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When my shift and lunchtime were over I walked, grumpy, to my next period. I wasn't in the mood to learn today.

I walked down the hallway completely oblivious to everyone surrounding me. I wanted to go home. I wanted to draw. I really, really wanted to draw. And I wanted to play my old vinyls while doing so. I hadn't taken them out in ages.

So intent on my thoughts I wasn't looking where I was going and bumped into someone and almost fell on my butt.

"Dude! Watch where you're walking," I shouted as the hands that had steadied me settle me back straight.

I looked up to see Connor grinning.

"Right back at you, sweetheart," he snorted as I stepped away from him. Before I could say anything back, I saw Jimmy walk over us.

"Connor," he said with a forced nod.

"Jimmy," Connor answered in the same even tone.

I rolled my eyes at them.

Connor and Jimmy could interact together when hanging with the guys but when it would be just the two of them, their resentment would get out in the open. The problem was, they were both outside linebacker and the constant competition for the starting spot just broached every aspect of their interactions.

"How'd you both managed to get stick up your asses at the exact same time?" I asked and started to walk towards my class again. That rivalry between the two of them was too often straining for me not to say anything.

Jimmy obviously ignored that remark, because well, I kind of make a lot of those in one day, and walked by my side.

Connor followed and came to stand by my other side.

I rolled my eyes again. I really must have been developing some kind of muscle in my eyes lately because it just seems like was doing a lot of eye rolling. Maybe I should change friends.

"So, I was wondering if you had found a lab partner yet?" Jimmy asked and I saw Connor scowl in the corner of my eye.

"Is something the matter Connor?" Jimmy asked smirking. Ugh. Grow up.

"Actually, I was going to offer Lexi to be my lab partner too and it's not like you actually offered, right? But anyway let's just let her choose, shall we?" Connor said his voice all I'm trying not to sound like I'm pissed off, but I'm sooo totally there.

I could have slapped the back of their heads. Idiots. I was not going to get dragged in the middle of their little preschool tantrums.

"I'm sorry guys, I already have a partner," I lied.

I would find someone, worst case scenario I could say I was teamed up with Bob, my kinky transsexual imaginary friend who has a tendency to control my mind and make me blow up things because he likes the way the colors twinkles when you mix all sorts of chemicals together.

I was sure that would make them back away.

I left them behind, while they digested their common failure and walked into my literary class. My eyes automatically set on Blake who was sitting alone in the row beside the right wall, one spot in front of my usual seat, making beat on his desk with his pencils.

I scowled and then walked past him, to my desk, making sure to bump him with my bag on the way there. Serves you right, prick.

"Hey Honeybun! Aren't we grumpy?" Blake said as he leaned his back against the wall and turned his face to look at me, smirking.

Seriously, all that smirking was driving me mad. When was he going to stop already?

"My balls are doing fine by the way, thanks for asking," he added.

"Aren't you just full of yourself?" I said and picked my books out of my bag.

"What? Would you rather be full of me instead?" Blake asked, his eyes wicked.

"Oh my god! Enough with the pickup lines already," I said holding my head in my hands shaking it in disbelief. "Do you think I don't already have a low opinion of you?"

"Well, I don't really know what you think of me, but I hope it's X-rated."

That's it. I had enough.

I grabbed my books and my bag, got up and walked to another desk. But that didn't seem to stop him because he took his stuff and followed me.

No problem. Again, I took my things and changed seat. Blake still followed.

Blake was laughing after the fourth change of desk.

"You know there's no use in trying to get away from me?" Blake said between laughter. "Just give in Sugar-pie!"

I scowled at him again, got up and waited to find a seat that would be surrounded with other students.

If I kicked him in the crotch right now, would it be too much bad treatment in regards of it for one day or would people understand?

Because seriously the guy would have mother Theresa curse. It just felt like it was getting worse and worse by the minute. Honestly, I didn't think he'd ever been that much of a pain. He was seriously outdoing himself today. I might have to change that Clark-being-the-biggest-perv statement back and give Blake the crown.

