"How the hell did this happen?" Chica frowned, her head resting comfortably on Eliki's lap.

"Fucking Aron happened," I seethed, my hands shaking in anger.

"Don't worry, he'll get what he deserves." Jax assured, a dark expression on his face.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, the events of earlier swarming into my mind like a plague.

"Stupid idiot, why the fuck does he avoid me for a week? Was it because of a freaking kiss? It was just on the cheek! Now, I have to do this shit just to catch him," I mumbled sleepily, slumping further on the passenger seat.

I let out a small scream when the car suddenly lurched forward. I felt my heart drop and memories flew in.

"What the fuck Neo! The hell is wrong with you?" I snapped, turning to glare at him.

He grinned cheekily,"That's payback for waking me up at 6 in the morning just to drive you to school! Our class doesn't even start until 7:30!" He said, shrugging.

"Says the guy who goes to school at exactly 7 am just to see the girl he likes walk by the entrance doors," I retorted sassily.

Neo immediately went red,"Who told you that?" He didn't even bother denying.

I snorted,"I don't need anyone to tell me shit Neo. I have fucking eyes and it's quite obvious how your friends would slap you in the back everytime she smiles back at you like you've won an oscar award." I remarked, amusement lacing through me.

He groaned,"Guys do that everytime a pretty girl smiles back." He defended, shifting gears.

I chuckled,"Dumbass, I know that. What makes it different is the shy smile that you have after it happens." I smugly pointed out.

"Fine. You caught me. I do like her." He sighed defeatedly.

"Even if you denied, I know you like her. It's a twin instinct and if I were you, I'd tell her about it." I answered simply.

The song if I were a boy flashed in my mind and I mentally started singing the lyrics in my head.

He glared at me playfully," It's not that easy. We've been sending smiles back and forth for the last two years but she doesn't give a sign that tells she likes me." He said, his hand doing weird gestures to emphasize his point.

I slapped him in the arm,"Have you ever made a move to show you're actually interested at her? yes none so stop the fucking whining and instead do something. It's senior high and after that we wouldn't even see one another if ever she doesn't like you back which for me is totally impossible considering how sweet her smile is towards you." I replied, waggling my brows suggestively.

Neo kept quiet for a few seconds before turning to me with a grin. He ruffled my hair which earned a protest from me.

"You're growing up so fast it's making me want to headlock you

but I won't. Thanks for the advice twinny." He smiled, glancing at me with a genuine look before turning back to the road.

I chuckled at our little nickname.

"Someone needs to remind you that you have balls twin brother." I joked, earning another ruffle of my hair from him.

He rolled his eyes at my comment but chose to ignored it,"So, I'm hearing rumors." He suddenly trailed off, earning a weary look from me.

"Rumors? What rumors?"

"There's alot actually, fucking hilarious stories if you ask me. Basically you managed to 'bewitched' Tyrone Adler's stone cold heart and is trying to make babies with him. There's also this story where you both are secretly dating since summer hence the reason why you both had a LQ on the first day of school

or how you paid the homeroom teacher to be paired up with him because you're secretly crazy in love with him."

I recoiled in my seat,"What? People are saying that? I'm practically too young to be a mother and I can't even save money to buy my own pack of maltesers." I said, frowning at the thought of people talking behind my back.

Neo nodded,"Apparently. You know how people don't know how to mind their own business especially in highschool. What's going on between the two of you anyways?" He prodded, giving a sideway glance at me.

"Nothing! We just started to become friends." I answered curtly, not wanting to share some tea.

"So, you weren't friends when that handcuff incident happened?" Neo said teasingly, earning another painful smack from me.

"Hey! Don't hit the driver!" He exclaimed, a pout forming on his ugly face.

"You deserved that and don't pout, your lips aren't exactly suited for it." I snickered, grimacing at his face.

"How dare you! Many girls would kill to have these lips on them." He said cockily, a boyish smirk on his face.

