This Means War

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Criminal Minds. (Though I do wish that I owned Reid.)

Summary: Seven odd friends just trying to fit in and survive high school. They've all got a story and a secret to hide. Can they survive high school and protect each other while keeping a smile on their faces? What happens when the secrets become life threatening? High school Major AU. (May be triggering, set in 2015 Quantico)

(Early September, 2015)

On Friday everybody planned to meet behind the school. Derek got out of class early and got back there quicker than everyone else. He heard crying in the distance and he took off when he realized it was Penelope.

"Hey, baby girl." She was just laying on the concrete, tears streaming down her face. "Are you hurt?"

"No," she mumbled. "They jumped me. Hankel and then. Called me a slut. Said I was screwing you and I have a STD and-"

"It's okay. You don't have to talk," Derek assured her softly. She nodded, trying to fight back the tears. Hotch was the next person to show up and Derek jumped up when he saw him.

"Hotch we gotta do something. Hankel and his his boys are jumping the girls now," Morgan seethed.

"I know. But this isn't Chicago, Derek. We can just call a street rumble or anything," Hotch told him.

"Yeah well next time, when it's JJ or Emily, I'll know who to blame and what we can and can't do," Derek stalked off angrily, clenching his fists. The rest of the group started to show up, and Spencer wanted to go after him, but Hotch stopped him.

"Just let him go," he ordered.

—

Saturday night rolled around quickly. Derek and Hotch weren't mad anymore, but they hadn't talked much and things were slightly tense. Emily had disappeared with Ian and Derek was dancing with a really pretty blue-eyed brunette. Spencer was being the ultimate wallflower, looking as if he wanted to disappear. Even Hotch and Rossi had taken off with two girls. JJ was with some guy named Will. Spencer had no idea where Penelope was. He was alone, sitting in the back of the room.

"Spencer!"

He found Penelope. She stumbled towards him, her face spread in a grin.

"Penelope, are you drunk?" Spencer groaned.

"Maybeeee. Have you seen Derek?"

Spencer pointed to where Derek was. She stumbled towards him, but she tripped over her heels and almost fell on her face. He heard her mumble something about being sick and Derek helped her up, only to quickly usher her outside to where she vomited. Spencer followed them out, along with JJ who had reappeared.

"Pen," JJ was holding back Penelope's hair. "How much did you have?"

"I don't know. Maybe only three or four? My mom is so going to kill me," she groaned, leaning against the wall of the house for support. Derek left to tell Hotch, Rossi, and Emily that they were leaving. Everyone was ready to leave, so the seven drove home together.

"You are so hot, Derek," Penelope mumbled. Derek couldn't help but laugh.

"Tell me how you feel when you sober up," he told her.

"Mm... Okay," Penelope agreed. Derek smiled at her. Who would have thought that Penelope Garcia would be such a lightweight?

A/n: I was so worried that no one was going to read this story, so thank you guys so much!

Haleypadilla229: Here is your update. Thank you so much for reviewing!

Jayjrat: Thank you! :)

Snoochie76: I'm actually not sure yet besides Ian Doyle/Emily Prentiss. I might pair Morgan up with someone. What kind of pairings do you want to see?

Stay Gold lovelies,

- Alee XxX