Chapter one

First day of school at Bluebell High, Max Tigers sighed as he walked past the school's entrance. He felt awkward as some students, mostly girls, stared at him while the rest of them completely ignored him which he rather preferred since he was trying to blend in ; either they were eagerly beeping on their cellphones or they were at their lockers. Max began to walk to faster as the bell was rung for the beginning of classes, after being briefed by the Principal, Mr Johnson Black, in his office and being handed the school's rulebook and other essential accessories.

About crossing the corridor, he bumped into a girl who apparently had been running.The girl who was a brunette, wore a pink t-shirt that exposed her midriff, highwaisted jeans and a denim " All stars" sneakers. Books in her hands went flying in the air; some hitting the both of them before finally falling to the ground.

"Aaargh! Are you blind or what? Can't you watch where you are going?" The girl asked, bending down to pick her books.

Max bit back his sharp retort, having learnt from experience, living with his twin elders sisters, never to provoke girls, especially beautiful girls like the one in front of him.

"I'm sorry about earlier. Guess I was a bit lost."

"Whatever."

Seeing that the girl was already pissed off, Max decided to try another means of approach.

"Max, Max Tigers, by the way."

The girl let out an exasperated sigh before she replied. "Jade Morgan."

Max's name struck her but Jade couldn't place it, couldn't remember where she had heard it. And for some reason, it sounded awfully familiar.

"You've got a really nice name."

"Thanks."

Turning, She raised her head to see the stranger that bumped into her. Jade found herself staring into bright blue eyes that reminded her of the sea. She took in the dark brown wavy hair, drop-dead gorgeous face, cute smile, tanned skin, perfect abs that showed clearly from the tight white shirt which he wore.

The white shirt clung to his lean muscular frame as if it were a second skin and emphasized his fit body. He wore a black leather jacket over the shirt which she thought had to be a designer's original with blue jeans and Adidas sneakers.

She quickly caught herself as her mind began to fly away with wild thoughts. Max noticed her staring and decided to flash her his cool guy smile, displaying an excellent set of strong white teeth, which floored her, then she made a conscious effort to shut her open mouth and surreptitiously check for drool at the corners of her mouth. It made her blush to think that she had been caught gawking.

Then she remembered.

Max Tigers a.k.a Maxy.

"Oh.My.Gosh!" She cried as memories of her childhood that she had long forgotten flooded her mind. "Maxy!"

Max frowned, " How do you know that name?"

" Max, it's me. Uhm....do you remember the girl who you acted Romeo and Juliet with, back in Middle School? " She asked, excitedly.

" No." Max answered, still unable to recognize her.

" What about your childhood bestie, the girl who always had her hair done in ponytails?"

" Jada, is this you? "

"Yeah, it's me."

"Now, I recognize you. You still twirl your hair like you used to when excited."

"So what are you doing here?" Jade asked.

" It's a long story. I'll fill in on it later. Let's just say that I got transferred."

" From which school?"

" Still as inquisitive as ever. Well, I got transferred from Olympic High."

" Wow! From what I heard, the school's great, so why'd you leave?"

" Whoa, enough questions already."

" Sorry."

"By the way, something's been bugging me."

"What is it?"

"How did you recognize me so easily?" He asked, curious.

" Oh! That?"

" Yeah."

"Your smile. It's still cute."

"Awww, thanks. That just boosted my ego."

"Well, good for you."

Jade then added." Do you know the whole school is buzzing with rumors of you joining us at Bluebell High which are now true.Infact...."

Rummaging through her bag, Jade berated herself for being disorganized. After finding her phone, she brought it out, logged into the school's website (gossip column) and showed Max a recent picture on it which was his.

" Geez! I didn't know I was already that popular." He said , after seeing the number of likes and comments the picture had.

" Yes, you are. But make sure to keep away from two people."

"And who are they?"

"Amber Graham and Emily Stark."

"Why? What's wrong with them?"

"Amber is the richest, most popular and, according to her two sidekicks and group of friends who I like to call fans, the most beautiful girl at Bluebell High."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Gosh! Like she's the queen bee."

"Guess, you could say that."

