1 All Those Years Ago

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'These Are Thoughts'

"This is diolouge"

Skyler flopped into her desk, trying not to fall asleep. Why, oh why, had she decided reading most of the night was a good idea? I mean, honestly! She had gotten four hours of sleep! She was in her senior year of high school! Had she learned nothing?!

As the final bell rang, Skyler heard the door open. Who could be this late?

Skyler turned to the door, then immediately turned away. Nevermind. It was Nico.

Nico Davil. A got-it-all boy. He's got money, girls, and power. Every girl adored him, and every boy wanted to be him.

Skyler was probably the only exception.

She openly hated Nico. He was exactly what she despised. Flirtatious, annoying, treated people as pawns, and flaunts his power and influence everywhere.

It was not a pretty day when they had first met.

Four Years Ago

Skyler grinned as she waved goodbye to her fellow book-reading friend, Emma. The sequel to her favorite book was out! And, if that wasn't good enough, it was in the library!

She dashed toward what she called "reading central", and noticed a sign on the door.

LIBRARY CLOSED

Skyler waved off the sign. She was allowed clearance. The main librarian had given her a pass to do enter whenever she wished, closed or not.

She threw open the door.

At first, she didn't notice anything different. She walked over to the fiction section, searching for the book.

And that's when she heard a groan of pleasure.

Skyler froze and turned toward the noise. With horror, she realized a boy and girl were in the middle of a liplock.

Thankfully, the pair had not noticed their intruder yet. Skyler gulped and slowly retreated back toward the door.

Suddenly, the boy's hand shot up the girl's shirt, and Skyler had to resist the urge to puke. They weren't going to...were they?

The girls' hands moved toward the boys' waist, and Skyler's eyes bulged. 'Oh geez! I need to get out of here!'

Unfortunately, luck was not on her side today.

As Skyler felt herself reach the door, she tripped on a book lying on the ground. With a soft thump, she landed on the ground.

Immediately, the pair pulled apart and turned to her.

Skyler audibly gulped.

The boys' dark blue eyes narrowed at her. His hair was devilish, and his clothes were something of a mess. The girl had a drunk look on her face but quickly snapped out of it.

"What are you doing here?!" The girl snapped, panic striking her face. "Didn't you see the closed sign?!"

"I-I'm allowed clearance at all times." Skyler stammered. "W-w-what are you two doing here?"

The boy spoke at this point. His voice dripped with honey, and it was unnaturally intoxicating.

"We're a little busy. I suggest you leave."

Skyler blinked, then glared. Oh, no way in hell was that happening. She was absolutely sure that this boy had no permission to be here. There was no way he was kicking her out. If she was going to leave, it was going to be on her own terms.

Besides, she really, really, wanted that book.

"Suck it up." Skyler snapped at him. "I'm here for a book, and I'm not leaving without it."

Skyler strutted back toward the shelf she had been previously looking at. She scanned to titles, looking. No, no, no, no, no…

Skyler could feel the stares of the two behind her. It was a little unnerving, but she forced herself not to care. She wasn't going to be pushed around like some doll.

Finally, Skyler found her book. She grinned in triumph, hugging the book to her chest.

"Done yet?" The boy asked dryly.

"Wait a sec," Skyler replied, not looking at him. "Gotta check it out."

As quick as she could, Skyler checked out her book.

She turned toward the door and was about to walk out when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to head and realized the boy was next to her.

"You've got some nerve." He whispered, blowing a strand of her black hair that had been hanging by her ear. "Do you know who I am, little girl?"

Skyler forced herself to be calm.

"No, and I don't especially care. All I wanted was my book. I have it, so I'll be going now."

Skyler tried to move forward, but his hand trapped her to the spot. How can someone be this strong?!

"Remember this, girly." He whispered. "My name is Nico Davil. My family supports this miserable school, meaning my word is law. I don't want to see you here ever again."

Skyler felt her temper flare beyond its tolerance point. No one keeps me from my books!

"F*CK. YOU." Skyler said furiously, pulling herself away from Nico. "I'M GONNA COME HER WHEN I LIKE, AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, SUCK IT UP. IT SUCKS TO SUCKS."

And she stormed out of the library, intent on never seeing him again.

Imagine her surprise seeing him the next day.

He was lounging in the library, in one of the many sofas. A different girl was with him this time. This one was cuddling up to him. Nico looked annoyed but didn't push her away.

But the moment he saw her, a cheshire cat grin spread across his face.

"Well well," He said, his voice dripping with venom, "If it isn't my little girl of rage."

"I'M. NOT. YOUR. LITTLE. GIRL." Skyler said, grinding her teeth to stop herself from screaming.

