by T. J. Sin
“Do you have any idea the trouble that you have caused me? I can’t even sleep through the night without getting a perverted call, probably from one of your friends. That was a low blow bucko, a really low blow.”
His eyes went from the phone on his desk back up to her seething mad face. She kept her hands tightly fisted by her side. Leaning back in his seat, Justin openly smirked at her, “Tit for tat, all is fair in love and war baby.” He saw her mouth open, ready to protest and slowly he shook his head. “Remember, you’re the one that started this; I’m just the one that's going to finish it.”
Her eyes narrowed into tiny slits, color rising high in her cheeks. She actually looked rather hot all riled up like this, he noticed when her temper flared. She grabbed her phone back off of his desk and stuffed it back in her purse. "I had to change my number you know and that can be a real pain in rear to deal with."
Again, he lazily shrugged his shoulders. "Not my problem."
Bending over, Chloe placed her palms on his desk, pinioning him with her stare. “Let’s get one thing straight. You started this and in the end I will be the one to finish it. By the time I get done with you boy,” she added a touch of dramatic emphasis on the word boy and then continued, “You will be the one on your knees, begging for my mercy.”
Justin laughed. He glanced over at his side before bringing his full attention back to her. “You show me a boy and I’ll happily kiss your ass.”
She snorted and a hint of a smile curved on her lips. "You are something else Mr. Pinnix. You are so full of yourself that you’re even starting to give me a complex. How can one person be so naïve? So petty? So irrevocably stupid?”
Sitting up straighter in his chair, he brought his face up closer to hers. So close, that he could feel the heat of her breath fanning across his cheek and whispered in her ear. “I’ll be more than happy to take you somewhere and demonstrate just how much of a boy that I am not. You just name the place and I’m there.”
She froze and glared at him before pushing away from him and standing back up. For the briefest of seconds he had the satisfaction of seeing her eyes go wide with surprise before she crossed her arms over her chest. “God, you’re the poster boy for easy," she sneered, "You might as well just have the word ‘easy’ tattooed on your ass and spare everyone the anticipation. You forget that I have already seen the goods and let me tell you something, boy, there wasn't much there that impressed me, not much at all.”
This time Justin heard John bust out laughing from beside him. It wasn't one of those laughs that he tried to stifle either. It was one of those full blown, fall out in the floor laughs. “Oh man, she schooled you dude.”
Justin sucked in a deep breath and shot a warning glance in his friend’s direction. He then turned back to the infuriating girl in front of him and was about to retort when the bell rang and Mr. Mills suddenly walked in the class room.
“Good morning everyone,” he chirped, walking to his desk and dropping his brief case down with a loud thud that had everyone jumping in their seats. “Chloe, Justin, I hate to be the one to interrupt your little conversation but I do have a class to teach. Please take your seat.”
“Yes sir,” she replied sweetly and glanced one last time back at him. A sarcastic smile graced her lips. “You better watch your back“, she whispered and then turned on her heels, getting ready to walk away when John grabbed for one of her wrists.
"Here," he said, placing the folded piece of paper he was reading earlier in her hand. "Don't read it until you leave this class," he mumbled.
She stood there a second longer and looked at the paper in her hand.
"Any time Chloe," Mr. Mills called out impatiently.
She nodded her head and stuffed the paper in her back pocket. Without looking back at either of the boys, she turned and headed for her seat across the room.
“Day-umn!” John groaned, struggling to keep his tongue from hanging out the side of his mouth.
Justin turned to him and then followed his gaze. It wasn't hard to miss what he was looking at. He was watching Chloe's butt as she made her way to her seat. The rounded flesh almost glided the way that it moved, drawing any and all primed male attention to it.
“That is one smoking hot tamale,” he muttered under his breath looking very much like the love struck fool that he was.
Justin rolled his eyes, and spun around in his chair so that he was facing the front of the room. Yeah, she may be hot he thought to himself, but she sure had a major attitude problem. One that he planned on adjusting himself- and soon. He didn't like her running around the way that she was, saying and doing things that affected his reputation. No one, messed with him like that- not even a hot tamale as John had so eloquently put it.
Taking one last fleeting glance in her direction he sighed. One thing was for certain though, this chick sure knew how to keep him on his toes.
In the mean time, he would definitely have to watch his back, every minute of every day. She has already proven her cunningness, not once but twice and if that flicker in her eyes meant anything, she wasn't finished. She had a lot more in her to go. No one had to tell him twice how dangerous Chloe Miller could be. His mama didn’t raise no fool. He would always be watching; watching and waiting so that when she struck- he would be ready to strike just as hard right back.
Chapter 7
After class, Chloe headed straight for the bathroom. That boy had a knack of infuriating her to no end. Evidently, he thought that he was all that and then some. Come Friday though, she'll be ready to show him exactly who the best really was. By the time that she got through with him, Justin Pinnix was going to wish that he had never even attempted to tango with Chloe Miller.
