Softballgurl9303 updated for yea, glad you like it

The Snake's Lady suspense is great fun, I take pride in my cliffies hehe. Thanks for the review

Angel Neko-Jin Yes Brains has figured it out lol. You'll see what happens next.

Ash Eyes aw, and I luv my readers hehe.

Chibeh Updated!

topazchick08 Thanks for the review

ShadowDog34 I know I don't update much like I used to laughs that's school for you

LittleMissBroadway what's with all the ogods and such? Do I keep my loverly readers In that much suspense while I sit here looking innocent?

I know its been like forever since I updated but I started high school last week and I am getting into the whole routine and I am busy signing up for stuff and…yeah am so sorry. I have planned now that weekends are when I update, but you know I have 2 other stories besides this and if anyone cares to know…. Another Recess fic in the process, if anyone is interesting

Chapter 11 – The Runaway

Gretchen stood there for a moment, shifting slightly awkwardly and letting the bathroom door swing closed behind her and she stepped forward and looked at her long lost friend.

She couldn't believe it, after all these years Spinelli was back and no one knew, well she assumed no one else knew because she was going by "Lei Funicello" which meant something was up…

"Hey," Gretchen spoke up; directing her friendly smile and Spinelli looked up at the mirror and saw the reflection of a tall red-haired girl behind her.

"Hi," Spinelli responded rather quickly, turning around and knocking her book bag off the sink counter at the same moment, its contents spilling on the floor. She curse and leaned down, collecting up her books and notes.

"Let me help," Gretchen offered, leaning down and picking up a few books with a helpful smile. Spinelli looked skeptical but let her as she leaned down herself, letting her raven hair fall on her pretty face, as if hiding herself.

"Here you go," said Gretchen when they stood up and handed Spinelli a large book and a few pieces of papers.

"Uh… thanks," said Spinelli with a quick smile, shoving them back into her book bag and zippering it up quickly, hoping Gretchen wouldn't notice her stand-offish-ness and take it the wrong way.

"You're Lei, right?" Gretchen asked oh so casually as Spinelli turned around and watched her old friend closely in the mirror with her blue eyes.

"Yea, you're Gretchen Grundler, correct?" Spinelli wondered quite convincingly and Gretchen thought she was quite the little actress.

"That's me," Gretchen said with a grin, really not knowing how to go about the whole situation as she turned around and placed a hand on the doors of one of the stalls.

"Well, I'm done here," said Spinelli with a weak smile and a slightly forced chuckle as she re-applied her eyeliner and tossed it back into her book bag. "See you around, Grundler," she stated, headed towards the door to get away from her old friend.

Gretchen turned her head and watched her leave and felt like a coward… she couldn't just let her walk away. Gretchen turned around quickly and called out her name.

"Lei?" Spinelli didn't look too relieved at begin called back and turned her head slowly and nodded. "I know Lei," she said in a low voice, looking straight at Spinelli's blue eyes.

"Know what?" Spinelli wondered, biting her lip nervously.

"Who you are," Gretchen stated and merely a whisper. "I really missed you, it was bad enough before but now you're just hiding out in the open," she stated, shaking her head.

"What… I," Spinelli stuttered for a moment and sudden felt as if she wasn't half as courageous as she let herself believe. "I really don't know what you're talking about," she said it some confidence and Gretchen looked very hurt at those words and shook her head.

"Sure Spin," she whispered and Spinelli's eyes went wide. "You're just fooling yourself, as tough as you are you sure runaway a lot," with that she entered the stall and Spinelli stood there for a moment in slight shock and then quickly left the washroom.

Spinelli walked quickly down the crowded all, slipping past people because being small had its advantages. She sighed and stopped in front of the office, looking around for Gretchen but seeing no sign of the tall red-haired girl.

Spinelli glanced down at her schedule as the bell rang. Gretchen's words went through her head and the worst part abut it was that she was actually right. Spinelli ran away because she thought was easier.

She was the runaway, because as much as she looked confident and strong she was still little, naive and totally scared.

But those fears suddenly seemed lifted away when she looked up and saw the familiar young man walking towards her. She loved and hated that he could always make her smile, even by just suddenly showing up.

Spinelli looked down at the full name on top of her schedule and looked back up at TJ Detweiler, the best friend she'd ever have and one she really didn't believe she deserved. She felt so stupid for being the runaway because he meant leaving someone like him.

And he needed to know, he needed to know who she was. She wanted to throw her arms around him so un-Spinelli like and tell him she was back… his i best /i friend.

And I leave before she talks to crazy adorable TJ… don't you all just love how I do that? Hehe. So tell me what you think and if you'd read my new recess fic, if you will then I'll tell more about it in my next update which should be weekly now that I've got stuff figured up

-Stephane