Wow it's been a while.

More like a few months, so in that case I apologize. My intention was never to abandon this story and it still isn't. Truthfully, I've just been caught up with school. It's been hard and finals week is coming up so that's still pretty stressful.

It's crazy to think this chapter has been on hiatus for so many months but it's finally here haha.

Please don't kill me, enjoy.

PS. Praying there are no errors and sorry if the writings shitty. Despite the long months of waiting I've been rushing to get this out just because I left you all chapterless for so long.

Chapter 7

A Tale of Two Alphas

(12:10p.m. -Monday)

"Where. Is. She."

Massie Block was frantic.

Students came rushing into the cafeteria, all happy faces and hungry stomachs. Though she too was starving, Massie didn't have time to ease her growling stomach. If she didn't stop what was about to happen her best friend was going to be the talk of the school, and the last thing the pretty committee needed was even more drama to add on to their exceeding amount of it.

Why was it always them? Why couldn't Massie hear about another person's drama other than her own and that of her best friends? Speaking of that drama, why was the pretty committee still always linked to the Briarwood (in this case ex-Briarwood) boys' drama?

Massie bit her lip as she pushed past students to get into the cafeteria first. Didn't they know who she was? She was Massie fucking Block.

Right now however, they didn't care and Massie was only a second away from having a break down.

"Shit.."

Today had been horrible.

First, Asala Karman was a total psycho bitch. What was worst was that she was the psycho bitch editor-in-chief for the school news, and Massie's parents already told her that she couldn't drop out of the club now that she had agreed to it. Not only that, but she couldn't find it in her to break poor Mr. Alcibur's heart by telling her she quit the paper on her first day.

Second, Derrick. Derrick Harrington had made her life 10x more stressful and he didn't even know it yet.

Third, Dawson. Well Dawson wasn't really doing anything wrong but he was being so confusing with his feelings and the way he acted around her despite the fact that the two had agreed on being "just friends."

Now, there was this whole ordeal with Alicia and if Massie could stop one fight then she would at least have that tiny accomplishment in the day.

And if she didn't...

Well, Massie didn't want to think about that outcome.

"Move," she growled to a little freshman boy which she immediately regretted once she had said it. Maybe she'd apologize later? Actually, no. She wouldn't and she knew it.

Running into the school's marble white cafeteria, Massie scanned the room for Alicia Rivera. The pretty committee's table was only occupied by Claire, who was still a bit sick yet felt better enough to come to school. Two tables away from them was the table of Derrick and his group, in which only Kemp Hurley and Chris Plovert sat, laughing about who knows what.

That was a good sign. The two people she had in mind were not yet seated so there was still time to stop them.

A body came to a halt where Massie stood, and she turned to look at Dylan.

"What are you doing?" the red head questioned. Massie was surprised that Dylan was even talking to her after her little outburst in the car on Friday. She hadn't spoken to Dylan all weekend. The only news she had heard of the red head was that Kristen had told her what had happened to Alicia at Landon Crane's party. The only time they spoke was just recently, an hour ago in the girl's bathroom.

"I-I'm looking for Leesh," Massie stuttered, not knowing exactly what she wanted to say. How was she supposed to explain it? Alicia is going to beat Josh up? Yeah, Dylan would react well to that. If anything she'd laugh.

"I just saw her leaving the bathroom. She looked pissed actually," Dylan said before walking away and joining Claire at their table.

"Oh fuck," Massie frowned. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

No answer from Dylan.

Walking a few paces to the coffee stand, Massie waited in line but still scanning the doors entering the cafeteria for Alicia.

Kids had come and gone from the room, yet no sign of Alicia. Massie bit her lip. Why was she even worrying about it? It wasn't her problem at all yet here she was trying to fix everything. Last time she remembered Massie wasn't "Mr. Fix-It." Since when was she the mother of the group? Sure, she was the alpha yet Kristen was always the most responsible one. Since Claire came, she was the nurturing one who always listened to everyone's problems. Massie was the alpha, not a fucking therapist. Yet here she was trying to make sure Alicia didn't break her fist. The girl didn't know what she was doing. She was fueled by anger. When Massie got the ominous, 'he'll get what's coming to him' text from her best friend last period, Massie already knew that "what was coming" was not good.

She also knew that she had to be talking about Josh. Who else would she be talking about? Landon? Massie only wished Alicia saw how bad he was for her. Unfortunately, Alicia was the only one for team Landon+Leesh. None of her friends her, and from what Massie heard neither was Landon.

What a dick..

"Massie?"

The alpha turned to see Asala Karman behind her with a curious smile on her lips. Asala had dark hair with purple tips and electric blue high-lights and very pointed features. Her makeup was dark and she wore tacky pink plastic glasses which made Massie doubt that they were even real.

"Oh, hi."

"Getting coffee huh? Nice," Asala tried her hardest to make conversation. Judging from their little "spat" earlier that morning, the scene was awkward for both girls.

"Yeah," Massie shifted her weight from one foot to another, awkward in her posture. It wasn't like Massie to be so...awkward. Yet, Asala ran the newspaper club and it was a total wake-up call for Massie to be around such educated people who didn't care if she was "Massie Block, Junior alpha." It was a good different, yet fighting with the senior paper leader wasn't a good thing, especially if it was on her first day.

"Listen, I'm sorry for earlier," Asala said. The senior girl looked very awkward herself. "I-I'm just not used to someone talking against me at the paper, heh. I mean, it's not okay yet I appreciate you for speaking your mind."

Massie looked at her as if she weren't from the planet. "So...you do understand why I got upset earlier today? Right?"

"Oh, of course!" the other girl quickly nodded her head in agreement. Then what was the problem? "But you see Mass, can I call you Mass? Thanks." No you can't, Massie thought to herself yet said nothing. "You see...that's what journalism is all about. It's about going out of your comfort zone and doing new things that you're not so used to. I know about your issues with him, that's why I wanted to challenge you. Mr. Alcibur recommended you and he spoke of you very highly, a-and I listen to him. So I want to see if you can really challenge yourself. I mean, if you can't...t-then the paper isn't for you. But if you can..." the girl grinned up at Massie. It was then that she noticed how short Asala was.

Truthfully, Massie didn't know what to say back. What could you say to that? Massie was at a loss for words, and that was when she realized that Alicia Rivera had zoomed past her right to where Derrick and his boys sat. Now, Josh Hotz was in attendance and eating his burger.

Fuck.

"Oh shit," Massie gasped. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"Excuse me?"

Massie stared at Asala with wide, almost fearful eyes. "I'm sorry. I have to go. Talk to you tomorrow!"

She ran off as quickly as she could from the senior editor-in-chief and tried to reach Alicia before Alicia reached Josh.

But, she didn't...

A loud slap was heard from every corner of the room. Every student turned their heads to the center of the cafeteria where Alicia Rivera had slapped Josh Hotz with everything in her, and the dark haired boy winced in pain, grabbing his cheek and staring up at the Latina with nothing but pure shock in his eyes.

"FUCK YOU!" Alicia was crying now.

"W-w-what?" Josh gasped for breath. "What the fuck is wrong with you!?"
Massie watched the scene unfold from where she stood, just a few tables away from the fight she wanted to stop once she had found out about Alicia's rage.

"I can't believe you fucked that slut! You lied to me!" Alicia growled.

"What the hell!" Josh screamed back once he had gotten out of the shock of Alicia slapping him.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" Alicia cried.

"No I don't!" Josh yelled back.

"Crazy bitch," Massie heard Kemp say.

The other PC girls were not standing from their table, watching the two fight along with the rest of the school.

