A/N. As promised, a Saturday update! ^-^ Had a really nice night; it was my Uncle [Tito] Will's birthday and we went to his house and had dinner. I brought my little cousins, too, and it was fun! I thought it was funny that my freshman friend, Jessica and I, not a freshman, were both reading To Kill a Mockingbird for school and the same chapter.

Anyways, remember to vote for your favorite FF stories! Doesn't matter if it's one of my stories or your own story or a not-well-known story. As long as you think it's worthy of becoming the best Sisters Grimm story of 2012, then vote for it. :D Remember to go to Elligoat's profile to do so.

I didn't prepare review replies (I'M SORRY!) for tonight, so they shall be replied to next chapter. Though, I do need to address yorkie999777000's review and just say I'm so deeply sorry and I feel terrible and want to upload a chapter each and every day, but there's a price with growing up –you grow up. Everything gets harder, and the decisions you make have greater effect on your future. I'm trying so hard to balance FF and school, I can't even read and review like I used to -24/7. I'm trying. I'm really trying. Your comment made me feel really guilty, but I'm thankful that you've stuck with me since this story started (even though you really weirded me out at first, haha! :D) so thanks.

By the way, the poll on my profile is closed, and the official pairing name for Sage and Ariana is Sariana. Yay!

Sorry for some minor coarse language. And typos. And if anything seems racist. There was a comment that I tried to word differently (not necessarily in a bad way), but if it still seems discriminate, just notify me in your review. :3

Enjoy!


Chapter 28: Skip

"You know you don't have to go, right?"

I looked up at Sage, who was hovering over me, crossing his arms. Currently, I was on the gym floor sitting Indian style. Sounds of basketballs being dribbled and students talking loudly filled the room. In my anxiety of having to ignore Matt all day, I had forgotten my gym clothes, and in turn, couldn't participate with them. Wendell was sitting out with me as well, but he was still in a grumpy mood about having to stay out in the hallway for the whole Home Ec. period. Sage raised an eyebrow, waiting for my response to his statement. "I know," I finally sighed. "I figured that out five minutes after he assigned it."

"I'm not allowed to hold detention either," he responded, frowning. "Otherwise I'd make you or Ariana stay after with me every day. I don't know why I have to be here until three… It's not fair."

I ignored his rambling, focusing on my own problems. "If I skip, Matt will just come to my house, and Sabrina and Puck are at home today. I don't want it to be awkward. They'll know something is up right away and try to butt their way into it. Mom'll take Matt's side too, because I think she likes him more than I do."

Sage squatted, his mouth now turned into a playful smile. "You could always stay with me. Hang out in the gym after school that way he won't be able to find you. And you can keep me company."

"I'll stay after too!" Wendell added, his eyes lighting up. "This is a perfect chance to hang out with you!"

"We can ask Ariana too," Sage said, nodding. "It'll be like a mini party."

I debated about it for a moment. I really did want Matt to apologize first, but wasn't a day and a half enough time to let him wallow in his guilt? He probably was already planning to apologize. But then again, I was curious as to what he would do if I continued ignoring him. If it got to the point where he got too angry with me I could always back out and apologize to him. "Okay, that sounds good," I finally responded, giving Sage a little grin.

"Good!" he said, clapping his hands together. "Now I'm excited. Ariana!" he cried loudly, waving her over. "Come here!"

The brunette jumped in surprise before turning to look at him. Unfortunately for her, her partner had just thrown a basketball, which hit her in the chest. "Ai!" She winced, turning to scowl at James. He gave her a sheepish look. Shaking her head, she began to jog her away over to us. "What's up, Sage?"

"Mr. Ross," Wendell and I corrected her immediately.

She rolled her eyes. "Right. What's up, Mr. Ross?"

"Want to stay after school with me, Daphne, and Wendell? We're having a party."

Cocking an eyebrow, she turned to me. "What's this? You actually have time to hang out with us?"

Wendell smirked while I scowled at her. "If you just ask me when you want to hang out, I will. I don't spend every waking moment with Matt, you know!"

She chuckled. "I'm just teasing you, Daphne. I can stay after, but I'll need a ride home…"

"I'll give you one," Sage and I chorused. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Okay, Sage will," I told Ariana.

