Crystal was not aware of the girl that Derain claimed as his own, but then again she also wasn't aware of the budding feelings he had at the moment. She was concentrating on the paper. It was difficult to recall exactly what she wanted to put in these papers but in every single one of them she took a slightly different angle. It one she might analyze the importance of a character and in another look at the overall plot and what it means and why it's important.

When the bell rang she nearly jumped out of her seat. She looked around again to make sure no one was looking. When she was satisfied with that she picked up her things and waited for him. She wanted to walk with him since she didn't know anyone else. She would need to get some friends here but she was wary of how some of the girls sneered at her for walking with Derain, they obviously were going bonkers over him and it was only their first day here.

(( so far classes have been homeroom - gym - english, how many classes did we agree on?)

(Dunno, so let's make it 6 more including lunch.... Science, math, creative writing, lunch, art, computers? I just want creative writing, and they need lunch so......)

Derain took his phone out of his pocket to read the message that came in. He saw it was from Ashley, and decided to open it now. It read: 'Baby, what's going on? You sound distant, you're not cheating on me with some little slut are you?'

Derain sighed and pocketed the phone, he was gonna break up with her after school, she may be an heiress, but she was too annoying for him, he couldn't stand her mood swings nor her jealousy............... Didn't she know he never cheated? He never had even after she had, with his best friend who was actually not at fault because he didn't know her. Derain kept those lives secret. He didn't want them to touch each other. If only he could find someone who he could actually confide in and not have to look over his shoulder for every minute. He would make his wife happy... His parents cared, but they were split, they didn't see much eye to eye, but they loved their son, and would never want to see him hurt.

That's the only thing they could agree on other than the divorce.

((That would be seven because of Gym being after homeroom and then English so Why don't we do this order: gym, english, science, math, creative writing, lunch, and the art or computers?))

Crysal seemed disordered at the moment with the rush of students. She hadn't realized that Derain wasn't right behind her and when she was trying to locate her ways through the halls she got frustrated. Then there was a girl in front of her suddenly, looking a bit too vicious.

"So I see you're getting friendly with the new guy," the girl said, her green eyes sparkling slightly as if she were discussing some important thing about fashion. "I would advise being careful though, you might end up being enemies with me or my friends. Believe me, we're not too great to be enemies with." The girl's hand was gripping Crystal's but she was successfully ignoring it at the moment, but felt it get more painful as she squeezed harder.

Derain caught sight of Crystal, he didn't miss the malicious gleam in the girls eye. He walked up and gently took her hand from hers. He held it tenderly in his own and glared down at the green eyed girl. It suited her for her jealosy...

He leaned down to her ear as though whispering a secret. "If you hurt her in anyway, you will regret it... In anyway I so choose to make your life miserable, remember that you couldn't help but warn the new girl....." His eyes snapped coldly at her and her friends and he quietly drew back and leaned on Crystal.

"Let's just get to class before we make a scene." He said low enough tugging on her hand to get her moving. He wouldn't have people singling her out because of him, he could handle himself, but he didn't want to get her hurt in the process of becoming a friend.

'ARGH!!!!! Which is it?! Do you want her as a friend or a girlfriend?!' His mind screamed this over and over at him as he wound his way through the crowded halls, pushing through and making room for Crystal to get by.

(I know mind, and homeroom has never counted as a class to me *smiles* Is it an everyday thing? Cuz we only have it for major tests and first day....)

Crystal was shocked by how he'd come to 'save' her from the girls but even more shocked that the girls were so highly interested in him. When he'd whispered into the girl's ear she started to get embarrassed. The girl had glared at her with frustration.

As they walked through the hallways she was trying to process why he was being so nice. He should know by now that she wasn't as good as she seemed. She searched her thoughts to figure out why she deserved someone to be so nice to her and guilt began to overwhelm her.

"NO, I will not give in to such self-loathing thoughts. I need to focus on the mission and my future," she thought to herself as she focused on getting to class and looking like she was innocent in the same process.

((That sounds good. I never had it in high school and when I had it in junior high it was shortened))

(And so you're back! From outer space! I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face! I should have changed the stupid lock, I should've made you leave your key, it I'd known for just one second you'd be back to bother me! Go on now go! Walk out the door, just turn around now, cuz you're not welcome anymore! Weren't you the one who tried to break me with good-bye? You thought I'd crumble, you thought I'd lay down and die! OH no not I! I will survive! Cuz as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive, I've got all my life to live, I've got all my love to give! I will survive, I will survive, hey heeeyy!)

