Chapter two.

Edited.

"Morning guys!" Calista happily greeted Mimi and Ysabella on Monday morning; Mimi raised an eyebrow at Calista, her eyes questioned her friend's happy mood. The three of them wore their school uniform, which was navy blue pleaded skirt with white shirt and a blue tie.

"Isn't it a bit early for your Prozac?" Mimi teased, Calista only made a face at her.

"I'm just happy because my mother has finally realized that she still has her kids," Calista replied.

Her mother took her and Jake out all day yesterday; they went shopping and also went to see the town's orchestra concert last night. Calista felt like she could talk to her mother again and that made her feel so happy; she'd been smiling all morning because she woke up and find her mother making them breakfast.

"How did yesterday go?" Ysabella asked, opening her locker. Her long black hair always had a funky style and today, it was all in braids. Ysabella loved vanity; she kept a heart shaped mirror in her locker.

"It was great, sorry I missed your game yesterday, Ysa."

Ysabella grinned, "No you're not sorry because this is the first time I've seen you so happy. Anyway, it's ok. I know family comes first although I think you need to make up what you missed, we haven't gone out together for a long time," Ysabella looked at her timetable and then inside her locker, looking for her calculus book.

"Sure, let's chill out. We can have a sleepover around mine…" Calista suggested,

Mimi just rolled her eyes, "What are you? Thirteen?" Mimi asked, sarcastically "We're seventeen now, Ysa is talking about going to a party, like Lucas Philips' party on Friday," Mimi grinned

Calista narrowed her eyes at them, "I thought we'll try and go through high school without going to a house party?"

Mimi and Ysabella looked at each other, both their eyebrows were raised. "We said we'll try but now we've given up. Come on, Cali. Just once," Ysabella's brown eyes were begging.

"Fine, I'll see what I can do," the two girls cheered, "Where's Miles?"

"Late as usual," Mimi shrugged,

"So did you win yesterday's tennis match?" Calista asked, opening her locker, which was two lockers away from Ysabella's. She took out her poetry book for her first lesson.

Ysabella snorted, "Do you have to ask? Of course, I won. The match was like, a practice for me. The opponent was so amateur," Ysabella smirked, closing her locker. Calista closed hers a minute later.

A lot of students passed by and greeted them, some complimented Calista's successful concert last Saturday night. Calista and her friends were slightly popular because of their talent, they were simply beautiful and almost everyone in their year knew and admired them although they weren't the school elites; the four friends always tried to keep their profile as low as possible, avoiding party scandals and useless gossips unlike their school's Queen Bee, Kelly Hales who always managed to create new rumours about herself every single day.

"That's right, get all the credit," Mimi pretended to look hurt and jealous.

Calista pouted at her, "Girls… you know you deserve the compliments too,"

Mimi grinned, "I was joking, Calista but you're right, we did rock that stage on Saturday"

Calista smiled while Ysabella giggled and agreed.

They started talking about Mimi's latest modelling project. Mimi was a model for American Eagle and Bench. She was 5'9 with long blonde hair and blue eyes, and everyone who didn't know her described her as the living version of Barbie doll although she wasn't a big fan of pink and she hated it when someone called her Barbie. Mimi and Calista met in kindergarten when they were six; she was Calista's oldest best friend.

"So I'm going to Paris for three days next week," Mimi told them,

"Lucky bitch, how come you get to go to romantic places like Paris?" Calista pouted, the only foreign countries she'd been to were Spain, when she went to visit her paternal grandparents five years ago, and Italy, when the music students went on tour last year.

"You know what? Since we're going on our separate ways next year, we should go on a vacation this autumn break for a week." Ysabella suggested.

Calista excitedly clapped her hands and said, "Yes, that' be cool!"

The three girls were planning enthusiastically about their holiday together in a month; they didn't realize that the whole corridor seemed to have frozen as Nathan James headed towards them. Some guys looked geek-y in their navy blue pants, white t-shirt with blue tie under their black blazer, while Nathan looked so hot in the school uniform.

"Calista," he called, calmly. She looked at him with a questioning look.

"Nathan," she replied, with a nod although she was secretly shocked that he still remembered her from Saturday night. She was, of course aware that Mimi and Ysabella were looking at her with their raised eyebrows; same with other people around them who started whispering to each other behind their hands. Calista ignored them and gave Nathan a fake smile "What I can do for you?" she asked, politely.

She may not like him but she had to play nice; after all he could get anyone expelled from school by just talking to Principal Brown.

