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  "Look at this." Jason shoved his phone in Riley's face, showing him the picture, the worst one, of me straddling Cameron. And when I whispering in his ear.

  I really needed to think through my plans better.

  "Riley, wait!" I called.

  "Bye, Farrah." Riley replied in a dull tone.

  "Riles!" I yelled. "Wait! It was something completely different to what it looked like- it has been taken out of context!"

  "It really hasn't." Jason smirked.

  "I hate you. You don't deserve me to tutor you. I might just tell you all the wrong stuff and make you fail." I snapped childishly.

  "You love me." Jason winked. "We were like best friends yesterday."

  "Nah, she loves me." Cameron interrupted. "Don't you Farrah Chambers?"

  "Quit. Saying. My. Full. Name." I seethed.

  "Getting angry, are we?" Cameron teased. "Get your recorders out ladies and gentlemen- Farrah Chambers is about to blow her top. It's quite funny."

  "I hate you Cameron Carter."

  "You'll come around."

  ***

  "Did you mean what you said about teaching me all the wrong stuff?" Jason asked later. I looked at him in surprise. I didn't think he cared particularly.

  "No, of course not. Why?" I told him.

  "Good. I don't wanna fail. As nerdy as it sounds- ugh you're rubbing off on me!" Jason cringed.

  "Don't be an ass." I smacked his arm lightly. "Okay, so from your notes, try and say 'I'm Jason Evans. I like girls with brown hair'."

  "Uh..." Jason fumbled through loads of paper and picked up a tiny A5 sheet, with rough, pencil scribbling on it. "Je m'appelle Jason Evans, et j'aime les filles aux cheveux brun."

  "Awesome!" I cheered. "Well done Jason!"

  "That was right? I didn't think I listened that day in class." Jason mused.

  "Or any day in class." I muttered, jokingly. Suddenly, I was pinned down to the couch, Jason hovering over me.

  "Wanna say that again, Farrah?" Jason smirked. He had a glint in his eye and I struggled to get up.

  "Yeah. Or any day in class, I said. You mess around all the time." I threw at him.

  "That's 'cause I'm a bad-ass." He grinned.

  "Or just an ass." I suggested. He hung his head and laughed, before getting off of me.

  "You're quite cool, you know. In a weird, nerdy, sarcastic way." Jason told me.

  "Um, thank you?"

  "It was a compliment." Jason informed me.

  "It was? Okay then, thank you." I smiled.

  "That sounded just like the first time."

  "I'm not sure I can trust you. You made me sit on Cameron and then uploaded pictures of it to the world wide web." I reminded him.

  "You can trust me." Jason cocked his head, giving me a playful smile.

  "Um, I'm gonna go on the safe side and say I can't."

  "Fine, fine, you don't have to trust me. But you have to trust some of what I say, if for the next five weeks we'll be working together on thus project."

  "True..."

  "So how about we study at mine tomorrow?" Jason tried.

  "Huh?" I gasped. Going to a boy's house? Wow.

  "Yeah, come on."

  "Okay." I grinned.

  I was a fool.

  *Friday*

  "Why isn't Riley talking to you?" Hayley asked me, looking across at Riley, as if he wasn't even there.

  "He won't talk to me because...well, did you see the photos Jason Evans uploaded to Facebook?" I sighed.

  "No. Duh, I don't have Facebook!" Hayley reminded me.

  "Damn you." I groaned. "Riles, talk to me. And explain to Hayley why you won't."

  He continued to push his food around with his fork thoughtfully, a sad look on his face. I felt bad. I knew Riley liked me- but I didn't know he liked me this much. But maybe he was just upset that I snapped at him? Or that I cheated on him?

  Wait, wait, wait. We weren't even dating. And I certainly didn't do anything with Cameron Carter.

  Yeuch.

  "Riley!" Hayley poked him with her spoon, which, was covered in pasta. Ew.

  "I'm fine." He mumbled.

  "Oh thank God, you're talking!" I exclaimed. "Look I'm so sorry Riles, but it wasn't what it looked like at all, you just caught me at the wrong moment! Well, saw the photo at the wrong moment. Besides, IwastryingoutanideatoseewhatCameron'sreactionwouldbe!"

  I waited for Riley's reply, but instead he turned to Hayley.

