Yayy I updated :) Chapter 8 has been my favorite chapter I have written so far, so I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. Suggestions are welcome, and don't forget to vote!

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After everything had calmed down Jacen and I walked to Biology together, ignore the stares of our peers. I took my seat near the front, waiting for Jacen to take his, but he just stood there staring at me.

"What?" I said as I became more agitated by the second.

"After school you're coming to my house." He said with a casual tone, putting his hand in his pocket.

"Can't, I have to work tonight." I answered, opening my textbook to the correct page.

"Well then I'll come with you," he said nonchalantly.

My fingers hesitated over the page I had stopped on as I looked up at him. That's probably not a good idea. We are already the talk of the school; I didn't want stupid rumors spreading around if people saw us leaving together.

"Umm I don't know if that's a good idea, you know, with rumors and everything." I said quietly.

"Screw what people think. Give me your keys and at the end of the day, I'll tell one of the guys to take your car home. You can ride with me." I looked around the classroom. People were staring at us in disbelief as they listened to our conversation. Did these people have lives outside of rudely listening in where they weren't welcome?

"Can't we talk about this after class or something?" I mumbled, embarrassed by the onlookers obvious interest in my private conversation, and looked back down at my book as I flipped through pages again.

"So it's settled. Meet me at my locker after your last class." He said walking off, not giving me any time to respond.

I extended my hand to grab his, but rethought that and closed my mouth since people were still looking on like fish out of water.

"Nowadays I can't even flip to a certain page without something happening," I said to myself, putting my head in my hands.

The door slammed shut as someone walked into the noisy classroom. I looked up and saw Axle walking calmly to his seat two seats to me from the left. Where had that douche been all morning? Not that I cared.

"Alright class, settle down, settle down," my teacher said, quickly setting her papers down on her desk as she entered the room.

The noise in the room ceased as everyone turned around and paid attention to what she had to say.

"As you all know, we are going on the annual Marine Biology trip in three days." Shoot. I totally forgot about that. Excited whispers fell over the whole room.

"And I have the list of all of your roommates. There will be no changes, so don't even think about switching." Mrs. Evans said in a stern but playful tone.

She started calling out names.

"Abbigayle Summers and Paisley Dale."

She kept going down the list.

"Joney Parkers and Katie Grips." No! I'm not with Joney! She is with Katie Grips or "Gripes" as most people call her, because of weird butt problems. So who am I going to be with?

"And Zaph Phelo and Axle Fields." My teacher finished.

"What?" I exclaimed, slamming my hands on my desk as I stood up. "He's a guy! I can't room with a guy! This definitely has to be against school rules Mrs. Evans. I read about it in the handbook," I said incredulously.

"Ms. Phelo, " she said irritated. "Please take your seat."

"But--" I started.

"Seat."

I grumbled, but sat down.

"I'm sorry, but Since Axle is new, we had no roommate for him. Since your name is last, there were no more girls left in this class, so we paired the two of you together." This is ridiculous! I really don't think this is allowed to happen despite the circumstances.

"But--" I started once again.

"Please talk to me after class if you have any more questions," she said, interrupting me. "Now everyone please turn to page 513," She continued.

I zoned out the entire class. Axle? Of all people, you've got to be kidding me. When I heard the bell, I packed up my stuff and walked to the front of the room, accidentally bumping shoulders with Axle in the process.

"Watch it roomy," he sneered, walking past me and out the door barely large enough for him to fit through.

"Butt crack," I mumbled back when he was out of sight, continuing on my original course.

"Ahh yes, Ms. Phelo, how may I help you?" She asked sarcastically.

I let out a sigh. "Not forty-five minutes ago, you kinda said that Axle and I were supposed to be in the same room for the trip to Florida," I let my sentence hang there, hoping that she would catch onto my silence as an indication that she should continue for me.

After a short pause, she slipped off her glasses, laying them on her desk and said, "Look Zaph, I know that you aren't the type of person to do anything less than what is supposed to be done. The only other alternative is if neither of you go, and I know how much you have been looking forward to this trip."

I groaned, rubbing my temples. "But how is this even allowed?"

"I talked to the principle and he said he would make an exception just this once."

"Well what about the board of administration? Surely they are opposed to the idea. Maybe I could bunk with two other girls and Axle could bunk with two other guys," I said leaning forward on her desk.

"The trip is in three days Zaph. Arrangements have already been made. However, you're more than welcome to stay here if you don't feel comfortable with it all."

I've been looking forward to this trip, and having to bunk with Axle was NOT going to mess it up. I was just going to have to make the best of it. All I had to do was change and sleep there, so the rest of my time will be spent far away from the room and my demonic roommate.

"Ok," I said defeated. "Well, Have a good day Mrs. Evans." I walked out of the door.

My last class was Spanish, but nothing out of the ordinary happened in there so I just sat there bored and occasionally answered some questions until the bell rang. I shut my locker after I packed up my bag, grudgingly heading in the direction of Jacen's locker.

"Tiny Tina!" I heard someone call.

