How To Survive A Bad Boy

Chapter One ~ "Oops."

  Cassandra

"Get your ass down here right now and go to school."  I heard my mom call. I leaped down the steps and out the door, not even bothering to say bye. Not like they would care.

  I walked by myself, plaguing my mind with thoughts that shouldn't exist.

  'I mean I'm okay looking.' With my Ombre shoulder height hair, Black RayBan glasses, and brown eyes that hide behind them, I'm average. Nothing special.

  'My body looks fine, if not a little too skinny.' Including kind-of-a-lot-of-cleavage.

  'I have a roof over my head.'

  'I have food...occasionally.'

  'So why do I cut myself?'

  'Why do I drink bleach?'

  'It's because you lonely..' a voice whispered in my mind. 'And that's not going to change.'

   I swiped at a tear down my cheek. "Shut up." I whispered to myself, arriving at school.

  Another day of Hell.

~*~

 "Freak!"

 "Nerd!"

 "Dork!" 

 Everyone laughed and pushed, and I ignored them the best I could.

 The day was almost over.

 I pushed through the crowd into the library, finding peace as I lost myself in the bookshelves.

 "Whoa!" a husky voice gasped as I collided with him.

 I shrieked quietly, breathing hard as The Bad Boy towered over me.

 He had me in 40 degree angle, tilting my body in a downward dip, kind of like we were salsa dancing or something. His hands held my hips, staring into my eyes. Whoa. His icy eyes captivated me, sending chills down my spine, even though his touch made pricks of heat run through me. He pulled me up, our gaze never wavering...until I switched them to his lips, seeing a lip ring poke out. Quickly looking back into his blue eyes, he chuckled, pushing a hand through his blond hair. He returned it to my hip absentmindedly, and sparks shot through my stomach.

 "Oops." He whispered and I smiled. Actually smiled.

 "Sorry."

 "Nah, that was my fault." He smirked and I melted into puddle."I'm Luke."

 'I know.'

 "Cassandra."

 "I like Cassie better."

 I scowled then. "Nicknames already?"

 "Well, duh." He said, in a high feminine voice.

 I laughed out loud, granting a shhh from the librarian.

 I quieted, and I grinned. This wasn't like me at all.

 The bell rang and we both broke apart, looking awkwardly away.

 "Maybe I'll see you around." I blurted. With my new-found confidence, I boldly stare into his eyes.

 "Maybe." He saluted me before I turned around, looking back to see him staring after me.

~*~

 Luke

 'Did I really just say maybe?' I questioned to myself.

 'I need to stay away.' My eyes widened at the realization that I didn't want to, not really.

 My thoughts went to that slut messing with her in the hall.

 'That's not happening again.'

~*~

Cassandra

 Holding my lunch tray, I weaved through the tables and made my way to the cafeteria doors, seeking my place in the back of the school.

"Cassie!" Luke called, and I turned to see him waving me over. To him. And his friends. Holy--

 I felt my legs move beneath me, accepting his invitation. I came to a stop at his lunch table and my breathing stopped. An easy smile played on his lips, and I caught glimpse of his lip ring again.

 "Sit." He said, gesturing to a spot next to a  guy with dark brown eyes that matched his messy hair, that surprisingly worked for him. I sat down and the guy shot me a kind smile.

 "Cassie." Luke redirected my attention. "Cassie, this is Michael." he pointed to the guy next to him with flaming red hair, his eyes a calm greyish green. He grinned and nodded at me. I nodded back, him stifling laughter.

 "This is Ashton." He pointed to a guy with light brown eyes, framed by lightish brown hair. He waved slightly, and I waved back.

 "And that's Calum." He pointed to the guy sitting next to me. He stuck his tounge out at me and winked, and I laughed.

 "Welcome to the Badass club." Calum spread his arms and I lifted an eyebrow.

 "Who said I wanted to join?" I smirked.

 Michael put a hand to his chest in mock hurt. "Who wouldn't?"

 Calum smiled. Nudging Luke, he said, "I like her."

 Ashton looked at me. "So, you joining?"

 I looked at all the handsome boys looking at me, and Luke seeming the most attentive. Spending time with him? Check. Gaining new friends? Double check. Making Mackenzie pay, at some point? "Sign me up."

~*~