Author's Note Okay, so I know I haven't updated in ages, which is completely ridiculous because I have a whole whack of chapters written for this story, I'm just always too lazy to post them and get carried away writing them. Haha. Oh! Also, many of you will be pleased to know that I am actually working on developing a story, not just characters, which is a crime I'm guilty of often. Someone pointed it out to me and I was like, 'Wow, this person is right!' so trust me, I'm working on it. I really hope you all like it! Here it is!

Last Chapter It was my turn to snort. "Good night, Karla," I dismissed her, kicked off my shoes, pulled off my jeans, and climbed into my bed. I could feel her standing there, glaring at me still. I turned on my side, facing away from her and closed my eyes. She didn't scare me. I'd bet every dollar in the world that she wouldn't be brave enough to pluck a hair from my head.

After another minute I heard her shuffling around and climbing into her own bed. The day was over, but I had five more days to plan out Karla's unfortunate future.

Chapter 12

Karla woke up the next morning and I heard her swearing in the bathroom as she threw all my damp clothes out of the shower stall. The bitch obviously hadn't thought very far into the future with that plan.

The day passed uneventfully, as did the rest of the week. I got calls from Aunt Carrie every couple days. She understood about my suspension and everything, even though my mother would have completely flipped. Devi and I hung out on our days off. I introduced her to Lita, who took to the spunky girl easily. I told Devi about Karla's confrontation with me and Devi declared "war on the hookers", as she called it. She was hell bent on smashing every one of their pretty faces in.

Lita got involved and it was revealed that Lita was a very valuable asset. She had the dirt on everyone, knew every rumour being circulated, remembered every grudge held by anyone. She'd been friends with Spencer and Drew since kindergarten, she told us, which somehow didn't surprise me, so, naturally, she was at the top of the "food chain". Her word was taken as truth, so therefore, if she were to say Karla or one of her friends was pregnant with some geek's kid, people would talk.

Throughout September and the beginning of October, writing began appearing in the bathrooms; in the stalls, on the walls. Nasty things about me, Karla, Shelby, and various other girls, saying we were bitches or whores. They never really got creative. There were, of course the "blank+blank=heart/love/bff" or a "blank is so hot!", but those were fewer than the nasty comments. It didn't bother me, though. Words had never bothered me; they were just words. It was something my mother had taught me and I was glad for it.

Luckily, the first night I was allowed out, Riddick appeared in my doorway wearing his hat and his heartbreaker's grin. Luckily, Karla was no where in sight, having been avoiding me since I'd put vegetable oil in her face exfoliant and flushed her foundation two weeks ago. At least it meant I didn't have to deal with her on-going attempts at getting one of my friends in bed with her.

"Hello, love," Riddick drawled, his standard greeting for any girl really, though whenever it was a friend of his there was an extra kick in it.

"Hello, love," I mimicked him.

His grin widened and he laughed. "Sounds better coming from me, but I don't mind the sound of you saying it either." The normal flirtatious attitude never got old, though if it was any other guy I'd be beating them by now. Spencer had already drawn a couple smacks from me. Dom and Drew kept their comments to a minimum. Riddick, though, he was shameless. Besides, I got the feeling that if I slapped him, it would only encourage him.

I left the door open for him as I disappeared into my closet in search of a very evasive shoe. I heard him enter and the door shut behind him. "So where are we going tonight? And what is with you guys and never telling me where we're going?"

A shadow fell across the doorway and I was cast into darkness by Riddick's lanky body blocking my light source. "A bar," he answered and began to laugh at the sight of me crouched on my closet floor, trying to avoid the school uniforms and jackets hanging above me.

"Oh, shush," I commanded, finally finding the shoe in the mess and crawling to wards him so I could stand up, but he pushed me back down with a laugh.

"I think I like you where you are," he quipped suggestively and I stuck my tongue out at him.

"There are better things-"

"I could be doing with my tongue, yes I know," I finished for him, this time standing up without any interference from him. He only laughed and watched as I shoved my shoe on.

"You have everything?" he asked me once I'd straightened and snatched a jacket from the hangers behind me. I nodded and he offered me his hand, as always, and I took it, as always, and he led me from my room and out to the parking lot. I had to walk quicker than normal to keep up with his longer strides and he smiles back at me with amusement. When we got to the parking lot, The boys were no where to be seen, but Devi and Lita were leaning against her purple Mustang chatting amicably, obviously waiting for us.

"Where are the other guys?" I asked bemusedly.

