The plan started out innocent enough. Just a few people getting together down by the lake. It was Josie’s idea. She’s always the one coming up with spontaneous things for us to do. It was easy to pull off too. Sage said her family has a cabin down by lake liquor. It’s not really called that, but since it’s a prime place for high school kids to drink and get away with it that’s its unofficial name. She made sure to snag the spare key from her house and spread the word to a few people.

Sophie agreed to be the cover. She’s the innocent face of the group. No one thinks sweet little Sophie is capable of any harm. So we always use her as a cover for our parents. Her parents always think she’s off studying for some test or something.

It really is too easy these days.

I made sure to pack a weekend bag and take it with me to school on Friday. Leaving it in my car. I’m so glad my parents decided to give me a mini cooper for my 18^th birthday last month.

There wasn’t anything unusual about any of this. This is a normal day in my life with my friends and best friend Josie. Life is always crazy around these girls. The whole plan was to go out and have some wild fun, maybe find a cute guy to hook up with.

Well that “maybe” turned into a mission as soon as first period started.

We had a sub in chem and everyone was already goofing off before the class even started.

“Settle down, everyone settle down,” Poor Ms. Mayfield, she is such a pushover. When she’s subbing everyone knows they can just do whatever they want. She talks so quietly too. If the room isn’t quiet you can hardly hear her.

“Ugh, Mayfield again,” Josie pulled out her phone.

“Did you pack your bag?” I ask her.

“Sure did. We’re rooming together, Sage said so.”

“Just don’t hog all the blankets like you usually do.” I pull out my own phone.

Josie snorts in amusement.

“Josephine Hampton?” Ms. Mayfield calls.

“Here, and for the hundredth time it’s Josie!”  

“Kathleen Hanson?”

“Here, and it’s Kat!” I shout back.

“Kathleen, your name sounds like someone who works the front desk at a law firm.”

“Shut it, Josephine, your name sounds like you’ll grow up to live alone in the country.”

“Shut up,” she laughs and kicks me in the leg.

“You first,” I giggle and kick her back.

See, just a normal day.

Until he walked in.

The whole room went silent. I didn’t even know he was coming back today. Last I saw him he was as thin as my pinky and his voice squeaked when he talked. I felt my heart stop. No longer was he the geek everyone picked on. Standing in the doorway was the hottest bad boy I’d ever seen.

I knew I had to make him mine.

“Can I help you?” Ms. Mayfield asks.

“It’s Carson Bowers, I was told I’m in this class.” He shuffled in and plopped down at the first empty desk by the door, which allowed me to stare at him through the corner of my eyes. I didn’t want to make it obvious I was looking.

I know it’s embarrassing but I’ve had a huge crush on him even before he was hot and cool. Back when we were kids and he was dorky and pimply. Even all the way back then I was in love with him. Josie always picked on me for it. She’s the only one who knows how I feel about Carson Bowers.

As the wheels turned in my head, I made a plan.

Carson Bowers was going to come to the lake tonight, and I was going to make him mine if it’s the last thing I ever do. I waited so long for him; I can’t wait any longer. He is fresh for picking and if I don’t snatch him up soon, some other girl will.

Carson was a dufus, a geek, a loser, for most of his life. We never had the same social circles. He’s lived down the street from me my whole life and I’ve always been in love with him. He’s just the sweetest, cutest, most adorkable guy I’ve ever met. A cliché nice guy. Well, he was, until last year.

Carson used to get bullied all the time. I mean I hated watching it, but what could I do? We didn’t exactly talk to each other in school and he told me once not to intervein. So, I always just stayed back and let it happen. Not the coolest or smartest thing to do but can’t change that now. One day he just snapped. Lost his mind. He went full-on ape shit on this guy, beat the snot out of him. There was blood everywhere. Cops were called, he had to be tazed and dragged out.

After that Carson became a legend. Every time someone told the story it got cooler and more unbelievable. People bowed down to him; the story of a wimp turned hero.

That guy ended pressing charges and moving away from shame. Carson got sent to a year in Juvi. Now he’s back and hotter than ever. Gone is wimpy, pimply Carson. Here, is hunky, sexy, Carson. He’s finally filled out, ripped even. His hair, god his sexy hair. It’s black and styled up with that sexy windblown vampire look. He has nice new clothes. Form-fitting black jeans and a purple polo shirt. I could just stare at him all day. He’s so hot.

I’ve always thought so, but now more than ever.

Sure, someone like me, Kat, one of the most popular girls in school, wouldn’t look good dating some emo bad boy but I don’t care. The heart wants what it wants. Nothing was going to keep me away from him.

“Uh oh, I know that look,” Josie said.

“I’m going to ask him to come tonight,” I said in determination.

“Kat—”

“You are the one who told me I couldn’t date him before because he was a loser. Well, look at him now! He’s smoking hot. Puberty gone right with this child. No way I can let him slip through my fingers again. I have to try.”

“But—”

“Don’t talk me out of this. Mark my words, tonight, he’s mine.”

She sighed in defeat.

As soon as the bell rang for the next class I bolted out of my seat and over to him, pushing past anyone else who dare try and talk to him first.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey,” he smiled at me.

For a moment I forgot what I was going to say and I just stared at him in silence, lost in his dark dreamy eyes. He cleared his throat when I stared too long.

“Oh uh,” I felt my face heat up. “A few friends and I are headed to the lake tonight. You should come. I want you to come. We can like, hang out and catch up. Like we used to, remember?”

“Okay, sounds fun.”

“Awesome, see you there.”

“It’s nice seeing you again Kat,” he pulled me in for a hug.

God, he even smells dreamy.

Josie cleared her throat and I pulled back.

“Come on, we are going to be late for our next class.” She grabbed my wrist and pulled me away.

“See you tonight!” I called to Carson.

He chuckled before walking off.

“Desperate much?” Josie snarked.

“Shut up, that’s my future husband right there.” I sigh dreamily.

She rolled her eyes.

To Be Continued...

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