Flashback

Walking through the crowded halls, clutching her books to her chest, Arianna makes her way to her next class.

Science.

It's probably her most hated subject, not only because she has no interest in it, but also because it's one of the classes she doesn't have with Kaydence or Maya.

Sighing, she looks down to adjust a book that's about to fall. Suddenly, she finds herself on the floor with her books scattered around.

"Fucking great," she groans quietly, moving to pick up her books. She doesn't even bother to acknowledge the person that ran into her. What's the point? Majority of the kids at Cox High School don't give a damn about anybody except themselves and they sure don't believe in apologizing for minute shit like this.

"I'm sorry," a bass voice, sounds and Arianna freezes at the sound. "I should've been watching where the hell I was going." She also stops gathering her books when she notices this surprisingly kind stranger is getting them for her. When the stranger finishes picking up everything, he stands up and Aria follows suit.

Her jaw almost drops when she sees who the person is.

"You're Kendall Barnes," she mumbles shocked, as she takes her books from him. Kendall is your typical attractive, popular, upperclassmen, jock. A star shooter on the school's basketball team, and with unnatural good looks, Kendall could make a lesbian go straight. He's easily the cutest black guy at their school.

He laughs, and Arianna feels her insides churn. She finds his laugh and smile beyond adorable. "Yeah, and you're Arianna...James?"

"How do you know I am?" Arianna narrows her eyes slightly. She's far from popular, and while not exactly a ‘loser,' most people don't even know who she is.

"We have Chemistry together." He answers, stuffing his hands in his pockets, with a small smile. "Plus, you're kinda hard not to notice." He lets his eyes travel down Arianna's shapely figure. Large breast. Small waist. Nice ass and hips. She's most definitely his type. His eyes flicker back to hers as his already deep voice, lowers even more, "And I always take note of a pretty face."

Butterflies' rattling in her stomach, Arianna is on cloud nine, only to be brought back down to earth as she remembers Kendall's infamous playboy status. As sexy as he is, she refuses to fall under his spell.

"That's the best you got?" She quips her eyebrow. "Considering your reputation, I was expecting your game to be better than that."

He laughs, "Feisty."

"That's a nice way to put it," she teases. "I've gotta get to class, but thanks for helping with me my books."

"Considering I was the one who knocked them down, it was the least I could do." A beat. "Can I walk you to class? Seeing that we are going to the same one and all....."

"I suppose," She offers him a small smiles.

He flashes her that charming smile of his, "Can I hold your books?"

"I'm fine." She smirks, walking past him to head to the class.

"Yes, you are." Kendall mumbles, taking a second to admire the sight of her walking away, before jogging to catch up to her.

End Flashback

{Aria POV}

Sighing heavily, I glance up at the clock and notice I have another half hour left before class lets out. I swear, I love Drama and English, but if I had known "Drama and English" would be this boring; I never would have enrolled. Then again, it is a required course....

Feeling a vibration between my legs, I pull out my phone, careful so that my professor can't see. Then again, I am sitting in the back, so I'm probably good. Turning the screen on, I see I have a text. After putting in the pattern to unlock the phone and subsequent messages, I enter the numeric password to open my ‘Private Box.' Yeah, I'm somewhat paranoid when it comes to my texts.

Don't judge me.

I smile to myself when I see it's from Colin.

I miss my baby. :-/

Shaking my head, I quickly text back ‘which one? :p'.

Obviously, living with Colin requires a lot of changes and adjustments to my lifestyle. One of those being my method of transportation. Maya and Kay don't have time to drive all the way over to his place and pick me up and bring me back home for school, work, and dance. I completely understand. That's a lot of fucking driving and gas isn't cheap. So, when Colin offered to let me use his other car, I was more than grateful. Now, when I found out his other car is a Chrysler 300, I was beyond ecstatic. That is like my dream car, and clearly Colin's ‘baby'. Seriously, I think it took him a good half hour to lay down the ‘rules' for me before he gave me the keys.