Ariana opened her mouth to say something, but abruptly closed when she noticed my look. I knew she was going to mention that she lived down the street from me so it would be pointless to have Sage drive her. This would be a good chance for them to have some more alone time. Sage agreed vigorously to drive her home and she ran off to join James again, looking a little bit flustered.

"Oh my god, ew," Wendell commented, wrinkling his nose. "What is up with all you girls have crushes on older men?"

Sage sighed dreamily. "I just can't help it… They're like, totally manly, unlike you, Wendell."

He rolled his eyes. "Please, spare me."

Suddenly there was a sharp shout of pain from the other side of the gym. Sage's head immediately snapped in the direction. I followed his gaze, my eyes landing on a student lying on the ground with other students starting to surround him. My lips turned up in amusement when I realized it was Jackson on the floor. Anna bounded over to him looking worried. After a few moments Sage started toward him too. I pushed myself off the ground too— I wasn't going to miss the chance of giving Jackson a taunting look while he was sprawled out of the floor.

"Jackson, are you okay?" Anna asked, squatting down next to her brother. "What happened?"

"I just tripped," he responded roughly, looking away from her. "I'm fine."

"Let me help you up—"

He slapped her hand away. "No. Go away."

"Hey," I protested, scowling at him. "Don't hit your sister."

"Stay out of it," he snapped at me.

Using his hands, he pushed himself up to his feet. A grimace of pain crossed his face and when he tried to take a step forward, he pulled his weight of his left leg, sending him toppling to the side. Sage easily caught him. "Are you okay?"

He pushed away from Sage. "I'm fine! Ow," he hissed, putting his weight on his foot again.

Sage frowned. "You should probably go to the nurse. Someone will have to walk with him. Wendell, will you—"

"No."

Jackson smirked, his eyes landing on me. "Daphne will help me. Right, Daphne?"

I gave him a flat look. I didn't want to help him, but he was asking in front of everyone. "If I have to."

"I can take him," Sage interjected, shooting a dirty look at Jackson. "Daphne, you should stay here—"

"You're the teacher," Jackson cut him off, looking smug. "You can't leave. Hand me off to Daphne. She can handle it. She's a big girl, isn't she, Mr. Ross?"

He scowled. "Fine. Here, Daphne."

Reluctantly, I dragged myself forward. Jackson wasted no time in wrapping a strong arm around my shoulder and putting more weight than necessary on me. It took all I had to hold him up and stay on my feet under it all. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of me sinking under him. We headed for the gym door, him hobbling and me struggling to stay upright. Fortunately for me, the nurse's office was just down the hall. At least I didn't have to drag him across the whole school.

"So," he started as soon as we were out in the empty hallway. "How's your relationship with Mr. Ross?"

"Fine," I grunted.

"And with Mr. Firay?"

I shot him a glare. "We have no relationship."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really? Since when are you guys not friends?"

"We're still friends," I responded with a sigh.

"Has he confessed his love for you yet?"

I ignored him, focusing on the tiled floor. It really didn't make sense that he knew Bryant but didn't know it was Matt and I dating. Was Bryant playing some kind of game with him? Why would Bryant tell him it was Sage and I dating? Why wouldn't Bryant just say it was Matt I was dating? My mind hurt just thinking about it. I couldn't be sure of anything with Bryant. He could have some great mastermind plan that both Jackson and I were unaware of.

"Daphne, I need you to do me a favor tomorrow," Jackson spoke up again.

"That's too bad," I responded.

His eyes lit up in amusement. "Let me rephrase that. You have to do me a favor tomorrow."

"I don't have to do anything, Jackson."

"You don't want the faculty finding out about you and Sage, right?"

I laughed through my nose. "I don't need to worry about that."

"Oh yeah?"

"They wouldn't believe you, Jackson. You have no proof."

He tightened his arm around my shoulder. "I wouldn't be so sure of that, Daphne."

My heart skipped a beat. What did he mean by that? There was no way he could have any evidence against Sage and I because we weren't a couple. I easily calmed myself down. "You're lying," I said, calling my bluff.

"You can think whatever you want," he responded smoothly. "Just know I can destroy you two at any moment. You don't want him to get fired, do you? Or you getting expelled when I say you were getting good grades out of it?"