"They decided women took too long and left in Dom's car fifteen minutes ago," was his amused answer. "But I had to stick around to drive you three. Which reminds me, you're driving home."

"Me? Why?" I demanded. His car scared me. It was worth too much money.

"Because I'm getting drunk."

"Lita's not driving?"

"Nope, she's just gonna crash at Devi's."

He released my hand as we came upon his car and the other girls. They greeted me and we all jumped into Riddick's car when he unlocked the doors. I ended up in the back with Lita, Devi somehow having ended up in shotgun.

"So where are we going?" I said to the red head.

"Woody's, it's an all ages bar and there's good food, live bands, pool tables, everything. A lot of Crestwood kids go there." I wondered vaguely why that name sounded familiar, but dismissed it quickly.

Ten minutes later we pulled into the parking lot out front of the bar. Flourescent lights blinked in the windows and people milled about the parking lot and in front of the bar, smoking and meeting up with friends. We entered and found Drew already seated at round table with four chairs. Dom and Spencer were playing pool with two guys I recognized from school. Drew waved us over so we weaved through the masses and joined him. Lita and Devi sat down at the same table, while Riddick and I took seats at the table beside him.

"So how's it looking tonight?" Riddick asked, scanning the crowd with a predatory expression on his face.

"Meh," was Drew's non-commital reply. Girls. They were scoping out girls.

Lita had taken off her jacket and was wandering over to the pool tables, most likely in search of her latest victim. I'd learned quickly that she was a major pool shark. The night I'd met her she was only drawing in the poor guys she'd beaten with so little mercy. I was tempted to join her; I wasn't bad at pool, but Drew's attention turned to me.

"Hungry?" he asked kindly.

"Ooh, yes!" Devi gushed, getting up and grabbing my hand on her way. I was dragged over to the bar, where we were met by none other than Sean.

"Lee! How are you?" he asked, surprised. Of course! Aunt Carrie had told me Sean worked here!

"You know the hot bartender?" Devi whispered to me incredulously.

I only grinned and turned to Sean. "Good, how are you?"

"Just started my shift." The customary school questions followed, which I answered with patience until he went back to business. "So what are you girls looking for? Food, drinks, trouble?"

"Trouble, mostly, but we'll settle for a couple burgers and Cokes," I answered with a smile.

"No problem. You'll have to wait a couple minutes for us to grill 'em up though. We don't serve shit like McDonalds." We agreed and waited, watching him take orders and make drinks. There was another bartender doing the same, but Sean seemed to be working this end of the bar. It amused me the sheer number of girls who tried to flirt with Sean and I watched as they giggled with eachother and wrote their numbers on coasters to leave for him. One even kissed it and left the imprint of her rich red lipstick on a napkin for him.

"Popular, aren't you?" I teased my aunt's boyfriend.

He looked up from mixing a drink and laughed. "Hey, the face is the money maker. There's a reason I'm not a bouncer. Couldn't risk it." I laughed hard at that one.

"Nice," I commented sarcastically. He dropped two baskets in front of Devi and I, followed by two tall glasses of Coke.

"Oh, thanks," I said, "What do we owe you?"

He smiled at me kindly. "You really think I'd charge family?" That shocked me. His acceptance was heart-warming.

"Thank you," I said sincerely, and he knew I meant for more than just the food. He waved his hand.

"Don't worry about it. Have a good time tonight. Don't get too hammered." I laughed again and Devi and I returned to our table.

"If you're gonna get us free food, I should bring you here more often," joked Devi.

Spencer slid into my seat, just as I set my food down.

"Hey-"

"There's still a seat, baby," he interjected before I could protest, offering his lap to me. He stole a fry and grinned at me childishly. "C'mon, take a seat." I glared at him for a second longer before sighing and sitting on his knee. He readjusted me a bit, his hand settling in its customary place on my hip and he began talking to Dom while I bit into my burger. Lita had been right. I was sure this was the best burger I'd ever had in my life. I ate silently, gazing around the bar interestedly. The band played songs you could dance to and that's exactly what people did. The two pool tables were never lonely, the bar was abuzz, people came and went rapidly, two bouncers stood together by the front door, relaxed; obviously there wasn't usually much trouble at this place. The atmosphere had an air of familiarity, like most of the people here were regulars. I could pick out a couple tourists, of course, but this was Salem.

