♥Alexandria's POV♥

Finally, I had a free period. Skylar informed me that we could go anywhere during it but we have to be back in time for the next period.

I decided to take a stroll outside, around the Academy. My eyes spotted a lovely tall tree, with ample shade. After looking around, to ensure that no one else aimed to sit by that tree, I quickly claimed a spot under it.

There was a light breeze as I rested against the bark of the tree. The lyrics of 'Lego House' by Ed Sheeran flowed from my headphones before I was rudely interrupted with a hard tap on my shoulder.

"Was it necessary to tap so hard, you could've just called my name," I addressed the intruder, staring straight into his electric blues.

With a frustrated sigh, he answered, "I did, but you didn't seem to hear nor see me for that matter."

He's right, my subconscious chimed in.

"What are you doing here anyway?" He asked as he plopped his backpack down.

"It's a free period, so I am listening to music," I answered as I gestured to the headphones, which he took from me to find out what I was listening to.

Once he took it off, "Did you enjoy my singing so much that you're listening to the song I sang?" Jesse asked with a cocky smile that I just wanted to wipe off his face.

"Not at all, I am just listening to the original version, because it sounds way better," I said with an innocent smile, internally high-fiving myself for that reply.

"And you decided to do that at my spot." He looked at me with irritation.

"Your spot?" I asked. "Well, I don't see your name written anywhere."

His expression swiftly changed into one of annoyance, "Turn around."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion but still turned around to see an engraving on the tree, 'Jesse Blaize'. Since I was not in the mood to find another tree, I retrieved my pocket knife from my bag and engraved 'Alex Walker' on the tree.

"I guess it has my name on it as well," I said, admiring my craftmanship as I knew it would irk him further.

"But my name has been there for a year now, so I'm not leaving," he said as he sat across from me with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Neither am I," I narrowed my eyes and mimicked his actions, in the hope to look serious.

"Then I guess we're stuck together." he sighed dejectedly.

"I guess we are," I muttered as I averted my gaze to my phone.

Not long, Jesse broke the silence, "Alex, I need a favor."

Intrigued at his words, I upheaved my head and directed my attention towards him, "It depends what it is."

"Okay, you see those girls over there," Jesse said and pointed to a group of girls that were headed our way. "I'm going to hide behind the bush and you're going to tell them that I'm not here and that you haven't seen me. Okay?" He spoke rather quickly.

I wondered why he would need to hide from a group of girls, "You didn't say the important word, so I gue-"

"Please."

"Fine, but you owe me an explanation," I said with a pointed look as he took up his position behind the bush, luckily the girls had stopped to take a group selfie.

A few moments later they made their appearance, "Oh my word, you're Alex, the new girl right?" One of the girls asked me.

"Yes that is me, and you are?" I asked with a polite smile, they seemed friendly enough.

"Oh, I'm not important, you're a popular girl," the chatty brunette answered. "How did you do it in one day?"

"Me? Popular? No, you're mistaken." I disagreed.

"Ask quick before Kendra comes," one of the five girls whispered.

'Who is Kendra?' I wanted to ask but refrained as their reason for talking to me seemed more important.

"Okay, we just wanted to ask you if you've seen Jesse perhaps because you're sitting at his tree?" the brunette asked.

"Jesse?" I asked and pretended to think of whether I knew whom they were talking about. "No, I don't know who this Jesse person is and I also did not know this was his tree, I just sat here."

The girl who whispered earlier looked like she could shake sense into me for not knowing who they were talking about, "Jesse Blaize! The academy's most popular boy, blonde hair that I would just love to rake my hands through, dreamy electric blue eyes that I could get lost in for hours," she spoke as if in a fantasy of her own. "You were sitting with him at lunch!" she stated.

I pretended to have a revelation, "Oh," I said with a theatrical facepalm, "I have no idea where annoying Jesse is right now," I said sincerely.

"Thanks anyway," the brunette said sadly as they walked away talking animatedly amongst themselves while doing so.

"The coast is clear," I said as Jesse came out of his hiding spot and sat next to me instead of across me as he did previously.

"Thanks, I owe you one."

"You sure do, so who are they?" I asked and awaited his reply.

"They're my fan club," he answered plainly.

"So, they're the ones feeding your ego. Since you're hiding away from them I can assume you are not very fond of the idea?" I asked with a small smile.

"They're nice, they just don't understand the meaning of privacy. I mean everyone needs their space," he answered with a sigh.

The bell rang for the next period which meant that I have Dance now. I got up in a rush and then bent down to obtain my bag, as I was about to walk, I tripped over a tree root.

Suddenly, two arms were wrapped around me to prevent me from falling. I was met with Jesse staring at me intensely, the proximity between us was rather narrow as he leaned forward, my breath hitched accordingly, "You know Alex, you can fall from the sky, you can fall from a tree but the best way to fall is in love with me," Jesse whispered in my ear.

His breath smelt minty and I felt like I was placed in a trance, once I was grounded, I realized that I was probably looking like a flushed mess. "Thank you, for um- catching me," I spoke and all but ran to into the academy building.

"Hey A, who are you running from? You look red, oh my goodness you're blushing," Skylar surprised me as she linked arms with me and decidedly began an interrogation.

"No one, just thought I would be late when I heard the bell ring. Blushing? No, must be the running." I waved it off but knew I was not doing a good job at keeping up the pretense.

"I don't believe that one bit," Skylar teased, but before she could fire away with more questions we found Blake at the end of the corridor.

"Hello, beautiful ladies. So Alex, do you want to tell me something about you that Jesse doesn't know?" He asked smoothly before throwing his arm over my shoulder. "Because he did get your number first, so I just want an even playing field."

"I am not interested in being a game for you and Jesse, go find another conquest, besides, My name is no, my sign is no, my number is no. Blake, you need to let it go! "

Skylar chuckled at my response and muttered something along the lines of, "I told you, Blake."

We entered dance class and the dance style was jazz and it is so much fun. However, very tiring too. I was overjoyed to hear the bell ringing, this time it signaled the end of the school day.

I quickly grabbed my things and Skylar and I made our way to the parking lot. It was funny to see that we had parked next to one another.

"Skylar, Alex!" It was none other than Blake that called but when we turned in his direction we were faced with the whole gang.

"So guys, are you going to Rider's party tonight?" Chase asked.

"Of course," Skylar, Cameron, Blake, and Maya answered in unison.

"And you Alex?" Blake asked.

"Sorry guys, but I think I will pass. I have an event that I have to attend." I said with the hope that they did not want me to elaborate on what kind of event.

Blake then shifted to Jesse, "You're coming right?"

Jesse shook his head in reply, "I don't do parties. I can't, I have a thing on tonight anyway."

"You and your things." Chase muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I hope you two don't have a thing on together." Skylar said as she directed her eyes from me to Jesse. "I mean not that we mind, you guys would make adorable babies."

"Definitely not," I stated with widened eyes at what Skylar insinuated.

"Never happening Skylar," Jesse deadpanned.

"Whatever you say, so Alex did your parents say yes about tomorrow?" Skylar changed the topic, which I was thankful for.

"Yes, they said it is fine. I will text you about the time. I have to go now. Goodbye," I bid them a do and drove home with a smile of contentment on my face, happy to have made friends.