"Well lookie, lookie who it is."

I frown, clutching my books to my chest as an arm wraps around my shoulders. I'm pulled into the person's side, unwillingly might I add, causing me to stumble and them to be my only form of support. How clever.

"Princess Beverly Anne, I never thought I'd get you alone!" The boy sarcastically drawls, his lips brushing against my ear. I shiver at the feeling of his breath fanning the side of my face and attempt to pull away. This only causes my body to get trapped even further in the boy's side.

"Well Gaston -2.0, I didn't even know you were trying to get in contact with me. You know I have office hours right?"

The boy grins at my sarcasm, "I like that you're fiesty."

"You know what? You're just about to piss me off so you better start talking because if it wasn't for your brother begging Ben and I to allow you here, the only alone time you would ever get with me is through your computer- oh wait. No wifi." I mock, pouting my lip in fake sympathy.

The brunette laughs, his grip on me tightening as he continues to guide us through the lawn outside Auradon Prep. He sighs, "Oh, Beverly. Beverly, Beverly, Beverly. You're too sweet. What are you doing with a boy like Harry Hook?"

"Is that what this is about?" I laugh, sneaking a glance at the boy. His jaw is locked and he avoids my eyes at all cost causing me to laugh even harder. "Come on, you can't be serious. You don't even know me, Gaston."

"No," the boy nods curtly, "but I do know Harry."

"What?" I grimace, finally pulling myself free. I stumble away from him, glaring at him as I regain balance. "Why does it seem like ever since he's gotten here everyone is trying to make me think he's some bad guy? Well- I mean- you know what I mean!"

"Listen, sweetheart, I don't like your brother, I don't like your parents, and I most certainly don't like you. My brother, however, does and I promised him that I would be civil with you for his sake so let me put it this way- Harry may not be a playboy, but he does know how to manipulate women and I don't want to see anything happen to my new home because you're too foolish to see what's right infront of you." His tone drips with sarcasm and I can tell by the way his body sways back and forth that he's not telling me the entire truth.

I don't push for the truth, depsite my clenched fists ready to knock that stupid smirk off his face at any second. Not because I don't want to stand up to him, but because two figures stand on either side of me before I can leap at him. The person on my left grabs my closed fist, prying it open and slipping their fingers through mine.

"Back off, Gaston." The person on the right speaks, causing me to grimace at the familiar voice. Hannah.

"Well, forgive me, I didn't realise you two were friends." The boy puts his hands up in mock surrender, side eyeing me the entire time.

"That's enough." Harry chimes in, pushing me slightly behind him. I frown at the gesture, pushing him back.

"I can fight my own battles, thank you very much." I snap, pulling my hand away from his. I ignore his hurt expression, stomping toward Gaston, "If you want to talk, we'll talk, but not here. Not now. And you have to swear to only tell the truth."

"If a trial is what you need, a trial is what you'll get." The boy smiles menacingly, "Just don't forget to glance over your shoulder every once in a while." With that the boy turns and walks away, leaving me frazzled and confused.

Just don't forget to glance over your shoulder every once in a while.

I frown, slowly turning my head to see Hannah with a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry doesn't seem to notice though, his eyes locked on me and a worried expression dancing across his features.

"What was that about?" Hannah asks bluntly, noticing me watching them.

I turn to fully face them, shrugging my shoulders and dropping my books to the ground. I let out an obnoxious sigh, throwing myself onto the grass. "I'm so sick of this shit." I exhale, staring up at the clouds.

"Hannah, don't you have class?" Harry questions, though I don't bother to look up at the duo.

"Don't you?" The girl snaps back, frustration obvious in her tone.

"Can you just take a fucking hint and leave?" I shout, picking my head up to see Harry is now only about a foot away from me. The girl glares at me, but wordlessly leaves despite her clearly not wanting to.

Harry snickers quietly as he watches her go, his eyes settling on me once she's out of sight. He gives me a look, making me grimace, "stop. Don't look at me like that. I'm not jealous."

The boy throws his hands up, lying down next to me, "I never said you were."

"You were thinking it." I mutter, a heavy feeling swirling in my chest. "I'm sorry."

I lie back down on my back, closing my eyes.

"For what?" Harry asks, his hand sneaking to mine. I feel him place his hand over mine, hesitating to grab it. This only makes me feel worse.

"I know I hurt your feelings when I yelled at you. I didn't mean to. I'm just so sick of men always trying to fight my battles, I've dealt with it my whole life."

Harry laughs softly, finally grabbing hold of my hand, "Don't be sorry for being strong. I'm sorry that I made you feel like you needed to stand up to me before you could stand up to him."

I smile, turning my head to see him already staring at me. The sun beams down on him, the light making his blue eyes shine depsite the brightness. "One week and look at how soft we've gone." I whisper, pretending to look around the lawn to make sure nobody else hears.

