“Hey, babe,” Jake whispered seductively. I just raised my eyebrows and pushed his arms off me. Misty’s jaw dropped to the floor. The entire hallway as silent, watching Jake and my exchange. Suddenly there was a creaking noise, as the door slid open. Three extremely slutty girls walked through the doorway. Two of them were obviously twins, by their similar looks and hairstyles. The one in the middle was less slutty, but seemed to be the leader. The 3-some pranced up to Jake, their butts swaying and chests popping. Finally, they stopped, in front of Jake and I. One of the twins ran her index finger down Jake’s chest, and purred, “Oh, Jake-sweetie, I’m free tonight. Wanna come over and study?” Oh, right, study, huh? Ya right. 

The leader, who had fake dirty blond hair with her bangs clipped up, slapped the twin’s hand off Jake. She glanced at me and sneered at the pouting twin. “Oh, Brita, he’s already taken, you idiot!” Brita turned to me and glared at me through her livid, cold blue eyes. I stared back defiantly, making sure the message got across. No one messes with me and doesn’t get hurt. Period. Brita and her twin linked arms, and with their snooty noses pointed in the air, they turned and flounced down the rest of the hallway. The blonde, however stayed. She gave me an once-over, then playfully punched Jake’s arm. “She’s a keeper, Jake! You’d better keep this one!” I looked at him, questioningly. This IT girl wasn’t flirting with Jake, she was friends with him! 

Then I remembered my friends. I turned to see Misty still looking at me through betrayed eyes. I held my palms in the air, and looked directly at her. “Look…uh, Misty…” She closed her mouth and stared back at me with glaring eyes, which made me shut-up instantly. She turned to leave with the rest of the group, when my hand shot out and whirled her around to face me. I glance around making sure I wouldn’t be overheard, “Misty, it was an arranged marriage. Arranged, meaning I don’t have any say in it! I—” 

“You’re married? To Jake Sanders, of all people! And you didn’t tell me?” She exploded. Well, hel-loo! I don’t go around telling random strangers that I’m already engaged! Welcome to the real world! 

Sophie walked over and stepped in the middle of Misty and me. “Excuse her, she’s had a crush on Jake for some time,” She paused as I looked at Misty, who was blushing with her head low, “Don’t ask me why, she just does. She’s just a bit jeal—” 

“I AM NOT JEALOUS. I…well, I just…uh…” I patted her shoulder. She didn’t swat it off; I took that as a good sign. 

“Misty, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I just didn’t want the whole world to know. And I’d just met you and all…” Misty looked up at me with gratitude.

“You know what, Tori? I should be the one apologizing. I was wrong…I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you, how about we all go to Dairy Queen after school and I’ll treat you guys.” I smiled a real smile while Drake, Shawna, Sophie and Cole cheered. This might turn out to be all right after all. 

"And soooo...that's why I'm having a party this Friday! You all have to come! Especially you, Tori, since you've never seen my house before!" Misty grinned triumphantly as she tried to keep up with her fast-melting ice cream. 

I just shrugged, "I don't know, Mist. Jake might not want me to go..." 

"So what? He's not your prison guard, or something!" I smiled slightly, pushing my thick hair behind my ears. 'Prison guard' was so Alice...but it had come out of Misty's mouth. I just shrugged again, and she let it go...surprisingly. 

Shawna stood up suddenly, glancing at her watch, "Oh crap! Mom's going to kill me if I'm not home at 4! And it's already 4:05! Shit, shit!" We all laughed, but got up and started cleaning up. 

"God, do you know how long, it'll take to get this stupid stain out?" Sophie asked, pointing to her white shirt that had a beautiful chocolate imprint. 

"Wash it under warm water when you get home...it should get most of the brown out," I told her, while Drake rolled his eyes at my knowledge. 

"Or just toss it to your mom," Misty said, while my eyes widened. 

What? All girls should know their cleaning stuff, because in a few years, there won't be your mom that'll wash your laundry! 

We all piled into Cole's dirty, mud-splattered Mustang. Misty sat shotgun, while Sophie and I jumped into the middle seats. Shawna and Drake sat in the back. Drake was listening to his I-pod Touch, while Shawna was repeatedly looking at her watch and saying, "Does this car go any faster?" Sophie, Misty and I were cracking up over some stupid Twilight jokes, and Cole was as quiet as night. 

Finally, we reached Shawna's house, where her mom was waiting at the door with a very stern face. Shawna gulped, as we reassured that it would be alright. But her mother is a very uptight woman...or so it seemed. 

We were dropped off one by one: Shawna, Drake, Sophie, Misty, and me. As Misty shut the car door and ran into the lighted house, I jumped into her seat. Cole looked at me, and smiled his crooked smile. He was actually quite cute...if you think about it. J We talked a bit about his job; he works as a model for Abercrombie and Fitch, which is funny since he isn't a preppy. But I'm glad he's not, otherwise I would have never met him. We talked some about his family and mine...and about my stupid arranged marriage. I know, it's odd, since I barely know this kid, but I feel like I can trust him...it's just this inner feeling, you know? 

We reached me house, right in the middle of a story about his sisters, which are those stupid twin bitches, I learned. Ew, I cannot believe he is related to them. They have nothing in common, as far as I'm concerned. 

I invited him to come inside, assuming Jake wouldn't mind.

It wasn't a date after all.