I've been in kind of a Wuncler mood lately. After writing the last chapter, I just kept going and wrote this one. I am going to update No Boundaries and Smoke and Shadows as soon as I'm finished editing.

Huey and Riley met up with Caesar right after school. Caesar had been going on all morning about drumline auditions and how he wanted to join, but didn't want to walk in there alone. Being supportive friends, Huey and Riley volunteered to tag along for the moral support.

They stood outside the band hall, waiting for Caesar, who had his last period on the other side of the school.

"Man, I'd join drumline if it wasn't for basketball, "Riley said. Huey rolled his eyes, "I'm surprised you even go to basketball practices after school. "He teased. Riley scowled back.

Finally, Caesar appeared from a corner, "Hey guys! Glad y'all could make it with me, I'm nervous as hell. "

"I believe it, "Huey smirked. He and Riley proceeded to follow Caesar inside. There were tons of other teens in there, called band kids, and they were all holding instruments and practicing.

"Normally, drumline auditions happen at the end of the year and they practice over the summer to get ready for football season, but there was an exception, "Caesar began to explain, "One kid transferred schools last minute, another never showed up for practice and got kicked off, there's been several mishaps since last year's auditions. "

"And you're hoping to fill in one of those spots, "Huey concluded. Caesar nodded and winked, "Bingo. "

Huey quirked up an eyebrow and couldn't help but smirk, "Or…are you trying to impress Venus? "

Riley gasped and the trio stopped dead in their tracks. Caesar looked at them, flushed, "What the hell are you talking about? "He inquired, rubbing the back of his head. Huey chuckled, "The other day, you seemed pretty taken by her, and you barely even spoke a few sentences to her. "

"Like you did, "Caesar muttered. Huey shrugged, "Well, she did hang back to talk to me and Cindy after you left. We made some small talk, Venus told us that she loves instruments…,"

"Oh damn, "Riley burst into laughter, "You are in love boy! "

Caesar rolled his eyes and continued to walk, "I don't like her, okay. I barely met her once. "

"C'mon, don't lie to us, "Riley prodded, "Ask her out already. "

"I just met her! "Caesar stated again, "I can't just ask out someone I only spoke to for like five minutes. Besides, I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm a creep or something. I stared at her for like a minute straight and dropped everything I had in my hands. She probably doesn't want to talk to me again, "Caesar sighed.

"You don't know that, "Huey argued, but Caesar quickly left the conversation after being pulled into a crowd of band kids. Huey groaned, "Great, now we have to find him. "

Caesar found himself face to face with a small group of boys. They eyed him, "So, you're wanting to join the drumline? "One said. He had sandy blonde hair and very tanned skin. Caesar nodded, "Yeah, pretty much, "He said. Sandy boy tossed him a pair of drumsticks, "Show us what you got. "

"Right now? "Caesar was taken aback.

"Hey, there you are, "Huey grabbed Caesar's shoulder, "Why the hell did you walk away from us mid conversation? "Then, Huey spotted the group. He turned back to Caesar and arched a brow quizzically. Caesar only shrugged.

"Hey, why not, "Sandy boy took another pair of drumsticks from a darker toned boy and tossed them to Huey, who skillfully caught them without even flinching, "What are you talking about? "He asked. Caesar gripped a drumstick in each hand, "They want us to play something. "

"Oh, no, "Huey shook his head and tried to return the drumsticks to the boys, but they wouldn't accept them, "I'm not a drummer. "He tried to convince them, but they held their ground, "We just wanna see if two new boys can actually keep a beat. "Sandy boy smirked. It made Huey furrow his brow in annoyance.

