Chapter 2

Sixteen year old Jennifer Ann Mosely, a.k.a. Moze, awoke in her bed at 8:00 A.M. in the morning. Stretching herself luxuriously on the bed, she took a peek outside. The weather was beautiful; there was hardly a cloud in the sky and sun was shining brightly. Checking the time again, she got out of bed and prepared to take a shower. The reunion would be beginning soon, and she did NOT want to make a bad impression by being late.

After her shower she looked outside her window again, this time checking the house next to her. Yup, there he was. Ned Bigby was slouching on his bed still fast asleep. She could almost hear his soft snores from here. She checked the time again, and then waited until Ned's alarm clock rung. Soon enough it did.

Ned jolted out of bed. She grinned as he stumbled around the room, looking for the alarm clock. He finally found it – right next to his bed on his drawer. Scratching his head, he kept trying to find the off button. When he was unable to do so, he merely just threw it against the wall. The alarm clock shrieked even louder.

Chuckling softly, Moze left Ned to his own affairs and went downstairs to have breakfast. When that was done she began to walk toward James K. Polk Middle School. It was a beautiful day, and she needed to get her thoughts in order. She began to reminisce about earlier times, about the events two years ago. She tried to resist it at first, but eventually she was sucked into the memories.

One particular memory intrigued her – the origin of the necklace. The necklace still frightened her badly (evidence being the dream she had last night) but Cookie kept reassuring her that he had it under control (it was HIS invention after all).

She heard the sound of pounding sneakers on pavement behind her, and smiling she turned around to find the smiling face of Ned Bigby as he was about to run into her.

What?! Too late. One big pounding headache later, she sat up from the pavement Ned was still knocked out from the collision. Damn.

"Nice going, Ned. Do you always need me to remind you to tie your shoes before you leave the house?! And your zipper's open, too."

Ned's voice was muffled. "What did you say?" she asked.

Again she couldn't hear. Mulling over the problem she realized that her butt was planted right on top of Ned Bigby's back. She was a tall girl, so that meant that Ned probably couldn't breathe.

"Oh. Sorry." She got up, and Ned gasped for air.

"Sorry, about that Moze. " Each word was fitted in between wheezes.

I sighed. "Ned Bigby sometimes I don't know what to do with you."

He grinned. "Ah, come on Moze. It doesn't hurt to have a little reminder every day about how much I need you."

Damn it, thought Moze. He always pulls that trick on me. Why? 'Cause it always works! Moze was blushing furiously. Ned's grin, upon seeing that his flattery worked, grew even wider.

Dusting herself off, she picked up Ned and the both of them began to resume their walk toward their old middle school. Moze's memories were flooding her skull and she found it hard not to think about them. Ned, sensing this, asked "I know what you're thinking, Jennifer. If you want to talk about it then go ahead. I'm here for you."

Moze registered that Ned used her real name. Whenever he did that it meant he was serious about something. Grateful, she began to remember how all of this started two years ago. . .

She racked her brain and found the memory she was looking for. Remembering it out loud (by accident, but Ned didn't mind) she began to speak, "It was a beautiful

Moze

autumn morning. The birds were chirping, the sky was blue, and there was a cool, crisp breeze in the air. It truly was a sight to behold. Ned and I were walking toward the bus stop, mentally getting ready with each step for that next big step in our lives: High School.

Cookie was waiting by the bus stop already. Seeing us he waved enthusiastically, and motioned for us to hurry up. There was no need to hurry; we were 15 minutes early.

I looked around the bus stop, and noticed that all of our classmates looked either nervous or sad. I could sympathize. All of us were going to miss James K. Polk Middle School. It seemed so far away. . . but then again it was just right across the street from our new school. Ironic, really.

Ned was participating in a lively conversation with Cookie, who was raving about some new invention he had created. I shook my head to clear it of nostalgic thoughts about our old school and listened in.

". . .want to impress Lisa with it." Cookie was saying excitedly.

Ned looked skeptical. "Cookie why don't you just use the Guide? It lists all the tips you'll need and more about how to snag her. I managed to get the girl of my dreams." He gestured at me, and I couldn't help but blush. Ned could sometimes really flatter me without knowing it.

"Yeah, but you've known Moze for all your life. I've only known Lisa for a couple of years." He turned to me for support. "Moze, you know what girls look for in a guy, right?"

