A/N: Yay! The update didn't take two years this time. Lol As promised! Read and review!

Previously:

Lexie's POV:

Suddenly, someone crept up behind Sarah and me, "Is she gone?" Trent whispered as he hid behind us, which caused me to squeak and jump a little, as he looked towards both ends of the hallways as if he was on a mission and must not get caught.

"Jesus!" Sarah exclaimed as she placed her hand over her heart. "You scared the bejeebers out of me!" We burst out laughing. When she saw that it was Trent, her eyes widened a tinsy bit and I could see a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks. She ducked her head to hide her blush.

Sarah had told me and Trish that she had a huge crush on Trent since our junior year. We had burst out laughing when we thought she was kidding, but when we saw that her face was as red as a tomato, we knew she was serious. I guess I never expected my shy, quiet friend to like Trent. Not that there was anything wrong with him, but I just didn't think he was Sarah's type. But of course Sarah was too shy to even think of acting on her feelings. She said that it was just a crush. Just a crush my ass.

Chapter 16: Pepper Spray

©perfectlyxximperfect

Lexie's POV:

I was on my way to the cafeteria, staring at the hallway floor as I walked absentmindedly, when suddenly out of nowhere, someone just threw their arm over my shoulders.

I looked up and saw the owner of said arm grinning charmingly at me. "Wassup, malady?" Trent said as he held one sling of his backpack over his shoulder with his other hand.

I rolled my eyes and smiled at him. "Hey, Trent." Then I quickly looked around the hallway as we continued walking.

"What are you doing?" Trent asked. "Let me get that." He said, gesturing to the books I was carrying.

"Nah, its okay, thanks." I said to him as I twisted around under his arm as I continued surveying the almost empty hallway. "Huh." I said after a while. "I was pretty sure you were hiding from your fan club again and using me as a shield as usual." I finally answered and gave him a sheepish grin.

I could hear the chattering of students in the cafeteria as we neared the doors leading to it.

"Wha—well I am hurt Lexie Kristen." Trent said as he dramatically placed his other hand over his chest. "You know I wouldn't do such a selfish thing. Tsk tsk." He shook his head at me in faux disappointment.

I rolled my eyes again and laughed. I sighed, "Fine. I'm sorry, Trent." I said trying to sound really sincere and trying not to roll my eyes again. "I'm sorry I assumed badly of you. I'll never do such a—"

"There you are!" I heard a very familiar irritating voice say as Trent and I stepped into the cafeteria. I felt Trent's arm squeezing me tighter.

I looked up and saw Maria getting up from the table nearest the cafeteria doors, smiling widely at us. Or maybe just at Trent.

I turned my head to face Trent and raised my eyebrow at him. "And you we're just gonna make me apologize right there and then?" It was my turn to be dramatic now. "Ugh. How could you?" I said, mimicking him a while ago as I placed a hand over my chest in mock hurt.

Trent removed his arm from my shoulders as he scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. Then he quickly whispered. "Please don't let her drag me to her table with her cronies." He pleaded as he tugged on my arm like a little kid. "She's gonna go on and on and on and on," Trent rolled his eyes exaggeratedly, "about how I saved her life the first time we set eyes on each other." He shuddered at what were probably Maria's exact words.

I widened my eyes in amusement at Trent's babbling. I heard Maria's screeching voice cut through all the chatter in the cafeteria. "Treeent!" I turned and saw her hike up her already short skirt as she made her way to us.

"Please, please, please, Lexie." Trent whined as he continued tugging on my arm. "Uh... I'll owe you!" He said desperately, looking down at me with the best puppy dog eyes he could do.

Of course I was gonna help the poor dude, but I pretended to think about it for a moment, waiting when Maria was just only a few feet away from us. "Starbucks?" I beamed at him charmingly.

Trent nodded hastily. "Sure, whatever." He said just as Maria stopped right in front of us and expertly jutted out her hip to one side and place her hand on her waist in that obviously flirtatious way.

"Hi, Maria." I greeted her happily, even though it was clear she was trying to pretend I wasn't there at all.

Her eyes flitted to mine and narrowed ever so slightly before looking back at Trent with a sultry smile. So I guess that was my hey back, I thought amusedly. "I saved a seat for you." She said sweetly to him, gesturing to the table where Amber and Ashley were seated, conspicuously watching us.

"Hey, Jenkins." Trent said back as he casually threw his arm back on my shoulders, to which Maria narrowed her eyes at like a predator about to pounce. "Uh..."

