"5, 6, 7, 8!" Marissa shouted and the people behind her danced to the music.
"Great job guys! See you tomorrow." she said after rehearsal then they all left.
"So, you hungry? I'm starving!" her friend Eve said as she tied her shoelaces.
"Nando's?"
"Definitely!"
As they walked down the school hallway, a tall, curly-haired jock suddenly bumped into Marissa.
"Sorry, shortstuff. Didn't see you there. Watch where you're going next time, eh?" he said in a smug voice.
"Maybe you should watch where you're going! What an asshole." Marissa said and pulled Eve and walked away.
The boy raised an eyebrow as he watched their figures fade in the dark hall.
"Do you know that girl?" he asked his other jock friend.
"No, I just know she's from the dance team." he answered.
"Why are these jocks such jerks?" Marissa murmured as she started the engine of her car.
"Particularly the captain, Harry Styles." Eve added.
"I wanna throw a basketball at his face! He's just... Ugh!"
"Relax, babe. Don't mind him, all he cares about is basketball."
"And that's why he's a jerk, because that's all he cares about! Psshhh. Jocks."
As Marissa entered the classroom the next day, she spotted Harry with his feet up on the desk in front of him, looking as smug as ever, flirting with the girls.
"Hey shortstuff! Didn't know we have the same class!" he greeted and winked.
Marissa's eyes narrowed, "What are you doing here? I never saw you in this class" she said angrily.
"I was transferred for reasons..."
"Did you beat up the nerds because they didn't let you copy their math homework?" she asked sarcastically.
The girls beside Harry giggled, but he frowned and didn't answer.
"Good morning, class. Please get your textbooks and answer page 34 to 36." Their teacher suddenly entered and Marissa was glad that she didn't have to hear Harry speak again.
Harry was sitting a few seats away from Marissa. He can't help but gaze over her every now and then.
"Yes, Mr. Styles? Who are you looking at? Are you done answering?" the teacher asked.
"Uh, no. I was just... Nevermind."
Harry reached for his phone in his pocket and hid it behind his book to text his friend: "What's her name again?"
"Marissa Roberts." his friend answered.
"Mr. Styles! Are you texting in my class?! You are still under probation and you know that! Detention after class!"
Harry rolled his eyes, "I'm in detention every week ma'am. I'm used to it." he murmured, hoping she wouldn't hear.
"Oh, so you don't want detention then? I have the perfect place for you. I'll talk to you after class."
Harry grabbed his book and slammed it on his face.
"Oh great." he murmured.
"Where are we going, Mrs. Delani?" Harry asked his teacher as she lead him through the hallway.
"The gym? We don't even have practice today." he whispered.
Mrs. Delani opened the door and pulled Harry's sleeve so they would both enter at the same time.
"NO FREAKING WAY!!!!" Marissa shouted.
"This is not acceptable! I don't want him in this crew!!! I don't wanna be with him in general!" she continued in rage and stomped her foot.
"The feeling is mutual." Harry said and crossed his arms.
"This is only temporary, Marissa. He has to learn how to discipline himself. If he doesn't learn this routine in a week, he'll be permanently removed from the basketball team." Mrs. Delani explained.
"WHAT?! You can't do that! I can't even dance! And you're giving me just a week?! What the fu..."
"Watch your words, Mr. Styles. My decision is final. You'll have to rehearse everyday."
Mrs. Delani walked away and left the gym, leaving Marissa's dance group and Harry behind.
"Your appearance makes me sick and I hate you with a fiery passion, Styles." Marissa said directly staring at Harry's eyes, their faces close to each other.
"That's really cute, shortstuff. Shall we start?" Harry mocked and Marissa clenched her fist wanting to punch him in the face.
"This sucks! I can't learn this routine in a week!!" Harry shouted from behind the line of dancers.
"Shut up, Styles! You better learn this or I'll kick your ass!" Marissa shouted back.
After rehearsal, Marissa was the last one to leave the gym.
"Hey, Marissa." Harry whispered leaning on the wall near the gym door.
"Wow, I didn't even know you knew my name, asshole." Marissa said as she tried to walk away.
"Wait! Do you have rehearsal tomorrow? I mean... We."
"No, you and your basketball freaks have practice in the gym."
"I'm temporarily off the team because of what I did so..."
"Sucks for you, Styles."
"Uh, can you maybe.... Rehearse with me tomorrow? I mean.. If you're not doing anything after class..."
"And since when did you suddenly become nicer? Oh that's right, when you need something from me. Fine, whatever. Meet me at the music room at 4:30 tomorrow. Don't be late."
"Thanks shortstuff!"
Marissa rolled her eyes as he watched Harry walk swiftly through the hall.
"Wow, I'm impressed! It's not even 4:30 yet!" Marissa said to Harry who was sitting against the wall in the music room.
"I just want to get this over with." he whispered.
"Step forward, then back and dougie from left to right." Marissa explained.
"Like this?"
Marissa giggled at Harry trying to dance the dougie.
"Hey! Don't laugh! I can't do it!"
"Then try again! Come here, let me show you."
Marissa stood behind Harry and grabbed both his arms, "now move your shoulders like this..."
Harry noticed how close Marissa was. He could smell her perfume and feel the touch of her soft hands. Goosebumps all around his body, he couldn't help but gaze behind him and look at her.
"You okay, Styles?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah. Can you play the music please?" That was the best excuse he could make.
Marissa reached for her iPod and picked a song. Slow music started playing, but she tried to look for another song to fit the dance.
"Wait, don't change the song." Harry said. Marissa raised an eyebrow at him.
Harry walked towards her and grabbed her arm.
"I can't dougie, but I can slow dance." he whispered and smiled. Marissa was mesmerized by his perfect smile, and was slightly turned on by the fact that he could slow dance.
Harry placed both her hands behind his neck as he placed his on her waist. They swayed across the room, not really caring about anything. They were looking at each others' eyes and smiling the whole time.
When the song ended, Harry looked down and bit his lip.
"Um, I'm sorry about... Being such a jerk to you." he whispered.
"I'm not really like that, I swear. Give me a chance?" he continued and offered a handshake.
Marissa smiled and nodded. She grabbed his hand, but pulled it so their faces would be as close to each other as possible. She leaned in for a quick kiss on the cheek, "Fine, but don't ruin your chance."
Harry smiled and hugged Marissa tightly.
"I won't." he whispered.
