Chapter Three

My eyes grew wide as I stared at the person standing in the doorway. There was no way that this was happening to me. I looked to Tyler who was mirroring my shocked expression.

“Well, well… What do we have here?” asked Adam with a smirk on his face. “Man, Tyler, you have been a busy boy.”

Tyler stared at him with a look of disbelief. “Adam, this isn’t what it looks like ok?” said Tyler as he tried to profess his innocence.

“Ahh, don’t worry about it mate. I’m not going to tell anyone about your little rendezvous with little Miss Dillon... and these other fine ladies here. I didn’t peg you as the group type, but I will congratulate you on bedding the unbeddable.”

“Look Adam, I told you; this isn’t what it looks like. Ebony just needed a place to crash for the night and she was a little sick from being out in the rain yesterday so I thought that I’d surprise her with a bit of breakfast. See?” Tyler asked. “It’s all innocent. Nothing happened here.”

“Hmm… well I suppose it is a feasible explanation.” Adam considered, stroking his chin with his thumb and index finger. “But the fact remains that I still don’t believe you.” He said, winking at me.

Ok, now I was getting fed up with him. I threw the covers back and got up, taking three easy strides to Adam, who was no longer standing in the doorway on account of having now entered the room. I was now standing very closely to him and although I felt uncomfortable, his warm breath coming down on me gently soothed me.

“Adam,” I started, as I silently prayed that the gracious God would be merciful towards me. “As Ty said,” I continued, “nothing happened here. And it would be very much appreciated if you didn’t go around school telling people that something did. We really don’t need that right now. Tyler is like a brother to me and you being one of his best friends should know that of all people.”

I looked back up at Adam whose gaze was intently fixed on me. No, correction; his gaze was intently fixed upon my shirt, (or Tyler’s shirt) which I now remembered I was wearing.

I waved my hand in front of his face, trying to regain his attention. I then realised that something was wrong. I followed the direction of his watch and to my horror found that he was looking at my chest. Things worsened when I become conscious of the fact that the button-up shirt was in fact not buttoned up.

“Oh my gosh!” I squealed, trying profusely to cover myself up. I immediately ran and hid behind Tyler who was actually looking quite amused at this point, his eyes darting between his two best friends.

Deciding to break the awkward silence after that, Tyler asked “So, Adam what are you doing here anyways?” with a hint of confusion in his voice.

“Uhh, we said that we’d hang before the party tonight remember? Tristan’s downstairs putting a dent in your Wii. That thumping you hear is his fat arse jumping around like a retard,” Adam replied, blushing as he realised that he had been staring at me.

“My gosh! Slow reaction huh?” I thought to myself as I crawled beneath the covers again in order to hide my face, which was now burning with embarrassment. That unfortunately didn’t work too well, as I discovered that I couldn’t breathe under the mass of sheets and blankets. I peeped my head out as Adam and Tyler continued their conversation as if I wasn’t even in the room.

“Ohh, yeah!” said Tyler as everything fell into place. “Sorry man, I totally forgot about that. I didn’t mean to ditch you and Trist,” he said, smiling and giving me an apologetic look.

‘Ahh, Tristan Moore. Public enemy number two; the first obviously being Hartford. Faithful sidekick to idiot face... Passable in the looks department, but enough to get the school try hards to swarm to him as he struts around the school.’ My random string of thoughts were broken as I realised the room had lapsed into an uncomfortable silence.

I shook my head and then not wanting Adam to see more than he already had, exclaimed, “What are you two still doing in here huh? Out! Out!”

“Ok, ok! We’re going now! We’ll be downstairs waiting for you ok? We still need to talk about this.”

And with that, everyone stepped out of the room leaving me puzzled as to the sudden change of atmosphere in the room.

I found my clothes in the bags, which Tyler had brought up, and feeling quite grateful, I changed into them. I brushed my teeth leaving them a dazzling white when I had rinsed. Then I pulled my black raven hair back into a high ponytail, letting my fringe frame the sides of my delicate face. Adjusting my baggy attire, I looked into the mirror and applied a small amount of cover up to my face.

Five minutes later I had wandered downstairs to commotion caused by the three competitive males racing each against each other in Mario Kart. Sal and Liz weren’t doing much better either, cheering, yelling and laughing as Peach overtook Mario once more.

I sat down on the couch, watching their amused faces as Tyler’s car spun out of control and Adam’s sped ahead, crossing the finish line first.

“Oh! I want a rematch!” demanded Tyler, slamming his fist against the soft carpeting. “Let’s go again, and this time, I will kick your ass!”

“You’re so on buddy,” replied Adam who turned around giving me a wink.

“You know what? On second thoughts, I’ll make you a deal, Adam. That is,” Tyler paused dramatically, smirking. “If you’re up for it.”

“Ahh,” replied Adam. “A challenge eh? You know that I’m always up for a challenge. And dear Ebony here would know of course, watching me from the bottom of the social pyramid… You’re on,” he accepted.

Adam winked at me, causing me to roll my eyes in return. I swear Adam infuriated me, merely on his presence alone. He had made my life hell from the moment I entered Bennett Barker. My mind wandered to the unfortunate memory fixated in my brain – the one where I had first encountered the one and only – Adam Hartford.

-

-

I slid out of the slim Mercedes as Chris waved me goodbye. “I can so do this.” I told myself as I slung my bag over my shoulder, fixing my uniform, consisting of a tartan skirt, and white blouse under my blazer.

