CLARISSA POV

I was breathing heavy when I finally made it back to the house and I walked inside. How did he find me so easily and so fast? The only reason I escaped was because I managed to avoid plunging into the pool at the last second. I felt goosebumps rise along my skin when I remembered the hellhounds’ red eyes and its piercing howl. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and calmed myself down. I climbed up the large staircase and tried to catch my breath. The door to Tatiana's room swung open and she stuck her head out.

"Hey, why are you waiting out here?" she asked, frowning.

"I-I just got h-here," I said trying to sound normal. I forced a smile.

"Okay, well come on, did you bring the candy?" she asked eagerly.

"I ... umm ... got lost and I wasn't sure where to go so, I came back." I responded nonchalantly and walked into her room. I plopped down in front of my books and explained to Sam why I did not have her candy.

We had finished all our homework and Sam had to leave. So we all said good bye and that we would see her at school. Once the door closed Tatiana dragged me to the kitchen and Linda had our supper all laid out. There was two plates of spaghetti that looked so delicious and I heard my stomach growl. Tatiana laughed and my cheeks were tainted red as I took my seat.

When we were done I helped clear the table and put some stuff away in their full modern kitchen. We walked back upstairs and I told Tatiana I would be going to sleep early.

"All right, see you tomorrow," she told me and gave me a quick hug.

I walked into the room I woke up in the first time I met her and crawled into the bed still fully clothed. I hoped sleep would overtake me, but of course it didn't. Every time I closed my eyes I saw a hellhound or even worse, Anthony. I bit my bottom lip and stared at the clock that was bright in the darkness. It read four am and I still couldn't sleep. Then I realized I had to leave or else Anthony could find me again. Even worse, he could hurt Tatiana and then I would never be able to forgive myself.

I needed to leave and soon.

TATIANA POV

I woke up the next morning to my alarm clock blaring and I hit snooze, but then I hit it again for good measure. I reluctantly climbed out of my silk sheets and got up to get dressed. I walked inside my closet and pulled out a black skirt that fell above my knees and a red plaid top with black high top converse. I did my makeup and brushed my hair so that it fell gently down my back. I brushed my teeth because I wasn't going to eat right away. I passed by Claire's room and I could hear her moving around so I knew I didn't have to wake her. I grabbed my school bag and went downstairs to take my breakfast to go.

"Claire! Hurry up!" I called up to her from the stairs.

"I'm almost ready," she yelled back and five minutes later she ran down the stairs in a pair of skinny jeans and a black top.

"Let's go."

When we got to our school I parked my car like a pro and I smirked smugly to no one in particular. The minute I climbed out someone called me over.

"Tatiana! You look...uhh... gorgeous as always, but I wanted to talk to you," Crystal Hather called to me and I knew she was lying through her teeth. She started walking over to me in her Jimmy Choo wedges and her Burberry outfit.

"Sure, what's up, Crystal?" I asked once she was in earshot.

"Is it true you're engaged to Darren Little?" she asked, excitedly. Crystal Hather is my one of my rich "friends" or in other words she "likes" me because of my status.

"It's a fat lie." I responded smiling way too sweetly and I walked away.

"Who was she? Who's Darren?" Claire asked, curiously.

"Crystal Hather, she's the most popular girl in our school and Darren is someone I don't want to talk about, but if you want to know I'll tell you tonight," I told her.

"Alright, anyway I've got to go see my history teacher for some explanations," she told me and walked off with a wave. That's what I like about her. We have our secrets and we both drop it when the other asks.

I walked into the West building to my locker to grab my books and when I turned to leave I accidentally walked into someone.

"I am so sorry," I told him and bend down to pick up my books. He didn't answer and when I got up to see who it was I nearly screamed in surprise.

"Hey, Tiana," Darren greeted, smirking.

"Get lost," I responded with a cold glare.

"Your cold stare really kills me, Tiana," he said frowning and took a step closer.

"Just shut up," I snapped, angrily.

"Would you stop getting angry at me? It was our parents that planned this and I just want to get to know you better," he explained and I felt myself soften slightly.

"You're right and it's just ... a lot to take in," I told him and gave him a small smile.

"How about we start over?" he asked and I felt my iciness melt a little bit.

"Okay, deal," I said.

"I'm Darren, the almighty, magnificent and sexy," he said with a booming voice and I smacked him. Hard. Unbelievable.

"Ouch!" he whined and rubbed the area I had hit.

"You are annoying," I stated, but I was grinning.

"Thanks, so are you," he shot back playfully and I turned away. I walked off to my class and I found myself smiling.

"Tee!" Leah called when she saw me and my smiled widened.

