"Holly. Holly? Holly!"

Something hit the top of my head and I jumped, coming out of my daze. I looked to my right to see Lance frowning at me.

"I've been calling your name for the past minute!"

"Sorry," I responded, stretching.

"Can I have your extra pizza sticks?"

A grin made it's way onto my face and I shook my head, sliding my lunch tray over to Lance. "You wanted my attention just to ask me that? Usually you just take them."

"Can't I be a gentleman once in awhile?"

Lance grinned at me, and I rolled my eyes back. The small scar on his head from when the bat hit him caught my attention. He caught me looking and frowned.

"It doesn't hurt," he informed me, running a finger over it. "It just is sort of ruining my good looks."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, okay."

Silence fell between us again and I moodily picked through my trail mix. I had already picked out the M&Ms and the only things left were all the nuts and raisins. Both food items gross in my opinion.

I absently wondered if Mr. Heywood liked peanuts. Or if he liked chocolate... I frowned slightly after a moment. I didn't actually know anything about him, besides his past as a gang member, and I didn't even know all that. He was keeping something from me. But he never shared what he liked, or disliked. He never told me what he likes to do, or where he came from...

He probably wouldn't tell me who he went on a date with.

I huffed, crushing a peanut between my fingers. Who did Mr. Heywood know that was a girl besides the faculty and students here? And more importantly, what did he see in her? Mr. Heywood had never mentioned a girl before! And Jeremy didn't even know who he was dating.

I wanted to know who she was, but at the same time I didn't. What if she was a beautiful woman who I couldn't compete against? It was possible. Mr. Heywood was very handsome...

I heaved a heavy sigh, slumping onto the table. Love was a very unfair thing.

Suddenly I was forced into a sitting position and I looked around in shock and my eyes landed on Lance's hard face. He looked at me accusingly and crossed his arms.

"Holly Evers. You tell me what's wrong with you this instant!"

"Huh?" I looked at him in surprise. "What are you talking about?"

"You've sighed at least fifty times since lunch started," a new voice from my left pointed out.

I jumped again, turning to my left to see Casey watching me with concerned eyes. "When did you get here?"

"I've been here the whole time," she told me, raising an eyebrow. "You didn't notice me?"

"Oh... no."

"Because she's too busy being in the dumps about something she won't share with us," Lance interjected, frowning at me.

"Tell us what's wrong," Casey prompted. "Obviously there's something going on."

I shook my head. "Nothing's going on."

Lance and Casey gave me skeptical looks.

"Really," I assured.

"Not even the slightest?"

"Fine. I didn't study for the math test," I lied. "All the formulas got to me and I said screw it, I can afford to fail. So it's not that big of a deal. And even if it was--"

"Holly, don't faff."

"Don't what?"

Lance rolled his eyes. "Americans..."

"Listen, sometimes there are problems I have that you wouldn't want to hear about, Lance. And it just so happens that this one happens to be about a man you don't really like."

Lance's eyes widened in shock. "Oh, Mr. Hey--"

I shot him a warning glare.

"H-hey now, hey now, this is what dreams are made of!" he sang quickly, making his voice high-pitched as he sang.

I shook my head, and caught Casey grinning widely at me. I watched her carefully.

"It's about Mr. Heywood isn't it?" she said, looking smug.

"What? No!" I responded too quickly, glaring at Lance, who was still singing.

Casey grinned wider, if that was possible. "Oh, I think it is." She turned to Lance. "Don't you think so too, Lance?"

They stared at each other for a minute. Lance held up his side for a minute, but I could see him start to falter under Casey's intimidating gaze.

"Ah... I think so too."

"Lance!"

"C'mon, just tell us," Casey urged.

"Where's Willis?" I asked, trying to change the subject. "And Danielle? And Sam?"

"Away," Casey responded quickly, she put on a pouting face. "Holly, just say it. We won't judge you. I'm your best friend, you can tell me. Besides I already know how you feel about him."

Lance coughed quietly and I shot him another glare.

He looked back sheepishly. "It's Casey... you know how she is. She just doesn't bugger off until you tell her. She just continues to harass you until you just can't take it anymore! She's so conniving."

"But it was a secret Lance!" I snapped back, ignoring his excuses.

"So it is true!" Casey gasped, staring at me with wide eyes. "I didn't believe it when Lance told me! But I knew you'd fall for him! I felt the chemistry. I knew he'd like you too."

I let out an exasperated sigh. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Casey..."

She stared at me curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Just because I like him--"

"Love him," Lance interjected.

I sent him a harsh glare. "Doesn't mean anything will happen... besides, he's got a date."

Casey's eyes widened more. Even Lance looked surprise.

