"Try a hundred years younger." She joked back "He looks two minutes from death's door."

Mr Dankworth stood proudly in his purple waistcoat and bright orange trousers at the projector when he asked, “Did anyone read anything interesting in the holidays?"

A familiar male voice answered from the middle of the classroom. The voice from where the jocks would typically be found.

Chase leant back in his chair as he announced "I read a book called How to Stop Being So Appealing To The Ladies. It wasn't a very useful read because they are still over me."

All his friends laughed around him and praised him like he had delivered some kind of great joke.

In my opinion, Chase should not consider stand-up comedy for a living.

The English teacher faked a thinking face before responding "I don't think I've heard of that book, Mr Andrews."

I bit my tongue, but it failed miserably.

"That is because he forgot For Dummies at the end of the title." I called out.

The whole class erupted into laughter.

Even the teacher sent a nod of appreciation my way. Chase's friends were laughing too and I could not help but be pleased with myself.

Chase turned in his chair and sent the combination of a sneer and wink my way "You are lucky you are hot, babe."

A low, deep rumble sounded from behind me.

I ignored it and replied to the quarterback with a bitter tone "You are lucky you are far away from me, babe."

Mr Dankworth continued with the lesson, and everyone resumed focusing on the front excluding a few who were too busy trying to catch a glimpse of the two new students who might as well have been fresh meat.

Brennan leaned forward in his seat and poked both Lana and me with his pen.

"Chase?" Brennan inquired before glancing my way "As in the guy you were on a date with at the pier?"

I stayed quiet and Lana nodded.

Amusement filled Brennan's words as he let out a single laugh "No wonder you left him to come meet us."

A dark rough noise came from behind me again.

Slowly and with caution, I adjusted myself in my seat so that I could see why it sounded as if a mountain lion or some other predatory animal had appeared at the back of my English class.

I turned and raised my eyebrow at Stone questioningly, wondering why he was making the deep rumbling noise.

Stone stopped his anger-filled sounds as soon as my eyes met his. His scowl stayed intact but his eyes appeared a lot lighter.

Lana leant to the side towards me and whispered, "Why do you still go out with that douchebag?"

"Chase is usually nice when we are alone." I told her quietly "I also need to keep him on side because he still has my panda."

Another noise came from behind me. It was not a growl but instead it was the sound of paper being crushed.