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“Un-freaking-believable,” I muttered.

“Uh, it is believable.” My friend, Valerie, murmured, gaping with me.

“Are they really that stupid?”

Valerie shrugged. “They’re blonde.”

“Excuse me?” My other friend, Liz, asked, tugging her dirty blond locks. Valerie and I dismissed the fact that she’d appeared out of nowhere. It always happened with Liz.

“We meant platinum blonde.” I nodded towards the scene.

“Whoa…” Liz’s eyes widened. “Does he have two girls following him?”

“Heck yeah,” Valerie whispered. “And keep your voice down.”

“Why are we hiding in the supply closet anyway?” Liz raised an eyebrow. “And why are you two spying on our basketball captain?”

“It wasn’t my idea. It was Natasha’s idea.”

“Ooh, are you starting to show some interest in Shane Larson?” Liz grinned mischievously at me.

“Uh, psh, no,” I said. “Why would I? Because, like him, I have boys following me too.” I didn’t like the direction this conversation was taking.

“You know, Tasha, I never thought you were one to brag about your playa status,” Valerie said, smirking.

“Well, you girls were the ones who started talking about Shane Larson.” I couldn’t help but sneak a peek at the brown-haired boy winking at one of the platinum blondes on his arm. The other girl tugged his t-shirt sleeve impatiently.

“Lunch has started. You two better get out of the closet. You know what happens in here at lunch.”

I rolled my eyes. I’d been dragged in here countless times before. Girls who went into the supply closet never came out until they had “satisfied” their partner, usually male. To get out before the dirty stuff began required a very deep knowledge of karate.

“Anyway, Tasha, who’s your new boy toy?” asked Liz. She knew about my streak of boys, a new one every week.

“Brandon Hurley.”

“That senior?” cut in Valerie. “Gosh, Tasha, I didn’t think you were one to go for boys older than you.”

“Oh, shut up,” I said good-naturedly. “At least I don’t date two or more at the same time,” I hinted unsubtly.

“Well, Shane’s a guy. He has needs,” Liz whispered comically. We burst out in a fit of giggles.

“Are you ladies talking about me?” An amused voice said deeply behind me. Oh, crap. I turned around, assaulted by Shane Larson’s twinkly gray-blue eyes. His shaggy brown hair flopped over his eyes.

“Hello, Natasha. It’s not very common for you to talking about me. A change of heart, maybe?” He winked at me.

“No, not after I saw your company a few minutes ago.”

“So you admit you were spying on me.” He looked as cocky as ever. Liz and Valerie started backing away, knowing one of our arguments were about to start.

“I want to save my ears,” Valerie muttered as she yanked Liz away.

“Right, and you don’t check me out when I walk past you in hallways,” I shot back, ignoring my two friends practically sprinting in the opposite direction.

“You aren’t denying it.”

“And you’re not denying the fact that you can’t resist me.” He wanted to be vain? Two could play that game.

“Oh, I can’t resist you? What about freshman year, hmm?”

“You promised me you’d never mention that again!” I hissed.

“Two years, Bedford, and you still can’t stomach the fact that I broke up with you. That’s just sad and pitiful.” He rolled his eyes.

The slap was fast. He glared at me, holding a hand to his now red cheek. “What the hell was that for?!”

“That, Larson, was being the ass you always are.”

“You didn’t think I was an ass in freshman year.” He smirked.

I was pissed. He’d finally beat me at my own game by using his most powerful weapon. We had dated in freshman year. However, Shane had broken up with me. Why, I had no idea. Probably because he wanted a “wider selection” of girls. That was probably the only heartbreak I’d experienced. I should’ve known it would have come. He was such a notorious playboy, even in middle school. Although, you had to give him some credit for chasing after me for a week, begging my forgiveness. Ha, fat chance.

“You know what? I have a class to get to. I don’t need to waste my time arguing with you.”

“Yeah, looking forward to the next fight, babe,” Shane called. Freaking bastard. “I still have your underwear, by the way.” The bastard did not just say that. I was so going to have the last word.

“I still have your virginity!” I yelled as loud as I could. Everyone walking through the hallways at that time turned to stare. I smirked as I turned away. I caught Shane’s face turning his trademark angry red at this moment. If people had thought I was lying, they sure weren’t thinking that now, after catching a glimpse of Shane’s face. He had freshman year as his most powerful weapon. I had his virginity.

