The Brightest Stars

Kristen

It's inevitable to run away from Mom's clutches when she's angry. It's been a while since she's been this mad. Though, I'm starting to think that she just took it out on us. It wasn't the right day to do something stupid.

But now the only thing I need to worry about is getting through After School Beautification, and being able to go out with Nate without letting AJ or Mom find out.

I sigh at these thoughts and shake my head. "Great," I whisper to myself. When I close my locker, the first thing my eye catches is Nate leaning on the locker next to mine. I do a surprised jump and roll my eyes at him. "You scared me. Don't...do that." Despite my annoyance with him, his laugh makes my heart skip a beat.

"Where are you off to, beautiful?" He quickly starts to follow me as I make my way up the stairs.

"Anatomy." With a sigh, I say, "I can't believe I decided to take two science classes. What was I thinking?" I shake my head in disappointment with myself. Something I've felt a lot lately.

But Nate gives me an impressed look and smiles. "I don't see what's wrong with being intellectual?"

I give him a snort and roll my eyes. "What do you know about being intellectual?"

We make our way through the crowd of people, and he opens the door of my classroom for me with a smirk. "You tell me."

I chuckle at this and let him go as I make my way to the back of the room. I actually pay attention in this class. Yet, my eyes grow wide in surprise as I watch Nate walk into the class just a few moments after me and sit up front. His dark eyes never leave mine.

No wonder I recognized him from somewhere yesterday.

The last bell rings in our ears and the students lower their voices as class begins. Just like yesterday, we take notes and the teacher explains the report at the end of this lesson. I do a sigh as my eyes keep moving toward Nate and I have to drag them away from his leather jacket.

I now understand Belle.

"It seems like we have just a few minutes left," the teacher says as his brown eyes go to the clock. "Why don't you help me put a few tables together to make groups?" Once he says this, people get to work. I'm still getting used to these kinds of students that actually listen.

"And some can sit at the counters attached to the sinks on the sides of the room. I got someone to clean them yesterday."

I turn to look at an empty counter in a far corner of the room. Score!

Just as I start getting up from my seat, Nate also catches my eyes and gives me a smirk. He quickly makes his way toward the counter and we end up sitting down at the same time.

"Looks like we're connected," Nate says.

"Great minds think alike." We share a smile when I say this but just as we watch a familiar boy sit in our group, our smile falls.

"Oh. Hey." He doesn't seem to realize who he sat with until he saw me. His chin shows a bruise starting to appear. "How's your brother doing?" He can't help being annoying again when he does a smirk and I roll my eyes at him.

"I suggest you keep your mouth shut unless you want another bruise on your pretty face," Nate quietly says to not cause a commotion, but his eyes are fire as they look into the boy's dark grey eyes. A new curiosity for him suddenly shines in my eyes as I observe the scene.

But the boy doesn't seem to flinch at his threat. He shakes his head just as the bell rings and says, "Geez. Relax, man. I'm not here to pick up a fight. I'll see you guys after school." And with that, he leaves us and disappears into the crowd of students.

"He doesn't seem so bad," I say with a smirk. "It's his girlfriend that gets me on my nerves."

"You know her?" Nate says as we make our way through the crowded hallways and towards the cafeteria.

"No. But with what happened yesterday. I don't want to know her."

"Look who's talking." He says this under his breath, but I hear it loud and clear.

I stop and turn to him. "What? You think I'm a hot head?" I cross my arms on my chest and raise my eyebrows.

At first, Nate grows surprised, but then he gives me a tender look and smiles. "I didn't mean it like that. I just...yesterday was just not our day and there were a few misunderstandings."

"No there wasn't."

"Yes, there was. Your brother picked up a fight because...I don't know, but--"

"Exactly," I cut him off. "You don't know anything. So I suggest you keep your mouth shut."

"No. Wait. Kristen!"

But I don't look back as I fight back tears and make my way outside the building.

As I fight the strong urge to look back at those soft brown eyes deep down in my heart.

I hate my heart. It always makes me do something stupid like being gullible to losers like him.

Or falling in love with losers like him.

I think I'm gonna ditch our date. Let's see who's the hot head this time, darling.