked down at my phone and tried to sink into my chair. I don't like him.

After class, I headed to my locker and checked out my phone again. It was him. He had gotten my number from a friend of his that had it.

"So, can you give me one more chance? I promise I'll be a lot more careful." The text wrote.

"Friday after school." I replied and heard out to the bus.

For the next few days, we would see each other in the halls, he would smirk and I would turn away. I was giving him a chance. Maybe I do like him? But I wasn't about to let anyone else know that.

Finally, Friday rolled around and he texted me to meet him to in the student parking.

I clutched my books to my chest as I walked towards his bike.

"Scared?" He asked motioning towards my hands as I got closer.

"Yea. Last time we almost died." I gripped the book even tighter if that was possible.

"Come on. I'll drive slower this time." He offered me a helmet.

I put the book in the little trunk he had, hopped on the back and put on the helmet. This time, I was more hesitant on letting myself be pressed up against him.

"Come on, I don't bite." He winked. "Hard."

I swallowed hard and loosely wrapt my arms around his chest.

"You weren't this scared before. What's up?" He asked.

"I don't know." I stammered.

Fine. I like him. But, I didn't want to be one of those unclean girls Mia was talking about. But damn, I didn't mind being pressed up against him. That's what I was scared of.

He grabbed my hands and pulled me closer to fully wrap my arms around him. "I don't want you to fall off."

I didn't get a chance to answer as he revved the engine and took off.

This time, surprisingly, was a lot better. We didn't speed, no curves, slowing at amber lights.

When we got to his house, I was actually having fun.

"So?" He asked, pulling off his helmet as I got off the bike.

"Better." I nodded and licked my lips. "I thought we were going out?"

"Nah. My dad is gone for the weekend. I decided we would chill here." He replied and pulled out his keys.

Uh oh.

I left the helmet outside and reluctantly followed him inside into the kitchen.

"Would you like something to drink?" He asked, dumping his helmet on the table and opening the fridge.

I couldn't answer, so I just nodded.

He handed me a beer bottle.

"Um..." We were both still underage.

"Eh, what's a year?" Jay shrugged and opened his. I just kept staring at mine. He looked at me and lowered his bottle. "What's wrong?"

"It's just..." I put the bottle down. "I'm not interested in being another doll to play around with. I've had enough of that."

"That's what you think this is about?" He laughed and put down the bottle to pull off his gloves. "Believe me. Far from it."

"Should I be offended?" I scoffed.

"Well, depends. I actually like you. You seem challenging." He nodded and took another swig from his bottle.

"So I'm just a game?" I decided to crack open the bottle. This was going nowhere.

"It started like that. But I liked it. Most girls I drive home, usually there is less talking involved." He grinned.

"Okay..." I took a drink. The bubbly liquid burned my throat going down. "So we are talking. What now?"

"What do you want to do?" He countered.

"Let's just talk." I nodded. "Tell me about yourself.

"Okay. Jay Stevenson, born Canadian, I live with my dad and when I finish school I'm going to college. You?" He took another drink.

"Um, Ellie Benjamin, also born Canadian, I live with my parents, and two sisters. When I finish school I'm going to university." I eyed him from my side of the kitchen. He was still in his all black gear, his crazy hair - had been cut. How did I not notice? He took a lot off the sides and left it longer on top. The spikiness of his hair now worked. It looked good.

He took another drink from the bottle and walked over to me. "So. What now?" He was so close; I could feel his warm breath on my face. I swallowed hard, suddenly imagining me pressed up against him on the bike.

I was speechless for a moment then found my voice. "We could play video games."

He backed up a bit. "I didn't know you were a gamer."

"No. But I have always wanted to try." I shrugged.

He chuckled. "Alright." He took another swig of his beer and put it down.

I put down mine as well and trailed after him to the living room. I watched as he set up one of his consoles and handed me an Xbox controller.

"Well?" He said motioning for me to sit and take it.

I sat down and grabbed it. He started one of the missions as showed me the basics.

A few hours later, I dropped the controller and paraded around the room.

"Whooooo!" I cheered as the game turned back to the main page.

"So you won a time mission. Big whoop." He rolled his eyes.

"Hey, beginner over here. I'll take what I can get." I smiled.

"Okay, okay." Jay shook his head and got up to turn everything off. "It's kinda late. Do you want me to drop you home?"

"Um, I'll take the bus thanks." I gave him a small smile. If Mia saw me again...

"Oh come on." He walked towards me and turned me around. "Don't you love the wind hitting your face, the roar of the engine..." He put his arms around me. "Being pressed against the driver."

I tried to control my breathing. "I know. But if anyone sees me with you..."

"So you're ashamed?" He laughed. "This isn't the worst walk of shame you know."

"Aren't you? I mean... I'm... Me!" I laughed.

"Well..." He shrugged.

"Yea. I'll save you from the hassle." I slipped out of his arms and started to grab my stuff.

"No. You are gonna get on the back of my bike and I'm going to take you home." He grabbed his gear that had come off half way through the game.

"You put up a hard argument." I rolled my eyes but let him follow me out the door anyways.

I watched as he swung his leg over the bike and settled on. He scooted up and I climbed on behind him. I grabbed the extra helmet and put it on.

This time. I let my arms comfortably wrap around his torso. I rested my chin on the back of his shoulder.

The beer had apparently made me sleepy, because when we stopped at a red light he had to nudge me wake, saying he can't drive and keep me on the bike at the same time.

A few minutes later, Jay had stopped in front of me house and carried me onto the grass in front. He put me down under one of the trees and sat beside me.

He let me sleep until I woke up by myself. When I opened my eyes, I was staring at his boots.

I quickly sat up and wiped my mouth where I had been drooling.

"Where are we?" I asked rubbing my eyes.

"Outside of your house. I didn't want to wake you up. Call me a bad person." Jay raised his hands in defence.

"That's sweet... Why?" I asked, straightening out my outfit and hair.

"Because I have never done this before. But I feel like you are the type of girl that deserves it." He looked down at his lap. "I never said that."

"Said what?" I grinned at him.

"Come on, let's go." He grinned back and helped me up.

"Thank you." I smiled, then I leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for the wonder afternoon."

"Lemme know when we can do this again. Because I need to do this again." He laughed.

"How's next week Thursday? I have garage band practice on Friday." I suggested.

"I didn't know you were in a band." Jay said.

I shrugged. "Not the kinda thing I tell a guy who I barley know. Plus it's something we just do for fun."

"True." He nodded and I started to open the door. I heard him walk towards his bike and start the engine. I listened to him take off before I went inside.

When I put away all my stuff, I told my dad I had an after school meeting then some friends and I had gone from the meeting to get some dinner.

It was a loose lie because now I don't get dinner but I didn't mind. I would have to make it myself anyways. I was all filled with butterflies. Was Jay actually changing his attitude on how to treat women... On my account?

I knew he was a so called "ladies man" he got whoever he wanted. I figured I was just another piece... But why me of all people?

The weekend went by in a blur. I did my chores early so I could curl up by the window and feel the cool pre summer breeze on my face as I fell asleep each night.