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In Which Blaise and I Tell you about School

Stacey's PoV

It's been almost a full week since Brambles has even showed his face to Squirrel. Whenever she walks in, he walks out. She walks out, he walks in. She's sleeping, he's awake. She's awake, he's sleeping. And so on and so forth.

And, dear Lord, I hate it.

Squirrel has taken to sleeping my room. She said that the basement was too cold for her. I knew this was a lie. The basement is warm. But, I don't say anything. I understand. If someone was being that cold and mean towards me, I would seek out warmth somewhere else.

"Stacey?" I shook my head and looked at Maggie. She adjusted her glasses. "You're off in your own little world again."

"I'm sorry..."

Maggie smiled, "It's okay. Hey, what are you doing putting your science book in there? You need your English books!"

"Argh!" I said, putting the books back in and taking out the appropriate ones. I slammed my locker shut and I hit my head against it.

Maggie patted my back. "Remember, you can tell me whatever you want."

I was tempted into telling her about everything. In fact, I've come close to telling Blaise and Juliet. But, I couldn't tell them, no matter what. I could be putting them in danger. I smile. "I know that."

Maggie raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. She gently closed her locker and we both walked to homeroom.

"Stacey!" I whipped around and saw Blaise waving his hand.

''Well, go ahead, Stacey. Go over here and say hi to your lover.''

''What?'' I exclaimed. ''Blaise and I are just friends!''

''For now,'' said Maggie slyly. Before I could ask her what she meant by that, she skipped away. I absolutely love her, and Juliet, but sometimes I wonder why we are friends.

''Stacey'' Blaise pulls me into a tight hug. I hug him back.

''How was the game? I'm sorry I didn't come. I was busy.''

Blaise waved his hand. ''It's okay. Really.'' He smiled brightly. ''We kicked the other team's ass. We won 7 to 25.''

''Wow! That's amazing, Blaise!''

He smiled shyly. ''Well, all I did was make one touchdo-''

''Yo, BD!'' I looked up and saw Stanley, one of Blaise's football buddies. ''Dude, c'mon! Mrs. Ciara is going to flip if we're late!''

Blaise rolled his eyes. ''Can't you see I'm talking?'' He sighed. ''So, see you later, Stace?''

I nodded. ''Of course!'' Blaise smiled brightly then sprinted off to join his friend.

''He likes yoooouuuu!''

''Oh, be quiet, Juliet,'' I said, facing my friend.

She smiled mischievously. She grabbed me by my arm and said, ''You two would make such a cute couple!''

Dear God, this girl is crazy. Blaise and I together? As a couple? I couldn't imagine it.

But, I couldn't help but feel my face go hot at the thought. As crazy as her idea was, I sorta liked it. Blaise is cute with his curly hair, blue eyes, and bright smile. But, as I've said before, I just can't see us a couple. Ive always seen him as a friend. If I were to think of him differently... no... I cant do that.

''You're crazy. Blaise is just a friend.''

''For now...''

''You're just like Maggie.''

''Well, if that's the case, Maggie is right. Stacey, he likes you. A lot.''

''As a friend.''

Juliet shook her head. ''Stacey, Stacy, Stacey.'' She released my arm and walked away. 'When you two get together, I get to say I told you so.''

I watched a she left. Dear Lord, what had just happened? I shook my head and went to English. When I entered the classroom, I noticed that a couple of people were huddled near the blackboard. What was going on? I looked over at Maggie, who shrugged. I bit my tongue. I went to the huddle of students and tried to find out what was going on. Apparantly, Mr. Regan wanted us to pair up with someone and do a project on Shakespeare over the summer with them.

I looked for my name on the sheet and nearly screamed when I found it.

It was a mistake! It couldn't be!

There is no way that can possible!

I can't do a project with Avalon Venson!

Blaise's PoV

"So, you gonna ask Stacey out?"

I looked up, surprised. "Uh?"

Stanley rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean. You've had a crush on her since the fourth grade. Just ask her out already."

My face went hot. "She... She... Wouldn't..."

"Why are you being such a pussy? It's Stacey, for God's sake! Even if she does reject you, she'll be kind about it."

I slammed my locker. "I just can't tell her my feelings. She only sees us as friends. To her, I'm just her best guy friend." I rested my head against the locker. "That's all I am to her. A friend."

"But, if you ask her out..."

I shook my head. It was enough, being her friend. I wasn't going to ask anymore from her. Besides, the thought of being able to call her my girlfriend made my head spin and my knees to feel weak. Hugging her made my heart beat faster and my vision to go blurry. In fact, just hearing her voice mad me happy. I could her name for hours and hours and never get tired of it.