It was moments like these where I would have just love to be a ninja. I would just go Jackie Chang on his ass and beat the crap out of him so he would just leave me the hell alone.

Breathe Lexi, breathe. Violence is not an option...yet...

Blake was still laughing in front of me.

"You know I'm just annoying you to see your reaction right? Because seriously, if you didn't get so worked up there really wouldn't be any fun," Blake said smirking and laughing.

Ugh.

"Miss Grayson, Mr. Eaton would you care to take a seat please?" the teacher said in front.

I took the first seat I saw and oh what a surprise, Blake managed to sit right in front of me.

"Now everyone, open your book on page..."

As the teacher started to go on and on about... about what? I don't know, I wasn't listening, anyway, as she spoke, I brought my chair forward and kicked Blake's.

I snorted when he jumped in his seat and that earned us a glare from the teacher who went on with her lecture.

Blake turned his head slightly, and I could see the smirk on his lips. He looked back in front though and I thought he might drop it but then he pushed his chair back hard against my desk that bumped in my stomach.

Bitch! That hurt!

I tried to kick him again but he was obviously prepared because he grabbed my ankle before I could even touch him.

"Let go Blake," I hissed at him, sneaking glance towards the teacher, to make sure she wasn't looking this way.

"Nope, I'm having fun," Blake whispered back and pulled my ankle making me almost drop off my chair and on the floor if I hadn't been holding on to my desk.

Jerk, jerk, jerk! What was wrong with him?

I leaned on my desk trying to slap him or something and finally managed to grab hair on the back of his head and pulled.

"Ouch," he said way too loudly but at least it worked and he let go of my ankle.

"I'm sorry, am I bothering you?" the teacher asked, staring at us.

Oops.

"Sorry Ma'am, won't happen again," Blake said, "right Muffin-top?" he added smirking at me.

"Sure Flat-bottom," I replied, scowling.

"What kind of pet name was that?" Blake whispered back when the teacher went on with her lecture again.

I didn't answer though. I didn't want to talk to him anymore. He annoyed me too much that I would have to kick him again. So I simply stared at the teacher and thought.

My mind wandered.

Could Blake be more annoying? Could Blake really make me any unhappier?

Unhappy, I thought, snorting.

When was the last time I had been happy, really happy? When was the last time my thoughts weren't clouded by unpleasant things? It was dark thoughts to have but I couldn't help having them.

I wanted to go back in time. I wanted to go back when my family was complete, sure a little dysfunctional sometimes, but still whole.

It still didn't feel real, my mother leaving us, my brain still hadn't accepted it. A shrink would have probably said I was in denial, and I was.

Denial was so much easier. Denial was simple. Denial helped you get out of your bed every morning. If you didn't think about it, if you didn't accept it than maybe it wasn't real.

God, I wanted to cry in the middle of my freaking literary class, surrounded by classmates and Mr. I'm-a-Jerk.

I'm pathetic. I was sure people were going through stuff way worse than I was. I should stop feeling so miserable.

When the bell finally rang, I grabbed all my stuff and almost ran out of the class.

"Hey! Wait up!" Blake yelled behind me.

I ignored him, and kept walking.

"Don't get all worked up now, it's fine, you can call me Flat-bottom," he said beside me now.

"When are you going to stop making everything about you? Everything's not always about you, Blake. There's a whole world that spins without bothering about your little egocentrically self-centered person," I said to him, my voice filled with venom.

Blake stared at me with wide eyes.

I must really look bipolar right now. Maybe I was bipolar. Or maybe I was going crazy. I should really go see a shrink. And as long as I was at it I should bring Felicia along too, I sure would be making the world a favor. And Stacey too, because she was still starring daggers at me in a corner, surrounded by her bitchy friends. I was sure that girl had some kind of syndrome that made her believe she could actually kill someone with a look. Yeah, that was it, I was going to make an appointment for the three of us, it would be great!

Blake was still staring but I simply walked around him and headed for my locker. No point in talking it out more.

