Andrew Mason

"Melissa, who was that at the door?" my Mum asked curiously as I frantically grabbed my schoolbooks and raced out the back door.

"Don't know. Some loser," I replied over my shoulder and slipped out just as my Mum re-opened the front door to reveal the annoyed Matt.

Ooo, he looked so mad.

I broke into a grim smirk and stalked to school feeling my blood practically boiling.

What the hell was he doing here?

Why the hell did he come back after all those years?

And why the hell do I love the phrase 'why the hell' so much?

I shook my head, annoyed, and was so wrapped up in my evil thoughts that I completely walked past my best friend, Pamela.

"Erm… earth to Melissa?" she said, tapping my shoulder.

I nodded at her, barely registering her curious expression.

"Looks like someone got up from the wrong side of the bed this morning," she said pointedly and linked arms with me, dismissing my grumbles. "Geez, cheer up Mel. You sound like a car with a flat tyre."

I looked at her, slightly amused.

"Thanks," I shot back sarcastically. "That's just what I need first thing in the morning."

"You're welcome," she deadpanned, not missing a beat. "Why are you imitating the expression of a mass murderer?"

"What?" I said blankly, my thoughts still chugging away at this mornings' encounter.

Pam rolled her eyes and sighed, before explaining in more relatable terms, "I said, why do you look uglier than usual?"

I gawped at her before punching her on the arm, and striking a pose.

"Jealous?" I asked, batting my eyelids before laughing as she scoffed.

There's no one like Pam to cheer me up, huh.

"No, but seriously," she said as we walked into the building. "Why do you look so furious? Has Derek stuffed a dead mouse in your lingerie again or something?"

"No," I replied dejectedly. "I would've killed him and donated his body to Science for experimenting ages ago if that was the case. No, this is much, much worse."

"Why? Has your Mum forbidden you from coming to Jen's party tomorrow? I mean, I know it's a weekday but she did promise," she said, looking worried.

"No," I replied, my hands unconsciously balling into fists.

"Then what is it?" she asked, exasperated.

"It's nothing," I replied finally, knowing I had no words to explain the immense anger and loathing I felt for Matt.

"Mel! Damn, you can be so aggravating sometimes, you know that?"

"I know that Pam," I smiled at her sweetly before stewing in my angry thoughts once again.

-

I didn't get the chance to meet up with my other friends until lunch, so while Pam talked to some teacher, I wandered over to our table and got a huge shock.

Douglas had cut his hair.

And… he almost looked hot. Skip the 'almost'. He definitely looked hot.

I stood there gawping at him until he squirmed and finally said, "Will you quit staring at my head Mel? It makes me feel like I'm on display."

I threw him and amused glance and retorted, "Well, judging by the number of girls drooling over you Doug, I'd say you're headline of the week."

He blushed! I laughed out loud and tweaked his cheek playfully.

"Just make sure you don't get an inflated ego," I added and looked over to my other friends.

Vanessa and Sean were a couple but preferred to argue, instead of snog, although I did catch them at it a couple of times. Snogging, I mean. At the moment, they were in the midst of a heated debate about burgers and barely acknowledged my existence. I looked over at Timothy – who hates his name and prefers to be known as Tim – who looked back at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Hi Tim," I raised my hand in a salute. "And how are you on this fine… erm… smelly afternoon?"

he blinked before slouching in his seat and glaring at me, a toothpick poking out of his mouth.

… So much for friendship…

"Oh God, you people are so… so… so boring!" I stated and waited for a reaction.

Doug and Tim exchanged glances before returning to their food, and Vanessa and Sean paused for air before talking away like mad.

Hmm… I need to get myself some new friends.

I started eating and broke into a smile as Pam appeared. Ah, finally a friend who doesn't ignore me –

"Hey Tim, you won't believe what Sir Adams said about your assignment…" she prattled away.

Well, there she goes. She won't stop talking for an hour now.

-

Doug kicked at me under the table as someone approached.

"Hey Melissa," said a deep, sexy voice from behind me.

I turned around with surprise to see Andrew Mason – one of the hottest guys from our college – standing there.

"Oh, hey Andrew," I replied casually as he draped his arms over the back of my chair so we were almost face-to-face.

"I was wondering if you're going to Jen's party tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I am…" I replied curiously. "Why?"

"Well, I'd love to take you…" he said with a persuasive smile and his blue eyes on full mesmerising power. "That is… if you're not going with anyone else," he added as an afterthought.

"Oh," I replied moronically, suddenly noticing how all of my friends were listening. Vanessa and Sean had even broken off their debate…

"Ouch," I yelped as Doug kicked me under the table again.

Andrew continued to look at me expectantly.

"Erm… sure," I finally replied.

He flashed me a heart-throbbing grin and said, "I'll call you, okay?"

"Yeah, great. Just make sure you call after seven." I smiled sweetly at his departing figure when Tim asked me, with an arched brow and a low whistle, "Why does he have to call after seven?"

I shrugged and attacked my food again. "No particular reason," I replied, pretending not to notice the disbelieving expressions of the faces of my audience.

"Feeling better now Mel?" Pam asked mock-tentatively as I smirked to myself.

"Oh yeah, much better, thanks to Andrew," I replied pointedly and proceeded to leave my gob smacked friends staring after me as I exited the dining hall.

I got a date!

I barely stopped myself from cart wheeling there and then. But my so-far-perfect afternoon was marred by the sudden appearance of Derek.

I froze and watched him approach me hurriedly, an excited smile plastered over his face.

Oh my God. People were staring.

Erm… hold on. What the hell was he doing here? He was supposed to be at university!

"Hey Mel!" he yelled, as loud as an elephant.

I winced and looked at the wall, hoping I could bang my head on it and something become unconscious before he got to me, but that would have resulted in further humiliation.

"Mel!" he yelled again, even though he was only like, two feet away from me.

I strode up to him really fast and hissed, "Derek! What in Gods' name are you doing here?"

"I'm visiting my lil sister, what else," he practically shouted.

"Oh God, why me?" I muttered before shoving him into an empty classroom.

"Okay," I said, once I'd closed the door. "What the frig are you doing here?"

He grinned insanely and said with relish, "You're going to kill me."

"What? Why?" I demanded suspiciously.

"'Cause I invited the Aarons over for dinner tonight and promised Matt and Stacy that you'd take them for a walk to High street for ice cream afterwards."

I swear I died at that point.