Rose didn’t recognize anyone in the classroom, except for one person: Demetri. What’s he doing here? she pondered. Rose hated to imagine him working with kids, who’d be scarred for life.

Like before, Demetri sat at the end of the back row away from everyone. Although Rose didn’t like him, she liked the back row and needed it desperately.

Rose walked up each stair, passing their accompanying rows, and sat on the opposite end of the last as Demetri stared in interest at her. As she didn’t want to become upset again, Rose ignored him. There were twelve desks in between them; she was going to make sure it was more like twelve miles.

In boredom, Rose searched around for the teacher. There wasn’t anyone remotely out of high school here, but one caught her eye. A guy with hair the color of midnight sat in the front row. He appeared no older than Callum, but Rose sensed he didn’t belong. She watched in caution as he stood up.

“Hello class. I’m Mr. West, and I’ll be your teacher,” the guy stated. Mouth agape, Rose wondered if he graduated from college at a young age.

As the bell rang, Mr. West continued.

“Now, we may start. First off, I must go through attendance.”

Rose couldn’t believe he was her teacher. He was her age for crying out loud! This didn’t make sense.

At that moment, the dreadful smell made an appearance. Why does it seem stronger than before? Rose speculated.

Just then, she heard a noise, like someone calling her name. Confused, Rose glanced at the teacher, but it wasn’t him; he was still in the last names starting with “D”. Who was calling her?

“Ambrosia,” Demetri whispered, seated next to her.

Why is he calling me, and how did he move there without me seeing him? Rose wondered.

“Ambrosia,” he whispered again, staring at her.

“What?” she answered. Her annoyance was obvious.

“I wanted to know if I could sit here,” Demetri asked, sounding kind for once.

“You’re already sitting there.”

“Is that a yes? I can move if you want me to.” Demetri made to get up.

Rose pondered over whether she should let him sit beside her. He had been a jerk all day, but she didn’t want to stoop to his level. Although, she didn’t want to deal with him either. Then again, he asked so politely.

“Yeah, fine. You can stay,” Rose replied after a while, settling her own argument.

“Thanks,” Demetri said, grinning.

“Mhmm,” Rose mumbled, facing forward.

Out of the corner of her eye, Rose could see Demetri gazing at her.

Do I have something on my face? Is there something wrong?

When Mr. West called her name, Rose raised her hand, making sure to use the one opposite Demetri. Rose didn’t want Demetri to think she stunk, in case she was making that horrid smell.

“Yes, that’s me.”

For an uncomfortable moment, Mr. West stared at Rose before nodding and continuing to read off the class list. All the while, Demetri continued to watch her.

“Nice name,” Demetri whispered.

“Thanks,” Rose replied, hesitant. Demetri showed a cheerful smile in response. “Why are you being nice to me? I don’t understand. You were being rude all day; now, you’re being nice. Why?” she questioned, skeptical.

“I’m sorry about that. I was in a bad mood,” Demetri muttered, scratching his neck. Rose stared at him in disbelief.

“Yeah, right,” she scoffed.

“I’m telling the truth. I really am sorry,” he frowned.

As if I’d believe him.

“Why were you walking with my sister in the hall just now?” Demetri asked.

“That’s your sister?! I should’ve guessed… She looks a lot like you.”

“Thanks,” Demetri beamed.

“For what?” Rose asked in confusion. She wasn’t complimenting him on anything, but Demetri was used to hearing how beautiful his sister was. He assumed she was doing the same and, in the process, calling him attractive, too.

“Oh. Uh, never mind,” he stammered.

“Okay?”

Ending a brief silence, Rose said, “Can I ask you a question?”

“I hate hearing that. You never know what somebody will ask,” Demetri stated, laughing.

A charming laugh, Rose swooned, but noticing herself caving, she commanded, knock it off, Ambrosia! He’s a jerk. You shouldn’t like him; you can’t.

Aloud, Rose stated, “True, but it’s not bad.” Demetri nodded, reassured. “I think,” Rose added.

“Okay?” Demetri answered, cautious.

“Why are you here? In this class? I would never have guessed you like working with children.”

“Well, I don’t like children,” Demetri added, “I love them. Under the impression I gave you, I wouldn’t expect you to think I do, but you haven’t met the real me; you’ve only seen the upset me. If you would meet the true me, then you would see that.”

“You must have been in an awfully bad mood,” Rose murmured.

“You still don’t believe me,” Demetri grumbled. Rose shook her head. “Then, meet me on the bleachers after school. You’ll see the real me.”

“I don’t know--”

“Come on. You wanted to know why I’m here. Now, you don’t believe me? You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover,” Demetri half-smiled, interrupting her.

“I wasn’t. I was judging it on the fact you’ve been giving me dirty looks all day long, not including what you said to that girl during lunch.”

“I said I was sorry!” Demetri exclaimed, whispering. “Besides, she was a tramp.”

“That didn’t give you any reason to act like that towards her! And so what if you said sorry?!” Rose screamed in a hushed whisper.

“Sorry should count for something,” Demetri mumbled, his eyes flicking away for a moment. Rose glared at him, not budging. “Okay, fine. I hear what you’re saying. I shouldn’t have acted like that,” Demetri groaned, wanting to end the matter. Rose crossed her arms in triumph.

“No, you shouldn’t have.”

“Does this mean I’ll see you, then?”

As an excuse, Rose stated, “My brother drives me home after school. I can’t make him wait.”

“I’ll drive you.”

“You have a car?!”

“Yeah. Now, you can stay,” Demetri smirked.

Even smirking he’s attractive.

Catching herself, Rose ordered, snap out of it! He’s cruel, remember?

“Come on. Give me a chance,” Demetri pleaded, giving her the puppy-dog look. Rose couldn’t force herself to say no, on account of how adorable he appeared.

“Fine,” she groaned, leaving Demetri to smile in triumph.