"So that's your problem," he commented, frowning slightly.

I glared at him, letting out a 'hmph'. He snickered at me.

"Aw, is Holly jealous?"

"I'm not jealous," I snapped at him.

"You're in denial," Casey interjected, patting my shoulder.

"I'm not!"

She raised her eyebrows. "Sounds like denial to me."

"But I'm not!" I argued, clenching my fist. "I'm not jealous. Why would I be jealous? He can date any woman he wants. I'm not stopping him. I can't stop him, it's not like we are a thing. He's probably dating a model."

Lance watched me with an amused expression. Casey started laughing.

"Oh, Holly, have more confidence in yourself," Casey said, patting my back. "You're not that ugly."

"I never said I thought I was ugly!"

Casey laughed. "I'm kidding. But, it was a little surprising that you told Lance and not me. I mean, we are best friends, and both girls right?"

I groaned inwardly. Casey always played the guilt game with me when I hid something from her. She pouted at me slightly. I gave Lance a hard look.

"Lance wasn't supposed to know either," I told her, trying to make her feel better.

"Well how did he know then?"

"He... eh..." I trailed off, trying to think of an excuse. Saying, "oh, hey basically blackmailed me" wouldn't work so well.

"I read her diary," Lance said, sounding unsure.

Casey snickered. "Should have guessed. I found Holly's diary in sixth grade once. I thought I told her to hide it better..."

"Oops," I responded with a forced laugh.

I rolled my eyes at Lance. He couldn't have thought of a better excuse, could he? I hadn't wrote in a diary since sixth grade!

Casey smirked smugly. "Well. I knew it. But you guys wouldn't be keeping any other secrets from me, would you?"

Lance and my eyes met once more, looking wary. I turned back to Casey, shaking my head.

"No..."

It was for her own good she didn't know about the whole gang thing. I didn't want to put her in danger, even if that meant I had to lie to her. But I still felt guilty.

"That reminds me! Holly, are you going on the beach trip on Saturday?" Casey asked suddenly, looking excited. "I am!"

I nodded. "Yeah, I got the papers signed last night. I'm going to give them to Mr. Heywood next period."

"It's too bad he's not coming, huh," Casey responded with a sigh. "You guys could have fun," she added with a wink.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Now I would have to put up with Casey's teasings. I shot Lance another glare, and he sent me an apologetic look.

"Are you going, Lance?" Casey asked, oblivious to my glare to him.

Lance turned to her and shook his head. "I have to work."

"You work?" I questioned, looking surprised.

Lance smirked. "Now I do. I got a part time job at the super market downtown."

"Lucky," Casey said, frowning. "I need a job."

"Me too," I agreed.

"I'd say I'd hook you up, but they aren't looking for any more help," Lance explained with a shrug.

"Speaking of down town, did you hear they found three guys knocked out at the towing place?" Casey started, lowering her voice. "It seems like there was a fight there."

I froze, locking gazes with Lance once more.

"Um, no, where'd you hear that?" I asked, forcing myself to sound calm.

"It was on the news," Casey responded. "But isn't it weird? There hasn't been any fights in our town in so long... well ones bad enough to make the news."

"Maybe it wasn't a fight," Lance suggested. "Maybe they were just passed out from drinking too much."

"But they were injured," Casey said. "And one had a bat. Definitely a fight."

I forced out a laugh. "Well, it doesn't involve us."

"True," Casey responded with a nod.

The bell rang, signaling lunch was over. I sighed in relief. I didn't want Casey to get suspicious. However my sigh of relief turned into a groan. I still hadn't brought my tray up.

"Better hurry and bring your tray up so you aren't late for biology," Lance taunted before following Casey out of the cafeteria.

"Shoot!" I muttered, grabbing my tray and heading towards the front of the cafeteria.

I carefully maneuvered myself through the crowds of people, making sure to not have my tray bump into anyone. I made it to the trash can safely, but when I was about to dump my food, someone knocked into my hand, making me drop the tray. I groaned, and turned to glare at the person.

Mr. Heywood stared back, looking amused.

"Holly... sorry about that," he apologized, trying to hide a grin.

My eyes opened wider and I immediately looked down at the ground, my face heating up slightly. He was the one person I did not want to see right now. Granted I was about to see him in class, but that wouldn't have been just the two of us.

He appeared in my vision again, grabbing my lunch tray. I watched as he brought it to the lunch lady. They chatted for a moment, and then Mr. Heywood came back over to me.

"So did Jeremy try anything in the car last night?"

I looked up at Mr. Heywood in surprise. "What? No."

Mr. Heywood stared at me for a moment, then nodded. "Good."

