A/N: Okay, I know I haven’t updated for a long time, but I was busy and stuff..still, here’s a new songfic, based on the Disney song “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)” which was actually sung by Megara from Hercules, but then was resung by the Cheetah Girls. This story is my baby.. I can't even remember how many times I edited it..but anyway, read and reviewwwwwww!!! T.T

Edit: I turned Selena into her enemy, since Selena seemed too mean to be her ‘best friend’…anyway enjoy!!

---

If there's a prize for rotten judgement,
I guess I've already won that
No man is worth the aggravation

That's ancient history,
Been there
Done that

Napaea wiped a tear angrily from her eye. She wasn’t really all that sad…it was just sort of a reflex she had developed for coping with the number of guys that had dumped her over the past few months. She sighed. “I always seem to attract the jerks. Where are all the nice guys?!” She cried plaintively to the skies.

“All hiding from you, maybe.”

Napaea sighed inwardly. She so didn’t need this right now. Without turning around, she asked, “What do you want, Selena?”

“Tsk, tsk. Manners, Corellean.” A beautiful girl, her curvaceous frame clad in an body-hugging, emerald-green tube top and a knee-length black linen skirt, stepped into view, shaking her fiery mane of glossy hair back, her chandelier earrings sparkling as they caught the sunlight. Her blue-green eyes glittered with spite. Introducing Selena Burnstead, widely acknowledged Princess Popular of Vermondale High and self-declared worst enemy of Napaea.

Napaea turned around to face Selena. “Leave me alone, Selena.”

Selena ignored her and smirked, displaying twin rows of white teeth. “I told you that you would regret stealing Jason from me.” The smirk disappeared, and her voice hardened. “He was mine, and you stole him from me, bitch. You got what you deserved.”

Napaea simply rolled her eyes. She couldn’t care less right now. “For one, I didn’t ‘steal’ Jason from you, he came with me willingly,” she sniped back at Selena, who looked furious. Napaea crossed her arms and continued, “Secondly, I am done with guys. So you can have them for all I care.”

Now it was Selena’s turn to roll her eyes. “Yeah, like I’d really believe THAT, Napaea. You couldn’t last three days without a guy by your side,” she sneered, crossing her own arms.

Napaea narrowed her hazel eyes and set her jaw. “Well, all that’s going to change, starting from today, cos’ I am swearing off guys. For real,” she said confidently.

“Yeah, that’s what you said after Mark…then Brian…then Ryan…then Chester…then…”

“Well, believe what you like, but this time I really mean it. No more guys. I don’t trust my own judgement any more. Not after so many strikes. Guys just aren’t worth the heartbreak. You can have them for all I care.” Napaea's top lip curled in a sardonic half-smile, thinking that Selena would rejoice at the news. They had been 'love rivals' ever since she had set foot in the school.

“Oh, I wish, Corellean, I wish. Sadly, I don't have that much faith in you." Selena sneered.

“You don’t think I can do it?” Napaea huffed. “Well, listen to this!”

She turned around to face the schoolyard at large, straightened her white peasant blouse and denim short skirt, put her hands on her slim hips and called out to all the teenagers lounging lazily in the shade of tall trees dotted around the school compound.

“Hey, listen up!”

Everyone’s heads swiveled around to look at her. Napaea almost wanted to call it off, but went through with it before she decided to change her mind.

“I, Napaea Corellean, hereby swear off guys for now and for always!”

A mixture of cheering and booing filled the air, with girls applauding Napaea enthusiastically, and guys playfully booing her. She smiled smugly and looked back at a momentarily stunned Selena, lifting her chin defiantly.

“There, proof enough for you?”

Selena closed her gaping jaw and hitched her ever-present smirk back onto her face. Her sapphire blue eyes glinted with malice.

“We’ll see, Napaea. We’ll see.”

“Bring it on.” Napaea tossed her head nonchalantly and strode off in the direction of the classrooms.