In other words, I was crazy over her.

The only person that understands half of the feelings I have for her is Stanley. Ever since I've told him about it, he's been pestering for me to ask her out. But, I'm not nervous and shy to even bring it up. I did try once. It had been in the park. She had looked so adorable trying to figure it out that I actually got the nerve to tell her. But, my mom had to call me at that exact moment. I don't know if I'm glad that happened or not. But, I don't want things to be awkward between us.

"Blaise!" I turned around and faced Juliet.

"Juliet?"

"Are you going to ask Stacey out?"

"Uh?"

"I was asking him the same thing!" said Stanley.

"Really?" Juliet smiled brightly, showing off a beautiful smile. But, I like Stacey's better. Her's has a special touch to it. "So, when are you going to ask her?"

"Why... Why should I ask her out?" I said. "I can't flirt, like, at all. The best I can do is give her clumsy compliments. Besides, what if she doesn't like me?"

This was the question that always stopped my from telling her my true feelings. What if she rejected me? Even if she did do it nicely, I don't think I'd lived through it. I'd probably go into a huge depression. I wouldn't even be able to look at Her face without wanting to burst into tears.

In other words, I was scared of her rejection.

Juliet rolled her eyes. She poked my chest. "I'm going to fricken make you two go out." She twirled around and walked away.

I sighed. There was nothing I could really do about my situation. Stacey was one of those girls that didn't really care much for love. Her mind was set to finishing high school. And, she has a one-track mind. She can't think of too many things at once.

And that's another reason I won't ask her out. I want her to concentrate on her studies and not on me. Well, I do want her attention, but I know that if she started to think about me and studies, she'll forget things. It's just the way she was.

The bell rung and I ran to Social Studies. I got there just in time. I may have been the last person, but I was allowed I the class. The teacher gave me a warning look. I didn't understand right away. "Mr. Donner, running again?"

"Oh, right! Sorry about that, Mrs. Allox."

Mrs. Allox shook her head. "Seat, Mr. Donner."

I took my seat in the back of the class. To my right was Avalon, the queen of evil. I hated her. No, it wasn't because she was popular. No, I don't mind that. I hate because she treats Stacey so badly. She was racist toward her, which is something I don't tolerate at all.

While I was trying to concentrate on the lesson, Avalon and her friend were talking. It wanted to slap those two bitches to shut them up. I couldn't afford to fail this class. I was a C and B student when it came to this, and that's when I'm trying my hardest.

In other words, I was stupid in Social Studies.

I did my best to block them out when I heard Stacey's name. Why were these two bitches talking about her? I tuned into their conversation.

"... With her. And, I told the teacher after class to change it, but he wouldn't. He said that it could be a bonding for the both of us. I was all like, hello? What the fudge is wrong with you? Why her? I don't want to have to deal with a black person. "

I wanted to punch her in the face and then beat her to pulp with a baseball bat. How dare she say those things! I take. Tiny piece of paper out of my notebook and start shredding into tiny pieces.

"Avalon and Gertrude! Pay attention!" snapped Mrs. Allox.

I let a ghost of a smile show on my face. In your faces you ugly-ass bitches.

Stacey's PoV

Gym and I have a complicated relationship.

Sometimes, we're friends. Sometimes, we're enemies. But most of the time, it's neutral. Ever since Squirrel basically flew through the trees, I've been trying my hardest to become friends with gym. With all I'd those attacks, the ability to hit them with anything perfectly could become really handy.

Today, gym decided to help with that. "Today we'll be playing dodgeball," announced the gym teacher. A couple of the boys whooped. I silently sent a prayer of thanks to God. "So, Jason and Amelia will be captains."

This wasn't a huge surprise. Amelia was in softball, volleyball, and basketball. Jason was in football, soccer, baseball, and golf. (Don't ask why.) They both took their places and the teacher handed them a hat. To be fair, my gym teacher always made you pick out of a hat.

"Stacey," said Jason, looking at the slip of paper. I nodded and went to join his team. I wasn't the best player, but I wasn't the worst. I was average. But, I had to change that. I had to become a little bit better than average.

"Blaise," said Jason. Blaise smiled and joined the team.

"Avalon," said Amelia. Avalon smiled and went up to Amelia to hug her. "Juliet," said Amelia. My friend smiled and joined her. Once her captain and Amelia weren't looking, Juliet pointed to Avalon and looked at me wide eyed. I mouthed, I'm sorry.

