We screech to a stop in the university parking lot and my passenger, O'Malley throws her hands into the air. "Whoa! Think we can go faster next time?"

The guy behind her, Tony, shoves her roughly. "You wanna get us killed?!"

"Hell," O'Malley smirks. "Maybe."

I grab her bag from the back and throw it at her. "There won't be a next time, I'm runnin' out of cash."

"Oh, right." O'Malley laughs as she gets out of the car. "We gotta get you some more then."

I get out of the car and point my finger at her. "Whatever that means, I'm not interested, Carmen."

She just rolls her eyes. "Wow, pulling out first names now, are we? Whatever, Dechart. Let's just go. See you at lunch, loser." She flips me off and her and the rest of our crew head inside.

I sigh deeply and throw my bag over my shoulder. I slam the car door shut and lock the damn thing before heading inside to find my first period, science.

Inside the classroom there's only one open seat left and it's next to this blond guy I don't even know. I'd been hoping to get a seat alone but I guess I'm just not that lucky.

I throw my bag on the ground and take a seat, extending my hand to introduce myself. "Hey, I'm Ethan."

The guy shakes my hand. "Charlie."

I size him up. "You a freshy?"

"Yeah. That a problem?"

I smirk. "Knew it. I can practically smell it on you. It won't be a problem if you don't make it one, cupcake." I pull a toothpick from my pocket and stick it between my teeth.

"I'd say the only problem here is that you're clearly an eight who thinks he's an eleven," Charlie says, his attention on the book again. "Would also advise against calling the gay kid 'cupcake.' You seem like the type who'd take it as an insult to his manliness to be considered gay."

I raise an eyebrow. "I'll call you whatever I damn well please." I pop my neck. "You've got spunk, freshy. I like that. You and I'll get along just fine." I pat his back and heave my legs up and onto the table.

"Mhmm. Whatever you say, Casanova."

I smirk and turn my attention to the front of the class so I can daydream while pretending to pay attention. I only zone back in when I hear the teacher say that we'll be partnering with whoever we're sat with.

I glance over at Charlie. He seems smart enough.

"Oh, joy." He looks me dead in the eye. "You're not using me."

"Using you?" I fake a gasp. "I wouldn't dare."

"Like I'd believe that. You looked at me like I was your get out of jail free card." He rolls his eyes. "I don't care if you're older. I've dealt with guys even older than you."

"You're awfully defensive for someone who just met me." I huff.

"And I've dated plenty of guys like you." He smirks. "You only have one first impression, Ethan, and you chose to try and assert your dominance like a dog. It was cute though, I'll give you that."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Watch your mouth, brat. You don't want to get on my bad side."

"What'll you do? Stab me?"

"No," I chuckle. "But I'll take you out back and beat your ass."

"Hot."

I scoff and shake my head. "Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not into guys."

"And I never said I cared if you were into guys or not." Charlie shrugs. "I've had one offs with many 'straight' guys. 'It's this one time only, so I'm not gay.' Whatever helps them sleep at night, as long as I get fucked without the threat of STIs or commitment, I'm game."

"Good for you."

He checks the time and grabs his belongings. "Nice to meet you, Ethan." The blond adjusts his backpack and opens his book, walking out of the lab.

I stare at him until he's out of my line of sight. What an interesting guy. He's got fire and he won't just roll over for me and I like that. He's definitely going to be fun to mess with.

I wonder if he was hitting on me?

I rise, slinging my bag over my shoulder and head out to my next class. I doubt he was actually interested, probably just teasing.

I decide to ignore it for the rest of the day and just go about my classes, not really paying as much attention as I should. By lunch I've gotten three pages worth of sketches done.

I catch Charlie's eye in front of the cafeteria and look away, throwing my sketches in the trash and heading outside towards the field. I find my crew relaxing under the bleachers.

"Afternoon, Dechart." O'Malley smirks, smoking a blunt. I scrunch my nose up at the smell but sit down anyways.

"I need a fucking cigarette." I announce and pull a pack from my jacket. I take one and place it between my lips, leaning over so Tony can light it.

"Your day's been boring." Scout, a chick with her head shaved and more piercings and ink than your neighborhood tattoo artist, predicts. She has her creepy deck of cards out and she's placed four on the ground at random, three of the cards being low numbers while the other is a King of Hearts. "However, there was one point of interest."

Scout says she's a witch. We all go along with it, mostly because her 'readings' are always scarily accurate.

"Yeah," I confirm, blowing smoke from my nose. "Boring as all hell."

"What was the point of interest?" O'Malley asks, slapping my knee with her sandwich.

I shrug. "Met someone in science who's apparently going to be my lab partner for the rest of the year."

Tony smirks. "Hot girl?"

"No, actually. Just some guy."

O'Malley narrows her eyes. "Potential initiate?"

I roll my eyes. "No."

"Then why are you interested?"

"I don't know." I huff. "Ask the damn cards."

Scout smiles creepily, fingering two decorated 20 sided dice.

"Whatever." O'Malley takes a hit. "God, that's better. You want some?"

"Nah," I wave her off.

"Pussy." She mutters and lies back on the grass.

"So," Tony turns to me. "We got a plan to get you some extra cash."

I raise an eyebrow. "You want me to mow lawns or somethin'?"

Tony laughs. "No, we're gonna rob a store."

"What?"

"Yeah, it's no biggie, Ethan. Me and Carm did it back when she was cheatin' on you."

I shove him.

"Whatever, just wanted to assert that I give better dick." Tony chuckles. "But seriously, man. It ain't that hard. We could be in and out like that!" He snaps his fingers. "And boom, no paying out of pocket for gas for weeks."

I shift uncomfortably. "I don't know, man. I've never done anything like that."

"Scout shoplifted everything she owns." O'Malley points out. "It's easy."

"It's true," Scout mutters. "Ten dollars for a pack of dice? Kiss my ass."

"Look, I'm just not into stealin'—"

"Don't be a coward, Dechart." O'Malley smacks my stomach. "You know how much we hate pussies. You a pussy, bitch? Gonna go home and cry to your mama?"

I shove her off. "Fuck off, fine. I'm fucking in, okay? Jesus, you're an ass."

O'Malley laughs and punches my arm. "That's better."

"Lunch is over." Scout informs us and collects her cards and dice.

Tony snags my jacket before I can get up. "Meet us at the park tomorrow night at nine." I nod and he lets go. "Don't be late."

"I'll be there." I growl and leave the field, leaving my burning cigarette on the ground.