Dancing With the Devil

Yes, this is a book about demons. First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the fact that this book is PURE FICTION!!! IT IS THE CONTENT OF MY IMAGINATION, AND I AM IN NO WAY A DEVIL WORSHIPPER!!! Don't get me wrong, people who do that have their own right to, but this isn't a book about religion here. It's just something that I thought of and want to have fun writing about. Don't judge, please.

Okay! Now that I have that out of the way, THIS IS THE SEQUEL TO NOBODY'S ANGEL!! IT CAN BE READ SEPERATELY, but don't be asking who some of the characters are then :)

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this! To those reading my other works, I'm sorry but I just don't have the will to write them. They don't hold my attention like they used to. I don't know when they will be updated next, or if I will even continue to write them. Just know that I'm still alive :D

So, without further adieu, vote, comment, and fan!

WARNING! Sexy demons ahead :P Yeah, I just had to... That is all. <

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Xavier's P.O.V.

"Thank you, Prince."

"No, thank you, " I smirked, watching unashamedly as the leggy blonde sashayed out of my room. Her shirt was hanging loosely from her fingers, far away from her chest, no doubt trying to tempt me for a repeat of last night, but I'd had better. Besides, if she hadn't noticed that I had forgotten her name last night, she definitely would today. I could spare myself that headache.

My door burst open with a resounding bang! My deadly glare pierced the intruder before realizing it was my best friend, Jace.

He raised an eyebrow at my entertainment from the night before. She flushed scarlet and scurried out of there quick. He turned his disbelieving gaze to me.

"Really?" he asked. My Do-you-know-who-I-am? look got him off of my case. I was prince, and I was entitled to do whatever (and whoever) I wanted with no objections from those below me, which was basically everyone except my parents. I suppose my nanny could give me a reasonable scolding since she'd practically raised me, but...nah, she knew her place now that I'd stopped needing her milk and constant looking after.

Jace gave up on trying to talk some of his morals about girls into me until he spotted my souvenir- her panties. "Really?" he repeated with a sterner tone. I shrugged nonchalantly, his exasperated groan a result of my indifference. "Do you even know what today is?"

"Should I?"

He ran his hand threw his blonde hair in obvious frustration, glaring at me. "Any minute now, we're going to-"

Even if he had continued, I wouldn't have heard him. As it was, he was in the same condition as I. We were both oblivious to our surroundings now that we had something much more important to focus on.

My mind buzzed with one word.

Mate. She was ready.

Hormones poured off the both of us in tidal waves. The musky scent filled the room like an invisible mist instantly, captivating anyone who dared to get close enough. Our bodies produced more and more of the buggers to ensure that our females would be undoubtedly attracted to us, even more so than if the seductive vampires that ruled the sex drive most out of all the supernatural races were to try and interfere. Right now, our mere scent would drive them crazy with lust.

My blood boiled like thick, liquid fire in my veins, oddly urging me on even more. My skin yearned to feel her body against mine. The muscles in every part of my body were rejuvenated: my legs were eager to run and find her, hold her captive to my by the strength of my arms, and bend my back over her as I showed her my possessive streak when I made love to her. First, though, I had to make sure she knew she belonged to me and me alone. Then, and only then, when she knew how my kind was, would I make her physically mine. I had to succeed mentally before that, because her mind was where her passion and love truly lied.

My sight was tinted red, but I could see sharper than ever, and my mouth tipped into an alluring grin, the darkest kind of invitation.

My senses were enhanced to ensure my search was as quick as possible. Soon my people would start to feel uncomfortable, as if they were forgetting to do something vitally important. As soon as I caught her scent, they would be restless, unable to stay still since they would automatically be drawn to her. Lastly, when she set foot in the kingdom, they would go into a frenzy with fierce protection. Men, women, and children alike would all flock to her, whether to protect her, teach her, or be comforted by her presence. Eventually, they would become more used to her, not fully immune to her astounding power as my mate, but they'd adapt to the feelings of adoration that would submerge their thoughts at first. In my tunneled haze of detail, only being able to focus on her, the sooner she was in her rightful place, by my side, the better. It was that simple.

Like most supernatural creatures, my smell overpowered the rest of my senses. I whipped my head first to the male scent trying to challenge me, my foggy mind not processing that it was Jace, my pair number, sooner. Once I was satisfied that she wouldn't be a target to other males, I allowed myself to focus on other things that would make her uncomfortable. My lip curled in disgust at the overpowering stench of another female. How dare her vile self try to take over what belonged to my mate, her future queen? Her scent was thick, sticky, and made it hard to breathe. I wanted it gone. I growled out orders for my room to be completely cleaned so that no other scent would linger other than my own. I wanted my mate completely intoxicated by me first and foremost. I could worry about others later.

My hearing took in the normal sounds of the house, gossip beginning to spread from my nurse- who was in tune with my body for my protection and therefore knew what I was feeling- to the help under her as she shared that my mate was ready. Excitement buzzed in my parents' minds, giving off signals to our people that something was out of the ordinary. There were no threats, no disturbances.

My mouth began to water as I put off finding her, allowing my senses to heighten to their peak and my more instinctual side get more and more anxious before starting the search. I wanted her, the taste of her lips, her tongue, her skin...

