-

Nicole let out a deep exhale when she walked into the school knowing that it was her first day with her new "duty" also known as being Seth's little rag doll.

She spent the whole night reading the plus-30 paged contract he had mad, causing her to loose many extra hours of sleep she could have gotten. She was more cranky and tired than usual which wasn't going to make her day any better.

The contract went over all the things Nicole could think of so she gave Seth props for thinking of and including everything. It mentioned that once the contact was gone, Seth couldn't bring up any of this stuff that he knew about her nor could he use anything against Nicole. It including that he is "forbidden" to make her do certain things as well as that Nicole can't complain and must be available and ready to do what Seth needs her to, when he wants her to.

"What is going on?" Serena asked Nicole as she walked up to her where she was standing by her locker.

Nicole shrugged.

"Do not start that!" She snapped, quickly annoyed and not ready for Nicole to start her shrugging game that she did the other day. She knew something was going on with Nicole and the boys and she wanted answers, not liking being left out of the loop.

"Okay, okay!" Nicole out her hands up in defence. "I'm tired, that's all."

"Okay, your same old excuse." Serena rolled her eyes and folded her arms over her chest. "Now kindly tell me what is really going on."

"Nothing okay?" Nicole snapped, tired and not in the mood for anyone, including her best friend. She had too much on her mind and too much getting her in an irritated mood, including not having coffee in the morning. "It's none of your God damned business!" The loud bickering between the two girls caused a scene in the middle of the hallway, students turning to watch what was going on.

Serena knew it was better to not bother Nicole when she was tired and cranky... everyone that was friends with Nicole would know that. Actually, even people that weren't should know that and probably did.

"I'm your friend and you're putting some guy you hate in front of me?" Serena narrowed her eyes at Nicole.

"Maybe I am!" Nicole exclaimed in frustration. "You're the one being so nosy!"

"I'm just looking out for you!" Serena retorted calmly but remaining annoyed.

"More like just prying into something that isn't your business," Nicole scoffed, shaking her head as she grabbed her books out of her locker.

"Okay, okay, ladies cut it out."

Nicole looked over to see the familiar face and voice of a football player.

"Scamper," he muttered dully to Serena, causing her to huff and stomp off without saying a word because she knew it was best to not bother right now.

"Thanks Chase," Nicole mumbled, giving him a sheepish smile.

Chase was a brown haired, extremely attractive guy that could pass as a model. He was also very sweet and genuine, always knowing what the right thing to say was.

Though Nicole hated to admit it, she could swear the four boys, Jason, Seth, Logan and Parker were models themselves.

"It's been awhile," Chase grinned, tilting his head as he looked at her.

Nicole nodded. "Yeah, it has," she sighed.

"So what is with you and Serena?" He asked a little hesitantly, not sure if it was a good idea to mention it seeing as Nicole was already in a bad mood.

"She just needs to stop being so nosy," Nicole rolled her eyes as the two started walking to first period, which they actually did have together.

"Maybe I'll ask you when you're sober." Chase let out a small chuckle.

Nicole frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"When you're cranky, it's like you're drunk. You say things you may not mean."

"That's because... yeah, sleep is my passion." She grinned lamely. When Nicole was tired she would be extremely cranky and not in the mood to deal with anyones nonsense so it was best to not stir her up.

"I know," Chase pinched her cheeks causing Nicole to slap his hand away and glare at him which he just chuckled at.

"So, why did y-" Chase got cut off when the bell rang. The two of them walked into class just in time.

Jason glanced at the door when he saw the two of them enter. For a split second he wanted to glare but he shook his head and just looked down at his notebook.

"We should catch up after school," Chase suggested, giving her a small smile.

Nicole nodded seeing as the teacher was glaring at them to sit down, she quickly headed to her seat which just so happened to be beside Jason's.

"Getting the whole class behind," Jason grumbled irritably.

"By like 20 seconds," Nicole replied, rolling her eyes.

"20 seconds too much," he muttered, not having a better comeback but still wanting the last word.

The two of them were trying to keep their voices low so the teacher, Mr.Willow wouldn't hear.

Mr.Willow was known as the schools grumpiest teacher. He was always drinking coffee and mad. Just mad and cranky, always looking for a reason to yell at a student.

One time, he yelled at a kid for accidentally breaking his pencil tip and from then on, the kid starting using pens. Since this is algebra, you're going to tend to make mistakes so the kid got white out which he ended up spilling over a worksheet and let's just say that after that incident the kid never showed his face back in Mr.Willow's classroom.

"Why were you with Chase anyways?" Jason asked, trying to sound like it was casual and that he really didn't care but he truly was very curious.

Nicole narrowed her eyes. "Why would you even ask that?"

"Why not?"

"Because it shouldn't matter to you?" She offered, narrowing her eyes as she looked at him.

"I never said it did," he retorted in a defensive manner.

"Then why'd you ask?"

"Are you going to keep answering my questions with questions?" He asked.

"Should I ask you the same thing?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Because you asked me," Nicole shrugged.

"Ha, I win." Jason said smugly.

"You're despicable."

"You're annoying."

"You're lame."

"You're stupid."

"You're an ass."

"Palmer and Pearson," Mr.W called out causing the two of their heads to shoot up. The teacher was leaning back in his seat with an eyebrow raised, "My best student and my worst student."

Nicole knew that she was most likely failing this class so she knew which one she was labeled as.

"That's a bit of an exaggeration," she said grimly. She figured it was her already cranky self that was giving her the boost and confidence in actually talking back to Willow of all people.

"No, I don't think so," the teacher shook his head, speaking calmly and matter-of-a-factly. Him and Nicole also, had a little hatred for one other. "Since you two seem so engaged in some conversation which of course must be about algebra," the teacher hinted. "Why don't you, Jason, tutor your friend? She's failing this class and could use the help."

Nicole's eyes widened. "N-no, I think I'll pass." She no way in hell was going to get tutored by Jason of all people. Him suggesting that was worse enough, distracting her from the fact that the teacher just called her out in front of the whole class.

"I don't recall asking you," the teacher retorted, giving her a dull look.

Nicole glared at him as he looked at Jason, waiting for an answer.

"Uh, I mean I guess I could," Jason answered slowly, obviously intimidated by the teacher and not wanting to say no because he knew Mr.Willow was telling more than asking when he made the suggestion.

"What?" Nicole exclaimed, taken aback by the fact that Jason was agreeing. She knew he wouldn't want to tutor her either.

"There we have it," Willow grinned evilly - as Nicole would explain. "By the end of the semester, I would expect your grade to be up to at least a 70% from the 20 you're at," he said to Nicole getting a few snickers and laughs from the class.

"I guess I'll see you after school," Jason smirked, amusement dancing through his eyes as he shot Nicole a wink.