I took a few deep breaths through my nose to keep myself steady. Jackson was all talk. "There's no way you have proof of us together."

"I could show you if you like."

I paused, making both of us come to a halt. He cocked an eyebrow, the corners of his lips twitching up. Was he lying? Or telling the truth? What evidence could he have? My mind raced, but nothing came up. Sage and I had only kissed once, and I was positive he didn't take a picture— he had been frozen. Sage and I didn't write notes to each other. We hardly talked in school aside from gym class. Even at the dance we weren't together besides when we arrived together. Jackson couldn't have anything. "Show me," I demanded confidently.

"Sure," he responded, sticking his free hand into his back pocket and producing his cell phone. "You sound pretty dubious. I'm sure this'll change your mind."

An uncomfortable feeling spread through my stomach. A cell phone? That meant it had to be some type of picture. But there were no pictures of Sage and I in any kind of revealing position. Were there…?

"Take a look," Jackson offered, holding out the phone.

Holding my breath, I took a close look at the picture he was showing me. My heart nearly stopped beating. It was a picture from the wedding in New Jersey. Immediately I began to panic. Who had taken this picture? Sage proposing to me had been a joke! No one would believe this picture, right? I stared at it again, my heart sinking. It did look pretty convincing. Sage was kneeling on one knee on the ground, one of my hands in his. To top things off he was in a suit and I was in a dress. But still… "N-no one is going to believe this picture," I stated as coolheaded as I could.

"Well maybe not with that picture alone…"

Now my heart did stop. Jackson used his finger to slide to the next picture on his phone. One of Sage and I slow dancing. Inwardly, I groaned. That wasn't good. "How did you get those pictures?"

"Wait, wait, I have one more!"

I held my breath in anticipation. There couldn't be anything worse. Sage hadn't pulled any stunts like that in a long time.

"Here."

When my eyes landed on the next picture, they widened. It was a picture taken from behind us. Sage was kissing me on the cheek, his face visible on at a side view. You could only see the back of my head in the picture. My eyebrows furrowed together. I couldn't remember a time where Sage had kissed me on the cheek. I didn't even own that blue striped polo I was wearing in the picture… I nearly gasped when realization hit me. The reason I didn't remember the scene was because that wasn't me. It was the other Daphne. Sage's cousin.

"I see you recognize the picture," Jackson commented, snapping his phone shut. "Now you understand I can easily tell on you guys, right?"

"Did Bryant send you those pictures?" I interrogated, narrowing my arms. He would be the only person who would send Jackson pictures to get me in trouble. Maybe having Jackson think Sage and I were dating was part of a bigger plan.

Jackson snorted. "Bryant's in jail. What do you think?"

"That one of his followers did it," I responded, gritting my teeth.

"My lips are sealed," Jackson told me, placing a finger against his lips. "I just wanted to let you know you really do have to do what I ask you to. I bet you'd feel like crap Mr. Ross got fired because of you, right? As long as you do what I say, I won't tell."

I kept my mouth shut. Apparently Jackson didn't know that last picture wasn't me. But even so, there were those two other pictures where it was very obvious it was me in them. The faculty didn't know about the other Daphne. They would just assume that third picture was me and that I was in a relationship with Sage. "What do you want me to do?" I finally responded with a sigh.

An expression of superiority crossed his face. "Well first of all—"

Before he had the chance to move, I snatched his phone from his hand. Surprise crossed his face as I swiftly ducked out from under his arm, turning to run back to the gym. If I could delete those pictures, I was home free.

"Daphne!" he shouted after me.

I ignored him, flipping open the phone. Seconds later I felt my arm being tugged back in a rough manor. The phone nearly slipped from my hands. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing Jackson glaring at me. He reached for the phone but I quickly moved it out of his way. How was he standing on his ankle? Wasn't it injured?

"Give me my phone," he ordered, clenching my arm in his hand.

I winced, shaking my head. "No." I attempted to push him away, but he just held onto me tighter.

"Don't make me hurt you," he warned, yanking my body closer to his. With his free hand, he grabbed the front of my shirt. "I'm not someone you want to mess with."

I held my ground. "I've fought off Everafters tougher than you, Jackson."

In one, swift motion he had me against the brick wall of the hallway, one of my arms pinned behind my back. "I wouldn't be too sure."