Soon I growled to myself. Very soon.

My skin tingled with eagerness, wanting to feel the familiar heat that would transport my pair number and I to other dimensions. I had to admit, though, Earth would definitely be a first.

My sight, at last, was at its strongest and prepared to begin along with the rest of my body. I gave my room, arguably the most important room for my mate for multiple reasons, a quick glance. Not bothering with details, I added that it needed to be prepped for her arrival. The maids responded with a brief but respectful positive before leaving me alone with my thoughts. They were trained well.

With a single look at Jace, I knew we weren't going to waste another second.

"They are ready, " he breathed, his black eyes, identical to my own, glowing with fierce excitement and lethal determination. He gave off an evil aura, but mine was the most sinister of all, naturally.

I couldn't wait to see what my poor little mate would think of my charged, tempting energy. I wanted to meet her. Now.

They're ready I messaged my parents, so they wouldn't worry to find their only son missing without a whisper of an explanation from a note. I was sure they'd sensed something, so I just dished out the details that confirmed their suspicions. I could've left them to find out from the help, but that would be tempting a verbal beating from my mother. They hurt worse than the physical ones my father handled.

Find her my dad encouraged now. I only got an ecstatic squeal from my mother.

"Ready or not, here we come, " I chuckled. Jace's responding snicker only made my smirk grow. We were consumed by flames as we prepared to go on our most exciting and rewarding search ever. It was time to get what was rightfully mine, and I was prepared to slaughter anyone who got in my way.

Hope you guys enjoy! Vote, comment, and fan!

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My mouth tipped up into a goofy smile as Jake, my boyfriend, kissed me again. As he pulled away, I reached up to pull his mouth back to mine, ignoring his surprised expression. I wasn't going to waste this opportunity if he was willing to offer it.

Internally, I wanted him to be the one to initiate our affection. Most of the time, I was stuck encouraging him to do anything more than hug, and that was always brief and at a safe distance, meaning no body contact that wasn't necessary. Sometimes, I wondered why he was attracted to someone like me--although quiet, I also wasn't shy to show my fondness--but he shot me down every time I tried to approach the obviously touchy subject.

Something had changed today, though. He wasn't shutting me out like usual, and his arms wrapped around my waist loosely, not pulling me closer, but not pushing me away either. I seized his openness, pushing closer to him than I usually would. My fingers buried into his carefully styled hair, which I would no doubt get a speech about later. For now, I wasn't complaining. Our lips moved slowly, cautiously, and while I wasn't entirely jumping for joy, I couldn't say that I didn't like it. It was more than I was expecting, and for that I was ecstatic.

"Ivy, calm down, " he chided when my lips unconsciously opened.

I clamped them close, feeling embarrassment wash over me and making me flush down to my toes. He gave a short laugh, continuing to pepper kisses on my cheeks and forehead. I leaned into him, but his warning pause made me pull back. Our involved moment was obviously over. Unfortunately, I wasn't one to give up so easily.

I tilted my head back invitingly, wanting him to rain little brushes of his lips down my neck like a lover would instead of pecking areas that he deemed "safe", something my dad used to do before he died. He was a veteran, and ended up getting killed in combat in Iraq. I was still fairly young, around six, so I didn't burst into tears whenever I thought of him like I used to. It still hurt, obviously, but after twelve years, I had achieved acceptance of his fate and honored his sacrifice rather than violently raging on the unfair world. At least, on the outside I made sure to appear at peace. There were times when I would cry on the inside at the sight of little girls hugging their daddies or wonder who would walk me down the aisle on my wedding day. I knew I couldn't change it, though, so I toughened up and ignored it.

Jake looked at me confusingly, not understanding my hint. I tugged his head down, forcing his face to hover above my skin, his warm breath teasing it.

"Ivy, you know how I feel about that, " he sighed, pulling back once he'd caught on.

"Jake, I didn't mean you had to-"

"Forget it." My shoulders sagged at his final tone.

"I know you don't like hickies, " I explained. "I just wanted you to kiss me."

"Wasn't I kissing you enough?"

"On my face, yeah. I guess."

"You guess?"

This was one of those times when I wondered why we put up with each other if we had such contrasting views.

"It's fine, " I responded, giving him a completely fake, toothy smile. He beamed back.

"Good. I don't want us to fight. I hate to see you upset." He swooped in to lay one more kiss on my cheek, and I waited for it like the patient girl he envisioned me as.

"Get off my best friend, you big oaf!"

I never got that kiss, thanks now to my best friend, Violet.

"Seriously, Vi?" I sighed.

"No, it's okay, " Jake soothed, always the professional, calm one. "I'll see you later?"

"Yeah." I smiled at him, even though I wanted to do anything but grin at his receding back. When he rounded the corner, Violet was on the receiving end of my glare.

"What?" she asked innocently.

"You know what."

"Oh, you mean that, " she replied, widening her eyes in mock surprise. "Well, gee, Ivy. I thought you were satisfied with Jake's G-rated affection."

"We kiss, " I defended. "That's not G-rated."

