"Hey, you, come here."

I look around in search for the source of noise. There isn't anyone in the hallway, at least that I can see. I walk a little further until the next turn and look around the corner. It's empty as well. I frown in confusion.

"Well, well, well... If it isn't new girl."

I roll my eyes. I don't even have to turn around and see the annoying pretty girl face to know that I want to punch it.

But I keep calm.

"Hello, Shelby," I say, taking a deep breath and turning to face her. I wear a fake smile.

"You can't fool me, miss I'm-so-innocent. I know who you really are and when I get proof I'm letting everyone else know," she says, putting one hand on her hip in irritation.

I let out a laugh. "And what exactly am I?"

She narrows her eyes. "An attention seeking, man stealing wanna be."

"I didn't realize I was a kidnapper," I reply, eyebrows raised.

"Don't you dare play this game with me," she hisses, taking a step closer. "Everyone else may think you're just a really cool girl, but I know what you want. I'm not letting you get it."

"Isn't it funny? You seem to have me all figured out. You think you know who and what I am... What I want... So you must know that all I want is to avoid stupid conversations like this," I roll my eyes, walking past her.

I move down the hallway and towards Mr. Bennett's room. I'm already about five minutes late to detention. I'll be lucky if he doesn't give me am extra day because of it.

I quietly open the door and close it. Mr. Bennett looks up from his desk, his lips pursed in aggravation.

"Took you long enough, Lili. Found some time in your busy schedule to come to your mandatory detention?" He asks, frowning.

I walk over to the desk beside Drew quietly and set my bag down. He silently laughs at me and points to his imaginary watch, as if telling me I'm such a horrible person for being late.

"You have better places to be?" He whispers, grinning.

"Yeah, even history class is better than this," I reply.

"It's because of me, isn't it? You have something against me," Drew says, putting a mocking hand over his heart.

"Well duh, why else would I give you a note that said 'I hate your guts, leave me and my family alone you freaking stalker' ?"

"I didn't get a letter," Drew winks.

"Ah darn, wrong locker," I smile back.

Then Shelby comes in.

"Look who finally decided to join us," Mr. Bennett says with a scowl.

Shelby ignores him and moves to the seat beside Brendan. He ignores her and looks straight forward. Missy waves to her from in front of me. Shelby looks at her in annoyance and rolls her eyes.

"Now that we're all here, I have some business to attend to. I'll be back here soon. Mrs. Colhour is next door. She'll hear you if you're loud, and she'll come inform me. Behave," he lectures, then leaves the room.

Drew turns to me right away. "What held you up?"

"More of a who," I reply with a sigh.

"Who was it?" He asks, looking curious.

"Oh, our dear friend Shel," I say with a flat smile.

"Ooh I bet that was a blast," he laughs. "What'd she want?"

"She decided she knows my tactics. She found out I'm an evil, lying monster that's seeking attention and stealing men," I tell him, smirking.

"I knew it," Drew snaps his fingers, pretending to be discouraged. "That's what the body bags were for..."

"Yeah, she tries to intimidate me," I roll my eyes.

"You don't seem like one to be intimidated by a girl like Shelby," Drew comments.

"That's because I'm not," I scoff. Just the thought. Afraid of Shelby? What could she possibly do to me? Glare at me to death through her thick layers of mascara?

"Wait, Brendan, lets tell 'em!" Danny shouts over everyone's talking.

Brendan lets out a deep breath. "I wasn't going to say anything yet. Thanks Danny." He gives him an annoyed look. Danny smiles and shrugs. "Alright, so you know my mom is the editor for Cleare Magazine?" Everyone nods, except for me. That's new information. So, Brendan's like famous. That's why everyone loves him. "Well, she wants me to do an article on an average teenage life."

Missy lets out an excited squeal. Karen grins, clapping. Shelby starts babbling about how successful he is, blah, blah. Danny and Drew nod in acknowledgement. And I'm just sitting here awkwardly.

"So, what she wants us to do is hang out like usual, but take pictures and record some conversations. At the end of the month we just give her the tapes and pictures and she will create the article," he says.

"Wait, we're all involved?" Shelby asks, looking eager.

"Yeah," Brendan says.

"And we act all normal and stuff?" She asks, sounding more and more perky by the minute.

"Pretty much... Like average teens..."

"Except you're not an average teen," I point out, unable to keep my opinion to myself. "You've got all the money you want, all the girls lining up, and pretty much a fan club."

Brendan is shooting darts at me with his gaze. I can see it. But everyone else seems to disregard the comment.

"Don't all average teens have girlfriends?" Shelby asks, taking his hand to regain his attention.

"Whatever," Brendan says, taking his hand back.

"They do! And if we want to act average, I think you should have a girlfriend," Shelby says. "I wonder who could possibly act like a girlfriend for you... I mean, you don't really know Missy that well... Karen's too dumb... And new girl's a jerk... So I guess it only leaves me..."

"Shut up, Shelby. Nobody cares about what you have to say," Drew tells her, rolling his eyes.

"Amen," Danny says, raising his hands above his head.

"Who's taking pictures and recording and stuff?" Missy asks, looking at Brendan.

"That's where Lili comes in," Brendan says. I look up at the sound of my name. "She's gonna be around us all the time, so every time she hangs with us, she's just going to bring a camera. Simple as that." He turns to me. "Are you alright with that?"

I nod. "Sure."

I didn't expect to be included in this in any way at all, so this is sort of a shock. I'll take it though.

"Wait! She's not even part of our group!" Shelby cries, looking offended.

"Yeah she is," Drew says.

"No," Missy replies. "She's not."

"She sure is welcome if she wants to be," Danny says.

"Nuh uh," Karen says. "That's not fair."

"How isn't it fair, Karen? I choose who I hang out with and talk to..." I say, feeling pretty irritated.

"But this is a special group. Only invited members are allowed," Missy proclaims.

"Fine," I say. "I don't need to be a part-"

"But she was invited, Missy. This isn't like some secret ninja club. We're friends. Let it go," Drew says, shaking his head.

"Thanks," I tell him, and he smiles in return.

"So anyways," Brendan says, regaining our attention. "We start tomorrow after school."

"Cool deal," Danny nods.

"Oh no!" Karen gasps.

"What is it?" Missy asks looking nervous.

"I have a hair appointment tomorrow after school," Karen looks seriously upset by this.

"You can change it," Missy tells her.

Karen gasps again. "That would be so embarrassing."

"Embarrassing?" Shelby asks, looking at her so-called friend in disgust.

"Yeah, having to call and cancel because of unplanned plans."

"Whatever you say, Karen. Whatever you say."

I look up and catch Brendan watching me. I draw my eyebrows together in confusion. He looks away, seeming annoyed somehow. Then again, he always seems annoyed. This is normal.

And Shelby catches my eyes. She gives me a look, pretty much telling me to watch my back.