‘I'm hurt that you even have to ask....the car. Duh!  ;)'

I roll my eyes at his text and start typing. I'm gonna fuck with him.

‘Well in that case...I crashed that bitch into a pole. Hope you have insurance. J'

He texts back in less than a minute.

‘Funny. -_- What time you getting home tonight?'

‘Same as usual. 9:30ish. Y?'

‘I was thinking we could do something tonight.....guess not....'

My smile drops.

Even though we've had our fights since I moved (most of them being my fault) in last Saturday, he really is a nice guy and he's trying. Unfortunately, with our busy schedules, it's just been so difficult for us to have ‘alone' time. Suddenly, a light goes off in my head. I start typing furiously.

‘Why don't you join R & D tonight? Catch a ride with one of them and drive me home. I'll be tired af anyway.'

Again, he texts back in a timely manner.

‘....I'm confused. Join them for what? Wtf are you talking about?'

Scrunching my eyebrows in confusion, I realize Colin is unaware of Derrick and Ricardo paying us a visit at dance tonight. Kaydence, unbeknownst to Maya, invited Derrick, who told Ricardo about it, who text me and asked if he could come as well.

‘You don't know? They're coming to see us dance tonight. D wants to see M. Don't know why no one told you...'

‘Why is R coming though?'

"The hell?" I mutter to myself, glancing around to make sure the professor isn't watching.

‘Fuck should I know? He text and asked if I was cool with it. I said it was fine.'

‘Wait. He text you? You gave him your number?'

‘No. Kay did. Gotta go. Call D or R and see what's up. If you wanna come, cool. If not, fine. See you later.'

He takes a little longer to reply.

‘K.'

Rolling my eyes, I lock my phone back and put it back where it was. He's upset. He only uses ‘K' to end a convo when he's irritated. Why? I haven't a clue. Over Ricardo? I don't see what the big deal is. I mean, Derrick says the two of them are closer than even he and Colin are. So, why should Ricardo texting me bother him? I mean, yeah, I was kinda annoyed with Kay for giving him my number without asking me, but it's not that big a deal. Oh well, I don't have time to worry about him. I notice the professor is wrapping up the lecture and grab my pencil to take notes as he sums up everything he's just covered.

ooooooooOoooooooo

"So how's the married life?" Maya asks, as she and I start stretching. "Or should I say the pretend marriage life?"

I roll my eyes, "It's fine. I mean, I just moved in Saturday. Today's only Wednesday and we haven't had much time to like spend together, but it hasn't been bad or anything."

"How many arguments have you guys gotten into?" She smirks.

"Surprisingly, not as many as I thought we would." I answer honestly, casually looking over her shoulder to see if they're here yet.

I haven't spoken to Colin since that last text he sent. I'm not sure if he's coming or not. I'm also not sure why I'm kinda hoping he will come....

"What are you looking at?" Maya questions suspiciously, turning around to see what I was looking at. "And what is Kay doing back there anyway?" She gestures over to the "hidden room." The hidden room is actually a room behind the mirror in the studio. People inside that room can see everything that's happening on the other side, while people in this room are clueless to it. There's also an emergency exit. No one ever uses the room though and it's so secluded and isolated from the rest of the place, so that's how Kay plans to let the guys in without causing a scene. "What are you guys up to?" She narrows her eyes at me, and crosses her arms across her chest.

"Uhh..I-" Just as I'm about to make some bullshit excuse, I hear Kay's voice and let out a sigh of relief.

"And this is where we teach," she says in a sweet and innocent voice as Ricardo, Derrick and Colin follow behind her.

"Who are you-" Maya stops when she turns around and sees the guys. "What the hell are they doing here?!" She shouts, pointing specifically to Derrick.

"I invited them," Kay answers, looking at Ricardo.

"I missed you too baby," Derrick laughs, walking over to Maya. He looks over her body with nothing but lust, "Goddamn you have a tight ass body."

