"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Jocelyn asked, holding onto my waist as she leaned on the rail of the school parking lot. No more cars, it was back to Jocelyn mother to take us to school since it seems like every car I drive Buck ruins

"I'll be fine." I said. "Buck isn't going to get rid of me that quick."

"He's still here, school so cheap they don't have camera for out here and he has two weeks worth of detention." she said.

"Buck doesn't scare me." I said.

"I just want you to be alright.”

“You worry to much.” I said as I stepped back and waved my hand up to my face, “So do you think there's to much damage? Still look like the handsome exchange student?”

“Oh no, he did so much damage.” she sarcastically said and lightly touched the light bruise under my cheek. “Yup, he just rearrange you're whole pretty face. Now how will your groupies know who you are?”

“Har-har.” I said as I put my left arm around her tightly and dragged her towards the school as she giggled.

I pulled my beanie down lower on my head as we walked into school, hoping that'll hide me from the crowd of gawking student. Police had came over last night about Karen's car and said they'll investigate on it but I doubt it. It's a car, I doubt they hardly care. I mean, unless their lives are really as boring as I think it is. Of course Buck didn't get in trouble since there's no poof but I'm hoping to get it out of him way before I leave.

“See you in class.” I said to Jocelyn, pecking her on the cheek as we stopped at her locker. She forced me a smile and nodded, looking down towards my locker quickly which I knew why. Because Buck's locker is right next to mine. “Stop worrying, you suck at hiding it.”

She snorted, hitting my arm, “Go to class Abramov.”

I grinned and ruffled her hair, which played her push my arm away and scrunch her nose. I chuckled as I turned and walked over to my locker where Buck wasn't yet. Good, I hope to avoid him all day the best I can.

As I was reaching up to grab my math book, I had used my right arm. I dropped the book from my hand as I groaned, putting slight pressure on my side to ease the pain burning threw my side. I had hardly slept last night since I usually sleep on my sides and I was so uncomfortable. I bent down and picked up the book, cursing in Russian just in case any teachers for around.

When I stood up, I saw someone next to my locker at his. I took a deep breath, avoiding eyes contact as I finished getting my stuff ready.

“Looks painful.” Buck said and I rolled my eyes. “Principle Torres told me to stay away from you, but what she doesn't know wont hurt.”

“Came to finish?” I asked as I finally looked at him. “Hm, I don't see your friends around. Come on Buck, lets finish it right here.”

He grinned, “How about off school property? You see Yuri, my father is a respected part of this community. I could have been expelled for a few days but my dad just talked her in to a few detentions. Get in my way, I can have your ass sent back to Moscow or where ever the hell you're from.”

“Hiding behind your daddy this time?” I asked and he just shrugged.

“My dad did a little searching up on you, Yuri.” he said. “Only got until January, huh? I guess Jocelyn is going to need a prom date since it is one of the things she is most excited about.” he said as he took a step forward to leave but I grabbed his jacket, pulling him back.

“You'll be staying away from her.” I said coldly to him. “She is over you, so why don't you just move on?”

“Because I told Jocelyn I'll always love her.” he said. “And I wont let some like you take her away. She belongs with me, Yuri. What do you have to offer her? Bringing her back and forth to Russia a few times a year?”

“You know nothing about us, Buck.” I said as I turned to go to my class.

*

JOCELYN

Autumn put the can of diet coke in the same time i put the regular coke in. The diet in the end was the one to float and we recorded it down on the work sheet.

"I'm just saying, Buck wouldn't do that." Autumn said. "And not because he my cousin, but he's a good guy."

"I'm just don't know who else would do this though." I said. "I don't want to say it was Buck it kind of was. I can't say anyone else doesn't like Yuri."

"Buck wouldn't go that low though. I don't think it was him that destroy Yuri house parents car, but that fight between them was surely Buck fault. Everyone saw him throw the first punch." she said. "Poor Yuri, he got the bad end of the stick. That black eye look horrible."

"I'm just glad we're still talking even after that." I said and she smiled. “Seems like everyone wants to be my fake, but all for the wrong reason.”

“Comes with a famous boyfriend.” she giggled. “How lucky are you?”