"Um... What class is next? I have a terrible memory..." he lied through his teeth in an attempt to get her talking. Why couldn't he just be a good boyfriend and remain faithful to Ashley? He had to find someone else... Usually he could resist temptation, but there was something misleading about Crystal, and it had lead him right to her.

And oddly enough, he didn't want to get away. He wanted to stay with her, her hand in his and her by his side. It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to him. But that didn't make it right, or even mean that it was the most natural thing.... He would be able to fight his demons later but he was worried about her. She looked a bit shaken from the encounter.

Crystal had been lost in thought and hadn't really considered what class they had next or where they were going. She'd zoned out for the most part and had been trying to hide. When he spoke though she jumped slightly before relaxing. As she thought about the question carefully she realized she had no clue what class was next. She looked frightened for a brief moment before looking at him.

"I don't know where I'm going," she admitted sheepishly as she tried to dig through her bag to find the class list and map she'd received. It wasn't the best spot to look through her bag because people kept running into her and each moment she got a little more frantic.

Derain looked back at her. She didn't seem to be quite relaxed, or controlled as he'd seen her earlier.

"Look, let's skip the rest of the day... I can vouch for you and then no one'll have to say a word about it... But that's only if you want to." He offered quietly, as he squeezed her hand gently. She would probably say no, and ask what he thought of her to ask her to skip with him... But it was worth it, to take her away from here and possibly help her relax, she looked like a frightened child about to be scolded...

"We'll miss important information if we don't go to class though," she said though she was tempted by the offer. She needed to at least get through a majority of the day. She looked at him earnestly not sure what she wanted to do, but if her parents got any hint of her skipping she'd get punished. If she skipped there would be some positive things about it but if she didn't she wouldn't have to worry about being caught.

Derain grinned at her. Then he changed his direction to the principals office. He usually didn't use his position to get what he wanted, but this was the exception. He would ask for his permission to let him and Crystal go.

"Just sit there, I'm gonna go talk to the principal. Alright?" He let go of her hand reluctantly, and looked at her with his most winsome expression. He could get the notes later, and do whatever... He'd never been a selfish person, but for Crystal... He was about to start.

Crystal had followed him if only out of curiosity. When she saw the office she suddenly looked rather ashamed of herself. It would benefit her to skip with him but she needed to be at school. If he could get the notes however and give them to her she would have the chance to study. She did that in a few classes, aced the tests because she just studied a lot.

"Okay," she said, finally allowing herself to agree to the heinous act. She watched him as he walked into the principal's office, wondering what he had to say just to get out of a day of classes.

Derain winked at her and strode into the principals open office. He closed the door gently behind him and set about negotiating for their freedom.

After 15 minutes her came out two notes in their hands to give to their teachers and them to fill in... all they had to do was fill in the date and hand it to teachers, they'd be home free for as long as they wanted, the notes would be sent to an email address or something. Whatever they choose. For once he liked his background, it aided him in his quest to see Crystal smile... And he wouldn't have it any other way... not like he couldn't be home schooled.

His parents were so understanding of what he wanted, if only to make sure he didn't abandon the company he would one day inherit...

"Let's fill 'em out and go..." he said quietly handing her one and pulling out a pen.

Crystal took the pen from him and followed him. She was filling the sheet out now and she could recall all the teachers names, a surprise to her. She had attempted to memorize her schedule before she came to school but had been distracted in the hallway. She watched him though with a keen interest that she hadn't expected to have. There was something about him that she could put her finger on, something that was so entrancing that she couldn't resist it.

"We have to bring them to the teachers?" she asked quietly. "I don't understand how this works."

Derain looked back at her. "We put our names, teacher names, periods and the classes... then the date we'll be coming back... basically he told me we could come back when we wanted, but I doubt you'd be very comfortable skipping... Oh don't forgert to put your email so the notes can be sent to you without your parents knowing or whatever..." he said quietly to her in explanation.

He silently put down his informartion and waited for Crystal to do the same... "When do you think we should come back? I mean I won't get in trouble but I don't know about you... I don't normally do things like this, actually, this is the first time I've ever skipped school..." he admitted quietly to her still thinking about some things, but not wanting to disturb her more than he already had.