"PG, then, " she retorted. "Whoop-de-doo. The point is, a nun would be proud of your relationship. He's kissed you--really kissed you--what? Maybe two times? Three? I don't know, but it can be counted on one hand. And I don't mean those pathetic little chicken kisses he was laying on you before I interrupted."

"Whatever, " I grumbled. "We've only been going out for a year."

She started bouncing on her feet and jabbing her finger at me, as if I'd just figured out they mysteries of the universe. "Exactly! I mean, at least-"

Thankfully, by some merciful divine ruler, she was cut off by the warning bell, signaling we only had five minutes to get to our first hour class. Even though I had time to spare, I scurried away from her.

I sighed when I entered the door to Mr. Deshetsky's class. My frown contradicted my eagerness to get away from Violet, but I'd forgotten that it would be at the cost of being early to chemistry class. Setting my books down, I slid into my seat dejectedly and brooded over my missed kissing session with Jake.

The rest of the day was normal, a synonym for boring in my dictionary. Classes ticked by sluggishly, Violet and I didn't get to talk much due to the piles of homework our teachers were assigning us, and lunch was ruined by the pile of mush on my tray. I narrowed my eyes at Violet's sarcastic "yum!" As was my daily routine, I bribed her into giving me some of her packed sandwich and one of her five cookies.

"You're lucky you're my friend, " she grumbled, reluctantly handing over the circle of chocolate chip goodness. I snatched it out of her hand before she could change her mind.

"Oh, come on! You can spare one cookie for me!"

"I don't know, " she drawled, biting into her own sweet treat. "These are really good cookies. I was thinking about giving you a second one, but maybe I won't now..."

"I love you, Vi, " I immediately said, my tone sickly sweet. I gave her a million dollar smile, batting my eyelashes as I did so.

"Enough to realize what a piece of junk your boyfriend is and break up with him?" she bribed, waving the cookie tauntingly. I dropped my act.

"We've been over this, " I groaned, wishing for Jake to be in our lunch rather than the other, second one that fed the other half of the school. I desperately wanted to dodge this conversation, but I knew I had no hope. When Violet wanted to say something, it was better to just sit down and listen. It got over faster that way. "I don't understand what you can't stand about Jake."

"Everything!" she yelled, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation. Her tone left no room for interruption, and I knew I was going to get the rest of the earful that I'd avoided this morning. "He acts like you guys are brother and sister, Ivy! If a guy likes you that much, he should be able to hold you and kiss you in front of other people, show them that you're taken. He should want to flaunt you in front of the entire school. He should call you cheesy nicknames and listen to every word that you say. And he should support you on every single thing that you do, " she finished hotly, "not try to bring you back to Earth more than you already are. He holds you down too much, Ivy! When you get even the slightest bit mad or upset, he freaks out and tries to calm you down. It's not healthy for you to keep everything bottled up inside! You can't do that! Just break up with him already!"

"Violet, I know that you're worried for me, " I said softly, trying to pacify her. "That's what best friends are for. But Jake and I really like each other."

"There you go again!" she fumed. "I remember a time when you would've gone on and on about how it was your life to do what you wanted with, and no one would tell you how to live it. We would have screaming matches, then laugh about how stupid it all was. We would get into some crazy stuff, girl! What happened to you, huh? I know you were always the yin to my yang, but you were never this calm. You used to have that wild streak in you."

I sighed, rubbing my temples to try and ease the ache from her rant. She was right, to some degree. I used to have a wild streak. I would voice my opinion, no matter who my audience was, and not be ashamed of it. I would be blunt in my honesty, but soften it so that it never came across as harsh. Jake hadn't liked how outgoing I was, though. Once we'd started going out, I became way more mellow. I wouldn't argue points I used to. I wouldn't be so truthful, my words having more of a gentle nature until they were almost lies.

I loved being in a relationship, though. Being able to tell people that I had a boyfriend, having had my first kiss over with, and basking in the fact that I was his one and only made me giddy. I didn't need the attention, but I would take it any day, even if it meant reigning in my confident personality.

"I want to be with him, " I quietly admitted to Violet now. "I'd always choose you over him, but I also choose him over my wild streak you claim I have. It's worth it. He's worth it."

She shook her hand, giving me the second cookie anyway. Thankfully, all it took was one joke from her to have our easy friendship flick away our argument.

***

I despised hallways.

Not only were they ridiculously small, which resulted in tight spaces to squeeze through on my way to class, but they were the playing field for rumors and gossip. Most of the gossip was spread between classes, sparking from girl to girl, person to person, grade to grade until it was nurtured to a roaring wildfire that consumed the whole school in knowledge of who-did-what.

Rumors were also began in the deathly corridors. Once glance at who pulled who into a janitor's closet, or a joke taken the wrong way burst into an imaginative story of how the head cheerleader shagged the soccer captain again, the football captain got jealous, and her best friend got an STD from some college guy at the local campus.

In short, the hallways were where everything bad happened. My case was a little different, but it further supported my theory, since they were the main places for PDA to be shown.

I stared longingly at couples that held hands, hugged, or kissed. Some guys had their arm around their girlfriend's waist or shoulders as they walked her to her class. When Jake would walk me to one of my classes, he kept a respectful distance, usually walking with his arms swinging merrily, as if nothing was wrong. I would walk beside him faithfully, clutching my books to my chest. The other times he passed me in the corridor, he wouldn't meet me halfway and give me a kiss that screamed "I miss you!" All I got was a quick smile, maybe a nod of recognition, and he would continue walking with his friends, talking quickly and making motions with his hands that always stopped me from inquiring what they were talking about.

