Chapter 5

The "plan" was to make Tyler want me. Because that is just so easy. So am I supposed to keep dressing how I normally do, or put on slut clothes? Wait do I even have slut clothes? Are slut clothes even a thing, or is it really about the person wearing the clothes?

I was definitely overthinking it.

I rummaged through the boxes of clothes I had yet to unpack, unsatisfied with everything I found.

I threw back the pair of ripped jeans I held in my hand, instead deciding on a simple blue dress. It was plain, except the back which had a laced pattern stitched through it, exposing my shoulder blades all the way down to the middle of my back.

I put my hair in a messy braid over my right shoulder and brushed my teeth before grabbing my bag and running downstairs. Because I was even later than yesterday, mom and Trent were already waiting in the car. Deciding to skip breakfast, I slipped on some sandals and ran out the door.

For once in his life, Trent didn't made any snide comments as I slid into the backseat. He just rolled his eyes, ignoring me as we drove away.

By the time my first three classes were over and Audrey and I were walking to the lunch table, I'd changed my mind about the plan completely.

It only took one look at him and the random girl kissing him to feel bile rising in my throat. God, did she not get that he felt nothing for her? There was no way someone like me could ever change Tyler, and I didn't really care to anyway. I was much more confident in returning to my original plan of action, which was to pretend Tyler didn't exist.

As I sat down at the table and we all started talking, I realized something about my three new friends. While Audrey and Lily were the rational ones, Carly and I were the outspoken, more sassy ones of the group. Carly was almost as sarcastic as I am, which made it easy to love her.

I tapped my unpainted nails against the fiberglass lunch table as we sat down and Audrey soon started describing her dreams to be a cheerleader. Apparently, she had always wanted to try out for the team, but felt she was too tall and awkward. That last part left me dumbfounded, because, with golden hair and a body that rivaled many Victoria's Secret models, she was easily one of the best looking girls in the school. All three of my new friends were, in fact: Carly was half-Chinese (though I didn't know until she told me), which blessed her with silky hair and hazel eyes that were perfectly almond-shaped, and Lily was of Russian descent, with blonde, almost white hair and piercing blue eyes.

Carly was quick to point out the absurdity of Audrey being labeled anything remotely close to "awkward", and we all laughed in agreement before moving on to another topic. I looked around our group as lunch went on, feeling grateful to have made such genuine friends so quickly.

Soon the bell rang, and we all headed our separate ways down the halls. I headed toward the gym, almost there when I felt a hand tug on my elbow. I spun around, half-poised to yell at someone.

"Hey, Lauren!"

Confused, I looked at the blonde guy who was staring at me and quickly tried to process how I knew him. Recognition finally came, and I smiled. "Oh! Hey...Brandon," I greeted. It was that guy's son from last night, and I mentally crossed my fingers in hopes that I got his name right. We quickly moved toward the wall to get out of peoples' way.

He smiled back. "So," he laughed nervously. "I know this isn't the normal way people do things and it might sound weird, but do you want to, like, be my friend? I mean, we already kinda know each other" He smiled shyly.

I made a face but then quickly composed myself, trying not to seem rude. I didn't even know him that well but I did feel strangely comfortable around him, like we already were close friends.

"Aww, sure!" I laughed reaching to hug him.

He wasn't even that bad looking. He had sandy blonde hair with bright blue eyes, and he was well built. I mean, sure, he was no Tyler Morris but still..no! What was I thinking?

For what seemed like the hundredth time since meeting him, I mentally damned Tyler for invading my thoughts.

Brandon returned my hug only semi-awkwardly. "Thanks. My parents may have also told me to befriend you, Incase you were wondering, but I probably would have done it anyway."

I let out a loud, undoubtedly unattractive laugh at that. "No worries. We are officially friends."

"Anyway, what class do you have now?"

I peeked at my schedule that I had stuck in the front of my binder, even though I already knew the answer. "PE."