"Tiny Tina!" They called again. This time I turned around to see who was yelling obnoxiously. Of course it was Finn.

"Tiny Tina," he breathed out a laugh when he finally reached me, along with Spencer and Luke, and pulled me into a hug.

I smiled at his child like nature. He was too cute sometimes. "Hey Finn," I said looking at him. I waved at Spencer and Luke behind him, who nodded to me in return.

"Why didn't you answer me the first time?" Finn asked, grabbing my shoulders and holding me at arm's length from him.

"Because my name isn't Tiny Tina. It's actually nothing close to that," I stated, looking at him amused.

"Well that's my nickname for you," he said.

I shook my head at him. "Shouldn't I know the nickname before you start calling me it just in case I don't respond?" I asked, turning back around to walk in my previous direction.

"He has been trying to think of a decent one all day," Luke grumbled with his hands in his pockets. He definitely is Jacen's best friend. Both of them have that little cartoon storm cloud hanging over them all the time.

"Aw bro, you do listen to me!" Finn said, throwing an arm around his brother's shoulders.

As Jacen's locker came into sight, I saw him talking to Axle. I paused mid-step.

Axle?

What the hell could they possibly be talking about without fists flying at one another? I looked at them both with careful eyes, crossing my arms as I got closer. Jacen caught sight of me and said a few more words to him before Axle walked off.

I stared at him for a moment when I reached him, waiting for him to talk. When he didn't, I did.

"Since when are you two all 'buddy buddy'?" I said, using quote fingers for extra emphasis. I was a little annoyed.

Jacen ignored me, and looked over my shoulder to the guys.

"Did Zaph give you her keys?" He said.

I know he did not just blow me off like I hadn't even spoken.

"Uh, excuse me? I asked you a question. Why are you all of a sudden talking to a guy that is single handedly attempting, and succeeding to ruining my life?" I said using my hands while speaking.

"Who says it's all of a sudden?" Jacen said looking down at me with a raised eyebrow. Something that resembled a snarl ripped from my lips.

"Can I have your keys?" He asked indifferently, holding out his hand.

With a frown and a few choice words, I reached into my purse pulling out the keys, slapping them down in Jacen's extended palm with a harsh, "Here."

Jacen tossed them to Finn, who then looked at them like they were the most amazing things in the world.

Then Luke snatched them from him.

"No way you're driving. Do you need a reminder of the last time I let you drive?" Luke asked as he shoved the keys in the side pocket of his backpack.

"That old lady gave me the bird. I think she had it coming," he retorted.

Jacen shut his locker, ignoring them, and picking up his bag, "I'll see you guys tonight."

The guys all nodded and walked off towards my car, while Jacen and I started walking towards his. I watched curiously as the guys were able to locate my car in no time. Oh yeah, now it's out of the shop.

"Z, Wait up!" I heard a familiar voice and approaching footsteps. I turned around to see Joney panting like a dog with her hands on her knees.

"What's up Jo?" I asked, amused. No wonder she doesn't participate in sports. She runs like ten feet and she's about ready to pass out.

"You... Said... That... Oh God wait a second, I'm going to die... Give me a second," she said breathing hard in between each word.

I waited for her to catch her breath.

"So now what's up?" I said, smiling slightly when she looked alright.

"Bikini Shopping is what's up!" She shouted excited, still breathing heavily.

I turned around to look at Jacen who looked bored out of his mind by this conversation. I faced an ecstatic Joney while biting my lip, a habitual action done when I'm stressed or embarrassed.

"I can't tonight," I saw the look on her face. "I'm sorry Joney, but hey the trip is in, what, three days? How about tomorrow after school? I don't have work then," I said grabbing her shoulders.

She looked sad that I couldn't today, but immediately perked up at the idea of going tomorrow.

"Ok! I'll see you," Her sentence wandered when her eyes fell on Jacen behind me.

"Ok Zaph, don't be alarmed, but I think you have a stalker." She claimed as she kept her eyes on Jacen. Oh she didn't know the half of it.

I breathed out a laugh rolling my eyes at Joney's seriousness. "Yeah, Jo, I am quite aware of the fact that he's is standing behind me." I said, backing away from her.

"Only because I told you," she said snootily. It's best to just let her think she's right.

"Well I have to go, but text me later ok?" I said walking out the door without a response, knowing she would've anyways.

"How do you put up with her?" I heard Jacen ask me. I looked over at him.

"The same way I put up with you. I nod my head and agree so that you don't drag on a conversation that I zoned out of at the beginning of. Except the difference between the two of you, is that sometimes I really do listen to Joney. I never listen to you." I said with a cheeky smile when I saw his scowl deepen at my comment.

He pulled his keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door to his car. I opened the door and got in, admiring that his car is a car from this era, unlike my own.

"Wait," I said after a moment of gawking. "Aren't all bad boys supposed to have, like, mustangs or something? What kind of car is this?" I asked him as he buckled himself in.

"Ford Explorer."