I was trying hard not to snigger when Trent looked towards me, silently asking for help. Oh yeah, my Starbucks. "Aw, I'm sorry, Maria." I said trying to sound sincere as I thought of an excuse. "Trent already promised to sit with me today." I said lamely.

"Uh, yeah." Trent said as he scratched the back of his head again.

Wow, this guy's no help at all.

"Something about girl problems..." I whispered loudly to Maria as if we were good old friends.

Maria and Trent's heads snapped towards me at the same time, both displaying disbelief on their faces; Maria's with a hint of anger or jealousy. Or maybe that's just the look of crazy...

I tried not to burst out laughing right in front of them. Maybe I'm actually good at this impromptu thing.

Trent recovered quickly, giving me a look that clearly said 'What the hell?' before facing Maria again. "Yeah... it's kinda personal... so yeah." He said, smiling awkwardly at her.

Maria looked like she just swallowed something really bitter. Poor girl. "Oh." She said, as she removed her hand from her hip. Then as if she something just clicked in her head, she suddenly grinned a knowing, with still a hint of flirtatiousness, smile at Trent. "Oh, okay. Carry on then." She said all too happily.

Okay, something just happened in that crazy head of hers.

I looked towards Trent and saw his relief at how easily he got out of Maria's grip this time but that he was just as dumbfounded as I was at her unusual reaction.

"I guess I'll just see you around then." Maria said in a sickeningly sweet voice as she touched Trent's arm lightly. "Later." She batted her eyelashes at him before turning around and walking back towards her table, overly swaying her hips as she did so.

"Whew." Trent said under his breath as he directed me towards the cafeteria line with his arm still over my shoulder. "That was easy." He said as we reached the end of the line of students. "And really, Lexie? Girl problems?" He said unbelievingly.

I snickered. "What?" I said innocently. "You were the one who suggested before that you needed to make her think you had someone special already." I said as the line moved forward. "I just got the ball rolling, that's all." I grinned at him. "You're welcome." I patted his cheek lightly before grabbing us trays.

Trent rolled his eyes. "But she's gonna find out eventually that I don't have a girlfriend. What do I do then?" He asked as he grabbed four slices of pizza and three hotdog sandwiches.

I grabbed an apple, a chicken sandwich, one slice of pizza and french fries. "I've never tried the hotdog sandwich. Is that any good?" I asked Trent as he proceeded to get a cup of chocolate pudding. He just shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, nevermind then." I wrinkled my nose and grabbed a bottle of water while Trent got orange juice and Gatorade. "And anyways, who says you won't have a girlfriend?" I said, smiling mischievously.

Trent looked at me as he took out his wallet, waiting for his turn to pay. "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting, Lexie Kristen?" He wagged his eyebrows suggestively at me and grinned

"What? Ew, God no. Not me." I said quickly as I wrinkled my nose again, understanding what he meant. "But I think I already have someone in mind though." I said with a knowing smile.

I just hope Sarah would agree to it.

Damen's POV:

"Jessica Alba or… Scarlett Johansen?" Gabe asked Jake, who was sitting across from him.

Jake paused for a moment to think about it. "I love Jessica Alba, but I'd have to say Scarlett Johansen, man." He said pointing his pizza at Gabe before taking a bite from it. "I mean, have you seen those lips?" He asked incredulously. "And that ass. Mmm mmm mmm."

Luke, who was just listening to the conversation as I was, chuckled and shook his head. "That was an easy one." He said to Gabe before taking a sip of his soda.

"I have one." I joined in as I held my burger towards my mouth. "Scarlett Johansen or Megan Fox?" I said before taking a huge bite.

The guys all furrowed their eyebrows in thought. I sniggered as I watched their confused faces.

"Scarlett Johansen." Jake finally answered, shaking his head.

"Megan Fox." Luke said at the same time.

We all turned to Gabe, waiting for his answer. He shook his head. "Fuck. I can't decide, man." He said, giving up. "It's like asking me to choose basketball or…" Gabe thought of the right word. "Or sex." He finally said before shaking his head again. Then he took a mouthful of fries.

The rest of the guys and I burst out laughing.

"Okay I have a good one…" Jake said excitedly, opening his chocolate pudding cup.

"So have you got a plan yet?" Luke asked me from across the table as Gabe and Jake continued their conversation.

I shook my head as I swallowed. "I'm so screwed." I paused for a moment. "Is there by any chance she forgot about our deal?" I asked hopefully although I knew it was a moronic thought.

Luke just laughed. "Gabe would have a bigger chance of having a threesome with Megan Fox and Scarlett Johansen than that ever happening." He said jokingly. Then he quickly looked around the cafeteria. "Where is she anyways?" He mumbled more to himself.

