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Look Alive, Sunshine

four

(flashback)

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They have been standing at the stall for about twenty minutes already and Ted has still yet to give up. Natasha sighed as she watched Ted miss another target finally depleting all the balls he was given, he had already spent a good thirty dollars and he was pulling out another five-bill.

"Teddy, baby…" she clutched onto his arm and prevented him from handing the bill to Dorsey. "You don't have to win me anything. Let's just go."

"No, babe. I'm not going to let some shitty game beat me," Ted brushed her off before handing the bill over. "Just give me another minute."

'Boys…' Natasha rolled her eyes with a shake of her head as Ted was handed another basket of baseballs. He had completely forgotten that he said he would win her a stuffed bear.

Ping-Ping-Ping-Ping!

There went another five dollars.

Ted groaned as he reached into his wallet once again.

"Okay, Ted, look at me," Natasha held his wrist and looked him in the eye. "That's enough, okay? We're going now."

"But-."

"No, baby, we're leaving."

"…Alright, fine."

Natasha smiled before pecking him on the cheek and his frown turned into a large grin as he put an arm around her shoulder. They headed back into the carnival oblivious to the two figures trailing over them, taking their spot at the baseball booth. The twins gave each other a similar look before handing Dorsey a fiver each.

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After leaving the carnival the pair stopped by the beach for a cheeky midnight swim. With their clothes discarded on shore the two splashed about under the moonlight in their underwear. Natasha squealed when Ted caught her from behind, picked her up and carried her over his shoulder as he stepped deeper into the water. Ignoring her protests, he threw her into the water with a roar of laughter. Natasha eventually emerged from the water, wiping the water away from her eyes and her ponytail a mess.

"That is not funny, Ted!" she groaned as she pulled the elastic out of her hair and pushed the wet strands of hair out of her face, internally lamenting her straightened hair would inevitably go curly again now. Ted swam up to her, trying to supress another laugh before she glared at him. "Go away."

"Oh, I'm sorry babe," he gave her one of those Ted Thompson grins that all the girls would go nuts over. He held her arms and slowly pulled her towards him. "You know I was just playing around."

He leaned down to kiss her. At first Natasha tried to refuse and struggled against his arms but he saw through her easily and his smile widened when their lips were inches apart, she gave in eventually and smiled into their brief kiss before she giggled as he pulled away. "I'm still mad at you."

"Are you now?" he tried to kiss her again but she ducked away and managed to get away as she swam back to shore. "You won't get away from me!"

Natasha laughed as she ran up the beach. Once reaching their pile of clothes she grabbed Ted's jersey first which she quickly pulled on, his jersey was large enough that it came down to her mid-thighs just covering her bum and it was a much better alternative than soaking her tight cheer outfit.

"Aw no, babe," Ted moaned when he got to her. "What am I gonna wear?"

"I don't see anything wrong with what you have on," she gave him a mischievous smile as her eyes darted down to his boxers. "A great sight, actually."

"I can say the same for you," he was definitely enjoying the sight of his stunning girlfriend wearing his jersey. "But I am going to need that back, babe."

"Come get it then," she giggled before running off.

Of course it didn't take much for Ted to catch up to her but when he did, instead of immediately confronting her about the jersey he pulled her into a back-hug. He brushed her wet locks out of the way and nestled his face in her neck sending goose-bumps running down her body when he breathed.

"It's your birthday next week," he hummed softly sending another shiver down her spine. She was actually surprised he remembered at all. "… Anything you want in particular?"

"You naked in my bed?"

"That can be arranged," she could hear the grin in his voice again. "And what would we be doing in bed?"

"Well why don't you give it a guess? Hint: I'll be naked too."

"Oh, I think I've got a pretty good idea."

"I bet you do."

Natasha took the opportunity when he was off-guard and spun around to meet his face, she wrapped her arms around his waist as she looked him in those beautiful azure eyes of his. Ted truly was gorgeous. Sometimes dating him could be a pain when almost all the female students at Bullworth had eyes for him… and it did not help that he would be friendly with any girl he found attractive enough.

"Teddy-bear… I love you."

"… And I love you, babe," he leaned down to kiss her again. "Mm… let's go back, you're getting your present early."

