The Bad Girl And Good Boy

CHAPTER 2 ( My Ex is my Rex dog)

**JEWEL'S POV:**

Detention is gnawing at my sanity. The grammar sheets I've been assigned swirl through the air like rebellious confetti. I'm beyond tired of making paper planes. Just then, the door creaks open, and my heart leaps at the sight of Carter, Natasha, and Veronica standing there. Their expressions are a mix of exasperation and relief, and I brace myself.

Carter starts, "So you're back, bitch?" Before I can respond, Natasha jumps in, her voice dripping with irritation.

"And yeah, you owe us—seriously. You leave us all alone here, go to Europe for some stupid course which I’m sure you learned nothing from, you bloody bastard." Our queen bee, Veronica, chimes in.

"I would castrate you for this."

I look at them, trying to muster the best puppy dog face I can. They won’t stop, so I finally yell, "STOP IT, ASSHOLES. SHUT YOUR ASSES FOR ONCE."

This is my way of telling them that I'm back and ready to dive back into high school life. A smirk spreads across our faces, and we all burst into deep laughter. Once we sober up, a mischievous idea strikes me.

"Guys, I wanna show the school I am seriously back. The old JEWEL LOCKHART is back. So, up for some pranks?"

"Hell yeah!" they all say in unison. Carter asks, "Who’s the target, smarty pants?"

I respond without hesitation, "Roosevelt." We share knowing glances, and for the first time in a while, THE GANG is back. Roosevelt better watch her back.

---

**MARC'S POV:**

My day is perfect (sarcasm intended). It feels like I’m riding a rollercoaster of chaos. The wicked and horrified looks people are giving me all day have finally started to get under my skin. My friend Drake hasn't shown up because he’s terrified of Jewel Lockhart. If he finds out she gave me a ride, he might actually throw up or have a heart attack.

But honestly, it was really kind of her. She saved me from detention. I want to thank her, but considering the pranks she’s played on me, I doubt she’d appreciate it. Her reputation would be tarnished if she started talking to a nerd like me, so it’s better to stay away.

Trying to escape people’s gazes, I spot my long-time crush, Natasha Dobrev. She’s the most beautiful girl in school, and I’ve been infatuated with her since the 7th grade. She’s so smart and stunning, but she’s also part of the gossip crowd, which isn’t my scene.

But today, she’s walking in my direction. My heart pounds. Natasha Dobrev is walking towards me! I’m freaking out. She stops right in front of me.

"So, Marc O'Connor, right?" Straight to the point. I nod, a lump forming in my throat. "So, you just got lucky getting a ride from Jewel Lockhart. Don't think we’re friends now, got it, mega nerd?" Her words sting with their harshness.

I can't believe her audacity. I ramble, "I always wanted to run away from you guys. I don’t want any kind of friendship with you, at least not with someone who..." I trail off, losing my nerve under her icy stare.

Before she can retort, Jewel appears. "There, Natasha, stop harassing my damsel. Get your ass back to the work I gave you." She practically pushes Natasha away. She sighs and asks, deadpan, "So, do you have a habit of getting into trouble or what?"

"No, you are my trouble, Mini Monster," I think to myself. "No, actually, I didn’t even intend to talk." "OK, well then," she says and leaves.

Well, I guess it’s safe to say I don't like Natasha anymore. My crush just broke my heart, but at least I know she hates me, so I won't chase after her again. I sigh and head back to class, my mood plummeting.

---

**JEWEL'S POV:**

I bombard Natasha with questions for confronting Marc. "What the fuck did you want to prove? Why do you radiate all your anger at nerds? I just can't understand." That shuts her up. "Forget it, let’s just concentrate on the work," I say, redirecting our focus to our mission: pranking Roosevelt.

Everything is planned. We just need Roosevelt to arrive and walk into our trap. I stand outside her office, waiting. Carter’s text arrives: "Target’s on her way now."

We hear footsteps and hide behind a cupboard in the corridor. I see the target coming. But wait, it's Marc, my damsel in distress, not Roosevelt. SHIT. Marc opens the door and is greeted with a splash of paint on his head.

SHIT. This is a disaster. The gang is either rolling their eyes or laughing their guts out. I rush to Marc, paint dripping from his head. I feel a pang of guilt. "Oh god, Marc, I’m sorry. It was all planned for Roosevelt. You came in the way. Don’t ruin my pranks like that, or you’ll ruin yourself."

He replies with heavy sarcasm, "Wow, well, gee, thanks for the token of appreciation." I roll my eyes but say, "You need to get cleaned up." He nods.

As he starts to leave, I tug his arm and pull him behind the cupboard. "What the hell are you doing?" he asks, bewildered.

"Shush, Roosevelt is here. She might suspect you," I whisper urgently. That shuts him up.

We watch anxiously as she enters her office. Not long after, we hear screaming and shouting. Mission accomplished. "What more have you done?" Marc asks in horror.

"I left some mice in her office and put chewing gum on her seat," I answer triumphantly. He looks terrified.

"Don’t you feel scared doing such things? You might get expelled. The thought makes me shudder. What if it was your ex-boyfriend or something?" he asks.

"Don’t worry, my ex is my dog, Rex," I say, and the gang erupts into laughter. Even Marc grins. He looks adorable when he smiles.