CHAPTER ONE

I don't own these characters, but it would be nice if I did.

Anyways, I do promise to keep them true to themselves.

Author's Note: This is my follow up to A Rose by Any Other Name. Its not a sequel, but rather another story based on Shakespeare play. This time, its The Taming of the Shrew. And its also based on the modern day version 10 Things I Hate About You.

Maya Bennett looked up at the her new school standing before her. Cheevers High School. She sighed. It hadn't been her idea to be starting a new school in Seattle, but she didn't really have much of a choice in the matter. Her father had been transferred to a better paying job over the summer, and the next thing she knew, it was goodbye New York and hello Seattle. Even worse, she couldn't help but looking around and seeing lots and lots of people that she had no idea who they were. Sighing again, she walked in and made her way to the principal's office where she took a seat and waited to be seen.

After a few minutes, a bored looking secretary told her she could go on inside as the principal was ready to see her. Maya walked in and sat down in the chair in front of the desk. On the other side was a plump woman with short dark hair and glasses on the phone with someone. The name on the plaque on the desk said her name was Mrs. Militich. Maya didn't know what to make of her, but she could have swore her voice sounded familiar. If she didn't know better, she could have sworn it was Peggy Hill from King of the Hill.

Finally, she ended the phone call and looked up at Maya.

"So, you're Maya Bennett. Welcome to Cheevers High. I'm sure you'll find it to be a typical high school. You name a clique, and we probably have it here. Anyways, let me get your schedule for you, and I'll let you be on your way."

Mrs. Militich printed something off and pressed the intercom button.

"Send Addison in here right away." She turned back to Maya. "Here is your schedule, and I'm going to have Addison show you around. She'll help you get your feet wet. If you need anything...well, don't look at me."

Maya was taken aback, but the next thing she knew, she was being scooted out of the office and almost right into a petite girl who appeared to be full of energy.

"You must be Maya."

Maya shook her head to try to get her bearings. "Yeah, that's me."

Addison smiled. "I'm Addison, and welcome to Cheevers High. Come on, I'll show you around."

Maya shrugged her shoulders and followed Addison.

"You'll find we're a typical high school." She pointed. "Over there are the stoner/new age hippies. They aren't worth talking to as they will either forget what you were talking about, ask you to repeat everything or ask if you have any potato chips."

Maya frowned. "Good to know."

"Over there is the 'cool' kids. If there is a crown to be had, they will lie, cheat and steal to get it. But, they hold a lot of powerful positions in the school, so its best to not get on their bad sides."

"I'll have to remember that."

"And over there are the cowboys. We are thousands of miles from the nearest ranch, but try telling them that. They all wear cowboy hats and boots, and they seem proud to have their boots covered in cow dung. Don't ask. Nobody wants to know how."

Maya shuddered.

"And over there are the intellectual hipsters. But don't get to close. They are all hyped up on mocha lattes and are very jumpy."

Maya gave Addison a look and shook her head. Something else caught her eye, and Maya pointed. "And them?"

Addison sighed. "The future Candy Makers of America. Sweet is back and its good. Until two days ago, I was their queen!"

Maya just looked at her.

Addison shook her head. "Hostile takeover. Bunny Lowenstein promised them fine English candies for their support. But no fears...I have a plan to get back what's mine."

Maya just stared at her when she looked over and saw a very handsome young man. He had blonde hair and was walking along talking to a couple of other guys.

"Whoa! What clique does he belong to?"

Addison looked over and began to laugh. "He belongs to the 'You can look, but don't bother thinking of anything else' group."

Maya frowned. "Why? Is he a jerk or something?"

"No, he's nice enough. But if you have hopes of going out with him, its a waste of your time."

"Why?"

"That's Zack Martin. His mother is very strict, and she refuses to allow him or his twin brother to date until they are 18."

Maya's eyes went wide. "Twins? There's two of them?"

Addison began laughing. "They may be twins, but you could hardly say they are alike. Zack is pretty outgoing, but Cody doesn't care to do so. He's an intellectual too, but he seems to roll his eyes at all of the high school hierarchy."

"Really?"

"Yeah. They look enough alike, and so both are considered handsome. But for some reason, Cody just looks down his nose at all high school girls..."

Maya paused. "Is he...?"

Addison shook her head. "No. Girls have tried throwing themselves at him too, but with no success. In fact, one time, he was so mean to Jamie Summers, he made her cry. He just prefers to be my himself. Well, almost..." Addison pointed off to the left and sighed. "He does have his one friend, Woody, that he hangs out with. Both are pretty much considered losers around here."