"You slept with Skye! You screwed that cow! You fucked her while you were with me."

"I-" Alicia didn't give Josh a chance to speak. The Latina slapped him again, this time with less force as he sat back up in his seat.

"You're a piece of shit Josh Hotz and I never want to speak to you again. Go fuck yourself."

Alicia walked away, taking the storm of her rage away with her. She pushed past Massie, not even saying a word.

xxx

(Earlier that morning, 7:30 a.m.)

Massie

Walking into room 302 on the third floor, Massie was feeling awful. Nervous wasn't something that Massie Block usually was, yet as of late she had been feeling that way a lot.

She bit her lip, hoping that her outfit looked good. Massie didn't know why she cared so much. Everybody wore the same uniform. Her white button down shirt was tucked into her skirt, which today she choose a plaid skirt that reminded her a lot of the movie Clueless. She wore black stockings and black flats, and her red uniform tie was almost choking her from how tight it was.

Asala Karman and Donnahue Boyd should be thankful from how hard she was trying for them.

Massie took a deep breath before opening the door.

"Welcome newbie!" a boy with jet black hair and glasses greeted her. He wore what every Westchester boy wore. It was the same uniform, red tie, black slacks, and dress shoes yet somehow it all looked baggy on him and he had on a deep moss green sweater. Massie didn't think he was cute, but at the same time he wasn't ugly in her mind. He had a crooked smile that matched his crooked teeth and his black hair was almost as messy as his rumbled uniform tee.

"Hi," Massie tried her best to look enthusiastic.

She had just realized that he had a large black camera around his neck, hanging by a strap. For a moment, she thought of Dawson.

"I'm Donnahue Boyd," the boy reached his hand out for her to shake. Massie gave him a firm handshake, or tried her hardest to do so.

He grinned. "Nice to meet you."
"You too," Massie lied. Why did she ever agree to this?

"Asala! New meat is here," Donnahue called to a cubicle behind him. This gave Massie a chance to scan the rest of the room.

There were a bunch of desks all connected to one another. There was a computer at each desk and enough space for whoever sat in it to write or do paper work. Wide windows allowed natural sunlight to enter the room, which gave the room a very "70's" work area kinda feel. Massie felt as if she were in the office of 'The Daily Planet', the fictional newspaper company in Superman. A large printer decorated almost an entire corner of the room and bookshelves adorned the walls. There were papers stacked upon each other on the floor and a chalk board with what Massie believed to be a bunch of article ideas.

She read; Lunch Lady Spats, Teacher Feature, Book of the Month, Movies You'll Love, Summer Stories, and Soccer Heroes.

Massie pursed her lips in distaste at the last one.

"Hello," another voice greeted her, and Massie found herself staring at a dark haired girl with pink and purple highlights who looked as if she stepped right out of a mosh pit. Her unifrom skirt was plaid, much like Massie's but with crazy neon colors. On her feet were combat boots and black high knit socks. Her uniform button down was clean at least. If Massie were with the other girls they'd all laugh and score her bellow 3 on the imaginary "fashion" scale they always used to use when they were younger. Of course, that didn't really matter in school yet somehow Asala Karman had a way to make it matter.

Hell, Donnahue Boyd was looking better than her.

"Hi," Massie greeted the senior editor-in-chief with a warm smile.

"You must be Massie. I've heard a lot of good things about you," Asala smiled back. It was then that Massie noticed her crazy purple lipstick. Was she friends with Layne Abeley? If she wasn't, then she should... Massie knew it was rude to think of, yet that was the whole point of having thoughts to herself. They were private. This was information that Asala Karman didn't need to know..though, it wouldn't hurt to give the girl a couple of fashion tips.

"Thanks. I've heard about you too. From Mr. Alcibur, of course," Massie said.

"Oh yeah, he's great. Mr. Alcibur looks over the paper and makes sure that everything's a-okay. He's like the main brain behind it, ya know?" Massie didn't. "Anyways, let me show you around."

Where? Massie saw the entire room, and other than what she had already looked at there wasn't much else to see.

But she was wrong. At the end of the room, just when you thought that it had ended, there was a little screen cover up that hid a whole entire hall with a Keurig, what looked like kitchen counters, stools, and cabinets. There was even a mini-fridge.

"This is our little brain storming idea, as well as a great place to come get coffee," Asala stood in the center of the "kitchen hall" (what Massie had decided to call it in her head).

"Wow. This is impressive," Massie admitted.

"Isn't it?" Asala proudly smiled. "Donnahue stole that Keurig himself."

"You did?" Massie whirled around to see Donnahe sheepishly smiling.

"It was a dare," the older boy explained.

"Don't act as if you didn't want to do it," Asala giggled. Donnahue blushed and exited the hall. Did they like each other? Massie smirked. Asala would have to get rid of the purple lipstick and take out her tacky highlights if she was willing to score Donnahue. Taking the image of the two senior writers out of her head, Massie followed Asala to a desk. On the desk was what looked like a new pad of pink sticky-notes. The first paper on the pad said her name. Massie was written out in all bold black Sharpie letters, with a little smile drawn on the end of the "E."

"Cute," Massie laughed. If she didn't sound like it, she meant it. She really did find it adorable how they wanted to make her "fit in" with the paper. The brunette alpha was so used to people wanting to fit in with her, and honestly it felt good for things to be the other way around. Not that Massie was begging to fit into the paper, oh no, but it was nice that the pressure wasn't turned on her for once. It was like starting over on the first day of school. She was just Massie, and just Massie was a concept she wanted everyone to accept.

"This will be your own personal work area. You have everything; paper, pencil, pen, erasers, staples, ink...you name it," Asala explained as she motioned to the drawers and what each held inside them. Massie sat on the chair and breathed in. It was something she was going to have to get used to.

"There's even gum," Donnahue pointed out.

"Cool," Massie grinned. Surprisingly, they were...okay. Asala did need some fashion tips, true, but even she hadn't gotten on Massie's bad side. Not yet anyways.

"If you look up there's our board where we come up with articles and article names, just other ideas and what not." Asala pointed to the side of the board where there was a list of names on a large paper. On the bottom, was Massie's. "These are all of our members and what they usually write for." She pointed. "See, I'm editor-in-chief. Donnahue is a senior writer, so we give him whatever gripping story we have. Lexi Olson does horoscopes, Olivia Radd is always writing about international news, Dexter does sports, Vincent Monroe is our go-to movie and music guy, and Xander is our little freshman photographer." Asala came to the very bottom of the list. "And then there's you! Our newest addition. Of course, we don't know what we want you to do yet but we'll find out soon enough."

Massie nodded her head, going along with whatever Asala said without a problem. It was a total shock for anyone to see Massie Block actually complying and following someone who wasn't herself, yet here she was. Lately she had an open-mind about things, and now she had to really try. It was nice letting someone else take the lead and just relaxing, yet this was something Massie wasn't used to, and something she'd definitely have to get used to. Asala was the leader now in this little paper-writing world, not Massie. Out there would be Massie's world yet in here it was Asala's, and from one alpha to another, Massie could respect that as well could she understand it.

"So...any questions?"

Massie had almost forgotten there were people in the room. Asala turned to her, a wide smile on her face. Donnahue leaned back lazily against another desk that was connected to Massie's. He gave her a reassuring smile.

"Nope. I think I'm good."

"Great! Let me give you your first assignment." Asala moved to the cubicle that Donnahue had called her out from to find something. Massie guessed it was probably a bunch of papers she was going to bombard Massie with.

Donnahue slid to lean against Massie's desk until he was looking down on her. Now looking closely to him, Massie realized he was pretty handsome, yet he was so not her type.