"Oh no, not tonight," she shook her head with a giggle. "My room is not free and I'd rather not be caught by my brothers. It's going to have to wait until we're at my home."

"… I… I'm not sure about this dinner," he sounded uncertain. This surprised Natasha as it was the first she's ever heard him speak of it. "I know it's for your birthday… but…"

"My parents want to meet you."

"They already know me. I've met them plenty of times."

"… They want to meet you as my boyfriend," she rubbed his cheek gently. "It won't be so bad, I promise."

"That's what you said about the chem test."

"It really wasn't that bad, you just didn't study!"

Ted made a face before he pecked her again.

"Alright, fine but give me my shirt back."

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It was unbelievable that just after being to the carnival with Ted last week her brothers decided it would be a great idea to take her again. Sure she liked it and had a great time she was last here but she would have preferred a larger gap between her visits otherwise it just took the magic away.

"Guys, I appreciate you two doing this for my birthday and all but Ted already brought me here last week."

"Sssh," Ben hushed her as he exchanged a look with Matt, both twins were on either side of Natasha tugging her towards the stalls. They had planned to win her a prize when Ted was not able to, in a sense it was more a boys' competitive spirit than it was putting their sister's birthday present first. Though they still wanted to keep it a surprise for her then gloat to Ted after. "We know so just leave it to us-."

"What he means, is that we're going to show you a much better time than him," Matt smiled convincingly. He's always had a warmer smile that made Natasha feel more at ease, and if she had to pick arguably she was closer to Matt. "Don't forget about your brothers just because you got a boyfriend."

"Yeah, Nat, you'll hurt our feelings," Ben chuckled before noticing his twin giving him a quick look, probably because he almost gave away their plan. "A-Anyway, shall we go?"

"… You know what, fine," Natasha sighed when she noticed her brothers staring at each other. It was likely they were having one of those silent conversations she could only hope to decipher. "Let's just have some fun then."

The boys exchanged looks again as they were dragged inside: 'Thank god we're not related to Pinky.'

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The whole of Sunday was spent with the girls in town celebrating Natasha's birthday, it was only by the late afternoon that they returned to the dorm where Natasha crashed into bed right away. She was completely exhausted and it did not take long for her to begin dozing off under the comfort of her bed. If it weren't for Mandy yelling at her, reminding her of the family dinner and forcing her out of bed for a shower she probably could have just slept rest of the day away but Mandy was right. Tonight was going to be an important night. It's been weeks since she last saw her parents and she was excited to formally introduce Ted to them as her boyfriend and not just as the twins' friend from the football team.

Natasha rolled out of bed wordlessly and scampered out of the room without even grabbing anything knowing there will be towels in the showers and that will be enough.

Mandy shook her head with a sigh before turning to her bags of shopping and emptying out a small bag of new nail varnishes onto her bed. She looked through the numerous bottles and decided on a blue one, she shook the bottle well and began to paint her toes. Just as she finished the first toe a knock came from the door, she immediately fastened the bottle and hurried to the door hoping it would be either one of the twins here to pick Natasha up, or if she was lucky it would be both of them. She swung the door open and her smile immediately dropped.

"Oh, it's you…" she gave Bif Taylor a tight-lipped smile. "What do you want?"

"Is Natasha in?" the prep peeked into the room. "… I was told she's in."

"Nat's in the shower, she's going to her parents tonight," Mandy tapped the doorframe disinterestedly until she noticed a small package in his hand. "… Is that for her?"

"Oh, yeah," Mandy reached for it and just as her fingers were about to touch it Bif pulled it out of her reach. "I don't think so, Wiles."

"At least tell me what it is," she asked, incredibly curious of whatever expensive gift Bif Taylor has coughed up for Natasha this year. "Come on."

"Wouldn't you like to know," he gave her an unfriendly look before stepping inside, looking between the two beds he chose to sit on the one not covered by bottles of nail varnish. "I guess I will wait."

"Uh… I think you should just drop it off and go," Mandy suggested. "Nat's gonna be back soon and she won't be happy to see you."

"Good, I won't have to wait long," he placed the gift down beside him with a smile. "Yeah well, these days she's never happy to see me not that it bothers me."

"No, you don't understand," she gritted her teeth. "Natasha doesn't have her clothes with her."

"Even better."

