Thank you to everyone for reading! Thanks for the kudos, follows, and favorites. A special thank you to everyone who took the additional step and left comments or reviews.

Apologies to those of you who are waiting for the next chapter of Caprice, I had planned that to be my next update, but it's not flowing, so I need to make you wait a bit longer.

Also, regarding the timeline for those who are reading this alongside Caprice. Chapter 1 & 2 of this story falls between Chapter 1 & 2 of Caprice. Basically this is before the impromptu pool party from Chapter 2.

*Enjoy!******************

Chapter Two: Frontside

*Ike POV (Prologue)**********

I'd known of his existence even before I ran into him on my first day at Kindergarten. The kids at the local park spoke of the little creepy Goth child, who hung out at the graveyard. When I heard he chain smoked and drank tons of coffee, at the ripe old age of five years old, my curiosity was piqued.

Unfortunately, my first meeting with Firkle was a bit of a disaster. I was proudly walking through the hallway of my new school, dressed to impress in my finest two piece suit, when I saw him. I was certain I'd spotting an angel; black hair, mysterious eyes, porcelain skin, soft lips; a tiny dark beautiful angel. He stood by the lockers, drinking a cup of coffee, and talking to a person I assumed was his older sister.

I was completely enchanted, and ballsy enough to walk right up to him, call him 'Dark Angel Cutie Pie' and ask him to be my girlfriend. He tossed his cup of coffee in my face, called me a conformist prick, and wouldn't come within three feet of me for the next seven years.

I was only three years old at the time, so I picked up my heart and moved on with my life, but often during lunchtime, I would catch myself watching him. Firkle was indeed a cutie pie, but he was also the most peculiar kid at our school. Aside from me, of course.

I've always known that I wasn't like other kids. It's not just the fact that I'm Canadian, and a bit bizarre looking when compared to most of these cookie cutter American kids; I also have an exceptionally high IQ, which makes me just smart enough to downplay my intelligence in order to fit in.

Unlike myself, Firkle had no interest in fitting in. He walked around school surrounded by his Gothic bodyguards, and even when luck finally put us in the same class he made it perfectly clear that he wanted nothing to do with my kind. Firkle seemed completely unattainable. No matter how much I desired to get to know him, there were no flaws in his armor for me to breach, I was forced to be content with worshiping my dark angel from afar.

This year everything changed, or more precisely, his friends started to change. After Michael graduated, their little group slowly fell apart. Henrietta started attending her classes more often, and she began spending lunchtime studying in the library. Pete started skipping school completely, showing up only enough to keep from getting kicked out.

This left Firkle to fend for himself. After a couple weeks of watching him smoking alone, and looking heartbroken, I decided I needed to make a move.

Since I watched him so much, I couldn't help but notice the way Firkle's eyes followed Kenny McCormick whenever Kenny was screwing around on his skateboard. At first I was annoyed, until I realized that the object of his interest was Kenny's skateboard, and not Kenny himself.

I immediately quit using the school bus, and started riding my skateboard to school. This worked so well it was almost frightening. Whenever I pulled out my board, Firkle would start watching me. Needless to say I started riding around on my skateboard a lot.

Two days before summer started, I casually asked Firkle if he wanted to hang out after school, and he surprised me by nodding. At first things didn't go smoothly, I have a bad habit of showing up late, and I've screwed up, and said the wrong thing more times than I can count, but for some reason he keeps agreeing to hang out with me.

*Ike POV***************

As we pass a dark conspicuous building baring a large 'OPENING SOON' banner, I slow my stride because Firkle has slowed his, and my arm is currently wrapped around his shoulder.

"It looks interesting?" I don't answer, because I'm not certain if that was a question. I just look where he's looking.

"What do you think it is?" He continues curiously.

I see Damien standing in the parking lot to the side of the building, discussing something with a group of construction workers. He smirks when he catches my eye, so I give him a dirty look and nudge Firkle along gently.

"Who cares, if Damien Thorn is involved it can't be anything good." I mutter, and Firkle looks at me silently for a moment, before staring back towards the building.

"We used to think Damien was a poser, but turns out he's the real deal, a true son of darkness, it's rather ..." He doesn't finish his sentence, but he has a wistful look in his eyes. It makes me feel uneasy, so I pull him closer and plant a possessive kiss on his cheek, just a gentle reminder that he's with me. I've worked too hard to get Firkle's attention, I won't be losing to the spawn of Satan.