Maya glares up at him, "Why are you here? You're not even interested in dance."

"True, but I'm interested in you."

"For the last time, the feeling is not mutual."

"Yet," Derrick supplies.

Maya turns her glare to me, "I can't believe you were in on this too."

I raise up my arms as if to surrender, "Hey, I didn't plan it."

"But you still knew."

"Guilty," I confess, flashing a deep smile. She cuts her eyes at me.

Shaking my head, I walk over to Kay who is flirting it up with Ricardo.

"Hey," I say to Colin, careful not to make my annoyance with him too evident.

His eyes glaze over me with an emotion I can't really identify, "Hey."

"You still upset with me?" I question, leaning my weight on the heels of my Jordan's.

He looks surprised, "I wasn't upset with you. I was....." He shakes his head, "Never mind." A beat. "Is....is that my hat?"

My eyes widen a little as I remember the black ‘DOPE' hat I found in his car that I've taken a strong liking too. "Oh yeah, you don't mind me borrowing it do you?"

"I guess not," he laughs. "Looks better on you than it did me anyway."

"Probably true," I tease, tilting my head to the side. "I'm glad you came."

He smiles softly, "I'm glad too....you should really dress like this around the house more often. Just saying." He jokes, gesturing to my outfit.

"Not gonna happen pretty boy," I exclaim.

"Can't blame me for trying," he licks his lips.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me," Maya says clearly pissed off. "That is the most ignorant thing I've heard you say."

"What?" I ask, as everyone seems to turn their attention to Derrick and Maya.

"This arrogant prick," she sends derrick a venomous glare. "Thinks that what we do here isn't a workout."

The prick in question rolls his eyes, "All I said was that dancing isn't a legit workout. Hell, I don't think it's a warm-up. It's a hobby."

"Oh really?" Kaydence chimes in, "Have you ever actually witnessed an advanced hip-hop dance class?"

"Don't answer that..." I hear Colin mumble from behind me, preceded by and followed by a fake cough.

"No, but how hard can it be to-" He does a horrendous imitation of twerking and a couple other typical, ratchet dance moves. "do that?"

Riccardo slaps his forehead, "You just had to go there..."

"First of all, this-" Kay does a 15 second, rather impressive twerk which certainly catches the guys attention. "is how you twerk. Second, you have no idea how ignorant you look and sound. Thirdly, why don't you put your money where your big ass mouth is?"

Again, Colin does his fake coughs while mumbling, "Don't do it," In between them.

"I'm listening," Derrick smirks.

"You watch us teach, and at the end, when you realize that our little ‘hobby' is a workout then you have to go a month without speaking to Maya."

"A month?!" Both Derrick and Maya exclaim in unison.

"That's a little excessive," Maya says. "Make it a week." She must notice the shocked looks on everyone's faces, "What? I'm not that big of a bitch."

 Bullshit.

I was right. She does have a thing for Derrick.

Note to self: Drag the hell out of this and hold it against her even after they get together. Yeah, I'm predicting their hook-up.

"You got it ma," Derrick chuckles. "And when I see ya'll hobby isn't a workout? What's in it for me?"

"The three of us will do our Wicked Games pole dancing routine for ya'll," Kay answered confidently.

"We accept!" Derrick and Ricardo say at the same time.

"The fuck ya'll do," Colin grunts, grabbing me by my waist and pulls me into him. "Like I'm gonna let my wife dance on a pole for ya'll thirsty asses."

I roll my eyes, "Relax boo. It's not like they gonna win anyway."

"The hell we won't," Ricardo snickers. "I can picture it already. Shawty working the hell out of that pole. That ass......Goddamn." He shakes his head and licks his lips.

"You better be talking about Kay," I threaten, crossing my arms.

"Duh!" Kay says with an eye roll. "Rico's not about to hit on his friends girl while Colin right here and everybody knows Maya only got a medium sized ass."