"Argh, get out you pig!" she cried out. "She's going to be pissed when she gets-."

The door creaked open and Natasha walked with a towel wrapped around her body, she had been saying something on her way in but her train of thought crashed when she found Bif Taylor sitting on her bed. "…"

"Nat, I tried getting him to leave," Mandy sighed, propping a hand on her hip. "Sorry."

"Bif…" Natasha said hoarsely. "Get. The. Fuck. Out."

Mandy eyed him as he walked towards the door, as he walked by she haughtily mouthed: 'Told you so'. Bif returned her gesture with the same hostility and rolled his eyes at her before leaving. It was only after he left did he realise he still had not done what he came to do, he rushed back inside and handed the box to Natasha. At this point Natasha just wanted Bif to leave and she clutched onto her towel tighter when she noticed his eyes straying from her face.

"Right, thanks," she took it from him with a curt smile. "Now could you please fuck off?"

Bif grinned at her haughtily, that cheeky Bif Taylor grin of his, before running out while calling 'happy birthday'.

After she has calmed down some, Natasha placed the box down on her dresser before she got changed. It was likely her mother was going to say something about it but she chose to wear the… interesting-looking yellow Old Bullworth polo shirt her brothers had won for her at the carnival. The shirt was a few sizes too big for her and hung loose all around but at least it was comfortable. She began packing her night bag oblivious to Mandy who had been staring holes at her.

"Say Nat?"

"Hm?"

"About the present…"

"What present?"

"The one from Bif."

"Oh, that one."

"Yes, that one!" Mandy grumbled when she realised her friend was teasing her. "Shouldn't you open it to see what's in it? Knowing Bif, he could have bought you a diamond ring."

"Don't even joke about that," she sighed as she reached for the box, fearing that Mandy could very well be right and there was no knowing with Bif Taylor. Since for as long as she could remember he has always had some way of surprising her in ways that she would least expect. She unravelled the ribbon of the box where inside held another smaller box, a lavish mint-coloured box with the name of a high-end jewellers embellished on the side. "Shit."

The phrase 'don't be a ring' kept repeating on the back of her mind as she carefully lifted the box's cap off. Mandy leaned in with pure excitement written on her face as Natasha unboxed a suede pouch and she already let out a sigh of relief knowing that at least it was not a ring. Natasha felt more at ease as she pulled the drawstrings and peeked inside.

"What is it?" Mandy asked when Natasha did not move. "… Nat?"

All of a sudden Natasha burst out laughing as she handed the pouch to Mandy, as if she had completely lost interest she then headed back to continue packing her bag. Mandy stared after her friend, completely baffled by her reaction, and looked down into the pouch.

"… He got you earrings?" Mandy carefully picked out one of the studs. "Wow, I think these are real diamonds…"

"Yeah, looks like it," Natasha shook her head with a soft smile. "Don't get too attached, I'm returning them to him."

"What! But they're beautiful!" Mandy exclaimed. "You should keep them! Plus, they're from Bif anyway, he wouldn't have spent much of his money anyway!"

"That's not the point… pack them back… and please for the love of god, don't break them," Natasha chuckled as she sat down with Mandy and held her hand out to her, her friend gave her a disapproving look before handing the pouch holding the earrings back. "Also my ears aren't even pierced, he obviously didn't even think it through properly."

"Well… I mean, that's fair… whatever," Mandy scoffed. "Just so you know, if I had Bif Taylor wrapped around my little finger I'd get him to buy my all sorts of nice things… plus he's not too bad looking either."

"Oh please, like what kinds of things?"

"Hm… well," Mandy seemed to give it some actual thought. "Maybe not things, but he's probably got tons of connections right? I can use those connections to launch my modelling career then I can buy whatever I want myself."

"Right and live the good life, right?"

"Girl, you know it," Mandy beamed. "You know Nat, you should just date him for a bit… long enough for me to use those connections of his?"

"As great as that sounds…" Natasha tucked the box into her tote bag. "I am very happy in my current relationship."

"Oh, well yes… I guess Ted is very dreamy and all," she sounded sarcastic enough but it was still an odd thing to hear from her best friend. Mandy did not seem to notice her friend's reaction. "Well then, have a good time tonight. Tell me all about it, when you're back, okay?"