"Sorry about her. She's totally psycho about this paper. It's like, her life or something."

Massie titled her head. "O-oh, I wasn't put off or anything," she laughed and flipped her glossy brown curls to the side. "She doesn't make me nervous."

"Oh she should," Donnahue rolled his eyes in a joking manner. "Asala loves this newspaper more than her own parents."

"Oh..."

"Just joking girl," he smirked. The two shared an awkward laugh, yet even so Massie found herself somewhat warming up to Donnahue. He was interesting enough, and super friendly. Even so, Massie dind't want to get too close with him yet. She wasn't looking for another Dawson repeat...

"I'm back!" Asala announced as she emerged from her cubicle. "Aaannnnd, here you go," she threw a portfolio full of papers on Massie's desk.

Opening the portfolio, Massie was greeted with the face of Derrick Harrington smiling up at her in his burgundy red and navy blue Westchester Crusaders soccer uniform. Massie frowned. Maybe this would be a problem.

"What is this?" Massie basically sneered. She flipped through the papers and found a bunch of useless score sheets from games and even a miniature picture of Derrick in 7th grade, also in soccer jersey. She frowned. Seventh grade Derrick was the boy she dated back when she was a pre-teen. The Derrick in the other picture was a complete stranger.

"You're going to be doing the Derrick Harrington article. First junior ever to be captain? People want to read about him, and trust me when I say a lot of people read our paper."

Really? I had never heard of it until this year...

"Why me? D-doesn't that one guy do sports?" Massie squinted her eyes to the large list of names next to the board. "Some guy called Dexter Holliver."

"Well yes, he does, but as the new girl I want you to do the Derrick Harrington paper. I don't want another simple guy-to-guy interview where Dexter will suck up to Derrick and talk about how cool he is. Whatever. Lame. I want something gripping, and I hear you've had history with Harrington. Makes it even more better for you to do the article."

"Or not! It makes it worst!" Massie argued. She stood. "I'm sorry I can't do this. Anything else and I will."

Asala frowned. Her eyes were filled with confusion. Massie could tell that nobody ever told the girl no in her little world, yet Massie was the alpha out there and she wasn't going to be told what to do by some purple haired freak.

"But you have to."

"Why?" Massie pressed. She had shoved the portfolio in Donnahue's hands, who thankfully stayed silent.

"B-b-because I'm editor-in-chief."

"Oh, cry me a river. I'm Massie Block, and I'm not writing that paper."

Now, Asala showed another emotion in her eyes. Anger. "Yes, yes you will! You're the new girl here, not me. Oh, and frankly I don't care who you think you are. In this room you're a writer and I'm the boss."

"As if. You're not paying me," Massie spat.

"And if I was you'd totally be fired!"

"Great," Massie laughed, rolling her eyes. The pretty committee alpha crossed her arms and gave Asala a pointed stare. "Trust me when I say that you don't want to fight with me."

"Trust me when I say, you will write that paper."

"Oh, are you going to make me?" Massie guffawed at her remark. The bitchy-alpha that Massie was trying so hard to tame was coming out now, and for Asala it was coming out in the worst way possible. She was just lucky that none of the other pretty committee girls were around.

"I'll talk to Alcibur!" the pink/purple haired senior girl threatened.

"Amazing," Massie rolled her eyes.

Donnahue put himself between the two girls. "Okay, let's talk about this later?" He bit his lip and nervously handed back Massie the portfolio. "Please, just hold on to this Massie? Okay? Look over it and tell us what you think at the end of the day. Just reconsider."

She snatched it from him and shoved it into her MK purse. "Whatever."

Massie stormed out of the room, not even bothering to look back. For the first day of trying something new, it wasn't going so well.

xxx

Derrick

(7:55 a.m.)

It was in homeroom that Derrick Harrington was reminded that homecoming was only two weeks away, and by no means was he prepared for it in the slightest.

First, he needed a date and even with all of the options he had (the entire female population of Westchester Prep), he didn't know who he wanted to take. It shouldn't be so hard. He was Derrick Harrington after all, and girls threw themselves at his feet on a daily. Yet, for some reason he couldn't find it in him to pick a girl he liked enough to take as his Junior homecoming date.

He sighed, taking a hand and ruffling his wild golden mane. It had grown longer since the school year had started and he hadn't bothered cutting it. He'd cut it when they won the championship game. Derrick didn't even want to think of what would happen if they lost. That wasn't a thought he liked to put in his mind, especially after last year. He shuddered at the thought. Every time he thought of championships, his mind went to a blank and he started shaking a lot. He was like a ticking time bomb about to go off. Soccer meant the world to him. Derrick wanted to play when he was older. It was all that he ever wanted, and not to seem like the same stereotypical jock, but he couldn't see himself doing anything else. Soccer was meant for him. It was his passion.

But, as of now, the one thing he had to focus on was finding a date and that hadn't been going too well.

"Harrington, snap out of it. We're having an important discussion here," spoke the voice of Kemp Hurley, who indeed did take Derrick out of his thoughts. The golden haired boy blinked and stared up at his friends who were sitting on the desks around him.

"W-what?"

"We're talking about your birthday party."

Derrick grimaced.

"That's not till like a month away," the soccer captain argued.

"Yeah, and yet it's' the most celebrated time of the year for everybody in this school. And, we always get stuck planning it while your ass gets laid," Kemp groaned.

Derrick smirked. "You act as if that's a bad thing."

"That is for us," mumbled Cam, who was busy sketching something on the margin of his physics notebook.

Derrick laughed and playfully hit his friend on the shoulder. "You act as if you don't get action either Fisher."

"Well I'd rather sleep alone than with Olivia Ryan that's for sure," Cam sighed.

"That bad?"

"Very bad."

Josh chimed in on the conversation. "Word on the street is that Olivia has some kind of problem down south, if you catch my drift." Josh winked playfully.

"Great." Cam groaned and put his head down in his hands. "Shit."

Josh smirked. "I was just kidding..."

"Fuck you Josh!" Cam punched his friend on the shoulder. The rest of the boys laughed along to Cam's misery. "You guys suck."

"You'll forgive me," Josh leaned back in his seat and put his hands behind his head.

"Oh really?" Cam challenged. "And what makes you think that?"

"Because I'm gonna set you up with that new hot sophomore, Sarah West."

At this news, Cam smirked. "Well hey, I guess there is room for my forgiveness now."

"Fuck you guys, I've been trying to get with her for the past week!" Kemp grumbled.

"You already had Natalia Kirkman," Josh reminded him with a knowing look in his eyes.

"Yeah, and I'm already done with Natalia Kirkman," Kemp argued.

"You're sick," Chris rolled his eyes, who had been quiet this entire time.

Derrick watched his friends with an amused expression on his face. It was almost like fate that they all had the same homeroom in Ms. Mortimer's class. Ms. Mortimer was some hot young teacher who taught history to the freshman. She was engaged to some rich Westchester business man though, so it was a huge wonder why she continued to teach at Westchester...

"Shut up Plovert. You act as if you wouldn't pine over Sarah West," Kemp scowled and crossed his arms.

Sarah West was a hot sophomore with platinum blonde hair and a piercing green eyes. She was super skinny and very tall. Many speculated that she was a model in Germany for a year, but Sarah denied it all. The rumor mill had it that she did do a spread in 7teen magazine with Kendall Jenner, which she had no comment about. From what Derrick knew, she didn't really have a lot of friends other than some girl who wasn't nearly as pretty as her. Maybe she only hung out with her to feel better about herself...well, it wasn't as if she needed it. Even Derrick had to admit she was pretty hot. Yet, he didn't really have a thing for blondes. The only time he liked them was when he was drunk and when they were leaving his bedroom the morning after.