I followed his gaze and swept my eyes across the room. I quickly zoned in on her. "There, buying food." I said casually, gesturing to the line of students on the opposite side of the huge cafeteria.

When Lucas finally spotted her, he turned back to face me. "You're fucking creepy." He said, looking at me weirdly.

I rolled my eyes and drank my orange juice.

You know how it's always so easy to spot that one person yada yada crap? I don't know, maybe its cause you've been already unconsciously looking for that person or whatever. Yeah, but I'm not telling Luke that. He'd throw his pizza at my face or something.

"Anyways," Luke spoke up again after taking a bite of his third pizza. "You better think of something pronto. You've got a week left." He smirked at me.

"You think I don't know that?" I said, frustrated. "And what is up with her these days, anyways?" I asked him, remembering Lexie's weird attitude towards me the past few days. "It's like every time I talk to her, the conversation's going normally, then suddenly she gets all red in the face," I said emphasizing with my hand, "like she just remembered something really embarrassing or something. Then it's like she's either afraid to look at me or she starts biting my head off after that." I stared at the table, still trying to decipher her recent added weirdness. I shook my head when I still came up blank. "What the hell's up with that?" I looked up back at Luke, who was clearly enjoying my annoyance.

Luke cleared his throat and chuckled. "I have no fucking clue, man." He said, quickly stuffing the rest of the pizza in his mouth. "Lexshie's lexshie." He said lamely with his mouth full as he shrugged his shoulders, still grinning.

I narrowed my eyes at him and was about to ask if he knew something I didn't, when I heard Lexie's voice. I looked up and saw Trent and Lexie heading towards our table.

Speak of the pretty devil.

"I told you," I heard her say to Trent exasperatedly, "I'll tell you when I get her to agree."

I could smell her perfume from where I was sitting that made my stomach go funny again. Fuck. I ignored it.

When Luke noticed them approaching, he raised his eyebrow at me briefly and scooted to one side so that there was a space at the end of the bench. I did the same. Lexie placed her tray on the table and sat down beside Luke while Trent took the spot next to me.

"But I gotta know first if she's hot!" Trend argued back.

What the hell are they talking about? I looked towards Luke to see him just as curious as I was, listening to them.

Lexie sighed loudly as she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Even when she was frustrated she still looked damn pretty. "I promise you, she is." She grinned reassuringly at Trent.

Trent narrowed his eyes at her for a moment before accepting defeat. "Fine." He grumbled. "But this plan better work. Or I'll stuff myself in my locker for the rest of the year just to avoid that witch." He said immaturely before digging into his food.

Lexie smiled triumphantly.

I tried not to stare at her too obviously.

"Ah, the wicked witch." Lucas spoke up then, finally understanding the pair.

I was still lost.

"What witch?" I asked confusedly, looking from Luke to Lexie then to Trent.

"Maria." Lexie answered me before popping a fry into her mouth. When I nodded slowly, she continued. "Trent needs a sure ball way to get her off his back. I just thought of a genius plan." She said smugly.

"Excushe me," Trent interjected even with his mouth full with what looked like the other half of his hotdog sandwich, "It wash my geniush plan!" He said, saliva spraying out from his mouth.

Luke and I chuckled as Luke passed Lexie a napkin. "Ewwww." Lexie wrinkled her nose as she wiped her cheek. "Okay fine, it was your plan. But you didn't have to spit on me." She said, rubbing her cheek some more onto the sleeve of her shirt.

"Shorry." Trent said, covering his mouth this time.

"Just do her already." Gabe interjected from the other side of the table. He and Jake were apparently also listening to the conversation. "That'll surely get her off your back. 'Cause you know, then she'll be under you…" Gabe wagged his eyebrows.

"Or on top of you, if she's that kind of girl." Jake added and sniggered. Gabe gave him a high-five.

The rest of us laughed while Lexie just rolled her eyes at the pair.

I turned back to look at Lexie. "So what's the genius plan?" I asked them as I picked up my burger again.

Trent quickly swallowed before answering. "I'm gonna get myself a girlfriend and-"

I snorted and looked at him pointedly while Luke raised his eyebrows at Trent. I heard Gabe and Jake laugh even more.

"A fake girlfriend, of course." Lexie emphasized, smirking.

"Oh, well thaaat makes more sense." I looked up dramatically.

Lexie laughed which didn't fail to make my heart do back flip. I grinned at her.

"Hey, I could easily get a girlfriend!" Trent said defensively.

