Pete's life had become golden. He actually had three friends, two of them were always there for him.. Sorta. He still believed that Gary and Jimmy cared about him.

Then he had Vance. He was someone he never expected to speak to him. It was almost childish but whenever he thought about his green eyes, wide smile or his hair he got lighthearted.

His weeks were filled with classes, English class with Vance where he would always try to stealthily stare at him. Vance also stared back when he wasn't looking.

He thought Pete looked nice in pink, he also noted how Pete had a neutral frown. The weeks were filled with them hanging out; watching TV while doing homework, playing pranks and talking about common interests.

The greasers didn't care, as long as Vance still hung out with them. Peanut Romano knew that Vance was hanging out with Kowalski but he was too distracted by Johnny's problems.

It was Halloween, the most anticipated night of the year. Vance usually hung out with the greasers and caused troubled, which is what he would do. He planned on asking Pete if he hang out with him afterwards since it was only a Friday.

Still, the day was still young. Pete finished Biology class, glancing for one last time at the dead dissected pig. Their guts weren't very colourful except for the dye in their blood.

Melvin took off the latex gloves. "What are you doing tonight? Do you want to hang with us and play some Gremlins and Grottos?"

Pete stared at the class: everyone was a little grossed out, Gord was freaking out because he dropped the pig's liver on his Aquaberry sweater.
"Uh, I can't," He chuckled weakly, "sorry..I have plans with Gary and Jimmy."

Vance hadn't spoken to him to ask if he wanted to hang out later but he guessed it would be understandable to hang with your group.

Melvin nodded, "are you going to be a pink bunny for Halloween?" He joked and Pete scoffed.
"You bet, Melvin, I just need some eggs, a basket and I'll be the lamest Easter bunny."

He laughed and grabbed his books, "our invitation still stands, bye." He waved at him and left class. Pete removed his gloves and headed out the class. He was surprised to see Vance, leaning on the lockers by the class.

"Hey." He waved at Pete and pushed himself off. He held up some firecrackers with a devious smile. This jogged Pete's memory and remembered their plan. Last week, Vance suggested that they pulled a prank on the jocks, firecrackers in the locker room.

Pete walked to his locker, stuffing his things in before closing it.
"Are you ready? I'm pretty sure they're practicing at lunch."
"I've been waiting for this all week." He replied to Vance, grinning.

Vance walked out the building with Pete and they neared the football field. They were all practicing, too lost in the game to pay any attention.

"If you keep this up, you'll probably have a reputation among the meatheads as a troublemaker." Vance reminded. Pete didn't know why but that panicked him. He still wasn't the best to defend himself.
"Yeah, sure, but they'll snap my neck like a twig." Vance whistled slightly before replying, "yeah, but I'm here aren't I, to protect you?"

Pete felt irritated that Vance thought he was so weak, but he was right. They sneaked into the locker room. "When does practice end?" Pete asked, staring at the cluttered garbage on the ground.
"Uh, in two minutes." Vance checked his hand-me-down watch.

There was quiet, as they waited. Vance broke the silence, deciding to start the conversation. "So, I was wondering, what're you doin' tonight?" He asked.
Pete chuckled, "hanging out with Gary and Jimmy, they'll probably use me as bully bait."

Vance nodded, "oh, cool, I'm hangin' with the gang, maybe, after, I can sneak you out and we can go to the carnival." The increase of sneaking out scared Pete sometimes but he didn't regret it for a second. He got to hang out with Vance, how much more could he want?

"Yeah, that sounds great." Pete nodded in agreement. Vance flashed his 'million dollar' smile and looked up. The jocks were approaching, Vance lit them before he hid in an empty locker. Pete copied his action, not wanting to be caught.

"Man, I wish the new coach cut us some slack." Kirby groaned, throwing his helmet down on the benches. They all walked in, Damon's chest heaved, "he made me run so many laps, God.."
Ted pushed them in, "don't bitch."

They all shrieked when they heard crackles and snaps. Pete tried everything to not laugh at their girly screams. He could tell Vance was sobbing from laughter.
"Coaaaach!" One called before Ted clapped his hands over their mouth, "do you want to get in trouble..?"

Ted's posture straightened, "they must be here, in one of these lockers.." He figured out with narrowed eyes. Pete's heartbeat raced and his breathing grew shallow. He felt lightheaded and knew if they found him, he would be more than yelled at it.

He couldn't do anything but hope they didn't open his locker, watching through the small holes in the top of the locker. Ted opened one, it clanged, empty.. Then another empty one, near his locker. He was going to lose his stomach, he felt clammy.