"Just want to say that you were awesome last Saturday, and Nancy wanted me to give you her number." He handed her a pink card with Nancy's name and phone number.

It was the second time Nathan James had complimented her in the last forty-two hours "Thanks, I guess, but what's the number for?" she asked, puzzled. She took the pink card from him.

"Just in case you can't make it on Wednesday or other lessons and need to contact her," he replied, with a shrugged.

"Yeah, I didn't think of that. Well, thank you."

He only nodded with a weak smile and turned around and headed towards his locker.

What the hell? He just smiled at her? That conversation with him felt extremely weird. First, he complimented her which he'd already done so on Saturday night and then he talked to her in front of everyone Someone could spread a rumour about them having a secret affair.

It was a well known fact that Nathan James only talked to girls he was interested in girls he deemed gorgeous and classy enough to be seen with him. Calista wondered why he'd delivered the pink card personally when he could have asked one of his minions to give it to her.

She watched him walk away, wondering what the hell just happened. He was like the school God, like Moses when he parted the crowded hall like the Red Sea by just passing through; no one wanted to be in his way.

She turned to her friends only to get their curious stares.

"Care to explain what just happened?" Mimi asked in a deceptively calm voice. Please, the hottest, richest and most feared boy in school just talked to her best friend, Calista. Who wouldn't be excited?

Calista shrugged, "I'm just teaching his little sister how to play the piano, is all" she replied, coolly.

Ysabella and Mimi looked at each other, wide-eyed. "Since when?"

"We haven't started yet. Mrs. James only asked me on Saturday night, remember? She was the woman who came and talked to me for several minutes?" Calista told them

Ysabella pouted, "Thanks for telling us…" she said, mocked hurt.

Calista suddenly felt bad for not telling them, "Girls, I was going to tell you yesterday but I didn't see you so I'm telling you now, it's not a big deal,"

"Not a big deal? Calista Annabelle Herrera, this is Nathan James we're talking about, he's the heir to the James business empire, and of course he is a big deal. This is extremely shocking,"

Calista sighed, she didn't understand. Nathan only talked to her once so why was Mimi making a big deal? Mimi started talking about her thoughts of Calista and Nathan falling for each other. Calista only rolled her eyes while Ysabella giggled.

"Girl, you read way too much romance."

Even though he could tell her smile to him was so fake, she still looked good today. She may be wearing their unsightly school uniform like everyone else but she still looked beautiful. Her long light brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, her green eyes twinkled when he looked at her, and she looked happy today.

He sighed, he couldn't get her out of his head all weekend, wondering what she could be doing and when he and the boys went to the strip club after their detention, he'd imagined Calista dancing for him instead of the girls.

Hell, he had it bad. Nancy didn't even ask him to give Calista her number; in fact, the number he'd given was his own number. He only did it so he could talk to her and to ask her for a drink after school but he obviously chickened out.

That's right, the notorious bad boy of the school chickened out from asking a girl out. Damn Calista Herrera for messing with his head.

"Morning, Nathan," Kelly Hales greeted him, seductively touching his broad shoulders. He grimaced.

"Not now, Kelly. I've got a lot going on in my mind." More like, one person on his mind. He knew what Kelly wanted; a make out session in an empty classroom before homeroom of course.

Normally, he would have happily follow her but he just wasn't in a mood, scratch that, he wasn't in a mood with Kelly Hales. They'd gone out for three weeks last the end of the third week, he had no idea why he'd given up his precious time for her. Kelly Hales was the school Queen Bee, and she always got what she wanted he only went out with her because everyone thought they were good together. She was the Queen Bee, and he was the bad boy. They had nothing to talk about, and she was too possessive—even now, a month later, she was still being clingy.

Kelly pouted at him, "Why didn't you come to my party on Saturday?"

Nathan sighed before answering, "I had to clean the theatre."

Kelly looked at him sympathetically, moving closer to him so that their lips almost touched. Her French manicured fingers stroking his smooth chin. "Poor baby, you shouldn't do naughty things," she slightly tapped the tip of his nose with a childish grin.

Nathan glared at her and pulled away. Just because he let her kissed him sometimes, didn't mean she could patronise him like that. One thing Nathan James hated the most was being patronised by a girl. "Look Hales, just because I talk to you doesn't mean I'm interested. We were done over a month ago because you're a whore. I no longer want to be associated with you," he said, pushing the wide-eyed brunette aside. He started to walk away, passing Calista and her two friends who were just walking by; they looked shocked. Nathan gave Calista a nod and walked away.