"Yeah," Luke started, "So what, will you get one of those blow up dolls or pay someone to pretend?" He joked. The guys and I guffawed loudly as Lexie's eye grew wide a bit. She slapped Luke's arm lightly and laughed.

"Ha. Ha." Trent rolled his eyes at Luke. "Fuck you, man." He grumbled before finishing the other half his sandwich.

I chuckled. "You know we're just pulling your leg, dude." I patted Trent on the back.

"Yeah, man." Luke joined. "So anyways, who's gonna be the lucky fake girlfriend?" He asked, wagging his eyebrows as he looked from Trent to Lexie.

"I don't know-" Trent started at the same time Lexie excitedly whispered something into Luke's ear.

"Oh c'mon! You won't tell me but you tell him?!" Trent exclaimed.

Luke's eyes grew wide a fraction then he laughed. He turned to face Lexie, "You really think she'll agree?" He said like he didn't believe it would happen one bit.

Lexie nodded at him.

Now I was really curious. "Whooo?" I asked Lexie. I really didn't expect her to tell me but then she leaned across the table towards me. So I awkwardly but casually leaned over too as she whispered in my ear.

"OH, AND DAMEN TOO?!" Trent exclaimed loudly but I ignored him.

Lexie's vanilla smell was overwhelming that made my stomach go crazy. My heart felt like it kicked into fourth gear or something and was beating too much faster than usual. "Sarah." Her warm breath tickled my ear as she whispered and gave me fucking shivers all over my body. I just hope it wasn't obvious.

Fucking shit.

Lexie and I pulled back at the same time as she grinned mischievously at me.

Then it happened again. When she stared into my eyes for a split second, I could see her eyes go wide a bit, like she thought about something else again. And as I predicted, her cheeks suddenly became flushed and she quickly looked away as she sat down.

And it wasn't helping that my brain was still in a foggy state after being close to her. I slowly sat back down and tried to get my fucking thoughts together.

I glanced towards Lexie and saw that she was trying to act nonchalant and shrug whatever went through her mind off. She stuck her tongue out at Trent. "Pssshh, will you relax?" She told him she rubbed one side of her apple on the front of her shirt before taking a bite. Her eyes glance towards me for a fleeting second before looking down then back at Trent.

What the hell was up with her?

"How come you tell these two morons and not me?" Trent asked Lexie childishly. Then he suddenly turned to face me. "Is she hot?" He asked curiously.

I remembered I hadn't said anything yet. What did she say again? Oh yeah, that Sarah girl. I looked up and caught Luke's eyes looking at me amusedly. I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling embarrassed at how Lexie could easily affect me so much.

I cleared my throat. "Nuh uh." I said, trying to sound casual as I shook my head slowly and stared pointedly at Lexie, smirking at her as if my body wasn't still tingling all over.

"Nuh uh? She isn't hot?!" Trent cried out. "You said she was!" He said accusingly at Lexie, who looked at me accusingly.

"What?" I forgot Trent had asked me a question. "No, I didn't mean she wasn't hot." I sighed as I explained quickly. "She's fine." I said offhandedly.

From what I learned the past few days, Lexie was either gonna ignore me or pick a petty fight with me. I was gonna try to avoid both.

She furrowed her eyebrows at me. "So what do you mean 'nuh uh' then?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. She was trying hard to act blasé.

"I mean no, she's not gonna go along with that crazy plan." I said to her as I took a sip of my orange juice. "She's too much of a…" I paused, thinking of the right word. "A goody-two-shoes." I finished, shrugging my shoulders.

She rolled her eyes at me. At least she's not glaring at me like usual. "Yeah, but I know something you guys," She looked at Luke and I pointedly, "don't." She grinned.

I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked at her. I was genuinely curious now. What can possibly make one of the top students in Breighton High agree to be Trent's pretend girlfriend? Wouldn't that be like against her morals or something?

Okay, maybe 'morals' is an overstatement, but you get my point.

"Unless…" Unless of course Lexie knows Sarah is already a bit inclined towards the Trent direction, if you catch my drift. I quickly looked up with wide eyes and met Lexie's green ones.

I think she kinda read my mind or something 'cause then her eyes grew wide which meant what I was thinking was right. I slowly grinned.

"Shhh!" Lexie spoke up first, trying not to laugh.

"What?" Luke and Trent asked at the same time, looking from me to Lexie.

I laughed. "Well, who would've thought?" I said aloud. I winked at Lexie to let her know I was gonna keep my mouth shut. I noticed her cheeks get red a bit but she just shrugged it off and laughed.

My heart did another back flip then.