He blushes softly, and turns his interest back to me, but we are blocking the drive, and a blond in a gorgeous car is trying to pull in. I lead Firkle along, while admiring the sexy jet black Corvette convertible as it passes us by. The guy behind the wheel is also eye catching, but he's not nearly as pretty as the boy standing next to me.

"Let's go." Firkle nudges me with his elbow, and I notice that he's sulking, which is really cute and kind of awesome. I smile at him, and pretend I don't notice that he's jealous, but when he pulls away and starts walking down the street alone, leaving me behind, it's a lot less awesome. I hurry after him, making a mental note, so I remember to never make him feel that way again.

*Firkle POV**************

"So what are you doing here?" Michael asks from behind the mall security desk.

"I should ask you that." I reply indifferently.

Michael looks ridiculous in his ugly blue security guard uniform. Since graduating high school Michael has become the worst type of conformist, it's no wonder Pete stopped hanging out with him. At least Henrietta's job at the coffee house is somewhat acceptable, since it means all the free coffee we can drink, but a fucking mall cop! It hurts to see him like this.

"Don't start, I don't exactly like it either. It was either move out, go to college, or get a freaking job." Michael tries to justify his insanity.

"So go to college." I tell him, and he rolls his eyes.

"How's Pete doing?" He finally asks despondently, while staring into the security monitor in front of him, and pretending he isn't completely miserable.

"Why don't you call him and find out?" I spit out bitterly.

I saw Pete earlier this morning when I stopped by his house to borrow a belt; he also seemed miserable, but Pete always seems that way. Pete asked me how Michael was doing. It's so fucking stupid! Since when did it become my job to play peacemaker between my two best friends? I don't even know what they're fighting about, or if they are even fighting, because nobody tells me anything. I just know that lately it sucks to be around them. I much prefer Ike's company.

Feeling annoyed, I turn my back on him, and start searching for Ike. He said he needed to do something and that he'd be right back, what's taking him so long? It's still early enough in the day that the mall isn't too crowded, but I'd like to get our shopping over with and get the hell out of here; I really do hate the fucking mall, and running into Michael has put me in the worst mood.

Fortunately, I see him now. He's walking towards us from across the mall, with one hand held behind his back.

I bend down, and pick up my backpack and Ike's skateboard.

"See you around." I don't look at Michael as I say this, because I just can't. I miss us, the way we used to be. I wish Michael and Henrietta never started dating, because it screwed everything up.

"Sorry I took so long, there was a line." Ike apologizes. I shake my head and stop directly in front of him, peering up at his face, recharging myself on his smile.

"I got you a present for not smoking." He says, and pulls his hand from his back. He's holding a handful of raspberry tootsie roll pops that have been tied together like a bouquet with a thick black ribbon. It's so totally embarrassing, and lame, and wonderful!

"Thank you." I say quietly, trying not to let my excitement show. What Michael broke, Ike fixed so easily. I accept his gift, and hand him his skateboard, so I can slip the lollypops carefully into my backpack.

As we start moving through the mall he reaches over and places his arm back over my shoulder. It seems he really likes walking together this way, I'm starting to like it too, I'm not even worried that Michael is probably watching.

*Ike POV***************

"Firkle, how are you doing in there?" I call out as I enter the men's dressing room. I sent Firkle back earlier with a pile of clothes to try on, and I'm carrying another armful that I'm certain will look great on him.

I know it's not very manly, but I like dressing people. I've had a lot of practice at it. I've been picking out my big brother's outfits for the past five years. If not for me Kyle would still be wearing horrifying green hats with ugly orange jackets.

I'm pretty fond of the way Firkle dresses, his Goth look is cute and it suits him. However, I've had this fantasy rolling around my head for a while, I want to see what he looks like as a regular boy. This heat wave simply gave me an excuse to get him into a dressing room.

"Firkle?" I call out again, and once again I'm met with silence. I'm faced with a long line of dressing rooms, many which are currently in use. If I was Firkle, which one would I pick? That's easy, I decide, and head all the way back to the end where most of the rooms are empty, except for the very last one.

"Firkle?" I knock on the door lightly, and hear him mumbling something to himself. I knock once more, to let him know that I'm not going anywhere.

The door opens just a crack and a pile of clothing is dropped out onto the floor, "They don't fit!" The door slams shut again.

