Mille lead the way into the girl's bathroom, and locked the door. "I don't like, him very much he's just MEAN!!!" Millie watched, as Vash looked the saddest he'd she'd ever see him. He was looking at Midvalley. "Shit.." she muttered. Midvalley was leaning against the wall. "I'm....." He began...Vash Stared downwards, arms crossed. Millie looked over at Midvalley. He had a bloody nose, his lip looked like it was bleeding, Scratches, cuts and bruises littered his arms legs and back. To make things worse he still had the "f" Word eyelinered across his fore head. "Middie," Vash started...My god, my heart's breaking.....Shit I could just start bawling..... "Do you need a hug?" What the hell? Midvalley looked up, at the taller boy, and in that light he looked like an angel. Midvalley swallowed a mouthful of blood. "I'm....all bloody, you don't want...." Vash felt his heart breaking again. " Yeah, I do...." And with that Vash Hugged Midvalley the tightest he'd ever hugged anyone before.

Nick exhaled finally. He looked back at the other boys and suddenly realized that they'd been locked in a closet for the last period. If it wasn't legato and knives, I'd be a bit suspicious.... He gave them the smirk, and opened his mouth. "So, what were you two doing in here?" Legato smiled. Knives glared. "Well, Nick....I'm not sure you have room to talk." "Hey, I just came here to smoke...." "Well....Legato was just showing me where to go to smoke." "Knives. You don't smoke." "Well....We've decided to band together and take the school back from the preps." Nick took another hit and burst out laughing. "Damn....this must be some damn good shit...I thought you guys were going to be friends for a second, and work together and take over the school." "So, Nicholas, What could be so bad that you'd risk probation to come up here and have a little weed?" Legato piped up....Nick Looked down...."Brittany attacked Midvalley.." Both of the boys laughed..."Brittany?" Knives asked. "The worst she could do would be get him to the ground and scratch him." "She got him to the ground, wrote "Fag" on his forehead, scratched him, and the rest of the people in the hall ganged up on him." "Is he ok?' Legato asked eyes full of worry. Nick put his head down..."I don't know.....I left..."

Vash was leaning against a sink, watching Midvalley wash his face. Millie was pacing back and fourth....It felt like there was a permanent lump in Vash's throat....I shouldn't feel like this....AGGHHHHH!!!!!!! Where the fuck is Nicholas?!!?!? This is his place not mine!!!! Midvalley Rinsed his mouth out with water and looked up. He had the beginnings of a black eye...He looked like shit. Millie ran over to him and have him a hug. "Middie, what do you want?" She asked....Vash looked down.... Midvalley looked down and said very quietly "Vash." Millie looked at Vash who couldn't believe his ears.... " Vash...Go, get nick....." He said finally. Vash's heart sunk. "We don't have time to. We've got to get out of here soon, we've got 10 minutes to get out of this place." As if to confirm this the 11:45 bell rang.

Nick stood up..."Well, I gotta go to Algebra...." Legato Got up too, "I've got art..." Knives glared....he had Tech Design. "I'll see you two later..." he said. and headed off. Legato smiled, yes, smiled, and headed off. "See ya Nick.." Nick smoldered the j- and put it back into his wallet. The young stoner headed off to English....not even thinking of Midvalley...

Millie, Vash, and Midvalley were walking downtown....Millie walked ahead of them, as Vash kept his eyes on the ground. They finally came upon the place known as the alternative teen-hangout...."The coffee Confessional." The facade of the place was deceiving....It was an old run down church, renovated to the hottest java joint in the city. They opened the door and came inside. Vash held the door open for Midvalley..

Nick sat there in Algebra and suddenly it dawned on him... Midvalley hadn't been with him, after the fight...Damn..... Brittany walked in late, hicky brightly standing out, against the whiteness of her pale skin. Nick averted his eyes, but she hast down right next to him. 5 minutes later she passed him a small pink note. It read :

" Hey Nicky, How'dya like that little round of smear the queer?

By the way, I've got the best person for you, My Friend

Heidi from Mei-Central, She totally digs band guys...

I told her your next show was on Saturday... We'll be there"

We wrinkled his nose. If he said anything, she'd waste no time in crucifying him too. He wrote back :

"Brittany, Well, you did just beat the crap out of our Key-boardist.

