"You gonna tell me what happened or..?" Zara asks me with a mouthful of apple, courtesy of our school's cafeteria. She's staring at me with wide grey eyes, an eyebrow shooting up as she waits for an answer. How can she tell? It must be some kind of best friend connection into my thoughts.

"Alana you haven't touched your food - which may I say is so unlike you, and you've been staring out the window for like ten minutes!" She continues. There goes my hopes for some 'best friend connection', turns out I gave it away pretty easy.

I scan my surroundings, looking for anyone who could eavesdrop, but since we're no where near the popular crowd I decide it's safe to talk freely. "I talked to Theo this morning," I state, bracing myself for Zara's reaction.

"YOU WHAT?" She practically yells, and a few irrelevant heads turn to see what's going on. "This morning, like as in before school?" I nod. "And you didn't tell me until-" she pauses to check her watch, "thirteen minutes into lunch? WOMAN! To be honest I'm contemplating finding a new bestie, you suck." Zara shakes her head and sips from her black currant juice box.

At that I laugh, "I'm sorry I didn't think it was that big of a deal" I shrug, picking up the chicken baguette that has now gone cold and taking a rather generous bite.

Zara smacks the table with an open palm, attracting more eyes to our little discussion. "So, let me get this straight. The hottest guy in the whole freaking school is SCREAMING for your attention and you don't think that's a big deal? Yeah okay, I'm hanging fliers tonight to find me a new bestie."

I chuckle, "He is definitely not screaming for my attention. We barely even talked, alright? I was saved by the bell."

Speaking of which, the bell for class rings, right on cue. Both of us get up from the table and begin walking out into the hall.

"I. Want. Details." Zara shouts as she walks backwards, in the opposite direction of me.

Of course, I wasn't looking where I was going, and before I turned to do so, I slammed into something hard and warm, and smelling like fresh cologne. Someone - actually.

"I am so sorry!" I apologise quickly, and look up to meet chocolate brown eyes. I notice now that his hands are cupping my arms, sending sparks through my body.

It feels like forever before he answers, "Alana, babe, that's like the oldest trick in the book - don't pretend it was an accident." Theo smirks, and he removes his hands from my tingling arms, one reaching up to comb his made to look messy brown hair, the other into the pocket of his jeans.

I roll my eyes, and continue on my way, ignoring his cocky comment. I hear a few deep laughs from behind me, most likely from Theo and a few guys from what Zara and I refer to as the 'Awesome Foursome' which consists of the four most popular boys in the cohort, who all just happen to be equally blessed in the looks department: Theo, Matt, Dylan and Reece.

How embarrassing.

• • •

Thanks to the little incident on my way to class, I walk in late to History. Great. Lucky for me, the teacher doesn't even look up when I enter, and I quickly take one of the two remaining seats in the middle of the class. I take out my books as my teacher Mr Reinshagen begins the lesson.

"Good afternoon students, welcome to History - Revolutions. I hope that you have all completed the reading that was assigned over the holid-" The teacher stops when the door swings open, and the one and only Theo enters, slamming the door shut in a way only he can get away with. Mr Reinshagen doesn't even bother with Theo, and continues on about the homework.

All I can think about is the last free seat in class, right next to me. I pretend to be engrossed in the text book as Theo slides into the seat beside me.

Theo tilts his chair and leans over to whisper in my ear. "Why are you reading the bibliography?"

"What?" The word flies out of my mouth before I can think of a cover up. Oh my god. I am reading the bibliography. Good one Alana.

His rough hand brushes against mine as he turns the pages of my textbook to 78. To my surprise, he doesn't ask again, or make any dirty remarks. If there's anyone who could take this innocent situation and make some dirty connection, it would be Theo.

"Thanks." I say quietly.

"I can think of a few ways you can repay me." He chuckles, running a hand through his hair.

"Ugh! You are such a -"

"Sex god?" He leans back in his chair, nonchalant.

"Dick!" I finish, sighing loudly as I slump in my seat, exhausted by this boy who's ego seems to absorb all the energy in the room.

"I'm sorry Miss Fisher, is my class boring you?" Mr Reinshagen asks me, hands on his hips.

"What? No! I'm sorry sir." I answer, straightening my position, realising how this looks and the impression I'm currently making.

"Then I guess you can tell me when the War of Independence took place?"

I mentally blank, I don't know.

"1775 'til 1783" Theo whispers discreetly.

Is Theo helping me? What?

I repeat the answer, and Mr Reinshagen nods in approval. "Pay attention, Fisher. It won't be that easy next time." He turns to the whiteboard, so I figure I'm off the hook. For now.

"What were you saying? I'm a dick?" Theo grins, clearly amused by the situation.

"Since when are you ever nice to me?" And since when are you smart? I want to add. I stop staring at him, because it's hard to be angry.

Theo Archer is a dick. He's the biggest player I know. He treats girls like gum - takes off it's wrapping, chews it for a while until he gets sick of it and spits it out somewhere.

"I can be nice." He mutters quietly under his breath, and that's the last thing that's said for the rest of the lesson, leaving my thoughts to run wild.

__________________________

A.N-

Oooh! I have lot's of ideas brewing now hehe.

Please vote and comment if you're enjoying it so far!

PS. This is like my favourite picture ever and I couldn't get it out of my head while writing this. Thoughts on Dave Franco as Theo?? You can imagine him as anyone you want but 😍😍