We played some bit of football after that, just because. But the second we got back to the main building, we didn't waste time. We quickly went on with the plan.

Since Kurt was with Alfie out in the parking lot waiting for Finn, I helped out Frisco with bribing the basketball team's waterboy so that we could get inside their locker room. Frisco always used to be the lookout. This time, our roles were switched.

I kept alert as I scanned the quiet hallway, while Frisco was somewhere inside copying the Coach's stat books using his phone. I glanced at my watch. It was only fourth period. The students were still inside their boring classrooms, pretending to listen to the teacher and trying not to fall asleep as they wait for the lunch bell.

Leaning my back on the wall, my eyes landed on the bulletin board across the hall. It showed off a local newspaper picture of me with a football clutched under my arm.

That game was only last week. There was no way in hell would I ever forget that night. I broke the damn record for Most Rushing Touchdowns in NFHS, and was well on my way to breaking the Most Rushing Yards. Johnny G still held that record.

Clyde even called to congratulate me. It was a pretty big deal.

Huh. I didn't know the school gave enough shit to actually post it here, right by the basketball team's locker room. Bet they fucking loved that.

With a smirk, I glanced around the corridor again. I was starting to think we could pull this off. Who said sneaking inside the – Shit.

I quickly leaned away from the wall and tried to appear casual. I took a deep breath through my nose to calm my nerves, cracking my knuckles inside the jacket pockets for some relief. I cleared my throat quietly.

Why? Because just then, Snow passed by.

After all that reflecting shit I did, I thought we actually had a shot at being friends. In fact, I was kinda looking forward to it. She wasn't a bad company. I expected that the next time I saw her, I'd be real cool about it.

But since Frisco was somewhere he shouldn't be and I was supposed to be the lookout (I fucking suck at this), there was no way I could be cool around her right now.

She needed to go away.

As I tried to come up with a plan, I noticed she had a hall pass with her. I was about to turn away and leave when her eyes landed on me standing right outside the entrance.

Fuck. Too late.

"Hey," she greeted, walking to me.

Her long red hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail, something she always liked doing. It made her look sporty, which she definitely wasn't. Exercising to her meant rearranging her entire bookshelf. One time, I even caught her sniffing a book.

That was the thing about Snow. Looking like a hot sporty chick, you wouldn't know that she was into books until you got to know her.

I nodded casually. "Hey."

She turned her head and looked down the hall, as if just realizing exactly where we were. Crap. I wasn't sure it was possible, but I prayed that this would be one of the rare times where she didn't use much of her brain.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, tilting her head.

Her tone was more curiosity than accusatory. I decided that was a good sign.

"I'm," I paused, clearing my throat, "waiting for Coach Buckley."

She blinked. "Oh, okay," she replied, as if that made total sense.

But then, I was dating his granddaughter. So maybe it kinda did.

I watched Snow cross her arms tightly, hugging herself as she looked down on her shoes. I almost asked her what was wrong, but I had to warn a friend first. Taking her silence as an opportunity, I nonchalantly scratched my temple as I swiftly took out my phone to text Frisco to find another way out.

Before I could hit send, Snow spoke again.

"Listen," she started, looking up at me. "I'm sorry about getting us in trouble the other day. That was totally my fault."

"Yeah," I agreed. "It was."

She scoffed in disbelief. "Thanks."

I only grinned at her.

She smiled sadly, saying, "I heard you were supposed to meet up with Halo that day. I didn't know, Oz. I'm really sorry."

"It's done," I sighed, looking away. "She'll talk to me eventually."

Snow's forehead creased. "She's been avoiding you?"

I shrugged. "That's how she deals."

I had to admit, it frustrated the fuck outta me. How could we work things out if she wouldn't let me talk? How the hell could we talk if she didn't even wanna face me?

But I'll let her be for now. I'll give her space, while I deal with my own shit. As soon as it's done, I'm coming after her.

"I could go and talk to her," offered Snow, genuinely concerned.

I stared at her for a moment, before shaking my head. It was a shitty idea. Snow was a sore subject in our relationship right now. I didn't wanna make it bigger than it already was.

"Nah, I'll handle it."

She pursed her lips, and nodded.

My awesome brain suddenly remembered Frisco and I had something going on that Snow had no idea about – and we had to keep it that way, or else we'd be in serious trouble.

"Where you off to?" I asked her, subtly walking away from the entrance.