What goes around comes around, right?

Oh, yeah, we both lost our virginity to each other on a whirlwind night during our dating spiel. Before you start thinking that we were just drunk teenagers, I should tell you it was actually romantic and planned, if you know what I mean.

Yeah, as in you planned the champagne and beer.

I felt so awesome and powerful then; I decided to hook up with the next boy I saw, unless it was an ugly nerd. Believe me, I have no objection against nerds. I am one with the whole package; straight A pluses, student council member, and a scholarship to UC Berkeley. I was just a hot nerd, and the most sought after girl in school, for you bitches out there who think that’s impossible. I’m starting to sound like the cocky ass Shane is, so I think I’ll stop. It must’ve been the Gatorade. I swear, those things are drugs no matter how much people like ‘em.

That’s how the boys play so well, sweetie.

“Hey, Natasha.” Oh, well lookee here. It was Kevin Grant, one of Shane’s teammates. Time for Shane to get a taste of how much of a bitch karma really is.

“Hi, Kev. Did you get the physics homework?” I grinned happily, letting my jacket slide off my arms a bit to expose my bare shoulders. This wasn’t going to be hard. I knew Kevin had a crush on me. Every boy in our school did. Except for Shane, but he hardly counts.

Kevin gulped. “Uh…yeah. Pages in the study guide from forty-five to eight.”

“Thanks.” I fluttered my eyelashes, and not in the cheap, flirty way sluts do it.

Ahem. Right.

“Oh, I don’t have anything to do tonight, so do you want to come over? I rarely see you anymore.”

“Um, sure?” He sounded frustrated, as if fighting with another side, the side that didn’t want to betray Shane. Ha, I knew I was stronger than him. (Or just the fact she was the hottest girl in school, perhaps?)

--

By the next day, everyone knew that Kevin and I had gotten together at my house. Shane was absolutely smoldering, but trying to hide it. Nice try, loser! I sang to myself. I did feel guilty, though. I was such a user.

Gee, ya think?

Kevin knew better than to talk to me. This had happened before so many times, with so many guys, I think he was used to it by now.

I was waiting for the ambush. Sadly, I didn’t expect it to happen during passing period. He appeared out of nowhere, grabbing my arm and pulling me into the supply closet. Uh-oh.

“Let me go!” At least I didn’t need to worry about missing classes. Shane was still as thoughtful as ever.

“Not until you apologize,” he growled.

“For what?” I demanded.

“For not asking my permission to hook up with my teammate!”

“Since when did I have to? Are you jealous, Larson?”

“Hell no. But next time you wanna do it with someone who plays on my team, you gotta ask me.”

“What do you want me to do? Sign a freaking treaty? You wish. I have as much right to the guys on your team as you do.”

“Sorry, I’m straight,” he snickered. “But you know what? I could get used to this.” His arms were around my waist, and his chin was resting on my head. Stupid crowded space. They should get a bigger supply closet.

So students can get more “activities” done, maybe?

“If we’re done, I’m gonna go now.” I struggled out of his grip. Unfortunately, he played basketball twenty-four seven, so I didn’t have much of a choice.

“You’re not going until I’m done with you.” He had a jeering look on his face as he came in closer. Then, he was kissing me. Then, I was moaning as his tongue slipped inside my mouth and his hands slipped underneath my shirt, unclasping my bra expertly. I tried to complain, but the scent of his hot, minty breath drew me in, and I couldn’t help but slide my hands over his muscles. No one worked out as much as Shane and it showed.

We’re so ready for a repetition of freshman year, now aren’t we?

--

After our little rendezvous, Shane and I emerged from the supply closet, sweaty and panting.

“I’ve been thinking,” Shane started.

“About what?” I slipped one of my hands into his.

“I want to settle down.”

“Huh?”

“Do you want to be my girlfriend, Natasha Fields?” He gazed at me.

“What?” I was shocked.

“I don’t want to sleep around anymore. It’s been two years since our breakup, sure, but I haven’t stopped regretting it. Do you want to try again at the relationship we could have had?”

“Yes!”

“Really?” He looked doubtful. “’Cause you usually aren’t this easy to win over…”

I smirked. “If anything goes wrong, I’ll just run back to Kevin or another of your basketball buddies, eh?”

“You little-”

Oh, yes. A definite repeat of freshman year.