Lexie: I was just wondering, how are you gonna tell me who you are?

Cole: What do you mean?

Lexie: I meant like are you gonna make a big dramatic show or something? Or are you just gonna go up to me and say "Hey, I'm your stalker!"

Cole: Hey, I thought we've already agreed a long time ago that I am NOT your stalker?

Lexie: Ehhhh. So what's it gonna be?

Cole: And why would I tell you my plans?

Lexie: Way to go to not sounding stalker-ish.

Cole: Ha ha. I honestly haven't decided yet.

Lexie: But you are telling me on my birthday right?

Cole: Ehhh.

Lexie: COLE WHATEVERYOURFAMILYNAMEIS! I will hunt you down, I tell you!

Cole: I'm kiddiiing. Jeez, keep your pants on. Oh wait, on second thought…

Lexie: Okay, ew.

Cole: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Lexie: C'mooon! Be serious! You've got like six days left! That's SIX more days of built up curiosity just slowly eating away at me! I don't care if you even just TEXT me your name. Just teeeell meeee!

Cole: I am not that lame. But yeah, I did promise I'd tell you on your birthday, so just hold on 'til then. :)

Lexie: Ugh. Heyyyy, how about an early birthday present? Like, oh, I don't know… um, tell me today?

Cole: Fat chance.

Lexie: Just the first letter?

Cole: Nope.

Lexie: I hate you.

Cole: No, you don't.

Lexie's POV:

Done being geeky. What's up?

I hit send as I stepped out of the oak doors of Breighton High and felt the chilly November air. I was trying to stuff my huge ass Physics book in my backpack as I walked to the direction of the bus stop.

It was almost five o'clock in the afternoon and I had spent the past two hours in the school library working on our recent homework. I know it sounds geeky, but if I worked on my homework at home, the only thing I would accomplish was either finishing the third season of Fringe or stalk people on Facebook. Heh.

So anyways, I was almost near the bus stop, just minding my own business, when I heard someone call out to me.

"Yo, Lex!" I turned my head back and saw Damen heading towards me.

My pulse picked up a bit. Because of Damen's presence or the surprise that someone like him was still in school, I do not know.

What the heck was he still doing in school at this hour? I checked my watch again just to make sure I had the time right. Yep, five o'clock alright.

"What are you still doing here?" I asked him as he reached me. I noticed his cheeks were a bit red from the cold. I tried not to stare at his face as I felt the butterflies in my stomach again. I distracted myself as I tried to stuff my book inside my bag again but it just wouldn't fit. Stupid fat book.

"Here, let me get that." Damen said, grabbing the book out of my hands before I could decline his offer. That little gesture didn't help the fluttering in my stomach. Don't you dare blush, Lexie McGuire, I thought to myself. He just held my book in one hand. "What are you still doing here?" He asked, not answering me.

I looked at the book he was holding pointedly.

He looked at the book too then back up at me with raised eyebrows. "Seriously, Lex? You were doing homework?" He said disbelievingly trying not to laugh. I was in the same Physics class with him so he knew what I meant.

"Whaaaat?" I chuckled. "I know I won't get anything done if I do it at home." I explained as I started walking to the direction of the bus stop. I don't know what he wanted but I wasn't gonna miss the five o'clock bus talking to him. The one after that wouldn't be for another two hours and I really wasn't in the mood to wait in the chilly air or walk home.

"What are you doing?" I heard Damen say behind me.

I turned back and saw he was still standing on the same spot, giving me an amused look. "Waiting for the bus, duh." I rolled my eyes at him. "See," I pointed to the sign and read the words, "Bus. Stop." I emphasized each word and grinned smugly.

He rolled his eyes at me. "I'll. Drive. You. Home." He mocked as he gestured towards the direction of the school parking lot. "Duh." It was his turn to smile smugly at me.

Oh, that's what he was doing? "Oh." I said sheepishly. I slowly walked back towards him. "I thought I was gonna see you ride the bus for the first time." I teased as we started walking back to the direction of the school.

"Hey, I ride the bus." He said defensively as he hiked up his backpack with his free hand.

I snorted. "Yeah, right. Like when?" I raised an eyebrow at him. "And really, you don't have to carry my book." I said gesturing for him to give it back. It was weird that he was being a gentleman and all. I was only really used to Luke carrying my things for me.

He just waved my hand away when I tried to reach for the book. "Like… when we go to other schools for basketball games." He looked proud of coming up with an answer.

I rolled my eyes at him again. "That doesn't count." I grinned.

