I WOULD BE lying through my teeth if I didn't admit the thought had crossed my mind that at some point in time I would have you put my mouth on Hunter's. If I really wanted to sell this relationship to the rest of Rock Valley High, kissing would inevitably be a part of that.

I just didn't expect to... not hate it.

To Hunter's credit, he's quick to respond to my sudden attack on his face. His arms wind around my waist, hands splayed just below the small of my back as he holds me close to him and kisses me back.

It's no quick peck, either. Both of us put in an effort to make it look real, and I'd hazard to say that isn't too hard for Hunter considering everything that comes out of his mouth could be considered a form of sexual harassment. I, on the other hand, choose to forget exactly whose lips I'm kissing if I'm to have any hope of making it look convincing. 

Hunter's mouth moves against mine in a way that's almost inappropriate for a high school cafeteria. It's not some innocent, emotion-driven kiss between a puppy-loving couple. It's hot and it's intense, fuelled by raging teenage hormones and sexual frustration.

Just as a rush of heat blossoms in my stomach, I plant my palms against his hard chest and break away from the kiss with a gasp. I feel his hands grapple at the loose material of my sweater as I pull away, and I open my eyes to see him watching me with a self-satisfied smirk plastered on his face. 

"Damn, Skirt. I'm not complaining, but maybe give a guy some warning next time you're gonna give him—"

Whatever obscene comment was about to leave his mouth goes unheard as a fiery hell-storm descends upon us.

"You bitch," Clarissa seethes, her face practically the same shade as her hair.

Instantaneously, every head in the vicinity of our table turns to us. That is, everyone who wasn't already gawking at mine and Hunter's very public display of affection. Not that it was a display of affection at all, because it wasn't. But I'm more than happy to let them all think that it was.

I turn around in Hunter's arms, calmly meeting Clarissa's angry glare with a pleasant smile. "At your service."

Her long, pointy nail points toward me menacingly. "I don't know who the fuck you think you are, you lying tramp, but let me remind you—"

"Oh shut up, Clary," Hunter groans, jumping into this much sooner than I thought he would. I mean, a chick fight sounds very much like something Hunter would have a wet dream about. "Don't you have other people to annoy?"

Her expression changes in a nanosecond, shifting from pure rage and hatred to soft adoration, and I resist the urge to toss my cookies when she bats her fake lashes up at him. "Hunter, baby," She coos, sounding more childish than sultry if that was her goal. "Why don't you come sit with me and the girls? You've already gotten all your community service hours this year, there's no need to sit here with the less fortunate."

I want to slap that sickeningly sweet smile off of her smug face, but I know that will only make this whole thing worse. So instead, I look up expectantly to gauge Hunter's reaction to her words.

In a way, this is the perfect opportunity for him to  prove that I can trust him with this plan or not. In spite of my intense dislike for him, I can't help but hope he's committed to this as much as I am.

After all, I'm kind of screwed without him.

"You and I? We're not a thing anymore, Clary. We haven't been for years," he scoffs, apparently not buying into her lead. "Get over it and leave my girlfriend alone."

While he doesn't exactly jump to my friends' defence, he does completely shut her down, which brings a smug smile to my face. Not to mention, he did call me his girlfriend to her face, which is bound to solidify this thing.

I watch as Clarissa's superior attitude crumbles under the weight of Hunter's rejection. The blonde girl behind her shoulder, who I've only just noticed, looks on in disbelief as her master fumbles to recover from the blow.

"Did you drink this bitch's Kool-aid or something, Hunter?!" Clarissa sputters, jabbing an accusatory finger in my direction. "You cannot seriously be dumping me for her!"

"Last time I checked, you can't exactly get dumped by someone you're only dating in your head," I inform her, shrugging my shoulders.

Hunter, who still has his arms wrapped around my waist behind me, snickers. The sound resonates deep in his chest, sending tiny vibrations down my spine even through the heavy material of my sweater and distracting me momentarily from the scene playing out.

Clarissa visibly huffs in anger, her jaw set as she glares at me. Finally realizing she's not going to be winning this battles anytime soon, she waves for the dutiful minion behind her to follow her. "Let's go, Bridget. Hunter needs some time to think about the giant mistake he's making."

And with a flick of her hair, Clarissa stalks away with Bridget, whose name I'll likely forget again soon, following closely behind.

As soon as the cafeteria doors swing shut behind them, I turn to face a rather humored looking Hunter. "How did you date that? I mean, that's a hell of a lot of crazy squeezed into such a tiny person," I state, emphasizing my words with my hands.

He merely shrugs, his lip jutting out in an innocent pout. "She's hot."

"God, all you boys are so simple minded," I groan. With one hand, I reach up and pat the side of his head. "Do you never think with this head for a change?"

As soon as the words leave my mouth, he shoots me a wicked grin. "Now, what would be the fun in that?"

My mom used to tell me that that if I rolled my eyes too much, they'd fall out of my head. I'm testing that theory now, seeing as every time Hunter opens his mouth to talk, I can't help but roll my eyes.

