Destinee and I became close friends after the first few weeks of school. Her outgoing and carefree personality made me feel at ease, she knew how to make me laugh, and I admired how she was never afraid to speak her mind. She was also a great partner-in-crime when it came to torturing Sunstreaker. Speaking of which...

"Keep those disgusting things away from me!"

"They're just worms!"

The others and I laughed as we watched as Destinee chased Sunstreaker around the lunch table with a jar full of worms. She had told me that the thought of actually touching them made her cringe, but she made an exception with him.

"Destinee, I'm warning you--"

"Attention all students."

We all stopped what we were doing and looked up at the intercom.

"We are proud to announce the Homecoming Princesses competing for Homecoming Queen this year," the principle said. "This year, Ursula Umbridge, Destinee Williams, and Alyssa Parker will be our princesses."

Destinee and I looked at each other in shock as everyone else clapped.

"Remember that homecoming is in two weeks," he continued. "We will announce the Queen then."

"WHAT?!"

We turned to see Ursula and her clique stomp over to us. Her eyes flashed in anger as she pointed at me accusingly.

"How did you get picked as a princess?!"

Bumblebee started to say something, but Destinee beat him to it.

"I could ask you the same question," she growled as she placed the jar on the table.

Ursula scowled. "Don't fool yourselves. I'm going to be queen," she sneered. "And I don't plan on losing to two freaks."

"And the two of us don't plan on losing to a slut," Destinee growled.

"Oh, kitty's got claws," Ursula sneered.

"Yeah, and they're about to claw your eyes out!" Destinee snapped.

"Mark my words," Ursula snarled. "I'm not going to lose to an underage murderer or a motherless criminal."

I felt anger boiling in me when I saw tears forming in the corner of Destinee's eyes.

"Okay, that's it," Sunstreaker growled before picking up the jar and throwing the worms onto Ursula, causing her to released a deafening screech.

"EW!! GET THEM OFF!!"

Destinee bolted out of the room with me following close behind.

"Destinee! Destinee, wait!"

I followed her to the music room. As soon as she ran in, she curled up in the corner and cried. I slowly approached her, unsure of what to say.

"D-Destinee?"

Destinee looked up and gave me a weak smile. She looked completely different from the fun-loving girl I knew: bloodshot eyes, tearstained face, sad and hurt.

"Hey," she whispered. "Sorry you had to see that."

I gave her a sad look and sat down next to her.

"I hate that bitch," Destinee spat.

"Me, too," I said.

Destinee chuckled before turning to me. "What did she mean when she called you a murderer?"

I hesitated for a moment. I how could I tell her without blowing the Autobot's cover? Still, if she was my friend, she deserved to know.

"... Did you hear about the hit-and-run murders during the summer?" I asked. Destinee nodded. "Well... Some people think I'm responsible for them."

Destinee blinked. "I'm sorry, what?! Why would anyone--"

"Because I'm the only one that survived," I told her. "And that's also..."

"That's also how your aunt died, isn't it?" Destinee realized.

I nodded. "Yeah..."

"And people think you're responsible for that, too?"

I nodded again.

"... I was about your age, when I lost my mother," Destinee said softly. "Someone came into the house and killed her, right in front of me. My dad and a friend showed up and chased the killer out before they could kill me. But I was angry, and I blamed my dad and his friend. After that, I made some bad choices, and the next thing I knew, I was in jail. My dad's friend bailed me out, and my dad gave me one hell of a lecture. After that, I worked my ass off to make up for my mistakes."

I smiled at her. "I can tell it's working."

Destinee smiled back at me. "And I can tell that you're not a murderer."

"Good to know."

"Destinee?"

We looked up to see Sunstreaker enter the room. He looked at Destinee somewhat shyly.

"Um... Can you give us a minute, Alyssa?" He asked me.

I shrugged before giving Destinee a smile and leaving the room.

:D:

I watched as Alyssa left the room before turning to Skylar. He looked at me nervously speaking.

"Um... A-are you okay?"

I shrugged. "I was balling my eyes and I probably look like crap... Other than that, ehh..."

"... I think you look pretty like alway," Skylar said softly.

I looked at him questioningly. "... Did you just say I'm pretty?"

Skylar nodded.

"... Thanks."

Skyler just nodded. "Listen, about Ursula... She's just a sorry bitch who loves causing trouble. You shouldn't let her get to you."

"I know," I said dryly. "But thanks..."

Skylar nodded and started to leave, but then stopped and turned around to face  me.

"Destinee..." He said slowly. "Would you... Would you like to go to homecoming... With me, that is?"

I took a moment to process what he just said to me.

"Wait, me? But... But I've taunted you and--"

"Yes, there's that," Sklyar chuckled. "But that's what you do with friends most of the time, right?"

I chuckled. "I guess so."

Skylar smiled. "So, how about it?"

I nodded. "Yeah, why not?"

Skylar smiled. "Okay, so... That's great."

"Yeah..." I said. "Thanks again."

Skylar nodded before leaving.

"... Sunstreaker," I said with a small smirk.