Derrick scrunches up his face in confusion, "Who the fuck is Rico?"

Glancing at the clock, I notice it's 7:28. The students should be here any minute.

"Ya'll better get going," I sigh, moving out of Colin's embrace.

Maya looks at the clock as well, "We gotta start class."

"Start mentally preparing yourself for not being able to talk to McTitties for a week," Kay says to Derrick.

"I really hate when you guys call me that," Maya groans.

"Hey, it's better than Phat Phat." I grimace, remember that horrendous nickname Kay gave me back in middle school.

"Well, I mean, it's not like they're not appropriate," Derrick murmurs and the three of us turn to see that he's still in the room.

"Leave!" The three of us yell, which causes him to quickly head into the backroom.

"Where's Chris?" Maya suddenly asks.

As if on cue, Chris comes walking in, "Right here."

Chris also teaches the class with us. He's an amazing dancer and was one of the first people to welcome us here at the studio. He grew up in East L.A. and hand a rough upbringing, but found solace in dancing. He managed to get out the projects and is now one of the best choreographers around these necks of the woods. He's also pretty damn cute. Like Colin, he has a myriad of tattoos scattered across his body. However, he really has Colin beat. Chris's arms, chest, back and even the sides of his neck are covered in tattoos. He has a pretty nice body. He's not very built like Colin, with rather slim arms, but amazing abs.

"Hey Chris," I smile at him.

He briefly glances at me and gives me a rather icy, "Hi."

My smile drops.

 The fuck?

This nigga has hand an attitude with me for almost two weeks and I don't even know why. He and I have always been cool. He and I are closer than he is with Kay and Maya. I mean, that's partially because he has a thing for me, but he knows I just like him as a friend. I don't know what's changed.

ooooooooOoooooooo

"Great job you guys," I manage to get out through my heavy breathing. Glancing at Chris, I have to bite my tongue to keep from lashing out at him. I understand that he has a problem with me for whatever reason, but that's a personal problem; don't bring your shit into our profession. He was so tense and cold with me. He barely even glanced at me all class and acted like he didn't even want to dance with me when we had to partner together for our "Look at Me Now" warm-up.

"Yeah, keep practicing and we'll see ya'll tomorrow." Maya adds, before taking a huge gulp of water.

We always give our best, but we really put in work tonight. The class had requested we choreograph something to "Bands a Make Her Dance" and we finally finished it and showed it to them tonight. They loved it. Obviously, Chris stayed in the background and just helped when he noticed certain members struggling with certain moves. Then, we did a throwback and did a dance to "Upgrade U." Chris choreographed a "guy" friendly type dance. Both were intense as fuck. However, we love dancing and we make it fun for our class.

The four of us take about 15 minutes to talk to the class or to answer any questions they may have before everyone finally leaves.

As soon as I see everyone is gone, I turn to Chris with an unsympathetic expression, "What the fuck is up with you?"

He looks at me, "I don't know what you're talking about. I ain't got no beef with you."

"Bullshit," I scoff. "You've been acing funny with me for over a week now. What gives? I didn't do you shit." He rolls his eyes, "Look Chris, I don't know what your issue is, but I don't have time for this high school beef type shit. We're all adults. I expect you to act like one, especially in the workplace."

"If that's what you want," he shrugs nonchalantly. 

"What she wants," Kay joins in. "is for you to stop being a pressed, little bitch, grow a pair and just tell her what the fuck is up with your moody ass."

He laughs bitterly, "Just like she was upfront with me about the real reason she wouldn't go out with me?"

"What are you even talking about?" Maya adds in.

Suddenly, he grabs my left hand and gestures to the expensive ass ring adorning my ring finger. "It's not you. It's just me. I'm not looking to be in a relationship right now. Dating is the last thing on my mind Chris, you know that." He starts mockingly quoting all the reasons I gave him that I couldn't go out with him. I feel my anger slowly start to dissipate.