I began to list the traits. "Honesty, a sense of humor, loyalty, intelligence,-"

He cut me off. "No, no, no! Girls are looking for a guy in control. I researched it. Alpha males in a gorilla pack often get their pick of women! So I need to be more aggressive; more in control! This is exactly what my newest invention does: it enhances aggression and the emotions that cause aggression."

Ned eyed me, a curious gleam in his eye. "Is that true, Moze? Do girls want a guy who's in control and aggressive?"

I heard the real question behind that – Am I like that? I thought about it for a moment, then answered carefully, weighing each word. "Yes, girls' do like a boy who is in control, but not one who's aggressive" I said glaring at Cookie. "They want a boy who can keep his cool in any situation, and who is also assertive – not aggressive. And no, Ned you're not like that at all." He smiled at me, and gave a peck on the cheek. Warmth flowed from the spot he kissed.

Cookie then said, "But you're just repeating what I said. I need to be more aggressive in my relationship. I need to assert my dominance! That's what being assertive is about, right?"

Ned said, "Cookie that's not exactly what Moze, meant. You see – "

The bus rolled up. Cookie said, "Thanks for the tips guys! I think I see Lisa sitting down by herself! Gotta go! Later!" He dashed into the bus, pushing aside anyone getting in his way.

I rolled my eyes. Ned and I started to walk toward the bus, then Ned stopped looking at the ground. I asked, "What's up?" Heh, joke (I am so lame, sometimes).

"Nothing." He stooped down low and I realized he was picking something up. It was a necklace. It looked relatively simple, but it was beautiful. It wasn't made of gold – the chain was actually just a simple black string, but attached to that string was a magnificent ruby. It shined and glittered darkly in the sun.

"Someone, must have dropped it. A girl perhaps." Ned said as we boarded the bus and found an empty seat.

"No. You think?" I asked sarcastically. Sometimes he could really be dense.

Ned shrugged (oblivious to my sarcastic remark) and pocketed it, making a mental note to give to the Lost and Found. Then he made another mental note, to give it to Moze if nobody else claimed it. The bus began to move, and soon we were heading to High School.

Hearing Moze speak about that day, when it all started, was good. It relieved Ned of an anxiety that she might not be able to face up to what she did two years ago. But Moze was strong, and she always amazed him with her strength, both physical (as many bruises he's obtained from her have proved) and inner strength. She seemed to be venting all the bad stuff out – the more she spoke the better and happier she became.

He remembered that day quite clearly. He hadn't actually intended to pick up the necklace. He was quite content to just leave it there, but something had called him to it. Like a summons. The necklace was summoning him.

Two years ago, a thought like that would have seemed ridiculous to him. But now. . .not so ludicrous. He regretted that he was not strong enough to resist the lure. It was his fault really, why all of this happened. He was the one who gave Moze the necklace. But more on that, later.

Moze finally stopped speaking, and they continued to walk on in silence. The day was wearing on slowly, and the sun was getting hotter, but an occasional refreshing breeze came by to ensure that they did not overheat.

Moze asked an odd, but personal question to Ned. "Ned, during that . . .time, did you ever hate me?"

Ned knew what she was talking about. He answered truthfully, "No. I didn't. I could never hate you, Moze. Never." They walked on in silence.

Ned asked Moze, "Do you want me to continue for you? You look tired."

It was true; although the talking was doing wonders for Moze, it did take an emotional drain on her. It was not a difficult thing to do, to remember it all from the beginning. Moze wearily nodded her assent, and Ned continued where she left off.

"The bus, 10 minutes later, finally pulled up at our new

Ned

High School. Our terrifying next step in this journey we call life. But really it wasn't so terrifying. I should know – I created a guide and I've experienced Middle School which really wasn't as bad as it looked. I've proven time and again, that nothing is as bad as it seems, and what matters most is friendship. With that in mind, me and my fellow peers tamed that great beast Middle School. It was great and we had a lot of fun during those years. I miss those times a lot, but not as much nowadays. We were innocent, almost to the point of being naïve. We believed we were invincible, that nothing in this planet could hurt us. We were wrong, and what happened to me and Moze shattered that illusion forever.

Everyone was excited – we were here, we had made it! We were moving on. Cookie and Lisa were laughing at each other's jokes about something (we could hear screams of girly-laugher from where Moze and I were sitting –way in the back, we like our privacy. Lisa had just made a joke and Cookie couldn't restrain himself). Moze was smiling, her big brown eyes (those big brown eyes were like chocolate to me; rich and creamy and wholly delicious to look at) radiating excitement and nervousness.