"Right yeah," Natasha smiled as she stood up. "Thanks for today."

"Any time," Mandy nodded as she watched Natasha head to the door. "And Nat?"

"Yeah?"

"Happy birthday."

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The ride back home felt longer than usual. Natasha parked her bike by the garage and attempted to get in the house through the garage door but strangely enough she found that it was locked. Giving the garage one last look she headed down the pathway towards the front door, she passed by the gate on her way and she briefly glanced over at the house opposite hers wondering if she would have a chance to return the earrings soon.

The Evans owned a sizeable property in Old Bullworth Vale, it was a decent sized mansion but obviously nowhere close to the sizes of the Harrington or Spencer mansions. Before moving to the academy dormitories living in the neighbourhood had been not without difficulties especially when the more influential families decided to host their soirées or afternoon tea parties. The only reason why her family did live in the neighbourhood was because her forefathers had owned the land before the houses were built and so when property prospectors had come knocking on great-great-great-grandpa Evans door and an incredible offer that could not be refused was made (a mansion and a large sum of money), the Evans family then became bound to live on the land.

Growing up on the Vale was the main reason why Bif and her were close, they were next door neighbours from when they were children right up until they started attending Bullworth Academy. Natasha along with her two brothers actually got on with Bif quite well when they were younger, well more so Natasha and Bif seeing as her brothers were always a little tough on boys and kids younger than they were. Despite this Bif always went looking for the Evans trio to play with when they were in their primary school years.

Everything changed when they reached middle school. For a reason he did not want to tell Natasha or the twins, Bif decided to join the boxing club; they had not really thought much of it when it happened but they had not factored in that the boxing club was where the rest of the rich kids from the Vale liked to hang out, the group of kids that soon grew to be the preppies clique, and it was not even in their wildest imaginations that Bif would join them. It was notably after making friends with the devil Harrington spawn that Bif began to behave differently, he grew rude and arrogant, flaunting his wealth and picking on kids from outside their neighbourhood. That did not stand well with her brothers at all, most of their friends were the sporty kids who lived in town after all and Bif's changed created a friction in their relationship.

It was her brothers who asked her not to be friends with him anymore but Natasha herself saw the change in Bif and knew that he was no longer someone she wanted to be around. Nowadays she just tried to avoid him at all costs… not that he's made it easy.

"Darling!" Serena Evans hugged her daughter as soon as she laid eyes on her, and after releasing her vice-like grip she held Natasha at a distance and examined her. "Have you grown taller? And… oh… what are you wearing, darling?"

"The boys got it for me," Natasha shrugged. "It's my birthday present. It's… not the best looking shirt but I thought it would be nice to wear it at least once."

"But isn't Ted coming?"

"Yeah?" Natasha was confused how he had anything to do with the situation. "It's not like a big deal though-."

"Nonsense," Serena grabbed her daughter's shoulders and led her up the stairs. "We still have a little time if we hurry. We should be able to find something in your wardrobe."

"But mum, it's really alright. I don't see why-."

"What other reason does there have to be? It's your birthday, darling," Serena smiled as they entered Natasha's bedroom. "Plus, it's a mother's job to pamper her daughter. Plus, you need to look good in front of your boyfriend."

If there was one thing about having a young stylish mother it was not being able to get away with anything, it was like they knew you better than you knew yourself and there was no hiding even the smallest details; whatever you overlook or ignore they will catch on immediately. Now if her mother thought that getting changed would be a good idea then who was she say otherwise.

"Oh dear, let's see what we can find in here," Serena looked through the wardrobe, flicking through a number of dresses hung up, occasionally stopping at a dress before moving on. "But what were those sons of mine thinking getting you a shirt like that… and in such a god-awful shade as well. You'd think I raised them well enough to know…"

Serena eyed each dress she flicked through with disinterest until something finally caught her eye. She called Natasha over and had her look at her choice, and it was just like her mother to fix a problem. In Serena's hand was the blue strapless dress she wore to her aunt's wedding, although it was around two years ago Serena insisted that it would still fit. Natasha was not entirely convinced as she glanced down at her own figure but her mother left her no room for argument and asked her to be changed into it the next time she saw her, claiming that there were some things in the kitchen she had to check on.

