"Who's next?"

"We need to figure out who's the mastermind," I said under my breath, getting out my Physics book from my locker.

Alfie sighed, ruffling his dark hair and leaning his back on the locker beside me. "Well, we know Lawley, Wood, and McKinley had something to do with it."

Based on the way they reacted that forsaken day, they sure as bloody fucking hell had something to with it.

"What about Oakley?" asked Kurt, looking at us.

Kurt was probably the only one in this school who didn't refer to that dude as Big Oaf Oakley because they were practically the same size. I recalled the time that oaf had to knock me out in junior year when I was beating someone to death.

Good times.

"Not sure about him," I admitted, shaking my head. He didn't look as vindictive as the other three mentioned. In fact, Big Oaf just looked rather uninterested.

"Don't you think they all came up with it together?" wondered Frisco.

I considered it, and shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. They seem like the type to blindly follow a leader, though."

"You think someone else is involved?" asked Connie, with a frown from beside me. She was putting back some of her books inside her locker.

"Dunno," I replied, shaking my head.

I had no fucking clue. I wanted to say I knew everything we were supposed to do. But to be honest, I was just going with the flow. Not to mention, we had to be extra careful. Who knew this shit needed much work and planning?

Payback could be such a headache. She was a bitch, after all.

"Hey, I have an idea on who we should target next," said Alfie. When we all looked at him, he grinned wickedly. "Cameron Wood."

Ah, the dickwad who talked shit behind my back freshman year.

I narrowed my eyes. "Why?"

My best friend scratched his chin, his green eyes wandering to the people passing by. That was his thinking move. I tilted my head.

"What do you have in mind?" I asked curiously.

His green orbs met my blue ones. I saw a wicked gleam in them.

"Let's just say it ain't gonna be pretty," he promised.

I stared at him for a second, before nodding and facing my locker to close it.

"Fine, but give it a few weeks. We don't wanna make the grown-ups suspicious."

"Roger," replied Alfie, saluting to me. He turned to Frisco and put an arm around him. "I need you to plan this shit with me, dude."

Frisco blinked, clearly taken aback. "I'm no good in evil plots."

Damn right, you're not.

"Trust me," chuckled Alfie. "This time, your chivalry comes in handy."

"Why would you –"

I lightly slapped Kurt's chest with the back of my hand to stop him, clearing my throat as I nodded to the girl coming towards us. Their heads turned to that direction.

"Let's talk about it later," I told them. "Seven on the dot, white house."

They muttered in agreement.

"Wow, that's a nice tan," said Connie sweetly to the brunette who had preppy written all over her as she neared us.

Oh, shit. I knew where this was going.

"Thanks," beamed the girl.

"Orange is my favorite color," continued Connie.

Burn. We snickered, while the girl shot a glare at Connie before facing Frisco with a wide smile as if nothing happened.

"Thanks for letting me borrow your notes. It really helped."

"Anytime, Bri," smiled Frisco, taking the notebook with him.

The brunette named Bri waved cheerfully and left, almost bouncing in her steps. I heard Connie make a disgusted sound before facing her locker again while Alfie pulled away from the wall, shook Frisco's shoulders, and laughed.

"Our baby boy's getting some action!"

"Bang her yet?" asked Kurt, with a leer.

"A gentleman never tells," grinned Frisco, shrugging.

"You got it wrong, man," argued Alfie, shaking his head. "You only never kiss and tell if you love the girl. Everyone else is fair game."

"'Love' and 'girl' in one sentence," I muttered thoughtfully. "That's something I never thought would come out of Alfie's mouth."

He flipped me off, to which I only grinned.

"At least, use a rubber," Kurt told Frisco, laughing. "Wouldn't want getting that bunny pregnant now, would ya?"

"She's not a bunny," said Frisco defensively. "Just a friend."

"Fuck buddies," gasped Alfie.

Kurt whooped.

My best friend whistled and punched Frisco's arm, adding, "Didn't think you have the balls for that! I'm impressed."

"Guess his dick did all the talking," I chuckled.

"Can you guys save the gritty talk in the boys locker room?" hissed Connie, without looking at us. "I'm seriously getting sick of hearing about your popsicle dicks."

"Hey, you're hurting my feelings," sobbed Alfie.

I looked at her. "Shouldn't you be used to it by now?" I smirked.

"It's still gross," she grumbled.

"Don't get your panties in a twist, Con," said Kurt, crossing his ams.

"Aw," pouted Alfie playfully. "Looks like little miss prissy needs to get laid. You need to loosen up. How long has it been since someone rocked you down under?"

