I chewed at the tip of my pencil, staring at the stupid equation before me. Damn calculus. It's hard to think when you're rushing your homework for the next period.

I had my math homework sprawled out in front of me on the lunch table, my sandwich inside the brown paper bag lying forgotten at the side. It's only been a week since school started at Capthorn High School, and I was already behind on homework. Curse all those AP classes.

"Hey."

Someone came over and sat beside me. I didn't have to look up to know who it was. I'd recognize that voice anywhere.

"Not with Tammy?" I asked, scribbling my answer onto the paper and then crossing it out furiously.

"Nah," Nate replied, not giving me any further explanation. He reached for my paper bag and peered into it. "Ooh, peanut butter and jelly."

He tore a huge chunk of it off and stuffed it into his mouth. I looked up from my homework for a while to glare at him for stealing my lunch, at the same time catching a glimpse of the cheerleaders at the next table giving me vicious glares. I rolled my eyes.

You'd think that after all these years they'd get it in their heads that we're just best friends and nothing more.

That's right; Nathaniel Sanders is my best friend. Has been since he moved next door. We've been through elementary school, middle school and everything together. Nate is also Capthorn's resident hottie, with light blonde hair that was always falling into his grey eyes. He's captain of the school's football team and gets really good grades in everything. Besides all that, he's also an obnoxious freak who thinks he rules the school. I have no idea why I'm still friends with him, but I guess you could say I see the side of him the rest of the school doesn't.

Oh yeah, and Tammy Larson is his current girlfriend. But odds are she wouldn't last past next week. Nate never keeps girlfriends longer than a month, and it's already been about three weeks.

"Calculus next period?" he asked, leaning over to look at my homework. I nodded, still trying to figure out the question. Nate grabbed the pencil from my hand, and in two minutes, he had the answer scribbled out on my paper.

"I hate you for being so smart," I said.

"Thanks, but I would have preferred a 'Thank you' instead," he replied. Then he flashed me a grin and added, "An 'I love you so much' wouldn't hurt either."

I rolled my eyes at him and stuffed my homework into my bag. I reached for my sandwich (that the greedy pig had stolen half of) and started eating.

"So what's up with you and Tammy?" I asked.

"Nothing much," he shrugged, doodling on the cafeteria table with my pencil. "Sarah Jones is looking kinda hot, don't you think?"

"Sure, if you say so," I replied.

Yup, in a week, Tammy was so going to be replaced by Sarah.

"Anyway, you mind waiting for me after school? I've got stuff to talk about with Tammy first, then I'll drive you home."

"Sure."

"Thanks AJ. By the way Sean Connors from the football team wants your number," he grinned.

"Please tell me you did not give it to him," I said, staring at him wide eyed. Nate had a lousy habit of trying to set me up with his friends. It's not like I can't get guys. I've had a few boyfriends, and guys do ask me out on dates, so I'm not completely without the ability of getting a guy myself. It's just that my relationships never really last long. But I'm not one bit like Nate! His relationships don't last because he knows he can get any girl he wants. My relationships don't last because I can't keep the guys I want. Cue the big sigh.

"Well..."

"Nate!" I smacked him hard on the arm.

"Ow! Come on, Connors is a nice guy," he said, rubbing his arm.

"That's what you say about every guy you try to set me up with!" I retorted. "You promised no more."

"But AJ –"

"No buts! I swear I'll strangle you the next time," I threatened.

"Fine..."

"Yo Nate!" a tall guy with brown hair came over to us. He nodded at me and said, "Hey AJ."

He's Eddie, Nate's closest guy friend. He's on the football team as well.

"Gotta run, see you later AJ," said Nate, ruffling my hair before leaving with Eddie. More death glares from girls around the cafeteria. They look ready to stab me with their forks, really.

I guess I should probably mention what AJ stands for. It stands for Angelica Jean. Jean's my middle name. I know, given the name you'd think I was your typical sweet natured girl. All I have to say is, I have no idea what my mother was thinking when she gave me that name. I've been going by AJ since fourth grade. Anyone who dares call me Angelica dies at my wrath.

I watched as Nate and Eddie walked out of the cafeteria, past Brenda Wilkins and Courtney Mason. Both boys said hi to them, which left Brenda practically swooning. Courtney reacted calmly and said hi back, while Brenda managed a goofy smile and a wave. I had to resist the urge to laugh as I watched Brenda hurry over to my table excitedly, Courtney trailing behind her.

"Did you see that? Eddie said hi to me!" she said excitedly, taking a seat beside me. Courtney settled opposite us.

"They said hi to the both of us you moron," she said.

"You guys are so lucky to be friends with all the jocks," Brenda sighed.

"Ew, am not. Just because they're Nate's friends doesn't mean they're mine," I said.

"You know I only talk to Nate and Eddie. I barely know the rest of the jocks," said Courtney, flicking her long blonde hair. Her boyfriend is Mike Henderson, a close friend of Nate and Eddie's, and also on the football team. They've been going out for about half a year already.

"I just wish Eddie would notice me," said Brenda.

"I'm pretty sure he noticed how you couldn't stop giggling when we were with the guys yesterday," Courtney grinned. Brenda scowled at her.

Courtney and Brenda are my closest girlfriends. Well I do need someone to talk to about girly stuff like fashion and boys, and what colour to paint my toe nails. I couldn't possibly talk about all that with Nate. Trust me I've tried. Back in sixth grade, when I told Nate that I thought Drew McCarthy was the cutest boy in our year, he decided to go tell the guy! And when I tried asking him if my blue dress was better than the green for Mark Dawson's party, he told me to just go in a bikini top and jeans. Nate is great, but sometimes I need to hang around with girls, just like he needs to hang around with guys.

"Nate's trying to set me up with Sean Connors," I grumbled.

"Connors? He's kinda cute," said Courtney.

"Isn't he with Miranda Gordon?" asked Brenda.

"Nope. They were over two months ago. Your news is slow Brenda," said Courtney.

"Not the point here guys!" I said, waving my arms about. "I hate it when he does this. If Sean Connors dares to call me on my cell I'll beat Nate to pulp."

"Come on, it's not that bad."

"Not that bad? The last time I went out with one of Nate's friends, he tried to get in my pants in his stinking car!"

"I think he left the date in a much worse state than you did," Brenda giggled.

"Yeah...what was it? One black eye and a broken nose?" Courtney grinned.

"He deserved it," I said, crossing my arms.

"You're lucky his parents didn't sue you for assault."

"And Nate was so sweet, he kicked him off the football team for you," said Brenda.

"Yeah well it was his fault I was even in that situation in the first place," I snorted.

Just then, the bell rang.

"Urgh, Calculus awaits..."

A/N: another classic cliche, I know. well first chapter, as usual for me, is just introducing the characters. And just to clarify, AJ has nothing to do with the singer AJ Michalka. I just wanted her name in initials. And there aren't many letters that sound nice together you know? Like, imagine if I called her PJ, or something. haha. so...leave a review and tell me what you think so far!