A few hours had gone by and they were gone fast. I woke up later that morning and stepped into the living room with saliva everywhere on my mouth. My mom was talking to someone on the phone. It seemed like she was having an argument.

I didn't want to interrupt her, so I hid behind a corner.  "Look , I know that things are hard right now, but I'm doing this for the both of us."

.........

"I know, but you haven't exactly been there for her much when she needed you."

.........

"I know that already! This isn't the time to be making sarcastic comments, Arnold! We're m---"

Mom saw me peeping from around the corner. She was shocked to see me and looked like she had something to hide. I quickly hid myself back behind the wall."Mindy, you can come out. I already know you're there." She said depressed.

"Mom...what's going on?" I asked puzzled."Sweety...I had a special surprise for you. I was going to tell you that your father was coming home, but now I'm not so sure..." At that moment I started to feel blue. Not just any blue, I mean Lucas blue."Mom, I miss him..." I said as I quickly hugged her tight."I know...I miss him too..."

I let go of her after a few seconds and she made a weak smile."Everything's gonna be okay, Mindy. I don't want you to worry about much. Now...I know your friends are waiting on you, so you can go on ahead."

I snapped my eyes open."What about you, mom? Aren't you finished with going on your trips?"

"I have a lot of work to do. I'm on probation right nod and if I'm late this time, I'll get fired for sure! Don't worry about me. I'll be just fine. Now you go on ahead." she said.

"Okay, mom. Anytime you need me, you can always call." I said with a weak smile opening the front door. "See you later, sweetheart!" Mom said waving goodbye.
--------------------
Lucas's P.O.V.

I was lying down in my bed looking at all of the news messages that I've missed so far blowing up my phone. Riley came in with a huge smile on her face.

"Hey big bro, Romeo!" she beamed. I started to blush."M-Morning, Riley..."

Does she know? Oh crud I hope she doesn't!

"Have you seen my black and green bobble hat anywhere?" she asked rubbing her hair."My head feels empty and naked without my bobble hats. I must have gotten used to it!"

"Uh...you must have left it in Sharl's room last night." I said trying to get her out of here."I'll check soon, bro. Remember, don't forget that we have to go to the high school today. Those boys will be locking eyes on me and I'll just be walking through there like a boss!"

"Uh...okay, Riley, whatever you say..."

Does she know that there are many mature squid kids there and there are a lot that we haven't seen before? Riley woke Soup up from his nap.

"Hey, Jamie-kins, guess what I found on Squid Tube!"she said showing him a video of him dancing the other day."It's gone viral!"Riley beamed.

"RILEY!" Soup said furiously. He blinked twice."Eh...I'll deal with you later. I'm too lazy to get up."

Soup pulled his blanket back over him and quickly went back to sleep."I know you're not asleep! You'll wake up soon!" Riley giggled as she walked back to her room to put on some more clothes.

I started to get a bit bored. Maybe it's just because I know that tomorrow's the first day of school. After the war, I pretty much don't have anything else to do except for my school work.

Do I want to do it?

NOPE!

Don't worry, Lucas! School will fly by fast!

.....They said...

I felt like a true hero during the war. Now, the urge is gone and what do I have now? Old torn down books that I have to look at for the next 8 months...

BEEP BEEP!

Mindy sent me a message.

Mindy: I'll be back over there soon, Jolly Rancher!

Looking at her text made me smile a bit. She started calling me Jolly Rancher lately. I actually like the nickname.

I turned on some music on my Isquid. Ever since yesterday when we were mostly introduced to all of Inkopolis, I've been feeling pumped. Octavia was walking through the hall and that's when she saw me. She was wearing the same hat and the same clothes.

She looked me up and down and raised one eyebrow."I'm not even going to ask..."she said walking off.

I blinked twice and turned on my music as she walked off.

"When I need motivation
My one solution is my queen
'Cause she stays strong
Yeah, yeah
She is always in my corner
Right there when I want her
All these other girls are tempting
But I'm empty when you're gone
And they say

Do you need me?
Do you think I'm pretty?
Do I make you feel like cheating?
And I'm like no, not really 'cause

Oh, I think that I've found myself a cheerleader
She is always right there when I need her
Oh, I think that I've found myself a cheerleader
She is always right there when I need her

She walks like a model
She grants my wishes
Like a genie in a bottle
Yeah, yeah
'Cause I'm the wizard of love
And I got the magic wand
All these other girls are tempting
But I'm empty when you're gone
And they say

Do you need me?
Do you think I'm pretty?
Do I make you feel like cheating?
And I'm like no, not really 'cause

Oh, I think that I've found myself a cheerleader
She is always right there when I need her
Oh, I think that I've found myself a cheerleader
She is always right there when I need her

She gives me love and affection
Baby, did I mention
You're the only girl for me
No, I don't need a next one
Mama loves you too
She thinks I made the right selection
Now all that's left to do
Is just for me to pop the question

Oh, I think that I've found myself a cheerleader
She is always right there when I need her
Oh, I think that I've found myself a cheerleader
She is always right there when I need her"

"Dude..." Soup groaned being woken up like that."did you really have to pick that one?" He asked laying back down.

KNOCK KNOCK!

"I'M BACK YOU GUYS! MISSED ME?!" A loud feminine voice shouted. Mindy made it back from her trip.

Oh crud...

I tried to turn my music off, but it froze up. Right then, I panicked. The music continued to play.

When I need motivation
My one solution is my king
'Cause he stays strong
Yeah, yeah
He is always in my corner
Right there when I want him
All these other boys are tempting
But I'm empty when you're gone
And they say

Do you need me?
Do you think I'm sexy?
Do I make you feel like cheating?
And I'm like no, not really 'cause

Oh, I think that I've found myself a turf trooper
He is always right there when I need him
Oh, I think that I've found myself a turf trooper
He is always right there when I need him"

As soon as the song was over, I sweat dropped. Mindy looked at me and smirked."Heh...can't sing huh?"she asked.

I quickly tried to change the subject. My singing voice sounds absolutely terrible and I think she's just trying to be nice."Oh...what's up, Mindy?" I asked walking up to her I smiled. I held her left hand and put the other around her waist.

"Woah!" she smiled as I dipped her.

"So, I heard that South Pole won in a Splatfest.  I won, so you gonna visit my South Pole and give me that present you promised me?"

Soup cleared his throat and smirked. Lucas let go of me and Mindy put both of her hands on her hips."Were you and Riley spying on us last night?"she asked.

Soup sweat dropped."Whaaaat? Pssssh...No! Why would we do that? That's ridiculous! Where did that statement even come from?"

"Soup..." I said making sure he was telling the truth. He nodded his head."What? We didn't!"

"James..."

"We didn't do that, okay? I'm being honest!"

"Jamie-kins!" Lucas smirked with a small snicker behind it."Alright we did, and don't call me that!"

Riley came in with a different pair of clothes on. Neveah and Evan were standing beside her."C'mon, people! Chop chop! High school is waiting for us, people!"
~~~~~~~~~~
Another chapter done! Finally! I'm so glad the weekend is here! I get to relax and I don't have to worry about homework! YAAAS!

Is the gang ready for the future ahead of them? Will they meet new friends along the way? Will their life be effected by their new school life? Find out soon and remember to read, vote, comment, and enjoy!
~Princess