A/N: Hey! Just wanna clarify something here:

So I know round abouts Billie was twenty seven when the realising of warning was (The last album they made so far according to the time line of this story) But! To shorten the age gape a little. I imagine him as realising it around twenty four, and then by twenty five becoming a teacher.

Its already established in the story he seems very young for a teacher, so he's around twenty five?

Mallory is nearly twenty, having to repeat two years of high school twice. (Which has already been stated, but just for the refresh,). So the age gape between them is around five to six years. Which makes thing seem, less awkward or odd if they were to become a thing to others like Tre, Mike and friends. OKAY THATS ALL!

"You've only had two tutoring sessions with him so far," Mr Wilson questioned, sitting back in his chair.

"Sir... I am telling you. He is no use. He's teaching me the things I know-"

"-Going over things you know is all part of tutoring,"

"He's teaching me the same stuff, wrong,"

"How? Mallory he scored the highest in your class-"

"-Ninety two. I know, the numbers been haunting me,"

"So you must understand that Tyler knows what he's doing. How could he score such a high percentage if everything he knew wasn't right?"

I breathed in, holding my temper inside. "I don't know. All I know is that he knows nothing,"

"Mallory, just go back to class. I can't deal with this-"

"-But-"

"-No Buts!"

I sniggered slightly. As he rolled his eyes pointing to the open door.

I stayed still for a few seconds before he pointed more violently. I huffed, the legs of the chair scrapping against the floor as I pushed it back exiting the room.

This was all unbelievable. They had to have marked that test wrong. I know for certain in my mind that what I know is right, and what he thinks he knows. He doesnt. He doesnt know. And he knows he doesnt know. But he thinks I dont know he knows that he knows that- okay never mind I've confused myself.

I made my way, very slowly, back to my English class. Walking through the door dragging my backpack behind me.

Miss Davis looked at me, she let out a deflated breath. "Ah look, you're here," She unenthusiastically greeted.

I gave her a sarcastic smile before falling into the seat beside Esme. She cringed slightly looking over at me. "You don't look happy,"

"That's because I'm not,"

"What did he say?"

"He told me that he knows what he's doing, that he got the highest test results for a reason,"

She snorted with laughter slightly. "Yeah right,"

"Exactly!"

"So how does he get the highest test results?"

"I d'know, why would I know? I think he cheated personally,"

"Cheated? But they don't let you take your-"

"-Yes. Yes I know. Whose to say he didn't write it on his arm or something? Or a slip of paper? Maybe he did take his phone in?"

She sat up fixing her postured, listening intrigued to my theory. "Alright... alright. Well... say... he did cheat. On that test. How are you going to prove it? No ones going to listen to you Mallory... I mean. No offence but... A lot of teachers don't exactly like you. You play up for them, why would they take your word?"

She was right.

Even when I was speaking the truth, no one ever bothered to listen. They just thought that all I spoke was bullshit or stupid jokes- remotely, but not fully, right. So why would they listen to me when I accuse Tyler, a student who hardly does anything wrong, of cheating.

Especially when my scored so low. It'll look nothing more than jealousy.

And maybe it just is.

I sighed slightly. "You're right. Forget it,"

"What? No? Dont forget it?"

"What if I'm just envious? He hardly tried, I tried with my all. Look where it got us. Maybe I'm just jea-"

"-Of Tyler? No chance. I won't let you speak that bullshit. You gotta find someone who will listen. And you gotta prove it. No one listens to you anyway, I know. But they can't turn a blind eye at proof, remember that. No matter who you- or he is. Proof is proof,"

~

"I'm serious Billie Joe!"

"I know! So am I!"

"Telling me to raid his locker of all his books isn't a serious suggestion,"

He sunk back into his chair before mumbling. "I thought it was,"

"I just gotta find some evidence he cheated,"

"How do you even plan on doing this Mal?"

"I don't know yet. I'll find something- hopefully- and when I do, its over for him,"

"Where are you gonna start?"

"I've got an upcoming session, tomorrow actually. I'll ask to see his paper or something to take notes," I shrugged easily, Not worrying.

"And if he doesn't show you?"

"Why wouldn't he?"

"Because if he has cheated... he's not gonna want you analysing his paper is he?"

"Mmm... good point,"

He nodded crossing his arms as I began brainstorming again for a plan B.

"Will you help me?" I asked, seconds after being silent.

He looked at me taken back. "Me?" He coughed sitting up.

"Yes, you,"

"We- what- I mean- how?"

"You're a teacher! Can't you just-"

"-I'm not a teacher anymore Mallory, remember? I'm back to music now,"

"Can't you help in any way? Like say you forgot something in your classroom?"

"But I haven't?"

"Well.... give me something,"

"What?"

"Give me something,"

"What- like- like a drink?"

I laughed slightly shaking my head. "No Bill, I mean like-like a music book or something,"

"But... why?"

"So I can plant it in your old classroom,"

He nodded, understanding. "And then I use it as an excuse to get back in... right?"

"Yes! Exactly! So then you can take his paper,"

"Mallory, he has his paper,"

Oh yeah.

"Well... tomorrow. I'll plant something in your classroom. I'll convince him to bring the paper back in to school for some reason. Then, you can take it,"

"I suppose I'm suppose to agree now since you've already planned out this scheme,"

I smiled slightly. "Maybe,"

"Alright well," He pushed himself out the chair, looking over at me. "C'mon,"

"Where we going?" I asked him, looking around his basement.

