Piper stood at the school yard gate waiting for her friends. She waved at Les, Frank, and Tommy as they passed her. Jessica, Megan, and Amy came out together walking over to Piper. The four friends walked down the street laughing until Piper saw someone she knew.

Oscar Delancey was across the street with someone backed into a corner in front of him. Piper left her friends and crossed the street.

Snipeshooter took a swing at Oscar grazing his chin. Piper put down her bag a few feet away watching what would happen next. Oscar pulled back his arm ready to strike. Piper grabbed hold of his arm pulling Snipeshooter away from the wall with the other.

"Go Snipeshooter." She said as he stood next to her.

He shook his head trying to catch his breath. She pulled Oscar's arm behind his back twisting it. He gritted his teeth his teeth in aggravation.

"You must be pretty stupid. You know one is never far from the others." Piper said seeing Jack and Blink walking towards them.

Snipeshooter got their attention as Piper held Oscar in place. Jack shook his head with a laugh as Blink bit his lip.

"Your bothers gonna love this story. You got taken down by a girl."

"Shut up Cowboy." Oscar said through his teeth.

"Let him go Piper." Jack said putting a hand on her shoulder.

She let go of him as Blink and Snipeshooter moved out of the way. Oscar walked away rotating his shoulder.

"Next time I won't be so easy on you." Jack called before he rounded a corner.

"You okay?" Piper asked looking at Snipeshooter.

He nodded wiping a spot of blood from his lip. Jack handed Piper her bag before they headed to the Jacob's'.

XXXX

Les sat on the stoop as Piper walked up with Blink and Mush. He stood so that the older two could go by. Piper sat next to him watching him draw designs in the dirt with a stick.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just bored."

"Blink, Mush, and I are going to Irving. Go ask your mom and dad if you can go."

"Don't you need to ask?"

"That's why Blink and Mush went upstairs. It's Blinks' birthday."

Les nodded before standing up. He looked up the street and saw someone walking towards them.

"I'll be back."

"Okay." Piper said looking the other way.

A shadow fell over Piper as Les shut the door. She looked up with a smile. Skittery stood in front of her with his hands in his pockets.

"It's not Friday." She said sarcastically.

"I know that smart alike."

Les came out with Blink and Mush behind him

"Hey man." Blink said pulling a cigarette out of his shirt pocket.

"Hey. Happy birthday." Skittery said handing him an envelope.

"Thanks." He said putting it in his pocket.

The five friends walked down the street laughing. Piper and Les walked in the middle as the older boys smacked and shoved each other playfully. Piper rolled her eyes as Les watched the three friends interact.

Even though she had seen them a few weeks before all of the boys said Piper had grown a few more inches. She liked that they weren't treating her like she was eight anymore. Most of them were accepting that she was growing up. The younger boys didn't like that she was taller than most of them now.

What had happened with Oscar had been kept secret. The last thing Piper needed was for Skittery to find out. He hated it when she fought. Plus Snipeshooter didn't need anyone to know that a girl had to save him.

XXXX

Later at Tibby's gifts were passed around as Piper sat between Les and Blink. Once he was done Blink pulled the envelope from his pocket.

"I can open this now right?" He asked Skittery who was across the room.

"Go ahead."

Blink pulled back the top of the envelope then felt around inside. He pulled out a handful of bills. He looked at Skittery with wide eyes.

"I told you I would pay you back when I got the chance." Skittery said with a laugh.

"I also told you you didn't have to."

"You think I'd pay back Race and not pay back you?"

"Thanks." Blink said putting the money back in the envelope.

Piper looked over at her brother. She knew he hated borrowing money. She also knew part of it was because of her. She was going to pay him back one day. Just like he had done with his friends.