"Here goes..."

One year ago

Massachusetts, Boston

Drake's POV (Point of View)

    "Well done, Mr. Pollen! Another 'F'! How do you do it? How do you consistently manage to bring Fs?" my Algebra professor sarcastically remarks, handing me my latest test.

    The class points and sneers at me, and usually I wouldn't care, but if I get just one more F, I'll be kicked off the lacrosse team, and my dad will kill me!

    The professor continues around the class, stopping at a desk toward the front of the room.

    "Congratulations, Ms. Isrania! You are on a roll of getting 'A+'es," he remarks, sincerely, this time.

    This has been happening all through the school year. 'Ms. Isrania' always gets top marks, while I'm down at the bottom.

    As I mentioned, usually, I couldn't care less about my grades, but now, it looks like I'm going to have to care.

    "That's all for today, class. Your next test will be after three days, on Monday. Enjoy your free time!" the professor announces.

    The students begin to file out of the room, and I grudgingly grab my books and head to my locker, where my best friend, Matt Sanchez, is waiting for me.

    "Hey man," he grins, fist-bumping me.

    "S'up?" I offer him a small smile.

    "What's wrong, man? You look tense."

    I sigh, placing my books in my locker. "Just another F in Algebra."

    Just then, Rhea Isrania walks by us in the hall, glowing with pride, while her friends congratulate her profusely.

    Matt looks over his shoulder at her, asking me, "What's she so happy about?"

    "Do you really have to ask? She got another A+!" I groan. "Dude, what do I do? I suck at Algebra, yet I can't afford to get another F. And the next test is on Monday!"

    Matt gives me a pointed look, then looks over his shoulder at Isrania, then back at me. "Are you seriously not seeing what I'm seeing right now?"

    What in the world is he talking about??

    "Bro, stop messing around. Help me figure out a way to not fail Monday's test!" I exclaim with fervor.

    Matt gives me an amused smile. "It's obvious what you should do!"

    "And what is that?"

    "Ask Isrania to tutor you!"

    I smirk at him knowingly. "Believe me, I've tried. She said she didn't have time," I mock in a high-pitched voice, holding up air quotes. "Then when I asked for her notes, she was like, 'Why should I give you my notes? I mean, it's not like you're my boyfriend or anything!'"

    Unfazed, Matt smiles at me, and raising an eyebrow, softly remarks, "Well then, what to do is crystal clear." Smiling at me mysteriously, he continues, "Become her boyfriend!"

    Before I can respond, he glances at his watch and blurts out, "Oh shit! I had to pick up my little brother fifteen minutes ago! See ya!"

    He speeds off down the hallway, leaving me to wonder... Me, the boyfriend of Rhea Isrania? She's practically a nerd! But I would get to use her notes...

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    I chill on my couch, watching The Vampire Diaries reruns (people say it's a 'girly' show, but I happen to like it), when I get a text from Matt:

    My parents went to a hotel for the weekend to celebrate their anniversary. PARTY AT MY HOUSE TONITE!!

    Grinning, I grab my wallet and car keys, and hop into the beige leatherette seat of my silver Volkswagen. I really need to get my mind off studies!

    Matt's house (or should I say, mansion) is just a few blocks away, and I get there in no time. As I park my car in his garage (only I am allowed to park there), he comes out to greet me.

    "What up?" he drawls, fist-bumping me. "So listen, in case you decide to man up, I invited Isrania tonight."

    "You did what??!!" I ask, horrified. Is he really serious about this BF/GF thing? "Bro, it's not gonna happen. I'm not gonna date her. Okay? I am the captain of the lacrosse team, which is the most important team in Melwood High, and girls run after me wherever I go. Basically, I am the most popular guy in our grade! And she's a f*cking nerd!"

    Matt smirks at me but doesn't argue. He knows not to mess with me when I'm mad. "Let's just go party!"

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    After dancing for two whole hours and drinking more than a few shots, I drunkenly try to make my way to the toilet, but I accidentally stumble upon a bunch of lads and ladettes playing the immutable party game: Truth or Dare.

    "Drake, come join us!" another drunk voice drawls.

    Sure. Why not?

    I head to the circle a little clumsily, and take a seat in the only spot available, beside a couple making out profusely.

    "I can see why no one wanted to sit here."

    "Excuse me?" the guy looks up angrily.

    Oops! I didn't mean to say that out loud.

    "Oh, nothing."

    Someone spins the bottle, and none of the ends of the bottle point towards me. As I sit patiently, waiting for my turn, a hot blonde chick walks by us, and I whistle loudly. Without glancing back, the blondie walks by us, and as soon as she gets out of earshot, the guys laugh uproariously, mocking me.

    Worried about my reputation, I calmly say, "Chill guys... I can get any girl I want!"

    Still laughing, a guy with dyed-blue hair remarks, "Sure. Any girl? My foot!"

    Cool and collected, I nod and respond confidently, "Any girl."

    That seems to subdue them, although the dyed-blue haired guy seems to get a thoughtful look on his face.

    After two more rounds, the answering end of the bottle ends up pointing towards me, and the questioning end, towards the dyed-blue haired guy.

    "Truth or dare?"

    "Dare."

    Rubbing his hands, the guy ponders for a moment. Then, smirking mischievously, he says, "I dare you to 'get' Rhea Isrania. As in, become her boyfriend for the rest of the year."

    Not this again!

    "Why is everyone so desperate to get me and Isrania together??" I yell, frustrated. "Rhea. Isrania. Is. A. Nerd!!"

    The room goes silent for a moment, then the blue-haired guy speaks again.