It worked because she followed my movement. I glanced at my phone and finally hit send. In case it was too late, at least Frisco was free to get away.

"I needed a breather," she answered, flashing me weak smile.

"From what?"

"School."

My eyes widened at that.

She let out a small laugh. "Hard to believe, huh?"

"I dunno, I kinda hoped there was a rebellious teen in there somewhere," I chuckled, discreetly glancing behind to check if Frisco had gotten out. "Makes you normal."

"Of course, you would," she snorted.

I wonder if Frisco went through the other exit, the one inside the gym. But there was a class being held there right now. That was why we chose this entrance.

"Connie's birthday is coming up," mentioned Snow, bringing my eyes back to her.

I didn't say anything, waiting for her to continue.

I knew where she was going with this. Connie's birthday wasn't until two weeks. But it was understood that either one of me and Alfie was throwing her a party. It was sorta like a tradition of ours already.

This year, it was held at my place.

"What are the chances of her inviting me?"

There it is.

She said it like it was no big deal, almost as if it was a joke. But I could tell that she was still hoping. It was all over her eyes.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. With her face being expectant like that, I didn't wanna make her feel bad.

"Honestly? Probably zilch."

Well, I tried. I simply didn't have a knack for sugarcoating.

She looked in front of us and let out a deep breath, as we walked toward the end of the corridor. We were almost there. Frisco's ass better be somewhere he wouldn't get in trouble.

Nodding, Snow said, "I know."

"Her party, her guests," I shrugged, sending her a close-lipped smile. I almost said sorry, but I knew she'd hate that. She didn't like it when someone pitied her. Who did?

We were about to make a turn. But then, curly-haired Frisco had the best timing in the history of worst motherfucking timings.

"I got it! Let's go, O – Oh, shit."

Our heads whipped to his direction. He stood rooted on the spot, his eyes trained on Snow, before switching to me. She looked at him, seeming more suspicious by the second.

I had to do something. Quick.

"Is he in there?" I blurted out, walking closer to him.

Frisco stared blankly at me.

"Coach Buckley," I said pointedly. "Is he in there? Geez, man. I'm starting to think you have Alzheimer's or something."

Ride on, you geeky asshat.

He blinked. "Uh, yeah." He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. "I mean, no. We should come back later," he added, with an innocent smile.

I gotta hand it to him. When it came down to looking like a guiltless jock, he was damn good at it. Nobody could tell that he was already corrupted. Well, only a little.

I studied Snow. Her eyes narrowed at us, then she looked back where Frisco came out from. She frowned, like she was trying to piece puzzles together. Before she could think more about it, I decided we better get out of there.

"Alright." My eyes wandered to Snow. "We're gonna bounce," I informed her.

"But –"

"Later, Crimson," I said, waving a hand.

Frisco and I took long strides as we got away. It wasn't until we were near the cafeteria that I slowed down my pace. When we were safely out of earshot, I put an arm around Frisco and pulled him closer.

"You got it?" I asked, in a whisper.

He grinned, dangling his phone up. I smirked. He handed it to me, and I checked it out. I scanned the statistics of Finn McKinley's every play.

It was solid.

Finn's improvement skyrocketed this year. He could say that he'd been training hard for the past summer, but the advancement in his performance was too much. Something was clearly backing him up.

Just in time, my phone buzzed. I pulled away from Frisco, and took my phone out from my pocket. There was a text from Alfie. I unlocked it and read the message.

Alfie

Mission Anorexic Hulk: Accomplished. Boo yah!

Fina-fucking-lly.

I stopped walking. Frisco halted and looked at me. I rubbed my face, and breathed out a sigh of relief. He frowned in concern.

"What is it?" he asked.

Shaking my head, I said quietly, "It's over."

Me

I'll e-mail you the stats. Send everything to Officer Collins.

I wasn't sure why, but typing those words was like removing a huge ass boulder rock from my chest. It was like I could finally breathe properly.

No more paybacks. No more dickwads getting in our way. No more plotting revenge as if we were in a fucking Godfather movie.

It's done. It's over.

"What now?" asked Frisco, placing his hands inside his jean pockets.

The lunch bell rang then. The sea of students rushed out of their classrooms, instantly filling up the hallway. We were suddenly surrounded with noise.

Without looking at Frisco, I answered him.

"Now, I have to find Halo."

I gotta make things right.

_____________

Looks like someone has a thing for nerds. ;)