Alex POV

“So this was the infamous Tyson Williams that I’ve heard about,” I thought while walking back inside the school.

It seemed that the rumors were true. I knew people that were in the same line of… business as him and I had heard a lot about his personality. He was unpredictable, never backing down and with a short fuse; but those were only to his benefit with what he did for a living. Or maybe that was a side deal for him and he only got into fights to vent off some frustration. Either way I was glad that I didn’t almost get my ass kicked by some random guy. How didn’t I figure out who he was sooner though? Maybe because I hadn’t heard anything about his appearance. Then again I knew these things about him from guys. I bet if a girl was describing him she would’ve definitely talked about his looks. And boy, would she have something to talk about!

The boy was gorgeous. I wouldn’t usually use this word for a guy, but that was the best way to describe him. He was about five feet ten and with one hell of a body: pure muscle everywhere. And I don’t mean the ridiculous body-builder type with wide shoulders and itsy-bitsy waist. No, just good old-fashioned proportional masculine body. His skin was a pale, but healthy shade. His hair was black and long, passing his shoulders and some of it fell into his eyes. He had a handsome face with defined features and a strong jaw line. Even the slightly crooked nose, probably broken at some point thanks to his lifestyle, did little to reduce the boy’s fine looks. He had nicely shaped soft-looking lips. But the most amazing thing about him was his eyes; his mismatched eyes. One bright blue orb and one silvery-grey. Not only were they differently tinted, but the shades of those two colors were pretty unique by themselves. Add that up to all the strength illuminating those eyes and he could easily hypnotize people with them.

Well, they definitely got me distracted just thinking about them; I didn’t even hear the bell ring but the hallways were full of people now. I turned round a corner and something bumped into me. Something that squealed and poured its drink over my jacket.

“I am so, so very sorry!” The girl started to apologize looking at my now wet clothing. “I didn’t…” She trailed off finally noticing who I was. I remembered her from second period and because of my little disagreement with that teacher she probably thought I was going to snap at her. So what I did was put on my friendly face and say in the most gentle voice I could muster at the moment:

“It’s okay. It’s not like you did it on purpose so don’t worry about it.” And I really meant it.

She looked at me doubtingly, then glanced at her group of friends that were behind her. I noticed one of the boys, the one with sandy blond hair and tanned skin, look especially tense. His eyes were darting from me to the little (although still taller than me) redhead and then back again. He was obviously worried that I would hurt her. Hmm, maybe the boy had a crush on her. They would make a cute couple, both seemed really decent. Actually, their whole group appeared to be so. I smiled to myself. I didn’t hit people like that. If I were to do it, I would feel terribly guilty about it afterwards.

“As I already said,” I turned to the redhead once more, trying to calm her down, “it was an accident. But if you are feeling guilty about it you could show me where the restrooms are ‘cause I have no fucking clue.”

“Okay…” She trailed off, but I could see she was still worried. Damn, why did I have to snap at the teacher? Way to keep a low profile, Alex!

“I’ll come too.” Mr. Sandy Blond said with a slight Australian accent and placed himself between me and the girl. Yep, he definitely liked her.

“I’m Alexandra by the way.”

“I’m Tara and this is Danny.” The redhead responded, separating from her little posse with me and Blondie in tow. As we walked I noticed several people smiling and waving at her, then freezing as they noticed me. The moment I had passed them, I could hear them whispering behind my back. Well, I guess I was starting to gain some popularity.

“Lucky me!” I thought sardonically.

“So what year are you guys?” I already knew about the girl but decided to make some small talk nonetheless. It wasn’t really my thing, but she still seemed a bit uneasy and I hoped that would help her and the boy relax.

“We’re both seniors.” Tara answered opening the door to the girls’ bathroom and going in with me. I noticed Danny wasn’t happy about having to wait outside as he glared at me and groaned quietly in irritation. I made sure to aim a smirk his way before I closed the door.