My stomach twisted in jealousy when I fled the school at the end of the day, but I ignored it. It was a feeling that was present so much, it was becoming normal for me to feel the familiar ache. On my walk home, I let my mind wander, dreaming about what it would be like to be loved irrationally, to drive a guy to the point that he would do anything for me. I imagined how he would keep me pressed to the side of his body, his arms wrapped around me securely, making sure I was always there. He would sneak glances down at me often, even when we were with his friends. My face would be rained with passionate kisses throughout the day: my forehead, my cheeks, my nose, and my lips.

I didn't realize I was about to get my unrealistic wish.

When I trudged into my room, I spotted a note on my desk. Curious and hopeful for something that would lift my lonely mood, I crossed my room hastily.

It was rolled carefully, an elegant black ribbon keeping it tightly coiled. As I slid the silk confinement off, it unraveled by itself. It felt thick and heavy in my hand, and it was more of an off-white than a pure white.

"Parchment?" I mumbled. Really, really old parchment by the looks of it. Not that it was torn or crinkled. It was actually in pristine condition, but who would write on material from a different era?

The ink was a bloody red, as if it'd been written by a murderer or someone equally as sadistic in their victim's life source. I knew it wasn't really blood, but it was almost as if there was an unnatural power coming from the words on the page, effectively drawing me in. I shivered uncomfortably, suddenly getting the feeling of being watched. I looked around my room nervously, paying special attention to the shadows that seemed much darker than they should be.

I shook off the feeling that had my stomach twisting uneasily. It's all my imagination I convinced myself. After I read the note, though, I wasn't so sure. Princess, I was addressed.

You're as beautiful as I'd imagined. I can't believe that such a pure creature is mine. I was tempted to take you away the second I saw you, but my pair number has forced me to be patient, so patient I will be. Don't doubt that you'll by mine very soon, though. I only have so much control over my instincts to your teasing walk and singing voice that I want to make laugh time and time again. You are too tempting.

Speaking of which, I've noticed that you have some unnecessary baggage. Jake was his name, yes? Get rid of him. You belong to me and only me. I won't have others being intimate with my mate. It's unavoidable that you will be admired, for you are quite a sight to behold. However, I don't appreciate others tainting you. Don't let him be around you anymore, or I'll take matters into my own hands.

I can promise you, my love, your sweet nature will recoil at the thoughts of what I want to do to him. I have no lenience to those that challenge me for what belongs to me, especially you. Take my warning, Princess, you don't want me to handle it. I'll give you two days to end things with him. After that, he's mine to deal with.

After you've broken off your connection to him, I'll take you with me. Don't worry, your mother will be well taken care of, given an anonymous compensation gift in exchange for you, although she won't know it the true reason for finding the generous sum of cash that will be on her doorstep the morning after you're gone. She will be made to believe that you had an accident, and will move on soon enough. I didn't want you troubling yourself with the life you'll be leaving behind here, so feel free to ask me any questions when we meet. I've tied up all loose ends, but I may be forgetting to tell you some of them, as my mind becomes scattered whenever I see your stunning beauty.

Don't be afraid of me, Princess. I know that when I take you, your going to be scared, as it is a way of travel that is native to my people that you humans would find quite frightening. I apologize now for that, but I want you to be as prepared as I can make you before you experience it. You may be wondering why I don't just explain what it is and answer your questions in person? I wouldn't be able to control myself. I would want to take you the second you saw me, and your words would fall on deaf ears, as I would be too entranced with the movements of your lips and the sound of your voice to decipher what you're saying. I blame you for this, you seductive vixen, since I am a mere man and will respond to my mate as any would. As to why I can't tell you my way of transportation, it is a secret that is to be kept on, how did you say it? The down low? If I were to tell you, I would also be driven to act on it, and you are not ready to be taken.

I ask for your patience, seeing as I haven't traveled out of my kingdom in quite some time and have yet to catch up on the new lingo, I mean slang. The words you humans have come up with a quite interesting, and I shall enjoy deciphering all kinds of codes with you...

Once I have taken you, have no doubt you will have access to only the best, Princess. Your nickname suits you, as a title and how you will be treated. I assure you that everyone will know who you are, and if anyone mistreats you it will be known as a royal attack. You don't have to worry about that, though. That is a man's job, and my job as your mate. Just know that you will live in absolute comfort, and anything you desire will be yours, if I can provide it. There is not much I cannot give you, so only ask and you shall receive.

I will take you soon, Princess. Look for me. I'll be looking out for you. You own my heart, and you are my everything.

- X

I read the letter again. And again. And again. After the fourth time, my trembling had escalated to the point where I found myself suddenly on my wood floor, knees stinging from the fall. My hands shook violently, causing the note to flutter to the ground with the same grace that a snowflake would glide from the sky.

