"I was never one for English," Fera admitted at the end of class. From the sigh she released while shoving her books in her bag with ferocious speed, I could tell she was glad to be rid of the period.

"I'm so glad it's over."

"Really?" I asked, with a small chuckle. "What has English ever done to you?"

"Well..." She pauses, swinging her panda bag over her shoulder. "Let's just say my dog liked it way more than me."

"Your dog ate your homework?" I guessed with a smile.

"Yep." She popped the p displaying all whites. The tip of her lip curved at one side revealing a dimple. It was small, and while not so noticeable,I still felt myself thinking it was cute. I wanted dimples. "Imagine my surprise in the morning when I had to go to school empty-handed on the day it was due. So you can't blame me for hating it after that."

"Damn."

I knew someone was looking at me when little shivers travelled down my spine. Scanning the room immediately, I locked gazes with glare queen two rows below. My heart seized in my chest briefly, at the reality that she had her eyes on me but I couldn't see her. Now that I stared into her chocolate brown eyes, my heart was able to calm down completely. They narrowed at me beneath long eyelashes. Almost like sizing me up.

That didn't go well with me at all. I was more unappreciative with the grimace plastered on her full lips. I felt my eyes harden as I slipped my bag onto my shoulder. The material dug into my skin but I ignored it, preoccupied. My expression must have communicated the sick feeling in my stomach because her lip twitched in annoyance when I slipped my bag onto my shoulder.

"That girl has a real problem." Fera clicked her tongue, making no effort to hide her pity. She treated it like the girl was beyond help. Maybe she is. "Don't worry about it." She patted my shoulder. "Come on."

Following pursuit, I made it my mission to dodge tables and chairs with her before we exited the class. The classroom was made filled with three rows and two available walkways. Fera didn't take the path(which would have been the logical answer) but went through the rows instead. We emerged into a hallway bustling with students.

Conversations bounced off the walls, students littering the space as they zipped past each other to the cafeteria. The one thing I liked about Skye-West was the old structure. Inside, the walls were made out of cement and painted in a light grassy green. On the exterior, it was bricked walls and cobblestones for pathways. Glare Queen chipped at my brain every second Fera told me not to worry about it.

"Who is she, anyway?" I blurted.

"Who?"

"The girl from before."

"You mean Electra Saulsberry?"

I still preferred Glare Queen better. "Yeah... her."

She hooked her arm around my shoulders suddenly. I felt my eyes widen in surprise as I looked at her. Blue stared uncertainly at me, not knowing if her actions were appropriate or not. When I didn't squirm from her hold, deciding I quite liked it, we picked up the pace again. From the corner of my eye, Fera wore a proud grin. Everything about Fera so far told me she was an easy-going person. From the warm expressions, sweet voice filled with enthusiasm, and playful nature; she made you want to be around her.

"Electra Saulsberry is only Striker's new conquest."

She rolled her eyes like it was all overrated. As for me, I was attempting to wrap my head around the conquest part.

"You make it sound like it's a common occurrence."

"Because it is," she said matter-of-factly. "But not that it can bother many people here. Girls love to swarm to him, and boys have to let it go- whether they like it or not. The story sold short, Striker Cunningham is this schools leader."

Striker Cunningham, the school leader. Well, how about that. This all felt like some kind of ridiculous movie scenario. I had the urge to just break into a fit of historical laughter.

"Talking about Striker." She pointed her chin in the direction of the wall just before the double doors leading to the cafeteria. A group of seniors occupied the space along with Electra. She stood beside the guy against the wall in the centre, one leg over the other; owning his comfortableness. He wore black skinny jeans that hugged his bronze skin; a white singlet under a leather jacket that complimented his lean body, and black Nike shoes.

Something about the way he carried himself in the space stole my attention. As if he knew nothing could hurt him. It was unnerving. Butterflies began to reside in my chest.

You should stop looking now Verona. I'd been staring for a good four minutes now. Reaching where they were, it made it easier to see him through the opening more closely.

Striker felt my gaze bore into him, and there was no time to regret my actions when his head lifted to find me looking at him. Should have stopped. Dark brown-like wet bark- studied me calmly. Striker kept his expression neutral-not giving any hint to what he was thinking. My gaze kept strong, not faltering or trying to avoid the deepness his eyes seemed to possess.

Soon his friends seemed to copy noticing his distraction. They all stared silently, shattering my eye contact with him."Where not desserts you can eat, Bailey." Fera's voice dripped with sarcasm. "I suggest diverting your eyes."

A guy with ash-brown hair and a smile plastered on his olive skin flickered his eyes to Fera. From my perpetual vision, Fera challenged him with a glare while we walked. "I could eat you up all the same." He replied, clearly amused. "How about it doll?" He sent down the hall as we passed them.

"Yeah"- A slender finger pointed the middle finger at them over her head- "over my dead body!" oohs could be heard above his chuckle. Feeling her arm tighten around me, she dragged me into the cafeteria rolling her eyes at their exchange. Communicating one thing with her eyes, her secret grin she tried to contain said another.