"One, that's absolutely and completely disgusting. Two, get your head out of your lame-ass ego and realize that you're not much of a catch twinny." I sassed, earning a playful glare at him

"You're such a bitch." Neo commented, a grin on his face.

I rolled my eyes,"Nope, Peggy already earned that title." I said, not even fazed at his insult.

Neo's eyes sparked with mischief at the mention of our little sister, "Speaking of her, how much would you bet that Peggy is throwing a fit right now for leaving her behind?"

With his words, we both started laughing like hyenas. Imagining the chilidish tantrum that mom and Jack are probably enduring right now in the kitchen.

"Mom is gonna be so pissed later." I laughed out, shaking my head.

"Remind me to buy her favorite flowers later." He said, waving his hands dismissively.

We've entered the familiar school grounds and parked a few spaces away from the entrance. A few cars were already parked which I'm guessing are the teachers.

The school is somehow still vacated by students which is not surprising since it's still way to early.

"Is it just me? or that seemed to be one long ass drive?" I asked, shaking my head in amusement.

"It's just you," Neo replied, taking the key off the ignition.

He reclined the car seat back,"You go ahead, I'm just gonna take a nap." He said, closing his eyes.

I fixed my black cap before opening the car door,"Thanks for waking up early nemo fish. I have some business to attend. Laters." I said, making my way towards the entrance.

"Remind me to buy flowers and Goodluck!" He called out the window quickly.

I smiled in amusement before answering an 'okay' back. I was planning to wait on the school entrance but Tyrone would probably escape when he sees me.

I greeted a few teachers on the way and took note that it was almost 6:30 am.

I opted to wait for him at his locker instead so he couldn't avoid me easily if ever he turned back.

I leaned on his locker boredly, my mind going jumping to one thought and another.

It's been a week since since the kiss-on-the-cheek incident happened and a week of Tyrone Adler avoiding me.

A few seconds after it occured, he went out of the room claiming that he had 'something' to do. I fell asleep after that and when I woke up the second time, he already left Chica's house.

not even bothering to say a fucking goodbye.

I mean yeah, we aren't dating and stuff but its a requirement to say goodbye to your friend when you're leaving right?

RIGHT?

A few minutes before the sounds of footsteps can be heard. I immediately turned my head to the direction but felt slight disappointment when it was only a few girls walking by.

They eyed me and my outfit before giggling to one another. I rolled my eyes, knowing that I look like a robber.

I wore some comfy sweats with a random shirt and a black cap. Who cares tho? A girl can wear comfy shit when she wants to.

I sighed, leaning my head back unto the locker. I folded my arms to my chest and closed my eyes.

It didn't even bother me that much that he didn't say goodbye. It was when I noticed him avoiding me like a damn girl with herpes. Monday, I didn't see him. On Tuesday, I caught sight of him on the hallways but when I tried to walk up to him but he hastily went the other direction easily losing him in the crowd. Wednesday, I decided to text him and ask if there was a problem to which he didn't reply. Thursday was when I've tried asking Chica and Jax about it but they simply explained that it wasn't their business to sell. Friday and Saturday was me worrying the hell out and wondering why it felt like I was back to day one with him and Sunday, HA! it was when I started to get pissed and came up with a plan to corner that little shit today.

My phone suddenly rang, snapping me out of ny thoughts. I whipped my phone out and answered the call.

"Missed me already nemo? 10 minutes haven't passed yet," I joked, chuckling.

"Yeah no, Tyrone just entered the school and just a heads up, I could feel his scary ass aura that screams 'not in the mood to talk' from here." He replied.

I felt nerves settle in me but I shoved it back and took a deep breath telling myself to 'gut up' I replied a simple 'okay and thanks' before ending the call.

Footsteps met my ears and my gaze met the surprised ones of none other than Tyrone Adler.

I couldn't help but gasp upon seeing him, he somehow looked edible in his Nike hoodie, sweatpants, and black vans.

That wasn't what made me gasp though, it was the state he was in. Even far away, I could see his slight limp and the black eye he is sporting and bruises that I knew were hidden by his clothing.

I could make out him muttering a 'shit' before quickly turning around and walking away.

