Chapter 1: Dares and Tricks

Smoke clouded the outdoor exit of the library. The band of boys knew they were breaking the rules, but didn't really care. They shared a pack of cigarettes every so often whenever they got the chance to crowd the steel door and chat. Chatting might be a more tame way to describe their conversations, but that was beside the point. They were always up to no good, and the more of them together the worse for everyone. They were an assortment of ages. Two of them were juniors while the other two were a sophomore and a senior. They usually integrate a new sophomore in to the group when the seniors left to keep them all together. Each year they picked on the freshman to determine which one was as much of an ass as the rest of them.

Brady, the oldest, was the pyro of the group. He always had several matches and lighters on him despite the amount of times he's been caught and sent home. His long, greasy hair usually put off the nearest person, but if not his rotten scowl would get to them instead. Although he was quite intimidating he got the most girls out of the group. A lot of them talked about how he looked like Johnny Depp when he was younger. That was mostly thanks to his evenly grown and trimmed mustache he kept. Other than that there was little resemblance besides when he wore eyeliner.

Jimmy was the youngest. He looked as clean as his name sounded, but he was no angle. Don't let his perfectly styled blond hair deceive you. His passion for knives scared off any young thing who didn't know how to handle herself. Yes, his smile would make a grown woman weep, but his blade kink would send that same woman running for the hills. Of course he never killed anyone, he was just fascinated by the cold blade.

Carter was the older junior by a month. He had a serious drinking problem and blue eyes that sparkled like the sea. Even though Brady got the most girls, Carter got the most girlfriends. Meaning, Carter liked to play with his food before gobbling it down or throwing it out. He was a serial monogamous at his best, and a serial heart breaker at his worst. Every year he leaves a trail of broken hearts behind him, and doesn't bother to leave a tissue to clean their bleeding sorrows. He likes girls, don't get him wrong, but he likes too many girls and has to have them all.

The last of the bunch was Marshall Lee. The only problem he had was not paying attention in class. He was the typical run of the mill trouble maker with a sultry smirk. He loved his guitar and never smoked outside of their group "chats". The boys often tease him for being too soft, but he never let it get to him. He knew that he was just as devious as these guys. The only difference was he was too smart to get caught or attempt something that will get him caught. He only fooled around with a few girls (nothing compared to the others), but still had a nasty reputation for being a love at first sight kinda guy. His gorgeous green eyes could pierce through your soul, and his shaggy dark hair was enough to make you instantly fall in love. It was a blessing and a curse, and he often ended up declining more offers than he gave out. If he accepted every girl who flung herself at him, he would've been well past the whole gang put together.

They were trouble is the main idea. All of them didn't have a clue the impact they had on the world around them. Each and everyone of them were too interested in their own selfish obsessions. It always bothered the student council president, but they always joked about him being a mama's boy until he left them alone. He never caught them outside, so that's where they camped out during library time. They were supposed to be researching some kinda dead person for an upcoming essay, but they never cared about that. Carter huffed out the toxic smoke and passed his cig to Marshall. He never finished a full one, so he usually shared with Carter or Jimmy. Occasionally Brandy, but that's only when Jimmy is busy with a knife or Carter is so drunk he might set himself on fire with one inhale. Marshall always held it with forefinger and thumb which always made the other cringe.

"C'mon, Marsh, stop holding it like a blunt," Brady wheezed and chuckled. Marshall rolled his eyes and blew his smoke in his face.

"Whatever, Brady, I do what I want," he retorted. The others all laughed and Marshall took another huff.

"You sure do, I don't even know how many detentions you've gotten just from goofing off in class," Jimmy said and ticked off the ashes from his own cigarette. Marshall passed his back to Carter and crossed his arms.

"More than any of you guys," he reminded them.

"Yeah, but you're still technically a virgin," Carter giggled.

"No I'm not, I lost that to Rebecca."

"Rebecca said that she didn't do shit with you," Brady told him. Marshall bit at the inside of his lip and shrugged.

"So what, it doesn't matter," he muttered.

"Boy, you've gotta get rid of that v-card or else people are gonna think you're a poser," Brady said.

"Why would anyone think that?" He questioned.

"Because of all the girls we've fucked," Carter pipped in.

"What about Jimmy? He's scared away more girls than he can catch."

"But Jimmy still isn't walking around with his v-card," Jimmy replied. Marshall sighed.

"I don't really care about it. I get too bored with every person who offers something," he grumbled and took the cigarette from Carter as he offered it. Brady patted his back and ruffled his hair.

"Marshy-poo, have you forgotten the reason this group always has a senior?" He spoke while blowing smoke in the juniors face. Marshall coughed.

"Uh, because seniors are cool?"

Brady laughed.