"It would be nice to come back by tomorrow," Crystal said in a quiet voice as she filled out the card. In all honesty she didn't want to be at school at the moment. She was sick of getting stared at because she was new and she just wanted to be at her old school. This whole mission was getting ridiculous, and he was nice, how could she do that to a nice person? "Sooner would be good, I like art class and computers, but if we lose track of time, oh well."

She'd finished filling out the card so she straightened. She handed him the card, not knowing what else to do with it. She'd filled out her email address on it and knew her parents wouldn't be checking it unless they knew she would have an email correspondence with him.

"Alright, but I'm gonna take full advantage of this... I'm gonna come back sometime next month... There's some things that I do need to do, so might as well handle them before they get too big." He chuckled and put down the first of next month. He would get a chance to hang with her all of today, and then he would see whether it was worth chasing her. He didn't want to seem like some jerk just out for some.

She was different from most girls he dated. But he never liked them, they were all clingy and too dramatic. They lived for the spotlight, and would use any means nessacary to get it.

Crystal on the other hand would be, or rather could be so much more to him. All he had to do was convince her to give him a chance. Then even if he got shot down, he couldn't say he hadn't at least tried.

"Oh," Crystal said with a slight disappointed tone. She had looked forward to having a familiar face in class. She didn't want it to be obvious that she wanted him here. When she got her reaction she smiled slightly. "That sounds a bit long don't you think?" It was a more teasing tone than she had expected and she almost corrected herself again but she stopped herself before her mouth even opened. It was entirely pointless that she'd gotten his exact schedule if he wasn't going to be here. She'd just have to live with her parents' decisions.

"Well there will be a point in time where I'm not coming longer. But if you want me to I will. I don't have to stay gone. You're something to look forward to each day." That last sentence almost made him smack himself.

Why had he said that?! He didn't want her to think he was coming on to her or anything. He wasn't too sure about much right now, but anyway he could he wanted her by his side.

There wasn't any helping this feeling, but he didn't want to make her avoid him. While he was lost in his thoughts he had begun to blush a deep red.

"What do you mean," Crystal asked in a confused tone. She didn't understand what he meant by what he said. Why had he just told her she'd be something to look forward to everyday. When she saw him blushing she became even more confused. The longer she looked at him the longer she began to feel something, she couldn't identify it because she'd never felt it before.

"What do you mean: There will be a point in time where I'm not coming any longer." she asked again in a more demanding tone.

((I was confused T_T I hate being sick))

"I have things that will permit me from coming to school. And then, I won't get to see you Crystal. You I want to get to know, before that happens? I wanna be friends, I want you to be the natural you around me... Is that alright with you?" he asked solemly, a blush rising over his fair skin, so he ducked his head to let his hair fall into place to hide it.

The more he thought about it the more excited he got. He wanted to at least get to be her friend, someone she could trust. It was something he was indeed looking forward to. He just hoped she would let him.

She understood what he was saying finally, it hadn't been something she'd done and it didn't have anything to do with her. She couldn't understand why she cared though, it's not like she needed to be interested (or should be) and she didn't expect him to be interested in her. She felt tired now for some reason and let out a sigh. "Let's just go before the current class period gets over with," she said after a moment.

Truth be told Derain was at a complete loss for words. He'd just poured his heart out and gotten shot down. He didn't have to say anything, cuz he could hear his heart crumbling in the background.

"Alright..." was all he said before ducking his head and walking to their next class, he didn't remember what subject it was but he remembered all the hallways and classrooms, he knew exactly where he was going before he thought about it. He looked up briefly and knocked on the door before stepping back to let Crystal go before him.

Crystal could sense she'd said something wrong but she wasn't sure what it was. She looked sheepishly down at the ground for a while as they walked wherever they were going. When the door was answered Crystal walked in before him, not sure what she was supposed to say but produced the piece of paper that he'd given her.

Derain handed the not to the teacher and said a few well placed words before backing out of the door and again let Crystal go ahead of him. He slowly walked to his modded Acura Integra. The black interior complemented the white exterior, and the gold trim. He opened her door and held out a hand to help into her the car.

She got in the car after he'd assisted her and let herself sink into the sit. She placed her bag on the floor in front of her and observed the contours of the car. She waited patiently for him to come over to the driver's side after he shut the door, letting her fingers run across the smooth leather. She'd always been fascinated by cars but hadn't known much about them. Before he got to the driver's side she noticed how she started to watch him, the way his movements seemed fluid and purposeful, the way he carried himself that made him seem even more confident than she had initially realized.