"What's up Leah?" I asked with an odd voice causing her to roll her eyes.

"Don't get pissed, but Darren Little enrolled in our school today," she told me.

"I already know, he found me at my locker," I told her and stuck my tongue out.

"Must have been fun and by the way I was wondering if you ever thought about what it would be like to be a walrus," she said with a straight face and I considered it.

"That would be awesome," I told her and she smiled. “Two tusks and you chill out.”

"I know right!" she exclaimed and took off without another word. God, I love that girl I thought, laughing silently to myself.

I made it to my first class just as the bell rang and my teacher shot me a look. I rolled my eyes in response and placed my books neatly on my desk. School is so annoying I thought and I began to draw in my notebook as my teacher talked about science stuff.

When lunch came around I went to buy my lunch in the cafeteria. I walked by all the tables trying to balance my plate, orange juice and my money.

"Tatiana! Come sit with us," I heard Ashley Martin call over with a wave and friendly smile. I liked her because she was sweet and down to earth. Only she's too afraid to stand up to popular clique. I walked over and sat down with everyone. Everyone included Alexandra Fiore, Alicia Lane, Mikayla Dune, Crystal Hather and Ashley Martin.

"Where are the guys?" Alexandra whined and twirled her blonde hair around her finger.

"I think they had a meeting with Coach," Mikayla answered chewing her gum loudly.

"Seriously? Mark was supposed to ask me out today!" Alexandra moaned and she placed her head in her hands.

"Ehmagawd! Shut up Alexandra, all you've been talking about is Mark. The real news is about Tiana and Darren," Crystal said and smiled wickedly at me.

"No way! The Darren Little?"

"Like the super hot extremely smart and rich Darren?"

"You are totes going to invite me right?"

"When are you planning the wedding?"

"Who asked who?"

"Shut up!" I yelled at all of them and I felt my face turning red. They all look offended as if it was the first time anyone has ever yelled at them.

"That's a huge stupid rumor okay?" I told them all.

"Whatever, Tatiana no need to get your panties in a bunch," Crystal retorted and smirked when the other girls giggled.

"Anyway, what's up with you and the new girl? She's completely... ugh can't even finish the sentence." Alexandra asked and pretended to be sick.

"She's my friend and she needed some help." I responded, shrugging.

"Obviously, she's like your charity case right?" Mikayla asked and looked at me expectantly.

"Of course not!" I snapped and she rolled her eyes.

"Girls! Girls! Guess who got us all spots in the upcoming Alexander Wang Fashion Show," Ashley announced as she tapped away on her iPhone trying to break the tension.

"No way!" Crystal shouted and moved closer to look at her phone.

"He's so close with my dad and he wanted regular hot girls to show off his new line so he just texted me and I said yes!" she explained and she got a chorus of shrieks back.

"He is going to send a plane for us all next Saturday so we can see how everything is going to be done. Also, to teach us how to walk the catwalk. We get back on Sunday night and then next Saturday they pick us up for the show, but we will have to miss a week of school," she told us as she read over her iPhone and looked up at us smiling.

"Could you count me out, Ash?" I asked hopefully after all the squealing and shrieking was done.

"Sorry Tiana, he expects you there and if you turn him down you are dead to the fashion world," Crystal answered for her. "I mean he is, Alexander Wang."

"Okay whatever, I've got to go," I told them and got up to leave. They all called goodbye and I just waved.

Whenever I hang out with them I feel like all my brain cells slowly die, painfully. I seriously needed to get out of that fashion show before it was time to go, but if I'm dead to the fashion world, then it won't be good for my dad. Damn. I continued walking and made my way outside. I saw Leah, Sam and Claire all sitting in this cube area outside that is also covered with a roof for when it rains.

"Tee! Finally! Where were you?" Sam asked, smiling.

"Hanging with the rich kids," I answered in a stereotyped girly girl voice and pretended to flick my hair.

"What happened now?" Leah asked grinning at me and I stuck my tongue out at her.

"They dragged me into some fashion show for Alexander Wang," I told them and sat down with my food.

"Sucks to be you." Leah singsonged and I smacked her lightly as she laughed.

"Not really I think it would be an awesome experience," Claire added after being so quiet and looked up from her own lunch.

"Ha! See, Leah," I teased and shoved her playfully.

"Ugh, now that she put it that way and if I could go I could take pictures as a photographer, but of course they wouldn’t take a high school student. I could even learn a thing or two about fashion," Leah said, smiling blissfully.

"You never know, but I agree it would pretty cool to walk all fancy like," Sam added and she smiled.