I had one class left, then detention, and then I could go home.

You can do it Lexi!

As I walked to Chemistry I tried to think of a way to deal with the Connor/Jimmy/lab partner issue. Sure, I hadn't ruled out Bob just yet, but I had to think about something less drastic first.

I saw Luke sitting alone and without even thinking through walked to him.

"Hey Luke, do you have a lab partner yet," I said and sat in the chair next to him.

I was all proud that I was using his real name, but it didn't last really long, because he stared at me with something between disappointment and scepticism, like I had used the wrong name.

What was wrong with all the boys lately?

"Well, I'm already teamed up with Lorianne. I'm sorry, but I can always work something out," he started to say said, but I stopped him.

"No worries, I'll find someone else," I told him and changed seats.

I still hadn't forgotten about Mark revelation and as much as I didn't really thought it was true I didn't want to take any chances.

Sure, Luke was a nice guy. I started to talk to him because of Vanessa since they did gigs together sometimes. Luke was the emo-muscisian type. He was cute and all, but not exactly my type. Plus, I was a strong believer in sparks, and there wasn't any with Luke.

The last period went by pretty slowly. We had stoichiometry exercise to do alone and I finished them pretty fast because I ace that subject but then I was stuck with my mind again and bored as hell. I should have brought a book.

And then school was over and I was walking towards detention, the freaking slip in my hands, and my bag on my back.

Mrs. Bull wasn't there yet but the twins, Jimmy, Justin and Peter were already sitting at their desks.

"I'm pretty sure she's stuck in the stairs," Cameron said as I walked in.

"Yeah, that big ass of hers is slowing her down," Trevor added, while the other guys were obviously scowling.

Glad to not be the only one mad with the situation. I let myself fall on a seat in the left corner and waited. Dwayne, Mark and Davis walked in together with a gloomy look on their faces.

"I hate detention," I heard Davis say. You're not the only one buddy.

Then Alexander and Connor arrived, and Alex came to sit by me, after ruffling my hair like I was some kind of kid, while Connor sat in front of him.

"Aw, don't make that face Kitty," Alex said, grinning at me. "Plus this whole detention thing is your fault."

"No it's not! It's Blake's fault."

"Yeah, sure," Alex said and rolled his eyes. Ugh. I don't like him when he's mean.

It was a bad idea for him to piss me off when I was mad. I had too much dirt on the guy.

"I'm not letting you wear my clothes again," I told him with a sneer.

Alex glared at me.

"Did I just hear what I think I heard?" Dwayne asked.

"Yes you did," I answered him.

"Well I want pictures," he replied, laughing.

"Make fun but I look pretty hot in her tank tops," Alex defended himself and every guy in the class started to laugh.

That was when Blake, Shawn, Clark and Fred walked in.

"What did we miss?" Shawn asked.

"The confessions of a travesty," Trevor said and everyone laughed again.

Fred walked to a seat and fell on it, his head automatically resting on his arms. Seriously, that guy had a problem. It was like he couldn't keep his head up. He was like a freaking vegetable. But then, when he was partying with the guys he'd become a totally different person. Which was really something I shouldn't be thinking about. Fred and partying. Partying and Fred. Too much Sour Puss. Ugh!

"Alright, which one of you has an identity crisis?" Blake asked as he sat at the desk in front of me.

Really? Seriously?

"That would be our quarterback," Davis replied.

"Wouldn't he simply look lovely in the middle of the football field with Lexi's tank top on?" Connor said amused.

"Hot pink tank top," I added.

Blake had a weird expression, but before I could say anything Mrs. Bull walked in.

"Silence!!" was the first thing she said.

"Well, well, if it isn't Mrs. Bullshit who decided to greet us with her presence," Clark said smugly.

Oh my god! What the hell is he thinking?

I could see a vein burst in her temple. The women was already going to explode and detention hadn't even officially started. "Who do you think you are? Detention for you again tomorrow! And silence," she repeated her face turning red,

"Sorry, can't do detention tomorrow, I've got football practice. Coach wouldn't want me to waste time with you," Clark remarked, still looking all smug.

