No POV

The next day in school at precisely 12:30pm as the clock was ticking away.

We now set over in the busy canteen where students were walking around with trays in hand, looking for a place to sit while most were in a long qued line, waiting to get their own lunch. Then sat down with their group of friends around table, placing the tray on it and start to eat.

The place was crowded with full of students, even some teachers sitting at the back row with company around the table.

In the middle row, there were three main students having a conversation between each other...

Ash POV

"I'm sorry, I don't know what you're saying."

I looked up from my barely touched lunch, locking eyes with a vindictive looking Misty sitting on the opposite side.

"What?" I asked. I had just finished explaining the abbreviated version of my altercation with my dad and Misty was showing no sympathy.

She smirked and slowly lowered her head to the side, resting it on Calem's free shoulder as he stuffed a handful of pretzels in his mouth, chomping it down. "We're all being forced to go to this stupid gala, what makes you think you're special enough not to go?"

The fact that I had a swelling in my brain that was currently making me see two Misty's? But I couldn't tell her that. She already thought I was being a baby by complaining about going to the gala. If she knew about the aneurysm, she'd probably label me a freak.

"Dude. I'm gonna have to wear horns at some point during that night," Calem said in a glum tone, spraying crumbs on the table as he continues talking. "You're lucky the most you'll have to deal with is a stupid tux."

I grinned at them.

"I wish I could see my sweetie in horns," Misty cooed, kissing Calem's cheek.

"Visit him at midnight in suite 666," I joked, pushing spaghetti around in my plate with a sharp fork in my hand. "You'll be amazed."

Calem flipped me off. "Prick," he grinned. He turned to Misty and nuzzled her neck making her let out a laugh. "The only reason he knows about that is coz he's my assistant."

We all burst out laughing. It felt pretty good, just kicking back and not worrying about anything for the moment. Perfect way to spend Monday lunch.

In a cloud of strong perfume, Miette sat next to me, snaking an arm around my waist as she looked up at me. "What's going on?" she asked curiously.

Making a face at me, Misty replied, "Baby Ash here's crying coz he's being forced to go to the gala and he needs to find a date."

Rolling her eyes, Miette nodded. "Me too." She rubbed her head on my free shoulder, her blue fluffed short hair felt good against my z-mark cheek. "You should just take me."

I looked down at her as a grin crawled up on my tanned face. "Last time I checked, you had a boyfriend," I said.

"Last time I checked, you didn't care," Miette retorted.

Calem snorted with laughter. "Oh, snap!"

Tossing her head, Miette said, "I don't think he would mind if you took me."

I chuckled. "Yeah, he wouldn't mind coz he'd kill me!"

Being part of a love triangle was something I wasn't up for.

Miette leaned in closer to me by letting out a short warm breath, her lips brushing my ear. "I'll make it worth your while," she whispered breathily.

Playing along, I turned to look into her eyes. "Really?"

"If you two would stop breathing each other's air for a sec, I need to ask you something, Miette ," Misty said, rapping on the table. "Where'd you get that top?"

The girls started chatting and I slouched in my chair.

I had no intention of taking Miette to the gala. What we had was an understanding- we could hook up in secret and absolutely nobody could know about it. Yet somehow the entire school knew, Miette's boyfriend included. I strongly suspected the only reason he hadn't called me out yet was because Miette asked him not to. I didn't know why Miette still wanted me when she's been the one who dumped me but it was 6 months later and we were still hooking up. It wasn't healthy though.

I looked up as Miette and Misty finished talking until a piercing laugh catches my attention. Calem jumped in his seat, staring around the canteen.

"Dammit, could Dawn possibly get any louder?" Misty asked, clapping her hands to her ears. "She's like a freaking hyena!"

"She's so loud that..." Calem started, regaling them with a story about Dawn and her vocal range while I caught a glimpse of Sere at 2 o'clock, carrying a tray and laughing at something May said as she sat down.

