Let's rewind a couple of weeks. I'm Alyssa Smith- cheerleader, straight A student, the kind of girl that you can take home to your mother and be proud of. An all American sweetheart. Not the girl you write about on bathroom walls, or call names and definitely not a-
I'm the girl you want to be.
Or that's what I thought I was- that's what my narrative told me.

It started in biology. Ironic right- biology- the study of human nature. I know. I may be blonde but I have the brain capacity to appreciate irony.

"Party tonight?" Joe whispered in my ear- his breath smelt like stale cigarettes and coffee- the stench of a failed future and premature ageing.

"No sorry babe." I didn't even look up from my textbook- I didn't have to then- everything was so easy for me.

"Liss look," he hissed at me again; kicking my shin under the chair.

My eyes shot up then- no one kicks me- least of all Joe Johnson- a stoner with no prospects other than supplying weed to the jocks.

"What the hell Joe-"

The chattering faded. Mr Rounds voice stopped all together. The ticking clock seemed to hold its breath as she walked into the room. Fire and ice in one whirlwind of black doc martins and a mini skirt. Everything had stopped but her.

She flashed a toothy grin at me before sauntering to the back row.

"Ahh Miss Jenkins glad you could join us," Mr Rounds' voice broke the silence.

"Hi sir," the new girl replied as she jutted her chin in the air, "the name's George."

I swear she turned to me again, her eyes catching mine- just for a moment- but then I blinked and she was smiling at Mr Rounds again- her doc martins planted to the desk.

"Well- George- I don't know what you're used to but here we turn up on time and we do as we are told. You'll be sitting with-"

He glanced around the room carelessly, searching from face to face for the best influence in the room. My heart hammered in my chest- not me, not me, I willed with all my might. I can't deal with this.

"Alyssa."

She definitely smiled at me then.

"Sure," the smile stretched from ear to ear and she sat a little taller, her back arching and shoulders dropping.

I melted at the sight of her. I'm in trouble, I thought to myself. Even now I'm smiling at the thought of her. Even after everything that happened- everything we said- everything she did. I'm still lost in that smile.