When English is dismissed, I grab my things and start heading towards the exit when someone pushes me, knocking my stuff all over the floor. The blonde laughs and rolls her brown eyes before she scurries off with her two friends.

What the heck is that girl's issue?

I bend down to pick up my things when a warm, soft hand is placed on top of mine. I look up to see electric blue eyes staring back at me.

"You need help there?" Dean asked, kneeling on the floor beside me.

I shake my head, rushing to gather up all of my things, while Dean grabs some of my papers off the floor. "Well, I see we have two classes together," he says with a grin, inspecting my schedule.

I snatch the schedule from his hands and laugh weakly. "What classes might those be?" I ask quietly as I stand up, trying to organize the loose papers into a neat pile.

Dean gets off his knees, handing me the other papers he picked up. "P.E. which should be fun. I will catch you later okay?" He winks at me, showing off his signature side smile. Of all the classes that I get to share with him, why does it have to be physical education?

After second hour, Nina waits outside my class just as she said she would. "How were your first two classes?" Nina asks me.

"They were okay. My English professor seems cool, but there is this blonde girl who acted like a total snob, and I'm not sure what's her problem." I shrug, hoping I wouldn't see her for the rest of the day.

Nina laughs and says, "Duh, Scarlett. It's called jealousy, and you're also new. You're like the new shiny toy in kindergarten that makes all the kids curious," she sarcastically jokes.

Nina and I head to the cafeteria to grab our lunch and walk outside, trying to find an empty table and finally find one under a tree. Once we sit down and start talking, we are joined by three others. A blonde-haired boy with green eyes who I haven't met yet, and the blonde bitch from English, realizing she was holding hands with the one and only, Dean. How did this girl with a stick stuck up her ass land that? I mean, I only talked to him for a couple of minutes this morning, but he seems sweet. However, she is like a duplicate of the devil's spawn.

"Hey, Scarlett, right?" Dean asks. I look across from the table into his electric blue eyes as they sit down opposite us. His deep seductive voice makes me lose all my thoughts completely.

"Yeah, nice to see you again, Dean," I reply with a shy smile. I don't know what it is about this boy that makes me feel like a shy little schoolgirl, besides the fact that he's pretty much perfect. The only flaw is he is holding her hand.

"Guys, this is Scarlett. She just moved here." Nina gestures, introducing me to the group. "Scarlett, this is my friend Ryker Sanderson. You already know Dean, and this is his girlfriend, Phoebe."

Ryker looks at my chest and lastly focuses on my face. "What's up, girl? Welcome to Douglas."

I roll my eyes and try to ignore the fact that he was more focused on my breasts while introducing himself. Phoebe stares at me and rolls her eyes quickly, so Dean doesn't notice.

"I'm pretty sure I saw you in my English class," she says as she flicks her hair from her shoulder. She knows damn well she saw me in English class because she was judging my outfit, making snide comments. Just because I wear jeans and shirts that don't show off my body, instead of wearing miniskirts, doesn't mean she can judge people like that. I don't need drama though, nor do I want it. "I'm Phoebe. Phoebe Tillman," she says with a forced smile.

"Yeah uh, it's nice to meet you both," I say as politely as I can. I am a little surprised that Nina is friends with her. The bell rings, and Nina and I head for P.E. when Ryker runs up next to me and asks what class I have next. Before I could answer, Nina speaks for me. "She has P.E. with us, and then her math class is the same as yours, I think."

Ryker smiles, extending his hand out for us to walk together. "Well then, shall we?"

I laugh quietly, remembering that Dean also said we had P.E. together, so I glance back to see if he was coming, but when I spot him, I see him making out with Phoebe. She catches my gaze and glares at me, making Dean kiss her neck. I quickly turn around before he realizes I was just staring at them, probably with a disgusted facial expression. So, I jog to catch up with Nina.

"Yeah, they have been dating for like, two months and she likes to try and taste his stomach with that tongue down his throat," she scoffs, making a funny, but slightly disgusted face. "She is not shy about her sexuality at all."

"So, I take it you're not really a fan of hers, huh?" I laugh as she looks at me, covering her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

"Heck, no. Ryker and I can't stand her, but we have to tolerate her since she's dating Dean. and he brings her around the group a lot. I just get grossed out by her, and well, let's face it, Miss Prissy Pants is pretty much the queen of bitches," Nina says.

"Well, remember I mentioned the blonde snob from my English class?" I arched my eyebrow, waiting for Nina to catch on.