"Shut your fucking face, you uncle fucker," she growled, slamming her locker shut and scowling at my best friend.

Alfie, Kurt, and I exchanged sneers. Then, we burst out singing.

"Shut your fucking face, you uncle fucker~!"

"We watch South Park way too much," said Frisco, shaking his head in amusement.

"You know, it'd be nice if at least one of you retards fucking remember that I'm still a motherfucking girl!" snapped Connie. With that, she turned around and left us.

Students near us were staring. Well, hell. Way to cause a scene.

"Oh, Connie Anderson!" cried Alfie, dropping to his knees. "Don't walk away and leave me! It's not my fault, baby! You're just so manly I forget you have a vagina!"

Kurt almost doubled over in laughter.

"Go fuck yourself, dickface!" snarled Connie, over her shoulder.

I blinked.

What the hell was her problem?

We stared after her with our jaws dropped. She was way too angry just now. Sure, she was always snappy, but not butthurt like this. It was almost as if she was PMS-ing.

Wait.

I frowned and looked at the boys.

"What day is it?"

"The 28th," answered Frisco.

I looked away and mentally counted the days in the calendar. My eyes widened a bit at the realization. I turned my head to the others. But before I could say anything, I heard their groans as they came up with the same conclusion I did.

"It's that time of the month again?" voiced out Alfie, standing up from the floor.

"Yup," I confirmed, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Damn, I hate hell week," muttered Kurt.

Frisco nodded. "Me, too."

Yeah, Connie's on her period. And I admit, we keep track of it. Creepy? Pretty much. But it's sorta like a precaution. That way, we know when to be extra sensitive when we're around her. If we don't, she will go batshit crazy on us every five seconds.

No one liked a moody Connie. Seriously. She was fucking hell.

Why do you think we call it 'hell week'?

"Maybe I should skip and buy her some froyo," I sighed, scratching my temple. It was her most favorite thing it the world. It always calmed her down when she was in a mood.

"I'll do it," offered Frisco, standing up straight.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "You'll have to skip fifth period."

"Mister Babinski's out today," he shrugged. "I bet the whole class will just be sent to the library for self-study. No, thanks."

"Don't you live there?" teased Kurt.

"Only on Wednesdays."

I suddenly had an urge to wander my eyes down the hallway, like a magnet. I looked past the sea of students until I saw a familiar black hair.

That was when I caught sight of Halo in front of her locker. Her pale skin contrasted the dark red color of the lockers, as she placed some stuff inside hers.

I was rooted on the spot.

Excitement filled me, remembering what happened to us last Sunday night. I wanted to go over to her. But a part of me wanted to stay right here and watch her some more.

"Here, take my car," said Alfie, throwing his keys to Frisco. "Make sure the froyo you buy for Connie ain't –"

"Chocolate mint?" guessed Frisco.

"Yeah, you know how much she hates that shit." Alfie winced. "I don't blame her. Who the hell came up with chocolate mint, anyways? That's screwed up."

As if some sort of force was calling to her, she stopped and looked around. Until her eyes landed on me and caught me staring at her, causing for her cheeks to visibly redden. She quickly looked away and hid her face with her hair.

An amused smile made its way to my lips.

"What flavor are you gonna buy her?" Kurt asked Frisco. "Cheesecake?"

"Cookies n cream?" suggested Alfie.

"Make it peanut butter," I piped up, keeping my eyes on Halo. She had her back turned to me now. "That always did the trick."

"You heard the man," said Alfie.

"Oh, if you're gonna drive like a snail," started Kurt, "you better grab the cooler at the back of my truck on your way."

"Dude, it's a froyo run," reminded Frisco skeptically.

I snorted. "Yeah, and you drive like a fucking grandma during daylight."

Kurt and Alfie burst out laughing.

Halo finally turned around. But her head was down. Then, she looked up as she played with a strand of her hair. She was biting her lip nervously. But the moment our eyes met, she sent me a warm smile. She raised a hand and did a little wave.

I grinned. Damn, she had me.

Best part was, she was mine.

We established that that night we went night cruising. She agreed to be my girlfriend, flashing me that beaming smile that always did me in. I wore the biggest fucking grin on the planet on the way home that night.

It was weird as hell – but the more I spent time with her, the more I somehow felt like being closer to the surface. Did that even make any damn sense?

Like I said, everything felt new with her.

"Yeah, yeah," chuckled Frisco, hurtling me back to the present. "Well, I like to think my lead foot is a superpower – needs to be kept a secret and all that."

