Gwen P.O.V.

I can't believe I am doing this. It's four o'clock, the school is empty, the janitors already left. It's just me, and Duncan. We managed to stay inside the school, and avoid everyone who stayed after.

We snuck into the gymnasium, it was decorated, and ready for the dance that was following the football game. The game is probably beginning soon, so Duncan, and I had to act fast.

"So, I rig the votes, and you fill the paper Mache panther?" I decide, grabbing the giant decorated box, and opening the lid.

"Sounds good." Duncan shrugs, grabbing the paper Mache panther. The panther was already hung up, hanging from the ceiling.

Duncan climbed up the bleachers of the gym, he jumped into the air, and grabbed one of the strings that was holding the panther up, and pulled it down.

I took my back pack off, and brought it next to me. I pulled out all of the fake ballots, and emptied the original ballots, and stuffed the box with slips that had the name, 'Lindsay Barnett'. scrawled on them.

Duncan and I decided that when Lindsay 'wins', Heather will be livid that she lost, and Lindsay will have guacamole spilled all over her, which is what Duncan is filling the panther with now.

Duncan is going to rig the panther, and attach a rope to it, so when she wins, Duncan will pull the rope, and the guacamole will fall.

I have to give Duncan a lot of credit. He did everything. He wrote and sealed each fake ballot, he's filling the panther up now. I barely did anything. I finished switching the votes, and threw all of the real ones back in my backpack. I'll burn the evidence later, or whatever.

I placed the ballot box back where it was, precisely in the same position as before. Duncan sealed the panther back to how it was before, and tied the rope behind the tail, so it faced the back, where no one would notice it.

"I never thought I'd say it, but I am looking forward to this dance." I say as he finishes his work.

"Me too." He says adding a smirk.

"Let's go watch the game, and join every other brainwashed idiot in our school." I say.

"Let's." Duncan agrees, putting his arm out, I lock my arm into his, and we exit through the back of the gym, where no one can notice us.

We sneak to the bleachers, unnoticed to where we originally came from, and slid in with a random group of teenagers. Of course Courtney, and Trent were sitting right in front of us.

I nudge Duncan in the side, and nod my head toward Courtney and Trent. He smirked, and raised an eyebrow, and lifted his foot, getting ready to kick Duncan in the back.

I immediately, shove my hand on his knee, bringing it down.

"Are you insane?" I whisper.

"Not certifiably, but sure." He shrugs, and smirks playfully.

"Don't." I say in my normal voice.

"Fine."

Then Courtney quickly whipped her head, and turned around.

"What do you think you're doing?" She demanded. I had no idea if she was talking to either Duncan or me.

"What does it look like, Princess? I'm watching a football game." Duncan answered.

"Doesn't sound like it." She muttered turning back around.

Duncan and I exchanged looks, and I just rolled my eyes.

"I wish she was the one getting guacamole dumped on her." I whisper.

"Yeah, but the way it's going down tonight will be a lot better." He whispers back.

He better be right.

Trent P.O.V

I finally convinced Courtney to come to the game, and the dance with me. I know it isn't her thing, and she has a lot on her plate,(but what else is new?) and she knows I want to be out of the house as much as possible. So this can do us both good.

Ten minutes into the football game, I hear Duncan loudly stumble into the bleachers, probably with Gwen too. At least she isn't as obnoxious. I try to ignore them, but then Duncan starts talking loud, and it's damn distracting.

"Can't he shut up?" I ask Courtney quietly.

"I swear he was raised by cavemen." She whispers back.

Courtney turned around sharply, and asked him what he was doing. I listened closely to the conversation, but stayed focused on the game.

When Courtney turned back around, she pouted slightly, and crossed her arms.

"No dice?" I ask.

"What do you think?" She grumbled.

We continued watching the game without disruption until half time. So far our school was falling behind, our football team was never amazingly good to begin with, but they were always expected to win the homecoming game.

During half time the cheerleaders came out, and did their routine.

"Oh yeah, I'm going to enjoy this." Duncan said from behind me.

Then Courtney snapped her head, and turned around.

"Damn, I'm breaking some necks." he says chuckling.

I looked at Courtney, her ears turned red from embarrassment. She opened her mouth to protest.

"I don't think so." She says flatly. "Can you please stop being disgusting for three seconds?""If you stop listening for three seconds, then sure." He says chuckling again.

Courtney scoffed, and turned back around.

"She wants me." I heard him mutter.

"Yeah, and she wants rabies too." I say turning around facing him.

"No one asked you, Elvis." Duncan says scowling.