Shoving the bathroom door open, she looked up at two girls who were standing in front of the mirror. They hardly spared her a glance before jutting out their chins and thumbing their noses up at her. It didn't take a genius to figure out that they were part of the Mr. Eccentric himself fan club.
Chloe rolled her eyes at the blatant diss, went into a stall and closed the door behind her. She dropped her bag to the floor and pulled out the piece of paper that she had stowed away previously in her pocket. It was the same piece of paper that John had given her in the last class and with anxious fingers, she carefully unfolded it. Sitting on the edge of the commode, curiosity was seemingly getting the best her.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!
You have me spell bound mon amie. Much in the same manner as poor Romeo was for his Juliette. Please do me the honor and be my date on Friday night.
Patiently waiting and hoping,
Your Romeo,
John
For what seemed like an eternity, she sat there left totally dumbstruck; not quite sure what the hell to think. Shakespeare? Was this guy for real? What normal teenage guy quoted Shakespeare anyway? Frustrated because the note took her by complete surprise, she quickly folded the single piece of paper back up and shoved it back in her pocket.
Bending down, Chloe grabbed her bag up, heaved it over her shoulder and wrenched open the stall door, thankful that bitch one and bitch two had already gone. Going over to the sink, she turned on the spigot and splashed water on her face. Afterwards, she just stared at her reflection in the mirror.
Alright Chloe, get a hold of yourself. It's just a ploy, she reminded herself. Pretty
words used to entice you. He's a player just like Justin and he only wants one thing and one thing only. It would be best for you to not forget that.
Closing her eyes, she sighed. What did she care? It was just a dumb piece of paper with a dumb poem written on it. It was cheesy. Walking out of the bathroom, she laughed it off and shook her head at his antics. Homeboy must be desperate, she supposed. There was something to be said for the age old adage, 'that guys always want what they can't have.' Surely he could see that he wasn't going to be getting any of her any time soon.
Hence the lame poetry. But Shakespeare? Really? Did he really have to go there?
*********
Leaving school, Chloe welcomed the heat of the sun as it bathed her face. Wednesday's could be so arduous. She had her mind set on Friday and at this rate, she felt like it couldn't get here soon enough. Friday would be her crowning moment of shining glory and she couldn't wait until it arrived.
"Mon amour. Finally I have found you."
At the sound of the familiar voice, Chloe stopped dead in her tracks. Why couldn't this boy just leave her alone? Turning around, she faked a smile. "Now- you can lose me," she replied with spoonfuls of mock sweetness.
John clutched both of his hands to his chest and feigned hurt. "Such brutal words, you wound my very soul."
Chloe couldn't stop the hoarse chuckle that bubbled forth. The guy was not only cheesy, he was a terrible actor as well. "You just can't take a hint, can you?"
He stepped forward and fell to his knees in front her. He wasn't above embarrassing himself to get what he wanted and right now, he wanted a date with Chloe. She caught his eye and there was just something about her that fascinated him; something that he couldn't get out of his head.
"Oh lord," Chloe looked away and muttered. It took all the restraint that she had to not roll her eyes.
John grabbed her hand and looked up at her with such sincerity that Chloe almost lost all of her composure, right then and there. "Please," he said and tried on the puppy dog face for her. "Will you please honor me by attending the homecoming dance as my date."
The two stood there for an interminable amount of time, staring at each other. It was then that Chloe noticed is alluring blue eyes; devilish eyes that said one thing and probably meant another. Steeling herself against the prose, she was good and ready to decline his offer when an idea suddenly formed in her head.
Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer. John wasn't necessary the enemy but he was close enough to the enemy in question. Now that she thought about it, she could actually use John as a part of her master plan. It made sense the more that she thought about it. Seeing it all play out in her mind perfectly, a grin teased her lips.
"So;" John asked hesitantly, faltering at the sight of her beautiful smile "is that a yes or is that a no?"
"Alright John," Chloe started and tugged on his hand, forcing him to stand up. Seeing him on his knees had its advantages but it was also slightly embarrassing at the same time. "Since you seem like such a masochist then I'll accept your offer for Friday night."
His smile lifted from one ear to the other. "Really?"
Chloe worried her bottom lip with her teeth and nodded. "Really, but," she quickly added, holding up one hand, "There is one condition."
"Anything, you name it and it's done," he said excitedly.
"I need you to pick me up at five and bring me to the school early. I have a few things to do for the paper as prep work on the game- you know getting rosters and stats and stuff."
"That won't be a problem," he told her. "Coach wants us here by 6:00 any way for warm ups."
In the background, she heard John's name being called. Simultaneously they both turned around to see the "it group" converging in the parking lot. "You're being summoned," she pointed out to him dryly.
"Its okay- they'll live," he shrugged. Turning back around, he pinned Chloe with those piercing enigmatic blue eyes of his. There was something in those eyes, a depth that she couldn't explain and it unnerved her more than she wanted to admit.