"How could you set me up with Sarah anyways?" Cam asked Josh, curious.

"I play travel baseball with her brother, Matt," Josh explained.

"Ah."

Kemp was still in a sour mood. "Well I hope you have fun with that slut."

Cam smirked. "The slut you want to sleep with you mean?"

"Yeah. That one," Kemp rolled his eyes, yet a smile was starting to toy on his face. The boy sat up suddenly and leaned in on their tables, motioning for the boys to lean it as well. "So, rumor has it that some girl was wrecked as Landon Crane's after party Friday night, and someone has pictures of her."

"Pictures?" Chris furrowed his brows in confusion.

"You know what I mean Plovert, don't try to act innocent," Kemp rolled his eyes.

"Poor girl," Derrick said.

"Do you know who it is?" Josh questioned.

"Nope. I heard from Fred at the quad, Fred heard from Casey Lawrence, Casey heard from some girl name Libby, and Libby found out from one of the DSL girl. I think it's DSL Cassandra."

"There's a Cassandra?" Cam asked.

"I dunno. I think so. Nobody really knows any of them other than Skye," Kemp said.

"Well, maybe I'll ask Skye if she knows," Josh offered up. "I mean, if one of the DSL Daters knows information then it had to come from Skye."

"That's it Hotz, I knew you'd make yourself useful," Kemp flashed a cheeky grin.

"Shut up," Josh sighed.

The bell rang, signaling 1st period. "Well," Derrick started as he got up, "As much as I loved this conversation, I've gotta run," he spoke sarcastically.

"See you later Harrington," Kemp waved.

"See ya second," Chris spoke before the boy wandered off out of the room.

"Bye," both Josh and Cam waved before heading out together.

Derrick sat for only a moment, gathering his things. Just then another figure sat down next to him in the seat that Josh Hotz had just occupied only a second ago.

Looking up, Derrick found himself staring at Gweneth Hemsworth.

Gweneth Hemsworth (or just Gwen) was a senior and was the girls' varsity soccer captain. Gwen was tall, built, long legged, super tan, and had short sunny blonde hair that came down at her chin. She was looked like a more athletic version of Tyra Collete from 'Friday Night Lights'. Gwen was smart, pretty, and sporty, which to Derrick was absolutely perfect. When he was still a hopeless freshman, he had the biggest crush on Gwen and told nobody. She always seemed like she was in a different world. Fifteen year old Derrick had put her on a shiny gold pedestal... that is, until they became best friends.

After winning the championship game, Gwen and Derrick started talking and he found that instead of being smart...she had a smart mouth.

She laughed a great deal and was always cracking a joke, mainly in Derrick's expense. Soccer had made her strong and her 'playful punches' hurt more than when Derrick would wrestle his friends in a not so "playful" way. Gwen was fierce and got angry whenever somebody said anything against woman's rights (which she had every right to be). Only a month after speaking, Derrick had made Gwen his "wing-woman" and she always scored Derrick with dates with the older senior and junior cheerleaders that she was friends with. At the time, she was just right behind Massie on his female best friend's list. Now obviously she was number one.

"You look like a mess," Gwen slid into the seat next to him, a smirk on her face.

Derrick sighed. "That's because I am. Practice ran till 9 last night."

"On a Sunday night?" she frowned, placing her chin on the back of her hand. At the moment, any guy would comment that she looked angelic. To Derrick, she looked as if she were about to nag him about something like she always did. Aaaannd, he was right. "It's a Sunday night Derrick. Surely even your coach would have some respect for that. You should be resting. Are you okay? I bet you didn't sleep right when you got home...ugh, you know that's bad for you..."

Gwen went on and on and on, until Derrick realized that he had class to attend. He interrupted the nagging senior. "As great as this conversation has been, I really gotta run Gweneth."

She glared. Derrick smirked. He knew that she hated it when he used her full name. "Oh fuck you Derrick."
"Maybe freshman year? Yeah you definitely could have done that then, but now? Nah, I'm good," he winked.

"Bye," she laughed. "Oh, and Derrick? Stop slacking and find yourself a homecoming date!" she yelled back to him as she began walking away, not even bothering to turn around.

He sighed. Maybe the universe was using Gwen to remind him to get a date. But who?

That's right, Derrick thought. There's no one.

xxx

Massie

(9:25a.m.)

"I can't believe that stupid, purple haired freak thinks she can tell me what to do," Massie rolled her eyes as she snappily chewed her gum in French. Kristen sat next to her, picking at her finger nails.

The French room was soaked in yellow sunlight, and Mrs. Beaumont was sick. They had a sub and as usual the subs at Westchester did just about nothing. This wasn't such a bad thing for the students though, and especially not Massie who could use a period off work after the turbulent morning she had so far.

"Well, she is the head girl for the paper Mass," Kristen spoke. "I mean, you kinda do have to listen to what she says."

Massie rolled her eyes. Wasn't Kristen supposed to help? Right now, she was so not helping..

"Ugh. Whatever. I don't even care. This was a dumb idea," the pretty committee alpha huffed and crossed her arms. Across the room, Derrick Harrington sat with a group of guys. All the boys were on their phones and laughing like a bunch of wild hyenas. They were probably playing some game that Massie didn't bother wanting to know about. What she did want to know, was why her? Why was she of all people chosen to write the piece on Derrick Harrington? The entire school knew the two practically hated each other, and recent events made these distasteful feelings more pronounced, yet Asala Karman thought it was a great idea to have Massie interview him.

Just. Great.

Not...

Massie groaned and slumped in her seat. Around her, students either worked on their French homework, work due the next period (probably), or they were on their phones doing who-knows- what. Massie was distressed. The last thing she needed in her life right now was an encounter with Derrick. Truthfully, she had been hoping to just ignore Derrick for the next two years until graduation. After that she had planned on only seeing him on rare holidays around town. But now? Well, this totally ruined Massie's plans (not like they were going to go through anyways). What made the situation worse? Kristen didn't care. In fact, it seemed like none of her friends cared.

When telling Dylan, she only got a shrug out of the grumpy red head. In the five minutes before 2nd period started, Claire played her usual "optimistic" card and told Massie to just do it. Was she a Nike slogan? Of course she wouldn't "just do it." In fact, that was the complete opposite of what she wanted to do about the Derrick paper. The only other person Massie didn't ask was Alicia, and the Latina had been M.I.A since 1st period.

Massie frowned.

It was weird. No text, no call, no anything. There wasn't even some annoying freshman giassie decided not to stress sent over to Massie to tell her where Alicia was, which the Latina herself probably forced said young girl to find Massie and tell her of her whereabouts. Either way, M

She had to un-stress herself if anything. The alpha had just gotten her friendship back with Dawson, the whole barbecue scandal had finally blown over, and her parent's had laid off her back about her grade. To top it all off, she had finally accepted Mr. Alcibur's wishes to join the school paper...although this did come back to bite her in the ass. The universe was so, nawt on her side today.

Biting her lip, Massie decided to close her eyes. Taking a deep intake of breath, she kicked her legs up so she sat "Indian" style (as they called it in Kindergarten) on her desk chair.

Breath in. Out. In. Out. In. And out again.

Smiling, Massie thought to herself how grateful she was to her mother for forcing her into those weekend yoga classes for the past two years.

Happy life, happy Massie. Stress-free life, stress-free Massie. Non-Derrick life, non-Derrick Massie... the last part didn't make her smile, yet she forced one on her lips anyways.

