Rose Tinted Lenses

Chapter 2

Kendall swallowed her pride and decided to make the best of the situation. Either way it had to be done, she figured, so she may as well approach it with an open mind. In any case, he might not be as intolerable as she remembered. And a bit of eye candy, she told herself, would liven up the more boring subjects.

"We are already super late, so let's get to class," Kendall said frantically, turning to face Daniel.

He crossed his arms across his chest, and his biceps appeared to double in size. Kendall forced her eyes to meet his.

"Yeah, you should probably do that," he said, and turned towards the school exit.

It was then she remembered exactly why she hated him.

"Excuse me, but that means you as well." Kendall jogged after him and turned to face him, hands on hips.

He chuckled at her attempts at intimidation. "You're cute when you're bossy, Princess."

"Don't call me that." She snapped.

"Does it bother you?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Obviously."

"Well then, Princess, I don't think I will stop." Daniel smirked.

'I walked right into that one,' she thought.

"Well, this has been fun, but I really have to be going now," he said, trying to walk around her.

"No! You are coming with me to class and you are going to sit and pay attention!" Kendall said sternly, blocking his path and prodding at his very solid chest.

He raised his hand and lowered her finger, visibly enjoying her outburst. "And why would I do that?"

She folded her arms and raised her eyebrows. "For an education."

His laugh resonated round the empty hallway.

"Yeah, no thank you," he sneered.

She ran a hand through her hair in frustration. "Ok, what do you want?"

He raised an eyebrow.

"What can I do to make you go to all your classes and tutoring sessions?"

"Anything?" he asked. A shiver went down her spine.

'Stop reacting,' she scolded herself. 'He is not sexy, he's annoying'

She immediately realised what he'd meant and was scandalised.

"Within reason, Daniel," she said. "I actually wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole."

His smirk grew wider as he chuckled and crossed his arms. "I really had you down as a good liar. I guess I was wrong."

Her retort was on the tip of her tongue, but he beat her to it. "Your dirty mind jumped the gun. I wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole either."

Kendall fought the urge to stamp her foot. How was it that just half an hour ago, she had actually thought he might be a half decent human being?

She ran a hand through her silky brown hair and sighed. "Look, I know you'd rather be anywhere than in class right now and this all seems like a big waste of time. But for me, this is the difference between getting into college or not.

"I worked solidly all through high school to get straight As. I maintained perfect behaviour and attendance records. I cannot get a week's detention and I deserve that letter of recommendation. So please, just tell me what I have to do to get you to cooperate."

She noted a hint of sympathy, then the corner of his mouth stretched into a smirk. "Did I just reduce the Kendall Lockwood to begging?"

Her face fell. "Fine, do whatever you want, Daniel. I didn't believe you were the bad guy everyone says you are, but now I'm starting to get it." She turned her back on him and made her way to class.

Her calling him a 'bad guy' bothered him. He hated the assumption that he was a bad guy just because school wasn't his main priority, that he had the occasional fight and the odd cigarette. He liked knowing his peers feared him. But something in him wanted Kendall to think differently.

And he didn't want to ruin her future just because his was a lost cause.

Daniel pondered as she walked off. There was something he needed, but the thought of asking for it made him feel like a complete loser.

He released a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. "Wait," he said abruptly.

She turned to face him.

He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets and walked towards her. "There might be something you can do for me."

She couldn't believe her eyes. Was Daniel nervous?

"Go on," she said, intrigued.

He looked around awkwardly.

"I need you to pretend to my parents that you're my girlfriend," he blurted.

She stared at him, speechless.

Seeing her shocked reaction, Daniel immediately regretted bringing it up. "Forget it," he muttered and turned towards the school's exit.

She reached for his arm, trying to ignore the feel of his bicep in her hand.

"Wait, just explain it a little more," she said encouragingly.

Reluctantly he turned back. "Look, my parents aren't too impressed with me at the moment and all my mother talks about is how she hates me bringing different girls home all the time. She wants me to settle down with a nice girl.

"I'm almost certain if they believed you were my girlfriend they'd get off my case."

Daniel looked expectantly at Kendall.

Her blank expression gave nothing away.

"Why me? Why would your parents get off your back if they thought you were dating me?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"Are you crazy? Every parent in town wants you on their son's arm," he said as if it was completely obvious.

She couldn't understand why that could possibly be the case. "But why?"

"You're from one of the richest and most well-respected families in the state, you get good grades and do extra-curriculars, and you have a perfect reputation. Don't be coy."

She had no idea she was known for anything in this town, especially for such positive things. She felt momentarily warm and fuzzy.

"Well, I can't argue with you there," she said, feigning confidence.

"Ok fine," she agreed. "What would I actually have to do?"

"My sister's getting married in a month, so that can be your debut as my girlfriend. Until then we'll spend time getting to know one other and come up with a couple believable fake stories to tell my parents. That shouldn't be hard considering the amount of time we're being forced to spend together."

"Okay, this shouldn't be too hard right?" she asked hopefully.

"It'll be easy."

"Great, so we have a deal. Now it's time to do your part by coming to class," she said firmly. She walked briskly off with him trudging reluctantly behind her.