"Fine, what's your game? "Huey demanded. The boy shrugged, "Play on anything you'd like. "

Huey glanced at Caesar, who offered nothing but a shrug. Riley approached them from behind, having heard the whole conversation, "Here nigga, use this, "He pulled up two high stools that had plastic seats. Huey sighed and scratched his head, "Well, what do we have to lose? "He asked Caesar, who only chuckled, "I dunno, our dignity? "

"Very funny, "Huey shot back, "You got us into this, remember that. "

"Are you going to play or fight like a married couple? "Sandy boy asked, crossing his arms over his chest impatiently. Huey turned his attention back to Caesar, "I'll follow you, "He said. Caesar shrugged, "Whatever, if you can keep up, "And he gave him a sly smile.

Huey once again arched a brow as Caesar began drumming a beat. Then, Huey gave him a sly smile of his own, "Oh, think I can't keep up? "He inquired. Caesar changed the beat and laughed, "Nah, you're too stingy. "

"Oh really, "Huey mocked. Huey flipped a drumstick in his hand and began belting out a beat similar to Caesar's, only it acted as a backup chorus for Caesar's own beat. Caesar laughed as they continued their music making. They were unaware of the other students that were stopping to watch the two battle it out. Riley stood in the background, cheering the two on.

They were so engrossed in what they were doing that they didn't even notice the drumline instructor, Mr. Harpshield, approach them from behind, "Had enough, Huey? "Caesar asked. Huey laughed, "I was about to ask you the same thing! "He exclaimed. He drew his hand back to slam down a new beat, but Mr. Harpshield grabbed him by his wrist.

Startled, Huey whirled around and backed up, ready for a right. Caesar dropped the drumsticks and took a step back, only to be relieved that it was just a teacher. Huey sighed and regained his composure, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize we were causing a scene, "Huey apologized. Riley fell back behind him, not wanting to be yelled at by the teacher. Caesar rubbed his arm, unsure of how to speak to Mr. Harpshield.

Mr. Harpshield looked Huey and Caesar over, "You boys new to this school? "He asked. Huey nodded, "Yes sir, my brother and I, "He gestured to Riley, who waved uncertainly and gave an awkward smile, "Moved here from Chicago. "

"I came from Brooklyn, "Caesar added.

Mr. Harpshield nodded, rubbing his chin. He was a tall, lean looking man with blonde hair and a blonde beard. His eyes were a darker green than Jazmine's. He looked like he was trying to decide on something.

"You two trying out for drumline? "He asked. Caesar's ears perked up, "Yes sir, well, I was. Huey and Riley were just here for support. "

"I could use you both, "Mr. Harpshield admitted to Caesar and Huey, "The way you two play, it's like a gift; it just comes to you naturally. "

Caesar beamed while Huey felt his face heat up. He wasn't prepared to join a team, let alone the drumline, "What do you say? "Mr. Harpshield asked. Huey turned to Riley and Caesar, who both gave him a big thumbs up, although Riley was holding back laughter. Huey sighed, "Yeah, sure, why not. "

"Great! Practice starts next week, "Mr. Harpshield shook their hands and walked away. Huey and Caesar returned the drumsticks to the boys and left with Riley.

"Well damn, Huey, looks like you just joined the drumline! "Riley teased, bursting into laughter the moment they exited the band hall, "It's his fault, "Huey gestured to Caesar, "You're the one who got caught up with those drumline kids. "

"I didn't ask you to play, "Caesar tried to defend himself, although he knew perfectly well that this really was his fault. However, he could somewhat see that Huey wasn't really bothered by the idea of him being on the drumline.

"So, what do we do now? "Huey asked him Caesar shrugged, "Well, we go to practice. A football game is coming up, we'll probably have to perform then. Band usually does during halftime. "

"So y'all better start practicing! "Riley snickered.

"What about Venus? "Huey went on the conversation that Caesar was desperately trying to avoid. Caesar balled his fists and stuck them into his pockets, "What about her? "He asked. Huey sighed, "We know you like her, at least a little bit. "

Caesar shook his head, "I told y'all, I don't. "

Caesar thought about it. Really, he didn't know what he felt towards Venus. He knew that there was some connection; that day at the mall was proof, and he'd just met her at that time. He hadn't seen her since, so he didn't even know if he could like her based on their lack of communication and visitation with one another. But…he was certain that he was feeling…something, despite what he was trying to tell Huey and Riley.

