Chapter 2

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School isn’t as bad as everyone makes it out to be. At least it’s not for me. At least it hasn’t been since he came into my life…

I see him and he sees me across a crowded hallway. Dropping everything he’s doing, he runs to me and lifts me up into his arms. Blue eyes lock with mine as I run my fingers through his soft mane. My entire body feels like jelly in his arms, so much so that my eyes close at the sensation. He nuzzles his face at the crook of my neck and again it makes me shiver.

This is it… heavenly music fills the background as heart shaped clouds appear from out of nowhere.

“Julia…”

Eyes flutter open at the sound of my name. His lips kiss along side my jaw line making a small giggle escape my lips. It doesn’t even matter that we’re in the middle of the school hallway. Being in his arms is everything. Time comes to a halt as his lips descend on mine…

and that is when the bell rings ending my daydream…

Hearing a familiar snickering sound I open my eyes and find Karen staring down at me. An amused smile on her tanned face.

“What naughty thoughts were you thinking about?” she laughs as she pokes the side of my head. “You look all flustered.”

It was true I could feel my cheeks burning red more so after her comment. Her hand reached out and touched my forehead and she immediately retracted it as if she was burnt by my skin. “Someone is all hot,” she teased as she laughed at scowling expression.

The blush on my cheeks was almost intolerable now. “Shut up.” I mumble as I pick up my book bag from the floor and sling it over my shoulder.

She laughs as she links arms with me and we make our way down the crowded hallway. The halls are filled with chatter and laughter… Karen nudges my ribs asking if I heard what she said. But I haven’t. I stopped listening a while ago. The moment I saw him across the crowded hallway.

…the object of my dreams and waking thoughts for that matter.

I can feel the heat rise to my cheeks again as memories from my daydream come floating in. His eyes focus on me despite his biker friend being completely engrossed in a conversation with him. It’s the exact setting after all but with one difference…

The distance between us is closing as I continue making my way towards him. There is a small glint in his eyes realizing I’m almost as touching distance. A smile plays on my lips as I casually brush against his shoulders.

“Sorry.” I managed to say as I continue my way walking right past him. He pretends to not have heard me as he laughs at the joke his friend tells him.

And that was it… not another word spoken... not another look exchanged...

Yeah… reality sucks, give me dream land any day.

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I can't even remember when we met or much less when our relationship began. If anyone could define it as such. Even after months I can't figure out why he puts up with this... this charade... this cheaply executed game. Much less I can't understand why he wants me.

But I do know he wants me. He never fails to show me that during our encounters. And I want him… whichever way I can have him I’ll take him.

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“Hey you go grab us a table. I have something to do but I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Karen told me as she grinned and made her way out of the cafeteria.

Lunch seemed to have lost its appeal to me since the ‘indicant’ in the hallway. I just feel sick to my stomach. The worst of it all… not having a single person to talk to about this. There was no way I would go back on my word and tell anyone, including Karen, about this and of course talking to Tyler was not possible. No way was I going to tell him I was up to this anymore.

Sigh.

At least they have cherries for desert today. Cherries are my favorite fruit after all maybe they could cheer me up. It was a known fact that food happened to be a girl’s best friend when she was feeling down.

Sitting down with my plateful of cherries I began my indulgence. One by one I put the cherries, stem and all, into my mouth. With my tongue, after haven eaten the cherry, I would take the stem and tie it in a knot. A little talent I picked up a couple of years ago in summer camp.

Sticking my tongue out, I picked up the tied stem from it and held it between my thumb and index finger. Dull eyes examined it and I sighed.

"Impressive..."

I looked up and right in front of me was what had to be a nightmare come true. Reid Garwin, Pogue Parry, and of course my Mr. Kitty – Tyler Sims. It was a good thing I didn’t have a cherry in my mouth at that moment or else I would have definitely choked. That’s when I realized I was staring with my mouth draped open a bit and blushed.

Reid laughed at my expression. "How about you show me how to do that... somewhere more private..." His eyebrows wiggled a bit at his own come on.

He was so lame I couldn’t help but let a small giggle escape my lips. That was when I noticed Tyler shot me a look. He actually thinks I fell for that… A wave guilt hit and I inwardly groaned. "I don't like blondes." I muttered not bothering to think before I spoke.

Amused by my statement the biker looking one decided to speak up, "Have you looked in a mirror?” Pogue asked.

My eyes shut tightly as I mentally slapped myself. I could feel my cheeks heat up some more by the added embarrassment.

“You don’t have to be shy with me… cherry.”

Cherry? Great… I have just been dubbed one of the infamous Garwin pet names. It was something he did to some of the girls around Spencer. Most of them felt special… I just felt sick to my stomach. I rolled my eyes, "I’m taken." There that answer should suffice any curiosity he might have… or so I thought…

A blond eyebrow rose at my response, "I've never seen you with a guy." He gave me a half-grin and I knew exactly what he meant by his comment.

"Its not like you would know," I said frowning with clear distaste. "I could be doing blue eyes here and you weren't know." Then I did the unthinkable, I looked straight at Tyler with a sultry wink, "Isn't that right Tyler?"

I was pushing the buttons… I knew that but I didn’t care. His blue eyes were silently questioning my sanity. I think this is a defining moment... this was a moment that had to come sooner or later after all. In a way this was a test… and I was mentally praying he passed…

"Well..." questioned Pogue as he looked at him with an expecting expression on his face.

Reid nudged my kitty cat in the ribs as he chucked at the boys obvious distress by the situation. “Answer the question baby boy.”

They were mocking him and he was caving. His eyes were questioning… doubtful. That idiot... he was really going to blow our secret.

“I… uh… well…”

I held up a hand interrupting him and rolled my eyes. "Yeah right," I scoffed pausing as I stood up and placed my hands on my hips as I smirked. Eyes locked specifically with his. "I don't do sidekicks either." And with that I pushed my through them and walked away. As I did I could hear them laughing at him, teasing him.

Closing my eyes I tried to block out what just happened. I hated it. I hated having to do this to him. But it had to be done. This is the way it has to be in the public eye. No matter how much it hurts… either one of us. There is no such thing as us as far as everyone else is concerned.

It is our secret... a secret love affair... between my cat and me.

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it took me forever but I finally managed to update this fic. Life has been busy but I hope to have more time to devote to my stories from now on. This chapter wasn’t all that interesting, to me anyway, but it had to be done. Think of it as a filler for things to come. So now you all know Julia and Tyler have a secret relationship that no one knows about. Interesting no?

As always all reviewers get a sneak peek into the next chapter! So please review, it means the world to me!