  "I'm gonna go see if they have any cakes left." He muttered. He then got up, and left.

  "Typical boy." I rolled my eyes. "It wasn't even that bad! It's not like I was kissing Cameron! Yuck, no. Besides, I'm not dating Riley. He has no right to treat me this way!"

  I wanted Hayley to comfort me, tell me it wasn't my fault, Riley was just being a typical, hormonal guy. But all I got was, "I wanna see the picture!"

  "Hayley!" I face-palmed. "Why on Earth would I want more people to see it?"

  She frowned. "I'm not 'more' people- I'm your best friend!"

  "I know but..."

  "Every since you started hanging out with Cameron and Jason you've been really different. Everything is about them, and now you've made Riley upset because of it. Just show me the damn picture! Then I can decide if Riles is being over the top. Or you, for that matter."

  "Woah, where did all of that come from?" I croaked.

  "It's just what I think. We're best friends, we need to be honest with each other. Now show me the picture." Hayley folded her arms over her chest.

  "I...I don't have it. Why would I keep a picture, one I hate, on my phone? I never had it anyway." I realised as I spoke.

  "Go on Facebook."

  "I don't have internet."

  She huffed and stood up. "I'm going to go make sure Riley is okay. I'll be back in a bit."

  "Okay." I mumbled. Great- thanks to Cameron Carter, my social life was messed up.

  "All alone, Farrah Chambers?" A voice floated over.

  "You're such a pervert." I snapped at Cameron.

  "Now, now, don't be mean." Cameron tutted. He swung his bag over his shoulder before sitting down next to me- very close.

  "Have you not heard of personal space?" I pushed him away. He moved a little, but not enough for my liking.

  "I was only trying to be nice." He said, looking a little hurt. I didn't care right then though.

  "Nice? By annoying me?"

  "You're so rude. You're just like you were when we first met, just over a week ago." Cameron sighed dramatically, a grin plastered on his face.

  "Okay, there's some double meaning behind this conversation." I narrowed my eyes at him. "What do you want?"

  "I was genuinely being nice!" Cameron exclaimed. Now he really did look hurt. "I was trying to be anyway. You're on your own. I was wondering if you want to sit with me and J."

  "J?" I repeated. "Ohh Jason!"

  "Well done." He said sarcastically.

  "I'm fine though." I sighed. "I'm waiting for Hayley and maybe Riley."

  "Maybe?"

  "He won't talk to me after 'J' showed him the picture." I scowled across the room at Jason, who was looking at us intensely. "And Hayley is pissed off at me for not showing her the picture."

  "Weird friends." Cameron commented. "Come on, just sit with us. If they're pissed off, they probably just left."

  "Riles was supposed to be at the vendies..." I trailed off, peering through the glass window of the door in the lunchroom, where the vending machines were. No one there.

  "Well?"

  "You irritate me though. You'll make fun of me, or embarrass me again somehow." I pointed out.

  "Gimme a chance. You don't know me very well."

  I don't want to. The plan was to get rid of you.

  A better plan struck me. But it was going to be ten times more difficult. But maybe it would work. Go on Farrah. My mind disposed of the old plan, getting Cameron off of my back was impossible. I had barely started, in fact, I hadn't really started a
t all. But this new plan would work better, I was sure. Cameron was a difficult boy to gamble with. My new plan? Become his friend.

  "All right." I nodded.

  ***

  I was sat at the table with Jason and Cameron, unable to hide my worry. For starters, I was sat with Cameron Carter, and Jason Evans. The two most popular boys at school, the two most lethal- and by far the two most annoying.

  I looked around the lunchroom, not wanting to join their conversation about girls. I looked over at where I was sat before. Holy, God damn shit on toast. Hayley and Riley were sat there, their eyes throwing daggers at me. I clutched my heart as if I had been struck by a dagger. I was a bad friend. Today was just not my day.

  "What's wrong Farrah Chambers?" Cameron asked, prodding me.

  "Don't prod me." I frowned.

  "You're so fancy." Jason grinned.

  "Ugh, don't say that." I whined. I let my eyes slide back to where my friends were sitting and jumped at the horrible looks they gave me. Maybe I could just go back...?

  "Oi!" Cameron kicked my leg under the table. "What's wrong?"