When everyone had been picked, Jason held what he called a team meeting. "Alright, you guys. Amelia picked out a good team. But, we have to best her."

"She has Conner! He's like the king of dodgeball!" said Veronica.

"We can't afford to think like that," said Blaise. "Conner is a human being, just like all of us. And, if he is the king, I guess someone is going to have to make him step off his throne." I nearly smiled. It was just like Blaise to say something like that. "We are not going to let one person destroy our goal to victory. You hear? No one the other team is going to scare the shit out of us. We're going to scare the shit out of them."

"Blaise is right," said Jason. "We gotta do our best out there. We can't let one person slow us down. So, are you guys ready to kick some ass?

We all nodded. In my head, I had already decided that I was going to try and get Conner out. It probably won't work, but, it was worth a shot.

After five minutes of playing, Amelia's team was getting the best of us. Darren got Jason out. Fallon got Blaise out. Conner got Veronica a couple of others out.

I had already taken out Avalon and two of her friends. Not that that was a great achievement. Avalon and her friends are part of that group of girls that hang out at the back of the court, not really playing.

I watched as balls flew out of both sides. I ducked as a ball whizzed right above my head. The ball hit the wall with a deafening thund!

Dear God, what if that had hit me?

Conner frowned. He had been targeting me for a while and I was still in. One of the main reasons that that make pretend that his balls are the flying squirrels. It scares me enough to pull some moves that wouldn't have come out otherwise.

"Catch the ball, Stacey! Catch the ball!" chanted a couple of the boys.

I couldn't bring myself to catch one of Conner's balls. His balls were so fast, catching them would probably make me land on my bottom. I quickly jumped out of the way of yet another ball. Conner was starting to fume. It been a while since someone has been able to dodge his balls for so long.

"Catch the ball! Catch the ball!"

I gulped. Dear Lord, I couldn't do that. The best I can do is get out of the way so that I don't end up in the nurse's office. Another ball whizzed past. This one hit the wall with a louder thund than the rest. He was angry. He started chucking balls at me randomly, not caring, only wanting to get rid of me.

Finally, I knew this had to stop. It was either catch a ball or get hit. I backed up to make it harder for the balls to reach me that fast. I studied all the balls, trying to figure out which one was best to catch.

And finally, the perfect ball came. All I had to do is catch it. And I almost did. I almost got him out. But, the force of the ball was too much and it ended up bouncing out of hands and onto the floor.

Everyone groaned. I sighed. Well, at least I had tried. I walked to the people that were sitting out and sat next to Blaise. "Good try, Stace."

I smiled. "Thanks, Blaise."

"It's been a while since somebody has been that close to catching Conner's balls," remarked Jason. "You've really been putting some more effort into gym."

"Well, I want to get better at it," I admitted.

Jason smiled and nodded. ''So, are you thinking about joining the football team next year? Blaise sure would like you to.''

I looked at Blaise, who was blushing. ''Shut up, Jason. I don't think Coach Malley would let a girl in the team. Uh... no offense, Stace.''

''Oh, none taken!'' I said. ''Besides, I'm not a huge football fan. Too much contact with other people. Why do you ask?''

Jason smiled. ''Blaise- HEY! That hurt you bastard!'' he exclaimed, rubbing his stomach. ''Dude, what the hell?''

Blaise looked at the ground moodily. ''Don't. Talk. About. It.''

''Whoa, dude. Breath in and out. In and out. In and out.''

Anger management is one of Blaise's biggest flaws. He isn't normally a violent person, but piss him off enough and you just might end up getting hurt.

Blaise took a couple of deep breaths, calming down his temper. After that, he said to Jason,''Sorry about that, J.''

"No prob.''

Blaise looked at me shyly. ''Sorry you had to see me do that, Stace.''

I giggled. ''Oh, it's alright.''

''No, it's not okay. You just saw me snap and punch someone in the stomach. I'm sorry.''

''Oh, Blaise. Don't be so harsh on yourself!''

''Hey, that's my line!'' he said playfully. ''Give it back!''

I smiled. This was the Blaise I knew and liked.

Blaise's PoV

I ran up the stairs, Juliet, Stanley, Maggie, and Stacey behind me. ''They're coming!'' I announced. ''Quickly, quickly, quickly!'' I made sure everyone had climbed up the stairs before sprinting after them. ''Stampede!''

I quickly went to my locker, took out all the books I needed, slammed the locker shut, and sprinted to the classroom. In a couple of seconds, a mob of sixteen-year-olds pass me by. I've made it.