Kirby stepped in and opened Vance's locker. His heart stopped when he heard them shout, "greaseball!"
Vance stepped out, very short compared to most of the jocks. He stared them up and down, the moment was high strung and tense.

Pete swallowed what little saliva had. He could've interrupted and saved him, for once. Vance spit on their shoes, "blow me, you apes." He cackled and ran off quickly, speeding off while the jocks chased him.

He didn't stand a chance against a group like them. The locker room was empty, the faint sound of yelling outside. He got out, chest heaving as he sighed, "oh god.."
He ran out, following the jocks before one of them grabbed Vance by the jacket collar and pulled him down.

He could hear Vance scream as Dan brought his foot down on his chest. Pete looked at them and winced. He couldn't bring himself to fight them but he ran, "stop! you're hurting him!"

They glared at Pete before their coach advanced, "what's going on?" They panicked and ran off, the coach grew bored and left.

The field was empty except for Vance, curled on the grass. "Vance! Are you okay? Tell me you're okay." Pete helped him up, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and leading him away.

He led him to the bathroom, Vance stared blankly at the floor. His Italian shoes were stained with blood. Pete handed him some toilet paper so he could prevent the bleeding. He dampened some paper with cold water and dabbed the black eye.

Vance winced, "oh god.." Pete sighed, shaking his head. "We shouldn't have done that.." Vance laughed hoarsely, "no, it was worth it.. I'll live."

Pete had to argue against him, for once. "No, you got hurt, I hope you don't have a concussion or something.." Vance hopped off the bathroom counter.

"We tend to help each other out when we're all cut up, huh?" He smiled and spat in sink, the porcelain was stained with bloody saliva. Pete stared helplessly.

"I just- I feel bad, I could've been helping you fight them.." He looked down, a guilty expression painted on.
"Don't beat yourself up, Pete." He set a hand on his shoulder and Pete looked up.

"At least we got to hear those apes squeal like girls." He smiled at him and managed to make the distraught boy himself smile weakly.

"We couldn't have done it without your help." Pete argued before Vance playfully punched his shoulder. "Don't be so humble, hero."

Vance heard the bell ring, he had physics. He glanced at Pete, "see you at ten, alright?" Pete nodded.

Pete left for art but Vance returned to the tenements, getting ready for Halloween with his friends. Pete couldn't help but feel guilty.

Vance didn't seem so shaken up about it. He wish he was at least half as tough as Vance Medici was. He didn't have much courage in him, but at least he had a little, thanks to the greaser.

He smiled to himself while he painted, thinking about the prank. He slowly stopped regretting it.

Hours later, he had finished dinner and was in his dorm. He laid in bed, reading a comic book before the door opened. Gary stood-wearing a red flannel shirt; brown furry claws; fake blood on his face.

"Guess." He walked in and sat on the edge of his bed. Pete stared, before blinking, "wolf man?"

Gary's devious grin spread, "and he's guessed right! James, tell him what he's won!" Jimmy walked into his room, dressed as Jason from Friday the 13th.  He pulled up the hockey mask to show his smile before he threw a familiar bunny suit at Pete.

Gary laughed, "some kids could use the Easter Bunny." Pete frowned, staring at them both. "Guys, are you really serious?" He already foresaw the embarrassing remarks.

"Nah, just kidding." Jimmy handed some old T-shirt, ripped jeans and movie makeup. Pete looked up, "zombie?"
Gary nodded, getting up.

"Hurry up, we'll wait outside." He stepped out, Jimmy grabbed the bunny costume. "Wait! I don't know how to apply the makeup!" Gary called out from the halls, "I'm not a 'beautician', femme-boy."

He sighed loudly and changed into the clothes. He looked like a hobo, now all he had to do was manage to look dead. After making a mixture of a greyish pale colour, he blended it in and applied some movie blood where it seemed appropriate.

He stepped out. Gary whistled, "Pete, you didn't tell us you were a movie makeup artist in your past life." Jimmy was drinking some cola.

They moved outside, as usual, Gary wanted to pull some pranks. He usually liked standing around and observing, safer that way. He watched as Jimmy put a 'Kick Me' sign on Sheldon.

He watched, Gary tapped his shoulder. "Okay, this is the year." He announced, he dropped a bag of marbles. "You must prank someone, I won't allow you not to."

He sighed softly, looking up. "Do I have to? It's a little mean." Gary rolled his eyes, snapping, "do it, wimp."
He nodded and found a group of preppies. He snuck and dropped the marbles as they rolled.

