• School seemed to speed up after lunch, cause all I could think about was about how close me and Damien were. I let the drift of other students carry me out the back doors. Ellie was waiting for me to the side, making sure she wouldn't get pushed any further than she was already standing.
    "Hey." she chirped as I reached her side. I smiled in response and we parted from the crowd to head to her car, since she drove me here I was assuming she was planning to drive me back.
    "Oh, hey, I need to get home real fast, no stops. I can't drive you home." she said as she unlocked the car doors.
    "What? The how am I supposed to get home? Walk?" I asked incredulously. She laughed at the sound of my voice.
    "No, ride home with someone else, like Damien." she suggested, passing me a wink. I stuck my tongue out at her and laughed at her hurt expression. We both walked over to her side of the car.
    "I was just talking about you and Damien having some unfinished business to attend to." she said climbing in the driver's seat. I tried to quickly get to the passenger's side but she locked the doors before I could.
    "Come on! Please!" I begged beating on the window. She stuck her tongue out at me and I flipped her off, jokingly. She turned on the car and revved the engine. I ran in front of her car before she could pull off. She revved the engine again.
    "You wouldn't dare!" I shouted. She rolled down the window and stuck her head out.
    "You might want to move." she warned with a smile. She pushed down the gas peddle and the car jerked forward, pushing me a little. I decided I probably should get out of the way so I stepped to the side and she drove of. I sighed and began walking back towards the school.
    "Hey!" someone called. I turned around to see Ryan jogging my way. i waited til' I was on the sidewalk to stop and he caught up with me.
    "So, how are you?" he asked.
    "Um, good. You?" I replied just for the sake of being courteous.
    "Yeah, I'm doing good, too. I saw what happened I thought that maybe you would need a lift." he offered kindly. I scratched my arm nervously.
    "Uh, well, I think-" I tried.
    "Actually, she's riding with me." an all-too-familiar voice said behind me. I whirled around. Damien was standing there casually. The sun was behind him, making his blond hair golden, his skin a tanish, bronze color. He looked like a complete angel. My angel.
    "Why don't you let her answer for herself." Ryan snarled. Damien raised his eyebrows and took a step closer to him. Ryan puffed up his chest, daring Damien to hit him. Damien clenched his fists and possessively stood right at my side.
    "Fine. How are you getting home, Celia?" Damien asked, not taking his eyes off of Ryan.
    "Uh, well, I guess I'm going with Damien." I replied, grabbing his arm to stop him from hitting Ryan in the face, if not only to hold him.
    "Fine, I get it. You don't want me. Whatever." Ryan said angrily.
    "Leave her alone." Damien snarled. I took a step forward.
    "No." I told Damien. I turned to Ryan, " You're right, I don't want you. You're just a piece of trash. A good for nothing b***h, who thinks he can get whoever he wants." He looked took a step back, hurt by my harsh tone. He looked sad and angry. Suddenly, my angry facade faded and I stood there uncomfortably, hyper aware that both of them were staring at me.
    "I think we should leave." Damien said, pulling me away. I followed without protest, happy to get away from him. We walked over to his car and got in, slamming the door behind me.
    "Way to stand up to him." Damien said climbing in the car. I shrugged and he started the car.
    "I didn't want him to think he still had me as a choice, you know, like just another girl he can toy with and then leave." I replied.
    "I thought it was hot." he said pulling out of the parking lot. I looked at him. He was smiling, but keeping his eyes on the road.
    "I think you're hot without doing anything." I said, refusing to look away, even though I was blushing. He glanced at me with a devious smile. My cheeks got hotter and my throat got dry.
    "I meant they way you stood up to him was hot, you are just plain beautiful without doing anything." he said, turning left.
    "I love you." I blurted, unable to stop myself. Damien raised his eyebrows and glanced at me with a bigger grin.
    "I love you, too. " he promised, sliding his hand onto my leg, keeping the other on the wheel. I slipped my hand into his and squeezed. Nothing in the world felt more right.