"Why not?" He whined as he furrowed his eyebrows at me which made him look adorable. I never thought I'd use that word to describe Damen Spencer. I tried to ignore the giddy feeling that came with that thought.

"Cause in that situation, you're forced to ride the bus." I said teasingly and laughed.

Damen stuck his tongue out at me before chuckling. "Fine." He said as he continued to think. "Aha!" He exclaimed making his face light up. "I rode the bus when my car was getting fixed." He grinned triumphantly at me, making the dimple on his left cheek visible.

I felt my heartbeat get a bit weird. Ugh, I was getting giddy with just his dimple. "And when was that?" I tried not to smirk as I ignored my internal musings.

"Uh… sophomore year?" He said, looking confused.

I laughed. "Jeez, the last time you rode the bus was two years ago?" I shook my head and laughed again.

He chuckled. "Whatever. The point is I have ridden a bus." He grinned.

I rolled my eyes again and just smiled as I decided to let it go. We were already in the school parking lot and I could see the Damen's black car. I was jealous of his car, mainly because it looked really cool. Yeah, yeah, lame reason but whatever.

I didn't notice that I was unconsciously rubbing my arms to fight the cold off. Damen spoke up again as we neared his car. "Cold?"

I looked towards him, just realizing what I was doing. He looked genuinely concerned, which didn't help the butterflies. "Uh, yeah, just a tad bit." I said. Now that I noticed it, I really was cold.

Damen laughed as we stopped right in front of his car. "Who are you trying to fool, McGuire?" He said as he suddenly reached out and slightly nudged my nose. "Your nose speaks for itself." He chuckled and grinned at me.

It felt like a new set of butterflies erupted in my stomach. Even in the freezing cold, I could feel my face heat up and I knew I was blushing. I looked down quickly, hoping Damen hadn't noticed.

Then the same question popped up in my head for the millionth time.

What if Damen was Cole?

I felt the all too familiar jolt in my heartbeat and the tightening in my stomach. That single thought always brought me conflicting emotions of excitement and anxiety.

But if Damen wasn't Cole… I couldn't ignore the slight pang of disappointment I get with that line of thought. But hey, if Cole wasn't Damen, then maybe he was someone way better than Damen. That's a good thing, right? Right.

Damen snapped me out of my thoughts when he spoke. "Hey, get in the car. Your whole face is turning red." I thought he was teasing me, but when I looked at the expression on his face, it was still that concerned look that made my pulse quicken again, which made me blush even more. This was a vicious cycle, I tell you.

"Uh, yeah… Okay." I said stupidly as walked to the passenger's side while he got in the driver's seat.

Okay, Lexie. Don't go berserk on him again. Soon he's really gonna think something's really wrong with you. Act cool. I was chastising myself as I sat down the passenger's seat and closed the door.

Damen had started the engine and was fiddling with the different knobs and buttons in front. "Just let me get the heater on." He said. Then after a moment I felt the warm air. "There. Better?" He glanced at me, smiling.

More butterflies. Oh, Jesus. "Yeah." I smiled back. "Thanks." I said as I nervously tucked my hair behind my ear.

He just grinned then set the car in reverse as he pulled out of the parking lot.

We stayed silent until we got out of the school grounds. It wasn't awkward but I didn't want to keep obsessing about the Damen being Cole thing whilst being with Damen, so I spoke up then. "You still didn't answer my question." I said as I angled myself a bit towards him as I got comfortable in my seat. "Why were you still in school?"

He smiled as he gave me a side glance. "School stuff." He shrugged.

I quirked my eyebrow even though he couldn't see. "School stuff?" I repeated. "Can you make a lamer excuse?" I chuckled.

"It was school stuff." He said as he chuckled too. "You weren't the only one with homework." He smirked.

He looked towards me to see my expression. My eyes widened and he laughed. "You were also making the Physics homework?" I asked disbelievingly and snorted. I wasn't being mean. I just knew Damen wasn't the prioritize-homework-kind-of-person; he was more of the last-minute-type. And plus, I would have seen him if he was also in the library, since it wasn't really that big of a place. I voiced out my last thought out loud.

"Who said anything about being in the library?" He raised an eyebrow at me and smirked.

Ah, I remember the days when I wanted to smack that smirk off his face. Now, I couldn't help myself from finding it a wee bit…attractive. Oh, what has the world come to!

I shook my head, more to get myself to focus on the conversation. "So you weren't in the library?" I confirmed to which Damen nodded. "But you were making the Physics homework?" He nodded again. "So where were you?" I asked finally.

He chuckled. "Why so curious?" He gave me a suggestive grin.