"What do you want from me?" I demanded, clenching my jaw. I wasn't going to show him I was afraid of him.

"Payback," he replied simply. "Bryant was like my father. My father who you sent to jail."

"He tried to kill me—"

Jackson cut me off. "The least I can do for him is get his revenge. He asked me to do one simple thing."

"What?"

"Make your life hell."

I glowered at him. "Yeah? Well guess what. It won't work."

"I'll see about that," he said, reaching for the phone again. "Now give me that."

"No!"

He pressed into me harder. "I'll tell on you."

"You can't without your phone!"

"Give me my phone," he growled, grabbing my arm and slamming into to the wall.

I shut my eyes, holding onto the phone tighter. This was the only thing threatening Sage's job and my senior year. I wasn't letting go. Suddenly I felt something sharp sinking into my arm. My eyes flew open and I noticed Jackson's face at my arm. He was biting me!

"Stop it, you creep!" I shouted. "Ow!" I was definitely going to get rabies!

"Phone."

"No!"

I closed my eyes again as he tried smashing my arm against the brick again. There was no way I was letting him get it. I couldn't do that to Sage. I couldn't risk my high school career. Someone would come by. Someone would stop him…

As if my wishes were heard, Jackson abruptly moved away from me. My eyes snapped open, only to have dread wash me. Matt was standing there, his angry gaze boring into my eyes. He was holding Jackson by the collar of his gym shirt. I quickly pulled the phone to me, but Jackson snatched it out of my grasp at the last second. It took all my control not to scream.

"Ms. Grimm, what's going on?" Matt demanded.

"Daphne took my phone," Jackson complained, grinning evilly at me.

My chest heaved in anger, but I didn't say anything. If I did, Matt was definitely going to kill Jackson. I didn't want him getting fired too and then getting sent to jail again.

"Ms. Grimm?"

I swallowed, looking everywhere but at Matt.

"Stop ignoring me," he said in a surprisingly hard tone.

"Uh-oh, the teacher is getting angry," Jackson commented, amusement leaking in his tone. "I better go before I get in trouble too. See you tomorrow, Daphne. Don't make plans for after school."

I glared at the back of his head as he started walking down the hall, not staggering in the slightest. Was the ankle just a trick?

"What does he mean, Daphne?" Matt inquired, moving closer to me.

I looked up at him for a split-second— a big mistake. His piercing eyes caught mine and I found it impossible to look away. I just wanted to kiss him… No. I couldn't kiss him.

"Why are you ignoring me?"

My heart nearly broke at the desperate tone in his voice. It took all I had to force myself to look away. He had to apologize first… I couldn't forgive him until he apologized.

Luckily, the bell saved me from having to answer. My shoulders sagged in relief and I hastened away from him. I could deal with him later. For now I had to get away from him before he interrogated me about Jackson, or started making me feel guilty. I grumbled to myself. Matt was going to be pissed. I should have just punched Jackson and ran… No, I couldn't have done that. I would have been suspended. I sighed. I really needed to confront Jackson outside of school.

The rest of the day passed by in a blur. I barely focused in Spanish class. When the final bell rang, I hurried to the gym, going the long way to avoid the science wing. I needed to talk to Sage. He was shooting a basketball when I entered the gym a few moments later. A three-pointer swished in the basket and he let out a cheerful whoop.

"Good job," I commented, making him jump.

He gave me a sheepish look. "I thought I was alone."

"Nope. So, guess what?"

"Matt caught you coming down here?"

I shook my head. "No. Jackson has a picture of you proposing to me."

Sage blanked. "What?"

"Remember? At Daphne's wedding? Yeah, I guess someone took a picture of that and it got to Jackson. He also has a picture of us slow dancing and a picture of you kissing the other Daphne, but it looks like me."

Sage ran a hand through his shaggy hair. "Shit…"

"If he shows the office those, we're done for."

He swore a few times more. "How did he even get those pictures?"

"Probably someone with a connection with Bryant."

"That bastard," he growled, clenching his fists. "You'd think now that he was in jail we wouldn't have to bother with him.

I cupped my elbow with my hand, letting my gaze drop to the ground. "Guess not… As long as I do what Jackson says, he won't tell anyone though."