Who'd ya think you're kidding?
He's the earth and heaven to ya
Try to keep it hidden, honey we can see right through ya
Girl ya can't conceal it
We know how you're feelin', who you're thinking of

Three months later…

“She’s really serious this time. God, this is harder than I thought it would be,” muttered Selena to herself, pulling on her loose-fitting T-shirt, getting ready for gym class. Napaea was outside. She sighed. Word had spread around the school like wildfire about Napaea’s seemingly impulsive vow, but so far the people who had bet that Napaea would forget about it within a month had all lost their money. Selena was rather surprised, actually; Napaea was known for being quite the school flirt, and here she was, not even looking twice at the muscular football players who passed by their changing room. Briefly, Selena wondered if the girl was even interested in guys any more. I didn’t even know she had that kind of tenacity in her. She pushed the thought away. Napaea had to let down her guard some time. But when?

Sighing again, she walked outside and spotted Napaea sitting on the bleachers with a gaggle of other gossipy girls who were staring at the football pitch, openly ogling the guys that were engaging in a frantic football match. She jogged up to them and sat down beside Mandy, one of the girls, just in time to hear her giggle. “Benjamin Rentaford is quite the hottie, isn’t he?” The other girls nodded enthusiastically and giggled.

It was almost inaudible, drowned out by the other girls’ annoying giggles, but Selena’s sharp ears caught the tiniest sigh that escaped from Napaea’s lips. She knew that sigh and rejoiced gleefully. Yes! So she was right! Napaea Corellean had fallen for a guy again! She was tempted to force Napaea to confess right there and then, but decided to wait until later. She smirked.

Forcing the truth out of Napaea was going to be…fun.

---

“And in 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed, and in 1963, the Council deemed…”

Napaea sighed and dropped her head back, letting her raven hair flow down below her shoulders. Could Mr. Waterlene be any MORE boring? Bad enough that the subject he was teaching was History, an already established yawn-fest. Add that to a teacher who seemed to have the impression that speaking in a monotone was the best way to teach, and you had a complete waste of time. She straightened up, opened her History notebook and began to doodle, looking up every once in a while, pretending that she was taking down notes.

---

“Napaea!”

Napaea jerked upright, reflexively closing her notebook with a snap. She had been so engrossed in the doodle that she hadn’t heard the bell ring. Selena strode up to her lazily. “Typical of you, remaining in class while everyone else has already headed out for lunch,” she sneered. Napaea merely rolled her eyes and shrugged. She packed her things quickly and walked out of the classroom.

To her surprise, Selena followed her, even walking right by her side. Napaea sighed inwardly. Doesn’t she ever tire of this? She saw the all-too-familiar glint in Selena’s eyes and cut in before she had a chance to speak.

“For the…67th time, Selena, I am not in love with George, Hector, Andrew, William, Bob, Xavier, or Ethan,” she said exasperatedly. The smirk on Selena’s face didn’t fade.

“Ah…but what about Benjamin Rentaford?”

Napaea couldn’t stop a small gasp from escaping, and prayed hard that Selena hadn’t noticed…though from the triumphant sparkle that had suddenly appeared in her eyes, that looked to be a lost cause. Nevertheless, she regained her composure and straightened up.

“I made a vow, Selena, and I am sticking to it. I do not like Benjamin Rentaford.”

“Reeeeallllllyyyyyyyy.” Selena drawled, clearly not believing her. She walked faster so that she was in front of Napaea, then turned around to face her, forcing Napaea to stop dead in her tracks. “Come on, Napaea, what do you think I am? Blind? I’ll tell you what, I’ll let you off easy. All you have to do is admit it and we’ll call the whole thing off,” she coaxed sweetly.

Annoyed now, Napaea reiterated with a note of finality in her voice, “I do NOT like him. And that is that.” Pushing past Selena, she disappeared quickly inside the cafeteria, leaving Selena behind.

Selena set her jaw.

Oh, this is far from over.