I felt my mouth drop at his actions before the familiar rush of anger made its way and I quickly followed after him.

I called after him but he just ignored me. I tried to catch up with his strides but damn that long legs of his.

Having no choice, I quickly ran and jumped on his back. My arms wounding around his neck, not too tight, while my legs wrapped around his waist in a tight grip making him stumble slighty but quickly regain his footing, despite his limp.

His arm quickly went to my legs to secure it before he muttered curses as he took a minute to process what just happened.

"Zoe! Dang it! You could've slipped or bang your head on the floor!" He hissed angrily, turning slighty to give me a sideway glare.

I cocked my brows,"Oh, so now you're talking to me? and since when did we call each other by first names?" I mocked, giving a cold glare in return.

He was quiet for a few moments before he sighed,"Get down and we'll talk." He murmured, tapping my legs that was still wrapped on his waist.

I hummed in agreement before carefully letting go of him and sliding down, my gaze flitting down to check on my landing.

"I didn't think that it would be this ea-"

He was running like a madman before I could even finish my sentence.

I felt my mouth gape at his retreating figure. My mind still processing on what happened and the fact that he tricked me.

"That stupid carrot! What the hell is his problem?" I wondered, shaking my head slightly in amusement and annoyance.

"I'm not giving up carrot, you want to play catch? fine." I muttered to myself, making my way towards my locker.

The rest of the day went by and Tyrone completely went into hiding. I know he's still here since I heard people gossiping about his 'beated up but still hot look' between my subject periods.

During recess, I tried to interrogate Jax and Chica on his whereabouts but they simply shrugged in amusement and teased me along with Eliki on how I was 'easily' tricked by his words.

I tried to hunt him down and even went to check him on one of his classes but he was not there and I even skipped our homeroom classes to see if he was in the library or field.

I grew even more annoyed when I recieved a text from Eliki with a picture with me on his back from earlier saying that the 'dating rumors' between us sparked even more and the pictures were being spread around the school like a wildfire.

"The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus tells us that to evaluate the definite integral, we just need to solve for the antiderivative of the intergrand," Mr. Zett said, as he continued to jot down numbers on the board.

I couldn't help but sigh out, the numbers completely floating away from the board making my head spin a little.

It was my last subject, a math subject that I didn't have the guts to skip.

I was good in my vocabulary and memorization but when numbers are involved, I'm sadly as useless as a flashlight without battery.

"Care to elaborate me what that sigh was for Ms. Smith?" My attention snapped in front at the sound of Mr. Zett's voice.

I was about to reply when the bell rang, completely saving my ass for the detention that I know was only around the corner.

I was fixing my bag hastily when I felt a presence next to me.

"Can you help me in bringing this to the office?" Mr. Zett asked politely, pointing to a pile of papers stacked on his desk.

I wanted to deny but seeing that he might list me to his 'hate students' made me agree.

I ignored the stares of the students as I walked out with him in tow. The hallway was somehow vacant of students, giving me an internal relief.

I was not ready to face people unashamedly gossiping infront of me. I didn't want to get a record on the office for bashing someone on the locker.

"Are you having a hard time in my subject Ms. Smith?" Mr. Zett asked, his voice polite.

Mr. Zett was not the usual terror math teacher, he actually cares about his students and discusses the topic clearly and thoroughly.

I sighed, "I'm sorry sir, there's no problem in the way you teach. Math is just really hard to understand." I replied simply, my hands rubbing the edge of the papers.

He chuckled at my answer,"Math is not that hard Ms. Smith. Sometimes, you all just think its hard because you let your brain thinks so. If you start to see things in a positive light rather than dimming it then you'd actually be surprised how fast you'll understand." He explained, pushing a strand of curl that was somehow irritating him.

I gave him a sideway glance and couldn't help but appreciate his beauty. Mr. Zett was actually a new teacher here and just freshly graduated last year and had started working immediately.

He was in his early twenties and was quite a sight to see with his black curly hair, baby blue eyes, and the right body figure to match.

