"There isn't much to see around here, is there?" I asked with my hands on hips, looking around and again at front.

We both were standing in front of Derek's high school. It was the largest school in this town and almost every well to do child attended this school. Though, it hardly came near my school. My father had penthouses larger than this and I was not bragging, just stating.

It had been a week I was here and as much as I was enjoying Derek and his mom's company, let's be honest, there wasn't much to do here. I already went to the shopping mall and had entered almost every shop. I read few books but they were over soon, I did few sketches but didn't finish. There just wasn't much to excite me here unfortunately. Derek did his best but even he couldn't infuse life into this sleepy town.

I would love to spend more time with him but since were about to start our next semester in another few months, we were both preparing ourselves, with Derek busy with sending out resumes for his internship and also brushing on his studies because he "didn't want to lose touch with his books."

What a nerd. A cute one but still nerd.

Derek, on the other hand seemed to enjoy his time here a lot and I couldn't be happier for him. At times, he hung out with Jake and his other school friends when I was busy with something. He spent a lot of time with his mom too during the morning hours because I never woke up before ten at least. I was glad he was at ease.

He always worked on a routine even here. We always ate on the same time and he always slept by twelve unless he had review of his works or extra reading or waking at five.

I remember when I first heard his routine, I laughed so hard before I realized Kyle was of the same breed. No wonder they got along so well. Now, it didn't seem different anymore. Hell, since Derek was such a bad influence on me, I had started sleeping by one since last three days instead of my usual four in the morning. I could function well with odd sleeping schedules but Derek always insisted on finishing his work early because sleep was necessary to him for functioning properly unless extreme situations called.

He was a piece to be kept in a museum. Not me.

"Yeah, sorry about that. You must feel so bored here. I invited you over to make you feel nice but-"

"Let's break in," I interrupted before he could start his pity story again.

"What?" He paused, as if he didn't hear it the first time.

"Yeah. It's a sunday and we have nothing else to do. I am bored. You are not meeting Jake and Olivia before tuesday and-"

"We are not breaking inside my school, Nora," He stated, almost scoffing as he looked inside the campus, holding the iron grills.

"Fine. Stay here and call me if someone arrives," I said, moving towards the huge iron gates.

"Are you mad?! What the hell do you think you are doing?? You are gonna leave me here!? I will look weird standing here all alone, peeking inside," He whisper shouted, frantically waving his hand to motion me to stay where I was.

"Then come in with me, Dora. I know we can get arrested but then you won't ever see the excitement of doing something which you are not supposed to do," I giggled, covering my mouth.

"Absolutely not!"

"You have always followed rules and seen the consequences. Now, break some rules and feel the shameless happiness inside you bubbling," I said impatiently now, "Experience everything in life just once, except some of course. This doesn't count in one of them though."

Without waiting for his reply, I looked around and walked upto the back gate before putting my hands on the iron bars and getting up. Swiftly, I climbed up, put my foot on the opposite side and jumped inside the campus.

I landed swiftly on my feet and got up, rubbing my hands to remove the dust. I looked around smiling. So, this was where Derek, Jake, Olivia and Reina spent their adolescence. It wasn't bad for a small town.

"Nora! Please, come back! For heavens sake, you are gonna get us arrested!" Derek begged, looking panicked and ushering me to get out like a frantic sea lion.

"Goodbye honey," I winked and was about to walk in when he called again.

"Wait! I....I will come," Derek shouted from the opposite side.

I grinned, "That's my boy. Come on."

"Let me tell you. I am not enjoying this at all. If we are gonna get arrested, it will be your fault," He mumbled, "I am only coming in because I will look creepy standing outside an empty school and peeking inside."

He gulped before nervously looking around again and climbing up. He struggled a bit while crossing his legs to the other side but ultimately landed with a loud thud on the ground, flat on his front, with his butt on display.

"Very graceful," I commented, checking his backside out.

He got up and dusted his hands, "I am doing it for the first time. Give me some credit at least."

"Didn't your precious Jake ever do this?" I mocked.

"Breaking in school? No. Breaking inside Olivia's house? Yes," He nodded, looking tensed.

"Show me now," I said, "Your school doesn't have CCTVs, right?"

"No. Our town has a very low criminal rate. The jail is empty most of the time as everyone is usually well behaved. It isn't called boring for nothing. You won't ever find anything interesting here," He said, looking around the empty grass field, "We should go back."

"How do you know?" I ignored his warning.

"Due to the common medium of newspaper and gossip," He said casually as we stopped near a door.

"It's locked," He stated, looking relieved at the possibility of us going back.

Yeah right. He wishes.

"No probs," I took out the small wire I always kept with me for lock picking because bobby pins were not my favorite. They were small and hard to handle and might not always work, whereas this wire was already angled at a correct one.

"Really Nora," Derek sighed, "I don't know what to do with you."

"Love me," I threw a cheeky smile, bent down and started twisting the lock, my tongue poking out.

After few more twists and turns and some worried talks by Mr. Big Bore, the lock opened with a click.

Giving him a haughty smirk, I walked in. Derek followed in quickly.

