Hello guys!

I have returned this story to its original form, the completely unedited version!

My reason for this action is simple.

I didn't like the edited version, and too many people enjoyed the original.

So because of this, the original COAS has returned!

(New readers, this doesn't concern you.)

Happy reading!

Skulduggery Pleasant stood with his back against the wall. He was waiting for Valkyrie Cain to finish school, as he had nothing to do. He also had something to say to her, but didn't know how. It was like one of those things which are just unexplainable. He reached up and corrected his disguise. The scarf which covered the lower half of his skull had dropped slightly, revealing some of the white bone underneath. As he pushed the disguise back upwards, he noticed a small sign on the notice board. Intrigued, he walked up to it and peered at it closely.

'Valkyrie Cain loves you'

He stepped back immediately, horrified. He didn't know how the message had got there, or who had written it, but he was terrified of it nonetheless. Strangely, he decided to look at it again. As he drew close, the writing came into clear view.

'You love Valkyrie Cain'

He backed away again, startled. He shook his head manically. It wasn't possible that the message could have changed. Nobody had opened the board and replaced it while he was watching, so how could it have happened? Yet again, he decided that it was important for him to examine it once more. He needed to know how the message had changed without anyone changing it. Skulduggery casually stepped forward, and leaned in towards the notice board once more.

'Why don't you tell her?'

He looked from left to right. There were only a few people other than himself in the playground. Oddly, they were all looking at him like he was crazy. He shrugged, and turned to the notice board.

"Because I don't want to admit it," he whispered.

Just then, the school bell rung out loud and clear. Kids began swarming out, searching for their parents and carers. One girl, Valkyrie, made a beeline straight for Skulduggery. At the sight of her, he straightened up, turning away from the notice board.

"What are you doing here?"

Classic, he thought. She doesn't ask why I was just staring at a message like it was alien, she asks why I'm here. Typical.

"I'm here to pick you up, obviously."

"Why? I don't need you to." Valkyrie moaned. Skulduggery shrugged, and placed a hand in the small of her back.

"Come on, the Bentley's waiting," he said.

"One minute," Valkyrie said, waving her arm in the air. "There's a message here I need to read..."

Skulduggery saw in an instant what she was looking at. He could see, even from this distance, what it said. He gulped. He decided to leg it. It was too embarrassing. He couldn't stay here.

He took one step.

He took another.

He took one more.

And then, just as he was about to run off, Valkyrie was there, a hand on his shoulder.

"OK, it turns out that swimming club is off tomorrow. I assumed you were going to tell me, as you were reading it before I came. "

Skulduggery nodded, smiling.

"Yes, I was going to, but then I forgot to. Sorry."

"It doesn't matter," Valkyrie replied. "I got the message anyway."

She started the walk across the playground. Before setting off after her, Skulduggery looked back at the notice board one more time. He moved in closer, and read the same notice he had previously read three times before.

'She'll find out one day, you know. She'll discover your feelings. What will you do then? Be grateful it wasn't today.'

He stared at it for another moment, before raising his arm discreetly. The message began to burn up, and soon there was a small pile of ashes inside the glass.

"Well when she does, I'll make sure it's on my own terms," he muttered. Sighing, he walked off towards the Bentley. He was still annoyed about the whole thing. As he drew near, he saw Valkyrie watching him from its side. She was stood on the opposite side to him, waiting to get in.

"Unlock her, then!" she said.

"Right," Skulduggery said abruptly. "OK."

He dug out the keychain from his pocket, and pushed the lone key into the lock. With a soft click, the Bentley unlocked. Valkyrie pulled the handle, opening the door. She slid inside, and sat waiting for Skulduggery to join her. As he stepped into the car and sat inside, he noticed that there was a small piece of paper wedges under one of the windscreen wipers. He growled with annoyance, and reached out of the still open door. He pulled it out easily, and looked at what it said.

'Have fun. This car journey is going to be entertaining for you.'

He scrunched up the paper immediately, and threw it back out of the door. As he pulled the door shut, he noticed Valkyrie was staring at him.

"Is something wrong, Skulduggery? You're very... fidgety today."

"It's nothing," Skulduggery murmured. "I've just had to admit something to myself."

Oh my god Oh my god Oh my god, he thought to himself. She'll ask what I've admitted now.

"Oh," Valkyrie said shortly. "That's good."

Skulduggery stared.

"Is there something wrong with you?"

"No."

"Oh."

"So, are we going yet?"

"Yes."

Skulduggery started up the car, and placed both hands on the steering wheel. He pressed down on the pedal, and the Bentley drew away from the school.

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