He ran near his friends and watched. Parker finally slipped, it was impressive at how he practically flew when he slipped on a marble.
"Nice going, Petey." Jimmy slapped his shoulder. He felt proud but also bad, bittersweet.

The night neared ten o' clock. The moon was out, a sliver in the pitch black sky. It reminded him of the night when he watched the movie with Vance.

"Guys, I'm gonna go sleep.." He started. They glanced at him, shrugging. "Okay, your loss." Gary smiled and returned to what prank he was preparing to pull.

He returned to the dorm and sat on the couch. He felt energetic, he anticipated the rest of the night. He watched TV while he waited before Vance walked in.

"Hey, Pete, you here?" He asked and Pete sat up, turning around. The redhead had a cape, fake fangs as he could tell and hair slicked back(more than usual).

Pete decided to crack a joke, "I 'van't to suck your blood." He spoke in a typical Romanian-Transylvanian accent. Vance laughed and eyed him up and down, "well, hello, night of the dead."

Pete jumped over the couch excitedly, "where are we going?" He asked. Vance chuckled, "easy, Anklebiter, let's go."
They went to Vance's bike.

The buses were closed at this hour. Vance got on and Pete got on the back, feet resting on the footholds on the back wheel with hands holding Vance's shoulders.

Vance began pedalling, whistling 'Monster Mash'. "So, how was your night?" Pete asked, glancing over Vance's shoulder to see where they were going.

"Uh, fun, had some booze and caused some trouble, you?" Pete began to realize that Vance's breath did smell like beer. "Well, Gary and Jimmy just did the usual." He sighed, feeling the night's breeze in his hair.

"The usual? Which is?" They were near New Coventry. "Uh, pranks?" He shrugged slightly and Vance's head turned quickly to Pete.

He scoffed, "no bunny costume?" Pete laughed, rolling his eyes, "I almost wore it." Vance cackled, "hoo boy, wish I could've been there."

They were quiet for the rest of the bike ride. They stopped at the carnival and hopped off. After paying admission, they walked in the lively park.

"What first? Want to go try the strength game?" Vance asked but was dragging him there anyway. Pete went first, grabbing the hammer and holding it back. It sure was heavy.. He hit pathetically, wincing when the person in charge of the game chuckled.

"Move it, noodle arms, let the pro do it." Vance playfully pushed him aside before doing it himself. The bell dinged and he glanced at Pete. "You impressed?" He asked, grabbing the tickets.

Pete felt jealous of his strength but decided to show he had better aim.
"C'mon." He walked to the Shooting Game. "Aren't those games rigged?" Vance asked, cocking a brow.

He watched as Pete grabbed a ball, tossing it at the tower of glass bottles. They all fell with a satisfying noise. He smiled widely, looking at him, "you were saying?" Vance held his hands up in defense, "forget I said anything."

Pete grabbed the tickets and looked at the Fun House. He was decided whether to head inside or not. Vance walked up next to him, "I'll hold your hand if you're scared." He spoke sarcastically. Pete scoffed, he would've said yes if he was serious.

"Nah, that place's a bust." He shook his head and moved to the Ferris wheel. Vance began making chicken noises, mocking him.

Pete glared before stepping on the carriage. Vance ran in after him, the ride attendant barking at him.

Vance didn't sit across from him but beside him. He laid his arm on his shoulder, peering at other carriages. "Huh, we're screwed, alright." He chuckled nervously and returned his look forward.

Pete widened his eyes and turned around to look. The carriage swung slightly, Vance gripped the sides, "easy!"
Of course, Casey and Juri were there, also Ted and Bob but they were turned around to face them.

"If it isn't the greaseball and his little boyfriend!" Juri yelled maliciously, Pete's face burnt and he wanted to die.

Ted, dressed as a skeleton; laughed, "better enjoy this ride because after..." He grinned, making a throat cutting gesture. Vance audibly gulped, an uneasy look on his face.

He stared at them as they called him all  sorts of lousy things.
"Hey! You need a haircut!" Bob called and the jocks all chuckled. At least they weren't saying things about Pete,
"We'll kick your ass too, 'femme-boy'!"

Pete suddenly hated Gary for a second because last year's nickname had spread like wildfire. He figured people forgot about it, guess not..

They turned back, trying to ignore the rude remarks. Vance looked at Pete, "don't worry, we'll run out the carnival if they try chasing us."