"Me too! I'll walk you," he said, sidling up beside me.

We got to the gym and, after changing in the locker rooms, we all walked out to hear the teacher talk.

The gym teacher was a big man with a goatee named Mr. Fisher. He had a pot belly, yet made sure to claim it was "all muscle". I snickered when he said that, still undecided on if I liked him or not.

He must've been in a bad mood—at least I hoped that was the case—because he said we were going to be spending the entire class running laps around the track outside.

I groaned. I may be skinny, but I can't run for shit.

We wall walked outside to our doom, groaning. The few fitness junkies who actually wanted to run were bouncing excitedly and stretching their limbs, like they were preparing for a marathon or something. I glared at them briefly.

I gestured to them with a smirk and Brandon frowned. "Show-off assholes," he muttered.

I laughed hard and slapped his back jovially. "We're going to be great friends, Brandon."

Mr. Fisher yelled go and everyone, sadly including Brandon, ran for the track.

I started jogging, hating it already. Before one gets the wrong impression, I'll explain; I care a lot about my academic grades, but PE? That, on the other hand, I do not give a fuck about.

After only a minute, I was being left behind so I sped up, breaking into a full run until I was safely in the middle. There were lots of people behind me and lots in front, so I felt safe about slowing down.

After a lap, I stopped and bent over with my hands on my thighs, panting.

"That ass is quite a sight," said a voice, laughing.

I glared and whipped back up to a standing position. Tyler Morris was standing in front of me. Oh, great, so he must have also been in this PE class.

"Feel free to kiss it," I snapped.

He laughed and smirked at me. "You offering?"

"Just stay away from me, Tyler." I started walking again.

"I like the way you say my name," he said, quickly matching my pace and walking next to me.

I didn't have a witty remark to reply with, so I did the only think I could think of; I burst off running.

...

After PE, I felt like death. Thankfully, the rest of my classes passed by quickly.

I was standing outside the school, waiting for my mom, when I heard a throat clear. I looked up to see an impatient girl staring at me, shifting her weight back and forth on her feet. She was way taller than me (but then again, who wasn't?).

"I saw you talking with Tyler on the track today," she said. She was a very beautiful girl, almost like a young Kelly Rowland, but her looks were ruined by a pinched expression that could only be described as pissed off.

Well, hello sunshine. "Are you his girlfriend?" I asked in an innocent tone, amused by this.

"No, but you still should stay away from him. You have to know he won't go for someone like you." Her dark eyes were narrowed as she said this, her nose scrunched up in a sneer.

"Well thank god!" I held my chest in fake relief. My voice then went flat. "Because I have no interest in him, so there isn't a problem."

She looked like she was about to say something else, but then her expression changed from a bitch to flirty.

"Just go," Tyler said to the girl with a sigh, barely sparing her a second glance. "I'm not really in the mood, okay?" His voice was oddly kind as he rejected her.

The girls eyes flicked from me to him and she sighed, giving a quick nod before scurrying away.

"Come on, I'll give you a ride home," he said, looking at me.

"And be harassed by more of your bimbos? Yeah, no thanks."

He laughed. "Come on. you don't really have a choice, actually."

I raised my eyebrow. "Excuse me? Yes I do, and I'm saying hell no."

He smiled smugly. "Check your phone, sweetheart."

I frowned and got it out. Sure enough, my notifications showed one new text from my mom:

WORK RUNNING LATE, TRENT'S FRIEND WILL GIVE YOU TWO A RIDE. XOXO, MOM

I finished reading the text and glanced back up at Tyler with narrowed eyes. "How did you know she would text me?"

"Your brother told me?" He said in a duh tone, like I was an idiot.

I sighed. "And where's Trent now?" I asked.

His lips curled up into a knowing smirk. "Detention, which means it's just you and me, babe."

Trent was in detention? I wondered what he had managed to do in such little time at this school to land himself there.

Tyler's words finally sunk in and I groaned loudly while following him to his car.

This was going to be a long ride.