"Duncan." Gwen said in a warning voice.

Sometimes I always wonder if she likes me. Or if she could like me, even if it's just a little. She's so beautiful, her skin is so fair, and her eyes are so bold.

"Whatever." Duncan muttered.

"We should just get out of here." Courtney said to me.

"How about we just move our seats." I suggest, I can not go home.

My dad took the week off from work, and the house is a mess. Dishes have not been washed, no rooms were vacuumed. The house has a weird 'funk' scent to it. My dad just sits in the blue recliner chair, watching AMC black and white movies. If I go home, I will go insane.

"Aw, no. Stay, I promise I will behave." Duncan says leaning his head in between me and Courtney's shoulders.

"Get out of here." Courtney said, pushing Duncan's face away with her left hand.

"Let's move forward a row or something. He's obnoxious." Courtney said to me.

We got up, and moved down a row, bringing us closer to the field. The cheerleaders finished their routine, and the marching band came out.

"I hate our school, sometimes." Courtney complained.

"Me too. Well, I think."

"Care to elaborate?" Courtney asked tilting her head as she looked at me.

"I think it's more of the kids…and the work, than it is everything else." I answer.

"A lot of them are so immature!" She finished her sentence shouting the last two words, purposely loud.

"Oh put a sock in it!" Duncan's voice shouted at her.

"Why don't you make me!" She shouted, standing up, and turning around.

"Courtney, Courtney, please!" I said to her, trying to make her sit back down.

"Maybe I should!" Duncan also stood up.

Then other people started looking around us, mainly looking at Duncan, and Courtney.

"Oh yeah? How do you plan on doing that?" Courtney asked, going back to our original spot, standing in front of Duncan.

"Do you really want to know?" Duncan challenged, moving closer in her face.

Courtney stood on the bleacher, so she was his exact height.

"Yes, I think I do!" Her voice shrill.

"You just stepped into the wrong side of town, Mason." Duncan said calling Courtney by her last name.

Then I mentally yelled at myself, wondering why I was letting this actually go on. I got up, and scrambled to Courtney as quickly as I could. I rested a hand on her shoulder, and I realized Gwen was next to Duncan just as fast.

"Can you guys just cool it?" Gwen and I said at the same time.

Then we both exchanged looks. She broke the stare quicker then I did.

"If your heiress over here is ready to step down from her throne."

"Oh please." Courtney muttered, and she turned away quickly, to sit back down.

"Control your psychotic best friend." Gwen said to me.

"My psychotic best friend? I think you're confused." I almost laughed.

"Oh, and what is that suppose to mean?" She asked.

I noticed that Duncan sat down, and he chuckled, and mumbled something to himself.

"It means Courtney is an over controlling crazy witch, and you should make her chill out! If you're really her best friend you would do something about it!"

"Gwen, I think you're the last person to be giving me advice on picking the right kind of friends."

Before she could say anything back to me, I turned around, and walked back to my seat, and sat next to Courtney.

Courtney P.O.V.

The game ended at six, and our school won. But, I hardly watched the game, I kept thinking about how angry Duncan made me previously. I would go home, and totally forget about the dance, but I already paid for my ticket.

My parents announced because of how well I have been behaving, and how exceptional I have been doing at work, and in school that I can have my PDA back. Trent drove me to my house, and told me he would pick me up in an hour, so I can get ready for the dance.

I had a dress picked out. It's a dark purple, strapless, dress. It goes a little lower than my knees, and I had black heels to wear with them. Maybe I won't wear the dress, I can throw on jeans, and a sweat shirt, and go like that.

Why not? Not like I have anyone to impress. I go through my closet, and look through my clothes. I pull out a pair of light blue skinny jeans. I toss them on my bed, and pull out a pair of black pumps. So I don't look like a total slob. I look through my closet some more, and pull out my long sleeved sweater dress.

I change my clothes into the outfit I laid out onto my bed. The sweater dress stopped about three inches above my knees, so it was just short enough to pass. My jeans hugged my hips and legs perfectly, so I wouldn't freeze, the temperature is suppose to drop ten degrees tonight.

I slide my feet into my pumps, making me three inches taller, than usual. I go to the bathroom, and pull out my usual make up kit, and apply makeup lightly, and softly to my face.

I heard a car horn from outside. Trent. I don't bother taking a handbag, but I sneak into my father's study. My parents are not home. They're at a party for one of my father's clients. I slip into the study and I spot my PDA, sitting on my father's desk.

