Disclaimer: Don't own, didn't happen. Set during the movie.

Purposes

By: Gina O.

Chapter 1: Sad Facts of Nature

It was a regular morning for Janey Tuttle. Waking up to her mother's organic breakfast; riding to school with her younger brother, Charlie, and his best friend, Virgil; being forced to endure the realization of high school. Janey would normally be listening to her brother's recollection of how he can communicate with their pet cat, but for some reason she could not give the genius the focus he deserved. She just wasn't in the mood for science today. Normally, she'd be questioning every aspect of Charlie's latest discovery, making sure he did everything right without harming the cat.

Instead, Janey was staring into space. As much knowledge as she had, Janey had never noticed how divided her school was. Everyone went off into their own pack, only socializing with kids with similar interests as theirs. Charlie had mentioned it was human nature for a person to be drawn to people, or in this case a group, who have similar tastes in music, clothes, or activities. If that was a fact of life, then it truly was a sad one. Would it kill one of the populars to help out a nerdy kid when he was being picked on? A popular lending a punk some lipgloss in the bathroom?

Insecurity was just another sad fact of nature...Humans had to be insecure about some things, or otherwise we wouldn't be human.

"Oh Janey," Charlie's excited tone broke into her focus, "Do you think you can swing by the computer lab tomorrow? Maybe around first block? Would the librarian let you out?"

"Yes."

"I have a new invention I've been thinking of trying, but I'll need a second opinion if I'm gonna test out my theory,"

"Can't you get Chester to help?" Janey asked as they continued walking towards the front doors of Summerton High School,

"No, he's not capable of holding the information and he's not as smart as you. Plus, he has a doctor's appointment today..." After a moment of silence, Charlie bursted out again, "Hey! You can't ride that thing-" Charlie's last words were muffled by Virgil as he gave a nervous smile.

A boy with a large motorcycle stood in their way towards the front doors, the rider looking at them through the glass of his helmet. Janey had seen this boy around and school and knew who he was. With his tall, slightly hunched stature, Zeke Thompson was hard to miss; especially when people practically darted out of his way.

"Hey, great bike," Virgil said, still grinning that anxious smile, "Lots of shiny chrome geary stuff..."

Zeke removed his helmet and stared at the trio. Virgil was beaming; Charlie was heckling Virgil through a hushed voice, and Janey just stared back at him. She had seen Zeke when he was at a far away distance, and he seemed decent looking. Now that she was looking directly at him at close range, it was a little different. His messy brown helmet-hair shined a bit in the sun; his blue eyes were glinting with aggravation at the two boys, while his lips were just too perfect.

"We're gonna go now," Virgil said, pulling Charlie with him, "Come on Jane..."

Janey stayed put a few more seconds, staring curiously at Zeke. He was your typical loner, sitting on the outskirts of social standards. She never saw him roaming around with anyone, always by himself. It seemed so though he understood her idea of ridiculous human nature, and defied it by being alone. Janey admired that, because she would never be able to do that herself. Their gazes continued on: Zeke's cold hard glare had softened, now seeming curious about the nerdy girl in front of him, while Janey's was respect covered with blinking-curious eyes.

"What's your name?" Zeke asked, breaking the silence between them,

However, Janey did not have to answer. Charlie did it for her, "Janey! Come on!"

The short, light-haired boy pulled his older sister away from the biker. Although his grip on her was a bit tight, Janey's eyes did not leave Zeke's until she was forced to look away. The teenage girl was certain that her sweaty hands, accelerated heart-rate and somewhat weakened knees, was not caused by Charlie's aggressive movements...

But by Zeke's voice...

"Janey! What were you thinking?!" Charlie nagged at lunch, "Talking to Zeke Thompson?! Do you know how much that guy scares Virgil and I?"

"So much you could almost urinate," Janey repeated in a whine.

It was lunchtime, which meant most students were busy socializing and enjoying their meals, whereas Janey was being scolded by her younger brother who believed he had control over her life. Janey used to think it was cute that her brother was so protective, but after today's incident, she wanted to strangle him with a mouse chord. She even decided to sit on the far side of the table between their friends Chester and Eugene instead of the spot she usually took beside her brother. Janey had been humiliated times before, but being pulled away from Zeke like a small child was much, much worse.

Why does it matter so much? It was just Zeke Thompson...Why should I be so freaked out that I got a little embarrassed in front of him?

Then she recalled how handsome Zeke had been at the moment. Janey couldn't forget how his hair shined with gel or how his eyes glinted in the sun. His perfect lips and soft-looking skin couldn't escape her mind either. Thinking of the form of his mouth, his smile must have been adorable. Janey had never spoken to a cute boy before Zeke, and when the chance arrived for her to strike up some conversation, Charlie came and took it away...

Just like how he takes everything away...

"Why were you even standing there anyways?" Charlie continued to vent, "He's the scariest guy in school, with his leather jacket and bike, and his chains! Don't forget chains! Can you imagine the things he probably does to people with those chains?!"

Janey just ran a hand through her hair and felt her stomach growl. She had been so busy remembering how embarrassed she felt that morning, nutrition had been wiped out of her mind completely. Looking towards Virgil, her eyes pleading with him, and he nodded in understanding.

"We'll handle him for you," Eugene whispered to her underneath the tone of her brother's lecture, "Go each something, you look a little peaky..."

Janey smiled and patted the dark-haired boy's head, standing up to head over to the lunch line. Both lines were full of hungry students, meaning she might be there a while, but she did not mind the wait. Anything to get away from Charlie and his constant complaining was good enough. Scanning the array of food the cafeteria had set out, Janey took a tray and started at the beverage section. Her eyes lingered to the main course (Burger with a side of French fries), and desert before reaching over to the next line's milk crates.

Janey gasped, looking over to see the actual people and spotting Zeke in the very back. She was not sure what to do: Whether to call Zeke's attention and hope Charlie does not spot her, or forget that that morning had never happened. Janey turned back to look at her table, where Eugene, Chester and Virgil had Charlie distracted in conversation. Looking back at Zeke, she found him staring right at her. It was the same expression he had before: Softened and almost mesmerized. Janey was now terribly confused; not sure what to do or say to him. So, all she could do was smile.

It wasn't a big smile, just a small one with kind eyes directed his way. Zeke responded with a similar smile, tilting to the side and bangs shadowing his eyes a bit. Everything around her just seemed to dissolve away as he smiled; Zeke was the only thing she saw. There was no annoying brother, no geeky friends, no social status or even walls. Just Zeke and her.

It had to be a crush.

"Why don't you try moving loser?" A female voice said behind her, giving her a slight shove.

She expected someone like Jocelin Lee to behave like the bottom-feeder she was, so it was no surprise or interruption to Janey. Moving along in the line, grabbing food and a pudding, Janey realized Zeke was not too far from her either. The closer she moved, the closer he got to her. When they reached the cash registers, she absentmindedly handed her money to the cafeteria lady. Zeke moved out of the line the same time she did-

Before the taller boy could speak to her, Charlie appeared, apparently, very upset.

"Janey! What are you doing?" He asked, "We have some Computer Club business to conduct,"

"Charlie, I was kind of-"

"Never mind, it's very important..."

Tugging her away again, Janey looked back at Zeke...

There was no chance of ever speaking now...