"W-what are you doing?" she heard the confusion in Kristen's voice next to her. Massie kept her eyes closed anyways.

"Unwinding. I need to get rid of all the stress and bad aura in my life."

Suddenly her zen was disrupted when a hackey sack was thrown straight to her face, aimed right at her nose. Opening her eyes wide in bewilderment, Massie's head spun wildly to where the source of the sack had come from.

To her far left, Derrick Harrington and his wild pack of dogs (as Massie liked to call them) all stood in a circle. She made the inference that they were playing hackey sack before the sack itself slammed straight to her nose. His leg was up, probably the source of the kick. His eyes were huge and filled with surprise, almost as much as her own.

"Oh shit," a voice gasped next to the soccer captain. It was one of the soccer players. He broke into laughter. "Derrick just kicked that to Massie's face!"

Soon others joined into the laughter, but for once it wasn't Derrick. The boy alpha version of herself tried to tell everyone that he didn't mean it, but the laughter of the class was much louder and larger than his voice...but not as large as her embarrassment.

Massie's cheeks flushed to a bright shade of pink, no-red. She put her feet down and stared over to Kristen, whose mouth was wide open in shock.

"D-did he just?" the blonde's mouth started to quirk up into a small smile. Massie scowled.

"He didn't mean it," she mumbled.

Kristen raised a speculating brow. "Is this real life? You, Massie Block, are standing up for Derrick Harrington?" She smirked.

"No, I'm not," Massie argued back. "I'm just telling the truth." Around them, the laughter died.

"Whatever you say," Kristen said in a sing-song voice. "Who knows, maybe this interview won't be so bad after all," she winked.

Massie reached over and smacked her arm. "Oh shut up Kris."
The blonde laughed, and the matter with the hackey sack was forgotten.

xxx

"You and Derrick Harrington?" Dawson's lips curved up into a smile as he leaned against her locker. It was the time between 3rd and 5th period, and Massie had just gotten out of her English class that she shared with Dawson.

"I know right. Isn't it horrible," Massie groaned as she shifted her weight to rest her books on her hip. She reached into her locker, touching a picture of herself and the other pretty committee girls. A smile reached her face, one that she had tried finding all day long since her meeting with Asala Karman. Pulling out her history book, Massie returned her English textbook back into the solid red matte painted locker.

When she closed it, Dawson was staring at her hungrily. Had he gotten a hair cut? He looked...groomed today. Massie pondered if groomed was the right word to describe it but he did look very different since she had seen him over the weekend.

She smiled once again at the thought of Dawson and her in the car. Then yet, after all that her memory of Friday night was Alicia throwing up all the time. That night Massie didn't think the girl would stop. Now that she thought about it though, Alicia still hadn't called or contacted Massie at all. Where was she? Usually a text would be sent by now. Maybe a call? It was weird.

Massie bit her lip and scrunched her nose. This wasn't normal and Massie had to find Alicia soon before anything bad happened. Call it best friend-intuition, but Massie felt as if something were wrong.

Apparently, so did Dawson.

"What's wrong?" the much taller boy asked. He peered down at her with a worried glance in his eyes, much different from the lustful one he was giving her not too long ago.

"O-oh, I'm just worried about Leesh. That's all," Massie snapped out of her thoughts.

"I'm sure she's fine. Why? What's wrong?"

"Well...nothing really. Not yet at least! Knowing Leesh, she probably got into a fight over Twitter or something and is mentally preparing herself for the subtweets she's going to get in an hour or so," Massie laughed, playing off the fact that she really was nervous as to where her best friend was at.

Dawson grinned. His eyes were friendly, yet they always were. "I'm sure she's okay. You have nothing to worry about. Alicia's a big girl. She can handle herself."

"Right," Massie shrugged. He was right. Massie had to accept that. Dawson was right, Alicia wasn't in any trouble. Maybe her phone was off? No, it never was. Maybe she was sick? Yeah, that was possible. Her week end didn't prove to be fruitful for her anyways. Massie decided that was it. She was still a bit sluggish from her weekend events and the stress of the school year starting, as well as the fact that it was their Junior year (aka. the hardest year in high school), then she was just sick and probably faking throwing-up in the nurses office so she could go home.

What worried Massie though, now that she thought of it, was that Alicia wasn't really faking throwing up. If she was, well...she had plenty of puke from Friday night/Saturday morning. There was a good chance of all of that carrying over to Monday morning.

Massie sighed. She had to stop worrying. After all, she wasn't her mom or anything.

"You sure you okay?" Dawson asked as the two walked side-by-side.

"Fine," Massie nodded her head and smiled. She was telling the truth.

Then she saw Derrick walking towards them with his friends hanging around him like leeches. It was as if time stopped for a second, and Dawson wasn't with her as well was Derrick not with his own clique.

The two stared, and Derrick's eyes flashed to Dawson almost dangerously. The blonde haired boy bit his lip as he stared into Massie's eyes. Golden specks pooled into a deep chocolate brown. For a second, there was something between them.

It, indeed, only lasted a second.

Then it was over and they were back to being Derrick Harrington and Massie Block.

The two walked past each other without a glance spared.

xxx

Dylan

(10:55a.m.)

It was hard trying to pay attention in American Studies II when all Dylan could think about was Clarissa Hastings, and how much she already hated her.

Clarissa Hastings was just a woman that Dylan didn't know yet. She knew her name, but could not put a face to it-yet, Dylan had already wanted to smash her pretty little head in.

She gripped her pencil forcefully, and ignored the pit in her stomach that filled of worry that Alicia Rivera wasn't in her seat next to her for 4th period history.

"What killed the Native Americans class?" Mr. Burns spoke loudly, with a clear yet very boring voice which made Dylan wonder how she hadn't fallen asleep yet.

"Americans," a voice answered. The class snickered.

"Very funny Mr. Brown," Mr. Burns dropped his eye lids to glare at whoever answered the question.

Dylan leaned her head down on her desk and sighed. Stupid Clarissa Hastings.

"You'll like her a lot sweetie. She's great. Clarissa has traveled a lot...that's how we met! Oh, and you'll love her daughters. You'll all be like best friends! It's like another Jamie and Ryan for you."

The pit in her stomach grew, and she felt faint.

If another addition to her life wasn't bad enough (and it was) the whole situation was made worse when her father had announced that Clarissa Hastings had two daughters. Great. Just was Dylan needed. Two girls who would try to grab hold of her father's attention. That was just what she needed.

She shut her eyes in hopes that this was all a stupid dream, and that she'd wake up and history would be over.

"Spanish!"

"Fruits!"

"Evil!"

"Killing!"

Her class members spat out answers left-and-right. She was pretty sure that they were guessing. Dylan looked up and across the room to Massie, who looked just as bored as she was. Maybe even more? Dylan hadn't spoken to the PC alpha in a while, and when she did it was only short words and "hello," "goodbye." Not much of a conversation.

"No, no, no, no, no. Class, please stop guessing and use your heads!" Mr. Burns shook his head forcefully.

Clarissa Hastings was a disease that needed to be rid of. Dylan glared down at her pencil, as if it were the disease-filled Clarissa that she needed to get out of her father's life.

"Disease," Dylan said suddenly, not even knowing that she had said it out-loud for the entire class to hear.

"Ah yes! Good job Ms. Marvil! Did you hear that class? Disease! That's what mostly killed the Native Americans!" he beamed at Dylan and went over to the chalkboard to write it down for the class to take notes on. "Oh, and Ms. Marvil. Please pick your head up. This isn't nap time in Kindergarten."