My heart skipped a beat, and I snatched it off his desk, and turn it on. It greeted me with its normal logo, and I slid it into my back pocket. I feel complete, once again.

I walk out the front door of my house, locking it up, and dropping my house key under the welcome mat. I walk down my drive way, and slide into Trent's car.

"Hey." he greets, as I buckle myself in.

"Hi!" I say sounding perkier than usual.

"Wow you change quickly." He observed as he drove away.

"Yeah, well I mean I just threw anything on." I say looking at my outfit.

Trent chuckled.

"What?" I ask with slight humor in my voice.

"I meant your attitude, Courtney. You were totally cold, and bitter before. No offense. I mean, I understand why, and all. But, it's not like you to switch on me like that.""Oh! Right, well I got my PDA back!" I say in a cheerful voice, pulling it out of my pocket.

"I totally forgot that my parents are allowing me to have it back, but I grabbed it from my dad's study before leaving!" I say grinning showing the PDA to Trent.

Trent took his eyes off the road to glance at the PDA.

"Sweet."

"I know!" I squeal.

***

Arm in arm, Trent and I entered the dance together. Music was playing, kids were dancing, laughing, eating, having fun.

"Let's find a table, Court." Trent says to me, as we walk around the gymnasium, to find a table.

I pulled my arm out of Trent's when we found a table to sit at. Trent took off his black blazer and draped it over one of the chairs. I didn't take notice to what he was wearing, but he can really clean up good.

Trent was about to say something to me, but Trent's name was called aloud by an unknown voice, and giggling followed after that.

Trent turned around, and I cocked my head to the side, to see who's voice that was. I don't recognize her. She has blond straight hair, that fell to her lower back. She wore a bright pink gown, with sequins on the bottom of it.

I squinted my eyes to get a better look at her. But, no names were coming to mind.

"Hey, Melanie."

"Melanie?" I reap eat baffled.

"Yeah, she is in my gym class." Gym class? Poor girl, clearly she likes him. She's giggling enough with her two other friends standing beside her. The only time she sees him is when she's sweating while 'shooting hoops' or whatever.

"She's in grade nine." Trent continues.

"Oh!" I raise my eyebrows.

"Do you like, want to dance?" She asked calming the giggling.

Trent didn't say anything at first, he looked back at me, and I just shrugged.

"Sure." He said politely.

Trent walked away with Melanie, and I rolled my eyes a little. She seemed annoying enough, and how is suppose to just say no? What a brat, entrapping my best friend to go dancing with her! Hmph!

I sat down at my table, fuming silently. I drummed my fingers against the white table cloth, and pulled out my PDA. I might as well mess with it for a little while, so I don't look like a total loser.

"Look who's here." I drop my PDA on the table, and look up to see Duncan standing in front of me.

"No, look who's out of here." I stand up, and slide my PDA back in my pocket.

Duncan grabbed my wrist, and turned me around."Going so soon, Princess?"

"Trying." I correct.

"Nah, stick around."

"Why?" I ask, crossing my arms.

"I think you'll have fun."

"I think you're wrong."

"Dance?" he asks dropping my wrist, and putting his hand out.

"When hell freezes over."

"Ouch." He says, putting his hand on his heart, mockingly.

"Wimp." I mock.

"Uptight."

"Criminal."

"Spoiled.

I bit my lip, trying to come up with another comeback. Duncan put his hand out again.

"No, but I am serious. Will you dance with me?" He asks.

I look at him, and looked into his eyes. I never realized what color they were. Almost like blue, and green. He didn't have all of his earrings in, I noticed.

"N-no." I say shaking my head.

"Why?" He drops his hand.

"I don't want to." I say my voice stiffening.

"Fine."

"Yeah." I finish, wanting the last word, then I storm out of the gymnasium, and into the hallway, into the school.

Duncan P.O.V.

"Well that went over nicely." I mutter to myself sarcastically.

"Duncan!" I hear Gwen's voice call me, I turn around, and she pushed through annoying teens to get to me.

"They're about to announce the king and queen, let's get ready." She says.

"No, I'll get ready. You just watch." I tell her quickly.

"Why?"

"I can do it, the panther rope is too heavy, and tight….I'll do it. Just watch it." I keep telling her.

She eyed me suspiciously.

"Fine." She gave up.

I flash her a grin, and run to the back of the gym, where the ballot box was sitting. The votes were counted by the student council president, Tori Brown, but I know for a fact that she is not here at the dance.

The final ballots were sealed and I grabbed the two envelopes with the winner in them. The King I could care less about. I grabbed the queen one, and held it up to the ceiling light, to read inside the envelope to see if my plan had gone through.

