My jaw was hanging open. I look on both sides of the hallway as the bell rings. Nearly empty. Just a few late freshmen, who don't even bother to look my way.

I can't talk to him here. There's a janitor's closet behind us, and I pull Justin by the back of his shirt collar. I push open the door then close it behind me. I'm too confused and angry to turn on the lights.

"What the hell do you think you're doing here?" I whisper harshly up at him, so that eavesdroppers can't pick up on our conversation.

Justin just blinks. He looks shocked. I have my arms crossed over my chest and puff a strand of hair out of my face.

Then he replies, "I'm going to school. Who are you?"

I roll my eyes. "Don't play dumb, Justin."

He looks more confused than ever now with his eyebrows drawn together. But then his expression turns back to shock, then disbelief. The whole change in expression was giving me a headache.

"C-Clementine?" Justin stutters. The former bad boy's nervous. What a surprise.

"No," I say in mock-idiocy. "I'm a chicken that went up your ass and around the corner."

I can see a glint in his unfocused eyes. Then he smirks. The smirk from Bad Boy Justin, not BAG Guy Justin. Now I know for a fact that this isn't just some weird nightmare. It's real.

"The little goody two-shoes cusses? I'm pleased." He teases with a wink.

I treat him yet another eye roll. I put a finger on his chest. "Justin, a pair of glasses and geeky clothes won't change who you are on the inside. Give up the act."

Justin gives me a look of mock-hurt. "What act? Besides, I don't think I'm the one who's acting. It's you, somehow making yourself the hottest girl in school. What did you do, pray every night of the summer?"

I didn't bother taking this as a compliment. My jaw drops again. I could probably catch flies. Yes, I know he's said rude things, but not as bad as this. He really thinks it's impossible for me to become popular and hot over a period of three months?

If this is how it's going to be, then game on.

Without thinking, I blurt out, "At least I didn't change from a 10 to a 1, like a former hottie I know. Oh, it's you." (Author's Note: Even I cringed while writing this. The cringe is too strong, but that's the point.)

At first, I don't realize what I've said. But then it finally sinks in when I see Justin grinning. I just called him a "former hottie." Which means, of course, he thinks I thought he was hot.

I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. I turn away. We stay silent for a while.

If there's one thing I'm bad at, it's standing up to people. I haven't roasted anyone in my entire life, until now. And it was a terrible attempt.

Then I think back to the last day of school last year. When Justin and I were the last ones in the classroom. The burn of his lips on mine. The smell of his peppermint breath.

Why had he kissed me?

I turn back at him to ask. But he interrupts me before I can even start.

"You promise not to tell anyone?"

I narrow my eyes. "About what?"

"About who I really am. The whole bad boy thing-- I just need a new beginning." He looks at me for a moment then sighs, rubbing his temple with his fingers.

Why doesn't he want anyone knowing? He was the hottest and one of the most popular guys at school last year, and all of the years before. I'm pretty sure that position Justin had before was better than the one I maintained in my history.

I decide to snap out of my thoughts and to answer him.

"Okay. I won't tell, as long as you do me two things."

Justin shrugs and holds out a hand. "You owe me new glasses, though. $150, please."

If he got a dollar for every time I'd rolled my eyes at him, he would be richer than Donald Trump.

"Fine." I say. I assume that the goddamned glasses are fake, but I slip out my wallet from my purse and pay up anyways.

"Now, #1. You can't tell anyone about my little lonely nerd fiasco I'd had my whole life." I say, checking off one finger.

Justin scoffs. "As if anyone's going to believe that."

I sigh. "Like I care. Just don't. Tell. Anyone."

He shrugs again.

"#2," I exhale deeply before continuing, then exhale, "Why did you kiss me?"

I stare into his eyes for a moment. They're still unfocused. I guess he really does need glasses after all.

But then I notice the color. Ocean blue with a mix of light green. Justin's combination of brown hair and blue eyes reminded me of Nash Grier. Almost every girl falls for them and thinks they're the cutest things that have ever stepped foot on Earth.

Except me.

He comes a little closer to me and puts his hand on the door right by my waist. I feel his body heat reflecting on me. He grins a shiny white-toothed grin.

"Because I wanted to prove that I'm not giving up on you, and I never will."

Not again, I think to myself. I have no time to react, because the janitor closet door suddenly opens and pushes us against the wall.

~

Hey guys. Sorry I didn't update in like a week. 4 explanations:

-School
-Studying
-More school
-And more studying

I will try to balance out my time evenly, so I have time to update. And I won't make the next chapter so short, promise :)

By the way, I just want to give a shout out to Cakeso , kianna220 , and sippycupping  for being such good friends.

Bye, my lovely readers❤️

-MadameLasagna