No chance, no way, I won't say it, no no
You swoon, you sigh
Why deny it, uh oh
It's too...cliché
I won't say I'm in love

Napaea strode purposefully into the cafeteria, walking further and further inside until she was sure that Selena hadn’t followed her in. She dumped her bag on a nearby table and sighed. Selena was the worst person to have as an enemy at times, but Napaea had never seen her so…persistent before. She wondered why Selena was so set on proving that she couldn’t keep the vow that she had made. She half wished she had never made it…but the deed was done. However, it did make life very difficult for her at times.

I will not, she thought defiantly. No freaking way will I admit that I’m in love.

I won’t say it, not in front of anyone, least of all Selena.

She took her place in the lunch line, collected her food and wrinkled her nose suspiciously at the ‘Mystery Meat’, sniffing the murky goop on her plate experimentally. She touched a finger to it and licked it tentatively, counting down, 3, 2, 1…I’m still alive.

Shrugging, she took up her fork and spoon and dug in.

I thought my heart had learned its lesson
It feels so good when ya start out
My head is screaming "get a grip, girl!"
"Unless you're dying to cry your heart out!"

Napaea wiped her mouth daintily with the corner of a napkin and stood up. Selena was nowhere in sight; most probably still sulking over her failure to elicit a confession from her. She grinned to herself. Selena had her work cut out for her if she wanted to get a confession of love from her. She sighed to herself and shook her head.

I thought my heart had learned its lesson…

Her mind pushed the thought aside. Get a grip, now. She could get through this. Her tense shoulders relaxed. Suddenly, her stomach clenched in pain. Thinking it was just a temporary pain, she rubbed her stomach surreptitiously, hoping the pain would ease up. However, it didn’t, and soon she found herself grabbing her baby-blue backpack and striding out the cafeteria’s swinging doors, heading as fast as her long legs could take her to the nearest girls’ bathroom.

From a corner, Selena grinned in anticipation.

Plan ‘Love Confession’ was in place.

Napaea hurried into the empty bathroom and straight into a cubicle, emptying the contents of her stomach into the toilet bowl. She groaned in pain and discomfort. Remind me never to eat Mystery Meat again. Ever. After a long, painful, smelly interval, she finally flushed the toilet thankfully and stepped out of the cubicle, only to stop dead as she came face to face with a huge graffiti message in red spray paint, covering all the mirrors in the bathroom;

Napaea loves Benjamin; admit it, Napaea!

Her jaw dropped open in shock and disbelief. What the hell…? In that instant, her earlier discomfort was completely forgotten. She narrowed her eyes and tightened her jaw as sudden realization struck.

Selena.

The frustration inside her boiled up and morphed into overwhelming rage, and it was all she could do to stop herself from screaming out long and loud, for the entire world to hear.

You keep on denying
Who you are and how you're feelin'
Baby, we're not lying, hon we saw ya hit the ceiling
Face it like a grown up
When ya gonna own up that ya got, got, got it bad?

Selena grinned like a Cheshire cat as she saw Napaea practically burst out of the girls’ bathroom, baying for her blood. Life had been boring lately. An enraged Napaea was good…this way, she would be more likely to unwittingly spill her innermost thoughts. She heard a sound, and turned her head to look. Her grin stretched even wider as she saw who it was.

Perfect timing.

At that moment, the school’s biggest gossip and one of Selena’s good friends, Amanda Treiven, wandered along the other side of the corridor, no doubt searching for more gossip to spread to the school. Selena hurriedly beckoned to her, and Amanda came scurrying over, sensing a gossip opportunity.

“Well, Selena, where is it? What’s the big deal?” she asked in her whiny voice, blinking her glassy amber eyes and twirling a strand of blonde hair around her index finger in true ditzy blonde fashion. “I haven’t got all day, you know.” Selena rolled her eyes and pointed to her left. “Watch.”

Benjamin Rentaford strolled up with his friends to where Napaea was standing, apparently frozen to the spot, her bloodlust for Selena forgotten. “Ooo-“ Amanda made to squeal in excitement, but Selena hurriedly clamped a hand over Amanda’s wide mouth, fearful that she would give them away and ruin the whole scene. Benjamin, having noticed Napaea, lifted a hand and smiled, showing off his white, even teeth in a friendly smile.