I saw the name lightly on the inside. It worked, Gwen is going to win.

I know this sounds really f'd up. But, I want Gwen to win. The panther is not really filled with guacamole either. I just brought a bucket filled with it, to make it seem like I actually was doing it.

She was nominated, so she will stand with the other prissy girls who were nominated too. Then when she wins she will have to go up on stage. Heather will be devastated, and I can't wait to see that bitch's reaction. Plus, she is hot when she is mad.

Gwen needs to win. I think she needs to not be so quiet, and uninvolved all the time. I mean we are outcasts, but at least I make an effort to man kind. That's why I hit on chicks so much. That and hormones.

I placed the queen ballot down, and picked up the king one. I don't even have the slightest clue to see who was nominated.

I heard feedback from the microphone, and winced. I looked to the stage to see the Michaela Jenson, the leader on the dance committee, getting ready to make a speech.

"Okay everyone! The time is here, the crowning of the homecoming queen, and king!" She said into the microphone.

"Now if whoever is back there will bring the ballots up…" her voice trailing off, she sounded confused.

The spotlight went to her to me. I grabbed the ballots quickly, and ushered them to the stage, so I didn't look totally suspicious. I went on stage, and handed them to her. Without a thank you, she snatched them from my hands.

"Your welcome." I replied annoyed.

"I didn't say thank you." She snapped, keeping the microphone away from her mouth.

Normally, I would have said something, but she isn't worth it anyways. She started going off with some speech.

I stepped off the stage, and right into Princess.

"Wow, Princess. Can't keep your hands off of me, huh?" I remark cockily.

"Shut up." She grumbled, stepping back from me.

"I'm sorry." I shrug, rubbing the back of my head.

"What was that?" She asked, looking up at me, with a slight smile.

"I-uh-I-I'm horny." I cover up quickly.

"You're disgusting." She spit.

"I'm a guy."

"You're lying."

"No, you can check if you want." I winked at her, and she gagged.

"I mean, that isn't what you said!" She argued.

"Prove it." I challenge.

"You said you were sorry!"

"I did not!"

"Prove it." She said stepping around me, and disappearing into the crowd.

I smirked, as I watched her walk away, she looked good in those jeans.

"Homecoming King goes to….Justin Carter!" Michaela announced.

I swear every girl in the gym swooned, as this Justin guy walked onstage. I think strutting is a more appropriate word. The dude is like a professional model, why does he even go here? Michaela handed Justin a crown, and he placed it upon his head, and stood there. He doesn't talk either, or hardly talks. It is so annoying.

"Finally homecoming queen goes to…" Michaela opened the envelope, and I looked at Lindsey, Heather, a few other girls, and Gwen stand in line to see who the winner is.

"Gwen Sanders?" Michaela practically shouted, sounding room fell silent, Gwen's jaw dropped, and she immediately looked in the gym, looking for me.

Then someone began clapping, and more people did, then I joined in. Gwen walked across the stage, and took the crown out of Michaela's hand. She held it, refusing to put it on her head.

Gwen stormed off the stage immediately, and grabbed me by the collar of my shirt.

"What did you do!" She gritted through her teeth.

"Gwen, calm down! I did it for you!""For me? You totally humiliated me!" She cried.

"Look at Heather, Lindsey." I say gesturing to them, as Gwen let go of my shirt.

Heather was screaming at Lindsey for some reason, and Lindsey just looked disappointed.

"I think Heather's face is turning blue from the screaming." Gwen observed.

"Totally." I agree nodding.

"But, still! Why?" Gwen asked.

I took the crown from Gwen's hands, and placed it on her head.

"Because, I think you deserve to be noticed."

"Ew." She shuddered.

"You don't have to be like everyone else to be noticed." I remind her.

"Here you do." She says taking the crown off.

She handed it back to me.

"Hey Gwen." It was Trent standing behind her, she turned around.

"Oh, hey." She says quietly.

"Would you…like to d-dance with m-me?" Trent cleared his throat a few times.

I understands how he can perform in front of people, but he can't even ask a girl to dance. Fail. Besides, he and Gwen were at each others throats earlier today. Why on earth would he ask her out, and why would she say yes. He's wasting his time.

"Uh, why not." Gwen says, she turned back to me, and I shrugged. Guess I'm wrong.

"See you tomorrow, Gwen. I'm going to head out anyways. You have a ride home, right?" I ask.

"Sure." She nods her head, and went into the crowd with Trent.

Strange. Night.