Vince's POV

I see Spin look in the direction Gretch just rushed out to.

Gretchen likes to think we've all changed and she just stayed the same. For a smarty, she has the worst perception of us all. In elementary days, she was just a skinny little thing. Now she's grown into a lithe ethereal beauty. Her curves are subtle but still manage to capture the attention of the boys in the hallway. Her buck teeth have been corrected with braces. Her auburn hair falls in long, layered waves down to the middle of her back. Her style changed dramatically too. Gretchen, knowing that everyone saw her as a 'geek', embraced the geek chic lifestyle. She turned something that would make most kids high school pariahs into a fashion statement. She's either rocking skirts or shorts with knee highs or cropped jeans to emulate "high waters". Her accessories always acknowledge some superhero, video game character or fictional character. Her coke bottle frames have been exchanged for the oversize look that the celebrities are going for. She always looks so good.

She's still the same genius who's always willing to help her friends out and not afraid to get down and dirty with the boys. With her beautiful voice, she's a shining star in the glee club and choir. She also participates on the debate team with Teej and the academic decathalon team, cinching TS High victory two years running. She even runs the peer tutoring center, helping any and all students struggling in class. She and I are always competing in anything we can come up with, except school because I know she'll kick my ass. Aside from Teej, she's my best friend. She knows everything about me and never judges me. She's ready with a smile and advice to help me with whatever I need. I love that she's so beautiful but doesn't even know it. I love that when she sees me, she looks at me, not at the super sports star that can turn her into HS royalty. She's real, no pretenses, no bullshit.

"I'm gonna go check on her. See if she wants to company with her super genius mumbo jumbo." Spin says as she stands and follows Gretch out of the cafeteria.

"Vinnie! Vincenzo! Now that the bother is out of the way, there's space for you with us!" Ashley Q says with glee.

"No, Ashley and...Umm... Ashleys. As you can see, I'm otherwise occupied." I say, exasperatedly.

I see Ashley Q and the others huff and pout. I turn back to my boys who are left at the table and groan.

"You Vince? What's wrong, dude?" Teej says.

"Yo, you wouldn't even believe me if I told you. Ugh...It's...it's complicated guys." I say.

"Hey try us. We might give the advice you've been lacking. Looking at it with a fresh pair of eyes." Gus says enthusiastically

I look at my friends and give a resigned sigh. If they can't help me, who else would I turn to?

"Okay guys. It's like this: I'm feeling this girl...I mean seriously feeling. I been feeling this way for a while but I don't know how to tell her. And she's out of my league, so far out. Yo, she's in the Majors while I'm still batting Lil League. But I want her. I want her so bad. Yo, true say, if I got her, I'd try my hardest to make sure I was worthy of her. Damn, I feel like a pussy. Ahh, god help me!" I say breathlessly, placing my head between my hands.

Oh shit! I just put my heart on the line with my boys. I finally let them know what's been eating at me for years.

"Wow. The beauty in matters of the heart. Our dear Vince has found love so pure. Love, my friend, will not betray, dismay, or ensnare you. It will set you free." Mikey says with philosophical ease.

"Mikey, what does that even mean?" I say desperately.

"He means you should tell her Vince. Let her know how you feel." Gus says.

"That's so hard. What if she doesn't feel the same? I think I love her guys. I mean, I even love her enough for her to be happy even if it was with somebody else!" I say with a sigh.

Teej shoots me a look that says: you better tell me who she is later. Then he says "Dude I'm with the guys. Tell her. Sometimes the hardest thing to say is the thing worth saying."

I let out a groan because I know they're right. I just need to grow the balls to fucking tell her.

Randall's POV

The bell rings and everyone disperses from the cafeteria. I, however, remain in the cafeteria for an important transaction.

"What did you find out, Rat? "says an irritatingly peppy voice.

I see Ashley A. standing behind me with her cheer leading uniform on and her hand propped against her hip.

In the years since Third Street, I've no longer remained a snitch for the "man". Instead, I use my sneak-like ways to seek information, for the right price.

"Ah, Princess, come to seek information about Mr. Hotshot QB, TS High's most eligible bachelor?" I say with a smirk.

"Cut the convo, Weems and tell me what you heard. I don't have time and I definitely don't want to be seen with the likes of you." She sneers.

"Ah, the bitchiness makes its appearance! Ok it's the usual payment. Slip in my locker by the end of the day. This is juicy Princess. Our little star QB is in love with a girl whose out of his league. Like he's seriously lovesick!"

Her entire faces lights up. "Girl...out of his league? The only candidate could be moi! Good job rat!" she says with a shit eating grin.

"Umm Princess? What about Grundler? She's a chick...a pretty hot chick. Maybe it's her, ya know? It seems like they have a cool relationship and he's always around her."

"On what planet is she out of his league? She's not even from our galaxy. He's talking about me, only viable option!"

"And what do you plan to do about the competition?"

"Competition...no. More like distraction. And don't worry. I know how to get rid of obstacles in my way." She says darkly.

As Ashley is walking away, I have a moment of regret. That look in her eyes was pure malice. Princess might be a bit deranged.