Before rushing off Serena mentioned that her father should be returning soon with the boys, apparently they had spent the day around the Vale and downtown. That undoubtedly threw Natasha off and she was not sure she quite liked the idea of leaving Ted alone to fend for himself against her father and her brothers who probably made it difficult for him.

Natasha shook the thoughts away from her mind, she had other problems at hand and it was getting this damn dress to zip. She had some trouble around the waist area and she took a deep breath and held it as she zipped it up completely. Okay wow, just how much has her body grown in the last two years? The dress was almost painfully tight around her chest and she could not work out if she had trouble breathing, but looking into the mirror… she looked stunning and the dress did hug her curves in a way that was completely unlike the first time she wore it.

"How does it look, darling?"

Serena popped her head in and smiled. "Oh, you look absolutely gorgeous."

"Isn't it a little too tight?"

"Yeah well, it'll give Ted something to be happy about."

"Mum!" Natasha went red. "That's not funny!"

"Right, sorry," Serena nodded, not looking apologetic at all as she sat down at Natasha's dresser and fixed her hair. She picked up a brush and went through her large strawberry blonde curls.

"Mum, if you fluff it anymore you'd end up looking like you're wearing a wig."

"Just a little touch-up," Serena smiled as she looked at her daughter in the mirror's reflection. "Hm… I always wondered where you got your red hair from."

"You're asking me," Natasha sighed. "The twins got dad's hair and I'm the only one stuck with this hair…"

"I remember the twins used to make fun of you and the Taylor boy from next door," Serena smiled. "It was kind of a strange coincidence you two had the same hair colour."

"Speaking of Bif…" Natasha pulled the box out of her bag and placed it on the dresser table. "He got me something for my birthday."

"Well it's Tiffany's box," Serena stated right away before even picking it up, she always had an eye for these things and Natasha felt restless as she watched her mother unwrap the box. "… Oh wow, these are gorgeous."

"Yeah, well that's not the problem…" Natasha began but paused with a sigh when she realised her mother was hardly listening as she placed the earrings over her own pearls to see how it would look on her ears. "Mum!"

"Right, yes," Serena placed them back down. "Well it's hardly a surprise. The boy's had a crush on you since you were babies… and it's not like these would have cost him much."

"Mum, my ears aren't even pierced… and I was thinking of giving them back."

"Well, it's your choice darling," Serena placed the earrings back into its box before standing up. "There, it sounds like they're back now. Let's go downstairs."

Giving the box on the dresser one last look Natasha followed her mother downstairs. It was a funny feeling coming down the stairs and having your family watch you in awe but it was another thing to have your boyfriend standing with them looking more astounded than anything. Once reaching downstairs Cal Evans immediately pulled her little girl into a large hug and Natasha greeted him with the same vigour before greeting her brothers and lastly Ted.

As if on cue Serena dragged the rest of the men into the sitting room to give the couple a little privacy.

"Wow, you look amazing," Ted was still looking at her, at least his mouth stopped hanging open. He then smirked as he held her waist and pulled her closer, his eyes dropping down. "You know your boobs look twice as big in that dress?"

"Oh shut up," she playfully pushed him away and headed after her family. She looked over her shoulder and smiled as she beckoned for him to follow. "Thanks by the way. You look great."

The Evans family were distributed around the sitting room unassumingly, her father on his large armchair the twins lounged on the three-seater subtlety leaving the loveseat empty while Serena was in the kitchen. Natasha and Ted looked at each other before taking their seats, her on the side closer to her father and him closer to the twins, although she could tell Ted was slightly uneasy with the atmosphere he still held her hand under Cal's watchful eyes.

"Say Nat, I actually had a pleasant chat with Ted earlier," Cal spoke up, startling both Natasha and Ted. She glanced at Ted briefly before turning back to her father. "Ted's always seemed like a fine lad but I feel much better now knowing he'd take care of you."

"… Really?" Natasha couldn't help but sound surprised. In the two years they have known Ted, her father has never had anything remarkable to say about him, not even that he was a good football player or a nice kid, so it was really unusual to hear him suddenly have such high praise for Ted. She quietly looked at Ted again and forced a smile when their eyes met. "…"

"It's just a bit odd, I always thought you were going to end up with the Taylor boy from next door," Cal laughed heartily, unaware of the way Natasha and Ted grew tense. "You should watch out for him, Ted. The boy next door has had the largest crush on my little girl since they were kids. What was his name? Barry?

