Nate's P.O.V

DAY ONE

I headed to my locker before lunch. It just so happened that Violet's locker was five lockers down. So I grabbed my books and leaned against my locker, straining my ears to hear what she was saying.

"Oh my god, Jade, did you see Drew Austin's new haircut?" she squealed to her friend. "It's so amazing! I love his hair colour – it's like, golden brown."

I glanced down the hallway towards her. She was squealing with her best friend Jade about that singer, Drew Austin.

I didn't get what was so great about him. So he could sing and was good looking. Who cares? There were heaps of guys in this school who could do the same thing. I didn't understand why girls fangirl over any cute boy that was famous. Guys don't do that. I mean, sure, we appreciate the finer women in life, but our entire lives didn't revolve around them.

As I watched her, she tossed back her beautiful red hair. It glinted in the light, and her cheeks flushed as she obsessed over that Austin guy.

I headed to lunch and met with Miles in the courtyard. We sat under a tree, and Miles pulled out an apple and munched on it.

"So, Nate, made any progress?" he asked through mouthfuls of apple.

"I'm figuring out what tactic to use," I told him, staring at Violet as she walked towards the courtyard we were in. "You decided who you're going for yet?"

"I'm thinking... Harper Mason."

"Really?" I asked. "Harper?"

Harper Mason was a girl in our year who was ... scary, to say the least. She had purple straight hair and always wore black. She stomped around in three inch heeled boots and everyone generally kept out of her way.

"Yeah. I'm always up for a feisty woman."

"Woman? More like a she-dragon." I said.

"I'm sure she's a nice person once you get to know her." Miles insisted.

"Yeah, good luck with that. I'll see you at your funeral." I sniggered.

Just then, Violet and her friends walked past.

"OMG, I tweeted Drew my number!" I heard Violet say. "D'you reckon he'll call me?"

"Definitely!" squealed one of her friends.

That's it. A lightbulb went off in my head.

I waited till she'd gone before turning to Miles.

"Dude, I've figured out my tactic."

"Go on."

"I'll call her pretending to be this Drew guy she's so obsessed with!"

Miles raised his eyebrows. "That'll just make her love that guy even more."

"No, see, I'll get to know her, and then I'll reveal who I really am! And she'll realise that I'm her perfect guy and fall in love with me!" I said excitedly.

"Nate, I don't think –"

"It's foolproof!" I declared.

"Dude, you'll regret this," warned Miles.

"No I won't! It's perfect!"

"Nathan-"

I got up and slung my bag over my shoulder. "Well, Miles, gotta go. Better do some research on this guy. See ya!"

I saw him facepalm as I left.

"Google. Google, Google, Google. Have I ever mentioned how much I love you? How much I ADORE you? Because I do. In fact, I think I'm gonna marry you," I proclaimed to my laptop screen.

"Wow. You're so girl deprived you're in love with a search engine," said my little sister from the doorway.

"Shut up, Nut."

"Don't call me that!" Nut snapped.

Nut was 13 years old – two years younger than me. Her real name is Natasha, but everyone calls her Nat, which I, being the genius I am, turned into Nut. Besides, Nat sounds too similar to Nate.

Nut is basically a ball of attitude. I swear I wasn't like that at thirteen. Kids are growing up so fast these days. Nut's got dark brown hair and is quite short for her age. She's barely five foot. And she's obsessed with that Drew Austin guy too.

He's taking over the world.

RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIVES!

Nut came over and looked at the screen. "Uh, Nate, why are you searching up Drew Austin?"

"Uh...research." I stammered.

She looked at me. "You're gay, aren't you."

"NO!"

She patted my shoulder. "It's okay if you aren't ready to come out yet, big brother. But it's okay. We all knew you were gay anyway."

"I'M NOT GAY." I yelled.

Dad popped his head in. "Uh, good to know, son."

I facepalmed. "Nut. LEAVE."

"Oh, I get it. You and Drew need some alone time?" Nut asked knowingly.

"NATASHA ROWENA BECKETT –"

"Alright, alright, calm your balls!" she said, holding her hands up in surrender and backing out.

Calm your balls.

Dafaq?

WHAT DO KIDS TALK ABOUT THESE DAYS?

I looked down at my pages of research on this Austin guy. I'd spent all afternoon finding out everything about him and watching his videos to learn how he spoke. I still didn't get why he was so amazing, but a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do.

I stood up and went to the bathroom. Closing the door, I looked at myself in the mirror.

I don't like looking at myself. It makes me feel weird. I've never known why, though.

I have short dark brown hair and hazel eyes. I've got kind of a small face. I dunno. I don't like describing myself. I guess I'm average looking. I mean, I've gone on dates before and stuff, so I'm not, like, a potato or anything.

I practised my Drew Austin voice. The guy was an American. But I'm good with accents, so that was okay.

"Hey, everyone! I just wanted to say I love all my fans and you should pre-order my new single on iTunes! Thanks, guys! Love ya!" I tried out.

Hmmm. Pretty good.

I'll call her tomorrow, I decided abruptly.

Plan Make Violet Fall In Love With Nate is ready to go.

[Insert Mission Impossible theme here]