A/N: Just to clarify, when they're texting and they're using their screen name, that means they're on AIM on their cell phone or on the computer. But when it's just their name, they're just texting on their cell phone.

BOCD

The Hallways

Thursday, September 13th

7:46 am

"It's now or never," Nikki reminded him, urging Cam to just walk across the hallway and ask Claire out. Nikki was so tired of the PC and everyone else in the school thinking that she and Cam had a "thing" for each other.

Cam stayed glued to the place he was standing. He kept on reminding himself over and over again that if he asked Claire out, Nikki will finally realize that he liked him all along. He was doing this for her. "How about never?" He suggested. He just couldn't muster up the courage to ask Claire out.

Then again, you didn't really need courage. You just needed a reason to die.

"Come on, you said you'd do it." Nikki's green eyes widened. "Cam… you promised."

Oh no, he wasn't going to fall for that one. He winced but couldn't help look down at her face. Her eyes were huge and full of hope and her lips were in a small pout. "Don't go all Claire on me."

"I'm not," Nikki protested. "I just want everything to go back to the way it was before I messed everything up." She said, tugging at the collar of her black Splendid cardigan.

Cam softened up a bit. "You didn't mess up anything. Things fell into place by themselves. You didn't do anything wrong. Are you just making me ask Claire out just because you think it's your fault we broke up in the first place?"

Nikki looked down at her Michael Kors platform sandals. Was that really the reason why she felt the need to fix everything up? "Truthfully Cam," Nikki sighed, looking back up at Cam's mismatched eyes. "I don't know," She frowned. "But can you just please, do it?" Nikki groaned. She was no longer in control of her feelings. Cam read her like a book. And it felt totally weird.

"Do you really want me to?" Cam asked. "Are you positively sure?"

No, Nikki wanted to reply. She wasn't sure of anything anymore. Did she only want Cam to ask Claire out so she could fit in more at school? Did she only ask him to do it out of guilt? "Yes," She gulped. "I'm positively sure."

Liar.

"Cam's coming over," Massie hissed. "Do you know why he's coming over?" She asked Claire. "And where's Nikki?" She scowled. She had nuh-thing under control. If she was going to stay alpha of the PC and the rest of the school, she was supposed to be on top of everything. So where was her newest member and why was Mr. Heartbreaker coming over?

Claire's eyes widened. She quickly fixed her out-grown blonde bangs and patted her hair down. "Cam?" She said, not caring one bit at how shocked and surprised she sounded.

"Hey, uh, Claire, can I talk to you?" Cam asked, not quite looking into Claire's desperate eyes.

Claire blushed red and looked at Massie for approval. Massie nodded her head and shook her cell phone. Claire was to report to Massie on what happened right after Cam talked to her. "Of course, I mean, yeah totally, I mean," Claire exhaled loudly. "Sure," She said, trying to act casual.

It wasn't working at all.

Once they were out of the PC's hearing range, Cam stopped walking and turned towards Claire, looking at her eyes for what seemed like the first time in months. "I've been thinking for a long time and I don't blame you for snooping." Lie.

"You don't?" Claire looked relieved. "So when you told me to stop calling you, did you mean that?"

"Of course not," Cam shook his head. Another lie. "Look, Nikki was just a phase. She's just a friend. Sometimes I get delusional." So many lies.

"What are you trying to say?" Claire squeaked. "Are you saying—?"

"Yeah, so um, will you go out with me? Again?" Cam asked, taking out the bag of gummy worms he had bought before school from his pocket. "I got these for you."

"Wow," Claire shook her head. She was speechless. "This is…"

"All Nikki's idea," Cam blurted. He couldn't let himself take all the credit, right? "She told me, as a friend, that I should really give you another chance."

"She did?" Claire held her breath. "She wasn't trying to steal you away from me all this time?"

"No," Cam furrowed his brows at that. Claire seriously thought that? "Um… so yeah, I'll stop by your house and leave Todd a C-note or something," Cam said, trying to remember what else he used to do for Claire. "So I'll see you during first break or something."

"Actually, we have home room together," Claire said helpfully. "Sit by me?"

"Yeah, sure," Cam nodded. He was desperate to get away and start yelling at himself for listening to Nikki. Oh, he was so whipped.

"This is so awesome," Claire squealed, launching herself at Cam and wrapping her skinny arms around Cam's neck. "It's going to be just like last year, except better."

Cam held back to urge to cough as he accidentally breathed in Claire's cheap perfume. This was going to suck.

Massie: Derrick just sent me a text. Do you think the boys are planning something?

Claire: IDK but CAM JUST ASKED ME OUT! I request for 100 gossip points.

Massie: Done! EMERGENCY TPC MEETING AT LUNCH! U R NOT GOING TO BE SITTING WITH LUVERBOY 2DAY! G2G. Derrick's walking my way!

Massie quickly shut her phone and dropped it back into her tote bag before fluffing out her hair. Derrick was wearing his signature smirk as he walked down the hallway towards her, totally working his True Religions.

Massie practically semi-fainted. Since when did Derrick actually look…mature?

"Hey Block," Derrick grinned, stopping right in front of her. "Did you miss me?"

"Since when do I miss you?" Massie said, remembering that she was still mad at him for calling her immature. "Puh-lease, I don't miss you. You're almost in all of my classes."

"So you noticed," Derrick continued smiling.

Massie blushed. "Well," she said, trying to think of something witty to say but nothing came to mind. "You're so obnoxious and show-off-y during class, only someone blind and death wouldn't notice you."

"So I'm noticeable," Derrick chuckled.

"Harrington, I didn't say that you were notice—"

"Don't sweat it, Block," Derrick murmured. "I'm noticeable. You're noticeable. Let's get back together so we can be the most noticeable couple at BOCD, okay?"

Massie couldn't help but shiver. Derrick's voice when down to a whisper gave her chills. "That sounds—" She started melting a bit but then snapped back to reality. What was she doing here? Derrick was going to have to work to get her back! She wasn't easy like Claire. "That sounds disgusting," Massie scrunched up her nose and took a few steps back. "You don't actually believe that I'll take you back like that." Massie said, snapping in his face. "Wake up, Harrington!" She scowled, snapping again. "This is Massie Block you're talking to."

"How could I forget," Derrick said, his shoulders drooping as he rolled his eyes. Nikki lied. Massie so did not say yes.

"If you like me, you're going to have to prove it," Massie narrowed her eyes. "I'm not a little prize you win at the carnival after shooting a couple of baskets," Massie said with a sniff. "I'm like a long-term goal. You have to work for it."

Work for it, Derrick repeated in his head. He didn't like the sound of that.

"Are you up for it?" Massie snickered. "Or are you too immature?"

But Derrick did like the sound of a challenge.

"Bring it on, Block." Derrick taunted, fighting the urge to turn around and wiggle his butt. "So what do I have to do?"

Massie laughed. "If I told you, then it wouldn't really be much of a challenge, would it? Surprise me, would you? Prove to me that you're irreplaceable and that I actually need you in my life. But don't keep me waiting. Massie Block is not patient and doesn't wait for anyone."

"Got it," Derrick nodded, taking out his phone.

"What are you doing?" Massie peered over his shoulder.

"Calling for backup," Derrick shrugged.

Derrick: Cam, my man! The LUV machine! Want 2 help me with another favor?