The "plan" was to make Tyler want me. Because that is just so easy. So am I supposed to keep dressing how I normally do, or put on slut clothes? Wait do I even have slut clothes? Are slut clothes even a thing, or is it really about the person wearing the clothes?

I was definitely overthinking it.

I rummaged through the boxes of clothes I had yet to unpack, unsatisfied with everything I found.

I threw back the pair of ripped jeans I held in my hand, instead deciding on a simple blue dress. It was plain, except the back which had a laced pattern stitched through it, exposing my shoulder blades all the way down to the middle of my back.

I put my hair in a messy braid over my right shoulder and brushed my teeth before grabbing my bag and running downstairs. Because I was even later than yesterday, mom and Trent were already waiting in the car. Deciding to skip breakfast, I slipped on some sandals and ran out the door.

For once in his life, Trent didn't made any snide comments as I slid into the backseat. He just rolled his eyes, ignoring me as we drove away.

By the time my first three classes were over and Audrey and I were walking to the lunch table, I'd changed my mind about the plan completely.

It only took one look at him and the random girl kissing him to feel bile rising in my throat. God, did she not get that he felt nothing for her? There was no way someone like me could ever change Tyler, and I didn't really care to anyway. I was much more confident in returning to my original plan of action, which was to pretend Tyler didn't exist.

As I sat down at the table and we all started talking, I realized something about my three new friends. While Audrey and Lily were the rational ones, Carly and I were the outspoken, more sassy ones of the group. Carly was almost as sarcastic as I am, which made it easy to love her.

I tapped my unpainted nails against the fiberglass lunch table as we sat down and Audrey soon started describing her dreams to be a cheerleader. Apparently, she had always wanted to try out for the team, but felt she was too tall and awkward. That last part left me dumbfounded, because, with golden hair and a body that rivaled many Victoria's Secret models, she was easily one of the best looking girls in the school. All three of my new friends were, in fact: Carly was half-Chinese (though I didn't know until she told me), which blessed her with silky hair and hazel eyes that were perfectly almond-shaped, and Lily was of Russian descent, with blonde, almost white hair and piercing blue eyes.

Carly was quick to point out the absurdity of Audrey being labeled anything remotely close to "awkward", and we all laughed in agreement before moving on to another topic. I looked around our group as lunch went on, feeling grateful to have made such genuine friends so quickly.

Soon the bell rang, and we all headed our separate ways down the halls. I headed toward the gym, almost there when I felt a hand tug on my elbow. I spun around, half-poised to yell at someone.

"Hey, Lauren!"

Confused, I looked at the blonde guy who was staring at me and quickly tried to process how I knew him. Recognition finally came, and I smiled. "Oh! Hey...Brandon," I greeted. It was that guy's son from last night, and I mentally crossed my fingers in hopes that I got his name right. We quickly moved toward the wall to get out of peoples' way.

He smiled back. "So," he laughed nervously. "I know this isn't the normal way people do things and it might sound weird, but do you want to, like, be my friend? I mean, we already kinda know each other" He smiled shyly.

I made a face but then quickly composed myself, trying not to seem rude. I didn't even know him that well but I did feel strangely comfortable around him, like we already were close friends.

"Aww, sure!" I laughed reaching to hug him.

He wasn't even that bad looking. He had sandy blonde hair with bright blue eyes, and he was well built. I mean, sure, he was no Tyler Morris but still..no! What was I thinking?

For what seemed like the hundredth time since meeting him, I mentally damned Tyler for invading my thoughts.

Brandon returned my hug only semi-awkwardly. "Thanks. My parents may have also told me to befriend you, Incase you were wondering, but I probably would have done it anyway."

I let out a loud, undoubtedly unattractive laugh at that. "No worries. We are officially friends."

"Anyway, what class do you have now?"

I peeked at my schedule that I had stuck in the front of my binder, even though I already knew the answer. "PE."

"Me too! I'll walk you," he said, sidling up beside me.

