Chapter Fourteen

I stood in front of the fountain with the rest of the Preps, looking at our handiwork in front of the autoshop, or what is was now – a brick wall. We had locked the other autoshop door near the car park, making the only entrance and exit the large crack on top of the wall by the garage.

On five of the bricks, the words were painted "you've hit the preppy wall". We could see around the corner that a group of senior greasers were tying to squeeze through the small gap in the wall one at a time.

"How did you come up with this boss?" Asked Parker in a praising voice.
"I won't lie." I said. "Gord was my muse."

I looked over to see Johnny Vincent squeezing through the wall and then angrily talking to his minions.

"How about a walk-by?" Asked Chad.
I turned to him, beaming.
"Excellent idea." I said, walking down the stairs and around the main building, looking at the Greasers on the grass by the wall.

"I've never really thought manual labour required much intelligence," I called over to Johnny, getting his attention "but I actually put a lot of thought into this." I put my hands into my pockets. "This was actually very satisfying as well." I grinned.

The greasers all turned to us, standing in a fighting stance.

"I don't think I've ever heard about a trust-fund fairy doing manual labour before!" Johnny called back over to us. "Soft hands right?"
I shook my head.
"Oh no, we're just trying to keep our heart-rates up for when your mum swings through town." I explained loudly to him, so everyone around us could hear. The preps start to snigger at him, and I turned to Bif.
"I'm being serious."
"Really?"
"Yeah! Have you seen his mum?"
"Sure."
"She's foxy."

"I know."
I turned back to Johnny.
"Your move Long John Silver." We then turned around and walked back to the house to enjoy the beginning of a long weekend

A few hours later, I walked out of the house with Bif, who wanted me to go and drive him up to the boxing gymnasium to pick up his boxing gear – so it could be washed at the house. We met in the hall in front of the entrance of the house and walked out, making our way to my Jeep.

I turned left out of the school gate, driving over the bridge and into Bullworth Vale, where we turned right up the road and I parked in an alleyway beside the Glass Jaw gymnasium.

"You need me to get anything?" Bif asked me, getting out of the car.
"No thanks." I said, getting out the car. "I'll see you back here in a minute, I need some cigarettes." I said, waving a goodbye to him and then crossing the road to go to the newsagents where I could use my fake I.D for a pack of twenty.

I came out of the newsagents lighting up the cigarette, and as I turned right I saw Natasha walking by. I grinned and went back into my Jeep, where Bif was closing the door. I turned the key and reversed out of the drive, turning around and then going to drive back to the school when Bif pointed out something to me.

"Hey, is that Natasha?"
I looked at the girl crossing the road ahead of us and shrugged.

"You know her face better then I do."

He grinned.
"I do."
I turned to look at him, and his eager face.
"And better then Johnny as well."
He nodded.
"You're right."
"You know, it'd make sense for you two to be together." I smiled. "I mean, if you've known her for as long as you said you have, she would at least give you a chance right?"
Biff shrugged.

"I suppose. But we're not really on…speaking terms right now."
I turned to him again as we turned around to see Natasha crossing the bridge.
"How come?"

"It's a bit of a long story Aiden."
I smirked.
"You mean you don't want to tell me." Bif grinned as we passed Natasha, the car slowing down. "Well, my advice is that if you really like her, you should go for it."
Bif narrowed his eyes.
"Really?"
"He who dares right?"

Bif waited for me to finish.
"What?"
I shook my head.

"Forget it."

Bif nodded to himself.
"You know what Boss, pull over."

I grinned and stopped the car on the pavement briefly a few paces in front of Natasha, so Bif could get out with his gym bag.

"Break a leg." I winked at him, glanced back at Natasha and then resumed driving along the road, back to the school car park.

I pulled into the space, took the keys out of ignition and hopped out of the 4x4, locking the car behind me as I made my way back to Harrington House.

I got to the fountain and looked left, to see Norton there, single-handedly knocking down the wall we had built. He was stopping every few seconds to catch his breath however, and was being supervised by Peanut.

"Not bad for a bunch of trust fund faries." I said, looking at the wall, which was halfway to being completely demolished.