"We'll see about that!" she replied, like she had any kind of authority. The poor woman was going to get chewed alive yet again. "Now I want every one of you to copy all the school rules for the next hour!"

Ah joy! Well, screw her.

"And how are we supposed to magically poop all those rules?" Shawn asked.

"They're in your school agenda! Now, silence!" she yelled yet again. She'd probably lose her voice by the end of detention.

"And where's our school agenda exactly?" Shawn kept on going.

"Handed at the beginning of the year! Silence!"

"I think mine is stuck up your ass ma'am," Shawn finally said and Mrs Bull turned red crimson.

"Fifteen more minutes for you! Now SILENCE!" she yelled.

I saw Shawn and Clark high-fiving beneath their desk.

This was just a game for these two dumbasses. A slightly funny game but a game that might keep our asses in detention longer.

"Talk about waste of time," Alex mumbled.

"Silence!" Mrs Bull yelled yet again.

"Doesn't she sound like Achmed the Dead Terrorist, every time she says that?" Blake whispered in front of me.

"Yeah! Seriously I'm waiting for her to say I kill you," I whispered back.

"Clark, I'll give you fifty bucks if you can make her say I kill you," Blake challenged, a smile on his lips.

"Game on!" Clark answered.

Clark raised his hand, wacing it in the air to get Mrs Bull's attention. She glared at him. "Mrs Bull. I was wondering... do you know the capital of Youhikill?" Clark asked

"Silence," was the obvious reply.

"But it's for my work in political economy," he whined. What was he doing?

"What country?" she asked, still glaring, still reluctant.

"Youhikill."

"Youhikill, Youhikill, Youhikill... never heard of it! You're just playing with me aren't you, you little smart pants! Well, another hour in detention for you!" she answered back.

"Pay up, bitch" Clark whispered to Blake his palm up, smirking.

Well, I had to admit the pervy dumbass had skills when it came to torment teachers and play them like his puppets. Now if he could use his brains of his for something other than obscene comments, he might improve has a human being.

Blake paid him laughing.

"How many times do I have to say this? Silence," she yelled.

"Jeez, take a pill lady," Fred said in front, raising his head from the desk and that got everyone bursting into laughter.

"Every single one of you! One more hour!"

Damn it. Did the crazy lady realize she was punishing herself as much as us by keeping us here longer?

In the end, I think she did realize it, because Mrs. Bull was getting so hysterical that she let us leave after the hour cause she was on the merge of having a another break down.

"So, want to do something tonight?" Alex asked me as we all walked out of the class.

"I feel like staying home and drawing," I admitted.

"Hey, that's good," Alex answered, joy deep in his voice, "I was scared you would never again," he admitted sheepishly.

"Well, thanks anyway. You should go to that party you know," I added, figuring that was why he asked me about my evening plans, "it's Friday night after all."

"Yeah well, I don't want a hangover at the Creek tomorrow," he told me and then turned to the guys. "By the way guys, don't forget about tomorrow, I want everyone's ass at my place at one."

Everyone nodded and then we all went our separate ways.

I walked with Alex still by my side to my car and I knew Blake was behind, but I think he was texting or something so he wasn't making comments. He had been pretty quiet during detention. Weird. Maybe that had something to do with my little fit earlier. I felt a tiny bit bad about it, though not enough to apologize. The prick had it coming.

Ty was waiting by my car when I arrived.

"Took you long enough" he said as I unlocked the doors and he slid in.

"Well, you know Mrs Bull," I answered and started the car.

I drove at a reasonable speed home and wasn't surprised when I saw that dad's car wasn't in the drive way. Working, as always...

"Want some soup?" I asked Ty when we were inside.

That was something we did often when dad wasn't home. I made soup so we could wait for dad to eat supper all together and not be starving while waiting.

Ty let his bag drop on the floor, "sure."