Chapter 1

I stared dreamily out the window as Ms. Raymond rambled on and on about something that happened in World War II. She wasn't paying much attention to me as she made hand gestures in a passionate manner and scribbled furiously on the board.

I was sitting in my favorite seat by the window beside my friend, Chloe Green, who had put her head on the table and was snoring quietly. She looked so peaceful it would be a shame to wake her up from her deep slumber.

I was of average height, with blond hair and light blue eyes that were too bright, in my opinion. However, freckles marred my features and I resented myself for having them. Oh well, I'm just an ordinary girl. Today, I was wearing a floral top with black jeans and some strappy heels. 

''Ms. Green!'' Ms Raymond's booming voice echoed throughout the room. There was the sound of footsteps approaching our desks. We were seated together, as usual. The seats were arranged in two by two, and I was glad to have a companion beside me even if we weren't close.

Quickly but discreetly, I poked Chloe hard in the ribs, startling her awake. Her short hair flicked into my face. Oh no, I should have ducked. 

''Y...yes?'' Chloe yelped, stifling a yawn. Her sleepy blue eyes were still half-closed and she looked like she hasn't slept in years.

"Just making sure you were still with us," Ms. Raymond said sweetly, but her words were dripping with passive aggression. I rolled my eyes inwardly. I didn't hate Ms. Raymond particularly, but she was, after all, a replacement teacher.

Our previous teacher had been Mr. Taylor, a bald man, who was awesome in comparison. We always had fun in class, where we even play-acted as Hitler. I chuckled at the memory.

Just then, the bell rang. The bell was such a lifesaver sometimes. Chloe was suddenly alert and almost out of her seat beside me. What a change. I sighed sympathetically.

''Oh yes... one last thing, could Ms. Summers please see me now? The rest of you are dismissed." This next period was supposed to be our lunch break, and I just hoped it won't take long. Ms. Raymond wasn't my favorite teacher and my stomach was growling in protest. 

Some of the students were out of the classroom before she had finished her sentence. Sighing, I nodded to Chloe and made my way to the teacher's table. She was taking advanced classes this semester and she had another lesson right after this one so she left quietly.

Dragging my feet, I slowly approached the teacher's table. Ms. Raymond held a piece of paper and she put on some glasses. The glasses looked almost comical on her large face. 

''As you know, your history results were not very desirable in the recent test,'' Ms. Raymond said pointedly, waving a finger at me. "Therefore, I have assigned you a student tutor. I have already given him your number, so he will contact you to arrange your tutoring sessions.''

I mentally groaned. It would probably be one of those nerds again. Last year, during my tutoring, my tutor, a definite nerd, would always get carried away on the fall of the Roman Empire and wouldn't shut up. Like who cares about that anymore? When I finally couldn't take any more of it, I flicked him the finger then walked out. When I'm pissed, you wouldn't want to get on my bad side. Not many people have seen that side of me because they know better.

Realizing that Ms. Raymond was staring at me with my eyebrows raised, I nodded politely, then exited the classroom. Oh no, I just realized that she didn't mention who my tutor was. I groaned again.

Alex, my best friend, was waiting outside the door for me. He was a blond too, with dark green eyes that were piercing sometimes if you stared into them too long. His hair was a little darker than mine, and I envied him for it.

''Tutoring,'' I grumbled, sensing that he was about to ask the question. We were pretty comfortable with each other and seemed to know what the other was thinking. He nodded sympathetically. ''One of the worst things ever,'' he agreed. 

Alex and I have been best friends since we were twelve, and we've become inseparable since then. We even dated once, but it didn't work out and we decided to just remain friends. He was the only friend that I still contacted regularly from childhood, it's hard to find that nowadays.

''I need to get something from the teacher's office. I'll save you a seat at lunch.'' Alex grinned at me and slung his bag over the shoulder, walking off. I put my arm up in a wave.

Just then, a tall figure wearing all black rushed past me, barrelling right into my shoulder. My arm felt a sudden spike of pain from the impact, and then it felt really numb.

''Watch it!'' I yelled as my books tumbled from my arms and crashed to the floor with a loud thud. I hoped the floor was clean. I've just bought these new books for my Biology class and some jerk had to crash into me?

''Do watch where you're going, kitten.'' When I heard that deep husky voice, I knew. It was Vince Ryker. Hollandville's infamous bad boy. I saw him occasionally in Math class on rare occasions he turned up, but I never talked to him before as his piercings and tattoos terrified me. Not that I would let him know that.

He had wavy, dark brown hair that would make any girl stare from a two-meter radius. Usually, it covered his eyes a little. Besides, his ear piercings and a permanent cigarette on his fingers only intimidated yet mesmerized people further.

He wasn't the muscular kind of guy, but beyond his slender frame, you could see some strength beneath them. This made everyone wary and not wanting to cross his path. There were rumors that he was with Emma, the head cheerleader but no one could verify. He was just that mysterious.