This guy not only knew about Jake, but he knew where I lived, where my room was. He had access to my life both inside and outside of school. Besides how obsessive he was, the second part of the note (I didn't want to acknowledge that it was my note, specifically given to me) about Jake was written harsher. The script, surprisingly elegantly neat for a male (since I highly doubted it was a girl who was so possessive) was sloppier, as if he'd rushed to get the words out. The parchment was also slightly dented, further proof of his controlling feelings while he wrote about his obvious dislike of my relationship.

I didn't know who this guy was. I didn't know how he'd found me, and I certainly didn't know why he wanted me. All I knew was he knew more than I would've ever wanted him to--my address, my room my love life--and he was determined that I was his.

My selfish desire for a more passionate love life had come true, except not in any form I would've wished for. I'd imagined my prince to be the typical all-American boy, with a body to die for and a smile that would melt my heart. His blonde hair would glow in the sunlight and sparkling blue eyes would light up with laughter.

Instead, I'd been given a stalker by cruel, cruel fate. My imagination painted a gruesome picture of an old man with greasy hair that stuck to his nearly bald head and a vile grin that held few teeth; his cold, beady eyes were meant to belong on a predator, and a beer belly spilled over the waist of his jeans, cinched too tight by a leather belt that was a nightmare to teenage girls such as myself.

I slapped my hand over my mouth, sprinting to the bathroom and barely falling to my already bruised knees in time to throw up everything in my stomach.

I give up. I completely and utterly give up. This is the 3rd time I've written this chapter, and I still don't like it. Here's what came out. I hope it makes sense to you guys. Sorry if it sucks :(

Hope you enjoy it though! Next chapter should be out within a week maybe?

On the bright side, I got the two main characters cast! What can I say? Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev are truly the perfect couple. (And they do remind me of who I picture as Ivy and X)

Alexander Ludwig casted as Jace!

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When my mom came home, she investigated why I had my stereo blasting loudly. It wasn't rock music to distract my wild imagination from the sickening images it produced. It wasn't pop music, with bouncy beats and effortless high notes that would lift my rock bottom mood. No, it was my kind of music.

Soft, slow notes drifted beautifully over gentle instruments. The voices of the songs were peaceful. The melodies, although sometimes twisting together not-so-pleasant stories, had a rhythm that wrapped itself around me like warm honey, seeping into my skin and lulling my mind to rest. This was the music I danced to.

I'd been dancing since I could remember. I barely remembered first stepping onto the big stage with bright lights in the auditorium of the local high school; the stuffy dance studio that my fellow dancers and I practiced in was as much of a home to me as my own bedroom. It was a place that offered peace and serenity. My childhood outfits mostly consisted of flowing dresses and the occasional tutu. As I'd grown older, spandex was added automatically under any dress that I wore in case I got the urge to dance. I always made sure I was wearing something comfortable, something that I could move in if I had to calm myself down, like right now. When I danced to my lyrical music, I was a peace.

Lyrical is not ballet; some people confuse the two. They have some similarities, but they are two completely different genres of dancing. Ballet is very classy and soft. Lyrical combines ballet and modern dance techniques. There's also a little bit of Jazz. Whereas ballet is set to soft, slow symphonies, lyrical is performed to popular, more modern music, although it's still very soothing and calming.

Lyrical may not seem all that bad. There's twirling, a couple of steps, some more twirling, and it's over. It's not that easy. Every step has to be in the place I need it to be, when I need it. If not, my balance will be thrown off, and I would end up falling on my face, as I have done multiple times before. Speaking of balance, I need a lot of it. When I'm on the tips of my toes, spinning around in a circle as many times as I can without breaking my stance of round arms and a bent, knee connecting my toes to the inside of my other knee, balance is key. When I land, I can never stumble, since this dance is so relaxing and smooth. I need to be able to catch myself and flow with the same grace as the melody.

Momentum is the hardest part, for me at least. When I'm in the air, and trying to land a perfect leap, my momentum has to be absolutely perfect. If there's too much built up, I'll end up stumbling and not landing in the same position I started in. Not enough, and the full move won't be completed.

When my mom entered my room, she saw my newly arranged room. My bed was shoved into a corner sloppily, probably denting the wall. Clothes and shoes were kicked out of the way, messily clumped in wrinkled masses. Most of my furniture was piled up against one side of my room to give me as much space as possible. The only thing that went untouched was my stereo, where my iPod was connected and spilling out the beats I counted to. The note had been lost somewhere in my rush to clear a space for me to dance.

I hadn't wanted to waste time stretching, so my body alone was making a lot of noise. Snap! My joints cracked against each other. Crackle! My hip joint ground in its socket was my leg reached to do a fan that shouldn't be done until after I'd stretched properly. Pop! My knees sounded as I bent suddenly, slowly rising back up from my low position.

"Ivy!" I jumped at the sound of my name, screaming slightly as I whirled around to face my opened door. My mom, leaning against the frame, burst into giggles at my terrified expression.

"Not funny, mom!" I gasped, clutching a hand to my chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Oh, like you're the one that has to worry about heart attacks, " she joked before teasingly grabbing her own chest and fanning herself, as if she couldn't breathe. "You old mother can't take much more of your rebellion! Please, Ivy, just settle down! No more late night parties! No more coming home drunk in the early hours of the morning! Just no more of it!"

