Chapter 2

Maximus’ Point of View

A girl was standing at the door, panting and out of breath. I guess she ran all the way here.

She fanned herself with her left hand while the other was placed on her hip as she continued to intake big gulps of air. "Oh man. My lungs. Burning. So fierce." she said in every other pant.

I raised my eyebrows. So this was Pandora Donovan.

I was expecting a rebellious grunge looking teenager but I was wrong. She looked normal, a typical skinny jeans and t-shirt kind of girl.

Maybe I was stereotyping rebels these days. Yeah, I'd go along with that.

Pandora had raven black hair that reached past her shoulders. Her pale blue eyes held a twinkle, like she was up to no good. That playful smirk she displayed on her lips was an indication she was indeed a troublemaker, looking for something to pass the time.

I cleared my throat. Time to show her who’s boss. "You must be Pandora. I've heard about your tardiness issues."

She grinned, showing her pearly white teeth. "I bet you were informed. Lemme guess, daddy dearest?"

I nodded."Yes, your father informed me. I'll let it slide since it's my first day but the next time, if your late, you'll earn yourself a ticket to detention."

She frowned. "I've never had detention before. The teachers here would just shrug it off because I would do it again."

So the teachers here were being lenient. I couldn't have that."Well, I'm not like most teachers. Now take a seat," I said as I nudged my head to the vacant desk.

With a sigh, Pandora trudged towards her desk and dropped heavily on her seat without saying another word.

"So as I was saying,” I started up again with an introduction. “My name is Max Townsend and I'm your new AP English teacher. I only have one rule," I said as I eyed everyone in the class.

Pandora raised her hand and I gave her a nod. "No detention?" she let out a cheeky grin.

Why that little..."No. It's pay attention, “I retorted with a playful glare.

I went on."I just graduated from Yale University. I'm originally from Connecticut but moved in here with my girlfriend because of my job."

"Darn. He's not single then." A girl with blond hair from the middle row muttered.

I just had to laugh. Teenagers could be so adorable when they were flustered. I never experienced that kind of feeling of wanting something you couldn't have because I always get what I want, even the unattainable ones. It was alien to me but maybe I might learn something to curb that curiosity.

"How old are you Mr. T?" a girl with red hair from the front row asked.

"I'm 21 years old," I replied.

"Is your girlfriend hot?" a guy wearing a jumper with the school logo asked. I think he was what you call a jock.

I almost choked with his question. It was true Fern was hot but it seemed inappropriate to answer that type of question but what the hell. "Yes. She is." I replied simply.

He grinned. "Sweet."

The questions seemed to go on and on until it was their turn. I called them randomly using the class roster and it was pretty entertaining how girls tell they were single on purpose while the guys scowl at their vulgarity.

Ah the young and the restless.

Then it was Pandora's turn. She was different from the other girls. She wasn't that girly nor a tomboy. In fact, she was in the middle and I find it refreshing.

I could hear whistles from the boys and cheers from the girls. Maybe she was popular but, she didn't look the part.

Again with the stereotyping Maximus.

"Settle down my minions." she shushed everyone with a hand gesture,"Well you already know me as Pandora, the school's troublemaker along with my sidekick, Nate who happens to be incognito. I'm 17 and I like pulling pranks on people, especially bitches." she said, grinning like a fool.

"Hell yeah!" a guy at the back cheered.

I checked on my roster and sure enough there was Nate Adams. I scanned the room and I almost missed the other empty desk behind Pandora's.

I frowned. "Language Pandora."

She made an "oops my bad look" and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. Can't help it."

I rolled my eyes. "Uh huh. Right."

Then the bell for lunch rang.

"Okay class, just get the syllabus from my desk and for your homework, I want you to write an essay about what you hate and love about English. Its due tomorrow."

Their groans of complaint were not left unnoticed by me. Such lazy bums. "Oh shush, quit complaining." I said, chuckling at their reaction.

As the room went completely empty, I let out a sigh of breath.

"Well, not bad for my first day." I muttered.

* * * ** * * * * * * * * *

Nathaniel's Point of View

It was good to be back in Cleveland.

I had enough of the fast paced life in New York and I could feel my lungs being clogged up with car emission. I didn't have a choice in the matter, not at all. Our football team had a game against Moore High school and of course, we creamed them to the ground.

I was the quarterback and Coach Tyler had great expectations, much to my dismay. So I, Nate Adams, had to perform to the best of my abilities.

One thing I was looking forward to was seeing my best friend, Pandora. I missed her so much and all I'd done in New York was think about her.

I know. Creepy but I couldn't help it.

I was in love with my best friend.

I met Pandora during Junior year. I was new so I had no friends yet. She was outgoing and friendly, her sunny disposition was so contagious. She went out of her way to make me feel comfortable and introduced me to some of the people in school. Of course, being good looking had its advantages. Soon enough, I became popular. Well, it was like a cycle because it happened to every school I went to for as long as my immortal life had endured.

