Author's note-

Well hello everyone! So, yeah it's been a while. You could say I've been super busy and I could give you every excuse in the book- except for the school one of course, because, if any of you are actually following me and my stories, you would know I graduated over a year ago. No, now it's more like I've enlisted into the Air Force, and before I went to Basic Training I was working two jobs and trying to get myself qualified. Now, however, I'm finished with my 2 months of Basic and I'm stuck in Tech School for an unpredictable amount of time. I do plan on working on Backyard Summer Lovin' again- a story I started a year ago :/- I just need to find my plot and motivation to write it. It is what it is. For now, I've got a new story I would like to share. Not really original- obviously others have tried this bit before- but I have my own ideas in mind. We'll see how this goes. :)

Warning: This is an AU and will have crossovers from the rest of Kelley's work, but I don't think it's much of a difference to be dubbed a crossover. T for extreme language.

Enjoy!

The Witch

"Come on, D. You're so uptight," Simon chastised as he thumped me on the back. When I didn't give him more than a grunt in response, he rolled his eyes and heaved a heavy, fairly over- dramatic sigh. I resisted the urge to roll my own eyes and mutter, 'Here we go again.'

"Seriously, man. It's your junior prom. You only get those once in a lifetime."

"That's not true," I replied, already finding errors in his logic. He knew me better than that. If he was really going to argue against my desire to not attend the God forsaken, cliché fest, then he needed to have better material than what he was dishing out. "There's a prom for seniors too."

"Yeah, that's senior prom."

"There's a difference?" I couldn't hold back the sarcastic tone that slid into my question.

"Of course there's a difference!" Simon proclaimed exasperatedly. "See, you're junior prom is just practice." He held up both his hands in front of him, waving his left to emphasize junior prom. I muttered a half-hearted, 'Mhmm, Interesting,' while I was actually paying more attention to where I was going through the stampede of teenagers that devoured the halls of Lyle High Academy. Next, Simon shook his right hand, switching to what I assumed to mimic senior prom, as the movements were far more exaggerated. Simon- my self-proclaimed, 'best friend'- had an annoying habit of speaking with his hands. Girls thought it was cute, just like the rest of him, which, from another's eyes made sense. He was charming, smart, talented and overall good- looking with his tall stature, hazel eyes that were always alight with laughter and he had an infectious smile. To me, it was all just, as I said before, annoying.

"Senior prom is where you can take all your fuck- ups from junior prom and use them to your advantage."

"You mean, not make the same mistakes."

"Sure, if you want to be straightforward about it."

"Everything should be more straightforward. If you jack up getting into a girl's pants- or, considering the circumstances, her dress- during your junior prom, you have another chance your senior prom. Therefore, your argument is that you only have one chance in a lifetime to make a mistake. After that, you're susceptible to being a total ass because you pulled the same stupid shit you did the year before during your real, 'Once in a lifetime,' event."

"Exactly!" Simon exclaimed, a full-blown grin spreading from ear to ear, excitement igniting in his eyes as he saw me catching on. "So you'll go?"

"No."

Simon's face fell and he took a mock swing at my arm. I hit the brakes, however, and Simon wound up nicking a guy going the other direction. Fortunately, it was Brady Hirsch- a jerk we didn't care for- so neither of us felt bad as he muttered something unintelligible, clearly a little miffed, and stalked off down the hall. I gave Simon a pointed look, which I instantly regretted because I found him glaring back at me.

"What? After all the fights Brady's tried to pick with us, you'd think he deserved-"

"This isn't about Brady, Derek. Why are you so fixed on not going to prom? Scratch that; why are you so fixed on not going out at all?"

Because I hate being around crowds. Standing in this hallway full of people and enduring classes with thirty plus students, five days a week was already pushing my limits. Anywhere I might even consider entertaining was sure to be infested with people. And, in case the picture wasn't clear enough already, I wasn't a very good people person. In general, I hated other people. Hate may seem like a strong word, but it's true. They're loud, selfish, rude, unhygienic- the majority at least- whiney, needy and pathetic. Now, having Simon around- actually allowing him to be around- should be proof that not everyone is a narcissist. However, this case doesn't count. Simon found himself at my side way back in Kindergarten and has been stuck there ever since. He still had much of the qualities I hate about general human beings, but I had grown accustomed to him. He was someone I could tolerate and when I did go out, I made damned sure it was just me and him.

Instead of explaining this to him- because he already knew all this- I just shrugged and pressed on through the hall. But Simon blocked my path in a second.

"I'm being serious, D. You're one of the most popular guys in school-"

"I'm an unwilling candidate-"

"That's not necessarily how popularity works," Simon noted.

"Sure it is. You're popular and you want to be."

"Yeah, but so are you and you don't want to be."

"Your point?" Simon sighed as if he were trying to explain to a five year old.

"You're the MVP of the football team-"

"Just so I can get lettered for scholarships."