"Daddy…"

Natasha hushed but it was no use as the twins spoke up in unison.

"Ah that's right, Bif Taylor," Cal nodded.

"Bif?"

Oh god no.

Serena had just walked in and caught the last part of the conversation, she stood behind her husband's armchair and dived straight into the gossip. It was not like her mother to pass on some good gossip.

"Yeah, the boy from next door," Cal said.

"I know, Natasha and I were just talking about him earlier," Serena replied. "He bought her a pair of diamond earrings."

"You're joking," Ben frowned.

"No, they're just upstairs," Serena gushed, to be fair more excited about the beautiful earrings than the bearer of the gift and it was only when she caught sight of Natasha's glare did she realise her mistake. "… Well anyway, dinner is ready. Shall we head in?"

At last they have stopped talking. As her family moved in she looked to Ted and saw that his jaw was clenched and he looked far from thrilled, Ted does not have much of a temper but he did get defensive when it came to her. If Bif showed up dead in an alleyway somewhere in the next couple of days she would have a pretty good idea of who's responsible.

"How long have you and Bif Taylor been friends?" he asked quietly as they got up. "… Was there anything more?"

"No, of course not. I had planned to give the earrings back to him," she shook her head and spoke perhaps too quickly it sounded unnatural. "We were close in primary school because we grew up together but didn't mean anything more to me before and certainly not now."

"Well he doesn't know that," Ted frowned. "The guy bought you diamonds."

"… You know these rich kids, they don't think anything of these things…" Natasha held his arm with a smile. "Come on, we shouldn't keep them waiting."

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After the meal the family along with Ted were in the backyard where the teens were playing touch-football and the parents watched from the terrace. Natasha who had finally found an excuse to get out of the confining attire agreed to playing immediately, although she was banned from wearing the yellow polo again. Though not exactly fair, the star player twins were paired together against Ted and Natasha; Ted was a fair player and an even better quarterback but they did not stand a chance against Ben and Matt.

The fifth game ended in their bitter defeat again and Natasha was beginning to grow tired of this obvious disadvantage on their side, she was about to call for a team change when her father called for her instead. Apparently they decided it was time to unveil her birthday present and she felt nervous when they asked her to follow them around the house.

"And boys, today when Natasha showed up in that horrendously coloured shirt…" Serena spoke as she grabbed both her sons. "The last thing I expected was for her to say she got it from you two as a birthday present."

"Well you know, mum. Sometimes you just got to work with what you have," Matt laughed as he ducked out of Serena's hold. "Plus we all know who usually comes up with the ideas."

"Well the plan was to get something better than a shirt," Ben winced under his mother's sharp look. "It was all we could get with our tickets!"

"So asking for some money for your sister's present meant playing carnival games?" Serena narrowed her eyes on the boys. "Why-!"

"It's fine really, mum. I don't mind at all. We had fun anyway."

Serena had looked ready to give her sons a proper berating but held back for her daughter's sake. Anyways they had finally reached around the corner where parked on the garage driveway was a car. It was a white rover, one that was similar to the one her mother owned. At first Natasha was not sure what to think but as she took a few steps forward she noticed there was a card clipped on the windshield wiper addressed to her. She took the card and smiled as she read her father's handwriting.

"What do you think?"

"Oh, I love it," Natasha hugged her parents. "Thank you, thank you!"

"The boys helped me pick it out."

"Thanks guys, this is amazing," she moved to hug her brothers next, then she stopped in front of Ted and pecked him lightly. "Thanks."

"But don't go test driving it yet, alright?" Cal patted the car's hood. "We've still got to get the safety checked. Something we overlooked today, we were in such a rush to get it back on time."

"Oh, you shouldn't have worried about it, daddy," she hugged her father again. "I'm just happy you're able to come back for my birthday."

"Think nothing of it, dear," he kissed her forehead before letting go and taking his wife by the hand. "Alright then, your mother and I are going to retire for the evening. Will you kids be alright?"

"Yes, of course!"

The teens said their goodnights before Cal and Serena headed back into the house through the garage. The boys decided they would play some more football but Natasha was feeling father exhausted after the long day and decided she wanted to head up to her room, she half expected Ted to forget their… plans for the evening but as soon as she mentioned she was going he declined football and went to leave with Natasha instead.