Sage's feet appeared in my field of vision as he grew closer to me. "Don't give in to him, Daphne."

"But Sage, I don't want you to be fired."

"Worry about yourself. I have two jobs."

"If he tells I could be expelled."

"Shit."

"Yeah."

He sighed. "Okay. I really hate to say that, but maybe you should just listen to him until I figure out a way to fix this. If he asks you to do anything illegal or something you're not okay with, tell me. I'll tell the office something that'll only get me in trouble."

"But Sage—"

"No buts. You should feel lucky Matt isn't in my position. He needs this job. I don't. Hopefully I'll be able to figure something out…"

Before I could say more, the gym door opened and Ariana and Wendell appeared, laughing together. Sage and I relaxed our tense states. "Hey guys," Wendell called. "What's up?"

"Playing some basketball," Sage and I responded simultaneously.

Wendell cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? Should we have a two-on-two match?"

Ariana grinned. "I like that idea."

"I'm up for it," I said. Anything to get my mind off Jackson. And unlike volleyball, I was actually okay at basketball.

"What will the teams be? Wendell and Daphne against Ariana and I?" Sage suggested, picking out a basketball from the rack next to him. "Would that be even?"

"Are you good at basketball?" Wendell inquired.

Sage kept his face emotionless. "I'm okay."

"Ariana is good, so she'll match you well then. Daphne, are you ready to take them down?"

I swung my arm like a sailor. "Ay!"

"Then let's do this," Sage said, grinning again. "Come on Ariana. We'll let you guys start with the ball."

We started the game, and just like that, all the tension in my body from earlier was gone. Instead of thinking about Matt and Jackson, I had to focus on stealing the ball, passing the ball, shooting the ball, blocking Ariana and Sage… It was a good distraction. Unfortunately for Wendell and I, Sage had lied when he said he was okay at basketball. He was like a British Michael Jordan. He and Ariana were tearing us apart.

"Interception!" I shouted, smacking the ball to the ground as Ariana tried to pass it to Sage.

"Run, Daphne!" Wendell all but screamed at me.

"This isn't football!" Ariana added with a laugh.

I ignored her, dribbling the ball as speedily as I could toward the other side of the court. Sage was hot on my trail, shouting distracting things at me. Soon I found myself laughing too hard to keep running straight. "Lay off, Sage!"

"I'm going to get you!" he told me, his voice far too closer for comfort

"Shoot, Daphne!" Wendell yelled from the other side of the room.

I came to a stop, raising my eyes to the hoop. It was a little further than I thought it was. Just as I pushed the ball away from my chest, Sage crashed into my back, causing us both to fall to the floor. My face made a sickening splat as it hit the floor. Instead of it hurting though, it only caused me to laugh harder.

"Score!" Wendell shouted after a second. "Three pointer!"

"Are you okay, Daphne?" Ariana called, running over to us. "Wendell, stop celebrating!"

Wendell shot her a dirty look. "Sometimes it takes sacrifice for good things to happen."

I rolled my eyes at him, attempting to push myself off the ground. "Sage, get off me."

"I can't believe you made that shot," he complained, rolling off my legs. "Luck of the Irish."

"Makes sense, since I'm Irish…"

"You are?"

I nodded. "A whole lotta Irish. And German, of course."

"I am too," Ariana pitched in, holding out a hand to me.

Sage frowned. "How come you never wear those Kiss Me, I'm Irish shirts?"

We both made faces. "Why would we?"

He shrugged. "I would, if I was a girl."

"I think you can get them for guys," I commented thoughtfully.

"Hey!" Wendell called, jogging up to us. "Are you going to chitchat all day, or are we going to continue the game? We need like 100 points to catch up, Daphne."

I shook my head at him, grinning. "Okay, okay. It's your turn to start with the ball," I told Ariana. "Go get it."

"Lazy," she muttered before dragging to the corner of the gym where the ball had rolled.

I stretched, letting out a long yawn. "We should go get ice cream after this, or something."

"I'm up for it," Ariana agreed, coming back toward us with the ball. "We can stop at the Village Green."

"Ooh, is that the one with forty-one flavors?" Sage asked excitedly. "I love the Birthday Cake—"

The sound of the gym door opening cut him off. All four of us turned toward in. In strode Matt, not looking the slightest bit happy. He froze when he saw all of us. "Uh oh," I muttered, feeling my high coming down.