Even after I'd finished eating I was content to just sit and listen. Spencer was sipping a beer, as was Drew. Dom had travelled to the dance floor, Riddick was no where in site, Devi had disappeared, but Lita had reappeared counting bills with a cheshire cat grin on her face. I felt a bit sorry for the poor guy she'd conned into a game; he probably hadn't even seen it coming. I dance with Dom for a couple songs. He was actually quite a good dancer, I noted, and I played a round of pool with Riddick. Eventually, I returned to Spencer's lap. I didn't really need to sit in his lap, anymore, but the bar was chilly and he was warm. I'd been sitting for a couple minutes when I heard Spencer's beer bottle hit the table and he jiggled his knee under me so I bounced. I laughed.

"That guy hasn't stopped glaring at me since you sat down," he whispered nervously, ignoring my scolding. That caught my attention. Spencer wasn't usually easily perturbed. When I turned my head to meet his eyes and jerked his head in the direction of the foosball table, where a couple guys played.

"Which one?" I inquired, confused. They all seemed pretty concentrated on the game.

"Not the ones playing, the one leaning against the wall with the other guy," he muttered, diverting his gaze to another location. "They're bordering on creepy." I heard him sip from his beer again and that's when I saw them.

"Oh, shit!" I hissed and shot up from Spencer's lap quickly. He was quick for a drunk guy, though, his arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back down and remaining where it was to hold me firmly in place.

"Whoa! Where are you going?" he demanded, tightening his hold and pulling me closer to his chest.

"I have to go to the bathroom," I lied. Spencer laughed. It was a weak lie.

"Not a chance, princess," he chuckled. I glanced over my shoulder and realized that the guys had moved from the wall and began making their way over to me.

"Dance with me?" I said to Spencer hopefully.

"Okay?" he stuttered, completely confused by this point. Quickly I dragged him across the bar to the dance floor which was thick with people. I 'd just begun weaving my way through the mass of people when a hand on my arm stopped me.

"Lee," his even voice intoned.

"Gary," I replied unhappily. "What are you doing here?"

"Family trip. My mother wanted to see the museum in town," he replied, a valid reason I supposed. His mother had always been nice. "You?"

"Visiting me," Spencer interjected, pulling me away from Gary and to his chest. I was a bit more at ease, at least I was away from Gary, but the bastard was still here! "Hi, I'm Connor, Lee's boyfriend, I don't believe we've met?"

"Boyfriend?" Gary repeated. "I see. Is this true, Lee?" I glanced up at him. Ugh! Looking at him still creeped my out.

"Yeah, it's our six month anniversary, isn't it, honey?" Spencer spoke up before I could. Good god, I didn't know where he was going with this, but I hoped it was away from Gary!

"Yeah, we're just out celebrating with some of Spencer's friends," I told Gary convincingly and looked back at Spencer. He winked at me and leaned down to capture my lips with his. Well at least now I knew the rumours about him being a good kisser were completely true. He even made me forget the man standing before us. For a moment, at least.

"Sorry," Spencer apologized to him when we'd pulled apart. "Just hard to keep my hands off of her, y'know?"

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Gary agreed. Another shiver went through my body and Spencer tightened his hold on me.

"You'd better go find Kenny, sweetie? You know how he gets when he drinks," Spencer said, giving me an escape route.

"Yeah, I guess so," I agreed and Spencer released me.

"I'll come help you," Gary offered.

"Oh, no, she'll be fine," Spencer said waving at me and brandishing at Gary's shirt. "Actually, I was wondering where you got your shirt? And your jacket? It looks expensive..." Spencer continued as I walked as quickly as I could back to the tables where, fortunately, all the boys sat, as well as Lita. I strode right to Riddick and took up residence in his lap. He barely noticed, readjusting me and continuing his conversation with Lita.

"What was all that about?" Drew asked me quietly. I shook my head jerkily, which seemed to be enough to dissuade the dark haired boy, and kept a watch out for Spencer. My heart was still pounding in my chest, my brain in overdrive. How could Gary have possibly found me here, or was it really by chance?

Finally, Spencer surfaced and rejoined the table with a concerned glance at me. I smiled tightly at him. It didn't convince him, but he seemed to take the hint. I looked around the bar nervously for the rest of the night. Luckily, we only stayed for a half an hour longer before taking off. On the drive home I nervously glanced in the rear view mirror every few seconds, looking for headlights following me on the dark winding road, but none came, and I relaxed a bit more. I'd be fine once we got back to the dorms, I told myself.

Author's Note Okay, now that you've read it, tell me what you think? Pretty please! If I take the time to write it and post it, shouldn't you at least take the time to review? Constructive critisism is absolutely welcome and, of course, happy reviews. Thanks!