"Well then," I mumbled under my voice at his sharp tone. "Reminds me of Dora," I said crossing my arms over my chest after I buckled myself in.

He looked at me, confused by my comment. "How does my car remind you of Dora?" He asked cautiously.

I shrugged. "Dora the Explorer Ford Explorer." I compared the two in my head for a moment. "They both sound the same."

Jacen thought about that before putting the key in the ignition, bringing the car to life. He shook his head. "No they don't. Not at all."

"Well it's my opinion," I said looking out the window. If he is going to be Mr. Grumpy pants the whole ride there, then I'm just not going to talk.

****

"Did you know that if you wake up in between 1-3 in the morning there's and 85% chance that someone is-"

"I swear to God Zaph, if you don't shut up, I will pull over, dump your ass on the curb, and leave you there to walk." Ouch, harsh words bro.

I covered my mouth and pointed, looking at him with wide eyes. "You just used the Lord's name in vain!" I said annoyingly.

"Like you never do!" He snapped, hitting the acceleration sharply, almost ramming us into the back of the car in front of us.

"Slow down you mofo! You're going get us killed!" I yelled. Although that man might have deserved it after he flipped me the bird. Excuse me sir, I happen to be in the passengers seat, not the idiotic one driving.

"Mofo?" Jacen snorted, "What are you, twelve?"

"You say troublesome. What are you, an old person? Only people that lived in the colonial ages said that shit," I retorted.

I heard Jacen take a deep breath, probably in agitation or maybe he just ran out of comebacks.

Jacen; 0, Zaph; 2

I get one point for just being me. I'm that awesome.

"We're here, get out." He said to me, looking straight ahead.

"Aren't you gonna park?" I asked, confused.

"I think I will just head home, I have some things to take care of," he said not making eye contact.

I scoffed. "I will make a scene if you don't park the car and drag your butt inside." I said as I stepped out of the car, giving him the stink eye that dared him to challenge me.

I had been given the reassurance earlier that I had nothing to be afraid of tonight. There was no way I was letting my protection bail on me, after he was the one that was so persistent on coming here with me.

He reached over the car console in an attempt to shut the door that I left wide open.

Challenge accepted Mofo.

I am twelve.

With my acting mode turned on, I prepared myself for the show. I forced fake tears to build up at the corner of my my eyes as I fell down to the ground on my knees, leaning on the passenger side's door, so Jacen couldn't drive away.

"You can't just leave me!" I shouted, grabbing several nearby pedestrians' attention with my tone. "You said we would raise this baby together!" I sobbed loudly.

People started whispering around us. I looked at Jacen, whose face was beet red from both anger and embarrassment by look of it.

"Zaph, get up, now." Jacen mumbled at me.

"You want me to get an abortion?" I shouted even louder. I placed my head in my hands, my shoulders shaking from laughter, but appearing as if I was crying. An old man with a cane came up to me with a little girl holding a lollipop.

"Young man, you're what's wrong with society these days. Well that, and the fact that they moved the Starbucks from around the corner to some new Godforsaken location," he mumbled the last part to himself and the little girl, who nodded in agreement.

Do six year olds get things from Starbucks? My mom doesn't even let me now, and I'm seventeen.

Jacen groaned, dragging a hand down his face. I used my hair as I shield when I started laughing silently. Am I a bad person? The little girl let go of who I assumed was her grandfather's hand and walked up to the car, looking directly at Jacen.

She had the cutest little mad face as she said, " Mister, I don't know what a portion is," I giggled silently at her mispronunciation.

"But I don't think it's a nice thing. So you better help you wife out!" She told Jacen, throwing her half-eating lollipop at him.

Jacen just sat there silently before he gave me a faux smile and said," Honey, we can discuss things thoroughly later on. Why don't you get back in the car so we talk things over, together?" He said in a secretly menacing tone.

I stopped laughing at that, because that shit wasn't funny. That was terrifying.

"Uhh well I was going to go get a book on baby names and sh-" I looked at the little girl who was looking at me curiously. "Stuff. And stuff. I was going to say stuff."

"No worries, we can do that another time, now let's go home sweetheart." He strained through his teeth.

The old man squinted at us with his huge bifocals, his lips parting slightly as he examined both Jacen and me.

"You two look really young... How old-," Oop. Time to go.

I got up from the ground quickly hugging the little girl and the man cutting the man off mid sentence with my actions. I wiped away fake tears dramatically as I placed a hand on the man's shoulder.

"The world is a better place because of people like you, sir." I said before getting into the car and shutting the door.

"Wow, what an adventure that was! You know, even though we both only stayed in one spot," I finished weakly when I saw Jacen fuming next to me. The sound of the locks being set resonated throughout the car. Oh God.

A Zaph Phelo lifestyle really sucks ass.

But that scene was still funny.

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Yay! Thanks so much for the reads and votes on the previous chapters :) it really does mean a lot to me! I'm not sure when my next update will be seeing as school is starting soon :P but I will try my best to have it up soon. Freddie Stroma as Luke on the side :D

Xoxo , jean_margaret