The other thing that was holding Caesar back was their age difference. Caesar had never dated someone who was almost three years younger than him, and he didn't know if he liked the idea of people giving them sideways glances when they found out their ages. Normally, Caesar wouldn't care, but this time it was different.

"Well, I think ya should ask her to homecoming, "Riley said, "I mean, what'cha gotta lose? "

Caesar rolled his eyes, "I'll ask her out to the dance if you two can grow some balls and ask out Cindy and Jazmine. "He gave them a cunning smile. Huey smirked, "Fine, it's a deal. "

Riley only nodded in confirmation, "But you better do it, "He added.

Cindy sat with Jazmine in her bedroom, gazing at magazines with homecoming dresses in them. Homecoming was approaching fast, and the girls still hadn't picked out dresses. And, they still hadn't been asked.

Cindy was sure that Riley was gonna try to ask her, and Jazmine was sure Huey would, too, but they still hadn't made a move. Jazmine contemplated asking Huey herself, but Cindy quickly took that idea out of her head. Now, they laid sprawled on Jazmine's floor, looking into dozens of homecoming-themed magazines and binge watching Gilmore Girls.

"Ugh, why haven't they asked us yet? "Cindy asked, but she was mainly talking to herself. Jazmine shrugged, "Maybe they're nervous. "

Cindy huffed and closed the magazine she'd been reading. She turned over onto her back and began stretching, "You know something, I'm bored as hell. "She said, "We've been staring into these magazines for god knows how long, I wanna get out and do something! "

"Well, like what? "Jazmine asked, shutting her own magazine and standing. Cindy picked up her phone and began flipping through it, looking up places to grab food, "We could go to Taco Bell, "She suggested, but Jazmine made a face and shook her head. "Or we could try…um…, "Cindy was looking for something different, but they had been to almost every fast food stand in their area.

Jazmine groaned and flopped onto her bed, "So basically we're doing nothing tonight but waiting for two boys to ask us out to homecoming? "

Cindy nodded apologetically, "Looks like it. "She shut her phone off and continued to watch Gilmore Girls with Jazmine, even though she knew Jazmine had seen every episode of all the seasons at least twice.

Suddenly, Cindy felt her phone buzz; a text message. She turned it on and looked at the sender, but it was an unknown number. She looked behind her to see Jazmine mesmerized by something on her own phone. Curiously, Cindy unlocked her phone and tapped on the message. He messages popped up on the screen, and it diverged to the message that had just been sent.

Cindy's heart dropped.

There was a picture…THE picture. Several more popped up and Cindy's heartbeat only went faster. Her vision started to blur slightly, but she shook her head and continued to look at all the messages.

Suddenly, a text message that was actually a message appeared.

"I warned you."

Cindy's eyebrow furrowed, she knew exactly who was texting her.

Veronica.

Veronica laughed like a hyena with Samantha and Vera, her older cousin. They sat in Veronica's room, eye glued to her phone as she sent menacing text messages to Cindy.

"I can't believe you're doing this! "Samantha cackled. Vera wiped tears from her eyes, "Wow Veronica, using blackmail to subdue someone. Evil. I like it. "

"I learned from the best, "Veronica prodded her older cousin in the ribs, causing her to laugh. In truth, it had taken her a while to figure out that the blackmail wasn't even on her phone anymore. When she had finally decided to go through with scaring Cindy, she had checked and none of the images were there. However, she had sent them through text to Vera, who in turn sent them back from her phone per Veronica's request. Now, Veronica was going through with the dastardly deed.

"So, what are you going to do now? "Vera asked. Veronica thought for a moment, "Hmm, well, I know of a certain someone that would love to see these…, "She went to her Instagram and pulled up Riley's profile.