So, I'm not sure if the gig is still on...I'll have to talk to Vash, And

Midvalley. Heidi huh? I like that name. Mei- Central, That's where

Midvalley's from."

She grinned, and took the note back....She opened it quickly and tossed her hair. She passed one back with an air of finality.

" Nick, Ha-Ha... Good point....Call me, if anything changes...mmmk?"

Mille, Vash, and Midvalley were happily settled down on a large couch. Millie had a small pudding, Vash had a doughnut, and a small coffee, and Midvalley had a double espresso. No one said a word. Midvalley sipped the dark liquid and finally spoke. "We cam here on nick and mine's first date." "Oh....that's sweet." Millie said. "I suppose..." He muttered. A waitress dressed as a nun came over. "Would you kids like anything else?" Vash ordered another doughnut and she left. Midvalley snorted. "What?" "You seem pretty comfy ordering if someone else is paying." He blushed. " Well, You seem pretty comfy around Me" Midvalley blushed at that. Millie giggled. The waitress came back. "Here's your doughnut it's on the house, Vash....Oh, Midvalley, Didn't recognize you without Nicholas. Hey, you look kike you had a rough night....are you guys still on for Saturday? " "Yeah, I guess." "Midvalley replied. "It may be our last show together." He said. The nun waitress pouted, but left. Vash was the only one who knew that it want the band that would probably break up.

Millie smiled and pulled out some lip gloss. "I'm going to the bathroom, you two behave." The two guys on the couch looked at each other innocently. "So...Rough first day eh?" Vash asked the older boy. Midvalley smirked and shook his head. "Vash....what was your impression of how Nick acted earlier?" "Well, As his best friend, he acted like nick....as your friend, He acted like a jerk, who thought he was ready for a big secretive relationship, then when it wasn't convenient, bailed on you..." Vash took a deep breath., A few pieces of his spiky hair fell in his eyes. Midvalley smiled warmly. "I think the waitress is staring at you." "I don't care." Millie returned. "See, now my lips are sparkly!" "I cant see the difference.." Midvalley said. "Neither can I mills."

The period ended and Nick smiled...Ahh, lunch. Brittany dragged him off by his elbow into their world of perfume, gap turtlenecks, and baby blue eye shadow. E.G. Stood by them just as awkwardly as nick. "So...." Nick started..."Yeah..." E.G. Said. Nick spotted Legato and Knives across the room. They'd make such a hot couple...I mean, legato, himself is.... He broke free of the group, and ran to them. "Have you guys seen Vash?" Knives pouted. " No, I've been looking for the creep. He got suspended along with Millie, and Your boyfriend." "For WHAT?!?!!? VASH IS A FUCKING PACIFIST!!!" Legato smirked, " The principal thought they started the fight you bailed on earlier. " Nick growled, and headed off to the janitor's closet.

The trio left the coffee house, and were walking down the street, when a mini van pulled up. "Millie! Get in! NOW!!" It was Millie's mom. who had obviously heard the news. "So, now what?" "Well, I say we go to my house." "What about rem?" "Rem wont be home until five, and I'm sure she'd give you a ride home." "Ok..." The older boy said timidly. They'd walked a block since Millie had been confiscated, when Vash had a sudden urge to put his arm around Midvalley. "May I?" He asked, gesturing. Midvalley felt his face redden. "Um.....well...I....What if....." Vash's arm acted upon his thoughts... He slipped his arm around midvalley's waist and rested his hand on the other boy's hip. He pulled him closer too. "Is this ok?" He asked? "Well....." Vash continued in hopes of making light of the situation..."I mean, I had it around you before" The boys walked for another block before either one of them said a word. " Before, I thought it was just because, You were supporting me so I could move..." "Well...." "I can move now Vash."

Nick opened the janitors closet, and pulled the chain hanging from the light bulb. The door shut behind him...He'd forgotten that the inner door knob had been broken off. "Shit" He muttered... as it closed out the possibility of seeing Midvalley after this...But Middie lived a town over, he got to school on a bus....how was he going to get home?

