"Typical American," Alex muttered, before attempting to focus on the lecture. He found himself looking at Ellie every few minutes, almost compulsively, almost as if to make sure she was still there.

When the note was passed to him, Alex read it with one eyebrow quirked. He was used to getting attention from girls, but he thought British girls would've waited at least a week to proposition him... probably. But Maci wasn't really his type. He wasn't overly fond of promiscuous girls, they were too easy. While Alex liked to feel like he was in control, he felt like he was above hooking up with a girl that would hook up with just anyone. Plus, Maci had kind of a wonky face.

When the teacher left, the room erupted into chatter. Video games, Facebook, lunch time, parties. As Maci approached Alex, Marcus approached Ellie, leaning on her desk and grinning.

"Ello," he said, making mock of Alex again when addressing Ellie. "So my parents are gone this week at their cabin, and I'm having a party tonight. I know you don't usually go out on weekdays but maybe you can make an exception. You can even bring your, uhhh, British friend."

Meanwhile, Alex crumpled the note in Maci's face. "No fanks, luv, I don't shag wiv slags wot got a propa butters face." He smiled a patently fake smile and turned away to address the boy talking to Ellie. Though he'd only just met Ellie, he felt something ugly and powerful twisting in his stomach already at the thought of another boy talking to her. He fought the urge to say anything overtly nasty, since it sounded like this particular party would be the perfect entree into the Leeview High social scene.

"What d'you fink?" he asked Ellie, smiling impishly. "Will you take me out tonight? Show me a propa American welcome?"