I frowned back. "Why does it matter, even if he had? Maybe he did, I could be lying to you."

Mr. Heywood looked at me in amusement. "Holly, you wouldn't lie to me."

"I wouldn't be so sure."

He sighed, ruffling my hair. I pulled away with a frown.

"If you're jealous, just say it."

"What?" I responded, my face turning red. "I'm not--"

"I mean, any girl would be jealous if I went on a date that wasn't with them, right?" he continued, smirking.

I glowered at him, pushing his hand off my head. "You are so narcissistic."

Mr. Heywood chuckled. "I was kidding, Holly."

I gave him a blank look and he sighed.

"Anyway, you don't have to stay after today," he told me, rubbing his head.

"Eh? Why not?" I asked, a little disappointed.

Mr. Heywood smirked. "I've got to go out..."

"Another date?" I responded, my heart beating faster.

"If you mean like last night's date, then yes."

Mr. Heywood watched me carefully. I struggled to keep my face straight. I wouldn't let him know I was jealous. Why was he even telling me that? He could have just said he was busy! I clenched my fist. Two could play at this game.

I smiled, making Mr. Heywood raise and eyebrow.

"How perfect does that work? Jeremy asked if he could take me out after school today. I told him no since I had to help you, but now I don't. I'll just give him a call."

Mr. Heywood's eyes widened in surprise, but they quickly returned to their normal state. A frown slipped onto his face.

"How do you have Jeremy's number?"

"He gave it to me," I responded simply.

"Oh really?" Mr. Heywood said, narrowing his eyes.

"Yeah, want me to prove it?"

Mr. Heywood nodded. "Prove it."

I pulled out my cell phone and flipped through the contacts until I got to Jeremy's. I held it up to Mr. Heywood. "See?"

He smirked, taking my cell phone out of my hand. "Confiscated. No cell phone use in school, Ms. Evers."

I stared at him with my mouth open. Was he joking? He had to be joking.

The bell rang and I jumped. Mr. Heywood shook his head at me.

"Now you're late."

"Give me my phone!" I demanded, reaching for his hand.

"Nope," he responded simply, putting my phone into his pocket. "You know the rules, Ms. Evers. You can have it back when your mom comes and gets it from the school."

"You asked me to prove it!"

"I didn't ask you to take out your phone."

I shook my head angrily. "You're unbelievable, you know that?"

Mr. Heywood simply shrugged. "Rules are rules. And you're also late... But since I have a date after school, I can't give you a detention."

"You can't give me one in the first place," I pointed out, putting my hands on my hips. "Remember what you told me?"

"Remember Lance punching me in the face?"

I glared at him for a few moments. He simpered back, looking highly amused. I huffed angrily and turned around, stalking away from him.

"Where are you going?" he called.

I turned around, narrowing my eyes. "To class."

For once, I was glad there were empty seats in the black of the classroom. I went to the one near Lance and sat down, scowling. Mr. Heywood entered the room a few seconds later looking pleased with himself.

"Sorry I'm late," he apologized to the class.

He went straight into a lecture about evolution. I glared moodily at him the entire time, and every time he looked at me, he'd smirk in amusement. I clenched my fist.

Why would he take my cell phone away? I knew he was a jerk, but that was a total ass move. Did I do something to upset him? Or did he just like teasing me? I scowled when I realized it was probably the latter. Either that or he didn't want me to contact Jeremy...

My eyes widened in realization. That could be it! That was why he took my cell phone. He didn't want me to get in touch with Jeremy. But what did that mean? I let out a quick rush of air.

Was Mr. Heywood jealous of Jeremy?

I smirked to myself, tapping my desk. Two really could play at the jealous game, couldn't they. I sent Mr. Heywood a sweet smile when we caught eye contact again. He looked confused and stumbled on his words. I laughed.

This would be fun.

----------------------

Ok, I like how this came out much better. I know there's no date anymore, but don't worry, I am sooo going to make it up to you guys within the next five chapters. I have a pretty good idea of how I want the story to move along, and I'm sure you're all like it. We learn a lot about Mr. Heywood's past. But what could make Mr. Heywood finally tell Holly?

Maybe some danger... or someone getting hurt? Or dying? Who knows.

Also, in my mind, Mr. Heywood just didn't seem like the type of guy who'd ask someone like Holly out directly. He has fun teasing her. So when I wrote the original chapter, I have no idea what I was thinking. All I know is that I didn't like it, so I re-wrote it and now it's this :D

Besides, I think the jealousy thing will be fun to continue with...

And it's longer, no? :D

Alrighty! Thanks, and I hope you like this one even though there's no more date!