“This is no biggy.” I thought, reassuring myself. “Oh who am I kidding?” a voice inside my head questioned. “You’re going to a school with sixty other females! And who the hell changes schools – from a perfectly good one to this hellhole in their last year?” the voice continued. My eyebrows furrowed in concentration as I tried to think of a quick rebuttal to refute the voice, but my train of thought quickly dispersed as a new voice – a male one, interrupted my thoughts.

“Hey baby! How’s it going?”

I turned around to face a handsome male, with perfect sandy brown hair, gorgeous blue eyes, a tall, lean body and a mischievous smile, getting out of a car, which rivalled mine. I quickly noted that he was wearing a senior uniform and was most likely in my year.

He walked up briskly towards me, slipped his hand around my waist, holding me intimately. He dipped me back, before I could protest and planted his lips upon mine.

His lips were so firm, but could also be soft at the same time. His kiss was hot and demanding, passionate and drawing, which made my knees buckle from beneath me. He slowed it down, with his tongue teasing my lips.

I wanted for him to continue so badly. His kiss was nothing short of amazing. The gorgeous male drew me in for another steamy kiss before pulling away, his face adorned with a smirk, which I was to get to know, oh so well.

He gave me a wink, before removing my arms from his neck. ‘What?!? How had my arms gotten up there?’ I thought as I stared at the mystery man in shock.

“I’m good aren’t I?” he asked rhetorically.

“Uh, uh…” I stuttered. “Who are you? And what did you do that for?” I asked.

“Oh yes, I do believe I have forgotten my manners. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Adam Hartford, the son of Peter Hartford, President of the school board. Perhaps you’ve heard of him, no?”

‘Of course I’ve heard of him!’ I wanted to scream. The bastard had only made life for me and every other female starting at the school harder than necessary before we had even begun. Peter Hartford was the man who had fought so hard for the school to remain only open to males. Unfortunately, some of the school board seemed to agree with Hartford and continued to make things hard for us.

“Yeah, I’ve heard the name in passing.” I replied casually as if it meant nothing to me. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around.” I said before walking off.

As I walked off, a group of seniors wolf whistled at me while shouting suggestive comments at my back. Cheers and congratulations were being thrown about with a few catching my attention. I slowed my pace and turned around, slightly so that I could see them in the corner of my eye.

“Ha! Man, you should have seen her face! I knew you were good with the ladies, but not that good! I should’ve never made that bet with you!” said a moderately looking guy with jet black hair.

I saw the boy place a hundred dollar bill into Adam’s outstretched hand. Rage came over me as I saw that immovable smirk on Hartford’s face. I marched up to him and with all the strength I could muster, slapped him squarely in the face.

“Come back for more baby?” he asked, unaffected by the strike. His friends sniggered behind him and I ignored them as I shook my head in disgust.

“Is that all that I am to you? A friggen bet huh? Get the first girl you see to kiss you? You disgust me. You’re nothing more than a player who doesn’t take responsibility of your own actions nor suffer the consequences. We girls aren’t play things!” I said huffily as I looked him in the eye.

I detected a mild hint of amusement and to my surprise, he replied, “Well, I do have to tell my father that the girls being here are good for one thing,” pulling at his pants.

Sickened by his implication I stalked off in the opposite direction.

-

-

“So what’s this glorious challenge you have install for me Ty?” asked Adam, bringing me back into the present.

“Ok, well if I beat you, you’re going to stop this absurd feud you have with Ebony. And well if I lose, well, that won’t happen so you don’t have to worry about that,” said Tyler.

“What?!?” Adam and I screamed in unison.

“Hold on, firstly, might I remind you that I just whooped your arse, you giant baby. And secondly, it is not my fault that she is as stubborn as a mule,” said Adam.

“Hey!” I interjected, but Adam put up a hand to silence me.

“Thirdly, shouldn’t Ebony be contending me if this involves her?” Adam inquired, bringing up a good point.

“Who are you calling a giant baby, huh, Peach?” Tyler scowled.

“Actually, you know what Adam? I think I will challenge you.” I said with a newfound confidence arising within me.

“And lastly Ty, you’re foolish to be thinking that you could beat me.”

“So, what are the terms of the bet?” Tyler asked with curiosity.

“Hmm, let’s see…” I said, thinking carefully. “If I win, then you will convince your father to drop this whole charade of getting us,” referring to all the girls, “kicked out of Barker Bennett.”

“Ok, I accept,” he said. “But,” he continued, with his voice sounding a little menacing. “If I win, you have to kiss me at the party tonight.”

“Oooh,” Tristan chimed. He then turned towards me puckering his lips and making smooch sounds in my direction.

I quickly thought it over in my head. The stakes were higher for him and I figured that there was more to gain than I could lose, plus, another opportunity like this would not come by so soon.

“Ok, but don’t be too heartbroken when you don’t get that kiss on account of you not winning ok?”

“Ebony! Have you gone insane?!” exclaimed Tyler.

“Oh Ty, quit being so uptight. I’m just gonna have a little fun taking dear old Adam out for a spin,” I said patting his shoulder in reassurance.

I turned to Adam who seemed pretty shocked that I accepted his challenge. “So we’ve got a deal?” I asked with a smile plastered to my face.

“Let’s shake on it.” Adam replied.

I grasped his hand, while keeping my eyes fixated on his, in a death lock stare.

“Let the games begin.” I said.

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A/N: A big thank you to dreamercrys, encima, silver sky memories and axiden for their supportive and encouraging reviews; it’s always nice to know that people are reading… comforting to the insecure beast in all writers.

As for encima’s question; The part you are referring to is meant to be a monologue sort of thing by Ebony, kind of like how the Prologue is set out. I plan on using this style of flashback throughout the story just to clarify some points, especially towards the end as it will explain much of the baby’s parentage.

As always, please review.