Vash kept his arm around Midvalley, until they had arrived at Vash's house. "Well, you can come in, you know. " Midvalley looked at Vash. "Why did you have your arm around me Vash?" Vash opened the gate, and let Midvalley in. "I don't know...just thought you might not make it the rest of the way without me." "You.....don't...?" Vash opened the front door, and let Midvalley go in first. "Don't what?" " Never mind, It was silly anyways." Vash smiled, and closed the door.

__________

S-S: Should I go on, or wait a while?

Vash: erm....

Knives: I have to deal with.......Legato?

Nick: Hey, I have to meet Heidi.

Rai-dei: I feel neglected.

Dom: Me too.

Hopperd: Me too.

Meryl: I also feel quite ignored.

*Jingle, Tinkle Jingle*

Legato: The ice-cream truck !?!!?

S-S: We're in an office building.

Legato: So...?

S-S: Middie, what do you think?

Middie: I'd like to see where this goes....

S-S: Me too....

________________________

Meryl plopped down at a table with Dominique. "I thought I told you I didn't like you, stryfe." She said, clearly. "Well, Dominique, that's just too bad for you, you're missing out on allot." "Like what?" "Well, I've got..." Demeitrus walked by. "Hi, you look new." Dominique looked up at him. Her eye patch shielded her from a healthy sense of depth perception. How close was he? She he smiled. "Whoa...what like, happened to your eye?" "Well, It's kind of hard to explain." He smiled, and knelt down to her. "Would you like to come hang out with the beautiful people?" She smiled and nodded.

Meryl sat alone, with her carrot sticks, and last night's meatloaf. "Bye Dommie!!!" She said as though she was happy that she were leaving. She sighed. Maybe father Anthony was right, public schools are difficult. I'll just have to strive to be better. She hears a loud clank, and noticed another person sitting mournfully at the table. "Hello?" Meryl asked. "What do you want? " The other person replied. "I've seen you...." Meryl began. " With that el gato person" The kid looked at her long and hard. "EL FUCKING GATO PERSON!?!!? Do you have any idea who you're talking about!?!?!!?!?!?!!?" "Well, I.." " NO YOU DONT!!! LEGATO IS A GOD!!!!" "NO, No one is a god, except the lord himself!!!" "Exactly, legato is the lord." "URRG!!!!" She said. "hey, what's you name anyway?" "I'm Meryl Striyfe....completely out of your league..." She said smugly picking up her backpack. "The name's Ryan Deis. and you might be mistaken on that." "Why do you say this Ryan? " "Well, because, it's you that are not in my league darling."

Nick was slightly buzzed when he remembered that he had another dime bag in his wallet, since he and Midvalley had planned on using it. Well, I'm stuck in here, things aren't going to get any better....might just as well....I wonder where he is right now.... Vash wouldn't let him get hurt, he wouldn't let anything bad happen to him....I'm so lucky to have a friend like Vash......But They're probably pissed at me.... He rolled the herb into the familiar shape of a joint......Well, If Vash isn't, Middie'll be....why the hell did I just leave him there....I love him right?....He licked the edge of the small paper, and ran his finger along it to close it......Perhaps, love is too strong a word Nicholas.....Whoa...who the fuck said that??!?!?!!..... He shrugged it off, The shit I had earlier must have been mildly laced.... He took a lighter, and lit the j, inhaling with all of his lung capacity.....Nicholas, you cant ignore me....Who are you???!?!!?...Someone you never listened to...Garth brooks?!?!?!....Ha Ha! No, Your conscious..... Damnit, where the hell were you earlier....? Being ignored, as usual....Then why are you here now...? Because Nick, you're inwardly guilty....and your senses are dulled. They're that much more dulled?....Afraid so...

Vash looked at Midvalley. HE was sitting on his couch staring off. "Can I....get you something?" He offered nervously. "What are we going to do Vash?" "Huh?" "About Kuro?" "Oh, the band.." Vash stood up and laughed nerovusly..Midvalley looked up at him. "Well ,what would you like to see Vash?" Vash's mind raced. "Well, I want you both to be happy." "What if the only way for one of us to be happy, makes the other one miserable?" "Then..." Midvalley stood two inches shorter than Vash. Vash felt another urge to do something he shouldn't be doing with his best friend's boyfriend. He looked down to the beautiful brown eyes of Midvalley Salino, and finally saw what Nick had been ranting about all this time.