I wish, Dylan thought as she regretfully pulled her head up from her desk. If this were Kindergarten then she wouldn't have to worry about Clarissa Hastings or school and the ominous college and future that every kid her age started thinking about, despite whatever they said against it. Dylan sighed. If this were Kindergarten she also wouldn't have to worry much about weight. She had loved herself then and at the time it was enough for her. Why wasn't it enough now?
Maybe that's why her dad was marrying Clarissa, she thought to herself bitterly as she copied down notes on the board. Maybe she was too fat for her father to love; so he had to find two perfect daughters to fill the void.

She had seen pictures of them. Not one of Clarissa, no, but her father had a small picture of two girls who looked almost like twins poking out of his wallet. To her dismay, the picture was right next to the one of Dylan and her sisters five Christmas' ago.

The girls were both blonde and tan and very much fit. They were twigs compared to Dylan, and they had sky blue eyes. Both girls looked as if they belonged on a Maybeline commercial with their long, luscious lashes.

Letting out a big sigh, Dylan leaned back in her seat after putting her pencil down.

So what? Everybody had daddy-issues. Yet, it didn't seem real to her. Dylan, despite her parents' divorce, always had the perfect family. Even without her dad around all the time, his parents were on civil-grounds and Dylan got everything she wanted. Her mother was Merri-Lee Marvil for heavens' sake! Everything was going great for her. Now this? If Dylan didn't think her weight was a big enough problem..

Peering up, she had only just realized that Massie was staring at her with almost pleading eyes. The alpha looked out the door and made the hand gesture for "bathroom."

Dylan bit her lip nervously. They hadn't talked in so long...

Sighing, Dylan stood and excused herself for the bathroom. Shortly after, so did Massie.

The pretty committee alpha rushed hurridly into the girl's 3rd floor bathroom.

"I'm freaking out," Massie groaned. Dylan raised a brow, but did the usual as all girls did when there was juicy gossip to be revealed in the bathroom-check the stalls.

Kicking each door open to reveal nothing, Dylan gave Massie the thumbs up to continue on.

"I'm worried about Leesh. I haven't seen her like all day long," Massie huffed, crossing her arms across her chest with a large frown on her face.

Dylan sighed. "Mass are you serious?"

"Well...yeah," Massie said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. She spoke as if the two didn't have a mini-spat in the Range Rover last Friday night. It was weird..and so not Massie. Was everything in Dylan's life going upside down? And here she thought it was only her dad who was acting strange.

"I don't know Massie. Maybe she's just in a bad mood? It could be that time of the month."

Massie shook her head defiantly. "No, it can't be. She's always the same time around with her cycle as mine. I shouldn't be getting it until next week...so that means that she can't either."

Dylan bit her lip in an attempt to hide the displeasure on her face. Why ask for her opinion then if Massie was only going to shoot it down?

"Honestly Massie, this is a waste of my time. I need to go back to class." Dylan attempted to push past her, yet the pretty committee alpha wouldn't budge.

"Wait," Massie grabbed Dylan's arm just as she was going to walk through the door. "Dyl...y-you're not mad at me right? I mean, like Friday night and all. You're not mad, I hope..."

Dylan gritted her teeth. Was she absolutely clueless. Of course I'm mad Mass. I'm pissed, and you have no idea what's even going on in my life. "I'm fine," she spoke bitterly. "Now let me go, I have class."

Frowning, Massie hesitantly obliged and let go of Dylan's arm. The red head rushed out of the girl's bathroom, not even bothering to look back at her "best friend."

xxx

Josh

(12:10 p.m.)

"Hey Marge," Josh flashed a bright smile at his favorite lunch lady, Marge Ballack, or as the kids liked to call her, Large Marge.

Large Marge was a big robust woman of at least her late forties. She had charcoal colored hair and pasty white skin. Her eyes were a plain shade of brown and she was of a regular, boring height. Despite her appearance, her personality was pretty good (or at least that's what Josh thought) and she was always kind and giving to her favorite lunch room kids.

It was rumored that in her youth, Large Marge wasn't so large and in fact was super skinny as well as drop dead gorgeous. She won miss Westchester Teen in the town at the time, yet it didn't make sense to Josh that somebody who used to go to school at Westchester would come back and stoop so low as to become a lunch lady. Oh well. It didn't matter to him. As long as Large Marge kept supplying him with good food, he was okay.

With a parting wink, Josh was off and set to sit at the table. Surprisingly, the day had treated him right. He didn't have much homework and rumor had it coach was going easy on the boys today for practice because of how good they did Friday night. Smiling, Josh relaxed himself in his chair once seated.

Around him many conversations ensued but all he could think about was himself and the sandwich he was about to enjoy.

"So, Josh...we were all wondering..." Kemp spoke with a sly smile on his face before Josh could even take a bite of his ham and cheese sandwich. The dark haired boy sighed and put his sandwich down.

"What?" Hm. Maybe this day was going on too perfectly.

"Are you taking Skye to homecoming? Because lemme tell ya, the broad keeps talkin' bout bringing some dumb college frat boy."

"Excuse me? What did you just call her?"

Josh was more intrigued about what Kemp had just called Skye other than the news presented to him. Well, that was a lie. Obviously he cared, but still...

Chris spoke after putting his coffee mug down. Damn, that guy drank easily four cups a day. "Don't listen to Kemp. He's being stupid."

"A broad is another word for female," Kemp explained as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"You're an idiot," was all Josh could say before picking up his sandwich again.

"A disrespectful idiot," Chris added before submerging his lips into his red mug.

"Whatever," Kemp rolled his eyes, dismissing his friend's comments. "So, know anything about this or not?"

"Not," Josh answered as he picked up his sandwich. And he so did not care. But right before he could enjoy his lunch, a very angry Alicia Rivera stormed right up to him and slapped his right across his face.

Ouch.

It hurt like hell. Damn that girl could hit. Josh winced in pain and looked up at her in bewilderment, and (though he'd never really admit it) fear. What the hell was wrong with her?

"FUCK YOU!"

There were tears streaming down her cheeks, which came as a surprise for Josh. If she hadn't slapped him just 5 seconds ago then he would have felt bad. But she did, and he so did not feel bad.

Despite all the anger and confusion he was feeling towards the dark haired girl, all that came out of Josh's mouth was, "W-w-what?" He sat up, catching his breath.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!?" he glared.

"I can't believe you fucked that slut! You lied to me!" the Latina basically growled.

"What the hell!" he raised his voice. What slut? Why did it matter who he slept with? They weren't together anymore. It had been so long since they dated.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" she cried.

"No I don't!" Josh yelled back. He was done being 'Mr. Nice Guy.'

The entire cafeteria watched the scene unfold. From the corner of his eye he saw Derrick and Cam with trays filled with food, standing frozen in step with wide eyes of bewilderment. Massie Block and her table watched with open mouths. Apparently, they didn't know about their friend's "little outburst."

"Crazy bitch," Kemp didn't even try to whisper.

"You slept with Skye! You screwed that cow! You fucked her while you were with me!" Alicia was full on bawling her eyes out now.

What was she even talking about? Josh couldn't believe his ears. Did he sleep with Skye Hamilton? Yes. While still in a relationship with Alicia? Fuck no. She was his only one.

"I-," Josh tried to defend himself, but it was clear to him then that Alicia wouldn't even give him the chance to speak. She slapped him yet again, though to Josh's fortune it wasn't as hard as the first.

"You're a piece of shit Josh Hotz and I never want to speak to you again. Go fuck yourself."

The dark haired beauty stormed away, leaving Josh and the rest of he student body in the wake of her rage. Clutching his cheek, Derrick and Cam made their way over and patted his back.