I crossed my arms, trying to keep a straight face at her ridiculous accusations. Late night parties indeed.

"I suppose I should tell you now then, " I sighed, plastering worry all over my face. "Mom, I'm pregnant."

"Oh, the pain!" she cried, flopping to the floor. "I can't breathe!"

I rolled my eyes, dropping my act and nudging her with my bare toe. "I swear, sometimes I think you're the teenager in this family."

"Well, one of us has to have fun, " she said in her serious tone, abruptly standing up and crossing her arms in a way that screamed she meant business. "I haven't seen you truly laugh in the past month unless you have Violet over. That boyfriend of yours is no good for you, Ivy. No good at all."

"Mom, " I groaned, "we've been over this. I like Jake."

"You like the security of your relationship, not him, " she retorted instantly, hitting the nail on the head in the way only mothers could.

I shrugged, not bothering to argue. If I thought debating with Violet was futile, going against my mom was verbal suicide. I'd inherited my dad's silent determination and logical way of thinking, not my mom's boisterous personality that could turn a whole roomful of heads at her vivacious presence.

"It's not like there's a line of guys asking me out."

"So go scout one out and snatch him up!" she grinned. "You know, I did see that James Kennedy at the scrap yard. Now that, my darling daughter, would be a fine catch."

"Mom!" I gasped. I wasn't sure whether to be more appalled at the fact my mom was trying to find me a guy when I already had a boyfriend, or the fact that she was staring at senior James Kennedy working at the local scrap yard, where he was most likely wiping sweat off of his admittedly ripped body with his shirt between shifts of lifting heavy metal off the backs of trucks and separating them however he did.

"What?"

"I can't believe you were checking out someone half your age!"

"Well, you won't, and he certainly doesn't mind providing this old town with a little something to liven it up, " she justified. "I'm just appreciating the local artwork that is his sculpted body."

"Just because I don't talk about him doesn't mean I don't look, " I grumbled, which was very true. During our freshman year, Violet and I had talked well into the night about the Kennedy boys, both James and his older brother by two years. Everyone had known James would be a clone to his attractive brother. Now, three years later, he hadn't disappointed. It was common knowledge girls giggled about him when he walked by, which would've been expected by his appearance alone. Combined with his reputation of the town's bad boy, he was more than well-known. Every girl got excited at the mention of the name James Kennedy. Mothers knew they were helpless to stop their daughter's hormones, so they simply joined in with their own opinions and gossip. Fathers remained oblivious when their little princess suddenly became the son he never had and offered to take that truckload of rusty metal to the scrap yard, even when there were only a couple of pieces. They were going to visit the museum that held only a single statue that represented Michelangelo's David.

Oh, yes, I knew just as much abut James Kennedy's carved body as the next girl. I just didn't let people know that I knew. Jake would be the one having a heart attack if he knew what I talked about behind closed doors with my best friend. His perfect girlfriend wasn't so perfect.

"Come on, then, " my mom grinned now. "We'll go grab dinner in town and take a detour past the scrap yard...both there and back."

"You're terrible, " I laughed. Deciding I was going to take what I could get, I figured that the yard was on the left side while we drove there, but the right on the way back. "I'll drive there on the way if you drive back."

"Sounds good to me, " she shrugged obliviously. My mouth tipped up into a smirk. She had no idea just how much I appreciated our little town's personal piece of art.

When we passed the yard, I pressed the brake pedal fractionally, not wanting to seem to obvious, but my mom had other plans.

"Slow down!" she hissed, peering past me out the open window. I pressed harder, bringing the speedometer closer to twenty.

There he was, in all his sweaty glory. His dark jeans were stained with grease and sagged low on his hips, revealing the tops of his black boxers His signature white t-shirt was tucked in his back pocket. He bent down to grab what looked like some piece of equipment. It was long and bulky with bolts the size of my fist, the metal weathered red-brown. I couldn't begin to imagine trying to get a hold on the thing, much less lift it, but James hauled it over his shoulder effortlessly, carrying it like a sack of potatoes. His biceps and triceps and any other –eps in his arms bulged deliciously with the weight. He had a strong, broad back.

A horn honked behind me, making my mom and I snap out of our ogling. I hadn't even realized that I'd stopped entirely, sitting stupidly in front of the entrance to the yard.

"Move it, ladies, 'less ya'll got some type of business 'ere!"

I winced at the loud voice, stepping on the gas quickly. The tires squealed loudly in protest before kicking up a cloud of dust and racing away from the scene.

I lip wobbled as I tried to hold it in. I couldn't believe my mom and I had been caught checking out the town's bad boy, stopped outside of the entrance of where he worked no less! In the back of my mind, I wondered if that was severe enough for a restraining order. I could see the headlines now: "Ivy Ross charged with harassment after getting caught stalking James Kennedy. Intentions can be assumed that she has an unhealthy obsession with the godlike man, and was found watching him in front of his workplace." Would my mom go to jail, too, or would they assume that she'd been trying to talk some sense into me? I hoped for the latter. She wouldn't survive a single day in an orange suit. Although she always said she could pull off orange effortlessly...

"Oh, " my mom hissed softly, "my God."