On the first day of school, the volleyball team was holding tryouts for new recruits for their team. Moze, with her impressive record, wanted to try out. Being the best friend (and boyfriend, but I really don't see a difference – the only thing different we do now is that we kiss) that I am, I wished her the best of luck.

"Moze, don't get your hopes up. I heard they take only the best."

"Thanks for the encouragement, Ned. I really needed it." Her sarcasm barely overcame the nervousness I heard behind it. Smiling, I replied, "I was just kidding, Moze. You are THE BEST. Next to Suzie Crabgrass, of course." I saw her eyes go deadly, and soon enough she was shooting daggers at me from her eyes. "I was just kidding." I added. I did not want to get myself punched by my best friend on the first day of school.

I wrote a quick tip down in my School Survival Guide as I left the bus: Tip # 3,283: Always give your friends encouragement and support when they need it (like if they're trying out for a sports team or something like that) but make sure not to get their hopes too high. Be there to cheer for them if they make the team, or support them if they didn't. Be a good friend!

Once I jotted that down, I began to make my way to the front door of the school. Cookie and Moze were on either side of me, and we were almost there when –

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the infamous Ned Bigby."

I felt a hand clamp down on my shoulder. The hand then pulled me away from my friends, and I was twisted around violently. I stared into the eyes of my attacker. They were green. Emerald green. Blond hair, football jersey, athletic build – yup, I was looking into the eyes of a jock. Not good.

I smiled nervously, and said "I don't want any trouble."

"You ARE trouble, Ned Bigby." I wasn't aware that I had people who knew me over here. I'm trouble. What does that mean?

The jock answered for me. "I've heard about you and your schemes, Ned Bigby. You've caused havoc over at Polk and done some serious damage over there." He paused to put on some sun glasses. I noticed he had another pair hanging from his breast pocket. This reminded me of someone. The jock continued, "You're not gonna cause any trouble for this school ,though. I'm Head Boy around here"

I interrupted him. "Head Boy? What's that?"

"It means I'm charge of the school affairs, genius. I watch over this school and I make sure it's running smoothly. So I'll be watching you like macaroni on cheese." As he said those words, he whipped off his sunglasses and glared at me.

Then it clicked. "Do you know Vice Principal Crubbs?"

He paused. "Yeah, I do. I'm his son. He's said a lot about you, Bigby. You crashed a field trip and disobeyed his orders. So he's asked me to keep an eye on you, for him. He'd love to meet you again." He paused then said his punch line. "In detention. So, you better watch out, 'cause I'll be on you like hair on a gorilla." He made the I'm-watching-you sign, then left.

I breathed a little easier. But just a little easier. Cookie and Moze rejoined me and the three of us began to walk toward our first period together. It was somehow nice and awful to know that Crubbs was still watching out for me. Smiling, I told Moze and Cookie to wait for me at first period. We went our separate ways, and I headed to the office to deposit the necklace I had found on the ground.

Just as I was about to lay it down in the Lost and Found section, I found that something was telling me not to let go of it. It was oddly difficult. Part of me didn't want to give the necklace back – part of me wanted to keep it and show it off to everybody I knew.

I shook my head. What was I thinking? Jeez, I sounded like an idiot. Necklaces are for girls anyway. Again, I tried to let go, but my hand wouldn't obey. The ruby seemed to be glowing at me. Beckoning me, almost. I found myself slowly beginning to put the necklace on; the ruby began to glow brighter and brighter as it neared my neck -

The bell rang. The sounds of the bell jolted me out of my thoughts (or were they really mine?). I dropped the necklace, not like someone dropping a soda can or a piece of paper onto the ground, but like someone who realized that the thing they were holding was a poisonous snake that had just reared up and prepared to strike. I bolted out of the office and went to go meet Moze and Cookie.

It would not be the last time I would see that necklace. The next time I would see it would be around the neck of the person I cared for the most in this world – Jennifer Ann Mosely.

Uhhh, so yeah this is the second chapter in my story about Ned's Declassified. I appreciate all of you who gave me the great reviews for my first chapter. I apologize that it was kind of short (it looked much longer on Microsoft Word) but hopefully this one's a little longer. The story is kind of starting out slow (I'm still working it out as I write), but don't worry the next chapter should pick up the pace a bit. Be patient and you will be duly rewarded!

Thanks to you all again, and if you want to read more give me some good reviews. Thanks.