I wasn't really into bad boys like that. I preferred guys that were smart and did well at school. The nerd matched with the nerd. That was supposed to happen, and I was very sure of that. So far, no one has swept me off my feet. Ironically, I had rejected the nerds that offered to tutor me. It was their bad breath, I suppose.

"F*** off,'' I retorted, bending down to pick up my books but I was having a difficult time doing so as my right arm was still wincing from the pain. Boy, for such a scrawny boy like him, he sure whacks hard.

Before I could reach them, Vince grabbed the books, swept them out of my reach, and smirked at me. ''What did you just say, kitten?'' he came closer, and I could smell his aftershave. It was musty and manly. It made my heart beat a little faster than normal and I almost wanted to reach closer to inhale more of his scent.

''My name's Amanda, you twat. Now give me back my books!'' I tried to sound authoritative. Vince had already put the books above my head, taunting me. I tried jumping for them but it didn't work at all. He was towering over me, with his long and slender frame.

''Not so fast. I think you owe me an apology.'' Vince said slowly, resting his head against a locker. Vince looked good, I'll admit, with his dirty blond hair a little messy.

He was wearing a plain black shirt, which showed off his perfect six-pack that you could see through his shirt. His jeans were fitting and they hung in all the right places.

Vince smirked at me. ''Enjoying the view?'' he asked cockily and raised an eyebrow. He started moving his hips a little.

''Not at all,'' I said, trying to get the blush off my cheeks, not daring to look into his deep, dark, and undeniably sultry eyes. His eyes were actually bronze-colored, and they stared invitingly.

''If you want me to take my clothes off, all you need to do is ask.'' Vince winked.

''That's the most disgusting thing I've ever heard of. Now give me my books before I do something you'll regret.'' I warned him harshly, still painfully conscious of the red-hot blush on my face. However, I could not back out now.

''Now what's that?'' He laughed, raising my books even higher above my head, and gave me an amused expression.

Before I could stop myself, I kneed him in the balls, hard. Instantly, his face contorted with pain and he groaned loudly. He dropped the books and they scattered across the floor. 

I quickly gathered them and was about to leave when he managed to utter out,'' You b****, I'll get you back. Just you wait.'' 

He was now rolling on the floor in agony. Without a backward glance at him, I left. Serves him right! That's for causing trouble for me, I thought to myself. Way to go, Amanda, for not getting distracted by this hot mess in front of me. 

"You did what?!" Alex and my other best friend, Layla screeched at me in unison. We were now seated in the cafeteria and eating some sandwiches.

I shrugged and tried to act nonchalant. "He deserved it." I smartly avoided telling them about his flirting with me and me being quite affected by him.

"But do you know how much trouble you might get into? He's Vince Ryker, for goodness' sake. You can't just do that." Layla shook her head in worried disapproval. She was pretty, with dark brown hair and brown eyes that matched her features. Now, they stared incredulously at me.

"That's because they're too afraid to stand up to him," I pressed on stubbornly. Finally, that bad boy got what he deserved! I knew I won't be seeing him any time soon.

"Well, good for you then, that must have felt pretty badass," Alex replied, smiling at me. Alex is always the understanding one.

"It sure did." I agreed. I was glad to have worn my favorite pair of jeans today and one of my favorite floral tops.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out of my jeans and stared at the screen. A text message from an unknown number. I frowned, not recalling that I had any prior arrangements. 

It read, 'Hello, when will be free for your tuition session? -your new history tutor' Oh yes. Ms Raymond and the tutor she has assigned to me. How could I forget?

After some consideration, I typed out a reply. 'Today, at my house?' I needed to work on my history project soon and today seemed to be a perfect time.

'Okay, what's the address?' The reply was almost instantaneous.

I sent the tutor my address with 'See you at 5?'

'Sure :)' was the reply.

The day passed by without much incident, but I found my thoughts drifting towards Vince Ryker. Perhaps I had been a little too harsh on him and I just wished he won't plan to retaliate.

At five, I suddenly realized that I didn't know who was coming. Stupid me, I should've asked. Even though it was obviously one of those nerds, it would still have been good to know. However, there was always that chance that it might just be one of those cute and nerdy guys.

I paced around the house restlessly. It's not like this was the first time someone was coming to my house, I reassured myself. So, what was I so worried about? Taking deep breaths, I sat myself down in my favorite seat, waiting.

Right on cue, my phone buzzed. 'Reached.' Who might it be?

Simultaneously, the doorbell rang. I nervously walked to the door. Please be one of those cute nerdy guys, I thought to myself as I swung open the door.

"So, kitten." A husky yet familiar voice purred.

Never in a million years did I expect Vince Ryker to be standing outside my doorstep, smirking at me in his jeans and leather jacket swung over his shoulder. My mouth dropped and the blood drained from my face.

"We meet again."