Great, Calista heard what he'd said to Kelly, she probably thought of him as an asshole now. Well, then again everyone in the school thought of him as an asshole anyway. He was sure he did not want Calista to think of him as an asshole; he wanted her to like him and not be scared of him.

God, since when did he care about what a girl thought of him? He groaned, he knew the answer was always: "Since Calista."

Calista was queuing up for lunch at the seniors' cafeteria, the food was good enough for students to eat; the food was actually healthy unlike some other's school's lunch. Since Ysabella had a lunch time volleyball practice and Miles seemed to have skip school, it was just Calista and Mimi having lunch together, but Mimi had to stop by the library first.

"Calista," a deep, familiar voice said, making the small hairs at the back of her neck stand up.

Calista pretended not to hear him and decided to start a conversation with the lunch lady, who luckily watched the concert on Saturday night and had recognized her. The lunch lady said she loved her performances and had given her more mash potatoes.

Calista was about to pay for her lunch when someone else got there for her.

"I'll pay for the two," Nathan said, giving a note to the lunch lady, who smiled at Calista. The lady gave Nathan his change "Keep the change,"

Calista looked at him suspiciously, but said a shy "Thank you" nonetheless. What was Nathan up to? "Can I help you?"

Nathan James just shrugged, "Can I have lunch with you?" he asked, and Calista raised an eyebrow. It was really weird that Nathan James had chosen to have lunch with her when his friends from the swimming team were also in the cafeteria, sitting a few tables away.

"Ok?" she agreed, uncertain as to why. She led him towards the table by the corner of the room. They sat down at the same time, facing each other. "So, umm. Nathan, why are you talking to me?"

"I feel like it," he shrugged.

Calista watched him eat, she loved the way his jaw muscles moved as he chewed. She immediately looked away after realizing what she was doing.

"And call me Nate," he said.

She gave him a surprise look. It was also well known that Nathan James didn't like being called Nate. She felt really weird at the moment…

It was probably the most awkward five minutes she'd ever experienced, she had no idea what was going on, didn't know how to act around him and the most annoying question was, why the hell did he want to have lunch with her?

"So, umm. I haven't seen you have lunch here before," she stated

"We normally have lunch at the backstage of the theatre, but Ms. Donovan banned us," he replied. Calista's eyes widened. They had lunch backstage, which means they had heard her practice her violin and piano pieces for the concert. "Yes, I've watched you practice. I'm really impressed," he said as if he was reading her mind.

"Thank you," Calista felt her cheeks started to heat up. There was something in the way he looked at her like she was food; his normally emotionless blue eyes seemed to twinkle. She swallowed, "Umm. W-where are your friends?"

"Somewhere, fooling around with some juniors I'm guessing," he replied. He knew Calista was nervous around him; he had that effect on people, but he just wanted Calista to feel comfortable around him 'cause knowing she was nervous made him nervous too.

"Why aren't you with them?"

"'Cause I'm not in a mood to fool around at the moment," Calista only nodded and there was another awkward moment between them. Nathan raised a questioning eyebrow when he realized Calista had eaten so little, he frowned "What's wrong? I hope you're not one of those girls who have eating disorder. Are you not hungry?" he asked

Calista shook her head, "I eat whatever I want, and I'm just…"

"Uneasy?" he filled in. She nodded, "I get that a lot. Please don't be, I just want to be friends with you," he said and for the first time in her life she saw him genuinely smile. Calista melted. He grinned, "I know I'm a little intimidating, but I'm a nice guy when you get to know me."

Calista smiled. Suddenly she felt comfortable with him. Maybe because Nathan James seemed nervous. Maybe because Nathan James was trying to make her feel comfortable. Maybe Nathan James wasn't that bad after all.

"I'm sure you are," Calista replied.

She caught sight of Mimi, carrying her tray of food and looking around,

"Mimi, over here!" Calista called out, Mimi made a face and made her way towards Calista's table.

"Hey," Mimi greeted, placing her tray on the table, and then looked at Nathan. She sat down next to Calista with a questioning look "Hi, I hope you don't mind me invading your date,"

Nathan shook his head, "Not at all."

"We're not on a date," Calista added quickly. Technically, they were as he just paid for her lunch.

Mimi didn't seem convinced; she saw the pair before Calista caught sight of her, and as the romantic she was, she noticed the obvious chemistry between Calista and Nathan; they were looking at each other with smiles on their faces.