"Hey! Lovebirds! Are you guys planning on eating lunch anytime soon or are y'all just going to stand over there and suck face?"

Blood rushes to my cheeks and I whip my head around to glare at the perpetrators the rather rude comment.

Eliza shoots me a shit eating grin. Beside her, Ethan is cackling like a madman, while Addison is trying desperately to contain her hysterical giggling. 

Hunter, of course, doesn't help matters. "Nah, I think we're good over here," he chuckles, annoyingly resting his chin on my shoulder.

I turn my glare on him. "Speak for yourself."

Mirth dances in his blue eyes. "You can just keep on telling me you hate me, Skirt," he says quietly, his words meant only for me. "But your body don't lie. You liked that kiss just as much as I did."

A snort of laugh escapes me. What a heinous idea, Hunter thinking I actually liked kissing him. Sure, it wasn't the worst kiss I'd ever had— that honor belongs to a boy from Queens named Trevor Something-Or-Other back in the eighth grade. But that doesn't mean I actually enjoyed kissing Hunter.

So I tell him to hold onto that thought, because it's the best he's ever going to get out of me.

What I don't tell him, of course, is that if I'd happened to of met him somewhere else, and wasn't already aware of his shitty personality, I'd probably have jumped him in a heartbeat.

"Jesus, sis! The cafeteria? Really?  Is no place sacred anymore?!"

I turn to see my darling little brother throw himself dramatically against the locker beside mine, a look of utter disgust painted on his face. I raise an eyebrow at his theatrics as I close up my locker and lean against it. "What on earth are you talking about?"

Jayden throws his hands in the air. "You! You were just attacking that guy's face! In the middle of the cafeteria! In front of the whole school! While I was trying to eat!"

"You better get used to it baby brother," I tease, grinning down at him. Of course, in my head I'm reminding myself that I still have to get used to it too.

He visibly shutters at my words, ever the little drama queen. "You have no shame, I swear. I mean, we've only been here a week, Pey."

"Nope," I laugh, popping my lips on the 'p'. "Shame is overrated. And don't go acting like you haven't been stringing along a different girl every day, baby brother. This is a small school, you know. I see everything."

Like an middle schooler, my brother crosses his arms across his chest in a huff. "At least I haven't been sticking my tongue down random guys' throats. That's just gross."

Arching one brow, I watch my brother expectantly. "First of all, it was only one guy, thank you very much. Second, if you were sticking your tongue down random guys' throats we'd be having a very different conversation. Do we need to have that conversation, Jay?"

A look of realization passes over Jayden's face, and he looks rather tempted to punch me. "Would you quit trying to get me to tell you I'm gay, you loser. I'm not!"

I shrug my shoulders innocently. "Hey, after last time—"

Jayden bristles visibly, getting all defensive like he always does when I bring up that fateful time. "I didn't know he was a dude, okay?!"

"Toe-may-to, to-mah-to."

Jayden narrows his grey eyes in my direction. "I hate you. I'm telling Mom about your new boy toy, I'm sure she'll just love meeting him!"

My adoring, humored look turns into a deathly glare. I stab a finger into his chest threateningly. "I swear to god, Jay. If you dare tell Mom, nobody will find your body."

"Well, good to know I'm not the only one who brings out the violent side in you, Skirt."

Of course he'd show up now.

My shoulders sag as I groan, my chin falling into my chest. "Hunter," I grumble, not bothering to look up at the newest member of the conversation. "You're everywhere, I swear."

Hunter comes to stand beside me, tucking me under one of his arms like I'm a freaking football or something. "Well, babe, that right there is my locker, you know," he says, pointing towards the grey locker my brother is leaning up against. "And it's the end of the day, which means I need to get my stuff before we head home."

My eyes roll as I heave a frustrated sigh. "Fine. Jayden, move."

"Gee, sis. You're so polite, introducing us and all. Not to mention you asked me so nicely," Jayden says, his voice dripping in sarcasm as he pushes away from the locker. "You must be my sister's latest victim. I gotta say, man, you should run now while you still have the chance."

I stare down my little brother through narrow eyes, wishing desperately that looks could kill or at least severely maim.

But Hunter only laughs. "I'm Hunter. Good to meet you," he grinned, holding out his hand for my brother to shake.

Jayden takes it, and they do that stupid bro-shake boys seem to think is cool. "You too, man. But seriously, you should run the other way. I got all of the sanity in family."

"You did not, you freak," I retort, stepping in between my brother and my fake boyfriend. "Now, get lost before I tell everyone about your little Tinder mixup. Don't you have work, anyways?"

Jayden shrugs, stuffing his hands into his jeans. "Go ahead. I'll just make sure to give Mom a call on my way, so I can tell her all about your boyfriend."

Exactly how illegal is fratricide anyways?

I mean, I think I could pull off the whole orange jumpsuit thing.

"You cannot tell Mom, Jayden," I plead, taking a different approach with my devil's spawn of a brother and all but getting down on my knees in front of half the student body still killing about in the hall. "She'll freak out and get all involved and motherly and it will be horrible. Like, I'm begging you here. Please don't do it."