She didn't look hurt or in any pain and a weight rolled off my heart, to my surprise. I guess I didn't know how worried I was that Alain had hurt her physically till now. Luckily, here she was, looking as pretty and fresh faced as always and I just couldn't stop looking at her as she tossed her short honey blond hair over her shoulder.

I swear her hair is getting longer in each week.

As if sensing my eyes on her, sere glanced up and our eyes met for the longest second. Her thin lips parted and she looked as pole axed as I felt as something passed through the air between us.

Something intense that made my heart thud and had nothing to do with the nausea I was still enduring and everything to do with Sere herself.

I blinked and the moment passed. Sere's lips curved upwards into a smile and she lifted her hand in a wave. Automatically, I waved back until Calem punched my shoulder, getting my attention to look at him by stopping my wave to Sere.

"Dude, are you hitting that?" he said in a unpleasant way.

I snorted. "What? Just coz I waved at her?" Shook my head. "Mind out of the gutter."

Misty wrinkled her nose in Sere's direction. "Wasn't she mad at you coz you called her a skank?" she asked.

Miette laughed, squeezing my arm. "You called her a skank?" she echoed.

I sighed. "Not my proudest moment," I admitted. "We sorted it out, though."

I wasn't going to tell them how we sorted it out. Hell no!

"And now you're tight enough to wave at each other?" Calem asked curiously. Always trying to make a big deal out of nothing.

"It was just a tiny wave, no big deal," I said, suddenly sounding defensive but not really knowing why.

"Oh. You know what you should do?"

We all looked at Misty as her eyes shone with an idea.

"What?" I asked, dreading the answer. It was gonna be stupid, I could tell. Stupid and mean.

"Awesome way to piss off your daddy." Misty leaned in closer to me. "Invite Serena to the gala."

I raised my eyebrows, popping my head to my closed knuckles. "Why would that piss off my dad?"

"Hello, she's poor!" Misty said it like I ought to have remembered this vital piece of information. She beamed. "You can pretend you're in love with her, your dad would hate it!"

I didn't even bother thinking about it. Not that pretending to be in love with Sere would be hard, she had a certain something about her that I already liked. But Misty's suggestion was anything but nice and I didn't even want to contemplate it.

Miette nodded enthusiastically. "Good idea! Your pops would flip over that." She chuckled. "Or you could pull a Carrie on her."

I stared at her. my eyes narrowed. "Pull a Carrie? Am I supposed to know what that means?" I asked, confused as I secretly stole a pretzel from Calem's plate.

Misty giggled with her shoulders shaking at the same time. "You know, invite her to the gala and pour blood all over her."

"But you better make sure she doesn't have supernatural powers before you do that, otherwise you're ruined," Calem put in, his face perfectly serious.

"That's disgusting! Why would I want to do that?" I asked, looking around the table incredulously. Maybe I had missed something. Then again, probably not.

"For fun, duh!" Misty rolled her eyes.

"He didn't watch Carrie coz he was sleeping when I watched it, so he has no idea what we're talking about." Miette patted my arm.

"I don't have to watch it to know that you guys are evil." With that, I stood up, shaking my head. "I gotta go."

"Go where?" Miette looked up at me, sounding desperate. "We're having a conversation here!"

Damn that pretzel. I needed some fresh air. "I got some stuff to do," I said vaguely, raising my hand in a salute. "Later, guys."

As I soon left the canteen leaving my friends behind. I laughed to myself. Take Sere to the gala? I wouldn't wish that on my biggest enemy.

About an hour before school was out I found myself patrolling the cleared hallways during study period.

I was bored and I didn't have anything to study for. I guess I could have called home for a ride but dad was staying at home today and I really didn't feel like having it out with him today.

I was still pretty drained from Saturday night's back and forth. When dealing with him, you needed to be on top of your game, both physically and mentally. I definitely hadn't been, thanks to Alain.

At the thought of Alain, an idea popped into my head. I didn't have to go home. Why couldn't I just text Sere, arrange a meet with her somewhere and ask her about her family life as casually as I could? Damn, I could even kill two birds with one stone and take her to 'Walls' for ice cream like I promised her and also knock off another item off my list.