Going to one of the sinks, I took off my jacket and started washing off the stain. Two girls, who were applying even more makeup to their already generously painted faces, looked me over and rolled their eyes. I decide to give them the cold shoulder; such empty-headed bimbos were not worth my time anyway. I worked in silence, trying my best to ignore them gushing about some jock called Mike Barbson, who apparently had “looks to die for” and was throwing a party this Friday. The girls finally left, squealing about how they “so have to shop for the party” and buy “something to make the guys fight over” them. I snorted at that. What kind of idiots would get in a tussle for someone as cheap as these two seemed to be?

I turned on the hand drier and held my clothing under it.

“So…” Tara trailed off.

“You thought I would snap at you, didn’t you?” I asked her, moving my gaze from the jacket and onto her face.

“Pretty much.” She admitted shyly.

I laughed.

“Do I look that scary?”

“No.” She smiled herself. “But I was in the room when you got into your argument with Mr. Humpbag.”

“So you thought I would be like that towards everyone?” She nodded. “Look, Tara, I just didn’t like the dude. He’s a bloody lame teacher. Plus he’s pushy and demanding and I don’t fucking follow orders.”

“Do you always cuss this much?”

“I’m Bulgarian; it’s in my blood.” I explained giving her a wink. She laughed. “Do you still think I’m going to punch you?”

“Nope.”

“Good! ‘Cause I’m not. I don’t like hitting people who can’t defend themselves and no offense, but you don’t strike me as a warrior.”

“Nah, I’m pretty clumsy.” She admitted cheerfully, all signs of her previous distress gone. “So what do you have now?”

I reached into the back pocket of my black jeans and took out the sheet with my schedule. This was my first day and the piece of paper had already crumpled. I glanced at it and groaned.

“Math.”

For some reason that made the other girl smile.

“So do I. Come on, I’ll show you where it is.”

*****

I was sitting too close to the whiteboard for my liking. But Tara, being the good girl she was, preferred placing her ass at the front. And I, trying to be nice to her, sat there as well because no one else from her group shared this class with us. I liked sitting in the back, further away from the teachers. Plus that way I was sheltered from the curious looks of my classmates. And from the less-than-friendly gaze of one particular set of mismatched eyes. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Tyson Williams and I shared yet another class. Only this time he had a strategic advantage because I couldn’t see him since he was once more at the back. I could feel him staring at my nape. God, I wanted to spring out of my chair and punch him! Now that I knew who he was, he presented an even bigger challenge. And I don’t back down on challenges. But no, I had to stay put. After all I moved to this God-forsaken town to start anew. I really shouldn’t be getting into unnecessary fights. I should try to be a good girl: less rows, less parties, less trouble… sadly that meant less fun. But how was I to do that when Tyson was here? Just the thought of him made my blood boil. It’s been quite a while since somebody had the upper hand against me in a one on one. Except for him of course. But I really shouldn’t be remembering him if I wanted to calm down. Come to think of it he and the boy currently sitting at the back of the class were somehow similar. Oh, great! I moved away from that guy only to end up in the same town and school with a boy just like him!

*****

Tyson POV

I wanted to fight her. So what if I was injured? To hell with that! I wanted to show her I wasn’t somebody she could push around and I couldn’t wait to do so. Patience had never been amongst my virtues. I thought that if I see her in third period I would convince her to fight me. I bet that won’t be difficult; she appeared to be just as short-tempered as I was, so maybe I could piss her off enough for her to ignore my wounds. I mean, she managed to peeve me enough to overlook the fact that she was a girl and get into a tussle with her. And if I didn’t catch her during Math there was always lunch. I could just pull her into an empty room and “politely” explain how things are run around here… I was at the top of the food chain. I just had to wait until no one was around. It would be easy to do so because she looked like a loner. But no! She decided to make some new friends and join one of the herds around here. Yes, the social groups were pretty much like herds: one leads, the others follow.

