Making It Count

Ivy Lynn's POV


There is just something about the suburbs that sets me on edge. It always had since I was a little girl and I had to visit my grandmother in her house that always smelled of mothballs and cat hair. But growing up in the city I'd never imagined that a stupid radiator cap would make my dad decide that the suburbs would provide a stable location for my senior year of high school.

So now with a new house that I felt like a ghost in with all the empty hallways, and new clothes that I felt like a dressed up Barbie in I was confined to the uptown hell of North Shore County Day School. With modern architecture that just screamed money and students who were more interested in who everyone was wearing than their intellectual capabilities I was feeling a little lost. The front desk had assigned me a new student guide, Molly or Holly or something, and she spent most of the time chattering in my ear about who was who as I tried mostly unsuccessfully to keep my head down.

"So those are the model UN kids, while some of the guys are cute they will talk your ear off about everything. I went out with one of them last year and I now know a lot more about the EU than I ever wanted to, my little red dress couldn't even distract him. Anyways, the jocks and theatre geeks actually rule this school which is a nice change. But there's definitely a hierarchy so try not to end up at the bottom."

Shooting glances between my watch and my schedule I wondered what part of the schedule actually involved going to class. I was already starting two weeks late into the school year and the last thing I needed was the chatty redhead beside me announcing to the whole school I knew but before I managed to interrupt she had already started into a who's who of apparently people I needed to know.

"He's kinda a jerk so stay away from him. The head of the girls team is Ashley, she took to soccer freshman year like a cat to yarn but she grew up overseas so it's not surprising. She's a real sweetie but stay on her good side. Liam and Louis kind of co-run the basketball team, don't ask me how that happened. Logan and Lyndsy are definitely the 'it' couple, can I say relationship goals. It's all very stereotypical though she's our head cheerleader and he's the quarterback. Lyndsy's best friend Harry is the talk of the school....like always. He's sweet unless you want to date him. I'd watch out....."

As I waited for Holly to stop talking we apparently caught sight of the boy himself because she uncharacteristically stopped taking in the middle of a sentence. I followed her gaze to a boy leaning up against the locker hands deep in his pockets, curls obscuring most of his face. Something about him immediately set me on edge, like there was something not quite right about him hiding under his calm exterior. Apparently our combined gazes sent the little hairs on the back of his neck prickling because he turned and flashed Holly a smile that was all green eyes and dimples. Meeting his gaze with a steely determination I waited for him to quickly drop his gaze an uncomfortable shift running though his frame. A smile gracing my face for the first time all day I gripped my bag a little tighter before turning to Holly.

"Looks like you're now on the Harry rada....."

"Where's AP Calc?" I interrupted as the warning bell went off.

"Oh right silly me you'll want to get to class. What on earth possessed you to take calc though. Ick."

A shiver passed through her 5 foot frame as she led me down the hallways her constant chatter firmly back in place. I didn't have the heart to try and explain it to her. Being a former city girl from the wrong side of the tracks I knew that it would a lot to get my application actually looked at. And Dartmouth was the only college that had ever been on my list since the only things my mom had ever left me were my name and a faded Dartmouth pendant. Leaving me a the door with a promise to at least look for me at lunch Holly headed down the hallway a confident bounce in her step.

Squaring my shoulders and steeling my jaw I headed in the classroom hoping to avoid the new student introduction like I had the first 3 periods. But the second the teacher saw me an overexcited look crossed him face and I knew I was screwed.

"You must be miss Marrieti, come, come, tell us something about yourself."

It took all my energy not to roll my eyes as our short, balding teacher pulled me up to introduce myself to twenty people I really had no intention of getting to know. Pursing my lips I spotted one face that I had honestly hoped I wouldn't share a class with. But in a small school I supposed that I would eventually share a class with everyone in my grade.

"I'm Ivy, I just moved here from Riverdale, no I haven't been shot but I've been on the wrong side of a weapon more than I'm allowed to say. I have a couple tattoos but you'll never see them. My dad found a better plastic for radiator caps and a digital way for managing vehicle fluids so I'm stuck in uniform suburbia with you all until I can get out of this shithole."

Grabbing my bag I slumped into the back of the room pulling out my laptop, which was the only perk of my dad's new money. Mr. Galveston gaped like a fish apparently that wasn't what he'd had in mind. But I'd found that honesty is usually the best policy and I'd rather get some things straight my first day than have kids gossiping behind my back. Pulling open a blank document I watched our teacher compose himself all while ignoring the glances that Harry kept sending behind him at me. I refused to be the school's newest fascination just because I was new.

The class was about as hell as Holly had told me and it was the only time I was actually glad to be math minded. Being two weeks behind didn't help as I packed my books wondering how the hell I was going to catch up. Trying to fight my way through the throng towards the cafeteria the smells told me at least the food wasn't mystery meat Mondays. Seeing me in the doorway Holly waved up a storm but I left that decision to after I had figured out what the smell was that was wafting from the kitchen.

Tacos in hand, the decision was impeded by the fact that Holly's table was now full of chattering girls in various stages of period costume. Trying to make a decision and not look like a complete idiot I plopped into a seat at an empty table and tried to look busy. It only worked until a pair of brown boots located themselves next to me.

"Hey new girl." His voice was deeper than I expected with a gravelly rasp in it as I subconsciously scooted away.

"Hey football boy." I stated peering through a curtain of dark hair.

"Football boy?" His tone was amused.

"I thought we were stating the obvious." I started to say more when I noticed the large smile across his face.

"So I see you know who I am."

I nearly scoffed at his arrogance but decided it might be my opportunity to get rid of him. Scooting up next to him I leaned in like I actually had something important to say and I could see his eyes searching my face, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.

"Isn't it the best thing to do at a new school? Find out who to hang out with," I walked my fingers up his arm feeling his muscles tense beneath my fingers, his breath coming in quicker gasps as I leaned in, "and who to stay away from." I finished nearly whispering in his ear before pushing back until I again sat in front of my tray.

The cogs in Harry's head were obviously turning and I hoped I had stumped him, or at least offended him enough to make him leave. But a sly smile crossed his face before settling back into the now familiar arrogant smirk.

"Who told you that princess?" He obviously saw my teeth grit at his pet name because he slid closer. "Did they also tell you I can make all your dreams come true?"

Sending me a suggestive wink Harry slid his hand to rest on my lower back. Every nerve in my body told me to move it, but something inside me wouldn't let me. The very part that sent a pang of nausea and distrust through my gut every time I met his steely gaze.

"What if I told you I had a boyfriend?"

"Oh darling, you're not the type."

It wasn't a question so much as a definitive statement; which sent my blood boiling into a fiery rage. However before I had the chance to a.) slap him b.) knee him in the balls or c.) continue to play his game but on my terms, his friends came to the rescue. Harry quickly dropped his hand, and scooted away under the inquisitive gaze of a pretty girl I could only guess was Lyndsy. Glad for the space I quickly dug myself into tacos trying to field off questions and still uttering curses under my breath. He had escaped this time, but if Harry ever decided to try and get fresh with me again he is going to get what is coming to

Notes

Hey everyone,

So no worries you will get more frequent updates I promise I've just been a crappy co-author cause my computer died and my kiddos are driving me nuts. Hope the chapter length made up for it though.

Let us know what you think,

lots of love
Cass