"Keep walking rich boy." Said Peanut threateningly, turning back to the wall.

"Hey, don't exhaust yourself!" I called to Norton, who turned around. "I think the grease will melt out of your hair and into your face and…well, that's a look you just can't pull off!"

Norton was about to reply, but instead just picked up his hammer and slammed it into the brick wall. I flinched slightly at the impact the hammer had against the bricks and whistled. I put my hands into my jean pockets and walked down the pathway and back into the house, where I planned to play pool.

I potted the black and a cheer was sounded. Chad's – as I accidentally potted the black when aiming for a red. Chad took the ten dollars from the side of the table and took out his wallet to put the notes in.

I groaned and put the cue on the table.
"I'm bored of this now."
Chad laughed.
"Sure you are."
I turned to him in frustration.
"It was an accident!" I exclaimed, only to have Chad laugh at me. "Oh, sod off…" I said, grabbing zippo from the bedside table. I took the packet of cigarettes and shoved them into my jean pocket, but as I was walking down, I came across an angry Bif, who stormed past me.

"Bitch is here." He muttered to me, then blazed up the stairs.

I stood there, amused, and then swaggered down the stairs, seeing Lola clad in leather standing in the hall.

"Ah Lola." I smiled. "Bif said you were here."

She shook her head and walked past me up the stairs.

"Hey, how come we never go to your place?" I asked. "I mean, I'm getting tired of walking up and down these stairs-"
She took off her jacket, then started to remove her top as she walked from the stairs into my room. I sighed and trudged up the stairs.
"I need to quit smoking…" I said, leaning on the banister as I made my way up to my room.

Two hours later, Lola picked up her salmon top and pulled it back on. I lay on the bed, buttoning my jeans back. I then thought about what Gord said. Did I want to be this guy who would get over his girlfriend by rebound sex? And did I want everyone to see me as the guy who would act like that? I looked at Lola carefully. Would I want to go out with her? I mean, we didn't see each other that way…I don't think we did anyway.

"Hey, this isn't like…a relationship or anything right?"

She looked up at me for a second and giggled.

"You're cute." She said, then pulled her shoes back on. "I have an itch now Johnny's got a new warm body." She shrugged. "You're my scratcher."
I scoffed.
"'Your'?" She nodded. "I am not yours." I said, letting her smirk and blow me a kiss before leaving my room. "You haven't told Johnny right?" I called, letting her walk back into the room slowly.
"What?"
I shrugged.
"I was just wondering if you decided to tell Johnny since you two broke up…again." I said, earning a glare.

"We did not break up that much." She informed me.

I scrunched up my face in thought.
"Well…"
"Oh, shut up Aiden." She said. "And no, I haven't told him. We're not on speaking terms."

I nodded.
"Good." I smiled.
"Good?" She asked in a prodding tone.

I shrugged.
"I like having a dirty little secret." I winked, only to have her throw my shirt at my face.

"Screw you." She said, picking up her jacket and putting it on. I heard the door knock, and grabbed my zippo and a packet of cigarettes, walking down the stairs to see whoever was at the door.

I got to the front door, with Lola taking her time walking down the stairs a few metres behind me. I opened the door to reveal a stern-looking Natasha standing there.

"Howdy." I smiled, leaning against the door.
"Oh God." She said, rolling her eyes at the fact I was half-naked…again.
"You know, Bif's not really feeling…sociable right now, but hey, you've got the better deal." I said, gesturing to my abdominals.
"I didn't come to talk to Bif." Natasha said calmly.
"Great." I smiled. "Well, so long then." I was about to close the door when she stretched out a hand.
"Wait, I wanted to talk to you."
I cocked an eyebrow, smirking.
"You? Me? Talk? Great – how about inside?"
She was about to a take a step when Lola sauntered out of the door.
"I'll see you later Aiden."
I nodded as Lola planted a kiss on my lips and walked out, noticing Natasha and saying lowly: "You know, I'll always be his first."
Natasha simply walked past Lola and inside the house, standing in the foyer. I closed the door and turned around to her.
"So, my room's upstairs." I grinned quickly.
"Give me a break." She laughed at me.
I smiled politely.
"What do you want with me then Ms. Evans?"
"I wanted to know why you did it."
"Did what?"
"Hit Johnny with a wooden tray? Poured soda all over him? Built a brick wall in front of the autoshop?"
I smiled.
"The last one was quite impressive wasn't it?"
"No, it was stupid. And incredibly immature." She said, unimpressed.
"Erm, hello? Have you met me? I am stupid. And incredibly immature."
"You can say that again…"
"Okay, hello? Have you met-"