I glanced at her. She was working her bottom lip between her teeth, holding back the same emotion I was. When our eyes met, we couldn't contain ourselves. Laughter overflowed from out mouths. It was the painful, healthy kind of laughter that only came from being exceptionally pleased. As I heard my mom start to gasp for breath, her head thrown back against the seat, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I hadn't had this much fun in far too long.

Just when we started to calm down, my mom dropped the real bomb. "He saw us, you know."

"Who?" I prayed I was wrong.

"James. When you were busy panicking, he turned around and saw us."

"Did he recognize me?" I gasped.

"I don't know. He started to wave before you raced out of there like some sort of speed demon."

"Oh no." My wide eyes flickered between her and the road. "He saw me! And he might have recognized me!" My head fell into one of my hands. "This is terrible!"

"Oh, yes, it's the end of the world. A boy other than Jake may just have noticed you. And he's hot! A hot man checked my baby girl out. However will you go on?"

"The sarcasm, " I replied icily, "is not needed."

"Pardon me, " she giggled, not deterred by my cold attitude. "You know what I think?"

"No, and I really don't want to."

I knew she was going to tell me anyway. "The lady doth protest too much, methinks!"

I rolled my eyes. Trust her to use my love of Shakespeare to her advantage at a time like this.

"Mom, now is not the time to quote Hamlet."

"Is that where it's from? I never did quite know. I knew it was Shakespeare..."

Thankfully, I was able to swing the topic from James to Shakespeare and my schoolwork, although my mom was trying to wring some juicy, teenage gossip from my boring details of my English paper.

I didn't know when I had started to appreciate Shakespeare's work. All I knew was it was before my freshman year, two years ago, when we were introduced to Romeo and Juliet and The Seven Stages of Man. I didn't even need the footnotes much since I just naturally understood the language. I'd internally rolled my eyes when my classmates had slaughtered the beautiful words and couldn't keep the simple story line straight. Was it really that hard to remember the difference between a Capulet and a Montague? Were the characters' intentions not clear when they screamed their accusations before drawing their sword? My tongue had been held, though, mainly because Jake was also in the class. I couldn't ruin my Good Samaritan image, now could I?

I huffed at my own thoughts. My wild streak was beginning to rear her ugly head, and I didn't know how much longer I could contain her sarcastic, witty side. Sooner or later, I was going to burst.

***

"Mom, please, just drive home!" I pleaded once again. After we'd eaten, I had stupidly handed the keys over to her, forgetting just how little she cared if James caught us sneaking a peek at him again. She wasn't the one that would have to face him tomorrow, after all.

"We'll go home, " she grinned. "We're just taking a different way."

"Mom, what am I supposed to say to him if he approaches me tomorrow at school and asks why my mother was checking him out? What if he does it in front of Jake?!"

"Then you stand tall, look that boy straight in the eye, and tell him how he should cover up his body if he doesn't want people appreciating what he's showing. That boy has a body that could make a nun sin, and I'm willing to bet that he knows it. Trust me, baby girl, I'm sure I'm not the only one looking. I'm probably just the only one that will admit it."

I sunk low in my seat when we passed the scrap yard but couldn't resist glancing out the window cowardly. James Kennedy was someone a woman just couldn't ignore.

To my complete and utter shock, he was staring right at me when I looked over at him. My eyes widened to the size of basketballs.

"Mom, drive! He saw us! Go!"

"Too late, " she replied cheerfully, rolling my window down from the control panel on her door. She smacked my hand when I tried to force it back up. "He's coming towards us."

This was what made up the horror stories of high school. A hot guy never approached a girl that wasn't stunningly gorgeous, and he never, ever talked to a girl in the grade below him. Older, sure, but never younger. It just wasn't done.

"Hey, " he smiled when he was close enough for us to hear him. "How's it going, Ivy?"

My tongue felt way too big for my mouth. I was sure I was acting like a complete idiot, staring at him mutely, but his voice that was like warm honey had completely melted my brain. I couldn't even talk, and I knew that getting out of the car was definitely not going to happen. I would quite literally melt into a puddle at his feet. And was it even legal for a smile to be so blindingly perfect?

"Uh, good, " I finally managed to squeak out. "How are you?"

"Same old, " he shrugged. "Not much excitement in this little town, y'know?"

"Yeah." He even made shrugging look hot. I was pathetic.

"Would you mind if I borrowed Ivy for a few minutes, Mrs. Ross?" he asked politely. His shirtless torso made him impossible for females of any kind to resist, but his respect left my mother absolutely defenseless. I could see it in her eyes. He could have asked to borrow me for the entire night, and she would probably let him.

"Sure, that's fine, James, " she practically cooed, shooting me an excited look.

"Great." He turned his attention back to me. "Follow me. This place can get a little confusing. I'm sure you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between ferrous and nonferrous metals and some of the guys aren't as nice as I am about lost girls."

His confession made my stomach twist uncomfortably, as did the mention of trusting my legs with my weight, but I agreed anyway, slowly unbuckling my seat belt and carefully stepping out of my sanctuary.

His arm came around my shoulders, and I stiffened. Did he expect me to be able to function at all? It was going to be challenging enough to not make a fool of myself without him touching me!