"Funny," said Alfie thoughtfully, smirking. "I thought your occasional geekiness was your superpower."

"My geekiness beat your ass in Madden," pointed out Frisco.

"Like I said, superpower."

Frisco laughed. "Alright, I'm off. See you guys later."

I didn't get to say goodbye to Frisco because Scout fucking Crimson suddenly poofed out of nowhere like a freaking vampire and came up to Halo.

My forehead creased. What the fuck did he want?

I watched as carrothead said something to Halo, to which she shook her head in answer like she was assuring him. He nodded and smiled at her. I wanted to wipe it off. She told him something then, making that smile of his vanish. Good. He had a look of disapproval, before glancing at me. He didn't look happy.

I raised an eyebrow and cocked my head, letting him know I acknowledged him. His frown deepened, making me smile mockingly.

Halo shook her head, catching Scout's attention. The smile was instantly gone on my face. Then, I heard my best friend whistle beside me.

"Looks like you got a competition, man," he sneered.

I almost growled, but I composed myself into merely looking bored.

"What competition?" I asked innocently, flashing him a smirk. "All I see is some bozo hanging over my girl."

"I don't think he knows that, though," he said, nodding back to their direction.

I followed where he was looking at and saw Scout stepping closer to Halo. One look at his face, and I immediately knew what he was trying to do.

Fuck.

Without word, I left Alfie and Kurt and headed to where a shithead was about to make a move on my girlfriend. The students easily parted my way, and I was momentarily thankful for my infamous reputation.

As soon as I got there, I casually put an arm around my girl. She stilled for a moment, before relaxing when she realized it was me. She smelled like flowers.

"What's up, Crimson?" I greeted. "It better not be your dick."

Halo chokes. I gently stroked her back.

"You should really wash your mouth with a soap," countered Scout, wearing a grim face and shooting me daggers with his eyes.

"Won't you rather clean my dark soul?"

"But what would be left of you if we did that?"

The corner of my lips twitched at the challenge.

"You know," I started, smirking, "sometimes I try to see things from your perspective but I can't seem to get my head that far up my ass."

His hands immediately turned into fists. I grinned in amusement. He was way too easy to provoke, this guy. I felt Halo pinch my side, making me face her. Her beautiful purple eyes almost whisked me away to another galaxy.

Holy shit. What just happened?

"You look cute today, dork," I murmured.

She bit her lip, before covering her mouth from the view and whispering, "I'd say the same but you're kinda being a pumkinhead."

I choked a laugh. "Did my girl just call me a pumkinhead?" I asked, amused. "I'd say we gotta work on your insults but you're helluva lot more fun this way."

She sighed. "Why do you have to be so charming?" she muttered, more to herself.

I was full on grinning now.

"You guys are seriously going out."

I hung my head. "If throw a stick, will you go away?"

"Don't forget what I said, Halo," Scout to my girlfriend, ignoring me.

"You don't have to worry, though," she said.

"But I do," he replied sincerely, looking at her as if begging her to listen to him. My jaw clenched. He smiled at her, and added, "See you around."

He looked at me one last time, before he went on his way. A few people greeted him along the corridor. He waved and nodded to them like he was a fucking mayor.

Yeah, Mayor of Sissyville.

When he was out of sight, I whirled Halo around to face me. Surprised at the sudden motion, she grabbed my shoulders to keep steady. I liked how she was holding on to me. With a hand on her waist, I leaned her back against the locker.

"What'd he say?" I asked, getting to the point.

She avoided my eyes.

"Halo."

"To be careful," she said, in a small voice.

I paused. "Of me?"

"Yeah," she breathed out.

I dropped my head and buried it on the crook of her neck, trying real hard not to hunt down that carrothead and tell him to stay the fuck out of my life.

Hmm. Halo smelled nice. It calmed me.

"I'm sorry."

I smiled humorlessly and raised my head to look her in the eye.

"You gotta stop apologizing."

"I know," she mumbled.

She was wearing make-up today, now that I noticed. But only a little. Her eyes looked defined, her lashes longer. I couldn't see even one freckle on her face. A hand reached up and touched her hair. It was soft and silky as usual.

I seriously didn't know what came over me. I just leaned my face down to her, kissing her hair. I felt like doing it, so I did. Yep, I was definitely turning into a weirdo.

"Everybody's staring," she whispered.

Like I was gonna let that stop me.

"Let them," I told her.

She pulled away from me and studied my face.

"You like this," she concluded, looking through me.

"I do," I admitted, playing with the hem of her gray sweater over her dress. It was soft. My eyes traveled upward, making me notice the print. "You listen to Guns N' Roses?"