"You haven't answered my question." She cut me off.
"I thought it was rhetorical." I shrugged.
"What ever gave you the idea it was rhetorical?"
"And now we're back to the stupid and immature topic." I smiled.
"Aiden." She raised her voice loudly, surprising me. "Can you just give me a clear answer?"
I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. I did several things to Johnny Dean because we're just not meant to be. Completely different worlds and crowds and all that jazz…plus he deserves it." I added with an afterthought.
"What do you mean he deserves it? He's done nothing wrong to you!"
I smiled and took out the pack of cigarettes, putting one in my mouth.
"Well, for starters the amount of grease in his hair offends me."
"As if that's a valid reason, Aiden. Why are you acting like such a douche?"
I lit the cigarette and took a drag, blowing the smoke up into the air.

"Gee, I don't know Natasha, why are you dating such a douche?"
She laughed at me again…it was getting annoying now.
"Johnny's the douche? He hasn't done a thing to deserve such treatment!"
I stopped getting annoyed and cocked my head to one side, looking at her and becoming fascinated. I took one drag and then dropped the hand with the cigarette in it to my side.
"Why do you care so much?" I asked.
"Because Johnny's my boyfriend."
"So, why aren't you ask Johnny about our not-so-cold war?" I asked, looking at her carefully. "Unless you already did, and he hasn't given you an answer?" I asked, and at her silence I started beaming. "Wow. Solid relationship values." I said. "No, really – I mean, you two are like the poster couple for trust and communication-"
"Aiden! I've had enough of your childish behaviour. This is your last chance to answer my question."
I grinned even wider.
"Okay, on a serious note, I think you deserve to hear it from him. And then tell me what he says – I want to see your reaction." She stared daggers at me. "Seriously – ask him. I'll let him tell you first – for old time's sake."
She cocked an eyebrow.
"Old time's sake?"
Shit. I slipped up. My mouth dropped at how I could've been so stupid. I then broke into a broad smile in a feeble attempt to cover it up.
"Sure – because we were besties ever since we were kids. We made friendship bracelets, and had secret handshakes-"
"Oh, shut up Aiden!" She said, red hair wild and fiery. I got an unusual pique of entertainment and interest at how she could be so angry at me – I hadn't encountered anyone like this since I became the new Prep leader. The anger lasted only for a few seconds, and then disappeared, saddening me.
"Huh." I said aloud, exclaiming my interest in her. I then grinned "You want me." I informed her, pointing with the cigarette. Of course I knew she would get angry at me for pointing this out – but all that meant was a bonus repeat viewing of the angry red head.
She was taken completely aback.
"What?" She asked loudly.
"Well, I get under your skin don't I? You're always mysteriously drawn to me when I'm missing my shirt, and I'd even go as far as to guess that you've been thinking about me a lot…maybe even when you're with Johnny?" I smiled, leaning in a bit more wearing my signature smirk.

A massive smack made my view suddenly change to the staircase beside me. I looked back at her in shock, rubbing my jaw.

"What the hell is wrong with you Aiden?" Confusion. That should've worked…I started to rub my jaw again in pain as Natasha glared knives at me. "Fact is, I don't want you and you should learn about personal boundaries – you may not care for them, but everyone else does."
I rubbed my chin and looked at her, head cocked as my curiosity piqued. She then barged past me and slammed the front door closed.

I bit my lip in thought.

"Hey boss." Said Bif, walking past me. He noticed the red mark on my cheek.

"She got you good." He said.
"Uh-huh." I murmured, then closed my mouth, still looking after where she had gone. "Interesting."
Bif looked at me carefully as I moved back slowly and retreated up the stairs to my bedroom.

Angsty right? Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. More to come, and the interview will be up soon!