Hello hello! Welcome :) I'm Kim, and this is my second Shake it Up story. It's a sequel to Sticks and Stones, so I would recommend reading that before this. This is a GeCe (Just discovered that's their couple name!) story, and does contain elements of abuse. If you don't feel comfortable reading that, I completely understand, and you won't offend me by clicking the back button. So, I hope you enjoy this story!

The first thing CeCe Jones was aware of was the whispers. Filling the hallways, they seemed to surround her, consume her. And she hated it.

Frankie 'The Complication' had been arrested the day before. The charge was physical abuse. CeCe's mom had promised word wouldn't get out, but the redhead knew it was a lie. Words spread quickly. Once that first spark ignited, there was no stopping it.

CeCe walked down the hallways to her locker, ignoring the strange looks from her peers; jocks, geeks, and everyone in between. They all knew.

Although her makeup covered the damage caused by her ex-boyfriend, she knew they knew.

My life is over was the first thought that sprung onto CeCe's mind, but she quickly shook it away. She had the support of her mother, and Gunther Hessennefer.

But the young teen felt horrible, and it wasn't because of the lack of sleep due to hours spent at the police station the day before. The most important person in her life, the one she told everything to, didn't know.

Rocky.

CeCe quickly made her way to her locker, and tried to grab her books quickly, hoping to put off the confrontation for as long as possible. But luck was never on her side.

"Oh, my gosh CeCe. What happened?" CeCe closed her locker with a sigh and looked over to find a distressed Rocky next to her, worry in her chocolate brown eyes. The redhead was dreading this moment.

"What do you mean, Rocky?" CeCe fidgeted nervously and played with a piece of her hair, a bad habit she could never shake.

Rocky looked surprised. "Comp was arrested! No one knows what for, but the rumors going around have been crazy. Everything from arson to murder. But I knew you'd know the truth. So, what happened?" Rocky spoke excitedly, never pausing for breath.

CeCe's mind ran. No one knows what for. Rocky's words replayed over and over, and CeCe wanted to shout for joy. All the looks were from curiosity, not knowledge. Her secret was safe, and she never felt happier.

"Umm, he robbed a convenience store outside of Chicago." Rocky relaxed.

"Okay, good. Well, robbery is not good, but good he didn't do something worse. I knew he was a delinquent, but I really never thought he was a murderer or something to that extreme anyway," Rocky rambled on, and CeCe grinned, happy to be with her best friend, her life with her still normal. For now. "But why did he do it?"

CeCe closed her eyes. "He did it because… because I broke up with him yesterday. He kind of flew off the handle, and… robbed a store."

Before she knew what was happening, CeCe was engulfed in a warm hug. "Oh, CeCe, I'm sorry. I know how much you liked him. But, you deserve someone better than a criminal, right?" CeCe looked at Rocky, and realized her best friend only wanted the very best for her. And in that moment, she knew she had to tell her. Just not then.

"Hey, we better get out of here," Rocky spoke suddenly, leading CeCe away by the arm.

"Why?" The redhead asked, staring at her friend.

"Well, you're really stressed out, and Gunther and Tinka are coming this way. I figured you wouldn't want to deal with them right now." CeCe shook her head, and the brunette shot her friend a quizzical look.

Before she could say something, the foreign twins had made their way to the pair of friends, as perky as usual.

"Hi, Gunther, Tinka." Rocky smiled at them, trying to be nice.

"Hello, Rocky. Don't you look… interesting this morning. I did not realize looking like you just walked out of a zoo was in right now." Tinka smirked.

Rocky glanced down at her zebra striped skinny jeans, and tried to suppress a rude remark. But she couldn't.

"Well at least I don't look like I ran away from the circus." Rocky looked over Tinka, who was wearing bright colors, a sequined top monogrammed with a T, and a tutu.

Tinka ignored Rocky's insult and turned to CeCe. "So, I hear your boyfriend was arrested by the officers of the police. What did he do?" Tinka may not care about most people, but she lived for gossip.

"He robbed a convenience store, and he's not my boyfriend. We broke up." CeCe glanced up at Gunther, whose expression remained unchanging. Quickly, she averted her gaze.

"Well, I always knew that complicated man was a criminal. I thought he attacked someone, but I guess I cannot always be right. Although I usually am. Isn't that right, Gunther?" Tinka asked with a toss of her blonde hair.

CeCe watched as fire flashed across Gunther's eyes, knowing he was remembering what had happened to her. He then recomposed himself.

"Oh, yes. You are always right, Tinka." He paused, mulling over a thought. He looked at CeCe, his eyes softening.

"Are you okay, CeCe?" Surprise crossed the young girl's face, but it quickly disappeared. She wondered why he was breaking character. "I'm fine, but why do you care? Don't you have some tightrope to walk?"

CeCe high fived Rocky, and Gunther and Tinka just stared.

"Well, as much as we would love to continue this… lovely conversation, Gunther and I must go." Tinka turned around, and walked away.

Gunther paused for a moment, then turned as well. But not before he flashed a quick grin at CeCe.

She smiled, then quickly said goodbye to Rocky, hoping her best friend didn't notice.

But she had already turned her attention back to her locker. CeCe relaxed, and went on her way to her next class.

Rocky wasn't always the most observant girl. But some things she didn't miss. And one of those things was the smile Gunther Hessennefer sent towards CeCe Jones. But that didn't surprise Rocky. What had surprised Rocky Blue was the fact that her best friend had smiled back.

I hope you all liked the first installment. And if there's any mistakes, grammatical or otherwise, I'm sorry. I did proofread, but I still miss things sometimes. Also, I love reviews, and constructive criticism. So thanks for reading! :)