The twins gave the pair matching mischievous looks and bid them goodnight without further probing them, knowing that it was meant to be their special evening.

Inside the house Natasha and Ted were stumbling up the stairs, stopping every few steps when Ted grabbed a hold of her and held her against the railings as they kissed. It was feverish and almost manic, and thankfully her parent's room were on the opposite wing of the house otherwise surely they would have heard the young couple. They kept the same vigour once they reached her bedroom and Ted immediately slammed her onto the bed after shutting the door behind.

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"And then what?"

"Well it's pretty self-explanatory, isn't it?" Natasha smiled slowly if not slightly sheepishly, causing Mandy so squeal in delight. "It finally happened."

"And? How did it feel?"

"… Yeah," she replied with a shrug. "It was alright…"

"… Just alright?"

"Yeah," Natasha unpacked her things with an awkward smile and a shake of her head. "… I'm not really big on kissing and telling."

Natasha had only just arrived back on campus with Ted, and Mandy had already began interrogating her on last night's events. It was difficult to admit but losing one's virginity wasn't all it turned out to be… and frankly she felt a little embarrassed about the whole situation.

"Yeah, but it's sexing and telling now, Nat!" Mandy carried on with a grin. "So as the first one to lose the v-card you gotta tell me honestly!"

"Oh, Mandy, do we have to?" she groaned as she pulled the final item out of her bag and it just had to be the damned yellow shirt. Without thinking she tossed it aside and sat down on the bed beside the bag. "… Okay, it hurt… a lot."

"Oh…" the smile vanished from her friend's face. "… Well… I mean that's alright… I heard it's normal for it to hurt a bit the first time…"

"I suppose…" Natasha glanced away awkwardly. "I guess but- I don't know… it… it just didn't feel good, Mandy. Like at all."

"Oh, Nat…" Mandy came over and placed an arm over Natasha's shoulder carefully. "It's going to be alright. You didn't do anything wrong… don't worry about it. Did… you tell Ted?"

"No, he thought we… came together."

"Right," Mandy pressed her lips together, feeling just as uneasy as her friend did and she desperately tried to find a way to change the subject. "Oh hey, isn't that Bif's present?"

"Yeah," Natasha picked the box up. "I tried his house this morning but his mum said he's been staying at Harrington House for a while now… which only means more trouble for me."

"Do you want me to come with?"

"No, I'll be okay," Natasha smiled. "Thanks though, Mandy. I'll see you in a bit."

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Derby Harrington prided himself in the architectural landmark he and his family had so generously gifted Bullworth Academy. Not only was it a stunning structure but he liked to think it reminded the lesser students of his wealth and superiority… what he did not like was seeing a certain red-haired cheerleader walking through the door… the very same one that can render his right-hand man all confused and mixed up.

"Good morning, Derby," she greeted neither in a friendly or cold manner. "I'm looking for Bif."

"Yes, of course you are," Derby crossed his arms. "I am hoping you have good reason for coming to see him."

"Uh, reason such as?"

"Perhaps finally leaving behind that imbecilic quarterback of yours?"

"… That's not what's happening," Natasha sighed, she did her best to avoid Derby Harrington knowing that nothing ever good came from speaking with him but even when she had no choice to he was always nasty about Ted or her brothers. "I just need to return something to Bif."

"The present he gave you?"

"Yes, that's right."

"And why on earth would you do that?"

"… Look Derby, I don't want to cause any trouble. I just-."

"You cause troubles for me by simply existing, Natasha Evans," Derby properly hissed at her. "You have my poor friend shamelessly hooked around your little finger and he has become an embarrassment-."

"Derby, what's going on-?" came Bif's voice and soon he emerged from the stairwell. "Natasha? Are you alright?"

"Y-Yeah…" Natasha nodded back, slightly shaken and taken back by Derby's words. She had no idea he had hated her so much, sure they never really got along but she always thought it was just because they never had the chance to really speak or get to know each other… and mostly she thought it was just because her and her brothers were part of different cliques. She never guessed he could have actually hated her… and over something to do with Bif's feelings towards her. "Um, I just wanted to give this back to you."

