"Emily! Time to get up. You'll be late for school!"

"Okay..." I groaned. School, I like. Getting out of bed, not so much.

It's the first day, of my last year, in high school. Pushing away the cat that had slept on my head, I hauled my butt into the bathroom for the usual morning ritual.

That's me in the mirror. Emily Carter. Seventeen. I have dark brown hair, green eyes, and straight teeth. By most standards, I'd probably be considered pretty. (Not trying to be narcissistic.)

Opening my wardrobe, I choose from my wide range of jeans, t-shirts, and sweaters. Yes. I like to be comfortable. I'm not what you'd call a fashionista. Blue jeans and a black hoodie today, I think. After tripping over the cat, I head downstairs, grab a slice of toast, and head down to the bus stop. If I run, I should just make it in time.

As I arrive just in time to see the bus leaving. Damn it all to hell. Well, guess I'm walking now.

"Emily! Need a ride?"

"No thanks, Ryan." I give him awkward smile, then continue on the path I've chosen.

Ryan Mitchell. Tall. Muscular. Handsome. None of which hold an interest for me. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against him personally. It's just that no-one holds any interest for me. I'm more content with my books, and studying.

I have no time for romance.

For some reason, that isn't really clear to me, Ryan has shown an interest in me since last year. Maybe it's because of some bet with the other jocks? See if he can get into the pants of the school nerd? Who knows? But, more importantly, who really cares.

For the last five minutes, Ryan has been keeping pace with me. Okay, now it's getting annoying.

"What Ryan? What do you want?" I said, getting increasingly frustrated.

"I'm just worried about you walking all alone. So, I'm here to protect you," Ryan giving me his best smile. That probably works with most of the girls. Me personally? Could. Not. Give. A. Shit.

"I said I'm fine. Can you go now? Please? It's getting embarrassing." I say, picking up the pace. I really need to wake up earlier... Starting tomorrow.

Figuring I'm not going to give in. Ryan drives off. "Finally..." I'm not really comfortable with confrontation.

By the time I get to the school gates, I only have about 3 minutes left before I'm officially late.

Waiting for me is a short girl with wavy brown hair. Who else but my best friend would risk getting detention to wait for me. That's Sarah. My best friend since we were little. I run up to her, now out of breath.

"Missed the bus again?" says Sarah knowingly. I can only nod my head.

"Come on, we're going to be late"

As fast as we can, we head to the first class of the day. Sprinting down the corridor, we come skidding through the door just as the teacher is about to close it.

The bell rings to signify the start of the day. Made it!

There are only two seats left. Both at the front. Guess this is our punishment for leaving it till the last minute. As I unload my books from my bag, the teacher is giving me the death stare. All I can do is bow my head and give him an apologetic smile.

Great, now he hates me...

"What are you going to each for lunch?" I asked Sarah as I put my bag in my locker.

"I know it's not healthy, but I can't go past the chicken nuggets," she giggles.

"Ah... Shit!" As I closed the locker door, Ryan had suddenly appeared, scaring the crap out of me.

"Going for lunch, Em?" he asked. "Why don't you join me?"

"No. For the fiftieth time. No." All I can do now is roll my eyes. This guy really doesn't get the hint.

Before I could move toward the cafeteria, Ryan had blocked my path with his hand against the locker. He must have seen this move on TV somewhere. Does he watch asian dramas, maybe?

"Come on..." he pleaded. "Just one time, how bout it?"

By now, I was garnering the stares of the other female students. Some curious, some bored. But most were jealous. Ryan was certainly popular with most of the girls in the school. I went to step around him, but he blocked my way again.

On the third attempt, as Ryan went to block again, he was bumped out of the way by another student.

"Ooops, sorry. Didn't see you there," the girl said with a clearly mocking tone. She then gave me a wink and continued on her way.

 Jordan Taylor. She normally wears a black jacket, ripped jeans, and army boots. Sporting a pixie haircut, she's a mix of cute girls meets heavy metal rocker. I've seen her around before, but never spoken. We weren't really the types to mix.

I'd also heard a rumour that she was a lesbian. Which didn't faze me in the least. Each to their own. She likes girls, and I liked, well, books.

Jordan 'came out' when she was sixteen and suffered a bit of backlash from the other students at the time. She was one of the first to be openly gay at school(at least that I knew of). I had to admire that level of commitment. I'm not sure if I could do something like that. Maybe if I was under pressure?

Jordan's parents were an odd match. Her father, David, was a lawyer. He kept an orderly and structured environment at home.

Her mother, Laura, is an artist who encourages Jordan to be a free spirit and creative. They divorced when she was twelve. Splitting her time evenly between the two very different living environments had shaped her to be the very adaptable and independent woman she was today.

She also has an older sister who is studying abroad. Megan and Jordan were close, despite the distance, regularly video chatting or messaging.

While Jordan's approach to academia is pretty loose and fast, when it comes to her art or her band, she is extremely committed.