"Damn Hotz, that's a lunch I'll never forget," Cam said.

His cheek stung but Alicia's words stung more. That was something Josh would never admit, obviously, but it was true. That hurt him more than anything it seemed. Frowning, Josh turned around to face the table.

The entire student body still watched with wide eyes, now all speaking about what they had just witnessed. Oh great. This was just what he needed.

He should have known the day was going a bit too good for him. Josh frowned when he saw his sandwich had fallen to the ground. Fuck.

Oh well, that hardly mattered to him now.

He had bigger problems.

Besides, Josh had lost his appetite.

xxx

Massie

(12:55p.m.)

It was aware to Massie now that Alicia Rivera did not think. Alicia Rivera acted upon impulse and left the rest of her friends to deal with the destruction in her wake.

...What a bitch.

"I can't deal with this right now," Massie tried her breath-in-breath-out exercises but none of them helped ease the stress she was feeling right about now. Kristen patted her back while Dylan tried once again to contact Alicia via phone call.

"Still not answering," Dylan responded after another one of her calls went straight to voice mail. Why hadn't she followed Alicia out? Massie was stupid. Instead of getting caught up with Asala, she should have been keeping a close eye out for Alicia. It was too late. Lunch was a blur, and the biggest of them all was Alicia's hand connected to Joshs' cheek, which revealed a hidden strength behind that lanky arm of hers. Massie bit her lip and groaned. Why was everything so complicated.

"I hate playing mother," Massie sighed.

"Well mommy, clearly baby Alicia has had a little tantrum. So what?" Dylan snapped. Massie tried her hardest to ignore her attitude towards her, yet for some reason she just couldn't shake it off like she usually did that whole first half of the morning.

The alpha smoothed down her skirt and gave Dylan an icy stare. She shrugged Kristen's hands off her back and crossed her own in front of her chest.

"Really Dyl? Right now? Right now is so not the time for you to mess with me."

Surprisingly, Dylan fired back. "Really? Right now Mass? Right now is so not the time for you to be an even bigger bitch than you already are."

From the corner of her eye Massie saw Kristen's jaw drop to the floor. Or was it her own? Who cares. What Massie cared about was what came out of Dylan's mouth and how unapologetic the girl had seemed about it all. Massie knew that Dylan had been in a pretty horrible mood lately, but she didn't think she'd take it out on her that bad.

"Way harsh Dyl," Massie frowned.

"Well sometimes life just isn't fair Mass," the redhead scowled then stormed out of the bathroom.

Rage boiled in the pit of Massie's stomach. How dare she? Dylan was so not getting away with this again.

Massie pulled herself away from Kristen and ran after Dylan.

"Dyl! Dylan!" she called through the halls, causing some teachers to close their doors.

After a while of scanning the halls, the pretty committee alpha found Dylan Marvil sitting with her hands in her face and evident tears rolling down to the floor.

She was hiding in a corner by the corridor where Massie's locker was located and suddenly all the anger she felt not too long ago was subdued at the look of her friend in tears.

"Dylan?" her voice was a much softer tone now as Massie looked down at her friend with sympathetic eyes.

The teary redhead looked up at Massie. She was sobbing wildly now, Massie saw, yet there was something wild and so naturally pretty about the way she looked. The alpha bit her lip. She always knew that Dylan had problems with her image. She never thought she was pretty enough, but that wasn't true. Massie felt sorry for her. Everybody thought Dylan was pretty. The only person who didn't share this belief was Dylan herself.

"Dyl? What's wrong?" Massie sat down next to her, pulling her knees up to her face just as her friend was doing.

"N-nothing's w-wron-ng," Dylan tried to wipe most of the tears surroundings her face as fast as she could. This didn't help her at all.

"Oh c'mon Dyl. At least make up a better lie than that," Massie gave her friend a sad smile. "Tell me," she pressed. "What's been bothering you?"

The red head let out a pained sob. "H-h-he's getting m-marri-ied."

"Who?"

"Dad," she wailed.

Massie's heart broke just to look at her. "Oh Dyl..I'm so sorry." Massie held the red head in her arms and let her cry for a while longer.

Despite the tension between them, Massie was always going to be there for her and she knew that Dylan's dad was a rather sensitive subject for the Marvil family. Sighing, Massie hugged her friend tighter if that were even possible.

Yes they had fought and some words were said, but Dylan needed her. That's what friends are for.

xxx

Derrick

(1:50p.m.)

"What a totally fucked up day Harrington," Gwen sighed happily as she kicked a soccer ball between the two. It was 8th period, which was gym for Derrick.

"You know for once it wasn't me," Derrick emphasized.

Gwen raised a speculating brow. "I guess you're right."

"Guess so?"

"I just always thought all the petty drama going on in your grade was always rooted by either yourself or Massie."

Derrick winced at the mention of her name. No doubt Massie had something to do with all the drama today. Gwen was right, she always was involved in Westchester drama. But was Derrick apart of it too? Maybe he really was. After all...Gwen never lied to Derrick. She was brutally honest. That was one of the things that were so good about her. Gwen said what was needed to be heard, not what was wanted.

"So what are you? Team Massie or Team Derrick?" he asked with a bitter tone.

"Neither," Gwen laughed easily. "You're both pathetic."

"Ouch."

"Just saying. I like Mass and all but she's just as blind as you are."

Derrick furrowed his brows. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you two are absolute idiots. Dancing around each other waiting for the other to make a move isn't going to help anything you know."

"No I don't," Derrick rolled his eyes.

Gwen laughed with that usual carefree attitude she always seemed to posses. "Oh Derrick. One day you'll learn."

"Learn what exactly?"

Gwen held the soccer ball they were previously kicked round down in one spot with the heel of her foot. "You'll learn that acting like a cynic and pretending you don't care about her isn't going to work forever."

"Then it's a damn good thing I don't care about her," Derrick muttered.

"Sure," Gwen laughed. Her eyes held a look of wisdom but her smile was coy and playful.

Derrick stuck his tongue out and kicked the ball from under her. "Let's just pass."

"Consider the convo dropped," Gwem smirked.

For Derrick's sake they wouldn't have to talk about Massie Block again anytime soon.

xxx

Soccer practice, as usual, was brutal.

The boys had won Friday night, but barely. They had a game Wednesday then next week a Friday game. If they didn't get their "shit together" (as coach put it) then there would be no championship game and all of the hard work Derrick put into the team would all go to shit.

There was no screwing up. Derrick wouldn't afford that.

The previous events of lunch that day had caused a loss of appetite between himself and his friends, in which the boys usually always headed up to Herni's after practice to eat. Josh was definitely a miserable mess, Chris was quieter than usual, Cam was already pissed off at himself for screwing up Friday so there was no sense into talking to him, and Kemp was too busy trying to get laid (like always).

Once he made sure the locker room was empty, Derrick dried himself after his shower and put shorts and a Westchester Prep sweater on then headed over to a bench by the showers. Looking over his shoulder once more just to make sure nobody was watching, he pulled out a box of Marlboro Lights.

Lighting it up, Derrick inhaled deeply and after a few seconds exhaled the smoke into the hot moist air of the boy's locker room.

He amusingly drew his hand up to move the smoke away. He'd never admit it, but Derrick actually thought it looked kinda cool. It was like all of that modern alternative art. The smoke moved easily through the air. He whipped his fingers through it, thinking it made a "design" of some sorts.

Smiling, Derrick made it through three more drags until he heard footsteps behind him.

Turning his head to glance at who was behind him, Derrick was surprised to find Massie Block, who in return looked just as shocked as himself.

Shit.

xxx

Massie

Why.