"Okay, she got married." Kay scoffs, "What's it to you? She don't have to answer to you or anybody else."

"Look Chris....I," I trail off, not knowing how to explain the situation to him. Fuck. I can't even do that. If I tell him the truth, I risk getting Colin and mine's secret out. If I lie, I risk losing our friendship. I'm double fucked. Time to improvise. "I'm sorry Chris. I should have just been honest with you. But, I value our friendship, and I didn't want to lose you. I didn't wanna hurt your feelings."

"Naw," he drops my hand and I subconsciously bring it to my chest. "You just fucked with them instead."

I bite the inside of my lip and look down, "What do you want me to say Chris?"

"Ain't nothing to say," He says coldly. "Your actions have said enough."

"Really Chris?" Maya scoffs. "You're blowing this whole damn thing out of proportion. You don't even know the whole story."

"What's there to know?" He asks defensively, "It's pretty obvious what happened. She done went off met, dated for a lil while, and married some nigga that probably don't even give two fucks about her."

"Hold the fuck up Chris," I interrupt, feeling my anger starting to come back. "You know me. You know that's not how I operate. So don't come at me with that bullshit. I'm a grown ass woman. I don't have to report to you about who I choose to date. Yes, I got married. Last time I checked, there was no law against that. You don't know a damn thing about me and my husband's relationship so don't you dare try to belittle what we have. I've apologized to you, but it's obvious you don't wanna hear it. I like you Chris. I really do. I consider you a good friend, but I've never been one to chase behind nobody and I'm damn sure not starting now. So," I step up to him, looking up since he's a good foot taller than me. "When you decide to swallow your stupid ass male pride and want to discuss this like mature adults, call me. Until then, this conversation is over." Brushing past his shoulder, I grab my dance bag and head towards the door. "I'm gonna go take my shower."

ooooooooOoooooooo

Maya, Kay, and I finish our showers in less than twenty minutes. By the time we get back to the room, Chris is gone. Good. He pissed me the fuck off. I know, I'm in the wrong too, but he's being such a bitch about this whole thing.

Of course, Derrick was forced to admit that he was wrong and subsequently agreed not to talk to Maya for a week. Though I'm not sure who was more upset over the loss, Derrick or Ricardo......

"It's soooo beautiful out here tonight!" Kay exclaims, spinning as we all walk out to the cars. "We should do something!"

"Like what?" Maya yawns, while stretching upward. "There's not much we can do without getting mobbed."

"Oh, true." Kay pouts, remembering the guys celebrity statuses. A beat. "I know! We could go to the beach!"

"The fuck?" I question. "I'm pretty sure there's gonna be people at the beach Kay."

She rolls her eyes, "Not where we went that time we got lost-"

"You mean the time you got us lost," Maya corrects.

"Whatever," Kay waves her off. "But you remember right? It's like it was isolated." She turns to the guys, "I don't think anyone even knows that it's there. We're guaranteed to have privacy."

"I am not going to the damn beach at nine something at night. You watch Lifetime. That's how it always starts," Maya huffs and then turns to me. "OhEmGee Bethany! We should like totally go to the beach!" She says with a fake white girl accent.

I laugh, but decide to play along. "Totally! We can take my daddy's Mercedes! But let's like leave our phones here because I am like so sick of my parents! Like not even."

"Yay! And let's not tell anybody where we're going! Ooh! And lets park the car far from where we're actually gonna be."

"Absolutely! I mean, it's not like it's 3:00 in the morning and there are creepy rapist out or anything.."

"Ewww!" We say at the same time, before bursting out with laughter.

"Ha ha," Kay rolls her eyes, and turns her attention back to the guys who look thoroughly amused. "Ignore them. They're crazy. Come on! It's so beautiful out tonight! And we don't have to stay long! An hour! Max!" She attempts to beg, particularly focusing on persuading Riccardo.