  "Um, nothing. But I think I'm gonna go sit back over-"

  "No you're not." Cameron grinned, yanking me back down in my seat.

  "You don't control me." I glared.

  "I know. But you always sit with them. Sit with the rebels instead of nerds for once." Cameron told me.

  "Don't insult my-"

  "Friends?" He supplied. "They're not acting like good friends."

  He had a point.

  "Besides we need to talk to you." Jason announced.

  "What about?" My eyebrows furrowed in confusement.

  "You're still coming to mine, right?" Jason asked.

  "Uh, yeah. Why? Oh dear Lord, you're not throwing a party are you?!" I panicked.

  "No!" Jason chuckled. "No. But Cameron's going to join us studying."

  "What? No!" I snapped.

  "It's at my house remember?" Jason reminded me.

  "So? He doesn't need tutoring!" I pointed out.

  "Well..."

  I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean, 'well'?"

  "But Sir! Why do I have to work with them both?" I complained after school. I had rushed down to the my French classroom when last period ended, to all ready find Jason and Cameron there. Apparently I was so predictable they knew I'd be there to moan.

  "Because Cameron isn't doing too well either. It's too much of a struggle on his own." Mr Lopez informed me, stacking bits of paper. How cliché.

  "Sir!" I whined. "You said yourself he gets distracted easily!"

  "He's been well behaved in lessons recently," Liar. "And I know you're a dependable, hard-working student. If anyone can tame Mr Carter, it's you."

  "But Sir-"

  "No more buts, please! Sheesh, Miss Chambers." He rolled his eyes. What kind of a teacher said, 'sheesh'?

  "Can't someone else-"

  "You'll get extra credit for doing this." Mr Lopez told me.

  "Fine." I grumbled. I stalked out, but heard Mr Lopez's victorious whistle, and the guys' sniggers.

  "Teacher's pet!" Jason called from behind me.

  "Extra credit bird!" Cameron put in.

  Friday- supposedly the best day of the school week. The last. I had a feeling my Friday was about to get shaken up a little.

  Chapter 12

  The first thing I noticed when I stepped into Jason's house, was that the mat on the floor said 'welcome'. I could not imagine Jason choosing that mat.

  "Jason honey! I'm in the kitchen!" A woman's voice called. I assumed it was Jason's Mom. Cameron sauntered into the house, so I just followed him, as Jason was trying to get his key out of the lock, where it had jammed. I could have helped, but I was too intrigued to see his house.

  I followed Cameron into what looked to be the living room. Two black, leather couches faced a huge TV, a smaller, lankier version of Jason sprawled across one of them.

  "'Sup Brody?" Cameron said to the boy. Brody? I wondered if he was Jason's brother. He probably was- so me and Jason had something in common.

  "Your face." Brody replied, not taking his eyes off of his phone, clutching it in his hands as if it were his most prized possession. He looked about twelve or thirteen, so it most likely was.

  "Dude, that's old." Jason scoffed, coming into the room. Cameron flopped on one couch, while Jason walked into another room and started talking to someone. I figured it was the kitchen where his Mom was, and followed him instead of Cameron.

  "...give one to Brody as well, he'll throw a fit otherwise." A short, black haired woman finished telling Jason. She had brown eyes, and a caring smile. "Oh! Hello!"

  Jason spun around and beckoned me further into the kitchen. It wasn't the tidiest, but with my room, I wasn't one to say anything.

  "Come here, Farrah." Jason said. "This is my mom."

  "Hello, honey!" She cried, grinning at me. "I'm Helen."

  "Hi." I replied shakily, shocked by her warm greeting. She walked over to me and hugged me. I realised I hadn't introduced myself, and didn't want to be seen as rude. I mumbled into her shoulder, "I'm Farrah."

  "Of course you are! Welcome to our home, hon. Sorry it's kind of...well really messy. Jason and Brody are captains of mess, dirt and mud, I swear. And blood." She narrowed her eyes at Jason.

  "Good welcome, Mom." Jason rolled his eyes. He held out something to me in his hand. I saw it was a sandwich. Yum.

  "Thanks." I accepted it, taking it in my own hands. It was warm and my hands sunk into the bread, grease seeping through. "What is it?"

  "It's-" Jason began.

