Make Me Perfect

Chapter 3 - First Impressions

"Excuse me."

I flailed my arm away from the grip of someone's hand and spun around, ready to bitch someone out for their rudeness.

"Don't lay a hand--" I stopped, no more words coming out of my mouth as I found myself staring into the warm brown eyes of Aiden Jackson. I licked my lips, regaining focus as I stuck out my jaw, "What would you like, AJ," I said his name sharply and with a hint of sarcasm.

He cleared his throat, and to my surprise he stood tall, not a single sign of fear in his eyes. "I just wanted to thank you for the invitation," he said with a nod.

I smirked, "You don't have to. Just be prepared for a wild ride if you show up." I turned to leave, once again stopped by his hand grabbing my shoulder. I shrugged him off, narrowing my eyes at him, "What?"

Aiden bit his lip, staring me straight in the eyes, "You've already started calling me a nickname, and I still don't know your first name."

This made me smile, but I quickly changed it into a smirk. I nodded and began walking backwards towards my class, "Peyton," I said softly. He nodded, and I smirked as I turned around. "Don't forget it," I shouted over my shoulder and turned into the chemistry classroom.

Liana raced up to me, a smile pasted on her face with a squealing Jacy behind her. "Peyton!" Liana shrieked, "Your party is going to be great! Drew told me he couldn't wait to see me there!"

I smirked, "Liana, sweetheart, Drew is a fool. You can find someone much better," I said as I brushed past her and slid into my desk.

She scowled, slumping into the seat beside me. "But he's hot," she mumbled as the teacher began the lesson.

A few minutes into the class, Aiden burst in, ducking his head and quickly plopping down in the desk to my right. I cleared my throat, staring straight as the teacher continued.

"So, for the next assignment, I want you to do the experiment on the board. You have an hour to do so, and I will pick your partners," Mr. Winters said with a huge grin.

Everyone groaned as the teacher began pointing to people to pair them up. Liana squealed as Mr. Winters pointed at her and Drew, Jacy rolled her eyes as she was paired up with Emma, the screamy girl who came to me at lunch yesterday. Mr. Winters stood in front of me, a smirk on his face, "Ms. Lemming, since you seem to know your way around the chemistry unit, why don't you share your knowledge with Mr. Jackson here."

I glanced at Aiden, licking my lips, "Of course, Mr. Winters."

"Good," my teacher nodded, turning to the class, "Get started everyone."

The class got up from their desks, and I made my way to the back of the room with Aiden on my heels. I sat down at the far table and began taking out all the test tubes. We quickly got started on the assignment, mixing chemicals into a beaker when Aiden cleared his throat, "I never would've thought of you as the teacher's pet."

I looked up at him, finding a small smirk pasted on his face. I averted my gaze, stirring the mixture slowly, "And why not?"

Aiden shrugged, "The way you act, even the way you walk," the spoon clattered against the glass, "I thought you would be just another dumb, popular girl with attitude."

I smirked, "I am not just another girl."

Aiden looked up at me, his eyes seeming to sparkle, "I know." I swallowed, clearing my throat and breaking my glance away from him. Aiden licked his lips, "So I put this here?" he asked as he raised a tube of red liquid over our mixture.

"No!" I blurted, watching in terror as the contents splashed into the beaker.

My eyes widened, "Hit the deck!"