Why, why, why was she doing this?

For the 50th time it seemed that day Massie smoothed down her skirt and cleared her throat before entering the boy's locker room.

Dawson had already left so Massie had no support for when she came face-to-face with Derrick.

She could only imagine how hard Derrick would be laughing. Just to think of the sight of Massie Block asking to interview Derrick Harrington? She almost stopped in place and turned around. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. But Massie was prideful and Massie had to prove herself to Asala Karman that she was good enough for the paper.

She could already hear Asala talking about her to all of those other kids in the newspaper club about how pathetic she was and how badly she didn't fit in.

Though she'd never admit it, Asala was right. Massie didn't fit in with that crowd, but damn Massie would never admit that. She was Massie Block. People begged her to be apart of their crowd. By the end of the semester, she'd have Asala Karman begging her to take over that pathetic newspaper. Maybe then they'd actually get business.

Massie laughed at how silly she was acting.

She was being such a child. Just talk to him. It wasn't that easy though. This Derrick wasn't the same one she had known all her life. This was Derrick Harrington the soccer captain, not the Derrick Harrington who used to come over her house after school and eat snacks while watching reruns of their favorite cartoon shows.

Massie would've smiled at the memory if she wasn't so nervous.

Deciding to just go down she felt her legs move despite herself and soon found herself among deep red and gray lockers. The benches were wet and the air was so hot and moist that she found it difficult to breath. Suddenly the cotton of her sweater was getting really itchy and she found the need to put her hair up in a pony tail.

Glancing around, there was no sign of Derrick.

She let out a sigh of relief. This was probably a sign that this whole newspaper thing and the whole article wasn't a good idea. Screw what Dawson, Mr. Alcibur, and her parents thought. She was so not going through with this.

Right before she turned to leave however, the smell of cigarette smoke penetrated her nose. Covering her nose, Massie winced in disgust.

Despite her better judgment Massie followed the smell to the showers.

There she was surprised to find Derrick Harrington all by his lonesome with his hair still wet, changed in clothes, and a cigarette in hand. She found him exhaling and playing with the smoke against his finger tips. Though she wouldn't admit it, Derrick looked kinda "cool" in the moment. He was like those 60's boys who smoked alone and brooded. He was like James Dean...but not.

Apparently Derrick noticed someone was in his presence and turned with a shocked expression on his face at the sight of Massie.

She felt her heart beat faster than it already was. In her head Massie kept telling herself to breath. Wasn't that supposed to be natural? She shouldn't be reminding herself to breath.

Without even thinking about it, she spoke first.

"You know those are bad for you."

"You know this is the boy's locker room," he retorted, not missing a beat.

Massie crossed her arms, trying to ignore the itchy feeling of her sweater.

"What are you doing here Derrick? And w-why are you smoking that."

"Honestly? I don't know," was the boy's only answer. He dropped the cigarette butt down on the tile floor and crushed it with his foot. The boy stood and faced Massie. She suddenly wished he had just kept smoking and ignored her.

It was weird though. Derrick was always so healthy. Other than drinking at parties like every other high school kid did, Derrick's body was a temple. It had to be for soccer. He was dedicated, which is why it was such a surprise to find Derrick Harrington smoking of all people.

"What are you doing here Massie?" Derrick asked as he stood with his hands hidden safely in his shorts pockets.

"Honestly, I don't know."

He smirked. "Nice answer."

Massie rolled her eyes. There they go again, the same witty banter that would lead to absolutely nothing. "Actually I'm here for the paper..."

"Paper?"

"School newspaper."

Derrick laughed. He clutched his stomach and leaned against the wall, all the while not breaking eye contact with her. Was he insulting her? Of course he was. That wasn't even a question.

"Are you done laughing yet," Massie threw him an icy glare.

"Block, please tell me you're kidding."

"No I'm not asshole."

"What is this? Some pretty committee dare? If so, thanks but no thanks," he stood tall and proud again. She'd never understand that stupid ego of his. He acts as if I haven't seen him cry before..

"It's not a prank." Massie sighed and rubbed her forehead in frustration. It was already too sticky and hard to breath in here, and all she wanted to do was leave. "Do you know Asala Karman?"

"Think so. Purple hair?"

"Yeah her. Well, she's the senior editor and I'm basically being forced to write and my first assignment is to interview you. So there. Get it yet?" she tapped her foot impatiently.

Derrick crossed his arms. "Hm. Think so."

"And?" Massie pressed.

"Tell them to send someone else and I'll think about it."

Massie fumed. "Seriously? Real mature," she said in sickly sweet voice.

"I think we both know it wouldn't work," Derrick said as he picked up a box of Marlboro Lights and placed in back into his shorts pocket. "We can't even have a civil conversation together. An interview? Don't think so."

"Obviously I know that, they don't." Massie sighed. "Are you really not going to help me?"

Derrick gave her a cold, hard stare. "Maybe I'd think about it if you weren't all over Jenkins."

"Oh, really?" It was Massie's turn to laugh. She looked psychotic. "Are you really still going on about Dawson fucking Jenkins," she moved closer to him. Derrick stiffened in place, looking uncomfortable at the small girl coming towards him. "Get over yourself Derrick. You're his captain not his father. He has a life outside of this too you know, and just because you don't doesn't mean these boys have to suffer for it."

"Suffer for it? If they like winning then they'll practice-with no distractions," Derrick countered. He moved in close to her too until the pair met with their chests heaving at a fast paste.

"Honestly I feel bad for you. You have no life outside of this, and even so you're ruining it with those," she motioned to the cigarettes hiding in his pocket.

"Whatever you say Queen Bee. At least I don't have to join some stupid newspaper club to make people think I have substance in me. The only thing you're good for is shopping and bitching people out. You're a drama starter Mass, always have and always will be."

"Me!? Excuse me but I tried to help Josh today! I tried to stop Alicia-"

"But you knew," he interrupted. "So you knew and couldn't warn Josh earlier?" he chuckled. "How pathetic. If you really wanted to stop it Massie you would have."

He moved away from her and sat back down on the bench. "Fuck I need another one," he muttered to himself.

Massie stood motionless. How could Derrick be so rude to her? Dawson was wrong. Asala and Mr. Alcibur and everyone else was wrong. This wouldn't work. Massie didn't have it in her to make it work and clearly Derrick would be no help to her.

"You were right," Massie said in a voice that was almost a whisper. "This wasn't going to work."

And with that Massie walked out and Derrick broke his rule of only one cigarette a day.

xxx

Alicia

"I'm so fucked," Alicia Rivera whispered against her friend's shoulder.

After school Alicia headed to the mall in an attempt to find some peace of mind but that was to no avail.

Surprisingly she found Massie, who almost looked just as upset as she was.

Now the best friends were sitting against the wall of the dressing room in Alice+Olivia, with so Alicia crying onto Massie's shoulders.

After apologizing to Massie about not answering her texts that day, she had a long cry and finally stopped-only because she thought she had cried so much there were no tears left in her.

"Boy suck Leesh, its life," Massie said into the Latina's dark hair.

"They do. But that's not why I'm fucked..." Alicia admitted.

The raven haired girl pulled out her iPhone 6s from her maroon Ralph Lauren backpack and scrolled through her messages until she found just the one she had been looking for. Turning the screen over for Massie to see, the pretty committee leader's mouth dropped open at what she saw on the screen.

A picture of Alicia naked with puke covering a majority of her body. The message came form Skye Hamilton and it read: Imagine what Josh, let alone the whole school would think if they saw this ;)

"Oh Leesh," Massie gasped.

"I told you. I'm fucked."