So now Alex was eating lunch and laughing with about ten other people all of whom seemed completely charmed by her. All but a sandy blond-haired boy who was looking at her with suspicion clear in his gaze and a dark-haired girl who was glaring in the foreigner’s direction, probably jealous because she wasn’t the center of attention. I noticed that the redhead Alex sat next to during Math was also there.

How was I to get her alone now? Maybe I should wait until school ends. I could get out of the last class early and wait for her at the gates. If she was with somebody, I could stalk her until they separated and then…

WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?! Stalking? Fucking stalking her?! What the fuck was she doing to me? I wasn’t that type of person. She made me think so irrational. Dumb bitch. Now I wanted to hit her even more than before!

*****

Lessons had ended and I was dragging my feet in the now empty hallway, heading for detention. Our school penal system was such that the teachers were on a rotating schedule, so I didn’t know who I would get to supervise me today. Sometimes I would get a teacher I didn’t even have classes with.

Just as I was about to turn the corner something small bumped into me. I let out a loud “Ugh!” simultaneously with the other person’s “Ouch!” I looked down to none other than my newest personal nightmare.

“Watch where you’re going!” Alex gave me a dirty look.

“You were the one running around, not paying attention.” I glared back.

“If you saw that I was distracted why didn’t you step aside?” She shot back.

“I don’t make way for anybody.”

“You might want to change that around me!” She hissed threateningly.

I lowered myself so our faces were on the same level.

“Listen and listen well! I rule around here. I might’ve gone easy on you the first time ‘cause you’re a girl but if you keep pissing me off, I won’t be so gentle next time.”

“Good! I like it rough!” She smirked mockingly.

“I’m not kidding, shorty! You better cut it out!”

“I would usually say “make me” but then I would have to punch you and I hate hitting the sick and injured.”

With that she turned to leave but I pushed her violently so that her back hit the lockers. I placed my hands on either side of her head, trapping her between the metallic lockers and my body. The girl didn’t even flinch. No, she actually seemed amused and the smirk was back on her lips.

“You know…” Alex started with a playful tone, “if someone sees us like this they might get a totally wrong impression about our… relationship.”

I grunted, knowing exactly what she was implying to.

“As if I would make out with a bitch like you!”

She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by the sound of approaching footsteps. Reluctantly, I pushed myself away from her just as one of our teachers approached.

“Aren’t you two supposed to be in detention?” Mr. Johnson reprimanded.

“We were just getting there.” Alex replied. I had forgotten Humpbag made her stay after classes.

“Then what are you doing still in the hallway?” Johnson asked impatiently.

“We were having a discussion about the social statuses around here.” She answered with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes and we both turned away from the guy and headed for our hour of redemption.

*****

Alex POV

I was on my way to detention with Tyson by my side. I wasn’t going to let him out of my sight. I didn’t trust the boy and thought he might attack me from the back. He probably came to the same conclusion about me because he kept sneaking suspicious glances my way.

“You’re late!” A very irritated voice bellowed at us the moment we opened the door to the classroom where detention was held.

“Sorry, Mr. Backhumper!” I said to the plump man.

“Humpbag!” He growled at me.

I looked around the room. It seemed like your regular classroom with paled from time walls, old desks and chairs made from wood and metal, and a small whiteboard. There was only one more person here beside the teacher. Tyson’s features softened almost insensibly at the sight of the other student and he headed in his direction. The boy looked up from his notebook and smiled at the newcomer. Tyson gave him a quick nod in response and sat down to his left. I followed him and sat to the boy’s right. I discretely checked out the unfamiliar face.

The boy looked good. He was medium height, fit and slightly muscled. He had short spiky brown hair and kind blue eyes. The features of his face were soft and gave off the impression of an amiable person. I noticed he was sneaking peeks at me so I gave him a smile. He returned it immediately.