“Being friends with Yuri was amazing first. I wasn't very popular in Italy, everyone found me weird because I lived on a farm and most of the exchange students were from big cites. They said I smelled just like a farm for two weeks.” I said. “Then I met Yuri who was a total jerk to, but I was having a bad day so we talked and little later, we just started hanging out.”

“And you never asked him about his family?” she asked.

“About twenty times a day since he was very mysterious about his father. I just knew the basics about him.” I said. “And Yuri isn't famous, his dad is famous.”

“Which makes reporters want to get deep into what his adult son is doing and who's he doing.” she said.

My mouth dropped and I hit her arm, “Autumn!” I whispered coldly as my face heated up. “Act like a lady, even it's not like that with Yuri yet.” I said awkwardly.

“But still, when there's nothing about the dad they'll go for someone close.” she said. “Must be cool.”

“Not really. It's weird. When Yuri kissed me in front of those cameras at the premieres it was all over Russia. And Russia is huge.” I said. “You know, unlike some people I don't care about that. I have enough interviews to do for colleges that I don't even know where I want to go.”

“At least Yuri's a good boyfriend.” she said.

“He is.” I said as I looked down at my worksheet. Yuri is a good guy when he's not lying. I know he said he didn't have anything else hidden, but why do I have this bad feeling in my stomach there is? Yuri just hasn't given me a reason to trust him fully enough yet.

*

YURI

I didn't know Genesis High rules about smoking, but I took a risk as I lit up a cigarette and inhaled the smoke. I took it out my mouth and brought my hand to my side that felt like someone was kicking me again.

I put the cigarette in my mouth and reached into my coat to grab some pain medicine. I was told to give it to the school nurse but I rather have it with me.

“Wow, you look like someone coming from a picture.” I heard someone say next to me and I turned my head to see Lauren. “Like if you Google someone smoking in Russia, you would come up.”

I reached up and took the cigarette out my mouth, “Oh yeah, it's a stereotype that is true.” I said sarcastically. “Mostly everyone in Russia smoke by the time their fifteen. They aren't that big with lung cancer as they are here.”

“I'm surprised good girl Jocelyn doesn't make you stop.” she said as she leaned against the wall next to me on her side.

“She does try to make me stop.” I said. “I do not as much anymore, only when I'm stressed.”

“So that's why you rushed out of class like a lighten for lunch.” she said, chuckling. “You did look like you needed one.”

I shrugged and put the two pills in my mouth, swallowing them dryly. I put the cigarette in my mouth to inhale one more time before putting it on the ground before Jocelyn finds me and stepped on it. I started to walk around Lauren, “I have to go—“ I looked down at her confused before she had grabbed my arm.

“We never did get to hang out like we talked about.” she said.

“Things came up.” I said. “I should go in before Jocelyn comes to find me.”

“I see who wears the pants in the relationship.” she said, making me laugh humorlessly. “Aren't Russian men suppose to be all—chivalry? Big confidence men who should be the man of a relationship? Not listen to the women?”

“You western and your stereotypes.” I said. “And my mother taught me better.”

“And that's what I like so much about you. You're respectable, know how to treat a lady.” she said. “Maybe that's why Jocelyn likes you so much. Being handsome is a big bonus. Ever thought about modeling? My uncle is a photographer and I’m an inspiring model myself but he says if I had a male companion to help me with the shoots I have a more likely chance for companies to see how well I do with other models.”

“Do you see me? Do I look like I’m ready to be in some photo shoot?” I asked.

She chuckled, “I can wait till you're all healed. Please Yuri, you'll be helping me out by allot!” she said as she pouted her lower lip. “Help me make my dreams come true.”

“Ehh—I don't think Jocelyn would feel comfortable with this.” I said. “There are lot of boys here for you to model with.”

“None of them I think are perfect for this. I grew up with them, their way to immature for this.” she said. “You are mature and it's only a few photos. It's not going to take to much time. I'll even talk to Jocelyn if you want.”

“You're not going to leave me alone if I don't say yes, will you?” I asked and she grinned, shaking her had. I groaned, “I don't know. . .I never models before and it seems all for—gay men. Not really my style.”

“Oh come on, Yuri. Lots of men model, David Beckham does it and he's manly. It's just something that shows off your good looks. You Russians thinking anything that isn't manly is for gay men, that's a stereotype.” she said, making me laugh. “And it's one time, I would really appropriate it.”

