I awoke to the scent of fallen leaves and the cinnamon candle I left burning in my room the night before. It wasn't the smartest thing, I know, to leave a candle burning while I slept, but I fell asleep before I remembered it was even burning in my defense. I sat up in my pink bed and rubbed the grogginess form my eyes. While doing my morning arm stretching, I looked at my clock. 8:36. Why do I always wake up so early? I asked myself. In my (right) opinion, 8:36 is much too early for waking up during the summer. Well, at least I had more time in the day to spend doing activities with my sisters and my friends. I finally got up out of bed and walked downstairs to the kitchen. Surprise, surprise; the Professor was already up. I could hear the clanking of test tubes and such from down in his lab.

I opened our cupboard and looked for some decent cereal to eat. Lucky Charms, Quaker's Oatmeal Squares-cinnamon flavored, Trix, Coco Puffs, and Raisin Bran. I was tempted to throw out the Raisin Bran, due to the fact that I hate raisins with a passion. I decided better of it, considering it was designated as the Professor's cereal and he might have a "discussion" with me for throwing it out. Instead, I reached for Oatmeal Squares. As I began pouring the cereal into my bowl, I thought about how quickly the past school year had gone by. In the fall, my sisters and I would be juniors, finally upperclassmen! Except in all honesty, I have no idea why I'm still in the same grade as my sisters. I'm much more sophisticated and "school smart" than they are, I'm in all honors courses, and I signed up for many AP classes. I think I should be a senior. Apparently the school board disagrees.

"It will make the other kids feel stupid," they said. I fought back telling them that my being a grade higher would encourage students to work harder. Of course, they didn't listen to me. I'm pretty sure it's because Princess's father paid them to keep me in the same grade. Damn her, I thought as I chowed down my cereal. It's not much too often I swear, only when I feel it's necessary. My sister Buttercup is constantly swearing and I'm pretty sure my other sister Bubbles has never even said "crap". When I finished breakfast, I put my bowl in the dishwasher and headed back up to my room. I sat down in front of my vanity and brushed my hair. I was your typical nerd; ginger hair back in a ponytail with bangs, vests, plaid skirts, button-down collared shirts. I have normal clothes too, I just have quite a few of the latter items. Today, I decided on wearing black short shorts and a pink v-neck.

While looking out my window, I noticed it was breezy but not too breezy and there was not one cloud in sight. What a wonderful day to go outside, I thought to myself. I flew downstairs and wrote a note saying I was around town, just in case someone woke up and got worried.

Once outside, I grinned smugly to myself, satisfied I was right about the weather. I flew downtown to check out some shops and landed in front of Urban Outfitters. I decided to check out what they have. It's quite a wonderful store. I headed straight for their tables with all the random crap on them. They have the best random crap. I picked up a package of pens with a label that guarantees you'll always get your pens back once you use these pens. After looking at what they said, I understood why one would give them back and chuckled to myself.

"Hey, Pinkie." I'd recognize that annoying voice anywhere. I glared and turned around to face Brick. He was leaning against the wall with a smug grin on his face and his arm crossed. His usually backwards stupid red hat was turned forward and to the left a little. Of course, he was trying to be gangster-like by sagging his black jeans and wearing a baggy red hoodie. Fiery red eyes were burning into me.

"What do you want, Brick?" I demanded. He sneered and sauntered over to me, arms still crossed. He'd pierced his lip since the last time I saw him. I suppose he wanted to look fierce. Ha, as if. Brick, fierce. That's hilarious. What a joke.

"I saw a pink streak across the sky and decided I'd follow you and bug you."

"Aren't you just a dear?" I replied, sarcasm tainting my voice.

"I knew you'd appreciate it," he jeered. I grabbed his hat and threw it on the ground.

"What the hell was that for?" he yelled. He picked up his precious hat and brushed it off before placing it back on his head, backwards this time.

"For being yourself."

We glared at each other, daring the other to blink.

"Bitch." He came closer to me.

"Dumb-ass." I moved a step forward.

"Idiot." He put his face right in front of mine.

"Wanna-be gangster." I moved mine closer.

"Pinkie." Closer.

"Red." Even closer.

He slipped his index fingers in my belt loops. How dare he! I pushed him away disgustedly.

"What are you doing?" I shrieked

Brick, being the gentleman he was, smirked and said, "Winning."

I turned on my heel and walked out of the store. I swear, one day, he's going to regret that. I could hear Brick running after me, calling my name. I ignored him. He finally caught up to me by flying right in front me, halting me in my tracks. I crossed my arms and looked away, glaring. He also stood there glowering at me.

After about five minutes of this, exasperatedly, I faced him. "May I help you?"

"Yeah, you can. Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"Walk away from me. It's like you think you'll catch villain cooties or something if you stay around me too long." The expression on his face was one I'd identify as aimed, but trying to hide it.

I opened my mouth…then closed it. Did it hurt him when I walked away from him? It had never occurred to me that it would… "You don't like it when I walk away from you?" I asked, bewildered.

He squirmed and crossed his arms. He purposely avoided my eyes. "I, uh, I just meant that it's odd that you, you know, do that. I-I didn't mean anything by it."

Oh, Brick. Always so cautious, never wanting anyone to know what he's truly feeling. It's all part of his tough-boy act. "Well, when you're ready to admit you mean something by it, let me know and I'll tell you why." I walked past him, my shoulder bumping his on purpose, and he turned around.

"And why would you think I'd mean anything by that?" I growled.

"Brick, nobody actually believes your tough-boy act."

"Believe this." He grabbed my butt and flew away before I could slap him. That…that…UGH! I'm going to KILL him!