"No way, isn't that the boy Cindy's dating? "Vera asked. Samantha scoffed, "Dating? I doubt it. "

Veronica laughed again, "I know he'd love to see what Cindy's been doing behind his back. This'll get interesting…, "

Meanwhile, Venus peered into Veronica's room from the door, that had been left open a crack. She glared at her sister and Veronica, and Veronica's annoying friend, Samantha. Suddenly, she heard Veronica say that she was preparing to send the pictures to Riley. Without thinking, she burst into the room, "Wait! "

The trio turned to glare at her from their positions on the floor, "Venus, what are you doing in here? "Vera demanded, standing up to her length of five eight, "I thought you were downstairs. "

"I was, "Venus snapped back, balling her fists, "What are you doing? "

"That's none of your concern, "Vera hissed. She walked up to Venus and stared her down. She knew that her sister couldn't be so easily moved or shaken; she was a fighter, she'd always been a fighter. The only thing Vera could do to make Venus leave would be to move her by force.

So, she pushed her.

"Hey! "Venus swung an arm out to hit her sister, but she missed and smacked Samantha in the face, who had gotten up to try and help Vera in getting rid of Venus. Samantha yelped and went down, hitting her head against the floor. Venus did not hesitate, she swung out again and struck Vera in the chest. Vera made a noise and moved away. Veronica typed furiously on her phone just as Venus tried to attack her, but Vera grabbed her by her hair and flung her back. Venus hit the door, hard, but she quickly got back up and attacked Vera, grabbing a discarded shoe from the ground and using it to slap Vera across her face.

Vera screamed in pain and retreated with Samantha. Venus, still hanging on to the shoe, marched up to Veronica and grabbed her by the shoulder. She dropped the shoe and delivered a blow to Veronica's face, her fist connecting with Veronica's jaw. Veronica made a small grunting noise and dropped her phone onto the floor, and Venus swooped down to swiftly retrieve it. She backed away towards the door and opened it, her eyes trained on the screen in horror.

Veronica had just sent a large file to Riley.

A file that contained all of the pictures of Cindy, along with a typed message that read "Look for yourself".

Venus gasped and turned around, glaring at the three girls, who were recovering from Venus's attack, "How could you? "She asked spitefully. Veronica sneered, "Give me back my phone, "She demanded. However, her eyes flickered with worriment, as if she was actually evaluating what was going on. But Venus didn't care.

Venus clenched the phone in her hand, "How could you?! "She demanded again, practically screaming. Without a second thought, she slammed the phone into the wall next to her with all her might, and she heard a satisfying crack. The phone crumbled in her hands, and she winces slightly as the glass cut into her fingers. She pried open the back of the phone and took out the battery, snapping it in two, and tossed it to the side. She then pried out the SD card and attempted to tear it to shreds, but was satisfied with stomping on it just as Veronica snapped.

Vera and Samantha gasped and Veronica lunged at Venus. Venus threw the broken phone at Veronica, and she was barely able to shield her face from the shards as they rained on her. The phone landed on the ground, broken and useless. Venus raced out the door as quickly as she could, and before Veronica could attack again, Vera pulled her back.

Venus ran down the stairs and passed her mother and aunt, who were sitting in the living room. They didn't bother asking what was wrong, they had heard the girls fighting and pretended that they hadn't. Venus rushed out the front door and towards her mother's car, trying to pry open the driver's door, but then she stopped as she realized she couldn't drive.

She turned around and leaned against the car door, sinking to the floor. She stared at her cut up and bloodied hand and pried out a few shards of glass that had latched into her skin. Angrily, she slammed her other hand against the car and winced at the pain. She wiped away her sweat and leaned her head back, catching her breath. It was then that she began taking in what had happened, and she knew she and her friends were screwed.

She buried her face into her knees and cried.

I based Veronica's whole "exposing" scene on a couple of similar scenarios that have happened at my school this past semester. It didn't end too well. I also based Vera and Venus's sister relationship on two girls that I know, although the two girls are twins. But they have a really bad sister relationship where they're both always trying to practically destroy each other for whatever reason and can't stand to even be together.

xoxoxo, Queen