Jaded (Rock Star Trilogy) - By Mercy Amare Page 0,33

promise, no texting, tweeting, or emailing during class!”

“Wow. It's been seven days... Fine,” she caves. “But if I find out otherwise, I will hide your phone tomorrow morning.”

“Deal,” I agree, because she's probably right. The doorbell rings, and I get off the stool. “That would be Stephan. If you need to go anywhere, you can take the Mercedes. See you after school.”

“I'll probably just chill by the pool all day,” she smiles. “See you after school.”

I walk outside, and Stephan is waiting there for me. “Hey, Beautiful,” he greets me.

“How do you know I'm not Bridgett?” I challenge him.

“Because, Scarlett, even though you two are identical, I can easily tell you apart,” he says, kissing me gently on the lips.

When he pulls back, I ask, “How is it so easy to tell?”

Stephan leans closer to me, and whispers in my ear. “Bridgett doesn't look at me like she wants to rip off my clothes, and have sex with me on top of my car.”

I throw my head back, and laugh. “About that...” I bite my lip. “You're hot and all, but I've decided I'm not going to have sex with you until we're in love. Which, like you said, could be a very, very long time.”

He pouts. “But lust is so much fun.”

“I have no doubt that fucking you would be very fun.” I lean closer to him, and trace his bicep with my finger. “But I'm not going to ruin our relationship for one night of fun.”

“Oh, trust me, it would be more than just one night,” he kisses his way down my jaw, and to my neck.

I want so badly to take him up on his offer, but instead push him away. “We have school.”

11:05 am

Only mine.

I am very aware of Stephan's presence in study hall today. In fact, he hasn't stopped playing with my hair since class began. I turn around and swat his hands away.

“Stop that,” I whisper. “You're distracting me.”

“You like it,” he counters.

I narrow my eyes at him. “I know exactly what you're doing, Stephan Montgomery. And it's not going to work on me.”

“What is it you think I'm trying to do?” He questions with his eyebrows raised.

“You're trying to seduce me. And trust me when I say, I'm not an inexperienced high school girl. It's going to take a lot more than sweet words, kissing, and touching to break me.”

He smiles.

“And considering how much grief it took to get you to kiss me, I'm surprised you want more.”

He leans forward in his desk. “Trust me, Scarlett, you're a lot more than just a hook up to me. I want so much more.”

I want to smile at his words, but I don't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he's got to me.

“What is it that you want?” I ask.

“I want you to be mine, and only mine.” He's very to the point, and that is what I like about Stephan. I never have to wonder what he is thinking.

I am unable to hide my smile now. “Why, Stephan, if I didn't know better, I'd say you just asked me to be your girlfriend.”

He shakes his head. “No. I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend in study hall. I will, soon, but when I do, it's going to be special.”

“I look forward to it.”

I turn back around in my chair, and try to focus on my homework in front of me, but I can't. I've never had a boyfriend before. I mean, sure, I've had boyfriends for publicity, but it's never been real before. Stephan is my first crush, and he has the possibility of becoming my first love.

Ok, love is a bit premature... I know that what I'm feeling is not love. But whatever this is, it's powerful, and it's real.

Lust, I remind myself.

Love grows over time, and could possibly happen between us. I'm definitely sticking around to see what happens.

12:06 pm

I seriously LOVE you right now!

Mona approaches me at lunch time. I'm seriously over high school drama, but I paste a smile on my face anyway. I tell myself over and over again that this is for Ethan.

“I want to apologize for my friend, Demi. She can be... extreme,” she smiles sadly. “It is no secret that Stephan and I have reasons to hate each other, but it's not Ethan's fault that his dad married Stephan's mom. If you and Ethan want to eat lunch with us, you're welcome to.”

“Thank you, Mona, but I'm not sure I fit into your