The Heartbreakers' Rule Set

Chapter Two

A/N: Hi readers (if I've managed to catch any...)! I'm Kate and new to Wattpad. I know I didn't post an author's note on the first chapter, but from now on I'll be posting one each chapter (chapterly? Is that a thing?). Also, I'm trying to come up with an update schedule but for now I'll just write something new whenever I can. I'd love if you would comment with feedback of any kind- questions, comments, or criticisms. I'm excited to write this story so hopefully some of you are excited to read it!

"I loathe art," I grumble. Emma laughs at my scowl and flicks her paintbrush in my direction.

"Fine. You do my math homework, and I'll do your art homework!" she suggests, a bit too cheerily, I might add.

"There isn't any art homework," I remind her.

"I mean, you could still do my math homework," she spares a glance at me hopefully. Firmly, I shake my head no and she sighs. "Well, worth a try. And c'mon, don't be so glum about art! At Christmastime you could give the boy of the week a painted pot or something," she quips. I begin to chuckle at the idea of giving a boy one of my horribly painted pots. Well, giving a boy anything, really.

"Okay, fine. I concur with the point that painted pots could be useful. But out of all things, why self-portraits?" I ask rhetorically, squinting at my drawing and the mirror on the table in turn. My drawing is an accurate representation of a caveman's wall art. On the other hand, the mirror reflects every detail perfectly. Crimson-colored hair stands out against my pale skin and wide-set clear azure eyes. I've found that it takes more than an interesting personality to entice guys, so I try my best to appear perfect. Not to brag, but most days I achieve my goal.

Hoping to get an idea of how to draw myself correctly, I grab Emma's paper and compare it to the real version in front of me. Emma has captured herself perfectly- her wavy caramel hair is accentuated by warm chocolate eyes and rosy cheeks. The opposite of me, Emma doesn't realize how gorgeous she is. I take a second to reflect on how this affects our personalities before handing the drawing back to Emma.

"Em, this is amaze. You should totally go pro," I encourage her half-jokingly. She snickers and replies that if she becomes an artist, I have to become a mathematician. Though we're both joking around, I know she means that I could and should fill my time with something other than boys. To me, boys are just another form of my favorite subject: math. There's a formula to a heartbreak; a balance that can only be achieved through cold calculations.

The sight of my latest formula sidetracks me; so I resolve to revisit my musings on the heartbreak formula later. Right now, I need to fulfill the responsibility given to me by the Heartbreakers' Rule Set and pursue my next victim. Before moving to Brandon's table, I shoot Emma an apologetic smile.

"Em, I'm really sorry, but you know how it is. I'll see you after practice today? We can even make a trip to Kaytee's and study. Or not study. My treat." I try to bribe her. Luckily, she forgives me with a nod and accepts the bribe. Mentally, I make a note to repay her for being so understanding about all of this even though I can't explain it to her.

I reach Brandon's table just as he reaches for a water cup to wash his brush. Spying an opportunity, I "accidentally" nudge his arm, causing him to dump the entire contents of the cup on me.

"Oh, God! I'm so sorry! I didn't even see you there, jeez," he rambles, trying to pat my skirt dry with some paper towels. When he actually glances at my face, I give him my most sincere heartbreaker smile. I can practically see the different emotions flash across his face- first disgust, obviously for my reputation. Attraction and satisfaction quickly follow though, cluing me in to the fact that he's flattered by my attention.

"Hey, no worries, it's no big deal," I reassure him, batting my eyelids like a clichéd romance novel damsel. "But maybe you could treat me to lunch sometime? Just to make sure there are no hard feelings," I add. Having chosen a relatively slow target, I'm able to watch the gears turn in his head as he realizes that he's probably going to get sucked into my relationship Bermuda Triangle, but then admits to himself that it's completely worth it.

"It'd be an honor. Hey, you should sit here. No hard feelings, you know," he responds, patting the seat next to him. Content, I take a seat and spend the rest of class mindlessly pretending to fawn over Brandon.