Tyson shifted in his seat before saying:

“No need to be polite to her, Angel; she’s a real bitch.”

“Quiet!” Mr. Humpbag shouted just as the door opened and a strict looking woman entered the room.

“Mr. Humpbag,” she started with an annoyingly snobbish voice, “a word, if you please?”

“Stay here and keep quiet!” The male teacher snarled at us before both of them left the room. As soon as the door closed behind them, I turned to the cutie at my left with a friendly smile.

“Hi, Angel! I’m Alex.” I introduced myself, extending my hand in greeting.

“Hello, Alex!” He said shaking it.

“Stay away from him, hoe!” Tyson growled making me smirk. He must be worried that I would lash out on his friend. My smile became even wider. Guess I found a new way to piss him off.

*****

Tyson POV

“What’s the matter with you, Ty?” My childhood friend asked, turning to face me “She’s just being friendly.”

I snorted.

“Angel, that’s the girl I’ve been telling you about.”

“Huh?” He still wasn’t getting it.

“The one from last week.” I pointed at my left cheek where there still were faint marks. Being my only real friend, he was the sole person to whom I explained how I got them. Realization dawned on his features and he turned to look at Alex again.

“Wow!” He said with unadulterated admiration in his voice. He checked her out once again, this time more thoroughly. “Man, I wish I’d been there!” He admitted.

“Some best friend!” I thought bitterly.

Alex giggled.

“It was amusing.” She said, winking at him.

“Oh, I bet it was! Do you know how many people can fight him one on one for so long and leave him with that many bruises? I’m pretty sure I can count them on the fingers of my hands.”

“Shut up, Angel!” I snarled at him. Why did he have to tell her that?

“Come on, Ty! It won’t kill you to admit she’s good.”

“Well, it’s not true.” I persisted. The truth was I didn’t need her to know I thought she was good. Hell, I didn’t even want to admit it to myself!

I heard my friend sigh in defeat before turning away from me.

“So, Alex, where are you from?” He asked politely. Why did he have to be so nice to people?

The two of us had met when we were children and we quickly took a liking to each other. But we were very different. I distanced myself from everyone and he was open and friendly; I tended glare and growl at people as means of communication and he was always polite; I had a short fuse and he was calm and reflective; the list went on. I guess our differences were what balanced us out and made us so close.

“Bulgaria.” Alex’s voice brought me to the present. “Heard of it?”

“Isn’t it next to Greece?”

“Mhm. I got to admit I’m surprised you know it.”

“I got to admit: I only checked it because of the Harry Potter series; geography isn’t really my strong side.” He laughed.

“Didn’t I tell you to keep quiet?” Humpbag questioned, coming back into the room.

“You might’ve mentioned it, Mr. Backhumper.” Alex replayed matter-of-factly. I’ve figured by now that she was purposefully misspelling his name in order to piss him off. Who could blame her? The dude was fucking annoying.

“My name is Humpbag, Miss Atanasova!” He growled at her, his face reddening.

“And mine is pronounced “A-ta-na-sova”, not “A-te-ne-sova”!” She corrected coolly.

“Do not use that tone with me, missy!” Humpbag’s face was getting redder by the minute. “I’m your teacher. Have some respect!”

“Respect and trust are two things to be earned. They are not given simply because of a title or position.” She shot back irritated and I silently agreed. By the look on Angel’s face, so did he. By the look on the teacher’s face, those words only pissed him off more.

“You… I…” He seemed at a loss of words. “Get out! Now!”

“You’re kicking me out of detention?” She asked wide-eyed and I was sure I looked the same.

“OUT! NOW!” He shouted heatedly, spit coming out of his mouth and falling on the floor and the front desks. Good thing we sat at the back!

“Okay, okay! I’m outing! I’m outing!” She said standing up. “Keep your wig on!” She added, exiting the premises.

Both Angel and I burst out laughing seeing Humpbag reach up to touch his fake hair with a look of pure horror on his face.