Napaea smiled back, and Selena’s own lips curled as she recognized the famous thousand-watt smile of Napaea’s; a trademark of hers that she reserved specially for flirting. Amanda was practically hyperventilating against Selena’s hand as she watched with bugged-out eyes at the scene that was unfolding before her. Benjamin waved at Napaea, and she stared after him long after he was gone. Then only did she turn on her heel and walk as if in a dream back to class.

Selena smirked, satisfied. Face it, Napaea, you’re in love. Own up already.

Amanda wriggled under her hand, and Selena hurriedly removed it, only just remembering Amanda’s existence. Her previous plan resurfaced in her memory, and she grinned mischievously.

There's no way Corellean's going to wriggle her way out of this one.

“Listen, Amanda, here’s what I want you to do…”

You're way off base
I won't say it
Get off my case
I won't say I'm in love

You're way off base
I won't say it
Girl, don't be proud, it's ok, you're in love

Napaea stuffed her books in her bag, preparing to walk home after a long day at school. Thoughts of Benjamin tried to enter her head, but she pushed them away vehemently, thanking the Gods that Selena hadn’t been there to witness the slight crack in her vow.

Was she ever wrong.

As she caught up her bag, a girl brushed past her and hissed in her ear, “Admit you like him.” Surprised, Napaea whirled around, but the girl was already gone. Thinking that it was a misunderstanding, she shrugged and walked out of the classroom.

Why does everyone seem to be staring at me? Napaea wondered uncomfortably as she tried to avoid the gazes that seemed to be coming at her from all sides. Although not as sharp as Selena’s, her hearing was sufficiently sharp enough to hear people whispering her name as they glanced at her. What did I do?

The answer was soon apparent.

A guy walked towards her, seemingly headed for the classroom on the other side of the corridor, but slowed down when he passed her, just enough to whisper, “Say it, Napaea, say you like him…” Before Napaea could react, he was gone. No sooner had he disappeared than a gang of girls danced up to Napaea, singing under their breaths, “Ben and Nap, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G…” before dashing away, giggling.

Her heart sank. Oh, no.

When Napaea had practically had to flee from a particularly insistent blonde who demanded to know whether she was in love with “her” Ben, there was no doubt in her mind that the scene in the hallway had been witnessed.

Don't worry, Napaea, she told herself. All you have to do is get home, and everything will be fine.

Yeah, her mind retorted. Easier said than done.

Walking as fast as she could, she made for the school entrance and pushed open the double doors in her haste to get outside.

Outside, in the schoolyard, it was a thousand times worse. People, both friends and strangers, swarmed up to her almost the instant she set foot outside the school doors.

“Say you love Benjamin, come on Napaea, say it…”

I won't, I will stay calm, I won't say it..she repeated over and over in her mind like a mantra to keep her sanity.

“You know you want to confess it all…”

Keep cool, keep cool, it'll soon be over...

“Come on Napaea, say it with me, ‘I love Ben’…”

No, I won't say it, I won't...

Napaea tried to avoid them as best she could, but all to no avail. Soon, the students formed a tight circle around her so that she was surrounded at all sides, teases and insults hurling at her from all directions. Searching desperately for a way out, her eyes landed on Selena, leaning against a nearby tree and smirking maliciously, clearly reveling in her discomfort. Rage boiled up in her and she took deep, calming breaths, clenching her fists, trying to keep a lid on her temper...

I won't say it...

“Ready to give up, Napaea?” Selena mouthed, smiling triumphantly.

Napaea snapped.

“You’re all way off base! I won’t say it, so there! NOW FREAKING LEAVE ME ALONE!!”

Everyone backed off a little, startled. It was just enough for her to push them away and bulldoze her way out of the crush of smirking students, her face flaming with fury and mortification. She stormed off in a towering rage. The smirk fell from Selena’s pretty face and she smacked her head with her palm in frustration.

God, Napaea can be so damned stubborn sometimes.