"You run while I distract him," Sage whispered.

"I don't know—"

"Go!" Sage demanded, shoving me in the direction of the locker rooms. "Go through the boys. No one should be in there."

After a second I of hesitation, I decided to do that. Matt really didn't look too happy at the moment. I didn't want to talk to him until he cooled down.

"Daphne!" I heard him shout after me.

"S'up, Mustard?"

"Move, Sage."

Sage grunted and I guessed Matt punched him or something. Resisting the urge to stop to see if he was okay, I winged open the door to the boy's locker room, and hurried down the steps. Seconds later it opened again and Matt demanded me to stop. My eyes widened slightly. Just how fast could he run? My question was answered when I only managed to take about seven steps after reaching the bottom of the stairs before he grabbed my arm, yanking me to a stop.

"Daphne," he started, his grey eyes piercing into mine.

I looked away, my heart hammering in my chest. "Go away," I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

"Look at me," he demanded, grasping my chin in his free hand, and forcing me to look at him.

I closed my eyes, biting my lip. He was too close… I wanted to kiss him.

To my surprise, I felt his lips brush against mine. After a moment they pressed harder and he let go of my chin, moving his hand to the back of my neck. Unable to stop myself, I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around him. He moved me backward so I was against the cool, tiled wall of the locker room. I pulled him closer to me, deepening the kiss. Thrills of electricity went through me when he ran his hand down my back and then back up. Our lips moved together in perfect sync, making my head spin.

Eventually he pulled away, leaving us both breathless. "I'm sorry," he apologized, resting his forehead against mine.

"Matt—"

"No, let me finish. I shouldn't have got angry with you. I shouldn't have left you at the restaurant. That was a total dick move by me. As soon as I was halfway home I realized my mistake and went back, but you were already gone." He clenched his jaw. "I should have stopped before I even started. I'm sorry, Daphne. I was jealous Sage kissed you. I was pissed you'd rather go to him than me. I'm your boyfriend, Daphne. Why don't you want me to help you? Why do you prefer Sage over me?"

"That's not it!" I cried, slapping my hand over his mouth. "It's not that I don't want you to help. I need you to listen to me, Matt."

He nodded his head. "Okay," he mumbled into my hand.

"If you say something to Jackson, he'll get Sage fired and there's a chance I can be expelled. He has stuff on me, Matt. That's why I said you couldn't tell him. He can't know that I told you."

"But he's threatening you," he responded in a hard tone, easily pulling my hand away from his mouth.

"And I can handle it," I pressed. "I've been through worse. You should know that."

"I don't want to see you go through that again."

I shook my head. "It's different, Matt. This time it's my battle. You don't need to worry about me."

He snorted. "It's not a choice, Daphne. It's an automatic reaction."

I pressed my lips back to his for a brief moment. "You won't say anything to him, right?"

"I won't," he promised begrudgingly. "If he ever threatens you physically I want to know though."

"I'll let you know," I vowed. "I don't think he wants to physically harm me though…"

Matt scowled. "Then what was that in the hallway earlier?"

"Er, well, he has pictures of Sage and I on his phone…"

A sigh left Matt's lips. "I can probably guess what they are of… Come on," he said, offering me his hand. "I don't want to discuss this now. I have a feeling I'm going to be mad. We'll discuss it later. I want to play basketball."

"You do?"

"Why do you sound so surprised?"

"You never pinned me as the sporty type."

He grinned. "Really? Then I guess I have a chance to impress you."

"Good luck," I responded, smiling back at him.

He swiftly planted a kiss on my nose. "I don't need luck. I have skill."

When we emerged from the locker room, Ariana, Sage, and Wendell were all sitting cross-legged on the ground playing crocodile. I raised an eyebrow at them. Ariana grinned sheepishly at me. "Well, this is awkward."

"He apologized first, right Daphne?" Sage asked, springing up from the ground.

I nodded. "Yes. He was a good boy."

Matt scowled at Sage. "Come here, you brat."

Sage shook his head. "Uh-uh. No way. If you want to be angry with me, take it out with this basketball." He tossed the basketball in his hands to Matt."