Pete liked the plan, at least it was fathomable. "Okay, I'll do it.. But, we should head to Jimmy's beach house." Vance cocked a brow, frowning, because it was an old prep house. "Why that dump?"

"Well, they're gonna be looking in New Coventry first, these aren't your regular preps, they're physically capable of kicking ass." Pete whispered, hoping that they couldn't hear his plan.

The carriage stopped at the top. Vance nodded, "good plan, guess you are as smart as you look." He smiled and Pete grinned humbly.

The view was mostly over the carnival, bright with neon lights. Pete looked over that and to the ocean, cold but their destination.
"What if they find us?" Pete asked the 'what if our plan fails?' question.

"I taught you to fight, no?" Vance punched his upper arm, "you kick, you punch, bite, anything to avoid going to the hospital." Pete nodded, still unsure.

"No worries, your plan sounds smart." He reassured and stared at Bullworth below them. Pete would've enjoyed the view more if the jocks weren't planning on murdering them.

The ride started up again and they headed down slowly. They got out, glad their tormentors were stuck on top of the ride. They barked at them from high up but their words weren't comprehensible.

"Let's go, Petey." Vance grabbed his wrist and they ran out the park. Almost in a swift motion, they got Vance's bike and rode to the pier. Vance got off, breathing heavily, tired from pedalling with all his might.

"Hide the bike inside, let's go." Pete went to open the door. "Uh.." He felt himself break into a cold sweat when the door knob rattled but turned out to be locked.

Vance laid his bike against the house, "let me 'jimmy' the lock, hold on." He knelt and pulled out two bobby pin. Pete crossed his arms, looking to see if they were any jocks near.
"Hurry up." Pete spoke anxiously and Vance scoffed loudly, "you can't rush this."

After a few minutes, the lock clicked and the door opened creakily. "Get in." Vance pushed his bike in and Pete followed.

Inside, the house smelt musty, like old champagne. The walls were peeling. Vance closed the door and turned to Pete, "look for light." 

After looking through a cupboard, he found an old lantern. He turned to Vance, "I need a match." He tossed the box at him and he lit the only source of light in the room.

He was able to see Vance clearly, he had sweat most of his white makeup off. He looked tired, he looked out the window. "Jackasses are going to New Coventry."

Pete nodded and sat on an old couch, he stared at the pattern.
Vance looked behind the old bar, sighing before laughing.

"Aha! Found some wine!" He pulled out the bottle, reading the title, "Le chat rouge." He spoke sarcastically, "wonder what it means.."

Pete looked up from his spot, "it means: the red cat." Vance gave an eye roll, "smartass." Pete only grinned back and waited.

Vance drank most of the bottle but complained mostly about it. "Who drinks this?!" He threw the empty bottle at the wall, it smashed. They looked at each other and grinned before breaking out into laughter.

Pete didn't drink but he was tired and felt drunk. "I think we should head back." He got up and stretched.

"Nah, I'm staying here for the night, you can bring my bike back tomorrow, okay?" He was laying on an old couch, looking sleepy with a soft smile.

Pete wanted to stay too, talk to him but he was too responsible to. "Okay, do you need anything?" He asked before Vance giggled and nodded.

Pete walked to the couch where Vance sat up slightly. He held Pete's forearm. He mumbled sleepily, "I think I love you.." Pete's heart stopped and jumped in his throat.
"What? Like as a friend or something more?" He croaked, eyes wide.

He wanted to flee, hide away, he felt overwhelmed. The redhead chuckled tiredly, yawning slightly, "like this.." He kissed his cheek.

His lips were chapped and far from soft on Pete's cheek but it freaked him out. He felt like hyperventilating, he wanted to ask him to kiss his cheek another time, he wanted to deny he liked him back, but he couldn't fight his intuitive.

"I love you too, Vance.." He spoke hoarsely, Vance yawned again, heavy tired eyes glancing at him.
"Really?"
"Uh- yeah." Pete coughed, "I think you should sleep, okay?"
Vance blinked, his smile never fading.

"Okay, goodnight, I hope you realize I'm not drunk, I do love you." This freaked Pete out more. By god! He meant it! He felt like screaming, 'Vance Medici, dumb greaseball likes nobody Pete Kowalski'.

"And I'm not trying to make you feel better, I love you too. Goodnight." Pete smiled wide and left. Once he closed the door, he got on the bike and rode back to Bullworth academy.

He was breaming, sort of laughing. He felt so worried about how he'd tell Vance about how he felt. Then, the greaser told him instead.

He felt as if his life wasn't near golden anymore, it was golden.