We got to the gym and, after changing in the locker rooms, we all walked out to hear the teacher talk.

The gym teacher was a big man with a goatee named Mr. Fisher. He had a pot belly, yet made sure to claim it was "all muscle". I snickered when he said that, still undecided on if I liked him or not.

He must've been in a bad mood—at least I hoped that was the case—because he said we were going to be spending the entire class running laps around the track outside.

I groaned. I may be skinny, but I can't run for shit.

We wall walked outside to our doom, groaning. The few fitness junkies who actually wanted to run were bouncing excitedly and stretching their limbs, like they were preparing for a marathon or something. I glared at them briefly.

I gestured to them with a smirk and Brandon frowned. "Show-off assholes," he muttered.

I laughed hard and slapped his back jovially. "We're going to be great friends, Brandon."

Mr. Fisher yelled go and everyone, sadly including Brandon, ran for the track.

I started jogging, hating it already. Before one gets the wrong impression, I'll explain; I care a lot about my academic grades, but PE? That, on the other hand, I do not give a fuck about.

After only a minute, I was being left behind so I sped up, breaking into a full run until I was safely in the middle. There were lots of people behind me and lots in front, so I felt safe about slowing down.

After a lap, I stopped and bent over with my hands on my thighs, panting.

"That ass is quite a sight," said a voice, laughing.

I glared and whipped back up to a standing position. Tyler Morris was standing in front of me. Oh, great, so he must have also been in this PE class.

"Feel free to kiss it," I snapped.

He laughed and smirked at me. "You offering?"

"Just stay away from me, Tyler." I started walking again.

"I like the way you say my name," he said, quickly matching my pace and walking next to me.

I didn't have a witty remark to reply with, so I did the only think I could think of; I burst off running.

...

After PE, I felt like death. Thankfully, the rest of my classes passed by quickly.

I was standing outside the school, waiting for my mom, when I heard a throat clear. I looked up to see an impatient girl staring at me, shifting her weight back and forth on her feet. She was way taller than me (but then again, who wasn't?).

"I saw you talking with Tyler on the track today," she said. She was a very beautiful girl, almost like a young Kelly Rowland, but her looks were ruined by a pinched expression that could only be described as pissed off.

Well, hello sunshine. "Are you his girlfriend?" I asked in an innocent tone, amused by this.

"No, but you still should stay away from him. You have to know he won't go for someone like you." Her dark eyes were narrowed as she said this, her nose scrunched up in a sneer.

"Well thank god!" I held my chest in fake relief. My voice then went flat. "Because I have no interest in him, so there isn't a problem."

She looked like she was about to say something else, but then her expression changed from a bitch to flirty.

"Just go," Tyler said to the girl with a sigh, barely sparing her a second glance. "I'm not really in the mood, okay?" His voice was oddly kind as he rejected her.

The girls eyes flicked from me to him and she sighed, giving a quick nod before scurrying away.

"Come on, I'll give you a ride home," he said, looking at me.

"And be harassed by more of your bimbos? Yeah, no thanks."

He laughed. "Come on. you don't really have a choice, actually."

I raised my eyebrow. "Excuse me? Yes I do, and I'm saying hell no."

He smiled smugly. "Check your phone, sweetheart."

I frowned and got it out. Sure enough, my notifications showed one new text from my mom:

WORK RUNNING LATE, TRENT'S FRIEND WILL GIVE YOU TWO A RIDE. XOXO, MOM

I finished reading the text and glanced back up at Tyler with narrowed eyes. "How did you know she would text me?"

"Your brother told me?" He said in a duh tone, like I was an idiot.

I sighed. "And where's Trent now?" I asked.

His lips curled up into a knowing smirk. "Detention, which means it's just you and me, babe."

Trent was in detention? I wondered what he had managed to do in such little time at this school to land himself there.

Tyler's words finally sunk in and I groaned loudly while following him to his car.

This was going to be a long ride.