"Now, it doesn't seem so bad," I said out loud and they all smirked at me. "Shut up guys!"

The rest of the day was boring and plain as usual. Same shit, different day, I thought. Finally, the bell rang and I walked out of class. I went over to my locker and Darren was leaning against it. His face brightened when he saw me and I felt cautious.

"Hey Tiana, want to go out and grab something to eat?" he asked me smiling and he seemed kind of pink.

"Sorry Darren, but I'm working tonight" I told him truthfully and walked passed him to open my locker.

"What about tomorrow?" he asked again hopefully. "We should at least get to know each other a bit better."

"I'll think about it." I said simply as I shoved my books into my bag. "Bye."

I walked out to my car and saw Claire was already waiting and she looked like a model. Maybe, I could call Alexander and ask if Claire could come too because I would lose it, if I had a whole week with all those other girls. I smiled at her and unlocked my car. We both got in and I drove off. When we got home laughing about something Claire saw and I stopped in my tracks when I saw both my parents waiting.

"Hey Tatiana, we need to talk and I'll ask your friend to wait upstairs," My mom said and Claire nodded. She walked upstairs and I was left alone with my parents. We all walked to the living room and I plopped down on the expensive couches and looked at my parents expectantly. Lucas Davey, is my dad and an all-time millionaire. He had black hair like me and the same bright blue eyes. He was in his early forties and I loved him to death. Which is rare because I don't see him all the time, but we've always been close. Tricia Davey, is my step mom, but the only mom I know because my real mom left us when I was three years old. She had wavy dirty blonde hair with green eyes. She was tall and thin, but not too thin.

"I wanted to apologize for not telling you about the engagement with Darren and I didn't want you to find out like that," My dad said and I soften slightly.

"Why would you do that though?" I asked, confused.

"When you were born there were problems with my company and Marcus' company. I knew Marcus had a little three year old boy. So to make sure our companies wouldn't fail and to make sure you would have all the money you would need, we planned it," he explained. “Our companies are doing well now, but your marriage will solidify the image of the companies especially if we merge them.”

"Sweetheart, you can't honestly think he's that bad. He is very smart and very attractive. All you need to do is get to know him better," my mom added. "This will help our companies greatly."

"Fine, I'll give him one chance, but if this doesn't work then I'm getting out of it," I told them and they knew I wouldn't back down if they protested.

"Deal, thanks Tiana. We love you," my dad said and got up to hug me.

"I know," I murmured and hugged him back.

"Alright, let's order some Chinese food for supper and call your friend down," My dad announced and he walked off with his phone. I smiled and my mom winked at me. I went to my room and saw Claire doing her homework.

"Come on, my dad is ordering Chinese food for everyone," I told her and waited for her before we left. We walked down and I introduced Claire to my parents. I let them know that Clarissa would be staying with us for a while and they agreed with no issue. Then we were all sitting around the table digging into our ordered food.

CLARISSA POV

I was in shock as I sat at the table with Tee and her parents because they were so awesome and not at all stuck up. I laughed as Tricia began ignoring Lucas because he refused to give her the last dumpling. They talked about everything and when Tatiana told them about the fashion show I swear they choked on their food.

"Y-you're going to be in an f-fashion show?" Tricia manage to gasp out in surprise and laughed slightly as Tiana rolled her eyes.

"Yes, and-" she started to say, but was cut off.

"Who are you and what have you done to our daughter?" her dad asked and reached up to feel her forehead. I couldn't help, but laugh and I got a glare from Tiana so I stifled my laughter.

"It wasn't my choice," Tatiana mentioned quickly and then her parents seemed to understand.

"Dead to the fashion world?" Tricia asked and Tiana nodded defeated. Tricia sighed and smiled warmly at her step-daughter. I felt a bit jealous, but I was happy for Tiana to have such cool parents.

"Well, I have to get back to the office and remember Tiana give the boy a chance. I think he really likes you and nice to meet you Clarissa," her dad said and kissed Tatiana on her head as he got up to leave.

"Bye girls, have fun!" her mom called to us as they left. We began clearing the table after they left and just talked.

"Would you want to do the fashion show with me?" Tiana asked me hopefully.

"It's not really my thing," I responded after I thought about it.

"Pleaseeeeeeeeeee," she whined and grasped my arm. "You're already gorgeous enough to be a model and I would really want a friend with me."

"Okay! Okay! Maybe and why not ask Sam and Leah too?" I asked her and she smiled.

"Awesome idea! I'll call them right away and I've got to go work again tonight so I'll see you later. I'll be about three hours," she announced and walked upstairs to change as she pulled out her phone.