I suppress the chuckle that is begging to leak out from my lips. I'm basically a savant when it comes to sizing things up, so I'm certain that size isn't the problem. Bending down, I pick up the pile of clothes, before gently knocking on the dressing room door again.

"Firkle, open up, I have more outfits for you to try." I tell him, and when the door creaks open again, I push my way in and shut it behind me.

"Get out!" Firkle yells, and crosses his arms over his bare chest attempting to cover up. For a moment I'm frozen, torn between wanting to keep staring at him, because I've never seen anything more lovely in my life, and my desire not to fuck things up anymore than I obviously have.

I'm supposed to be a genius, so how could I do something so stupid! I'm so used to helping my friends pick out clothes, I simply didn't consider the fact that Firkle isn't just one of my buddies, he's special, and now I'm in a pinch, and I need to play this off.

"Get the fuck out!" He repeats, as I start hanging the clothing in my hands on the available hooks, doing my best to appear casual.

"Sorry." I mutter lamely, and focus my eyes on his face, pretending that I didn't even notice his tiny pale nipples, flawless skin, and adorable black cat boxer briefs.

"Why aren't you leaving?" Firkle hisses, and kicks me in the shin.

"It's not a big deal, right? We're both guys." I say casually, "I'm just here to help you pick out new clothes. If it bothers you, I'll cover my eyes, and you can tell me when it's okay to look." I step back as far as I can go, turn my back to him, and cover my eyes with my hands.

The room is silent for a moment, but he finally lets out an exasperated sigh.

"Fine, just don't look." He warns me, and I nod.

I wait patiently, listening to the sound of clothing rustling behind me, until finally Firkle clears his throat.

"Can I look now?"

"I guess." Firkle says solemnly, and I open my eyes and turn around.

'Sweet!' Is what I'm thinking, because this look also suits him. Out of the huge pile of colorful clothes that I picked out he predictably chose a pair of plain black board shorts with a plain black t-shirt. It looks great, but I want to challenge him just a bit.

"That looks great on you, now how about we try this one?" I hold up a tank top with pale green and white stripes, and his eyes widen as he swallows nervously, and shakes his head.

I grin at him, and move closer, while pulling the shirt off the hanger and holding it out.

"Just try it for me." I request, and he takes it out of my hand, looks it over and sits it aside.

"How about that?" He points to a black and red striped v neck with mid-length sleeves, and I agree that would look great on him, but I'm not ready to give up on the tank, because I'm certain he'll look cute in it, so I shake my head, and step even closer.

"What?" He looks at me uncomfortably, and I grab the black T-shirt he's wearing and lift it up.

"Just trust me." I whisper, while tugging the shirt over his head, and off, tossing it to the side. His arms immediately cross over his chest again, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing. I pick up the tank top.

"Arms in the air." I instruct, and when he refuses I raise my eyebrows and give him a look to show I'm serious. He stamps his feet rebelliously, but does as I ask, holding his arms up, so I can slip the tank top on.

Smiling mischievously as I pull the top down over his head, I run my fingers along his velvety soft chest, before quickly tweaking one cute perky nipple, and pulling my hands away letting the shirt drop into place.

"Douchebag!" Firkle cries out, and starts slugging me.

"I couldn't help myself, you just looked too cute." I tell him and bust up laughing.

"I'm... not... cute!" He growls, punching me in the arm after each word.

"I hate to break it to you, but you're very cute. In fact, I've never met anyone even half as cute as you!" I tell him and capture him in my arms to make him stop hitting me. I stare down into his eyes, and he's staring up at me pouting angrily. I just can't take it. I lower my head, close my eyes, and kiss him gently, allowing my lips to linger against his, tasting his gentle breath, while feeling my heart speeding up.

I'm in deep trouble, I've suspected it for a while, but now I'm certain. My heart is yearning for something that I'm probably too young to completely understand, but this isn't just a childish crush!

I might be a kid, but I'm a smart kid. Smart enough to know that I'm definitely gay, because I want Firkle to be my boyfriend. My mother isn't going to like this, Kyle probably isn't going to like it either, but it's too late to turn back, I'm fascinated with this peculiar delightful boy, and I'm keeping him!

*End of Chapter 2******

So as I was finishing my QC on this, I couldn't help but notice that Ike is like a million times smoother than the seventeen year old Craig in my main story Caprice. How exactly did that happen? Must have something to do with him being abducted by aliens when he was 2. Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!