"I'm sorry, " he apologized, dropping his limb. "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

Uncomfortable? Yes. Did I mind? No way.

"It's okay, " I replied, giving myself a mental pat on the back when my voice didn't sound too out of breath.

"Watch your step, " he warned, just in time for me to catch a piece of glass glinting in the sun that I almost stepped on. He took my hands, and I tried very hard to control my heartbeat. He graciously guided me over any obstacles until we were behind some sort of shed.

"So, " he grinned playfully, unleashing his bad boy persona on me full force. His eyes glinted teasingly as he leaned against the side of the building and stuck his hands in his pockets. "You drive by here often?"

I flushed profusely. "O-Once in a while, " I stuttered.

"Any specific reason you didn't take the main road into town? 'Cause I know you don't drive past here everyday after school to get home. I've only seen your car a couple of times, actually. Was there something you were looking for?"

Was I imagining the double meaning in his words? If his smug expression was anything to go by, I probably wasn't.

"I j-just wanted to go a different way, " I lied, my wandering eyes giving me away before I'd even opened my mouth.

"You sure?" His voice had dropped a few octaves, making it deeper and oh so attractive.

"Yes?" My reassurance sounded more like a question.

"Because I think I remember you staring at me, " he rumbled, taking a step closer to me. I pressed my back against the wall behind me.

"Really?"

"Mhmm..." he hummed, slowly lifting a hand and trailing one finger down my cheek before cupping it in his palm. My breathing stopped as I cursed the onions that I'd had on my cheeseburger. "You're so pretty, you know that, Ivy?"

I felt like he'd thrown a bucket of ice water on me. Jake always said how pretty I was. Jake, my boyfriend, who was currently a second away from having a cheating girlfriend if James didn't stop staring at my mouth.

"I have a boyfriend, " I blurted out. "I don't know what you're doing, but it has to stop."

He looked confused and surprised, no doubt wondering how someone like me could turn down someone like him. He was James Kennedy; girls didn't reject him.

"Dump him, " he suggested. "I can make you have fun, Ivy. Whenever I see you with him, you look so perfect. You look too perfect, more prim and proper than I know you want to be. It can't be fun acting all the time."

"You don't know anything, James, " I snapped as I tried to find away around his arms that were suddenly caging me in.

"There she is, " he grinned. "I knew that bad girl was in there somewhere."

"Look, I don't know why you brought me out here, but-" I was cut off by his mouth.

James didn't kiss like Jake. There was nothing perfect about the way he completely covered my mouth, giving and taking without asking. The kiss was rushed, his mouth frantically moving over mine like a dehydrated man finally finding water. He was sloppy in his kissing, but that added something that I didn't know could be shared through the mere meeting of two people's lips. I was clearly wrong. It wasn't clean or respectable, but I liked it.

However, despite how much better of a kisser James was than Jake, it didn't change the face the Jake was my boyfriend.

I pushed him away roughly, actually managing to force him back a few steps. "Never do that again!" I gasped, partly breathless from his kiss and partly due to my hysteria. Jake didn't deserve a cheating girlfriend! How was I supposed to face him now?

"Why? Did it make you see that your boyfriend isn't that great after all?"

"This isn't right, James, " I glared harshly. "Unless I give you my consent, you should keep your hands to yourself!"

"What about my lips?" he pressed.

"You're impossible!" I snapped. "Get me out of here. I'm done with you."

"Fine, " he sighed. "But let me clarify one thing, Ivy. Even if you hate me now, even if you never want to see me again, it was worth it. Finally being able to kiss the prettiest girl I've ever seen was worth it."

"Take me back, " I demanded, not wanting to complicate my love life. Jake was my boyfriend. Jake was caring, driven, and smart. Jake was safe. Jake was everything I needed. And yet...

James was wild. He was fun, stubborn, and had that daring smirk that promised a good time, even if that good time wasn't exactly in my comfort zone.

After we got home, my mom allowed my to retire to my room peacefully. My mind was still buzzing as I got ready for bed, tugging this way and that as I tried to sort out my thoughts about two certain boys.

My emotions were unstable. I knew that I would have to simply free fall into them, like a trapeze artist at a circus, not caring which way I turned, what moves I had to pull. I just wanted to come out unbroken in the end. My heart was on the line instead of my body.

Jake was safe. He was like the safety net below a trapeze artist, reliable and secure. Why would I want to get rid of him? It would be risky and stupid. It would be completely reckless and I shouldn't even be thinking about the possibility. At the same time, it would be such an adrenaline rush to be without him, know that all of my decisions rested in my hands, there was no one there making sure I was safe. I could be dangerous, free.

Jake may have been the net, but James was the platform high above the ground, daring my to get closer and closer to the edge as adrenaline flooded my body. He caused my heart to beat faster, my muscles to tense, and a grin of anticipation to spread across my lips when I finally fell to begin my act. And I knew he would still be there, in the end, when I returned.

How was I supposed to choose between them?

I collapsed in my bed when I had my pajamas on and my teeth brushed. It was only eight, but I was exhausted after the roller coaster my emotions experienced after school. I allowed my head to connect to my pillow, the pull like a magnet. I had no idea that "X" had put his note inside my pillowcase, keeping it close to me.