Jack:

Great. Just terrific. My car had to break down on the coldest day of the winter. Which left me walking to school with my coat pulled tightly. The wind swirled around me, and I muttered some choice profanities. Suddenly I heard the sound of a car slowing down next to me. I turned, only to see a very amused looking Nerina looking out her car window at me.

"I believe last time this happened, I was on the other side of the car-window. Need a lift?"

I didn't hesitate. I leaped eagerly into the passenger side, and closed the door firmly, relishing the feel of the car's heater. I noticed a half empty cigarette box on the dashboard.

"You smoke?" I asked.

"So do you," she replied, eyes not leaving the road. I blinked.

"How did you know that?"

She smirked.

"Saw your friend Nick the other day. He was buying cigarettes. I asked him if he smoked, and he said he was getting them for you."

I shrugged. "Whatever." I looked around some more, and discovered a copy of War and Peace wedged under my seat. There was a carefully placed bookmark somewhere near the centre.

"You're reading this?" I demanded.

"Yes! For about the eighth time! Isn't it wonderful?" She gushed. I gave her a disbelieving look and replaced the book.

"Who was the guy at your house the other day?" Where had that come from? She seemed as puzzled as me, as she frowned for a second, and then seemed to brighten.

"Oh, Will. Yeah, he's an old friend of mine."

"He didn't look like just a friend. That was definitely not a just a friend kiss."

"Yeah, he's asked me out a couple of times. I really am not all that into him. HE keeps pushing it though." She shrugged.

Suddenly she swerved the car to avoid a motorbike.

"Bloody hell! You all fucking drive on the wrong side of the road here!"

I couldn't hold back my laughter, and collapsed into hysterics. She gave me a pointed look.

I grinned at her. "You ever consider that you're the one who drives on the wrong side of the road, sweetheart?"

She sniffed. "Not likely."

We pulled up at the school a few minutes later, and I got out of the car quickly.

"Thanks for the lift."

She nodded in reply. Just then, Cherri sauntered up to me.

"Hey sweetie!" She cooed, leaning forward to kiss me. I accepted grudgingly. Note to self: Dump Cherri.

"What were you doing with her?" Cherri asked once she was done.

"She gave me a lift. My car's not working." I replied, absently. Cherri directed a filthy look at Nerina. Despite the fact that it was the end of January, Cherri was wearing a micro-mini skirt, and a tank top. Nerina looked her up and down derisively and smirked wordlessly.

"Come on, sweetie," she whined, grabbing my shirt and tugging me along. I rolled my eyes and followed her.

xxx

School dragged on that day, and I found myself absently doodling on the cover of my math notebook. I was jerked suddenly out of my bored reverie by a paper plan landing firmly in my hair. I looked up murderously. Someone was going to pay for that.

However, no one was giving me the guilty look that most people did after crossing me. Instead, everybody was either asleep, or in the case of the nerdy geeks, vapidly paying attention to Mrs. Delaney. I blinked and looked down at the plane.

I hesitantly unfolded it, and slowly read the small, loopy handwriting on the page.

Paying attention? Who won the battle of Petersburg? –N.

I knew immediately who had sent it. She was looking towards the frount, seemingly intent on Mrs. Delaney's lesson, but there was a small smile playing on her lips.

Dunno. Some dead guys? –J.

I refolded the plane and sent it back. I saw her smile as she read it, and write a reply.

The confederates. You really should be a little more interested. –N.

I snorted, and then caught the scent of something odd. It seemed to be coming from the paper. I sniffed it. No way. She wrote with a grape scented pen?

Nice pen –J. I wrote back.

Thanks. I thought so too. –N.

You are so weird. –J.

Why thanky. –N.

So, is your sister single? –J.

You're hitting on my sister through me? –N.

Pretty much. –J.

Yes, she's single. She's just broken up with a long time boyfriend. –N.

So do you feel like hooking us up? –J.

Not really. –N.

Okay, I'll rephrase. Please hook us up? –J.

I'll ask her. –N.

Just then, our note passing was interrupted by Mrs. Delaney's voice.

"I don't suppose you can tell me who won the battle of Petersburg, Mr. Smythe?"

Good god. What are the chances? "Uh, the confederates?"

Mrs Delaney looked surprised, and more than a little pissed. "Well. At least you pay attention to some things," she snapped. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Nerina grin.

Nerina:

"Nina!" my sister bellowed from upstairs, "Come up here, please!"

I rolled my eyes and headed up the stairs, pushing open the door to Anona's room.

"Black or green?" she demanded, holding up two dresses. I eyed them for a moment.

"Definitely black. The green makes you look like a slut." She glowered at me.

I perched on the end of her bed thoughtfully. "Anona? You remember that guy who dropped off my homework the other day, right? Jack?"

She looked up from her make-up and nodded.

"How would you like to go on a date with him?"

"Jack? Are you kidding? He's got to be at least tow, maybe three years younger than me!"

"So?"

She looked up considering. "All right. He's not that bad looking. Help me with my dress, would you?"

A/N: You weren't expecting THAT, were you?