“Okay, okay, I will do it.” I said and she squealed excitedly as she clapped.

*

“Come on! Hurry up Yuri! You're moving so slow.” Jocelyn said as she pushed me into the tunnel.

“What is the surprise, Jocelyn?” I asked as my nose scrunched a little. Wasn't the cleanest tunnel in Rome after all. Lots of graffiti on the walls though which I'm sure someone will paint over with white paint.

She took her hand out of mine and ran up to a part of the wall, “Okay, with a little help of that Russian book, I was able to do this.” she said as she moved away. On the wall written in Russian alphabet was spelled my name and her, “People come here from different parts of the world to put their names. Legends says a group of Jewish slaves hid here in ancient times and before they blocked it off, the Jew's use to travel their way down to meet this Roman man who will help them to freedom. My mom says my great grandfather was Jewish. I added you're name just for good luck.”

I couldn't help but smile, “It's—awesome. You even got the second letter right in your name.”

“I practiced allot of paper. Whoever came up with the Russian alphabet needs a little talking to. So many different letters.” she said. “I said your name in Russian, so hard.”

I opened my mouth but there was a squeaking sound and I looked down to see a rat running down the tunnel. I screamed and jumped back, “Goddamnit, I hate this place!” I hissed in Russian. “Filthy vermin!”

Jocelyn laughed hardly, “You're scared of a little rat?”

“Rats has diseases in them.” I said.

“You're OCD?” she asked. “No wonder you look so uncomfortable.” She took my hand pulled me out of the tunnel, taking her hand out of mine soon, “Lets go get some hot chocolate from Leona.”

“Come on!” Jocelyn groaned when she tugged at my arm to take me downstairs to her basement. “I need help grabbing the Thanksgiving decorating so move your big butt.”

I held tightly onto the frame of the door, “No! Your basement looks like something out of a horror movie! And it's dusty and I know there are spiderwebs down there.”

“Stop freaking out, it's only one box.” she said, tugging harder.

“Jocelyn, I will do many stuff but going into your basement is not one of them. You're house was built in the late eighteenth century, I am wondering why you go down there.” I said.

“So you are going to make me bring both boxes up here alone?” she asked. “You're first Thanksgiving and you don't want to help?”

“I'll help. . .I just wont be going down there.” I said.

“I'll make you you're favorite cookies.” she bribed but I shook my head. I just imagine a big spider jumping on me and biting me. I wouldn't be able to know what kind of spider is to get the right anti-venom. I'll die so young. My parents basement was renovated and pretty much very modern. Not scary basements like Jocelyn farm house.

“A kiss?” she said but I shook my head. She let go of my hand, “Yuri Gavril you don't get your butt downstairs I will hurt you.”

“I'm already hurt.” I said, rolling my eyes.

She smiled then, making me cautious as she put her arms around me, “Fine you big pansy.” she said and I scoffed. She leaned up and pecked me, but I realized when her arms tighten around me a little.

“Ah! Ah!” I hissed in pain as she walked backwards down the stairs as she pulled me along. I tried fighting, but it made the pain worse so I just followed her down the staircase into the dim basement.

When we got to the bottom, she didn't let go, “Run up the stairs, it'll be worse.”

“You are evil.” I said, making her chuckle. She put her arms around my neck and leaned up, kissing me for a moment.

“It isn't that bad.” she said as she stepped away and looked around.

“It smells.” I said as I walked over to cabinet and opened it where I saw some coats hanging. I saw a photo album and opened it. I chuckled when I saw a eight year old Jocelyn with a mushroom shape haircut. I felt threw some of the pages with more of her and she seemed to love being in the camera. Lots of pictures of her with her family.

I felt something tickle the back of my neck and I jumped, crying out as I dropped the album and turned around as my hands flew to the back of my neck. Jocelyn laughed hard as she pulled the broom away and I glared at her.

“Give me that!” I said coldly as I took the broom away. “You think you are so funny, huh?” I asked and she nodded quickly as she laughed. “You are lucky I am injured or I would make you pay for that.”

“That what this funny.” she teased as she flicked my nose with her finger.

“Oh, I’ll get you back. Don't worry.” I said.