Jaded (Rock Star Trilogy)

stepbrother.”
    Does he know everything? Like, seriously. Ethan and me planned this less than an hour ago. How does he already know?
    “You know, I really don't like you.”
    “Keep telling yourself that, Blondie.”
    “Do you want your left eye to match your right one?” I ask.
    He narrows his eyes at me. “If you weren't a girl, I would have punched you back.”
    “So you're sexist too?” I laugh, and then focus my eyes on the front of the class, trying to ignore the extremely annoying guy behind me. Stephan taps me again.
    “ Please , will you hang out with me tonight?” He is sincere as he asks.
    Dammit, why do his lips have to be so sexy? And his smoldering green eyes are freaking distracting. I say, “No,” but I'm nodding my head yes.
    He smiles. “See you tonight, Blondie.”
    During class, I actually pull out my math book. I'm trying to make sense of everything, but honestly, I can't even focus. I'm thinking about the boy behind me with a black eye. I'm fairly certain he is the type of guy Monica warned me to “not fall in love with”.  Not that I'm in love with him. I don't even like him. I don't know why I can't seem to tell him no . It shouldn't be this hard.
    And dammit, if I didn't get a conscience. I couldn't help but feel guilty about giving him a black eye. It was a little extreme. All he did was update my Twitter. It wouldn't have even been a big deal if I was a normal teenager. But I'm not. And it's my career he's messing with.
    I fought with myself through class, and finally, when the bell rings I turn towards him.
    “I'm sorry that I punched you.” There. That wasn't so hard.
    “I'm sure you will find some way to make it up to me,” he says, winking at me. “Maybe tonight.”
    I roll my eyes. “And just like that, I want to punch you again.” I turn to walk away.
    “Come on, Scarlett,” he says, stopping me from walking out the door. “It's called joking. It's my way of trying to flirt with you. And I'm sorry that I updated your Twitter.”
    “Apology accepted. And wow, you called me Scarlett.”
    “Do you prefer Blondie?”
    I shake my head, and bite my lip to keep from smiling. “No way. I'll see you tonight, Stephan.”
     
    6:55 pm
    Wear something HOT.
     
    I retouch my makeup, and change my outfit before heading next door. I tell myself it's not for Stephan, but I know better. He sent me a tweet earlier that said “ Wear something hot ”. I don't reply, but I decide to wear something hot anyway.
    Monica labeled everything in my closet for almost any occasion I could come across. I pick the one that says, “ For when you want to kiss ass, turn heads, and take names. ” I put the short, tight, red dress on, and smile at my reflection. I put on a pair of four inch black heels with it, and I have to admit, I look good .
    “Hope this is hot enough, Stephan,” I say to my reflection before heading out.
    I decide to use the sidewalk to go next door, because walking in heels, in the sand doesn't seem like such a good idea. Before I get up to the house, I hear somebody come up behind me.
    “Damn.” I turn around to face Stephan. He's staring at me, with his mouth slightly hanging open, and then he sighs. “I thought you'd wait to look hot until after your little math date with my brother.”
    “One, it's not a math date , it's tutoring . If I don't do this, I will fail and be forced to repeat my senior year for the rest of eternity. Two, you and I are going out right after , and I didn't want to change clothes. And three, you're welcome to come. I hear your brother is quite a math genius, and well, you and genius don't fit in the same sentence. I'm sure you could use the help too.”
    “Are you going to insult me all night?”
    I nod my head. “Probably.”
    “Good. It turns me on.” He smiles. “Have fun with my brother .”
    “I will.”
    “And don't tell Ethan it's not a date. He doesn't know that...”
     
    7:05 pm
    Tutoring
     
    Ethan is waiting for me in his room, but I can't stop thinking about Stephan.
    “Wow,” Ethan says, motioning towards my outfit. “You look beautiful.”
    My heart warms at his comment. He called me beautiful, where his evil stepbrother called me hot. He's sweet. Stephan is a jerk. Why must I have warm, fuzzy feelings for the wrong guy?
    “So you're going out with my stepbrother tonight.” It wasn't a question.
    “Yeah...” I bite my lip. “I kind of feel bad about the whole black eye thing.”
    He nods. “Well, just