I sat in the quad with Isabel, Max Harding and Michael and Tess Guerin. We're all, uh, not of this earth. Tess and Michael live with this drunkard Hank. He basically ignores them, which is better than hurting them, I guess.

"So, uh, you guys up for movies tonight?" Isabel asked.

"I have a date with Alex, Iz," I said. "Remember?"

"Oh yeah," said Tess.

I glanced over to the table where Liz Parker and Maria DeLuca sat. Those two chicks didn't seem to like me much. Guess they liked having Alex on their little string. I, uh, liberated the guy.

"So, did you get the geometry homework?" Max asked me.

"Yeah. Geometry sucks."

I stuck my fork in the container of noodles I'd bought. Okay, so I have this weird thing for Tabasco doused noodles. Course, I don't have them very often for the simple reason that they get stuck around my tongue piercing. And then Max and Michael never let me hear the end of it.

But Max was too busy staring at Parker. He could at least talk to her. After all, he did let her in on our secret. At the time I was mad, but then Liz told Maria and Alex. Knowing that Alex knew made it easier for me to ask him out. He didn't think I was a freak, just because he knew my heritage.

Max basically shut Liz out. I know he loves her, so he may as well do us all a favor and go talk to the girl. Michael most definitely likes Lil Miss Cedar and they live to tease one another.

Just then, I got a glimpse of Alex from the other side of the quad. And my god, does he look a piece of work. Gone is the slightly dorky, yet cute, exterior. This Alex was decked in black, hair spiked, an eyebrow piercing and � I'll have to get a little closer to fully appreciate this.

I walked over to the other side of the quad, ignoring Michaels strange look. Even though I want to run, I remember what Isabel always says: Never look as if you're in a hurry to get someplace.

"Alex, I must say, looking goooood," I said, slipping my arms around his waist. I leant over to kiss him. Okay, the old Alex Whitman was a good kisser but this � this is amazing. Incredible. Pick a word.

I reluctantly pulled away.

"What brought on the self improvement kick?" I murmured. "You know I like you just the way you are?"

Alex looked at me with a smug smirk.

"Do I know you?"

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