"Well we gotta find something for you to put in the room,"

"So we're going to...?"

He shifted slightly. Before mumbling quietly. "My room,"

"Where sorry? I couldn't quite- quite hear you. Mumbling a little bit Billie,"

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah alright. I know- it sounds different to what I mean but-"

"-I wasn't saying there was anything wrong with it," I shrugged slightly.

His cheeks began to flush as he looked away. "Shut up, playing mind games,"

"They're not mind games there-"

"-Whatever they are, they're throwing me off our mission,"

I sighed falsely. "Guess the mind games can wait,"

"Now come on," He held his hand out for me insistently. I took it as he pulled me up fast and I stumbled slightly. He chuckled, before we made our way up the stairs and out of the basement.

Obviously, yesterday was the first time I had ever been to Billies house. Yesterday I had only saw his living room and of course the basement. I hadn't been up stairs. But I followed him as we walked up once again another set off stairs reaching the landing.

He walked over to a door, turning the door nob as he pushed it open and walked in. I followed behind him looking around his room.

It was much, if anything... it was actually quite boring. He had white walls, grey carpet, a double bed, a wardrobe and that was really it.

But I guess his rooms isnt going to be caked in posters like mine really is it.

"Your rooms so plain and boring," I commented as he looked around for something.

"It's not that bad, its just simple,"

It looked like anyone was hardly even in here. At least in my room you could tell human life made its way in and out with all the mess I leave and the way I personalise everything. Billie's room was merely nothing. I don't know what I was expecting, but just standard room items and only that wasn't my first thought. "Whatever you say,"

He walked over to a bed, standing in front of it very guardingly so I could not see what was in it as he opened it.

I chuckled slightly. "What do you keep in there then?"

"Just... things,"

"Things?"

"Mhm... things- would this work?" He asked spinning back around. He showed me a planner, what I'm guessing kept him organised for when he was actually teaching classes.

I shrugged. "That could work,"

He tossed it over with out any warning, I caught it last second hearing him shut the draw.

"So I plant it in the classroom tomorrow. Tutoring sessions after school, I come up with a lie to Tyler saying he needs his test in school. Next day, he brings it in. You come later, take it. And then I can look through it,"

"We,"

"What?"

"We can look through it,"

"What together?"

"Well of course?"

"But I...." I trailed off. as He looked at me confused, silent. Forcing me to pick back up om that sentence. "I didn't think you would want to get caught up in my little theory. Being busy again now with music and... well having better things to do,"

"Mallory, I'm with you on this. I'm gonna help you out even if I'm moving on to other things. Just because I'm doing something else doesn't mean I wont make time for you,"

"I just thought maybe you would think I'm being too obsessed over it, and you wouldn't wanna get so involved,"

"Of course not, hey-" He walked over, picking my hands up as I looked at him. He gave me a reassuring smile. "-We're a team. Okay? In this together? I'm in this with you. You worked so well, he didn't try as much as I saw you try. You worked your fucking ass off. If you think its a theory, then I believe your theory. I'm not you're teacher anymore... doesn't mean I'm still not gonna help,"

Being on a team with a guy who use to be my teacher to steal a kids test paper wasn't what I anticipated. The way this all fell down into life, none of this was what I thought could happen to me.

Despite the odd kiss here and there, that one date and the rest of times in detention. Despite everything. Billie was a friend of mine, I'd like to think I was one of his. And even if the age gap between us was maybe five or six years, he was still a very, very, important person to me.

I just haven't figured out the way I feel about him yet. And I hope I never do.

I wanted to say something meaningful back, but the things I wanted to say would never sound right being spoken from my lips. "Thanks Billie. If we are a team, then I'm happy to call you my partner in this fiasco,"

"Weird how we went from a score board against each other, to landing on the same team isn't it?"

"It is. But I like that part of the story. None of us won against each other, we met in the middle and somehow ended up on the same side,"

"So who switched teams?"

I thought about my morals. My rules, my promises and my mantras. Had I gone past everything I ever believed? Maybe I had.

"I broke a few of my rules to get to you, maybe it was me who swapped teams,"

"So in retrospect... it's you on my team,"

"Maybe it is,"

"You don't seem as bothered about that sentence as I thought you would,"

I look at him furrowing my brows. "Why would I be?"

"You just always seemed like you wanted to lead. To be in power and have control, I said you were technically on my team, and you didn't fight to call it your own,"

I shrugged, smiling. "It's your team I don't mind being less in control on,"

This huge goofy smile appeared on his face, he pulled me in from under his arm swiping me into a hug. I giggled hugging him back as I wrapped myself around his chests still slightly smiling.

"Its not really my team," He whispered as I felt the sentence tickle the my ear. "I think you always had the control over me, even when you shouldn't have,"

"I acted like you never did, but trust me Armstrong. You had your moments where you beat me at that game. If its a team, it's our team. No matter who swapped their team or held the most control,"

a/n: MERRY LATE CHRISTMAS GUYS! GUESS WHO UPDATED A DAY AFTER ALREADY UPATING? ME! take this as a Christmas present.

I hope you all enjoyed your day, even to the people who may not celebrate. As always, thank you for reading :)! Updates will be more faster than usual, promise.