"Back to Zack, why can't he date until he's 18?"

Addison shrugged. "Not sure. Rumor is his Mom is a little bit psychotic. She's a cabaret singer at the Seattle Tipton...speaking of which." Addison pointed to a well dressed girl walking with her own entourage following her. "That's London Tipton. Her father is filthy rich and gives her everything she wants. She's dumb as a rock though. This is her third senior year."

Maya just watched her. "Which group does she fit into?"

"Her own. She can buy her way into any group she wants. What London wants, London gets. Well, almost."

"What do you mean?"

Addison turned to her. "With her being so pretty and rich, every guy in school wants to go out with her. But she the one she wants is your new boyfriend, Zack."

Maya looked surprised. "She does?"

"Because she can't have him right now. That really gets to her. He's one of the two guys in school she can't have. Of course, the other being Cody."

Maya paused. "There has to be someway to get close to Zack even if he can't date..."

"Well, you are in luck. Word is he is looking for a French tutor."

Maya smiled. "That's perfect!"

"You speak French?"

"I took two years in junior high back in New York. And what I don't remember, I'll wing it..."

Across the way, Zack was talking to his friend Theo when a limo pulled up along side of them. The window rolled down, and London stuck her head out of it.

"Hey, Zack...I was about to head back to the Tipton. Want a ride?"

Zack grinned. "I'd love one! Thanks, London."

And with that, Zack hopped into the limo. The last thing anyone saw was Zack sticking his head and arms up through the sunroof and screaming. And among those who saw this was his brother.

Cody smirked. "Well, isn't that interesting..."

Woody looked at him. "Forget about it. You of all people should know how Zack is."

Cody just shook his head and climbed into his car. "Don't remind me. See you later, Woody."

"Later, Cody."

Later that afternoon, Cody was sitting in the main room of their suite on the 23rd floor of the Seattle Tipton, engrossed in the book he was reading. The door opened, and Carey Martin came into the room.

Carey smiled. "Hey, Cody."

Cody looked up and smiled. "Hey, Mom."

"A thick envelope came for you today from Yale University. Why are you getting envelopes from Yale?"

Cody jumped up and grabbed the envelope and opened it. He skimmed the first couple of lines and looked up with the biggest smile on his face. "I got in! I got in to Yale!"

Carey frowned. "Yale? But I thought you were going to stick around here and go to UW like I did. Yale is on the other side of the country..."

"Hence the basis of its appeal!"

At that time, Zack came strolling in into the apartment with a grin. "Afternoon, Mom."

Carey smiled at him. "Hey, Zack." She turned back to Cody. "I'm not done talking about Yale, Cody."

Cody smirked. "Why don't you ask what hotel heiress gave him a ride home this afternoon?"

"Quit trying to change the...Wait...What? Who gave you a ride home, Zack?"

Zack glared at Cody before turning to his Mom. "I got a ride home from London Tipton. You should see her limo, Mom. Its so cool! And she wants to go see a movie later if its okay with you."

Carey shook her head. "I don't think so. No dating until you're 18."

"But Mom! Every other guy my age is dating!"

Carey smiled. "You're brother isn't."

Cody laughed. "Exactly. Have you seen the girls that go to our school? No thank you."

Zack rolled his eyes. "Why should I have to suffer just because Cody is an antisocial headcase?"

Carey rolled her eyes. "Look. I need to go rehearse for my show later. We'll discuss this when I get back."

Zack looked at his Mom imploringly. "But Mom!"

Carey just looked at him. "Alright, Zack...You can date..."

Zack pumped his fist. "Yes!"

Cody looked at his mom incredulously. "Mom!"

Carey smiled. "You didn't let me finish. Zack, you can date...When Cody dates. I'll see you both later." Carey paused and turned back to Cody. "And I'm not done talking about Yale yet!"

Cody rolled his eyes. "Can't wait..." Carey left, leaving the two brothers alone.

Zack turned to his brother. "Can't you find some loser to date so that I can have one night of teenage normalcy?"

Cody smirked. "Sorry, Zack...I'll guess you'll just have to miss out on the wit and charm of London 'Yay Me!' Tipton..."

Cody headed into their bedroom as Zack just glared at him. "You suck!"

Cody just shook his head and mocked him. "You suck!"

To be Continued...