"What?" Bif looked perplexed as he took the box back from her. "Don't worry about it being expensive or anything, I can afford it."

"Well I mean… there's that, the money, and my ear's aren't even pierced… but most importantly I'm with Ted…" she felt so small under both Bif and especially Derby's heavy gaze. "And it's just not… appropriate."

"… I know that, but please just hear me out-."

"Just drop it, okay?" Natasha raised her voice. "Please…!"

Silence overcame them and Natasha felt like she was about to burst into tears, she hated having to do this and her nerves were really beginning to get to her.

"Isn't it about time you saw her for what she is?" Derby spoke first and it felt like a final blow. "… Show her out once you're done with her."

With those final words Derby walked past them and headed out the front door. Derby's words don't mean anything, at least that is what she always told herself but today they cut into her and she has never felt so insignificantly small before.

"… I think you should go," both Bif's tone and expression grew cold, his usual tall stature now frightened her as he peered down at her, and although Natasha had wanted nothing more than to leave she did not expect this reaction from Bif. He began to turn to walk away and Natasha fought the feeling to call out to him, it was difficult but after all this was her choice and she knew she would never be able to reciprocate Bif's feelings.

As she prepared to leave the front door slammed open. Both Natasha and Bif simultaneously turned around and saw Mandy run in teary-eyed and her face red from crying. Natasha immediately rushed over and placed her hand over her friend's back.

"What's wrong?" Natasha did her best to push away her own agony as she tried to calm her friend down. "What's happened?"

"I-It's," Mandy tried to speak between hiccups but the tears would not stop. "Y-Your family… they were –hic– in a car crash…"

"…What…"

The world instantly came crashing down and the floors beneath her feet seemed to cave in when realisation hit her.

It was her car.

The only reason her family would be in a car together at this moment… the safety.

"Nat! Natasha! Snap out of it! We've got to go!" Mandy cried out hysterically. "Nat, an officer is here waiting for you!"

Despite the noise and having her shoulders shaken Natasha remained unmoving and glassy-eyed with tears now pooling in her eyes.

"Bif, do something!" Mandy whipped her attention to Bif who looked just as horrified as Natasha did. "Bif!"

"I'll… go myself…"

Bif could only watch as Natasha shrugged Mandy's hands off her shoulders and leave through the door, her expression a blank look of denial and it appeared she has no comprehension of anything else that went on around her. She did not so much as acknowledge Derby who had been standing outside the door looking like he had been cut himself.

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Two weeks after the incident the same routine was going on in New Coventry. The boys were busy trying to fix up some free cable on their crappy television set while Johnny and Lola were in yet another nonsensical argument in the next room. It was the same thing every single damn day, the only one brave enough to speak to Johnny about it was Peanut but each time he did Johnny would shut himself off leaving no room for persuasion.

The cable seemed to be going nowhere and there was meant to be a big boxing match playing on a premium channel tonight, the boys have spent the whole week trying to hijack their set but it was still no use. Eventually Vance and Lucky strolled into the room holding two six-packs each. Although the main purpose for their get together was for the match even without it the boys were still happy to sit around drinking until something else interesting came on TV.

"Heard something strange when we were in town," Lucky said all of a sudden. "You guys know Natasha Evans?"

"The cute cheerleader?" Lefty asked, perking up at any mention of hot girls. "What about her?"

"Yeah, well you know how her and her brothers haven't been in school for two weeks? Apparently their parents got killed in a car accident."

"No, shit, seriously?" Ricky coughed after choking on his beer. Lucky then informed them that she had been on campus during the accident and it seemed that the twin driving was miraculously unscathed and the other hospitalised out of town. "Jesus Christ…

"So she's fine…" Peanut sighed, knowing that Johnny would probably be relieved to hear the news. They had a couple of classes together after all and for someone that he was meant to dislike, Johnny always spoke quite highly of Natasha. "We should probably let Johnny know-."

A loud scream interrupted the atmosphere and it served as a cruel reminder that Lola was still their reality. No one in the room really fancied going next door to bear the news to their leader, the last thing anyone wanted was to get in between the couple so they all just remained sitting in front of the TV hoping that the argument would end soon so they could relay the information.

Little did they know that they would all forget entirely after a few more beers and the incident would remain unheard to Johnny.