From what I've heard from Eliki cue eye roll, he accelerated from his classes hence the reason why he graduated young and the fact that there was a missing piece of jewelry on his ring finger made some of the students go after him like a pack of damn skittles.

"Huh," I mused out, his words sinking deeply into me.

"What? You don't agree?" He asked, curiousity plastered on his face.

I shook my head,"It's not that I don't agree. Understanding is easy to say but quite hard to do and yes, it involves your positive insight too but what do you do when certain stuffs add to the pile of it dimming? You can only think of so much positivity until you somehow just let it," I shrugged, earning myself a long look from him.

"Hm, interesting. I haven't heard that kind of response before." He murmured, mostly to himself but I acted like I didn't hear it.

I looked at my watch discreetly and saw that ten minutes has passed and the stubborn me would have one last check on the school grounds to find Tyrone before going home.

"If you're really finding it hard then I could tutor you. It doesn't sit well with me that one of my students are struggling with my subject when I know I could've done something to help." He continued on, nodding slightly.

Since my dumbass was too busy on thinking of the places that I have missed checking, I somehow just mumbled an okay to which he replied with a firm nod.

"Okay, Thank you for the help Ms. Smith. I'll take it from here." He took the papers from me and entered the teacher's room leaving me dumbfounded.

Something clicked.

"The garden!" I exclaimed, my feet moving before I could even take breath.

I quickly texted Neo to say that he could go home ahead and reminded him to buy flowers for mom.

I made a quick pitstop at my locker, hastily putting my stuff away before securing it and running towards the garden area.

It was a secluded area, only a few came to visit there and mentally banged my head unto the locker for not thinking it from the start.

Is it just me or I'm starting to have violent tendencies?

The scent of fresh air was not something that met my nose when I walked out. The scent of cigarette lingered in the air, making my nose twitch at the smell.

I quickly followed it, different flowers were greeting me but my mind was too determined to even appreciate their beauty at the moment.

At the edge of the garden, I saw a huge tree that looked like it came from a movie show.

It was beautiful with vines wrapped around the trunk that were blooming with flowers. The tree was big and old but it stood tall and proud.

I looked behind the trunk but was disappointed to see no one there. I let out a tired sigh, my shoulders dropping as the weight of waking up early took its toll on me.

It was starting to get dark and I decided to walk home since Neo sent a picture of the flowers he bought for mom making it clear that he went on home ahead.

Halfway through the walk, I decided to cheer myself up and buy myself some ice cream while I went to the secluded park that I would usually hang out by myself.

I wasn't ready to go home yet but I did text Neo where I was before taking a seat at one of the chair.

A sound of screeching suddenly met my ears. A red lamborghini skidded at the side of the road along with a black hummer.

I gave the cars a cautious look, watching as the person driving the flashy car stepped out.

Aron Thompson graced me with his presence. A few of his cronies went out of the hummer, eyeing me with a glint in their eyes.

"What brings the low class here?" I managed to bit out, my eyes silently observing them.

I tightened my grip on my backpack, my feet readying themselves for what I was about to do.

Aron gave me a cold glare before turning to his guys,"Get her," He simply said.

I raised my hand up at them making them pause in their steps,"Wait, seriously? You couldn't even kidnap me yourself? I knew you were a low class but letting others do your dirty work? I think that really shows who you are," I spat out, my tone mocking and with a hint of disgust.

Aron didn't seem to like my words and made his way to me. When he was close enough, I stood up and smashed my ice cream on his face before kicking him in the balls, making him double over.

A cliche move but I didn't technically have a chance to be creative.

"Oops, I didn't know you were that low to even buy my words." I snickered, eyeing Aron on the ground.

Before I knew it, they guys came after me. I proceeded to duck out of his hold, swiftly kicking him in the gut before turning to punch the other guy who came after me.

Hands gripped my arm tightly making me twist in an odd angle before kicking his knee cap so hard that it made him cry out in pain.

One guy managed to land a swift blow to my ribs and it hurt like a motherflying duckling.