"It is pretty nice out..." Ricardo trails off, "Aw fuck it. I'm game."

"Yay!" Kaydence squeals.

Maya throws her head back and groans, "Fine, but we're not staying over an hour." She opens up the trunk and throws her stuff in the trunk, "Come on Anna Nicole. The faster we get there. The faster we can leave."

"I'm riding with Ricardo," Kay replies, grabbing on to his waist. "Derrick can ride with you."

"Like hell he can," Maya objects.

"Come on baby, I'll even drive." Derrick attempts to plead. "All you have to do is sit and ride." He winks.

Maya blushes at his double meaning, "Just get in the damn car." She mutters, getting in the driver's seat and slamming the door.

Yawning, I turn towards Colin and throw my stuff in the backseat.

"You're driving," I tell him, getting into the passenger's seat.

ooooooooOoooooooo

"Let's split up in groups of two," Kay decides. "Rico and I, Maya and Derrick, and Aria and Colin."

"Why the fuck am I always stuck with him?" Maya complains, kicking a random pebble in the sand.

"It's fate baby," Derrick answers.

Maya rolls her eyes, "More like fucking damnation." She starts heading off in the opposite direction.  Derrick, of course, follows close behind.

"Come on," Kay grabs Ricardo's hand with a smirk. "I have a special spot for you and me." The two quickly peregrinate in another direction.

"Eww," I grimace, realizing what they plan on doing. I don't see how people can have sex on the beach. That shit has to be uncomfortable as fuck. "Make sure he gloves that love hoe!" I yell after her.

"Right back at ya slut!" She screams back.

Laughing, I turn around to face Colin who I'm surprised to see is heading off in another direction.

"Hey!" I hurry after him, "Don't leave me." I whine, grabbing onto his arm. "Someone might try to kidnap me."

He raises his eyebrow, "Trust me. They'd either send you back or turn themselves in."

I glare and punch his arm, "Shut up. I'd have you know that I'd make a great captive."

"Sure you would," he laughs and rolls his eyes. "You don't know how to be submissive."

"I can be taught," I wink, stopping to move in front of him pushing my chest against his. "I'm a fast learner," I look up at him through batted eyelashes. His eyes struggle to stay focused on mine as they keep darting to my chest. Laughing, I pull myself away from him and sit on the sand. He does the same. My smile drops.

"Why haven't you asked me about what happened with Chris?" I ask, keeping my gaze on the steady waves.

A beat. "I'm learning it's better to just wait for you to bring stuff up-"

"Rather than have to deal with me and my mood swings," I finish for him softly. I drop my head and chuckle bitterly, "It's okay. I understand."

"Plus, there's not much to talk about. He likes you. The feeling isn't mutual. He clearly doesn't take rejection well."

I laugh, glancing back at him. "Pretty much. But I don't get why he's so pissed. Like, we're friends, but I don't talk to him every day. We've never even gone out. I just don't see him like that. I get why he's upset with me. I really do, but he's blowing this all out of proportion. I hated having to blow up on him like I did, but he knows how I am. He knows how I get."

Colin nods, "Have you ever....um..."

"Looked into getting help?" I finish for him. He nods. "Of course. It's something I've always contemplated."

"Why haven't you then?" He asks carefully, keeping his tone of voice neutral.

"Because," Pulling my knees up to my chest, I rest my chin on them and wrap my arms around them. I keep my eyes on the waves, reusing to look at him. "There's a reason I am the way I am. Reasons actually, and seeking help will mean I have to revisit my past." I turn to look at him, "And I'm not willing to open up Pandora's Box."

"Do you know the story?" He randomly asks me.

I tilt my head to the side, "Of what?"

"Pandora's box."

"A little. I know the logistics. She opened it and unleashed all kinds of evil. What's your point?"

"It wasn't just all bad things that came out," He adds. "There was one last thing at the bottom."

I hesitate to ask, "What was it?"

He looks me dead in the eyes and answers, "Hope."