  "Bacon." His mom interrupted. "I was wondering about maybe asking you first what you wanted, and then I had this crazy idea you were vegetarian! But Jason told me you like to eat- no offence dear- and just told me to make bacon sandwiches. Do you like them?"

  I bit into the sandwich and grinned, bacon stuck in between my teeth, the warm, soggy bread also stuck. "Yep! Yummy!"

  "You're such a kid." Jason told me. He walked back into the living room, and I thanked Helen one more time before following him.

  "I smell bacon!" Brody yelled, leaping up from the couch. He stopped short when he saw me. "Who the hell are you?"

  "That's Farrah Chambers." Cameron told him before I could even open my mouth. "Call her by her full name and it annoys her."

  I glared at him.

  "Where did you come from?" Brody asked, looking from the front door, to the door leading to the kitchen.

  "Her Momma's privates." Cameron said slyly.

  "Shut up, would you?" I snapped.

  "Feisty Farrah." Jason winked, passing me and collapsing next to Cameron. He gave his friend a sandwich and I stood awkwardly, not knowing where to sit. I wasn't going to sit next to the surly Brody kid, that was for sure.

  "Hey! Where's mine?!" Brody raged when he saw us all eating bacon. He turned to me when he asked the question, as if it were my fault he didn't have one. I looked at him with curiosity. He looked a lot like his brother, but different at the same time. Whereas Jason had black hair, I could tell that now, Brody had brown hair, still dark, but light enough to be called brown. His eyes were blue, not green, and he had a few freckles. He was definitely a different build to Jason though. Jason was big and muscly, threatening. Brody was smaller, thinner, and lankier. He smirked when he saw me looking at him.

  "Like what you see?" He asked cockily.

  "Ugh, please!" I spat, horrified. "You're only what, twelve?"

  Brody scowled, snatched his bacon sandwich from his brother and went back to his phone. I looked at the arm of the chair next to Jason. I could have sat there, but I wasn't sure if it were a rule if you could sit on them or not.

  "I understand you not wanting to sit next to the brat." Jason interrupted my thoughts. "You could always sit-"

  Yes?

  "-on Cameron."

  No.

  "I'm fi-" I started.

  "Cameron has a girlfriend?" Brody blinked. "Yo
u're Cam's girlfriend?"

  "No!" Me and Cameron shouted at the same time. Both Evans brothers raised their eyebrows.

  "I told you not to call me Cam, as well. It bugs me." Cameron hissed, leaning back and putting his feet on Jason. I beamed.

  "Cam?" I echoed. I decided to go for it and perch on the couch arm, throwing Cameron's feet to the floor to annoy him. "Cam!"

  "No, no, no." Cameron complained.

  "What have you done?" Jason laughed at his brother.

  "I did nothing." Brody smirked. He once again turned back to his phone, but I saw him peek out from underneath his hair.

  "Cam! Cam! Cam!" I sang.

  "Farrah Chambers, Farrah Chambers, Farrah Chambers!" Cameron retorted.

  "You know what?" I smiled devilishly. "I have a better name for you, Cam."

  "What?" All three boys asked. Cameron groaned, but the other two seemed very into annoying their friend.

  "Cammie!" I squealed.

  "NO!" Cameron barked.

  "Yes!" Brody cheered.

  "Dude." Was all Jason could say. He patted Cameron on the back, chuckling.

  "Let's just study." Cameron grumbled.

  "Study?" Brody gasped. "I'm outta here!"

  He raced out of the room, and I just looked at Cameron and Jason. "What was that for?"

  They just smiled to themselves. Jerks.

  "Jesus, J." Cameron cried, outstanded. "Who knew you were such a smartass?"

  Jason caught my eye and silently begged me not to say anything about his dyslexia. I nodded and wondered why he couldn't even tell Cameron. Was Cameron such an ass he would laugh? Maybe being friends with Cameron wasn't the best option.

  An hour after we had finished studying, we were lounging around on the couches, watching TV. A weird Japanese show was on, and it really was boring. Helen came in, what seemed every two minutes, with more food. I felt like I would burst.

  Jason was snacking on some potato chips, along with Cameron. I however, hadn't even started mine- I was trying to finish off my pretzels. They were delicious- but oh so tiring to eat. My mouth felt like I had been chewing gum for hours or something. I must have looked like a fish when I was chomping on the pretzels.