"But, hold on a sec, is she really that beautiful? Because I have seen some girls here and they are ...."

"Boys!!!"

"Just teasing. So what's up with Emily?"

"She's the chief editor of the school's newspaper."

"So?"

"She goes crae crae crazy when she meets a new handsome boy."

"Really?" Max said, with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"What?"

"So, I'm handsome, right?"

Jade rolled her eyes, smiled and said cheekily."Maybe, uhm, a little."

"Ok. But seriously, is she really like that?"

"Sure as hell."

"Yikes. Gat to watch out for myself."

Then,suddenly, Max said."You're still as beautiful as ever, Jade."

Jade blushed and took refuge in picking up her books, then raised her head and arched a brow.

"Guess that didn't come out right. You probably know how beautiful you are. But I hope we can still keep on being friends."

Jade's mouth felt dry. Max was lean, tall, handsome and clearly any girl would love to be friends with him. She began to uncurl a little at the unaccustomed warmth of male appreciation. And there was no guilt. She had no boyfriend, was a free girl.

Not that it would go that far.

Although, why not? Why shouldn't it? said a tiny voice inside her.

" I believe we still are, Max," She said, smiling.

Grinning like a wolf, he moved for the kill. "Then can I have your number?"

" No." She said, curtly, the smile gone from her face.

" Why?"

" Cuz,I ...."

'Cause I'm afraid that I'll fall in love with you only to get my heart broken again, she thought.

"You what?"

" Nothing."

"Please, if you still consider me your friend."

"Fine!!!" She said, a bit too loud.

Ears of nearby students pricked up at the sudden sound, hoping to hance upon a sizzling piece of gossip to spice up their day.

Finally, Max thought.

Jade quickly but quietly called out her number which he dialed it on his phone. Immediately, she heard someone call out her name.

"Jade!!!"

"Hi, Kristen what's up?" Jade asked , having turned back and waved over to where they stood.

"Hi. Kristen replied.

"Jade?" Max said.

" What?" Jade answered.

"Don't you think you should introduce me to your friend?" Max asked.

"Oh! Sorry... my bad! Max, meet Kristen Morey, my best friend. Kris,

meet Max Tigers, my chil..." Jada said before Kristen cut her off.

" Wait, let me guess," She said."You're the new kid, right?"

"You are ..." Max replied as Jade arched a brow.

"Finally, Jade, I get to meet the new kid who turns out to also be your mystery friend." Kristen said, ignoring the silence.

"Kristen, l want you to stop calling me the new kid, it makes me feel little. And who said that I was a mystery?" Max pleaded, grinning at the both of them.Kristen and Jade pointed at each other really quick.

Max groaned." God! why did you have to surround me with such beauties?."

Jade could have sworn that Kristen, badass Kristen, actually blushed.

" Well, that's cute. But sorry to be the one to break up our little get-together or should I say reunion but hope you guys realize that we have classes." Kristen said.

" Omigosh! I totally forgot, thanks to Max here." Jade replied, winking at Max.

" Jade, we are fifteen minutes late for Government class." Kristen said, after checking her phone.

" Mr Pascal is so going to kill us." Jade replied.

" So, what are you having, Max?" Kristen asked.

" I think I'm having Biology." Max answered.

" Then if I were you, I'd start running fast." said Jade.

" Why?" Max asked.

" Mr Dickens is the most dreaded teacher besides the principal." replied Kristen.

" Oh! No!" said Max.

"Oh! Yes!" Jade replied, smiling.

" Bye, gotta go." Max said, kissing Jade on her cheek in a hurry. " Don't wanna be late on my first day."

" See you around." Jade replied, mortified.

" Bye," Kristen said as she watched Max run. " Now, Jade, let's get to class."

" Kris, I know that look." Jade said when she saw Kristen smiling.

" What look?" Kristen asked, feigning ignorance. " Besides, you'll eventually have to tell me everything that happened before I

saw you both. Mind you all the juicy details."

" There's really nothing to fill you in on." Jade replied as they began to walk towards their class.

" Really?"

" Yes, besides, it's not like anything happened."

" Are you sure?"

"Of course."