Marveling at my smart plan, I pulled out my cell phone and quickly texted Sere , hoping her phone was on vibrate.

'Hey Sere, how you doing? The ice cream offers still on if you wanna hang after school. We can meet in Central Park. Text me back if that sounds good.'

I hummed along to a song under my breath as I aimlessly walked down the hall, getting closer to the art department as I waited for Sere's answer. Finally it came and I felt a sudden eagerness as I read it.

'Sounds great! About 3.45? Might be a bit late but I'll be there for sure! See you then!'

Anticipation swept through me but I barely had time to think about why I was so stoked to be meeting with Sere.

As I simply walked passed an ordinary supply closet, when suddenly a pair of hands grabbed the front of my blue un-zipped jacket and pulled me in to darkness, shutting it behind.

I blinked a few times, my eyes adjusting to the light as I squinted at the person in front of me.

"Miette?" I exclaimed. It was her who pulled me inside this closet, and she was glowering at me. "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"

"Since when do you care?" she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.

I groaned. Great. "You're mad at me."

Her eyes flashed, with a nod. "Of course I'm mad at you, Ash. You shot me down in front of your friends! How was I supposed to feel, happy that you don't want to take me to the gala?"

Everybody needed to back off about the stupid gala.

I signed. "Mie, we both know you weren't serious about that."

Or was she? Judging from the irate expression on her face, she had been serious about me taking her to the gala. But why? Does she really love me? I don't know.

"Yes I was."

"Why do you wanna go out with me?" I had to ask. I cocked my head while staring at her. "You have a boyfriend. Why don't you just go with him?"

This was so 5th grade.

"I just don't want to go with him," Miette said, sounding like a sulky child.

I shrugged. "If you go with me, you know he will kill me. You're a babe but- I don't wanna risk my life for you," I joked, trying to make her laugh.

She scowled harder. "Very funny."

I sighed again and smiled at her. "Just go with the guy! You'll have fun!" Running a hand through my raven hair as I bit my lip. "I don't see what the problem is."

"You're the problem," Miette blurted out with a defiant look on her face.

"How?" I questioned, narrowing my eyebrows.

Miette closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. "He isn't you. He'll never be you and I hate that!" She said and opened her eyes when she finished her sentence.

Taking a small step forward. I moved closer to her until our own bodies touch each other. I run a finger down her cheek. "Mie, you dumped me," I reminded her softly as She looked up at me.

"And I regret it," she said, just as softly as she unexpectedly wrapped her arms around me, pressing her soft lips against mine. Sucking it as we kiss in synch.

Departing away and continued while we slightly tilted our heads, I couldn't see her eyes but I knew they were closed. Maybe she's enjoying it.

As we went through the familiar motions, her hands fumbling with my belt, my hands tangled in her thick blue hair as I kissed her back by closing my own eyes, leaning forward to deepen the kiss.

Suddenly, I wondered what it would be like to have Sere in my arms. Holding her in my arms, touching her all over her body, making her moan softly just like Miette was doing right now.

My eyes flew open and I jerked back, pulling away from Miette's lips.

I took some breath in my mouth as I started to go in deep thought.

Why was I thinking about Sere when I was with Miette? Why was I thinking about Sere in that way in the first place?

Miette stared up at me, her eyes hooded sexily. "You wanna take my top off or should I?" she whispered breathlessly, loud enough for me to hear.

What I'm I thinking, I don't need to do this, not in this closet, not with miette.

"Mie, I gotta go," I said, running a finger over my slightly swollen lips as I buckled up my belt.

"What? Are you serious?" Miette's eyes widened dangerously and she put a hand on her hip.

"I gotta go do something," I lied. Like maybe take a long, cold shower.

"You're really blowing me off?" Damn. She did not sound happy.

I reached in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Rain check, babe." With that, I exited out of the closet and into the light which I blinked a few times.

I almost fell out of the closet in my hurry to leave and collect my racing thoughts.

Thinking about Sere when I was making out with Miette was strange. Liking it was stranger. But wishing it could happen - well, that was just plain weird.