I rolled my eyes at him even though I got the funny tummy again. "Why so secretive?" I shot back.

"I'm not being secretive." He said as he slowed the car to a stop as the light turned red. He looked at me then. "I'm just having fun feeding your curiosity." He smirked again.

I smiled and rolled my eyes for God knows how many times today.

He laughed as the light turned green and the car moved forward. "I was waiting for you actually." He said finally and smiled.

I was ready to give him the Ha Ha, very funny line when I thought he was kidding. But when I looked at his face, he was actually being serious.

"What?" I said dumbly. Why the heck would he be waiting for me? How did he even know I was still in school? "Why?" Great, my vocabulary was down to one word questions.

He rubbed the back of his neck unconsciously, which I noticed he frequently did when he was nervous or was thinking of what to say. "Luke had mentioned that he had to pick his mom up or something and that you were staying in school late to do stuff so…" He trailed off as he shrugged his shoulders.

"So…" I repeated because I still didn't know what he was getting at. "You decided to be geeky and make your homework in school instead?" I speculated lamely which made him laugh again.

He shook his head. "So I figured since I didn't have any plans, might as well get something done…" He paused for a while then continued in a rush. "And just wait for you to do your thing and you know, drive you home instead." He rubbed the back of his neck again. He eyes flitted towards my face for a split second then faced straight ahead.

Whoa. I did not see that coming.

My eyes went wide with surprise I felt my face heat up and the funny feeling in my stomach felt like it just quadrupled at the moment.

I just thought he was hanging out with some of the guys or something and just had happened to see me come out of the building. Or maybe hanging out with some girl…

I stopped the thought before it could go to places I didn't really want to think about. I wanted to smack myself. What the hell is up with me these days?!

I cleared my throat, not really knowing what to say. Gah. I was never really good at these things.

Damen probably knew I wasn't really big on expressing my gratitude and all that crap, 'cause he spoke up again before I could think of anything to say. "It's no biggie." I could hear the smile in his voice although I knew he felt just as awkward as I did. Sure, I had rode with Damen a lot of times already, but never had he actually waited for me.

"I…" Still nothing. Say something! I screamed at myself. I could feel my eyes were still wide with surprise. "Um, thanks." I started as I tucked my already tucked hair behind my ear out of nervous habit. "You know you really didn't have to…" Damn, this was really awkward.

I saw Damen roll his eyes and chuckled. "Geez, McGuire. I probably have driven you home countless of times already. And you're still shy about it?" He glanced at me then with a teasing grin.

I felt myself relax. He was right. This was nothing new for us. But what he didn't know was that I have never thought of him as much as I had this past week. Maybe he was Cole, maybe he wasn't. It was like a broken record in my head. Gah.

"And besides," Damen continued without waiting for my response, "You shouldn't be out late alone. Are you forgetting you're a girl?" I knew it was a rhetorical question but I couldn't tell if he was jesting or not.

It was my turn to roll my eyes again. "I'd be fiiiine." I whine and started to rummage through my bag until I found what I was looking for. "See, I have this." I said proudly, showing him my pink pepper spray.

He glanced at the object in my hand as we rounded a corner. Damen looked heavenward for a moment and just chuckled.

I looked out the window and saw that it was getting dark. It was also then I noticed we weren't heading in the direction of my house.

I wasn't actually worried but I pretended to be. "Where are you taking me?" I said trying to sound scared. "Stay back! I have a pepper spray!" I exclaimed loudly as I held the spray in my hand and directed it towards him.

He laughed at my antics. "Whoaaa." He said all too exaggeratedly as he played along. "Don't do anything drastic, Miss. That could really hurt." He said as he put on his fake frightened look. "It's pink!" He exclaimed as I burst out laughing.

We were both laughing as I felt the car slowly turn right and then came to a slow stop. I looked around and saw that we had parked in front of Alejandro's, a small pizza parlor or a small Italian restaurant; however you wanted to look at it.

I raised a questioning eyebrow at Damen.

He shrugged and said, "I'm hungry." He whined like a little kid as he opened his door.

I smiled to myself and shook my head as I got out of the car. "If I didn't know any better," I started as I closed the door shut. "I'd think you were sneakily stealing a date from me." I joked as I walked towards where Damen was waiting for me. I heard the sound of the car locking.

Damen put on a thoughtful look. "Maybe." He said, drawling out the word and winked at me.

Ah, crap.

Okay, this time it felt like the butterflies that were already in my stomach just all gave birth to a buttload of more butterflies, skipping the metamorphosis crap and all that. All the fluttering makes me wonder if I wanted to fart or not.