"No kid, it's for moments like these. Moments when you need a little advice from uncle Brady," he grinned and put his arm around Marshall's shoulder.

"Please don't call yourself uncle Brady, you're barley a year older than us," Carter said and took his cig back from Marshall.

"Shut it, shopping cart. Anyways, back to your problem-"

"It's not really a problem-"

"I don't care, we're fixing this," Brady hissed. Marshall rolled his eyes and sighed.

"What do you suggest?" He asked reluctantly.

"I'm glad you asked. Put out your cigarettes, guys," he said and tossed his unfinished cig to the ground and turned back in to the library. People were still studying and researching as they walked in. A few looked up but instantly looked away at the sights of Brady's evil eye. He guided Marshall over to a corner where he could see the whole library.

"Okay, Marshall, scope the scene," he said and patted his shoulder. Marshall looked around and found nothing interesting in the room. Everyone was looking through books or searching through the school computers. A few people occupied the tables in the center, but there was one person by herself reading at one table.

"Nothin'," he muttered and looked up at Brady. The senior rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Look there," he pointed at the girl reading by herself.

"See? Easy target. She's got no friends nearby, and the ice breaker is in her hands. Ask her what book she's reading and then bounce off of that," he whispered. Marshall shook his head.

"I know how to flirt, Brady, it's whether or not I'm actually interested," he replied.

"What? You don't think she's pretty?" He asked. Marshall shrugged and looked closer at the girl. If her nose wasn't buried in his book she might've looked nice, but all he could see was her messy blond locks pulled up in to a bun and her old worn blue sweater covering her knuckles.

"Kinda, I can't really see her face," he replied.

"Then get over there and look at it. Your end goal is to pull her in to the back for a quickie. Easy way to dispose of that pesky v-card," he instructed.

"Do you really think she'll do that?" He asked looked up at Brady. He chuckled.

"I've picked up many chicks in this exact situation. They start off stubborn, but really they want some guy to ravish them. It's great, and easy," he assured him. Marshall sighed.

"Fine."

"Awesome, we'll be watching over there," he said before patting his back once more and leaving him.

Marshall took a deep breath and made his way over to the table. The blond didn't even look up from her literature as he sat across from her and smiled. A moment later he tapped her book and caught her attention. She looked up at him with her deep blue eyes and he almost forgot where he was. Her eyes were even prettier and bluer than Carters. She blinked at him with her long eyelashes and appeared to be annoyed.

"Can I help you?" She asked in a quiet voice. Marshall cleared his throat and regained his smile.

"Sorry, I was just curious, but what book are you reading?" He asked. She tapped her finger on the large words on the back, and he looked down to see the back of the book already in plain sight.

"Wow, I must be blind. How could I not see that?" He joked with a bit of a nervous laugh.

"It's not funny to joke about being blind," she said harshly. Marshall could already tell this wasn't going to end well.

"Oh…uh, sorry I didn't realize," he said guiltily. Fionna continued to glare at him before turning her gaze back to her book and ignored him. Marshall sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Um, what's your name?" He asked. The blond sighed as well and stuck her bookmark in the pages and looked up at him.

"Fionna Murtons," she told him and held out her hand for him to shake.

"Oh, uh…" he took her hand and shook.

"You have a weak handshake," she said.

"Um, sorry. I don't really shake people's hands. I'm-"

"I know who you are," she interrupted. Marshall was stunned.

"You do?"

She nodded.

"Everyone does. You're apart of that silly little gang that marches around like they own the place. Your name is Marshall Lee. We have US history together, and you are the most obnoxious person I have ever encountered," she replied. Marshall chuckled nervously.

"Nah, we're just a group of guys. Thank you, by the way, I try hard to be obnoxious," he smiled and studied her face. She was really quite attractive. Her face was heart shaped, and her eyes were big and round. Her lips were a little on the small side, but still had a nice plumpness to them that he found enticing.

"You should really knock it off. It's annoying and the teacher always bad mouths you when you're not there. Which is often."

Marshall shrugged and rolled his eyes.

"What does that old man know? I'm just having a bit of fun," he defended.

"Why are you talking to me?" She asked bluntly. Marshall blinked and smirked.

"You said you know me, right? You can probably guess," he said in a low voice. She blushed slightly and Marshall's smirk turned in to a grin. "I'm guessing you also know that pretty much every girl in this school has a crush on me," he murmured and leaned forward.

"So you can also guess that it's rare for me to suggest we go somewhere quieter and get a little bit better acquainted," he whispered as he nudged his foot against hers under the table. She was speechless and red as he brushed the tip of his sneaker against her shin and bit his lip. Without a word, she sat up and smacked him on the head with her book and walked off.

"Ouch!" He hissed and watched her walk out the doors just as the bell rung and released all the other classes for fourth.