"That's not how everyone else sees it. The school sees you win games. They see your Dad pay the big bucks to sponsor a private school. They see an allusive, mysterious, bad boy-"

"I'm not any of those things," I interrupted in annoyance.

"But that's the image you're advertising whether you realize it or not. Girls eye you up and down all the time, and yet you don't even give them a second thought."

"I don't like girls," I stated flatly.

"As your best friend, Derek, that's a little concerning to hear."

"You know what I mean. I don't care for these girls. They're just a bunch of leeches mooching off their rich Daddies and their boyfriend's rich Daddies."

"You have a very cynical view on the world," Simon sighed.

"I rather be safe than sorry."

"Safe from what? Not everyone is as awful as you perceive them. I mean seriously, you're buds with me, right?"

"That's different-" I began to explain, but Simon threw up his hands in frustration as if I were missing a key point.

"Exactly! So why can't anything else be different? Just for once, take that stick out of your ass and enjoy yourself. Go to prom. Find a nice girl. Live a little."

"Not going to happen."

For the third time that morning, Simon sighed and turned on his heal, proceeding down the hall to our original destination before this argument had even started.

"You're such an ass," he muttered.

"Whatever," I said, ignoring his current irritation towards me. He'd get over it. This wasn't the first time we have had this argument. "I'm hungry. Let's get to the cafeteria before all the good stuff is gone."

To my displeasure, the cafeteria was crowded. It was always like that, though and, seeing as how my father was a large sponsor of this school- meaning my meals were free- I stayed on campus and forced myself to deal.

I did my best to sneak past the- for a lack of better words- 'Cool table,' once I was out of the lunch line. As Simon had most painfully reminded me, being MVP and involved in advanced academics had made me a popular. Especially considering this was a private, boarding school. There was always a herd of people- other players, cheerleaders, leadership students, club captains- clustered at one table near the grandiose windows that lined the east and north side of the large cafeteria. It had the best view of the outskirts beyond Buffalo. But, for me, no matter how nice the scenery was, it was possibly the worst place on this entire campus. So, I avoided it like the plague and sometimes I got lucky.

This was not one of those times.

"Derek!" Amber- head cheerleader- squawked over the bustle of the cafeteria. I instantly maneuvered an about-face and bee-lined it to the opposite direction of the lunch hall. It was useless really, after all, this was nearly a daily ritual.

Amber Long, superficial, materialistic and a firm believer of the status quo, was always the first to catch me. It was as if she had a sixth sense built in to detect star players and athletes nearby. Trust me, if I wasn't so desperate to get myself into college without my non-committal father's help, all the shit that came with being an MVP would not be worth dealing with. Either way, no matter how bluntly I put it that I didn't want to have anything to do with her or her friends, Amber always seemed to spot me as if I were flashing a banner over my head that screamed, 'Hey! Over here! Please annoy the shit out of me today!'

"Oh, come on, Derek. Don't be like that. Come eat lunch with me today," Amber purred, suddenly there with a firm grip on my arm.

I shot her a glare and said through barred teeth, "You force me to eat lunch with you every day. What part of beat it do you not understand?"

Amber rolled her eyes as if I were telling a really bad joke and started tugging on my arm towards the direction of the table. However, I was so tired of this bullshit that I remained rooted to the spot, contemplating on how the phrase, 'If looks could kill,' should be a more legitimate and logical occurrence.

"Der," Amber whined. She jutted out her lower lip in what I assumed to be an attempt of a cute, little pout. Only, with her small set features on her round face that was framed by a mess of brown curls, she looked more like a kicked gerbil.

"You shouldn't even bother, Amber." We both glanced over to see Maya Delaney flanked by Rafe Martinez and Daniel Bianchi. Daniel nodded his head in my direction and gave me a sympathetic frown. He was the captain and best athlete on the wrestling team as well as a good friend of Simon's. On occasions I could tolerate having him around, but those occasions were extremely rare considering him and his best friend were glued at the hip. His best friend was Maya.

Maya, her boyfriend Rafe and I did not get along. At all. It wasn't a feeling like the rest of the student body, where I couldn't stand to be around a bunch of childish and unruly people. There was something deeper about these two that I just couldn't come to exact terms with. And, as I've been continuously reminded, the feeling was mutual. Between us, it was like cats and dogs. We struggled against each other to see who would come out on top, whether it was Maya and I in class, or Rafe and I out on the field.

"He's as stubborn as dog," Maya continued. She wasn't a snob, but still, the way she said it made my jaw clench and my gut twist. "Do yourself a favor and chase after someone who actually enjoys the attention. Like Liam."

"Like that guy actually needs more attention," Rafe muttered as he slid his arm around Maya. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were- in their own way- trying to help me. But they weren't making the situation any better. Amber was crossing my limit. Add these three and I was about to start beating my head against the nearest wall.