"Ma will be very angry and disappointed if she hears-"

"Don't go crying to your mommy. Now show me," I said, spreading my arms.

"Let's start from the gym," He said hurriedly, "But we are leaving in ten minutes. Not more than that."

~¤~

"This is so cool," I grinned at the trophy shining in the trophies collection behind the glass.

"It's nothing," He mumbled, scratching his head, "We should go now."

"Of course not. Your trophy is the biggest among the other trophies. Well done," I slapped his back.

"It was just a quiz," He said shyly but smiled a bit nevertheless.

"I wonder how your other trophy is. Is it bigger than others?" I teased.

He frowned, "What other trophy- Oh," His expression cleared as he understood the double meaning.

"Your face is turning red again," I sang.

"Stop it," His face was turning bright red now.

"You pretty boy. Can't even handle a bit of sexual flirting, huh?" I pinched his cheek.

He stepped back, smiling and brushing my arm off, "Don't pull my cheek."

"Really? Do you realize the whole school is empty right now?"

"So?"

"We can make out if you want-" I froze as the door through which we had entered opened and two guards came in. We had seen the entire school and even though the classrooms were locked, I loved it.

The trophy collection was near the door through which we had entered. We would just see it and leave, but no. Two guards just had to enter.

"Wh-" Derek looked back and froze too.

The guards were scowling at the open door and then their eyes trailed upto us and widened slowly, like in a movie.

"Run," Was the only thing I said before we took off.

"Hey! Stop there!" The guards footsteps were heard as we took the stairs.

"All the doors are locked. There is no way out except the back door and front door," Derek shouted as we ran down the second floor corridor, not looking back.

"Stop, I say!" One of the guards shouted.

"I'm calling the police!" Another said.

"Oh no, not the police," Derek almost looked on the verge of crying as we stopped before a classroom.

"Damn it, everything is fucking locked! What's with so much security if criminal rate is low!? Nobody is interested to steal a blackboard," I gritted my teeth and kicked at the door.

"Halt!" The guards came to face us and I knew there was no way out. I looked back to see the two guards blocking our way, sneering at us.

These two semi-Hulks would easily overpower us. There was no way out. It was a dead end and if I started pick locking the classroom locks now, we would be termed 'geniusly stupid'.

"Dora?" I asked, facing him. He had a look that clearly said he wanted to go home and was about to piss his pants off any moment now.

"What?" Derek asked, white with fear.

"You can proudly say two things to your friends when you go back from here. One, you broke inside a school," I said slowly.

"And the other?"

"You went to jail."

~¤~

"People are going to hate me," Derek grumbled as he drew circles on the ground.

"Relax honey, Jake is coming to bail us out. He won't tell anyone. Nobody needs to know," I yawned, resting my head against the wall.

"Going to jail is a bad thing," He stated.

"Okay, kid. Remember not to repeat your mistake in the future or you won't get candy next time," I rolled my eyes.

"You don't understand. I never went to jail. Hell, we are Ivy League students! If anyone knows there, it would be so bad. This will go in our records! What if we get expelled?!" He sat up, looking stressed, "How can you be so calm about it?! You are in jail!"

"I went to jail before for vandalising and picking a fight. It's not a big deal," I shrugged.

"Not for you maybe. Your parents are loaded. But, I am not from as rich a family as you are. People in this town know each other and they speak. They know me and it won't be long before word spreads to my Ma," He said, looking sour.

"So what if they know? Your mom is pretty cool. I doubt she would say anything," I retorted.

"She wouldn't, but I don't like it," He groaned, "I can't believe I am in a cell right now, explaining why jail is bad. It stinks and it is very small."

"You and the Johnson siblings are so called the 'good' 'well behaved' ones in front of others. Jake might be an asshole but he is a good actor. He never went to jail and you follow his footsteps blindly," I smirked, closing my eyes.

"You think it's funny?" He scowled at me, not looking pleased.

"I don't get the big deal. It's not as if you are getting a life imprisonment. It's just few hours we are here. Your pure image might get tainted, that is worrying you, not the jail part," I yawned again.

"No. I-"

"Get out, both of you," A constable opened the lock, interrupting our heated conversation.

"See? Every cloud has a silver lining," I smirked at him, getting up and brushing the dust off my jeans.

I walked out and thanked the constable before going out who simply glared at me. Jake was signing the papers as we entered the room. He looked up as he saw Derek and me.

"Hi," Derek said in a deadpan voice.

"Really, Derek? Jail?" He raised an eyebrow at Derek, "I might have done lots of things in life but jail is not something I would encourage to prove my inner rebel."

"I know," Derek exhaled, staring at the ground.

"Let's get out from here," Jake sighed and walked out, "It's a good thing you are the pride of this town so the sheriff isn't putting any criminal record in your history but this is your first and last warning. But I had to pay an exorbitant amount of fine so you need to pay me back. Also, forty eight hours of community service, both of you."

Derek groaned as my ears held onto a new piece of information.

"Pride of the town?"

"Yeah, for going to Yale. Him and Ashton, who got into Harvard. The first two citizens to get into prestigious universities," Jake explained without looking as we walked out, Jake serious, Derek nervous and me chirpy. I didn't get why the boys were making such a big deal out of it. We got bailed within an hour, so?

