Chapter 2

My day is going terrible and it has barely begun. I just wanted to start my second year at high school in peace. Why? Why is this happening to me?

I got outside and spotted Seth in his blue mustang. He was busy combing his hair which looked softer than I remember.

I slowly approached his car and rapped on the window of the passenger seat. He looked up and flashed his pearly white teeth in a dazzling smile.

"Hey, Dee."

"Sup, loser."

He shook his head and pushed open the car door. I quickly stepped out of the way to avoid being hit by the door.

"Watch it, Buster." I snapped.

"Sorry." He replied, stifling a chuckle.

I got in and slammed the door close. By the time I was done adjusting myself, I looked up to see Seth staring intently at me.

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

He just smiled. "You're really beautiful, you know?"

I sighed. Not again.

Seth was going to resume as a junior. He's going to be 17 on the 13th of September. During the first week of the holidays, he kept on teasing me about it. He would gloat about how he was going to graduate from high school before me.

Obviously.

Seth revved the engine and soon, we were on the road.

"Hey Dee?"

"What, loser?"

"Have you thought about what we talked about before?"

I sighed. A part of me was hoping he would have forgotten about it.

I really don't want to hurt him...

"My answer is still the same, Seth." I mumbled.

He glanced briefly at me and sighed. "Let's still give it time, okay?"

I just nodded and looked out the window. I could see some people from school driving there. I wonder how this school year would be like. I was kinda looking forward to my sophomore year... but my grandparents just had to come today. Ugh.

I huffed grumpily at the thought of my mother's parents. Seth raised an eyebrow at my behaviour without taking his eyes off the road.

"What's up?" He asked in concern.

"Nothing." I sighed. "My grandparents arrived today. That's all."

"Oh." Seth knew how much I disliked them. "It can't be that bad, can it?"

I gaped at him. "What did you just say?"

He chuckled softly. "Okay okay, I get it. They're horrible."

"Obnoxious." I added.

"Annoying."

"The worst."

"Overbearing."

"The devil's assistants."

Seth burst into laughter, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Woah there, Dee."

I smiled. "You know I'm right."

"I'm sure the devil doesn't need assistants but okay."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Smart Alec."

"Grumpy old troll." He replied cheekily.

I gasped. The audacity! I lightly hit his head. "Who're you calling old?"

He flinched at my hit. "Not a good idea to hit the driver of the car you're in, Dee."

"Whatever."

After that, silence reigned supreme in the car. Comfortable silence... or so I thought.

I noticed Seth fidgeting in his seat, a little crease on his brie, indicating a frown.

"What's up?" I asked him.

He glanced briefly at me. "You didn't say anything. I thought something was wrong."

"Oh." I relaxed into my seat. "I just ran out of things to say."

Seth nodded. I could tell by our surroundings that we're almost at school. I could also see some familiar faces around us, either on foot or in vehicles.

My focus was brought back to the car when Seth put his hand on my thigh. My immediate reaction was to push the hand away.

"Delilah..." Seth groaned.

"No." I responded curtly. I refuse to encourage him when I know I don't feel the same way.

All of a sudden, he stopped the car in the middle of the road. I jerked forward but my seat belt caught me.

"What the-?" I looked at him in shock but he kept his gaze forward, his jaw set.

I quickly looked back. Luckily, no cars were near us enough to cause issues. I looked forward, wondering why he stopped. Not seeing anything that could cause a delay, I looked back at him, my hair swishing around the whole time.

"Seth, what's wrong?" I asked in concern and mild irritation. We were on the road for goodness sake.

"Do you like me?" He asked quietly.

Uh?

I just kept staring at him, not knowing what to say.

After a while, he looked at me.

"Delilah, I asked you a question."

Is this guy brain dead or something? I've told him many times that I'm not interested in him. Why doesn't he get it? Seth is a hot guy. He can get any other girl he liked at school. Why's he bugging me?

Maybe if I keep staring at him, he'll forget the question he asked and will resume driving.

So, I did just that.

"Delilah."

Nope.

"Delilah."

Hell no.

"Delilah."

Not today, Satan.

"Delilah!" He growled.