She automatically took a step back, feeling rattled for some reason. "Nah, you should go ahead," she urged him. "I need to get going anyway. I have some things that I need to get done for my mom."
John cocked his head to the side. "You’re sure?" He asked, again with those damnable puppy dog eyes of his. Those eyes were going to be the death of Chloe if she didn't leave now.
“Yeah, go on." she insisted. "I'll see ya around later."
"Okay," he replied easily and before she realized his intentions, John stepped up to her and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. That one unsuspecting kiss threw her completely off balance, leaving her dazed and confused. "See ya around Chloe," he whispered and seeing her quaint expression, he jogged passed her towards his friends.
For the briefest of seconds Chloe stood there and watched him leave. John seemed genuinely pleased that she had accepted his offer. During that little bit of time she almost second guessed herself. That was almost, until she had to remind herself of exactly whom she was dealing with. He was one of them and didn't deserve her sympathy. He made his bed by choosing his friends, now it was time for him to lay in it.
***************
It was finally Friday and Chloe sat anxiously while she waited for Erica to sit down. "Did you get it?" She asked eagerly while shooting her a calculating look.
"Of course I got it." She replied off handily. "I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when this stuff kicks in." Erica tried to stifle a giggle as she held up the brown paper bag that held the main ingredient for Chloe's master plan. She knew all to well what she had in store for Mr. Justin Pinnix and his vagabonds. The football team was so sure that they were going to win the game tonight.
Chloe grinned. Not if she had anything to do with it.
She took the bag from her cousin and stuffed if in her purse before turning back to her poor excuse of lunch. Frowning at it, she poked at what looked to be some kind of fruit on her tray. "Do they actually expect us to eat this crap?"
Erica opened up a bag of chips and pulled one out, observing it as she twiddled it between her fingers. Shrugging her shoulders, she popped the chip in her mouth and turned her attention back to Chloe. "That's why I always bring my lunch," she clarified then quickly turned the conversation back to their big plan. "Exactly how do you plan on getting in the boys locker room and pulling off this grand scheme of yours off anyway?"
Chloe pushed aside what she could only refer to as some sort of mystery meat and settled on eating just the roll and drinking her milk. The entire time, she was thinking to herself that at least the roll should be safe enough to digest. When she was done chewing, she answered Erica's question. "I have an accomplice," she shared her secret.
Erica's brows lifted in surprise. "You do?"
"Yup," she told her, sitting the empty milk carton back on the table. It didn't really matter that this certain person had no idea that he was going to be the very one responsible for the football teams down fall or that this same person wrote cheesy poetry. What had to be done, had to be done. His part in the plan was just a inconsequential side effect.
She leaned over the table and whispered, "Who?"
Chloe couldn't help the smile that slowly crept up on her face. "John, of course."
"John," she repeated his name incredulously. "As in the John- Justin's best friend John- The suave and sophisticated John?"
Chloe's light laugh said it all. She gave her cousin a mischievous look. "The one and the same."
Erica fell back in her seat, not taking her eyes off of Chloe. She wagged her finger at her. "You are bad girl, you know that? You are so freaking bad."
Chloe picked up her tray, and blew out a heavy breath. She was so ready for this day to be over with. She had high expectations for tonight and was ready to get the party started. All week long, she had been counting down the long hours till the grand finale. And now, it was only a few hours away.
St
anding up, her gaze shifted over to the table where Justin and his groupies sat, laughing and carrying on as if they were on top of the world. If they only knew what she had planned for them they wouldn't be smiling so smugly. It was high time that they all get knocked down a notch or two and unbeknownst to them that time was quickly closing in on them.
She grunted and turned back to Erica. The edges of her mouth twitched with unbridled anticipation. "Sweetie, you haven’t seen anything yet."
Chapter 8
Justin glanced up at John and lifted his brow. He could not believe what he had just said to him. "So, you're telling me that she's here...now?"
Somehow, John had actually managed to do what Justin had once thought was the impossible. He convinced the Ice Queen to go out with him tonight after the game. John and Chloe... together... as in a couple- now that was an anomaly Justin thought to himself.
John grinned. “Yup. All I did was use some good ole fashioned southern charm and she melted like butter on a hot biscuit. She even came with me early to get some stuff she needed for the article that she was writing up on the game and man-" John let out a low whistle. "When I saw that dress she is planning on wearing to the dance, my eyes about popped out of my head. And let me tell you something brother, it is swee-eet.”
Justin rolled his eyes and muttered more to himself than to John. “To each his own.” The way that he saw it, it was his own funeral. If John wanted to dance with trouble then he could have at it. In the end, all Justin could say was that he tried to warn him.
Standing up, Justin reached for the football jersey hanging up in his locker and pulled it over his head. The sleeve snagged on the edge of his shoulder pad but with a little fancy maneuvering he managed to straighten it out and pulled it down, covering up what he liked to refer to as his innate sexiness. “There’s nothing like the feeling of putting on that jersey right before a big game.”