Hey! This idea came to me so I thought I'd put it out there and see if there's any interest. It's about the high school versions of Barney, Robin, Ted, Marshall, and Lily. An AU of if they had met back in high school as opposed to their twenties. Let me preface this by saying Robin and Marshall are step-siblings (Robin's mom married Marshall's dad who was her divorce lawyer), Lily is a popular cheerleader, Ted is the homeschooled guy that's starting Preston Academy, and Barney is new too but for some illegal reasons. They're all high school juniors.

Sometimes it Just Happens

"My husband's tied up in traffic, maybe we should postpone this." Mrs. Erikson stated flatly.

Robin giggled from across the table where she was working on geometry. Her mother had about zero ability to disguise her true feelings towards people. That was one of the few attributes they shared. Like how she couldn't hide how much she despised being the new guy, Ted's, personal tour guide. Why? Because she was the junior news anchor for Preston Academy's student news station? Why couldn't that snotty, stuck-up cheerleader Lily Aldrin handle Ted. It was so obvious Ted was coming onto her.

Her thoughts drifted back to earlier that morning at the little scene he made for the benefit of all their classmates:

"What are these for Ted?" Robin had found Ted standing at her locker, looking way to eager for so early in the morning. In his hand, he was holding out what must have been a dozen red roses.

"I wanted to thank you for everything!" he gushed, thrashing them forward at her.

"What?"

"You're everything I've been searching for my whole life and knowing that you feel the same way!" Ted spun in circles. Attracting literally all of everyone's attention in the universe.

"Ted this can't happen..I thought I made myself super clear." Robin could just sense Ted was not getting the message by the way he was staring at her. Quickly she grabbed those weeds and shoved them into her locker just as Lily and her hot gossip crew turned the corner.

Unfortunately, Ted continued behaving clingy and flirting with her every chance he got. It was like he imprinted on her just because she was the first girl he met at Preston and now she was like literally branded the future mother of his children or something else equally as creepy. Not that there was anything wrong with him per say... he was cute enough. He was the tall, dark, handsome guy that could actually see beyond his own reflection in the mirror.

Robin tried to clear Ted from her mind refocusing on her mom's conversation.

"I would prefer to wait," their guest, one of her father's clients returned. Some people gave orders and some people took orders it was apparent this woman fit into the former class. Robin's step-father was a high-profile public defendant. Sometimes taking on client's probono if the case interested him particularly, but his fortune was made off people like Miss Stinson. Wealthy people plagued with chronic legal troubles.

"He's been so busy with the corporate financial account lately. You know how it goes." Mrs. Erikson struggled to be pleasant albeit condescending. She was always being partly condescending.

The door opened and Robin's older step-brother Marhsall walked in tossing his football gear aside. "Need this cleaned for Saturday. And Robin why has some guy named Ted been texting me all day."

"I can't stand him. Couldn't give him my number." Robin shrugged.

"Yeah I figured you'd know about it. Well I don't need this, handle your own problems Robin!" Marshall yelled angrily, slamming his phone onto the counter.

"Kids go upstairs and play" Mrs. Erikson instructed in an exasperated tone, shooting the pair a warning glare.

"Forget it" Marshall said, quickly sending a text that would put an end to his little sisters annoying behaviors. hey teddy bear sorry I took all day getting back 2u. ur the sweetest! Want to go to the football game tomorrow? xoxoxorobin;) "It's been resolved."

"Keep the lawyer verbiage to yourself!" Robin called running passed him and slamming the door behind herself for effect.

Barney's POV

Two girls sat smoking, clouds of gray dust wafting around them. One was strikingly gorgeous with long mahogany hair and mocha eyes. She had faded black jeans with slight tears and a white and black tank top. She roughly tapped out her cigarette on the brick wall she was perched on outside. The other girl was wearing a crimson apron with MacLaren's written in white calligraphy.

It was getting late and Barney was waiting on his mom at some lawyer's place. She got held up for some reason and he didn't have the patience to wait at the library where she begged him to complete some school assignments.

"Hi there" Barney called once he caught her gaze.

Robin's POV

The way the blond haired, blue-eyed sexy guy was eyeing her was unnerving.

"Hey yourself!" Robin's friend from private school, Victoria, giggled.

"I'm Barney."

"That's nice" Robin replied.

"Rude much Robin?" Victoria admonished. "I'm Victoria" she stuck out her hand flashing French manicured nails. They were her pride and joy and she always had her nails done to perfection; Robin didn't need to be reminded how critical this was to her "profession" as a waitress.

"Great to meet you Robin and Victoria" arching seductive eyebrows.

"We're not interested" Robin said bluntly.

"I'm in no way propositioning either of you only a cigarette" Barney explained himself, gesturing at Robin's cigarette.

"Oh" Robin said, feeling a slight bit disappointed.

"Can I get one?" Barney asked again.

"Here just finish mine" Robin said placing it in his hand. "I'll call you after work Vicky" she said still locked with Barney's gaze. She looked down at her hand where she'd brushed it with Barney's, it felt funny. What was wrong with her?

"K" Victoria responded.

"Victoria, back inside we're starting another rush." Carl stuck his head outside, beckoning Victoria inside.

"On a Thursday? What's with people? Some of us still have homework and want to see Grey's Anatomy."

Robin laughed. She knew Victoria had high aspirations of becoming a neurosurgeon but her study ethics were well under par and normally the first thing to be sacrificed if the opportunity for a rondeveau with a new prince charming popped up.

"That's right Robin, laugh it up" Victoria whipped back her hair and spun around in a circle. "Bye, Barney nice meeting you. I hope fate has future plans for us" she winked. Robin rolled her eyes. Victoria was too much with her fairytale endings and grandiose expectations. But they were still best friends since fifth grade when her father abandoned her and her mom and they moved to New York to become an insta family with Marvin and Marshall Erikson. Marvin had been her mom's divorce attorney. Victoria had been the only one there, it was that simple. Only she managed to get herself kicked out of private school and now only got to hang out with Vicky on evenings and weekends.

"You're in love with her, aren't you" Robin asked after Vicky went back inside, although it was more of a statement. "It doesn't take her long to get guys wrapped around her little finger."

"Really? I didn't notice" was his reply.

"Come on Barney" Robin pressed. She stared him in the eyes, yet even with her best journalistic instincts activated she was not detecting dishonesty.

"Come on where?" Barney asked his eyes glinting with rebellion.

Robin shook her head. "Forget it."

"I can't now, not when there's a chance for shall we say something legendary" Barney winked.

"Seriously" Robin snorted with laughter. "I guess I can show you around."

"Great" Barney held out his hand. Robin rolled her eyes feeling her heart skip about a million beats in that one second.