No chance, no way, I won't say it, no no
Give up, give in
Check the grin, you're in love!
This scene won't play
I won't say I’m in love

“Bam!”

Mrs. Corellean jumped and dropped her book as her daughter stormed through the doorway, apparently in a high temper. Napaea barreled past her and stalked into the kitchen. She sighed and picked up the book she had been reading.

“Napaea, dear?” she called. “Is anything the matter?”

“No, Mum, everything’s fine,” a sullen voice bit out from the kitchen. Mrs. Corellean wondered what had happened at school to put her usually even-tempered daughter in such a foul mood. She tucked her long hazel hair behind her ear thoughtfully. Her hazel eyes, so like Napaea's, lit up as she remembered something.

“Well, sweetie, a boy called for you today,” she paused for dramatic effect. Sure enough, Napaea poked her head out from the kitchen, her scowl dissolving slightly.

“Whowas it?” she asked curiously.

“Someone named Benjamin Rentaford, if my memory serves me,” her mother said, watching Napaea’s reaction closely. She was not surprised when she caught the hint of a smile around Napaea’s lips. Napaea quickly arranged her face into what she hoped was a bored expression when she caught her mother looking at her. “Oh.”

Mrs. Corellean smiled and her eyes twinkled knowingly. Ah, young love. “You know, Napaea, it’s okay to say that you like him, if you want to,” she said wisely. To her surprise, Napaea groaned deeply and rolled her eyes.

“Not you too, Mum.” Turning on her heel, she grabbed her bag and stomped upstairs to her room.

What did I do now? Mrs. Corellean wondered. She shook her head in defeat and returned once more to her book. Teenagers.

At least out loud
I won't say I'm in....love

Napaea slammed the door of her room behind her and locked it firmly. She leaned against the door for a while, resting her forehead on the warm, wooden surface. She touched her palm to her face gently and sighed as she felt her cheeks still flaming. Today had to have been the most horrible and bizarre day in her life. Suddenly remembering, she reached into her bag for her History notebook. She flipped quickly to the ‘notes’ she had been taking that day. Carefully, she tore the page out, then crossed over to her study table and cut a piece of sticky tape from the roll lying on her table. She turned to the wall opposite her bed and carefully stuck the paper onto it, stepping back to admire her handiwork.

It was a picture of Benjamin Rentaford, playing football that morning during gym class.

Napaea let her hazel gaze travel over the other pictures stuck on the wall. All of them were pencil drawings of Benjamin, some of him eating, talking, studying, others portraits of him done in great detail. She sighed. Selena would think she had died and gone to gossip heaven if she ever stepped into her room. “That won’t ever happen. Never!” she promised herself, shaking her head vehemently as if to prove her point. There was a reason she always kept her room locked.

She crossed the room and reached under her bed, feeling about. After numerous encounters with enormous dust bunnies, finally her hand closed over something hard and she pulled it out. Napaea grabbed a pencil from her pencil case and flopped full-length onto her soft, blue bedspread-covered bed. She blew the dust off the little brown, leather-bound book which she had pulled out from under her bed and opened it. She flipped through the book, ignoring the huge pink heart she had drawn on the first page, containing the words “NC & BR 4 eva”, past the second page, which read, “Property of Mrs. Benjamin Rentaford,” and was decorated with pink sparkly hearts, and past the numerous odes to Benjamin, “Oh, and how thy forest eyes doth shine…”

Finally, after much flipping, she reached an empty page. She grasped her pencil tightly, set the sharp point down lightly on the page and began to write.

Dear Diary,

Selena was a real bitch to me today. Flexing her muscles as Queen Bee, she ganged up with almost the whole SCHOOL and tried to make me confess that I was in love with Benjamin, all because she wanted to prove that I couldn’t keep my vow. But I’ll show her.

I’ll never say that I’m in love with Benjamin.

Never.

Napaea paused, and made as if to snap the book shut, but changing her mind, she hurriedly scribbled in one last sentence:

Well, at least…not out loud.