Excuse my nonlady-like thoughts.

I tried to act as composed as I could. I quirked an eyebrow at him. "You know, you could have just asked." I said, trying to sound like my heart wasn't trying to jump out of my ribcage. I cringed inwardly as I realized, after a moment, how it sounded flirty than casual, which what I was really going for.

I am doomed!

Damen's eyes widened a little, maybe in surprise at my words. Well, that makes two of us.

But he just chuckled and offered his arm out to me; like the way men did in those old classic movies. "Shall we?" He asked oh so formally.

In my head, an image of a little Lexie was in my stomach, running around, trying with all her little might, to kill all the butterflies fluttering about. Yes, kill.

Oh, God, help me.

I laughed awkwardly as I slipped my arm around his. "Leggo." I grinned.

Damen laughed heartedly as we walked towards the doors of the restaurant.

"Hey," Damen spoke up as he pushed open the door for me, like the gentleman that he was. Doomed, I tell you. "I can just get take out if your mom's waiting for you at home or something." I glanced at him with a questioning look. "My parents are out attending some dinner, and I'm not really in the mood to cook anything." He chuckled. He glanced at me, waiting for my response.

Okay, I've been alone with Damen a bunch of times. But never for a meal. Not even for snacks for crying out loud! What if this will be hell awkward? My internal self clearly wasn't stable around him.

I tried to stall as I decided. "Cook? You cook?" I quirked an eyebrow at him. "You can cook?" I asked. I was genuinely curious though.

He smiled smugly as we sat down in one of the booths by the windows. "Oh yeah," He started, "I can make a mean grilled cheese sandwich." He boasted.

I threw my head back and laughed. "And here I was thinking you just got a bit more attractive." I shook my head in mock disappointment. "Tsk tsk."

My heart pounded when I realized what I just blurted out.

Damen cocked an eyebrow at me and smirked. He was about to say something, something cocky probably, when the waitress approached us.

Oh, thank God.

"Good evening, welcome to Alejandro's. I'm Sally and I'll be your server this evening." Sally said in a monotonous voice. She probably had to say that a million times already. She looked bored as she passed us our menus.

Damen smiled charmingly and said thank you while I just smiled politely at her. She looked to be about thirty or something.

Damen looked towards me. "So what's it gonna be, McGuire?" He asked, referring to his earlier question while tapping his fingers on the menu.

Oh, right.

I debated for a while in my head.

Would it be so bad? It was just a meal. And mom probably won't mind.

I took a deep breath and shrugged my shoulders. "Eh, why not."

Damen just grinned and opened up his menu.

"Would you like to order your drinks first?" Sally said in the same bored tone.

"I'll have a coke." Damen said as he looked towards me.

"Make that two please." I said.

"Alrighty. I'll be back in a few minutes to take your orders." She said before she walked off.

My pulse quickened again as I realized I was alone with Damen.

This was nothing new. It's just Damen. Same old arrogant Damen. Who is your friend. And friends hang out with each other. I was giving myself a pep talk.

I distracted myself as I scanned the menu. I've been to this place once or twice only so I didn't really know what was good here.

Pepperoni looked good. UltiMEAT looked good too. Oooh the pastas. Bolognese. Lasagna. Seafood marinara. Ooooh, mozzarella sticks!

I looked up and glanced towards Damen sitting across from me. "Can you decide? I want everything." I said with wide eyes.

Damen looked up and smiled amusedly at me.

Sally came back then. Wow, that woman really had impeccable timing. "Are you ready to order?" She said as held a notepad in one hand and a pen in the other.

"Yeah," Damen said as he looked down the menu again, "One large UltiMEAT," He glanced at me as I grinned approvingly. "Seafood marinara." I grinned even more. "And one order of mozzarella sticks." I squealed a bit which made Sally give me weird look.

What? I go crazy for mozzarella sticks.

Damen looked like he was trying not to laugh as Sally repeated our orders. "Your food will be served in fifteen to twenty minutes." Sally said dully as she took the menus and left.

I stuck my tongue out at him as I got my phone out from my bag and sent a quick text to my mom: Grabbing a bite with Damen. Love you.

I looked up and noticed Damen giving me a cheeky smile.

"What?" I furrowed my eyebrows at him as I placed my phone back inside my bag.

He smiled that half-smirk, half-smile of his before saying, "I think we are on a date."

BOOM! Butterflies.

A/N: Is it too mean that I ended it here? Lol. So what do you guys think? Let me have it! :)

Disclaimers: Starbucks, Gatorade, Fringe & Facebook

All the rest: MINE.