"So, which one of the three are you?" Nathan asked Mimi.

"I'm Mimi," she replied

"Oh, yes the model for Bench?"

Mimi nodded.

"Where are the other two?"

Mimi and Calista looked at each other. "Well, we have no idea where Miles is, and Ysabella has volleyball practice." Mimi was watching Nathan as she talked, but Nathan was too busy looking at Calista. She smiled mischievously, she wanted to tease them both and thought playing a matchmaker would be fun. "So, umm. Nathan have you and Kelly broken up already?" she asked, innocently.

"Yeah, a month ago but she's still pining after me. That girl is annoying, she's not my type."

Mimi smiled. Perfect answer. "So what's your type, Nathan?"

Nathan thought for a second and grinned, "A girl who is simply beautiful, clever and talented. In other words, a girl I can have a proper conversation with,"

Mimi nodded and her smile widened, she shot Calista a teasing look. "I know that type of girl. Want me to set you up? She's sitting right in front of you," Calista's eyes widened and kicked Mimi under the table. Mimi only pouted at her.

Nathan knew Mimi was teasing so he decided to play along just to see Calista blush, he smirked "You know what? I think you're right, Mimi. Your friend's talented and I think she's beautiful too," even thought it sounded like he was teasing, he meant what he said.

"Oh my Gosh, Cali. You're blushing," Mimi pointed out, and Nathan chuckled.

Calista shot them both a glare, "That's right, tease me more," she said, sarcastically pushing her empty plate aside.

Nathan looked at his silver Rolex and said, "We have forty-five minutes left, what are you doing after this?" Nathan directed the question at both girls, but he was looking at Calista, so Mimi didn't answer. The blonde girl raised an eyebrow just as her cell phone made a sound; she excused herself and stood up to answer her phone.

"I'm going to the music room and play the piano," Calista answered,

Nathan's eyes lit up. This could be a perfect opportunity to get to know more about Calista without anyone interrupting, and he would love to listen to her play the piano again "Hey, mind if I tag along and watch?"

Calista smiled, "If you really want to, sure."

He grinned. Her green eyes and his blue ones clashed as they sat there smiling at each other as if they were having a quiet and private conversation; he wanted to reach out and kiss her so badly. If only there wasn't a table between them…

"That was Miles," Mimi returned a second later and immediately regretted interrupting their eye contact.

Calista innocently beamed at her best friend as if nothing happened.

"She's too lazy to come to school today, she wants me to get her painting in Art 2 now before Drake sees it, I'll see you later," Mimi said, waving goodbye.

"Right, later Mimi," Nathan and Calista said in unison.

Mimi waved at them, grabbed her tray and gave it to the lunch lady before going out of the seniors' cafeteria. Nathan and Calista did the same a minute later and started their way towards the music building, ignoring the suspicious or curious look from the students they passed by. They were too busy talking about their lessons to care about other students talking behind their hands.

As they turned a corner, Nathan saw his three friends making their way to their direction. The three boys seemed to be discussing something interesting that they did not see Nathan, who grabbed Calista's hands and pulled her away before they could see them.

Since the guys were making their way towards him and Calista and there was no hiding place or nearest exits, Nathan pushed Calista against the corner and pretended to be making out with her; their lips weren't touching but their foreheads were joined, and Calista felt like melting because Nathan smelled so good. Nathan's lips were inches away from her and their bodies were dangerously close.

He gave out a sigh of relief when he could no longer hear Tristan's bragging about some French model he'd hooked up with. "Sorry, I was just avoiding them," he said, she nodded and fixed her uniform. He cleared his throat and said with a grin, "Now, let's go and hear the music,"

While in the music room, Nathan and Calista talked some more like they were old friends; sure they had different social classes and financial status but they had a lot in common. They both had annoying little siblings whom they adored; they loved Chinese food and comedy films. Calista told him she was a big fan of The Corrs and he told her he'd met them from one of his mother's functions.

Calista knew Nathan smoked and drank, but she wasn't sure if he took drugs; she didn't want to ask him about it as they only just started talking and were still getting to know each other. The rumour that Nathan was a drug addict was too personal to talk about.

Nathan was sitting on the floor with his back against the wall while he listened to Calista played the piano; her eyes were closed as she played her composition, and his were the same as he took in and felt the melody. When she'd finished playing, she'd opened her eyes and looked at him; she gave him a smile and he replied with the most genuine one.