Taking the opportunity Jordan had made for me, I dodged past Ryan and dragged Sarah along with me. Running past Jordan, I gave her my biggest smile and mouthed out, "Thank you."

Jordan gave me a nod of acknowledgement.

Damn that stupid cat. Why does it always end up sleeping on my head?

Strolling down for breakfast, I have time today. At least I don't need to scarf down food while sprinting for the bus today. I wonder if every day will be like this? Probably not.

By the time I arrived at the bus stop, I still had ten minutes to spare. Plenty of time to read the latest book I'd borrowed from the library.

"Emily!"

Oh, for fucks sake... I don't usually like to swear, but that's the point that I've gotten too. I'm actually using the F-word now.

"Jump in. I'll take you to school," Ryan suggested. "No need to take the bus."

I like to take the bus. Gives me time to read,"  I said, showing him the book in my hand. "So, again, thanks. But no thanks."

Ryan looked dejected, but what can I do? Feelings can't be forced as they say. The two girls also waiting for the bus looked at me like I'd lost my mind. They looked at Ryan like a couple of idol fangirls. Admiring his handsome face smiling, they then looked back at me.

"Did you want to go with him," I offered the girls. The both looked at Ryan expectantly. Hoping.

"Sorry, but you're the only one I have in my heart, Emily." The girls pouted, then directed their angry looks to me. I just shrugged my shoulders. What can I do about it?

Thankfully, the bus arrived to save me from this annoying situation. Ryan watched as I boarded the bus and took a seat. Opening my book, I didn't even give him a second glance. As the bus pulled away, I noticed Jordan sitting towards the back. She gave my a nod. I nodded back, then returned to my book.

Stepping off the bus, Jordan caught up from behind and said, "That guy still hassling you?"

"Mmm. I don't know how many ways to say I'm not interested. I think I've tried them all. Oh, thanks for yesterday by the way. It was really helpful."

"No problems. Happy to help a fellow woman out," she said with a captivating grin. " Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure." Given her help yesterday, I can spare some time for her.

"Why don't you like that guy? I hear he's the most popular guys in school. All the girls would love to be in your shoes."

"Just not interested," I replied.

"So, are you interested in girls then?" Jordan asked with a bit of a raised eyebrow.

I thought about it for a while. Jordan studied me curioiusly. Shaking my head, 'No. I'm just not interested in anyone at the moment. I don't have time for that romance stuff."

"Fair enough," Jordan said as she shrugged her shoulders. "Catch you later." Waving goodbye.

"Later."

It was around lunchtime, when I was explaining to a generally uninterested Sarah, about the latest book I was reading, when Ryan came and sat at our table.

"You don't mind if I sit here do you, Em?" Sarah scowled at him. Even though he was handsome and popular, Sarah was a good friend who always sided with me. The crowd nearby, oohh'd and aaah'd. Clearly they were mocking me.

"Go out on a date with me," Ryan said in a voice that was loud enough to silence the entire cafeteria. The crowd was waiting with bated breath for my response. The boys ready to cheer him on, the girls squeezing their fists, preparing for disappointment.

This guy was really starting to stress me out, and why were all these people looking at me.

As I looked around, I saw Jordan walk in, holding a tray of food. Then I had a lightbull moment.

"Sorry, Ryan. But I have someone I'm already seeing." Ryan gave me a sceptical look.

"Who? Who are you seeing? I've never seen you with anyone." Ryan looked around to his friends who were nodding their heads in agreement. Like they'd know anyway. Sheep.

Looking to where Jordan was standing, I said, "Her. She's the one."

My arm outstrected. The finger point is directly at Jordan.

Jordan stood there, whose mouth opened wide. She looked around behind her, but nobody was standing there. With a questioning look, she pointed to herself as if to say, me?

I strode over to her in the middle of the cafeteria and put a pleading look on my face.

Looping my arm through hers, I whispered, "Please, just play along?"

Jordan looked at me like I'd gone crazy. She then looked where Ryan was sitting. She must have figured it out because she put down the tray of food and escorted me out.

Once outside, Jordan let go and said, "Seems that's two you owe me?"

I grabbed hold of Jordan's hands, shaking them.

"I'm so sorry for putting you on the spot. Ryan asked me out in front of everyone, and I just blanked. Until I say you walk in..."

Jordan looked down at us holding hands, then laughed out loud.

"It's ok. You're pretty good-looking, so I don't mind being associated," she joked.

I looked down at her hands that I was still holding. Blushing, I immediately let go.

I thought about it.. This might actually work? I'd get Ryan off my back and keep away any potential future suitors, if they thought that I like girls...

"Um, Jordan? Would you possible help with out?"

"With what?"

"Would you be my girlfriend?" I said straightfaced.

Jordan did a double take, "What did you just say?"

"Pretend to be my girlfriend at school? Please?" I begged.

"Uuummm???"