Knives Stared at legato.... Well, well, well, Legato Bluesummers......you and I are going to change this place.... "How is that?" Legato asked, standing right in front of him? "Uh.....".SHIT!?!?! CAN HE READ MY MIND?!?! Legato grinned and laughed "...no, I cant read your mind, I just study people very carefully, and say random things, usually, I'm....quite correct in my assumptions." "Why do you do this?" "To see the pitiful creatures squirm....their greasy thoughts, so precious to them, they'd hate for me to be prying into them." He chuckled in more of a humming sound and knives felt the corners of his mouth rise slightly.

Meryl hurried off to her next class. Gym. She waltzed into the locker room, and set her things down. Several older girls, and a few from the freshman class entered. She watched as three girls entered the section which she'd been using. They slid their tee-shirts off and looked at Meryl. "Umm? You just strip out here in the public??!!?!" she asked. "Yeah?" one girl replied. "oh." She said. Feeling slightly outcast, she picked up her gym bag and headed to a bathroom stall to change.

Millie sat in the Van, Her mother not saying a single word. "Ok, Millie, I know you didn't start that fight." "Right mom." " So," Her mother said, opening the van , "Let's go inside, and you can tell me what happened."

Midvalley Stood there looking up at Vash, Hoping for a thing that he shouldn't expect. He Waited. "Then what Vash?" He Needed to be told that he could leave Nick, and be ok, He needed to hear that he could get up and face the ridicule again tomorrow. Vash Sighed. He knew that Midvalley wasn't thinking the same things he was. "So, You want to ....Go do the set list for Saturday?" "Sure." Vash lead him to his room, and for some reason shut and locked the door behind him.

"I Was thinking of an all cover's show." Midvalley Said.

"Why?"

"Well, It shows how we can improve the songs people already love, and It's allot more meaningful to those in the crowd. you know?"

"I don't follow ya."

"Vash, think about this, If you were with a chick at a show, and you guys were having a hard time, and suddenly the band plays "Your" song, think of the emotions that would course through your veins."

Vash though about it. "I like it." Midvalley grinned, "Of course you do."

Meryl was running laps, when a familiar voice shouted, "Hey Stryfe, your shoes are untied!!" She looked down, and they weren't, but the sudden slow in her run. had caused her to fall over anyways. She looked up and there stood Ryan. "Excuse me!" She said, her voice dripping with anger.

legato sat down in Foreign Studies. The room began to fill. Mei-Li, one of Brittany's friends was in the class. He sighed. Where there was smoke there was generally Fire. He looked up in time to see Knives walk in. Knive's Ironic glare, slit his gaze. He sat bedside him. Legato's Sadistic Grin complimented Knive's Glare quite well. So Well, that the Gothic Sophomores giggled, when their eyes met the guy's backs.

Nick's eyes remained a half millimeter open..... Do you want to be with Midvalley or not?...I DONT KNOW!!!!.....you need to.... What about......SHIT!!!! What? I'm Stuck in here!!!! Well, the janitorial staff is bound to come by sooner or later. But later could be too late...Midvalley....He.....Probably hates me for what I did earlier. That's possible. But you made your bed Nicholas, It's time to lay in it.

_________________

S-S: Ok....

Rai-Dai: Why must you forsake me??!?!?

Dom: Why must you whine about it?

S-S: You guys!?!?!?! NO FIGHTING!!!!

*Knock at the door*

Voice: Bishonen Delivery! A package for a Silver Stampede

*Silver's eyes get all watery and Shojo Style.*

S-S (in SD mode): Coming!!!

*The Chibbi S-S Opens the door, and giggles as she signs for the box*

Voice: Have a nice day Ma'am.

*Silver pulls the tag and the box opens!*

All Gasp.

Vash: What

Knives: Is

Legato: He?

*A pale man stands before the group, outfitted in a*sexy* Nice suit.

S-S: Darkside?

The man nods.

S-S: Well, there's an anime Called Darkside Blues, that I recently Viewed, and I needed a date for the Silver Stampede Awards. (Sprites available soon!)

Vash: Have you got the nominees out yet?

S-S: No, But I will be soon. There's gonna be a few catergories, and the nominees will be alerted by a review saying that the story's been nominated, and ect. Plus the list will be released on the date of chapter 9's upload. oh yeah, And drop by the site, and use it! I made it for people to use!!!