I hugged my books to my chest as I walked through the hallway. Jackson was hot on my heels.

"Isn't your next class in the other direction?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "My class is this way, Luna." Jackson Jacobs is a horrible liar. Anyone could tell when his pants are on fire if they know what to look for. His eyes widen slightly and he repeats himself. "I mean, I've been going this way for the last month. Why would I go the wrong way? That would be pointless." He rambled.

I rolled my eyes, but didn't bother to find out exactly why he felt the need to follow me. He probably wants to know more about Sal, but there really isn't much to tell.

I got to my classroom. I waved to Jackson and walked through the door. Through the window of the door, I saw Jackson dash back in the direction we came from, dodging and weaving through the crowd.

I put my head on the desk and caught a few moments peace.

He's so weird.

"Luna Ludwig?" The teacher called out.

"Here." I raised my hand and the class snickered.

"I know that." The teacher leaned back on his desk, smug that he caught a student that wasn't paying attention. "I called on you to go over last night's homework."

I inwardly cursed. The one time I don't do my calculus homework...

I shuffled through my papers as if it would magically appear. I frowned. "I guess I left it at home." I lied, but doesn't everyone?

"Left it at home, huh?" The teacher eyed me skeptically. I will never be top of the class, but I did usually have my homework done. My grades are average for the most part.

"Yes, sir." Calling a teacher 'sir' or 'm'am' can make a teacher go easy on you. A little respect goes a long way in a school full of rude teenagers.

"Next time it will be a detention, Ms. Ludwig." The teacher told me sternly. "Lindsay, you go over the homework.

I sighed in relief. I really don't feel like going through detention today.

I stood up from my chair as the bell rang. As I left the classroom, I noticed Conner leaning against the lockers adjacent to my classroom. As I walked down the hallway, he followed.

"Might as well walk with me instead of creeping, Con." I called back to him.

He took a couple quick steps and was by my side.

"What's up?" I asked him.

"What?" He looked at me innocently. "A guy can't walk a pretty lady to her class without his motives being questioned?"

I pinched his arm and he squealed like a girl, making heads turn towards us. "Real reason?" When he didn't answer me, I made a motion to pinch him again. He jumped back.

"Okay!" Conner held up his arms in the universal gesture of surrender. "The truth is, I'm in love with you. I have been for months. At night, I sneak into your room, use your toothbrush, and watch you sleep."

I scoffed and started walking faster. If he was going to follow me without an explanation, fine, but I wasn't going to make it easy for him.

He matched my pace, so I broke out into a run.

Conner was simply jogging next to me, while I was in a full out sprint. "You know I wasn't serious."

I was too focused on not slowing down to answer him.

"Don't overexert yourself, hot stuff. I'm going to walk you to class even if I have to chase you around the entire school." He wasn't fazed at all from the pace that I set.

I huffed and slowed down. What's the point on getting all gross and sweaty? As he said, there's no chance that I'll lose him.

Three doors away from my classroom, I came to a complete halt. "Why are you following me, Conner?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his blonde hair. "I do what I'm told. Questions can get you killed, so I suggest you keep that pretty little mouth shut."

I took a step away from him. Was he threatening me?

I rushed the close distance to my classroom and left Conner without a word. Something is going on here and Sal has something to do with it.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

Sal swaggered into the classroom seconds before the late bell went off. His jeans rode low on his hips and his leather jacket had seen better days. He locked eyes with me. His muddy brown eyes did not interest me the slightest, but if there is something going on that I don't know about, I'll pretend like they do.

I sent him a small smile and his smirk grew. His arrogance was radiating from his body.

He walked over to me and skid smoothly into the seat next to mine.

"Seems like we were interrupted this morning, Ludwig." He winked at me and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. What I saw in him, I have no idea.

"What's going on, Sal?" I cut straight to the point. I planned on flirting with him to loosen his tongue, but I don't have good patience.

His eyes narrowed slightly. "The pretty boys didn't tell you?"

"If they did, I wouldn't be asking you." My voice was low.

His gaze became calculating as if he was trying to decide whether or not to tell me anything. "I'll be blunt. Your little friends-"

The teacher snapped. "Ms. Ludwig! Do you care to share your conversation with the class?" It was then that I noticed that class had already started. Notes along with equations filled a quarter of the board. I inwardly groaned. My homework tonight is going to be hell.

This is the second class in a row that I've been caught not paying attention. This is really not my day.

"Sorry, sir. Salvatore is new. I was just telling him what chapter we are on." I said, trying to keep my voice innocent.

"A new student?" The teacher looked down at his attendance sheet. "I wasn't made award of this. Stand up, young man."

Sal stood up reluctantly.

"Tell the class your name." Mr. Nelson urged.

"Sal Lee." There were giggles and a few scoffs around the room, but a glare from Sal shut them up.

Mr. Nelson did not seem satisfied with just that. "Where did you move from?"

"Prison."

There were gasps around the room and the teacher frowned. "You may sit down now."

Sal ungracefully plopped back into his seat, unnerved that he had to stand up in the first place.

At the end of class, the bell rang.

Sal got up to leave and I grabbed his sleeve. "What were you saying about my friends?"

He roughly pulled his arm away from me. "Do not grab me." He said through gritted teeth. "They are in a gang, smart one. You must not be that close if they didn't bother to tell you."

With just that, he stormed out of the classroom. I stood frozen.

Gang?

That's ridiculous. The only gang members in high school are just wannabes fooling around with their friends. There's no way that the boys could be doing that.

Right?