04

A line appeared between my brows. I glanced around the room, and they all looked hopeless. No one could help me.

"I'm not letting anyone kiss me, and I don't care what the penalty is," I blurted out.

I stood up immediately. I knew it was a wrong idea coming to this lame party in the first place. Nothing good ever comes out of it. I just lost my kiss to the school's baddest guy. It's now obvious that I'm a dummy. Why was I thinking? I kissed Romeo in front of everyone, like someone who has been craving for a kiss.

I wobbled through the crowd as I managed to find the front door. I tried hard not to cry.

I don't know how long I've been standing there until a figure showed up behind me.

"I'm sorry about what happened earlier," I heard a voice behind me. I freaked out and spun around.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Jake apologized, and I gave him an assuring smile.

"Where is Joey?" I asked him.

"She has passed out. I've put her in one of the bedrooms," he explained.

"Thank you," I muttered.

We both stood there, both of us not knowing what to say or do. There was an awkward silence between us.

"You can find a room to stay instead of being out here," Jake suggested, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

I nodded my head and muttered a 'thank you' before he walked out of my presence.

It's almost 2 am, and I should be waking up in three hours' time to get an early shower and start studying, but instead, I'm here again in this lame party all alone in the dark. I tried not to think that all of this happened because of Joey. I can always say no to her offer, but instead, I chose to accept her offer, then come to this stupid party.

I switched on my phone; I've gotten some text messages from Mum. I decided not to read it now, knowing what is going to be there.

By early morning, Joey and I left as soon as we could. Jake dropped me off at home. Luckily, Mum was not in by the time I got home. I guess she's on a morning shift or probably had an emergency call. She works at our town hospital as a pediatric doctor. She is going to be mad if she knew I spent the night out.

Since today was Saturday, I don't have much to do other than do some weeding and read my books. Or maybe I should have a nice walk, but that is if the weather is good and nice. Anyway, today's weather seemed good. Taking a walk won't be a bad idea.

I had just finished getting dressed when I got a message from an unknown number.

~ Happy nine hours anniversary to us, babe. (smirks emoji) ~

Without thinking twice, I knew who the caller was already. Fucking Romeo Sparks!

How did he get my contact? I decided to ignore him.

I'm not adhering to any stupid game rules.

A few minutes later, I got another message from him.

~ I think we should go on a date to celebrate our anniversary. What do you think? ~

What? Is he kidding me right now?

I laid down on my bed and took the suspense novel I just bought.

Before I could open a page of the novel, my phone beeped, indicating a new message.

What the heck is wrong with Romeo? Is he on a mission to piss me off for nothing?

I don't want to check his text but out of curiosity, I checked it.

~ It's not fair for you to ignore my texts. You're my fûcking girlfriend. ~

I ignored him again. Throughout the weekend, I kept on getting his annoying messages.

I had just finished getting dressed for school when I heard the sound of the doorbell.

"Can you check the door, Ivy?" Mum shouted from the kitchen.

"Okay," I mumbled.

I opened the door. My mouth fell open.

Romeo Sparks!

His presence frustrates my life lately.

He shot me a wink. "Can I come in?" he asked, his eyes gleaming brightly.

"No," I snapped.

He pouted his lips. "That's rude, pumpkin."

Pumpkin? What the fuck is that?

"Sorry, but boys aren't allowed in my house," I blurted out.

He lifted an eyebrow. "Who made that rule?"

I shrugged. "Me, of course."

Just then, the door opened wider, revealing my mother.

"Why can't you let your friend in, Ivy?" She questioned me.

"He's not my friend," I muttered under my breath.

"I'm Romeo Sparks, Ivy's boyfriend. Nice to meet you, ma'am," Romeo smiled at my mom as if he's the most innocent person in the world.

Mom's eyes widened. "Ivy has a boyfriend?" She asked.

"N…No, mu...m. He's not my boyfriend," I stuttered.

I kicked Romeo in the leg, and he whined.

Mom looked at us, not believing what I said.

"Would you like to come in, handsome?" She questioned Romeo.

"No!" I screamed in my head.

Romeo stole a quick glance at me as the corners of his mouth curved upwards. "I would love to."

"We'll run late to school mom," I groaned.

Without having an option, I was forced to go to school with Romeo.

"Pretend you don't know me." I ordered as Romeo pulled into the school parking lot.

He smirked. "Why should I?"

"Don't you understand? I don't want anything to do with you," I snapped at him.

Romeo stopped to look at me for a minute. "You can say that after one month." He muttered calmly.

One month? What's he saying again?

I remembered the stupid party and the lame dare I got into. Date Romeo Sparks for a month. Just last week all this started and I got involved with him; my life hasn't been the same. Firstly, I got a detention, breaking my perfect record, and then I lost my first kiss to him.

"Fuck your stupid dare, you and Samantha can go to hell for all I care, but I'm not getting involved with anything!" I slammed the door after me as I got out of the car.

"See you in class, babe," I heard him call after me.

I was unusually dreading English class as I pulled out my textbooks from my locker. It's the same class I have with Romeo. I will have to face his truancy.

Gosh! How did I end up getting involved with him, and graduation is still a year ahead. I sighed and leaned against the locker.

"Hi!" A masculine voice said behind me.

I turned to look at my caller.

Xander Cullen?

Xander is one of the school's handsome jocks, genius, and baseball star player. He's cute, and I once had a silly crush on him. But, that was grade 7.

I was the plain girl who nobody noticed since my stay in the school. I've not done anything other than read and get good grades. Joey's the only best friend I've had ever since dad passed away.

"How do you know my name?"

I'm still puzzled; someone like Xander Cullen could know my name.

He chuckled softly. "Are you kidding me? Everyone knows your name, babe."

Babe? My hands squeezed into fists. I'm sure that my cheeks have turned pink.

"I've got English class with you. Actually, I just changed my schedule so I need someone to walk with to class," he explained.

Oh! I could tell he's shy. He doesn't want to walk to class alone.

Xander and I took the seat in the second to the last row since everywhere was full.

Some minutes after, my worst nightmare, Romeo came in. His eyes scanned the class until it finally landed on mine. The corners of his mouth lifted, but it turned to a frown when he noticed who I was sitting with.

"You're late, Mr. Sparks!" Mr. Banks called after Romeo as he waded through the chairs to the seat behind us.

"Can you just skip that and go on with lectures, Mr. Banks?" Romeo shouted back angrily at him.

For the few days I've known Romeo, he has always been angry. I suddenly feel uneasy with him right at my back.

"Thank you for walking with me," Xander whispered into my ears.

I felt butterflies arising in my stomach while Romeo groaned behind us.

~

Finally, English class is over.

I was walking out with Xander when a pair of unknown hands curled around my waist.

"Baby,"

Romeo whispered in my ear as he came up beside me. I tried to wriggle out of his grasp, but he held on tightly to my waist. He looked up and realized that Xander was beside me.

Romeo ran his fingers through his hair. "What the heck are you doing with my girlfriend?" He yelled, slamming a helpless Xander against the wall.