Page 43 of Wallflower

"You never know," he said.

"Oh yes, I do." I pointed a finger at his chest. "And just so we're clear, in almost every romantic anything I've ever watched, it's usually the guy who makes that pronouncement who falls first. Maybe I should be the one warning you off."

"Seriously." He laughed. "You think I'll fall in love with you?"

I sniffed. "You don't have to sound so sarcastic. I'm a very loveable person."

Dare was still laughing, but he managed to gasp, "That's impossible."

"Oh, and why's that?"

"Because I don't believe in love." Dare shrugged like what he'd said wasn't absolutely mind-blowing.

I could only gape at him. "How can you not believe in love?" I said. "That's just ridiculous."

"It's the truth, flower." His tone was dead serious, and I didn't even know how to address the silly declaration he'd just made. So instead, I focused on the nickname.

"Ugh, do you have to keep calling me that?"

Dare nodded. "Yes. Besides, I don't think you mind it as much as you pretend to."

I blinked. "I'm going in now to put up my instrument."

A beat of silence.

"Like I said, I'll find you later," I added when Dare just stood there.

"Guess this is where we part ways," he said, placing my case near the door then taking a step back. "So, are you going to let me in on phase one of the plan? Or just leave me in the dark?"

I crossed my arms. "It's still under construction."

Dare laughed. "Which means you haven't thought of it yet? Jeez Viola, I thought you'd have the whole thing mapped out."

"Well, I wasn't sure you'd say yes," I said in my defense. "Convincing you, that was phase one. Now, I can move on to phase two."

Dare laughed silently. "Which is?" he prompted.

"I'll let you know," I said with a frown.

"You do that," he said and then strode away. Over his shoulder, he tossed back, "Can't wait to see what you come up with."

Was it my imagination or was there a heaping dose of sarcasm in his tone?

I'd show him, I thought. By the time we met again, I'd have crafted an entire agenda to make my dad believe I'd fallen madly in love with Dare Frost.

During first period, I didn't hear a word of what the teacher said. It was like my mind had taken up Dare's challenge and wouldn't rest until I had it all worked out. I wrote a ton of different ideas for risqué situations Dare and I could find ourselves in, all of which could be staged easily and none of which involved kissing. I'd only ever admit this in my mind…but after what happened the other day, after how much I'd enjoyed Dare's kissing skills, I knew I needed to stay away from a repeat performance. Of course, I wasn't going to fall for Dare because he was a good kisser. But I could definitely see the danger in those amazing lips of his. I'd nearly forgotten my own name the first time. Yep, best just to stay away from the kissing, I concluded.

I walked out of my first class feeling good. My list was solid, and as I stared down at it, I couldn’t contain my smile. Wait until I found Dare. He'd be sorry he ever doubted me.

I was so caught up that I nearly didn't notice the whispers of my name, the way people were staring, the muffled laughter that followed in my wake.

But I definitely noticed when Dare came barreling down the hall, called my name and pulled me into an empty classroom. He shut the door, leaned against it and pulled down the shade.

"What was that all about?" I asked.

"You haven't seen it yet?" he said.

"Seen what?"

---