Harry laughs again, his free hand making it's way to my cheek. I nuzzle into his touch, before catching myself and pulling away. Don't go too soft, you fool.

The raven haired boy notices my hesitance quickly and rolls his eyes, grabbing my face again, "It's just me, Bev. I won't let anyone in on our little secret."

I giggle, oh God, I giggled, my eyes searching his for a moment, "we barely know eachother, ya know."

Harry groans loudly, rolling back onto his back and looking at the sky, "I thought you were gonna kiss me."

I smirk, sitting up so that I can lean over him, "Really?" I tease.

He clearly has no time for my nonsense, grabbing my necklace that dangled over his face and pulling me down toward him, "If your pride wasn't in the way, would you?"

"Would I what?" I cluelessly mutter, furrowing my brows.

"Kiss me."

The two words don't come out as question like I had expected them to. No. Those two words were demanding, desperate. Like he needed me to do it or he'd die. In fact I've never heard such desperation from anyone before.

My eyes flicker from my necklace between his fingers to his face. I take him in. His rosy cheeks from the heat beating down on us, his furrowed brows, his clenched jaw, his ocean eyes, and his lips. His lips that hold that stupid smirk because he caught me. He lured me right into his trap and then locked me in a cage.

And funnily enough, all of my worries fly out the window, because I don't care that he played me.

Oh no. I'm whipped. Abort! Back away! Go to class! Go to work! I don't care, just GET OUT.

I feel the panic creep over my face and Harry obviously catches it too because before I can pull away he pulls me down and attaches his lips to mine.

I melt into the kiss, my eyes creeping shut and hands making their way to his cheeks. He slowly sits up, pulling me onto his lap without missing a beat.

Not a playboy, my ass, Gaston Jr.. Normal boys can't just do things like that.

I feel his fingers slip away from necklace before the metal softly thuds against my chest. The small contact is all I need to bring me back to my senses.

I pull away abruptly, surprised when Harry effortlessly grabs my necklace and pulls me back to him. He doesn't pull me in quite as close this time, but our faces are mere inches apart. So close that I can feel his breath fanning my face as he exhales.

"Well, that was something." I uncomfortably laugh. Not because I didn't enjoy kissing him, but because I spot Gil, Doug, Evie, and Carlos ducking behind a bush over his shoulder. "But we have an audience."

Harry doesn't respond, his eyes closed while his fingers play with my necklace.

"I should go." I pat his chest lightly, trying to pull away again.

"No." He says simply. His eyes opening to meet mine.

"No?" I question sarcastically, leaning my forehead again his. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but I've got other things to do, man pirate."

He chuckles softly at the nickname, shaking his head, "Can a man just have a minute to process what just happened?"

This causes me to laugh, throwing my head back. He releases my necklace again as my arms wrap around his neck.

"This is way out of character for me, just so you know." I tease, my eyes locking with his.

He only smiles, "I know, guess that means I'm special."

I pout, shaking my head, "Probably not." I tease, giggling when he digs his fingers into my sides, tickling me. "Harry, stop!" I shriek, trying to wiggle my way out of his hold. I fail.

He stops suddenly, his eyes peering at something over my shoulder. I turn my head to see Mal and Ben watching us with smiles on their faces. Ben's obviously forced, but there nonetheless.

"Oh you're worried about them, but not the four peeping Toms behind you?" I inquire, peaking over his shoulder to see the top of Gil's head flash away from the bush.

"Yeah, well, your brother scares me."

"Ben?" I snort, "Really?"

He nods, "Yeah!"

"He couldn't hurt a fly, Harry. You're such a wimp." I tease, going to poke his cheek. He turns his head at the last second, biting my finger gently. I squeal in surprise, pulling away. "You're such a twit!"

I pull away, grabbing my books and standing back up. I dust myself off, straightening out my dress before offering a hand to the boy below me.

"I kept my promise you know." He whispers as I pull him off the ground.

"Promise?" My brows furrow in confusion.

"Yeah, I told you we'd pick our conversation up again later."

My cheeks heat up at this statement, "Shut up."

I rush away, my hair covering my burning cheeks as I pass the three VK's (and Doug) that had watched us from behind the bush.

"See ya later, Darlin'!"

"Shut up!" I shout back, not turning to see him. I already know he's smirking.

"Beverly, oh my God!" Evie squeals, rushing up beside me, "Tell. Me. Everything."

Author's Note:
SOMEONE SHOULD OPEN A WINDOW CAUSE IT'S HOT IN HERE.

I don't have much to say. Just the usual that I didn't edit this chapter and I love you. Also, I know this may seem kinda fast paced, just trust the process.

I hope your New Year is off to a good start. I was smacked in the face with a wave of inspiration for this book so mine definitely is!

Anywayyyyy, have a good day! Hope you enjoyed! Make sure you vote and comment (if ya want).