I couldn't hold back my laughter as Nina finally catches on. "Oh man, how am I not surprised that it was her? Of course, she's jealous. You're new and getting attention, she hates whatever takes her spotlight."

"She can keep it, I don't want it," I add.

We enter the classroom where I meet Mr. Benson, and after yet another awkward introduction, I take my seat beside Nina on the gym floor.

He gives us a lecture on safety for flag football and instructs the class to go dress out.

"So, Ryker thinks you're hot," Nina says, wiggling her brows.

I laugh weakly and look up at her as I finish tying my shoelaces and shake my head.

"What? I'm serious. He is single too, by the way," Nina adds.

I shrug my shoulders and start to head out of the locker room when she runs up alongside me. "Would you be up for a double date? Or I guess it would be a triple date."

She catches me off guard, making me come to a halt. "I don't know, Nina. I literally just moved here and, well, yeah." I gulp and look away before she catches on. Nina steps in front of me and looks at me with pleading eyes.

"So? You would be going out on a date with a cute guy and your new friends. Plus, it could be fun." I look back at her and then run my hands over my face.

I sigh, putting my hair up into a messy bun, I reply with almost a whisper. "That's not really the reason. I just haven't been on a date before, Nina. I wouldn't even know what to do or say."

She stops walking, and her jaw literally drops to the floor. "Wait. So, you're a virgin?" she asks me, and I nod my head. "I haven't even kissed anyone," I confess as Nina looks down at her feet, then back up at me.

"Girl, I am truly inspired. I lost my virginity during the summer with my boyfriend, Caleb. We have been together for three years, and I love him. You're beautiful and very sweet, Scarlett, not to mention, a total badass at softball. So, I'm glad to have a friend like you around, and trust me, don't rush it. Your first time should be special and with someone you truly love in that passionate and painful moment." She laughs, sarcastically. "And hey, who knows? Maybe Ryker could be your first kiss."

I laugh at that ridiculous idea, but who knows? Ryker could be a good guy.

Both my parents used to say the same thing about my first time being special and most importantly, it should be with someone that I love. Having the dreaded 'sex talk' with my parents wasn't as awkward as everyone makes it out to be. I nod at Nina's encouraging words. "Thank you very much for that. I don't care what people think of me, so I never seemed interested in doing it just because everybody else was doing it. I wasn't attracted to any of the boys at my old school."

We grab our blue flag, tying them to our waists. When I look up, I see Ryker and Dean walking out of the boys' locker room, both wearing red flags around their waists. Ryker comes out in light blue basketball shorts and a white tank top, while Dean comes out with silver basketball shorts and a black tank top. My eyes automatically zoom to Dean's arms, noticing how defined they were. I have to admit that they are both pretty attractive in their sportswear. Not one boy caught my interest at my old school, and on my first day at Douglas, two have already sparked my interest.

Mr. Benson yells and tells the students to get into a formation for us to start the game, tearing me away from my thoughts.

I got chosen to be the quarterback for the blue team since Nina had to mention that my aim is on point and Ryker was the quarterback for the red team. As we were playing, I spot Dean running around energetically, pulling the blue flags from the student's waists. He already had a bunch of blue flags waving around in his hands.

Mr. Benson calls for a timeout, letting a student reapply her flag.

I quickly glance back at Dean as he lifts up his tank top, revealing his stomach and wipes his sweat from his face, making a damp patch. His stomach is nicely toned and has those V lines on his lower abdomen that will make any girl drool.

Okay, Scarlett, stop. Breathe.

Before I can pry my eyes away, Dean pulls his shirt down and catches me staring. I immediately look away as the heat rushes to my cheeks. I turn around in a daze, bumping into Nina.

"He's gorgeous, I know. Can you believe that Phoebe is his first actual girlfriend?" Nina says with her hands on her hips. I shake my head slowly.

What?

"What? Really?" I ask, still in shock.

How can someone as gorgeous as him, only ever have one girlfriend?

"Yup. He has never been interested in anyone, but I'm surprised he even said yes to Phoebe. I know after his mom found out his dad was having an affair and left the family, that he tried to fill the void, I guess," she says.

"And Phoebe is who he went to? Yikes. I wouldn't be able to deal with that either and it sucks that his dad left. I loved my parent's way too much, so I would be devastated if they left me by choice." I can feel the tears forming in the corner of my eyes, blurring my vision.

Why am I just spilling all this crap to Nina?

I only just met her today and the poor girl is going to think I'm a basket case after hearing my life story. I glance at Nina as she was staring back at me with her head tipped to the side.

"Loved your parents?" she asks, warily. "As in?" I know what she wants to ask, so I answer her before she has time to finish the sentence.

