My mother came home late. No questions. Gwen was still there. We were on the couch in the living room, she was fast asleep.

Of course, the kitchen was cleaned up. All stains of immoral activity gone; and eventually Gwen's mom was called to come pick her up. No walking home after dark. Aunt Natalie does have a sense of logic somewhere.

Maybe inside Niko somewhere.

Nope. We're through with that.

Watching the TV eventually began to cause my own body to drift towards sleep. Heading upstairs, I threw off my clothes and sacked myself onto my bed. Sheets sprawled, body like a spider. What could be better?

. . .

Well, school definitely wasn't better. I approached our main building - the marvel of some long dead civil engineer who never had his work cherished. Personally, I tried to admire it a bit. Reminded me, in some odd way, like a hedge maze. They're so nice to look at, but then you began to hate yourself for even trying it once inside.

The trees were as beautiful as ever, then I walked passed our beautiful fences that enclosed the building. Oh, and on my right was the beautiful Gwen. Wait... No…

Gwen.

She ran towards me. "Well helloooooooo cousin!" she started with a smile. Of course, she tried to open her mouth to spew more comments, which I'm quite sure would sound like a romance novel.

However, I am Ben 10. I have learned, over the years, to predict this kind of see the goal of my enemies, and then to combat them. I raised my mighty arm, high into the sun-ridden sky, and pointed at her.

She kept her mouth open but squinted in confusion. Enemy targeted.

I wagged my finger and smirked. "Oh no, no no no no. Haha! Not today Gwen. You-"

"Then how about tonight!" her brow furrowed as she took hold of my hand that I had thrown in her direction.

I was taken aback! Ben 10! Foiled again!

"Gwen," my gaze narrowed, "Stop. Seriously. I had enough of you last night!"

I yelled that. Totally a bad idea. A few gazes were drawn towards us, and I'm sure Niko's heart was just broken somewhere. Oh well, no more showers him or I.

Gwen's chin rose and she looked down on me like a mighty demon. "I wasn't full yet, Ben. We didn't get to the main course."

"Look, if you keep this up, then people will get the wrong idea. They'll say stuff, and my high school career will fall harder than grandpa's plumbing secret. People might start saying things along the lines of… of… incest!"

"Incest!?" a girl standing near the front entranced screamed in surprise. She stared at me. At us. Gwen and I.

My heart died. That girl had been standing with a group of white girls that probably had Starbucks stashed in their purses. She'd post this everywhere. It'd be the talk of the town. I can see it now.

Gwen smiled. "Oh no, not incest! We're much farther than that!"

Gasps were heard all around. I had to get out of this situation, and then repair my reputation. Somehow…

I spotted, out of the corner of my eye, a saving grace. A beautiful opportunity. Walking in through the school gates. Swaying hips. Side to side. She noticed me, perfect. Come closer…

"Hey, Ben!" Lucy piped.

I inwardly chuckled and let loose a sly grin. She'll never expect this. There was nothing in the whole world that could ruin this moment now. People were staring, and I'd soon clear my name.

I closed my eyes to savor the moment. Quickly, I leaned towards Lucy, put my arm around her shoulders, and pulled her close.

Lips locked. Throwing away the key.

It was perfect, and so was this feeling. Lips so soft. Her tongue was intrusive, and dancing with my own. What a moment this was. A perfect way to break that whole misunderstanding with Gwen. Nobody will doubt me now.

I had to know, though. To see Lucy's reaction and how she was taking it. I opened my eyes and watched.

My breath was slowly being taken away. Her eyes were open and now peering into my own. Beautiful green eyes. Her luscious orange hair and wonderfully sculpted cheeks.

Come to think of it…

Lucy had none of those features. Perfect. What a day!

I pulled my tongue back into my mouth. Closed my eyes again and began to recite this African ritual to remove bad luck in my head. I knew it'd come in handy. More handy than the one where I wear a dead chicken body…

"Sicko!" "Creep!" "He does commit incest!"

Cries of shock were echoing around our odd trio. I had long since dropped Gwen on the ground. Her head was spinning, definitely. Lucy tapped my shoulder.

"Uh… Ben? What's going on?" her face was saddened and confused. If she had puppy ears, they'd be down. Way down.

I stared at her. Head spinning. The world around us was but a forest with birds chirping. I put my hand on her small shoulder. I had to tell her the truth. This was it.

I took a breath.

"A lot."

Lucy nodded.

This was perfect. What an accepting girl. Why can there not be more like her? I suppose I had to take this situation head on. Like a true hero.

I looked down at my red-headed cousin. She was looking at me. I help a hand out.

"Here, let me help you up." She took my hand and rose. "Let's just go inside."

Was I making light of what just happened? Yes. I'm not sure how Gwen ended up there instead of Lucy, or how I kissed her? I quite enjoyed it, but I'll make sure to forget that through some rock trauma. Probably another African ritual.

We walked in single file like were upon us, but that was alright. I could handle it. I could feel the freedom at my fingertips. Well, my wrist where I where the omnitirx to be exact. I have the chance to leave whenever I feel it is necessary.

Gwen, Lucy, and I walked up the bright white stone steps into the school entrance - passing the Starbucks girls - and into the building. Will they remember what had transpired? Of course, will I care? Well…. Yeah. A lot.

"Good morning, Ben!" said one of the teachers in the hallway.

I bet he saw.

I gave him a heated glare. "You too?" He frowned.

I looked behind me to see if I was still leading a train. A head count was definitely in order.

One… two… three

No.

Gwen… Niko… Lucy… Niko… Niko.. Niko..

"Niko!" I shouted.

He jumped. What a girl. "Y-yes… B-Ben? Is there something… wrong?" he spoke without even looking me in the eye. Just kicking invisible rocks on the school tile.

I raised my hands. "No, not at all."

"Ben," Gwen said, in the most serious tone I've ever heard her speak in since I started at this damned school. "I am so sorry. What happened… I'm not sure what came over me. I'm going to make it up to you - tonight. I promise."

I raised an eyebrow. "Tonight?" This was just suspicious.

"Yes. Tonight. I swear, Ben."

"This isn't a comedy movie, Gwen. Tell me what it is you're going to do, and then I'll be the judge if it can make up for what you've put me through."

Her serious face turned into a devilish smile. She brushed passed me and walked ahead through the hallways. Most definitely arching her backside towards me and swaying her hips in a thick manner

I promise. I tried not to stare.