"Autumn?" a voice behind me asks shyly. Jace Hemington's voice.

I pull my head out from my locker that's organized with the books in the order my classes come in. I turn and am face to face with Jace. School ended five minutes ago, and while I may be in a rush to leave, I find myself taking my time.

"Jace." I reply bluntly. "You even know my name? Wow. Is the world getting turned upside down?"

He rolls his eyes. "No, but nice burn in Sunie's," he says, fiddling with his hands. I find it super cute, but he must've thought it looked foreign becaude he quickly put his hands in his pockets. He looks around awkwardly , almost as if he seemed out of place. Was he . . . nervous?

I mentally smack my head. Why would Jace be nervous talking to a Nobody like me?

"Oh. Thanks." He's not the first and I'm sure not the last, to bring this up. People have been coming at me congratulating me for another one of my infamous scenes in Sunie's which I found kind of conspicuous. My class interruptions are no surprise to people but they suddenly find it  amusing to talk to me now?

"You put up quite the act," Jace says. Be takes his hands out of his pocket and run it through his hair. His gorgeous dirty blonde hair.

"If you're asking for an encore, you can be at class tomorrow and every day after that since out of the five days we'll be at school, chances are Ms. Sunie will call me out at least four out of the five. How splendid." I glance down the hallway to see it has become a ghost town. Everyone left and I should too.

"And have to attend another lecture from Ms. Sunie? Hm, not sure you'll catch me everyday." Hesmirk, causing his left dimple to pop out.

"Great. Not like I thought anything less of you," I reply, heading to the school's double door.

"Aw, at least have some faith in me," Jace says playfully.

"Why? Figures the star quarterback would already have some of that strong egotistical confidence flowing in his blood," I roll my eyes at him.

"Not to mention our charming good looks," He winks.

"You're full of it. But don't let me lower your self esteem, although, it could come in handy."

"This thing? Nah it's forever on top," his smirk grows.

"Good, I'm sure the girls love that," I tell him flatly.

"Oh definitely. They keep coming back for more."

Gross. Way to self absorbed. "Okay," I say, trying to get rid of him. "You can go now."

"And ruin this beautiful chance? I wouldn't dream of it."

Wow, and to think I may have had a blooming crush on this guy? I have surprised myself with how cool and collected I've sounded. My usual witty attitude was still flowing through my veins so I guess I should be glad for it.

"Besides, I'm waiting for my girl to come," Jace looks around at the quiet street where no cars seem to be. It's almost as if all the cars are driving on every other street but this one.

"Another one?" Why am I not surprised? "Got tired of Lexi already? It's only been what, two days?"

"A record," He responds smoothly.

"That's sad," I give him a pitiful look.

God I hate guys like this, arrogant and cocky, the first two steps to a player. Why didn't I see this side of him beforehand? Probably because he hardly ever talks to me.

Eventually having enough, I roll my eyes and run my hands through my long hair. "Okay bye."

As if right on time, my mom's silver Sedan pulls up to a screeching halt. I smile to myself and hop into the car as if my life depends on it. A little dramatic, I suppose, but in a way, my life kind of does. I think I was starting to feel sick after merely being in the presence of Jace. Looks like my crush is slowly dissipating by the minute.

I roll down my window and stick my head out the window, blasting the radio, flipping through various stations until I find one to my liking. Sighing, I let my eyes roam around the familiar buildings and homes that are scattered around the neighborhood.

"Wow, you'd think you were escaping some tragic disease and my car served as your getaway." My mom says with a laugh, eyes trained on the open road ahead of her.

I shift my gaze to her. Ever since the car accident that took my father's life away six years ago, Mom as driver, she's had this heavy guilt follow her every step, and even when she says she's fine, I know she's lying. She always is nowadays.

She lies that she is happy when a dark, treacherous cloud hovers above her saddened face--a cloud that could be visible to anyone within a mile.

She lies that we're financially fine when in reality, we're falling behind on bills.

She lies that she wasn't drunk that night of the car crash, even when I saw her drinking before then.

I stare at her for a while, trying to decipher her hardened face. "In a way, I guess you could say so."

"Stop staring at me like that," she scolds me hastily.

I look away, turning back to my view outside where I rather be then here.

"Like what?" I play dumb, deciding it'll be easier.

She sighs, knowing it's a useless fight.

Good, I thought. She should know by heart that eventually after too much fighting, things become pointless.

And that's what all this is: pointless.

-

"Autumn," my mom calls through my closed door.

"Yes?"

"Someone's here to see you."

I get up and shuffle around my room, throwing a random pink hoodie on over my tee. I think about throwing on leggings buy decide to stay in my sweats.

When done I head downstairs. Who could be here now? I only have one true best friend but I doubt it's Carter.

Who I see surprises me only the slightest bit.

Jace Hemington. Yay.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest like a little kid throwing a tantrum.

"Can we speak outside?" Jace's hazel eyes look up beneath his long eyelashes, his features suddenly growing more attractive. Butterflies flutter in my stomach.

Okay maybe my crush totally isn't over.

"Why?" I demand. I'm honestly in no mood for being insulted again by Jace.

"Please?"

"No."

"Autumn," my mother's voice warned.

"Fine." I hold up my hands in mock surrender and slip out the door.

Once outside, I lean against the house wall. "We're outside, talk."

"Wow someone's fiesty," he mumbles to himself.

I place a hand on my hip, but become self concious as if I look like a diva, and immediately drop it.

"I'm sorry about earlier today, I didn't mean to come off so stuck up." He runs his hand through his hair, making it stand up in weird places. On any other guy it may look weird, but on him it looks hot.

I look into his eyes to see if his words are sincere and yet again I find myself surprised.

"Um, okay?" I say slowly.

He runs a hand over his hair, smoothing it down but he missed a strand and it's shooting straight up. I stifle a laugh with my hand and fight to keep a straight face.

"What?" Jace says skeptically.

"Nothing. Is that all?" I don't mean to come off rude, but I seriously want to get back to my book.

"Uh, no. I heard you're tutoring the new kid next week starting Monday. Just warning you, that kid is troubled."

"What, how?" I question him.

"Because," he shakes his head. I thought he was going to continue from there but from the looks of it, I guess he's not.

I look to the house across the street, him doing the same, and imagine all the boxes packed with my neighbors belongings.

"Because what? He's evil?" I mock, raising my eyebrows.

"No..."

"Then what?"

"Just I have history with him, trust me when I say this: watch out."

I narrow my eyes suspiciously, a thought just occurring to me. "How do you even know where I live?"

He shrugs, but a slow blush appears on his neck.

I open my mouth to continue to pry when there's loud scream.

Mom.