Stacey burst out of the crowd. ''Too... many... people!'' she exclaimed.

''Aw... Poor Stacey.''

''Oh, be quiet Blaise.''

Some part of me wanted her to say my name again. It sounded amazing when it came out of her mouth. I know, I know, it's crazy. But, I can't help it. ''Oh, I'm sorry. What did you say?''

She rolled her eyes. ''I told you to be quiet.''

Well, it was worth a shot.

Our teacher came in and ushered us into the classroom. Stacey sits down behind me, her usual seat. My spine tingles. God, I hate it when it does that. The fact that she sits right behind me is one of the reasons I can't pay attention in math. Every time she looks up, I can feel her gaze as it travels up my spine to look at the board. And, she did this rather frequently. My spine tingled and sent shivers throughout my body. My brain just couldn't focus on what the teacher was saying. I would understand snippets, but not the whole things.

"Blaise!"

I was startled, I actually shot out of my seat. "Yes!"

A couple of people giggled. The teacher rolled her eyes. "Sit down." I sat down. "Now, can you tell me how to find out what x equals in this problem?"

I looked at the problem on the board. My head swam, trying to figure it out. "Uh... Isolate it from... The 43?"

"Good. Next?"

"Uh..." I tried to recall any useful information.

The teacher sighed. "Stacey, please help him out."

"Of course," said Stacey. She went to explain who to solve the problem. Coming out of her mouth, everything was so much more understandable. I watched as a couple of people looked at her intently, soaking in this information.

"Do you understand now, Blaise?" I nodded. I did. "Good. Now open up to textbook page 223 and do as many problems as you can before the bell rings."

I had managed to do 15 problems before the bell rang. This was impressive, because I suck at algebra. Usually I do 5 through 8 problems before my brain starts to fry. I took my stuff and headed out the door.

"How did you do, Blaise?" asked Stacey.

Say my name again, say my name again, chanted someone inside of me. "I think I died a little in there."

Stacey laughed one of her beautiful and joyful laughs. My heart melted at the sound. I wanted to lean forward and press my lips against hers. I wanted to bury myself into her hair and tell her everything. I wanted Tell her how much I loved her. I wanted her to respond by kissing me and letting me hold her. I wanted her to press her head against my chest and listen to my heart.

In other words, I was dreaming about an impossible reality.

"Oh, Blaise. Don't worry, my head hurts too."

My name, my name, my name. Say it again, and again, and again. "Well, whose head wouldn't be dead after Algebra. That thing is haarrrdddd."

Stacey giggled, another sound that came out of her that made my heart melt. My spine tingled intensely, my heart beat a little faster, and my voice went to my throat. "Well, it can be pretty hard," she agreed.

"You mean like super ultra hard! Gah! If I have to look at any more numbers today, I'll kill someone!"

"Well, I hope you don't kill anyone," she said. "I would hate to see you go to jail."

We talked a little bit more, then parted ways. I watched her as she left, her ponytail bouncing and a little spring to her step.

"Blaise!" I turned to face Stanley. "C'mon, you'll be late for class!"

I sighed and went to Stanley. I wouldn't be seeing my sweet and wonderful Stacey for quite a while.

Stacey's PoV

"Stacey!" I looked up just in time to see Juliet trip over own feet. I giggled gently as she quickly got up and leaned against a table, acting like that hadn't happened at all.

"Got bored again?"

"Yup. Want to go down and wait for the buses with me?"

I smiled. "Sure." I got my bag and followed my friend.

"Where's Blaise?" I asked as we got went down the stairs. I couldn't see him in the sea of people.

"IDK," said Juliet.

"And Maggie?" I couldn't find her either.

"IDK." said Juliet.

Something nagged me. This wasn't normal. Blaise and Maggie hadn't said anything about going home differently. I looked over my shoulder, hoping they were just late.

"Stacey, Stacey, Stacey!" Juliet started jumping up and down like a crazed squirrel. A couple of people gave her funny looks. "Look!"

I looked around . "What?"

"Made you look."

"Darn you."

"Oh, whatever," she said breezily as a bus pulled up. "That be my ride. See ya, Stacey!"

"Later, Juliet!" I said, as she boarded the bus.

I say down on the ground and opened my book. A piece of paper was in it. A piece of paper I hadn't put in there. I took it out and opened it up. I read it once, read it twice and read it three times before it actually clicked in. My head swam and I felt a bit light headed.

No.

That's not possible.

It can't be!

How can Blaise and Maggie be kidnapped?

It's done! Phew.

So, that's all I have for now. So... G'bye!