"You bribed the police for lower punishment?" Derek looked sick.

"Not really. I charmed him and sweet talked my way out. You guys are doing community service afterall. But seriously, don't do that again otherwise I won't be able to save you again."

"Thanks for bailing me, dude. I'll pay the money back but don't tell Ma," Derek said as soon as we stepped out, "I'll see what I can do about the service."

"Of course not. But jail? Derek Callingham in jail? Never knew I would see this day," He frowned at Derek.

"Me neither," Derek spoke worriedly, placing his hands in his pockets.

"It must have been due to you, right?" Jake looked at me, "You must have done or told him something," He accused.

I felt myself giving him an angry look.

"No. It was both our faults. It was not her fault only," Derek interrupted.

I gave him a glance. He just saved me. Such a nice and sweet boy. I wonder how I ever loved bad boys before. The sweet shy ones were much more lovely and took care of you better.

"I refuse to believe that," Jake said, "What did you guys do? You didn't tell me over phone."

"We broke into your school," I breathed.

Jake's eyebrows shot up as he paused walking and gave an impressive thunderstruck look, "What?!"

"You heard me," I said arrogantly.

"Leave it, guys. Jake, I am sorry you had to leave your work at the middle of the day and come-"

"I work at a bistro, Derek. Its fine," Jake rolled his eyes.

"Thanks again. Lets go home," Derek said and started walking away, "Come on, Nora. Enough fun for today."

Jake looked at me, "You know I don't believe Derek, right? It was your fault."

"If you know it, then why are you asking it?" I narrowed my eyes as we started walking again.

Derek was walking a bit ahead so that gave Jake the golden chance to argue with me and that wasn't what I wanted right now or ever.

"You seriously broke into our school?" He asked after few seconds.

"Yeah. Saw Derek and your trophies. You are quite good at sports, aren't you?" I asked.

He shrugged, "Maybe. But I am still in shock. Derek Callingham. The Derek Callingham breaking into school and going to jail. This will go down in history."

"Never knew your friend can do this, huh?" I smirked, "Your friend has many hidden layers to him. Don't guard him always."

"I don't guard him always," He argued, "Don't twist and turn things."

"He has always lived under your shadow. You should see him at campus. The Derek I met then and the Derek I know now has a lot of difference," I said, "He is changing for the better."

"As much as I don't like you either like you don't like me, I would agree. My boy, Derek is growing up. He is trying out new things, good and bad and I don't know whether to laugh or get angry," He frowned.

"Don't go all mushy on me," I snorted, "I already have enough of that from that boy there," I motioned to Derek.

"But still, jail is not something to be proud of. I am not exactly a saint, but I know what type of activities I should indulge in without getting caught. My whole family has a lot of reputation to maintain and so does Derek's," He said.

"Going to jail once for two hours won't hamper anything. His golden boy image is going to be alright," I rolled my eyes, "We just got a warning. Its a small town and nobody cares really. Why are you making a big deal?"

"Both our moms are at the top of the town's council committee, do you know that? Every month when there is a meeting, all the activities and stuff are discussed there. Imagine if someone speaks about Derek. Have you thought about how humiliation Aunt May has to face?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nobody is knowing anything. You bailed him out. Case closed. Nobody gets to know. Stop making an issue out of everything," I snapped.

"Well, you can obviously. You are a hotshot city girl suddenly arriving in a hopeless drowsy town like ours. What do you know about town politics?" He whisper shouted.

Derek was still walking forward, not bothering to look back. He looked quite forlorn as he dragged his foot, his head low.

"What do you know about city politics? Whatever happens back at my home isn't close to what happens here. Plus, my dad would handle it if things got bad so Derek's record would be clean. So, shut your trap and do what you can do best," I narrowed my eyes.

"Oh yeah, what's that?"

"Do you really want me to say it out loud?" I mimicked his tone.

"I wonder what Derek sees in you. You are evil," He scowled, "You are so spoilt and pampered, content your daddy will rescue you out of every situation."

"You are rich, arrogant and proud too. What's your point?" I asked.

Jake stared for two seconds before a slow, nasty smirk broke on his face, "I might be all those but at least I don't act like I don't care."

"What?"

"Its time you stop pretending that you don't like Derek," He said, "You better say it."

I stopped and looked at him. He knew. His facial expression clearly said he knew. He raised an eyebrow again, as if challenging me to deny the fact.

"I will tell him. Not you," I warned after few seconds.

"Are you kidding me? I have no interest in getting involved in your love politics. I have my own girlfriend," He huffed, "But I might slip away something if you don't say it soon."

"I like her and I hate you," I nodded.

"I love her and I don't give a damn about you. Anyway, it was nice knowing you. I have a feeling this is a start of a beautiful enmity, Nora," Jake tilted his head in acknowledgment.

I chuckled at the Casablanca reference, "See you later, Johnson and thanks for bailing us out."

"Make sure you don't end up in jail again. I don't think highly of jails," He scolded.

"Nobody cares what you think."

"Derek cares what I think and you care for Derek. Discussion over," He said.

*****

Author's note:-

Thoughts?

:-)