AH! THAT TOOK FOREVER!

A huge thankful to the beautiful readers who stayed with me. To the readers who I lost, I am dreadfully sorry. Hopefully I will re-capture your interest with this new chapter!

More to come soon! (I promise this time!)

Anyway, ENJOY! *Criticism is welcomed!

Geoff was just about ready to punch Duncan right in the face as his car came to a grinding halt in the woods. Pushing the gear into park, then slamming the door behind him, Geoff stormed out of his car and to the usual meeting spot.

When he found them, Alejandro was grooming his hair with a small comb, and Duncan was sitting next to a small fire - carving a drawing of a skull into a rock the size of his palm.

"What did you want me here for, dude?" growled Geoff as he approached his two 'friends' (he was in no mood to really call them that now...).

Duncan grunted when he saw him "Took you long enough to get here."

Geoff clenched his jaw at Duncan's both rude and dismissive attitude. "Dude, I'm about one second away from -"

"Ah! Amigo!" said Alejandro as he slapped one hand on Geoff's shoulder "Just in time!"

Geoff rolled his shoulders to shake Alejandro's hand off. "You know I can't speak Mexican, dude! What's going on?"

Alejandro rolled his eyes at Geoff's linguistic ignorance and gestured over to where Duncan was sitting. "Ask our fearless leader."

Duncan snorted, spat into the fire, and tossed the rock over his shoulder - sending it whizzing into the darkness of the woods.

"You know the church on Williams Street?" asked Duncan, pulling a lighter from the pocket in his shorts.

Geoff gasped. "YOU'RE GOING TO BURN DOWN A CHURCH?" he yelled - secretly hoping that someone back in the town would hear him.

Duncan blinked. "What? Dude… no. That's messed," said Duncan as he exchanged looks with Alejandro. He then dug back into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes to which Geoff sighed in relief. "I just wanted to spray paint Satanic symbols on the walls."

Geoff was relieved that the crime wasn't as intense as he thought, but he was still concerned. "Why?"

Duncan ignited a cigarette and popped it between his teeth. Putting his lighter and pack of cigarettes back into his pocket, he shrugged. "We haven't been getting any attention since our initiation. This whole prank will have gone to waste if nobody freaks out over it."

"Alright, so now that everyone is caught up, vámonos amigos!" said Alejandro as he picked a black knapsack. Geoff could hear the clanging of metal within the bag, and could only assume that was where they were keeping the spray-paint cans in there.

As Geoff watched Duncan and Alejandro walked in the direction of the town, he could see Bridgette crying behind his eyes. He could hear how heartbroken she was in her voice - a sound that he had never heard before until now. He hated himself of causing such strife in her heart, and was completely infuriated with his so called 'friends' for making him do it.

Suddenly, his debt didn't matter anymore, only Bridgette did.

"…no…"

Duncan and Alejandro stopped dead in their tracks.

Alejandro turned to look back at Geoff. His eyes were full of confusion. He then darted his eyes between Geoff and Duncan (who still hadn't turned around).

After a few moments of silence, Duncan slowly turned his head over his shoulder to look straight at Geoff. His eyes - unlike his Mexican culprit - were full of rage. Geoff felt fear for a moment, but knew that it was too late to take back what he said - not that he wanted to anyway. Wanting to look tougher. Geoff firmed his stance and crossed his arms, never once breaking his stare with Duncan.

Duncan turned his body fully and slowly started to walk in Geoff's direction. He didn't stop until their faces were inches apart. Geoff had seen Duncan threaten other people this way, and didn't see how terrifying it was until now.

After a few more moments of staring, Duncan's mouth split into a smile.

Then, he chuckled. "You're going to have to speak up, Geoff. I don't think I heard what you just said,"

Geoff gulped - but he tried to keep it silent as to not show he was starting to get scared.

"Cause I thought I just heard you say 'no'," continued Duncan "but that can't be right because you don't say 'no' to me -"

Geoff used Bridgette's crying image to summon up courage. "Well, looks like I just did."

Duncan's smile fell - and over his shoulder, Geoff could see Alejandro's eyes widen to the size of saucers.

Without warning, Duncan grabbed Geoff by the rim of his collar. "You have two seconds to take that back!" yelled Duncan. "Cause let me remind you - I took the fall for your ass!"

Geoff gulped again remembering his unspoken debt to Duncan. "I know, dude," said Geoff, trying to be the calm one. "And I'll always be grateful to you for that. But, like, what we're doing now is wrong -"

"We haven't hurt anybody - "

"I HAVE!"

Duncan raised his eyebrow at Geoff. "What are you talking about?" he asked loosening his grip.

Geoff glared at him and took the moment to have the upper hand. "Bridgette found out about the prank, and now she won't talk to me!" he confessed.

To that, Duncan snarled. He then released Geoff and pushed him back a little so Geoff would stumble. "Are you serious? This is all about some girl - ?"

"You know how much she means to me -"

"So your debt means nothing now?"

Geoff opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again. Of course Bridgette meant the world to him, but what he owed Duncan was extremely significant. He was at a loss for words; He wanted - more than anything - to fix his relationship with Bridgette, but the debt was something that couldn't be overlooked.

No knowing what else to do, Geoff dropped his gaze from Duncan and stared at the ground.

Duncan snarled "Fine. Whatever. Go have fun with your bimbo. But I hope you know what you've gotten yourself into," he threatened. "C'mon Alejandro," barked Duncan as he stormed off towards the town.

Alejandro looked between the two boys one more time before scampering off behind Duncan.

When they were out of sight, Geoff sighed and rubbed his face. Being on Duncan's bad side was not a good place to be - especially knowing that kind of kid he is. Realizing there was nothing he could do about it, Geoff turned on his heels and trekked his way back to his car.

As started the car, he had one destination in mind - Bridgette's house. It was time to tell her everything, the debt, the prank all of it.

"Here's hoping that she'll want to hear it."

Weelllll? How was it?

Let me know!