"Why don't you just butt out and mind your own business, Maya," Amber snapped, her grip on my arm loosening as she faced the dark haired girl. Maya broke off from Rafe and took a taller stance. I've learned from past experiences that it wasn't such a great idea to challenge Maya. Her dark eyes would flash, almost like a predator assessing its hunt and her stature would become rigid, almost as if to say, 'Go ahead. Test me. See where that gets you.'

Deciding that this was my opportunity to split, I gingerly slipped my arm from Amber's grasp without her notice and braced myself to book it across the cafeteria and get as far away as possible.

Not a chance.

I spun quickly and lunged forward, not looking nor caring where I was going. That was my first mistake. My tray was suddenly ripped from my hand, falling with a clatter to the linoleum floor of the cafeteria. The slop on my plate, however, met an obstacle before it followed suit.

It was all a blur of pink and blonde, and clamorous with shrieks and gasps. I stepped back, taking in what had just happened. Before me, I found a dumbstruck Liz, hot pink blouse accessorized with my lunch.

Elizabeth Delaney blinked several times, wide blue orbs morphing from glassy to sharp and shocked. She glanced up at me, long blonde tresses swaying in the motion, her expression torn between apologetic and upset. I hadn't seen her dark, short haired friend in the mix, but suddenly, Victoria Enright was there, napkins swiftly sweeping over Liz's top.

I could feel the tension of Amber, Maya and the others behind me, not to mention the awkward aura between Liz and myself. But the mixture of people enclosed around me, my previous annoyance, and the fucked up situation that had just taken place had pushed me over my tolerance limit for the day.

"Damn it, Liz! Why don't you watch where you are going?" I barked, balling my hands into fists in an attempt to channel and control my temper. I was so heated that all I wanted to do was hit something. My mind blanked and I wasn't quite able to process rationally. To make matters worse, when Liz shrunk back into her best friend upon my advance, little Ms. Mouthy and Attitude decided it was her place to step in.

"Hey!" Tori snapped. "It wasn't her fault, Frankenstein. You're the one that barreled into her."

"What the hell was she doing right behind me in the first place?" Tori scoffed and pushed all her weight onto one leg, pulling her hands away from Liz and slamming them onto her hips.

"For some stupid reason, she thought it would be nice to invite you to eat lunch with us, you jerk."

"I don't want to hang out with you," I spat, pointing at the two of them before motioning to the others behind me, all of whom hadn't said a word since the accident. They were staring at me as if my hair has spontaneously caught fire. Frankly, I couldn't care less, but it would be pleasant if they would stop gawking.

"Any of you," I continued, giving each individual their own respective glare. Even Daniel, who I found almost decent most of the time. When I turned back to Liz and Tori, I met the slender, egotistical female's hazel eyes with a look much like Maya's, daring her to test me.

"Got it?"

"You should learn to treat people with a little more respect, Derek Souza," Tori seethed. I snorted, crossing my arms and strengthening my stance.

"Respect? You know nothing about me, Tori. If someone wanted my respect, they'd have to earn it."

"Please, you don't even give anyone a chance."

"What's the point?" I barked in a humorless laugh. "You're all the same. Petty, complacent to society's criteria, judgmental and selfish. Why associate myself when I have better things to do with my life?"

"I was just trying to be nice," Liz whispered, wringing her fingers, gaze downcast to the floor.

Tori glared at me, surprisingly matching my height when she was a good six inches shorter than me. I could see it in her eyes; the desire to put me in my place. I almost laughed at the thought of Tori trying to teach me a lesson. Who was she to govern how I approached people? She wasn't exactly Ms. Understandable and Courteous herself. If anything, she was just proving that she was a hypocrite and that my point was valid.

"Are we done here?" I deadpanned, finished with the web of bullshit that had been spun in the last fifteen minutes. Tori worked her jaw and mimicked my posture.

"Fine. But, fair warning, big boy. Karma is a bitch."

Liz's head snapped up and she stared at Tori with concerned baby blues.

"Tori, don't. He's probably just having a bad day-" She whispered urgently, but Tori cut in, silencing her worried friend.

"Enough Liz. I'm tired of the way Souza walks around this school as if he's better than everyone else. He'll get what he deserves." The look in her eyes was almost eerie as she held my gaze, refusing to stand down.

"I'm shaking." I muttered, comment lathered in sarcasm.

"You will be."

Fed up, I mutter an exhausted, 'Whatever,' through clenched teeth and push past her, stalking off to some place that was anywhere else and ignoring the wary gazes that followed me.

Unfortunately, I was trailed by a faint berating voice that told me to tread cautiously, as Tori's words repeated like a broken vinyl through my conscience.

'He'll get what he deserves.'

Well, hopefully that was attention grabbing and raises some questions like, Why the hell is Derek acting like such an ass?

All will be answered with time. :)

Review!