    "First of all, she's a hot nerd. And obviously, you won't be able to do it. You're too chicken!"

    I groan inwardly. I hate that line! It always makes people do stuff they don't want to. But I do need her notes for Algebra...

    The rest of the lads start booing me, and I come to a decision. Raising my hands, I speak loudly and clearly. "Guys, guys... I'll do it! Drake Pollen is not chicken!"

    They start cheering, and I fist-bump some of the guys, all the while thinking, What have I gotten myself into?

    After a while, I head back to the main party, looking for either Rhea or Matt. I don't see Rhea anywhere, so I go over to Matt, who's hanging out at the bar, flirting with some high school juniors.

    "Yo Matt," I call him over.

    "Be right back, ladies," he winks at the girls, making them giggle exaggeratedly.

    "Drake, my man," he drawls groggily, stumbling towards me. He's obviously way more intoxicated than I am.

    "Matt, you said you invited Rhea Isrania. Where is she?"

    "Ahhhh," he smirks teasingly. "So you decided to man up?"

    I wonder if that's how I act when I'm drunk. Annoying!

    "She didn't show up," he says, then goes back to the bar.

    Looks like I'm going to have to start 'charming' her tomorrow. I only have two days, though. If I'm going to do this, I might as well do it in time to get her notes before the test on Monday...

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    Matt has a bunch of friends who know everything about everyone in our school, and from one of them, we found out that Rhea Isrania goes shopping at Assembly Row mall every Saturday.

    The next day, Saturday, Matt and I head to the mall as well, hoping to catch Rhea there.

    Around 10:00, once we enter, we walk around the floor, wondering where we could possibly meet her, when suddenly I turn a corner and bump into someone, sending them sprawling onto the floor.

    "Watch where you're going, dweeb!" a female voice exclaims angrily.

    Before I get a chance to respond with something snarky, I look down, and see... Rhea!

    Time to get your flirt on, Drake!

    I offer her a hand to pull herself up, "Oh, I'm so sorry!"

    She elegantly accepts and pulls herself up, when I blurt out, "Wow! Do you have a fever?"

    Pulling her hand away from mine, she says, confused, "What?? No!"

    "'Cause you're hot," I smirk.

    She smiles a small half-smile, turning around to walk away.

    "Wait, what's your name?" I call. I'm going to pretend I don't know her.

    Turning around, she calls, "Rhea."

    "Drake," I hold up my hand for her to shake.

    We shake hands and then she walks off.

    Time for Phase 2 of our plan.

    Matt and I wander around the mall for an hour and a half, then we head to the food court, and take a seat across from McDonalds.

    At 12:00 sharp, Rhea enters the food court, carrying a few shopping bags, and makes a beeline for McDonalds.

    Once she gets her order and settles down on a table, it's time to put our plan in action.

    I walk over to her table and grin, "Hey!"

    "Hey..." she says, pulling out her earphones.

    "Can I sit here?"

    She gives a pointed look at a free table next to ours, but when I don't seem to get the hint, she sighs and says, "Um, okay."

    "Cool." I grab a chair and sit backwards, straddling it.

     "Wait, you're Rhea, right?" I reach for a french fry, but she slaps my hand away.

    "Yup. So, did you want to say something?"

    "Um, yeah." I decide to respond Coby Persin style. "I just saw you from across the hall, and decided to come over, 'cause I think you're cute."

    She blushes slightly. "Is that it?"

    I was not expecting that. Standing up, I reply, "Yeah, I guess. So I guess I'll go back to my table now..." She nods. "Which is way over there..." She smiles at me expectantly. "Way, way, way over there..."

    "It's fine, just sit down!" she smiles, although she sounds annoyed.

    We sit silently for a while. "So... do you have a driver's license?" I ask. Now, this question may seem random, but it's all been planned...

    "No, my parents won't let me drive till I'm eighteen!" she groans, rolling her eyes.

    I chuckle. "Well then, how're you gonna go home?"

    "I'll take the subway," she answers matter-of-factly.

    "Oh no, the subway is too dangerous for someone as gorgeous as you." Flashing her a smile, I continue, "I can drive you home, if you like." I dangle my keys in front of her.

    She looks a bit hesitant, so I add softly, "I won't bite."

    She laughs and asks anxiously, "Are you sure?" I knew it! Very few teenagers like taking the subway!

    "Definitely. Not a problem."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    We exit the mall and walk over to my Harley Davidson.

    Every girl likes a bad boy, and so, I deliberately brought my bike instead of my Volkswagen. I know exactly how to touch a girl's heart!

    I toss Rhea a helmet, and we hop onto the bike. I rev the engine, feeling Rhea wrap her arms around my torso. She has caught the bait!

    We chat during the ride, and when we reach her house, she hops off the bike, and waves, thanking me.

    Right before she enters her house, I ask her, "Hey, can I have your number?"

    She looks flustered for a moment, then calmly smiles, "Sure."

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Present day

Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

Rhea's POV

    "And then I fell for him," I wipe away a tear that'd trickled down my cheek. "Needless to say, he passed the test on Monday," I add bitterly.

    Noah's expression is one mixed with confusion, anger, and anxiety. "So let me get this straight. Pollen only dated you on a dare?"

    I nod miserably. "And for my notes."

    Noah wraps me up in his arms, and I silently sob into his chest. After calming myself down, I pull away from him.

    "And the worst part... was how I found out about it all."

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Dun-dun-dun! What do you guys think of what Drake did? Did you see that coming? Comment below and let me know what you think.

Picture up on top is of Drake and Rhea an year ago.

VOTE! COMMENT!

~Ananya