CHAPTER TWO

"Probably to kick my face in," I muttered, turning to see that he was in fact walking towards me but at the last second, he turned for the door, "Well that was weird."

"You're an intimidating person," Chris laughed and I rolled my eyes.

"And you're an ass." He ruffled my hair.

"He still likes you, he wouldn't even come over here to beat us up," Vern commented.

"Maybe we should keep her around," Teddy muttered and I rolled my eyes.

"You guys need to make up your mind," I sighed, "Either he does or he does, I don't really give a shit any which way."

"Sure you don't."

"Shut up, Chambers." I looked at the clock and let out an annoyed sigh. "I have to get home, I promised my mom."

"See ya later, Ann," Gordie grinned and I raised an eyebrow.

"See ya, Weirdo's." Standing, I walked out the door and started home. To get home, I had to pass a field where I saw a group of boys sitting around a pick up truck. I saw it everyday but just kept walking. "Mom?"

"Riyane, sweetie, is that you?"

"No it's a dinosaur," I muttered and she laughed, "Hey."

"Hi," she smiled, kissing my cheek and I made a face, wiping the sticky lipstick off my face, "Oh, you."

"Yup, me," I grinned cheekily, licking whip cream off my finger.

"Can you do me a favour, Riy?"

"I don't really have a choice, do I?"

"Not really," she laughed and I sighed, nodding for her to go on, "Those boys out there have been sitting there everyday for the past week and a half. Take out the tray to them for me, will you?"

"Mom," I whined, "You're too nice. They don't need it."

"Sweetie, they're Mrs. Tessio's son's friends."

"Exactly, let her play loving parent."

"Riyane."

"Fine," I grumbled, picking up the silver tray, "This is what I get for introducing you to our neighbours."

"Vern is your friend," she reminded me.

"But Eyeball isn't," I muttered, pushing through the screen door. Somewhat annoyed, I walked over to the group, my temper flaming when they hushed and started nudging each other. Slamming the tray down, I glared at the group. "Here."

"What is it?" one asked.

"What the hell does it look like, it's fucking lemonade," I snapped, "Courtesy of my mother, drink it."

"How do we know it hasn't been poisoned?" one sneered and my glowered sharpened as I got right in his face. Taking one of the glasses, I gulped it down before shoving the cup into his chest and walking in the opposite direction.

"Stupid asshole."

"Santo," someone yelled after me as my hand was on the screen door handle.

"What?" I snapped, turning to see Eyeball, "What'd you want?"

"Jeez, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you have a problem with us Cobras," another voice smirked and I looked past Eyeball to see Ace Merrill with his arms folded.

"What's that, you're come hither look. Get a life," I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I walked into my house.

"You know, sweetie, I don't know how you're going to get a boyfriend if you treat boys like that," my mother sighed.

"Mom!" I gasped, glancing back to catch a glimpse of a grin on Ace's face.

"It's the truth," she stated and I rolled my eyes.

"I have a perfectly good reason to not like any of them, mother."

"Name one," she challenged, "I don't see anything wrong with that blonde one."

"Mother! I can name so many, he just," I fumbled, "He's a bully, tries to play off as a tough guy, beats people up, and is probably one of the laziest people I've ever met. He intimidates people, him and his gang, that's his job. That's their job."

"He just seemed-."

"Mother, I think I'd know."

"What'd you do, Riyane?" the seriousness in her tone made me scold myself.

"I didn't-."

"Riyane!"

"Mom, I didn't-."

"Yes you did, don't lie to me," she scowled, "And you're going to apologize."

"Mother!" I protested, wide-eyed, "You don't even-."

"I didn't raise you to be a rude little girl, Riyane."

"Mom, the day I apologize to that maggot, is the day he gets a job and doesn't terrorize small children. The day he deserves an apology, I'll give him one."

"Riyane Maria Santo, you are grounded."