I was also known as her sidekick though I beg to disagree. But I had to give her credit for her crazy ideas.

We had our moments, fun ones to be exact and that was what made us inseparable.

Excitement ran through me at the thought of seeing my sweet Pandora again. I wasn't able to attend my classes the entire morning because I got in late when we got back from New York. I wanted to surprise her so I didn't text nor call to inform my arrival.

As I entered the lunch room, I looked for that gorgeous face that I kept thinking about 24/7. Unfortunately, Pandora didn't know I love her more than a friend.

Why?

I was scared of the rejection and hurt because they might not be reciprocated.

But, one of these days, I'll tell her. For now, I'll work on how to woo this girl to be mine.

Scanning the tables, I saw her sitting alone on our usual table. I was not your usual jock who had to sit with the popular people. I didn't want to stereotype myself as someone who worries about reputation so Pandora and I tend to keep to ourselves and we were found that way.

I stealthily moved towards the table and stopped behind her, trying not to give away my presence. She was listening to her iPod so I tapped her shoulder and the poor girl had really jumped a mile high. As she turned around, she plucked the headphones from her ears, ready to chew someone's head off.

"What freaking--" she stopped mid sentence as she saw me, her eyes widened from shock,"Nate?"

I grinned. "Hello Panda," and held out my arms wide open.

She squealed, jumping into my arms. "Oh my god! You're back!"

I chuckled."I missed you, Panda."

She murmured into my neck and I had to suppress that shiver from letting out. She was driving me crazy. "I miss you too, Natie boy."

You see, she was the only one allowed to call me that while I called her Panda. It's a best friend thing.

I pulled back and planted a quick peck on her cheek and settled back to the table holding her hand as she sat to my left,"So, anything new?"I asked.

She thought for a bit then spoke. "We have a new AP English teacher. His name is Max Townsend."

Max. That name reminded me of a certain someone I left back in Paris 21 years ago.

My older brother, Maximus.

To be honest, I often wondered if he had found someone to break the curse. I never kept tabs on him as I strive for my own, traveling from one place to another as I seek for my true love. Even if I did try, it would only relive the hurt and the pain that we went through together.

I still hadn’t forgiven him for what happened to us. I still carried that grudge for all that was worth and I don’t know when I would ever get past it.

"Cool. Is he old and decaying?" I joked.

She laughed with a shake with her head."No, he's young. And hot."

I cocked my eyebrows. Hot? Really now."Hotter than me?"

She rolled her eyes."Gah. Boys and their hotness."

"PANDORA! WHERE THE FREAKING HELL ARE YOU?!" someone screeched from the top of their lungs. God, that was worse than nails on a chalkboard.

Turning my head, I saw Sophie, the Head Cheerleader, marching over angrily to our table all covered in green goo.

Yeah, I could only think of one thing; Pandora's handiwork. Turning my head back to Pandora, I raised my eyebrows and gave her a questioning look, "Green goo?"

She snickered. "It was all worth being late for English alright."

Sophie stopped at our table and threw a heated look at Pandora. I had to bit my tongue to prevent from laughing my ass off at how funny she looked. Her once shiny blond locks were now covered with green sticky substance making her look like a slimy monster.

"I know you did this freak," Sophie sneered her name like it was a cuss word. She never did like Pandora because I prefer to be with my best friend over her skanky ass.

"I must say Sophie, green suits you," Pandora mockingly complimented her.

"I will destroy you Pandora. I'll tear your life into pieces," Sophie said with so much rage as her face turned ten shades of red, making her even more ridiculous than ever.

Too bad Sophie, I couldn't let you do that to my Panda. Without hesitation, I stood up from my seat, walked around the table to face her with a menacing glare."Do that or I'll end your social life with a snap of a finger," It was true. I had the power to destroy her reputation because one; I'm more popular than her and two; I know her dirty little secret.

Sophie pouted, trying to look like a damsel in distress."Aw Nate, you don't mean that."

"I'm serious Sophie. Hurt Pandora or I'll tell the whole school about your dirty little secret."

She gasped, her eyes widened in panic. "You wouldn't."

I smirked, clearly serious with my threat. "Oh yes."

She huffed then looked at Pandora with hatred. "This ain't over bitch," and with that, she stomped away like a bratty kid, leaving the lunch room.

I sighed. Girls. I sat down and looked at Pandora who was eyeing me curiously. "What ?" I asked.

"What's the dirt on her?"

Always the curious one."She slept with Mr. Hatfield for grades. She was failing Physics."

She frowned. "How did you know?"

I smirked. "People talk about pandas."

The bell rang, letting us know that lunch was over. Pandora took my hand and smiled. "Let's head to class." she said, nudging her head to the door.

I nodded and let her lead me out of the lunch room.