"Fine, fine." He waved a hand, and suddenly, Skyler's arms were behind her back. She was roughly shoved forward, less than a foot from Nico. She turned back to see a large, burly man was her kidnapper. Nico shoved the girl away, his eyes never leaving Skyler's face.

Oh, how she wanted to smack that smirk off his face.

He brought a hand to her face, surprisingly gentle.

"No more games." He whispered. "Don't pretend to hate me. Everyone loves me."

Skyler spit in his face.

For a second, Nico froze. Then, he howled in rage, wiping his sleeve across his face in a desperate attempt to get rid of the liquid.

"Did you…?! You did!" He yelled, pointing an accusing finger at her. "You spit on me!"

"Sucks to suck." Skyler grinned, repeating her catchphrase. She tore away from the burly bodyguard and stalked away.

As she ran up to her class, she slid into her seat right as class began.

"Hey, Liz," Skyler whispered to her best friend. Lizzie had been Skyler's best friend for a few years now, and the two understood each other almost perfectly.

"You were almost late! Where were you at girl?!" Her blond friend whispered back.

"Dealing with some idiot."

"Dangggg. Please tell me you went easy on them."

"I spit at them."

"Damn girl! Who was it?"

"Some guy named Nico Davil."

Immediately, Lizzie paled and blanched.

"Skyler." She said, grabbing the shoulders of the Indian girl. "Please tell me you did not piss off the Nico Davil!"

Skyler blinked, not sure why Lizzie was having this sort of reaction, but replied. "I might have offended him quite a bit. Why?"

Lizzie's eyes widened, and she gasped.

"Don't you know who he is?! Nico Davil's dad owns Dragon X!"

Skyler blinked, then reeled back. WHAT?!

Dragon X was the "company of the future". It made everything, from smartphones to chocolate to fabric. They were ultra rich, and anyone who got in their way was quickly eliminated.

"No way," Skyler breathed. "You're messing with me."

"I swear I'm not! You have to apologize!"

Unfortunately, pride was something Skyler prized.

"Nope." She said, turning her head and crossing her arms.

"SKYLER!"

"No. I won't." Skyler said, having already made up her mind.

"You may want to reconsider." A smooth voice spoke from next to her. Skyler gulped and realized that Nico was right behind her. The entire class was looking at them silently. Skyler began to wonder how long people had been listening in.

"I'm ready to accept your apology now," Nico said, crossing his arms. He tapped his foot impatiently.

Skyler barked out a laugh.

"Sorry, not sorry." She spoke in a mocking tone. "You deserved what you got."

Nico narrowed his eyes and was about to speak when he was interrupted.

"Mr.Davil." The professor spoke, looking like what Liz would call, "low-key pissed off". "Please go back to your classroom. I have a lesson to teach."

Nico glared at the teacher.

"Do you want to lose your job, old man? My father-"

"Your father," The professor interrupted, "Was notified of your antics. He gave all professors the ability to treat you as a regular student. So, unless you want detention, I suggest you leave."

Nico glared but retreated out the door.

"And you two," The man spoke, turning to the two girls, who were grinning shamelessly, "Should not be looking too happy. You are very lucky I was willing to kick out that boy for you two. And, both of you should not be chattering in my class while I'm giving a lecture! Detention for both of you!"

Present Day

Skyler sighed as she reminisced over memories. After that, Skyler and Nico fought every time they met. They just couldn't manage to tolerate each other. And after a particularly horrible incident which people referred to as The Great Explosion Of 20XX, everyone, even the staff, was cautioned to keep both Nico and Skyler as far apart as possible.

Somehow, they still managed to end up in at least one of the same classes every year.

It was horribly terrible. And even though Nico seemed to gain control over most of the staff through blackmail, bribery, or intimidation, he couldn't seem to be able to escape having one class with her.

As the teacher began to speak, something about the Revolutionary War, Skyler put her head on the desk.

I hate this class.

"You will be getting into partners, assigned by the vice principal, for your project on the war." The teacher spoke, and Skyler looked up. Wait, what? Partners? Project? Assigned?

"The first group is...Lizzie and Gray!"

Skyler sighed. So much for getting Liz as a partner.

The professor continued to read off the list, and Skyler sighed as each of her friends was assigned someone that wasn't her.

"Skyler and Nico!"

The entire class was immediately silenced. Everyone turned toward the teacher, whose eyes were wide as she reread the paper.

"I-It says here that the two 'must learn how to cooperate and behave like seniors'. " The teacher looked like she was going to be sick.

Skyler and Nico locked eyes, and both glared with a ferocity unknown to man until now.

Skyler was the first to tear her gaze away, and she put her head in her hands.

Oh, she was a goner.