"Okay, stay still so I won't miss—"

"No!" he cried, flinching as Matt raised his arm. "Not by throwing it. By beating me in a match. Let's do Daphne and Matt against Ariana, Wendell, and me."

I pretended to crack my knuckles. "Prepare to go down this time, Sage."

He smirked at me. "I should be saying that to you."

"I remember in high school you would cry when you lost to me," Matt commented casually.

"I wasn't crying! I had something in my eye!"

Wendell snorted. "That excuse is way over used."

"I'm serious!"

Ariana gave him a pitying look. "Wow, Sage. I don't think I can look at you the same way."

He scowled at her. "I didn't cry!"

"You're in denial," I stated.

"I'm not!"

"Yep, denial," Wendell, Ariana, Matt, and I agreed.

He snatched the ball from Matt's hands. "Oh, it's on. And guess who's going to be the one crying this time?"

"Not me," Matt responded casually. He glanced at me. "Daphne's on my team. I can't let use lose."

I smiled back at him. "Don't worry, Matt. I'll be able to support us if you can't."

He scoffed. "We'll see."

Sage tossed the ball to me. "Since you guys only have two players, you start."

"Okay," I responded, bouncing it back to him.

He caught it and sent it back. The game was on.


A/N. Longer than usual chapter (this chapter was 14 pages on Microsoft; usually they're 11-13 pages), so I hope you guys like! I'll be updating Monday since I don't have school that day and Tuesday (Parent/Teacher Conference thing).

QotU Winner: The only one who answered (but had an ABSOLUTELY wonderful answer) was Key-2-Soul! Thanks for the advice! :D

New QotU: Superpower ability you'd love to have and why?

Okay, I lied. I'm replying (because I feel terribly guilty) to replies not only that, but because I don't really want to play Just Dance for the 20th time this week (my cousin is so demanding and she's only five)! :D

Replies:

CupinCakes : Lol. And thanks for the input! The whole week thing will only be for one week, though, haha. I did it for FTFT and many reviewers were pleased.

Katie: Home Ec. Sorry for the confusion! I need to better proof read these chapters…

emowriter : Lol. Aw, don't shut Matt out; he's just protective. I'm thinking about posting a chapter in Matt's POV, so you can see his side. Sariana, yes. :D Heehee, Underpants was pretty good looking. I love Takizawa, though. Heehee…

Key-2-Soul : Thanks! :D Haha, that's cool! Oh, you have no idea how many times I say sorry in an hour. SO. MANY. TIMES. Especially on school days when I bump into people in the crowd. Supportive friends for the win! Hmm…good question! Daphne isn't really a popular person. She's not an outcast either, but...she's average. And she doesn't tell anyone else that's she going to his room. People might notice her being given notes, but they won't know who from...ah, that's what you just said, isn't it? Maybe people are curious at first, but then they forget about it because she's average? Haha, I'm not sure –This isn't my actual story so I haven't worked out all the kinks yet. That is a very good idea. I think it'll really help me. Thanks!

Guest: Haha, thanks so much! Thanks for the feedback!

Curlscat: Thanks for finding that. I see the issue. Haha, funny you should say that. Jordan Lynde actually did write this part (well, the night of Daphne and Mustardseed's date) in Matt's POV. It was really good. I'm not sure if she'll let me post that (she already let me post two of her stories, not sure if she's okay with letting me post her one-shots, too), but we'll see.

Alexandra Jackson rocks Hades: You were moody because you thought he was going to, then he didn't, and then he did? So…when writing this review, that was before he kneeled? Because I don't think you'd be moody if you were expecting him to propose and he did. :D But that is so cute! Congratulations! Haha, I'll keep that in mind.

creamychocpudding786: Ha, sorry for the wait! Hahaha! :D Thanks!

Hurting with a smile: Haha, that'd be QUITE a sight! Thanks for the review!

Laylaenchantix101: Haha, all the girls were probably like, "OHMYGOSH, YOU BROKE THE RULES! YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO CALL THE HOT TEACHER UGLY! Jail for you!"

GrimmGirlLove: Lol, your reviews never cease to make me smile! Thanks! Go do your "crapload" of homework, haha. Don't procrastinate. :D Thanks for the chapter and baaai!

See you guys Monday!

~Lara