I woke up early to shower. I always showered in the morning and Aaron always showered at night to avoid bathroom issues. We were close, but not that close. I showered quickly and brushed my teeth. Then I gave Aaron the bathroom and went into my room to change.

Once I was in the first-day-of-outfit I had picked out last night I did my makeup, giving my hair a little time to dry before I straightened it. Aaron was done before me, of course, and went to go eat breakfast with the guys in my kitchen.

I grabbed mine and Aaron’s backpacks and ran downstairs.

“You guys ready to go?” I asked as I handed Aaron his backpack.

Adam rolled his eyes, “Nice stomach.” 

“You can see like half an inch,” I protested.

“Half an inch too much,” he placed his bowl in the sink.

“Someone help me,” I groaned.

Aaron threw his plate into my sink and defended me, “She looks tine. The outfits last night were worse and I’m not watching her try on fifth teen more.” 

Chase and Adam grumbled under their breath and led the way to Adam’s car.

We got to school fairly quickly. We all hopped out of the car and walked to our lockers. The four of us were greeted by Jen and the guys. Jen tackled Aaron into a hug before pulling away, one of her hands still in his, and waved at me.

“Hey, Skye,” she beamed.

“Hi, Jen,” I smiled.

“Skye?” my brother’s friend Derek asked.

I was kind of excited to see the guys, though I'd never tell Adam because he would snap their heads off. I hadn't seen them all summer and I missed them. I was glad it was the first day of school so I could see them again.

“Yeah?” I asked friendly.

“What-,” he was cut off by Adam who probably thought I sounded too friendly.

“Yeah, yeah, Skye looks different. What else is new?” 

I blinked twice and the rest of the group decided to talk about the girls they’d be going out with on Friday. I opened my locker to put away my back pack and just take out a few things to carry. Aaron tapped me and when I didn’t respond immediately slapped my back.

“What?” I whinnied and turned to face him but stopped when I saw a familiar figure walk through the door.

I’d know that brown hair and honey colored eyes anywhere. He still had the tan from when we went to the beach this summer. His muscular body somehow showed through his jeans and t-shirt. I felt my heart skip a beat at the sight of him.

“Who’s the new kid?” Chace asked.

“His name’s Jake. He tried out for the football team last week. He’s really good and he made it,” Ryan informed us.

Aaron and I swapped glances as I watched Jake walk through the halls. It seemed the gossip around the school was split in half between my new look and the ‘hot’ new kid, Jake.

Jake winked a girl and I felt something tug at my heart. Damn it I was jealous. And angry; what gave him the right to come back here? He broke my heart and then walked away. That guy didn’t deserve to live in the small area code as me, let alone go to my school.

Jake walked straight up to me with a wicked smirk on his face. He stopped less than a foot away from me. I felt tension throughout the group and I knew Aaron wanted to rip his head off.

“Hello, Skye,” he continued to smirk like we were best friends and he had just gotten away with pranking me.

“What are you doing here?” I spat.

He put a hand over his heart pretending to be offended by my question, “That hurt.” 

“Good,” I growled.

He grimaced sarcastically, “You’re so mean.” 

“I think I have the right to be,” I snapped.

“So you don’t want to show me around?” he asked smoothly.

“What? No,” I replied a little dazed from the sudden shift in conversation. It was like a head rush.

The bell rang and the group dispersed except for Adam, Chase, Aaron, Jake and 1. He leaned in slightly, “You’re lying.” 

“Some one’s full of themselves,” I smirked.

“It’s called a high self-esteem. Clearly you did not have it,” he grinned as he referred to this summer when we had slept together.

I bite my tongue. I can’t believe I still care about this guy. He was such a jerk. He played me and I only wanted him back. I was so pathetic.

“Get to class,” the security guard walked passed us.

“Let’s go,” Jake grinned.

“Stay away from her,” Aaron snatched my arms and dragged me to our first class. Jake turned the other way and out of the hallway.

We walked into our first class late due to my mini confrontation with Jake in the hall. Thankfully the teacher came later then us. The teacher began to explain English class for grade eleven. I was grateful Aaron and I didn’t have to talk about this. I couldn’t even begin to explain how I felt and I was already a nervous wreck for when I saw Adam next.

The bell rang too soon. I had second period off. I walked with Aaron to his class before I went to sit outside in the sun and I was right. He had something to say.

“You still won’t let me kick his ass?” was what he started off with in all seriousness.

“Yes,” I nodded, “Stay away from him.” 

“But what if he doesn’t stay away from you?” 

“Then... I don’t know. I’ll cross that bridge if I get to it,” I sighed.

He groaned, “It doesn’t look like he’s going to leave you alone.” 

I looked down the hall and saw him coming, “Go into your class. I’ve got this.” 

I walked passed him outside. I saw him quickly turn around and follow me from the corner of my eye. Once I sat on the stone wall in the back of my school he found me and stood in front of me.

“What’s with the attitude this morning?” he inquired.

“What’s with the attitude?” I growled wondering if he was seriously asking that.

I watched him step in between my open legs. His chest was almost against mine. He smelt sweet, like caramel, and I almost wanted to taste him. I remembered Chace doing this the day he and my brother came back. This time it felt different.

“Yeah, the attitude,” he smirked, “Did I do something?” 

I took a deep breath to calm myself and noticed him looking at my chest as it moved up and down. I placed one finger under his chin and yanked his head up to look me in the eyes. It was a gesture that probably looked sweet from anyone on the outside, but we both knew it wasn’t.

He placed his hands on either side of my legs and leaned in more. I pulled my finger off his chin and scowled.

“You really don’t know Why I’m angry?” I questioned While I tried to remain clam.

“Nope,” he smirked after popping the (p).

A football spiraled into the back of his head suddenly. He immediately removed his hands from the stone wall and took a step back. He rubbed the back of his head in pain. I had to light my urge to smile. It was great that he was in even the tiniest bit of pain, just a fragment of what I felt, but he also looked really adorable.

Chase came running up from behind him with this weird, angry look in his eyes.

“Sorry,” he tried to sound sincere as he picked up his football.

“Already practicing?” I raised an eyebrow.

He nodded and narrowed his eyes at lake, “I heard you made the team. You should probably practice too.” 

lake scowled as Chase shouted, “Go long.” 

Despite what seemed to be his desires he ran far away from us to catch the ball. Chase pretended to throw it then turned around to face me. He dropped the football in between us and furrowed his brow.

“Why are you talking to him?” he asked almost angrily.

“Why does it matter?” I asked surprised at his concern.

“Don’t talk to me like I’m him give me a straight answer,” he demanded.

“He’s not that bad,” I suddenly propelled into defense mode.

“He’s pretty much held a whole conversation insulting you today,” he snarled.

I got scared for a moment. I’d never seen Chase angry. He was usually playful or sarcastic or happy, but he was never mad. A small shiver ran up my spine, but I sucked it up.

“So What? You insult me all the time,” I pointed out defensively.

He looked hurt for a moment, but recovered quickly, “Why are you defending him.” 

I sighed, “It doesn’t matter. Let’s just forget about it.” 

He looked at me with softer eyes after I said that. Like saying that made me fragile and in need of protection.

He was about to speak when a football came flying at the back of his head. He let out a small string of curses.

“Where the hell did he find a football?” Chase growled and I giggled.