A grin spreads across Jayden's face as he backs away from me. "Well, I guess you should've thought of that before you told Mom that I had sex!"

I go to lunge after his retreating form, but Hunter annoyingly wraps an arm around my waist to hold me still. His deep laughter rumbles in his chest, and some part of me, deep down, realizes I'm starting to like that sound.

"Not a chance, Skirt. I am not being a witness to murder today. You can do that on your own time."

Like a child, I actually glare up at Hunter and stick my tongue out. "You suck."

None too surprisingly, he grins that suggestive grin of his that makes me regret ever opening my mouth to begin with. "Nah, that's your job, sweetheart."

"Now you're just gross," I scoff, stepping out of his hold on me

I'm saved from our squabble by a bubbly blonde who skips over to my side with a happy smile on her face. "Ready to go, Pey?" Addison asks as she loops her arm through mine and looks over at me expectantly.

"Absolutely. Let's get this thing done," I agree, turning to head for the front doors.

A locker slams as we take a handful of steps away from where we were. Hurried footsteps come up behind us, and the abandoned Hunter falls into step beside me. "Where are you two off to?"

"A date," I state seriously, but I roll my eyes when he doesn't notice. "Where do you think? We have a history project due at the end of the week."

"You mean you actually do your homework yourself?" He asks, arching a brow. "No offence, Skirt, but I had you begged as the kind to have paid off the class nerd to do your work for you all your life."

To my surprise, Addy pipes in. "She's actually done most of the work for the both of us. The girl seriously knows her history."

"If you want proof, I'd be more than happy to tell you the complete life story of Christian Louboutin," I smile sarcastically, only minorly offended by his assumptions about my intelligence. "Or Coco Chanel. Either one works for me."

His look is one of absolute cluelessness. "Am I supposed I know who those people are?"

"Only if you're not a small town imbecile with a mind that's dirtier than the bathroom floor at a truck stop."

His blue eyes narrow as soon as my insult registers with him. "And to think, I was going to offer you two a ride. But with an attitude like that—"

"She's so incredibly sorry," Addison jumps in, sounding like she's swallowed a baby chick. "Please forgive her."

I'm about to shoot daggers at the blonde beside me, but following her line of sight I realize she's staring out the big windows at the front of the school.

Where it's pouring rain. And I'm talking raining cats and dogs, pitch black and the only light outside is from the flashes of lightening illuminating the stormy skies.

I grab onto his elbow and turn to Hunter beside me, looking at him with big, pleading eyes. "She's absolutely right," I bite out, the words tasting like bile in my mouth. But I tough it out, resisting the urge to throw up and reminding myself of his warm, dry truck in the parking lot. "I am so... sorry. Please."

A twisted smile makes its way onto Hunter's face and I cringe inwardly. "Oh, so you're nice to me when you want something, eh, Skirt? I see how it is."

I desperately resist the urge to roll my eyes and scoff at his languid tone. Because as infuriating as the boy boy standing in front of me is, he's the only hope I have at the moment to keep from subjecting my hair to an early spring downpour.

"I've already given you two free rides, why should I give you another?" he asks, before quickly adding, "And don't say 'cause you're my girlfriend. If I'm not getting any rides in return, that's a piss poor excuse."

I drop my hand from his arm like he's hot coals, instead crossing my arms over my chest. "Alright, Hunter, fine. What's it going to take to get you to drive two poor girls a whole five minutes across town in a thunderstorm?"

"Oh, I'll take Addison for free," he grins. "It's you who's gotta pay up."

"Of course," I mumble under my breath, not the least bit surprised. "Fine. What's your price, jackass? I might not have known you very long, but I do know that that stupid shit eating grin on your face means you have something in mind. So, spit it out already."

His grin doesn't falter. "You're coming out with me Friday night."

My nose crinkles at the thought. "I can't," I lie smoothly. "I have work on Saturday."

"I have it on good authority that you don't work until five o'clock," Hunter chuckles, and it begs the question of just whose mouth that information came out of.

I refuse to address that issue while we're standing in the middle of the hallway, and what with the thunder rumbling overhead growing louder. Instead, I ask him where exactly we would be going on this outing.

I will not, under any circumstances refer to it as a date.

"A party," Hunter says nonchalantly. "A few friends of mine over in Huntsville is throwing a party. And while you might be thinking this would be the perfect opportunity for me to get laid, I think I'll get a hell of a lot more enjoyment showing Tomas and Cameron how hot my new girlfriend is."

Hunter Maddox, what a fucking gentleman.

I don't have to think about his deal. Am I really so desperate for a ride I would subject myself to god knows how many hours in a truck with Hunter and spending time letting him show me off to all of his out of town friends?

I am absolutely that protective of my hair.

Not to mention, at the rate my past few weeks have been going, I'd probably be struck down by lightening before I could get out of the parking lot.

So, begrudgingly, I wrap my hands around his firm bicep, lean in and press a quick kiss somewhere around the corner of his mouth. "Fine." I mutter through a false smile.

His smug grin is genuine. "It's a date."

It's too late for an author's note.
Maybe next time.

Lots of love...