"Only a little," she grinned sheepishly. "It's just . . . Axl Rose was such a hottie when he was young," she added a-matter-of-factly.

"Now how am I gonna compete with a rockstar?" I smiled crookedly.

Halo pretended to think. "If you're blonde, have blue eyes, and nicknamed after a land where the great and powerful wizard was from, I think you're safe." She bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.

"Well, I don't know anyone named Godric," I shrugged, playing along.

"I meant Hogwarts," she corrected triumphantly.

"Technically, that's a school," I argued. "You specifically said 'land.'"

"Hogwarts is a school that has a land."

"Hogwarts has grounds."

"That can also be considered land," she added, raising her forefinger.

I snorted. "Yeah, but when you hear Hogwarts, the first thing that comes to your mind is the school. Not the land."

"Well, the first thing you think of when you hear Godric's Hollow is the Potters' death. And Dumbledore. And baby Harry. And you contemplate why their lives had to be so tragic."

She took a deep breath sadly, looking like someone just kicked her puppy.

I made a mental note to always mention books whenever I just felt like watching her blab on about something she was passionate about.

"Want a tissue?" I offered teasingly.

That made her laugh. Her nose scrunched up a little, her eyes slightly turning into slits as she continued laughing. I could only stare with a goddamn goofy smile on my face.

How the hell did I manage to catch this adorkable creature?

"Your friends are curtsying to girls who passes by them," mentioned Halo with a grin, looking down the hallway.

They could be prancing around doing fucking ballet for all I care.

"Hey, do I have something in my eye?" I asked, blinking nonstop.

She faced me again, stood on her tip toes, and leaned closer.

"Are you wearing contacts?" she wondered.

"No," I whispered, trying not to smile.

I waited until she was close enough. When she was, I swiftly closed the gap between us and gently placed my mouth on hers. She pulled back in surprise but I followed her, causing her to giggle. I grinned against her lips.

"Get a room!" I heard Alfie yell.

I flipped him off. He laughed in response.

With both her hands on her mouth, Halo looked around if anyone saw. I didn't have to look. I was pretty sure everyone with eyes saw us, especially when Alfie yelled.

Surprise, surprise. I didn't give a damn enough to check.

As if on cue, the bell rang. Always on time. Students began running around, hurrying to their classes. Perfect time to spread around some gossip.

"Get to class!" Alfie ordered me, pretending to be stern.

I tilted my head in wonder. "Did my jackass best friend really just tell me to get to class?" I asked Halo.

She had an amused face. "I believe he did."

"No way," I chuckled, turning to Alfie.

Kurt raised his hands defensively. "I didn't give him happy brownies!"

"Mm?" hummed Halo.

I turned to her, and saw her looking confused.

"I'll explain some other time," I told her.

She nodded. "Okay, I gotta get to class."

"Want me to summon your broomstick for you?"

"No need," she sighed. "I'll apparate." She waved an invisible wand, then looked down and her shoulders sagged. "Drat, I'm still here. Guess I have to work on that spell. Bye!"

She turned her back to me, but I grabbed her arm before she managed to leave. I pulled her to me and planted a kiss on her lips.

It was quick. But it was sweet.

"Later, dork," I grinned, letting her go.

"Okay," she smiled. "Um, bye."

I watched her walk away. I just realized she was wearing navy blue Chucks.

"Ah, so that's what a lovesick bulldog looks like."

My head whipped to my right and saw Alfie staring at me. I didn't see Kurt. He must've left for his class already.

"We're gonna be late for fifth period," I reminded him, starting to walk.

He gasped, looking horrified. "I was kidding! I don't wanna go to class! I could already hear my soul dying from boredom."

"Deal with it," I shrugged.

He could easily skip if he wanted. I wasn't gonna stop him.

I glanced over my shoulder, my eyes on Halo at the other end of the corridor. Before making a left, she stopped on her tracks and looked my way.

She waved. I nodded in turn.

With one last smile, she disappeared around the corner. I faced my front again, feeling incredibly light. I noticed the hallway was almost deserted.

Alfie's phone suddenly rang. He showed the screen to me. It was Frisco. He shrugged and answered it, walking ahead and leaving me as my pace slowed. Until I halted.

I took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling, the lightness starting to wash away. My chest tightened, so I closed my eyes to calm my nerves.

I'm happy. Damn it, I'm finally starting to find myself again.

So why the fuck am I having second thoughts?

Why am I thinking about Snow?

_____________

Uh-oh. :O