I sigh, "They died last year. Actually, they died on the day of our last game where Cornwall versed Douglas." My stomach drops at the thought as I say the dreaded words out loud, still adjusting to a life without them in it.

I'm sorry, they didn't make it, Scarlett. Those words still haunt me to this day.

"Oh, Scarlett. I'm so sorry." Nina gasps, her hand on my back for comfort. I shrug my shoulders, biting the inside of my cheek to keep the tears back that are threatening to spill over. I tell her that I am trying my hardest to move on and that I'm now living with Seth, my brother. "Well, I'm here if you need me, girl. Honest."

I hug her, never knowing how a simple and effortless gesture could bring so much comfort. I've only known Nina for a day, but I feel closer to her than any of my old friends.

"By the way, how do you know so much about Dean?" I ask, pulling away and trying to change the subject because I was curious about the blue-eyed boy.

She smiles at the mention of his name and my awful change of topic. Dean is getting under my skin, and Nina can clearly see that. "Well, besides us all being rather close, Dean is actually best friends with my older brother, Jake. Dean, Dex, and Jake are like the trio you can't break." She says, giggling.

Once it's time to start the game back up, we quickly jog out onto the field. I check my flag and tug on the end to see if it's too loose, tying it together. At the same time, I hear the whistle in the distance, and I look up, seeing red flags trying to come after me.

I scan the field, hoping to find someone I could throw the ball to when I see Dean charging for me. I try to turn the opposite way to avoid him pulling my flag off of my waist, but as I throw the ball to my teammate, I feel a slight tug on my flag.

I swing around trying to save it, stumbling over my own feet in the process and fall to the ground, pulling Dean with me. He lands on top of me with his arms pressed against my sides. We stare at each other for what seems like minutes, and we both start laughing.

Oh my gosh, he has such an adorable laugh.

"Guess you tied that flag a little too tight there, Scarlett. Nina wasn't joking when she said you have a good aim." Dean grins, that seductive deep voice ringing in my ear. I don't know what to say, so I stay silent and feel the heat rise to my cheeks again.

Why is he still on top of me?

"Umm, Dean, can you please get off of me?" I whisper, trying to shift my weight under his bulky build. His eyes go wide as he realizes that he is just lingering over my body and hasn't tried to let me go yet.

"Oh, shit. Yeah, I'm sorry." He laughs as he climbs off me, extending his hand to help pull me up.

I clear my throat, "Thanks," I reply quietly, fixing my hair up into a bun as most of my hair fell out of place.

Dean stares at me and rubs the back of his neck with his palm.

A nervous gesture perhaps?

I turn around, trying to focus back on the game, but my heart wouldn't stop thumping within my chest.

"Wow." Nina giggles and tries to fan herself with her hand while nobody is looking. "What was that with you and Dean? Looked like you two were about to start mackin 'on the field."

I laugh with her and playfully shove her arm, still feeling a little embarrassed that she saw. If she saw what happened, then I'm guessing others saw too. "Shut it, Nina," I say.

"You know," she says with a massive grin on her face, "I've never seen him look at anyone like that, not even when he is with Phoebe. He was also staring at you while you were running away from him."

I'm so embarrassed, but her words gave me excitement, knowing that he possibly felt something too. I got goosebumps. No one has ever given me goosebumps before.

Good lord, what is this boy doing to me?

"It's more like I was running from my humiliation. I totally ate shit in front of him and dragged him down with me." I laugh at the thought, covering my face with my hands in disgust. "Besides, even if I was attracted to him, he has a girlfriend."

Nina arches her brow and shakes her head. "True. Sad, but true. You know he isn't the only good looking guy around here though," she says, and I instantly know she is talking about Ryker. I look back at him and realize Nina is right because he is cute and single.

I have been through a lot of shit recently, why not enjoy myself with some friends for one night? What's the worst that can happen?

I shrug my shoulders and nod. "Okay. Okay. I will come on this so-called triple date," I say, sarcastically and finger quote 'triple date'. "Wait, speaking of, who is your boyfriend anyway? I haven't met him yet," I ask her.

"Oh, Caleb doesn't go here. He graduated last year with Jake and is doing community college now in town," she says with a proud smile.

"Dang, into the older men, are we?" I laugh as I joke with her. "Wait. You said triple date though. Who is the third couple that would be going on this date? And when are we going?" I already know what she is going to say and I almost regret saying yes because that means I am going to have to hang around with.....

"Phoebe and Dean and we are going on Friday, Nina answers me."

Shit. That is what I was afraid of.