"I think your arse is gettin' bigger by the day, Bronagh."

I closed my eyes and sighed as I stepped into P.E. class in the main hall of my school. All four of the senior classes merge together for P.E., because our classes aren't very big, and we need the numbers to play football or other games after we finish running and other horrible exercises.

After Jason's dig about the size of my bum, I wanted nothing more than to go back to the girls' changing rooms, get my school tracksuit jumper, and tie it around my hips. But I didn't, I just shrugged instead.

"I don't see how anythin' to do with me arse is any concern of yours," I replied as I walked over to the line-up section of the huge hall where we would be running laps.

"I beg to differ, you see, it's very distractin'," Jason continued, grinning as his friends made some crude remarks about what use my arse could be to them.

Dirty bastards!

"Don't look at it then," I growled.

"I think the point Jason is making Bronagh, is that your ass is hard to miss because of its size, therefore, it is distracting."

Oh God, apart I could somewhat deal with them, but together? I might just crumble and die!

"The two of you run ahead of me then, and it won't be a fuckin' distraction'!" I snapped.

Dominic and Jason laughed along with Jason's friends.

I shook my head. "You two are serious dicks. I bet you would make each other's perfect bum boy."

I regretted the words as soon as they were out of my mouth, because the grin that took over Jason's face told me he was about to say something that would probably make me want to kill him or go home and cry.

"I don't think that would work out too well seein' as Nico's dick has been up your arse, mine wouldn't hold much appeal to him after that."

Oh.

My.

God.

"That's a fuckin' lie!" I bellowed.

Jason and his friends laughed and flicked their eyes to Dominic, who was only watching me with a sly grin on his face. I stepped forward to him and shoved his shoulder; he didn't even stumble.

"Tell them it's a lie!" I ordered.

It was Monday today, the party after Darkness was on Friday and upon arriving at school this morning it became clear that Destiny and her mouth had been very busy over the weekend, because everyone knew that Dominic and I slept together. Only thing was they thought we had sex, and we didn't!

"That what is a lie?" Dominic asked innocently.

I felt my left eye twitch. "Tell them we didn't sleep together!"

He raised an eyebrow. "But we did sleep together."

Jason and his friends laughed, hooted, and cheered while I felt my entire body flush with anger.

"We didn't have sex though!" I growled.

Dominic was about to open his mouth when Jason suddenly moved and appeared at my side.

"When is it my turn to test ride that arse and pussy of yours seein' as you aren't a little virgin Mary anymore?"

Dominic raised his eyebrows and cut his eyes to Jason and gave him a look which made Jason pipe down but only a little.

I wanted to cry. All this honestly wasn't fair; I really was a virgin, and I didn't have sex with Dominic, but everyone else thought I did, and suddenly I had morphed into the school slut.

I swallowed the bile that was rising in my throat, and I growled at Jason. "I'll tell Micah what you said if you don't get away from me."

Jason sighed, shook his head, and moved back next to Dominic.

"Fuckin' bitch," Jason spat at me, making his buddies laugh.

I rolled my eyes. "You are a bitch, you little cunt!"

That set them all off laughing, so without a word, I turned and stormed away. I stopped next to the water cooler so I could get a drink, but I froze when arms came around my waist and a chest moulded into my back. It made me tense up and melt at the same time, because he made me feel safe and guarded.

"Go away, Dominic."

He chuckled as he lowered his mouth to my ear. "How did you know it was me?"

I set my jaw. "Because you're the only person who ever touches me or gets in my personal space, that's how I know."

"Hmmm, you didn't seem to mind those times we were kissing. You seemed to enjoy that a lot, pretty girl."

I growled and turned to face him; the dickhead didn't step back, so I did.

"Those two moments were me havin' a brain fart."

Dominic snorted and shook his head. "Whatever you say, pretty girl."

"I really hate you," I spat.

He smiled, his dimples waving at me. "I really hate you too, pretty girl. Catch you later."

Why was he acting like I didn't reject him on Saturday morning, and why the hell did he move back over to Jason and his gang? I shook my head, they fought a few weeks ago, literally kicked and punched the hell out of each other, and now they were buddies? Dominic literally warned Jason off me and now they are hanging out in school?

I will never understand men!

"You okay, Bronagh?"

I jumped and whirled around, my hand flying to my chest.

"You scared me," I breathed.

Gavin smiled at me, the bruise on his jawline almost faded but still slightly visible.

"Sorry."

I shook my head. "Don't be, I was in a world of my own. Today is your first day back from suspension, right? How are you?"

He smiled again; he had such a cute smile. "Yeah, it is, and I'm good, thanks."

I frowned, suddenly feeling horrible and guilty. "Gavin, I've never thanked you for helpin' me with Dominic. I really appreciate you standin' up for me, and you tryin' to get him away from me a couple of weeks ago."

Gavin waved his hand and chuckled a little and gestured to his healing face. "I don't think I helped much at all."

I shook my head. "No, you did. He didn't like hearin' someone else call him out on what he has been doin' to me. He's being a possessive fucker lately, whether it's bullyin' me or tryin' it on with me."

Gavin frowned. "Are you with him?"

I shook my head. "He asked me to be his girlfriend, but I said no. I don't know why he keeps at me so much. I think he really just enjoys pissin' me off."

Gavin snorted. "He clearly wants you, and even though you rejected him, he still wants to be close to you. Bullyin' seems to be his only ticket to get to you. He might enjoy rufflin' your feathers a little as well though."

More than a little.

I grimaced. "Tell me about it."

Gavin smiled. "I kind of owe him in a way though, we all do. You aren't just a shadow around school anymore; you're just like the rest of us since he started here."

I smiled a little and joked, "Who knew it would take a stuck-up American to drag me from my comfort zone?"

"Not me, that's for damn sure," Gavin chuckled.

I smiled at him, shocked at how easy it was to talk to him.

"Lookin' forward to ten wonderful laps of this fine hall?" he then asked sarcastically while gesturing to our surroundings.

I snorted. "Oh yeah, cannot wait to feel like my legs are about to fall off. Dyin' for it all weekend."

Gavin chuckled at me then gestured for me to stand next to him. "You can catch me if I fall," he teased.

I laughed, loudly. "Can you imagine if you did fall, and I tried to catch you? We would both hit the ground in a matter of seconds."

Gavin laughed when he thought about it. He snorted mid-laugh, and it made me laugh louder, which Gavin found extra amusing. When we started our laps, I jogged side by side around the hall with Gavin laughing when I tried to talk through my breathlessness.