A/N: Hey all. Sorry I haven't been writing lately. But you know, school. Meep. Okay, so if you're reading this, Chapter Two is up. Here's a basic recap; After nearly drowning in Zero's pool, Sarah kissed him and Twitch. So now, Zero's utterly confused, going to his friends for advice, and Brain (or Twitch) thinks nothing of it. Meanwhile, Bear has to deal with the girls at school, while flashing back to old places. What's Zero going to do? And will Sarah ever be left alone?

Chapter 2: "Leave me be"

Caveman glanced at Zero uneasily. His first, real friend, and it pained him to see Hector in such a confused matter. Sighing, he opened his mouth to say something, but closed it soon after, not wanting to hurt him more.

"I'm so confused, Stanley. What does it all mean?" Zero sighed, toying with a small piece of grass, "Really?"

Caveman cracked a grin, "C'mon, let's go talk to those girls over there," He was sure that would make Zero grin. The boy shifted slightly, then looked at Stan, "it'll be fun!"

Instead, Zero got up. He gave a glare to Stanley, and decided to walk home, not saying anything. Stanley watched him leave. He was confused, but was 99% sure Zero would feel better tomorrow. He merely needed a hug.

~*~*~

Bear hummed to herself as she combed her bushy hair for the ninth time in front of her full-length mirror. She seemed immersed in her own world. She kept grinning, looking rather like Twitch, not noticing her friend (technically she wasn't her friend) come into her room.

"Girl, what are you doing?" She jumped. It was Latoya. Snobby, bratty and self-proclaimed "ruler of the world."

"How did you get in here? Who let you in and," Sarah stood up, pushing the chair away, "why should I tell you?" She spat the last word.

Laytoa grinned sickly, then took a seat on her bed, "I was on my down the street. Besides, I know your secret, Sarah."

Another chill ran down her spine. Not like Zero's hand the night before, it was more cold and had a sense of hate to it. Laytoa, "Laytoa, I have no secrets," but, in truth, Sarah was shaking under the pressure. Laytoa had a huge mouth. She would tell everyone, the whole 'Shunning' incident would happen again. Not again.

Again Laytoa grinned. Picking up a medium sized picture frame, she ran her fingers around one of the boys in it. It was the picture Sarah's mum had taken at her 13th birthday. It was her with all the guys. Twitch, Ziggy, Caveman, X-Ray.. The whole lot. Sarah tried to snatch the picture from Laytoa, who had her finger glued to a smiling Zero. Smiling Zero was rare, but that day was an exception for the boy.

"Everyone has secrets, but what makes you think Hector likes you back? He's nothing," Laytoa threw the picture into Sarah's hands. Scrambling to put it away she growled, regaining her composure. She shook more now, tensing, "I'll just leave now, I'm sure the girls would like to hear you kissed him. Perhaps, I'll make it more interesting, no?"

That was it, Bear snapped. ~*~*~

"Get out of here, Stupid!" The girls pelted her with rocks. Crawling into the protection of the trees, she sat up, panting. Stephanie, the leader of the girls approached her, "Get up, worm. We need to go out," she spat, kicking the girl in the stomach.

"Leave me be, Stephanie." Somehow, she knew Stephanie didn't care. Sarah was dubbed over, a ringing in her ears, a pounding pain where her intestines where. But the shadow never left. Another kick. This time, the girl fell over, into a large spruce. Clambering up, she leaned against the sap, her hair sticking to it.

"Come on! You're coming with me, let's go!!" Stephanie screamed, dubbing onto the girl, "Melanie said you were going out with my guy. I said keep away from him!" She pulled back her foot once more.

"Screw off," Sarah mumbled, to weak to speak. Stephanie looked shocked; the girl had talked back, "I would never do that. I'm not like you, rat."

"Lair!"

Using the tree for support, she raised herself and leapt onto Stephanie.

There was cursing, screaming and Bear's muffled threats. The girls leapt from the bushes. Bear had a bloody lip and bruised eye, but Stephanie was much worse. Being on the bottom, under the one called "Bear" she was crushed by the girl's weight. g Finally, Bear was yanked off Stephanie, kicking and hissing, by a guidance teacher. She was put into a gentle headlock until she had calmed down. Panting deeply, she grabbed her bags and books. With a rude gesture at the girls, and everyone watching-including the teacher-she dashed down the sidewalk to her house with a limp. ~*~*~

The sun blotted Sarah's windows. She tossed uneasily in her bed, sat up, sweat dripping of her face, and scratched her head. Yawning, and stretching, the girl got up and let out a small, shaky sigh.

"Sarah, are you alright?" It was her mother, sounding gentle, and clam, reassuring, "Zero's here. He wants to talk to you. I'm sending him upstairs."

She didn't bother get dressing. Slipping into a silk gown instead, she gave a small grunt as her reply. Then footsteps. Soon, Zero was at her door, asking to come in. Of course, Sarah didn't care. They'd seen each other in pajamas before.

The door creaked softly, so softly, Sarah jumped, "Zero, What's shaking, dude?" She smiled warmly, trying to cheer Zero up. His face was normal, but there was a small tear of sadness in his eye.

"Sarah? Why did you kiss me?" He mumbled, sitting beside her on the bed, "I'm confused now."

She sighed slightly and gave a small laugh, "Zero, Hector? It was nothing, just, well..a one time thing, you know? I was sorta caught in the moment. I don't want us to get messed up in older things. I would kill myself if we destroyed our friendship with that crap." She leaned over, embracing him in a warm hug. She was sure that's all he needed.

Zero..Hector smiled back, he straightened up, and grinned, "Thanks, Sarah. I better leave though," looking at her puzzled grin, he smiled once more and scoffed, "my mom wants me to meet her friend's daughter. She's one of them 'popular' girls. See ya afterwards then?" He asked, walking slowly to the bedroom door.

Sarah was nearly crushed at the words, another girl. Wait? Was she being jealous or just protective? She shrugged, shaking the thoughts away,"Alright. I'll see you later, Hector.." She waved as he slunk out the door.

Looking back at her mirror, she scoffed.

"A popular girl," The footsteps gradually faded, "God, I hope it's not.." the door slammed, "Her."