I blinked. "Uh?" I asked, faking innocence.

He glared at me for a while then repeated his question.

"Do you like me?" When I remained irresponsive, he added: "at all?"

Could this be a trick question? 'Cause I don't get why he would stop in the middle of the road just to ask me this question.

I stared at him again until he opened his mouth to say something. I didn't give him the chance to, though.

"Of course I like you, silly." I said suddenly, startling him with my sudden perkiness. "You're my friend."

I then smiled at him like a creep.

He blinked once... then twice... then three times...

I think I broke him.

"Delilah, are you okay?" He asked in concern.

I gave him a toothy grin. "Just peachy, Peaches."

I'm starting to creep myself out.

He stared at me then burst into laughter. "OK." He chuckled. "I'm glad you like me. I really- wait."

His smile fell. "Friend?"

"Yeah." I asked.

He sighed and laid his head on the steering wheel. Um... was it something I said?

A car from behind honked its horn at us. Seth looked up and started the car again. Thank goodness.

He then drove on as if nothing happened.

At this point, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to speak or not.

One thing is certain, though. I'm not letting him take me to school ever again.

Soon, we reached the school. Seth drove into the parking lot. He parked the car in his usual spot and unlocked the doors. I stared at him the whole time.

He grabbed his bag and got out of the car without glancing at me. I hurriedly scampered out of the car and he locked the doors.

I tried to break the silence. "Seth-"

"See you later." He said curtly and walked away.

Oh no you don't.

I followed him. He noticed this and speed-walked into the school. I ran after him.

Once inside the school, I realised a lot of people were already present. Oh well.

He easily weaved through the crowd in the hallway while greeting some people. The crowd, however, parted for me, no people to greet. No friends apart from Seth.

I slowed my pace to a brisk walk while still keeping my eye on Seth.

He stopped at his gang, a bunch of weirdos he hangs out with apart from me. I don't like them. I don't like the way they look at me. I also don't like their attitude.

They're three: Devin, a pompous jerk who thinks he's smarter than everyone else. He likes to refer to me as a kid and hates it when Seth talks to me.

Jesse, a blockhead in the football team who is a sick pervert that literally undresses me with his eyes when he sees me. He's a douche.

And lastly, Cole, a pathetic 'badboy' who treats girls like shit. Bastard used to talk to me anyhow until I beat him up some months ago. He broke his elbow, bruised his face and his ego. Now, all he does is scowl at me. When I raise my hand near him, he flinches. So pathetic.

I usually avoid Seth's friends. Seth knows I don't like them but he keeps hanging out with them. He's in control of who he befriends anyway, and I respect that so I don't bug him about it.

Right now, cringy friends or not, I'm talking to him.

He spotted me and tried to steer his friends away but I pushed him roughly against a locker and pinned him there.

Someone wolf whistled. Seth's eyes widened. Pretty sure it's not my strength he's surprised about since he knows I'm strong.

I definitely didn't think this through. Why the hell did I push him against a locker? I inwardly cringed.

My action attracted a small audience. Looks like it's too late for amends now. I'll just wing it.

"Damn, Shortcake." Jesse drawled, winking at me.

Devin scoffed and rolled his eyes at me. Cole just stared at us.

"Um... Dee?"

I turned my attention back to Seth. A crowd has already gathered round us.

"Don't 'Dee' me." I growled. "Why did you leave like that?"

Seth swallowed. "I... I... You..."

"You what?" I asked impatiently.

He cleared his throat, getting a grip. "You said we're friends." He snapped. "Friends don't pin each other on lockers."

I rolled my eyes. "They do when their friends are acting like idiots."

"Says who?" He argued.

"Says me." I shot back.

Seth opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Devin who was impatiently tapping his foot on the ground.

"Seth, class." He snapped snobbishly. I wish I could punch him.

Seth nodded at him and lightly removed my hands from his shoulders.

"I have to get to class." He said.

"This isn't over. Lunch break, our spot. You hear?"

"Yes ma'am." A small smile formed on his lips.

I then stepped back and let him leave with his stupid friends. Some people were still staring at me. I glared at them and they quickly dispersed.

Sighing inwardly, I headed off to my first class.