Alright, after having of typed up chapter 16, my computer booted out before I could save it. So after much tears, computer hating and getting over the shock of it all, I attempted to rewrite the chapter. Here is the results.

*16*

Okay, so I'm really feeling the pressure from this whole "initiation" crap. So do I risk being expelled and taking down my friends with me just to complete Jack's Loser List? Or do I give the whole thing up, get on Spot's bad side and have him to worry about? No matter what, none of my options have very good outcomes.

"Hey Davey, how'd your meetin' with Mr. Big Shot go?"

I throw myself down on my bed and groan, "Not too good, Specs."

"Oh? What happen?"

"Firstly, he tried to stomp me to death," I paused as Specs took the time out to snicker. "Then he proceeded to tell me what Jack did to him when he refused to play along."

"Mmm-hm, I remember that day. Spot has a pretty cute ass."

"I don't want the whole school to see my ass," I wail.

"So are you gonna forfeit then?"

"I dunno, man. I mean, if I do, Spot's gonna beat the living hell outta me. If I don't I risk getting me plus a few others expelled. I don't wanna take anybody down with me, ya know?"

"Yeah, I know."

"I don't know what to do."

"I'd do it. The list, I mean, do it."

"But if I'm caught again not only will I be kicked out, so will Dutchy, Skittery, Ruin, Skylar---"

"I know, I know, but I'll tell you what you're doing wrong. You're all going in one big group, like it's a treasure hunt or something. You sent, what, four guys to get one bra? C'mon, don't tell me at lease one of you can't get a piece of feminine garment on your own?"

I don't reply because I can't think of a comment at the moment, and I'm mostly just wondering what it is that Dutchy's plaything has to say.

"If you all plan on being some sort of team, do each task seprerate. You do the encounters with Ruin, Duckie and Jake yourself so they'll count. But send Skitts to get a love note from Denton. Make one of the girls slip a flashlight off the Dense-lancey's. That way you all won't be caught in one big dopey group, again."

I sit up tenderly since I was now starting to feel my beating from Spot. "Do you think that'll work?"

He shrugs, "I haven't the slightest. But you'll have a helluva time getting anyone to help you out anymore."

"Why, are they pretty pissed at me for the Medda thing?"

"No, not really. It's because Jack has sent his lackey's around with notices for everyone."

"What? What kinda notices?"

"One's that say do not help out the new kid in any shape, way or form. Here," he reached into his knap sack and pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper. "Read for yourself."

Scanning the scrawly writing, I see red as I read the perfect and fancy named, signed "Cowboy".

"Dammit. What the hell am I suppose to do now?"

"Well, there is... no, nah, never mind."

"Specs, what? What is it?"

He looks me square in the eyes, taking his thumb and making a motion towards the bunk above him. I stand and stretch myself up on tip toe. Laying there, under the covers in a lump I think could be identified as Mush.

"Mush, you okay?"

He pulls the blanket partly away from his head, all I can see is one red rimmed brown eye. "Peachy."

"Um... are things okay with you and, um..."

"Shortie."

"Yeah, her."

"Great. Just havin' a bad day."

I take a step back remembering my first day warning of Mush on his bad days and the wallop he packs.

"Oh, okay then. Uh..."

"Tell him if ya wanna, Specs. I ain't sayin' nothin'."

"Nah, Davey'll hafta figure it out on his own. I'm goin' to the library though, got classes to study for. Good luck, Davey boy."

I flop back to my bed, steamed at Specs for teasing me with the supposed information he had. Specs, that ass who went and left he books on his bed. How does he plan to study without them?

I don't even know why I'm bothering to bring them to him. It's not like he's done me any recent favors. But as I approach the library, he's standing there in the doorway grinning at me.

"Thanks," he takes the books from me and settles down at a table.

"Were you waiting for me?"

"Geez, Dave, if you actually have to ask to figure that one out you're never gonna out smart Jack and Spot."

"Specs, look, I feel like hell and I still need to---"

"You talk too much, do you know that? Besides, we couldn't talk infront of Mush. Jack's like a hero to him and Kid is practically a brother. What you need to do is Racetrack on a short leash."

"I need to do what?"

"Race has this girlfriend, besides Jack, she's the only one he listens to. Get her to keep him on a short leash and you might still have a chance to get your group to help with the list."

Who's his girlfriend? Do you know where I can find her?"

"No, not really, but good luck if you do."

"Why? It's not Ruin, is it?"

"No, but this girls a bit... off."

"Off like how?"

"She's nervous, jumpy. She'll be mellow one minute, then the next she's all weired-ed out. She says she gets these urges to "do things."

"Things like what?"

He shrugged, "Push people into traffic."

"You mean Misprint? I met her, she seems okay."

"Yeah, she seems that way."

"But if Race is her boyfriend, wouldn't she be rooting for my failure."

"Not particularly. Mis feels like alot of us do. Kelly and Conlon run this place, no doubt about it. But the games they play aren't shit compared to what more than half of us had to face in the real world. If you can convince her, she should be able to keep Race off your back, well, Dutchy's back is more like it. Him and Blink are keeping tabs on Dutch and Skitts."

"Alright, where is she so I can talk to her?"

"I dunno, I don't keep track of people. Find one of the girls, they probably know."

I stand from the table and head to the door that'll lead me out to the hall. "Thanks Specs, I appreciate."

"Sure Dave, no prob. I'll help ya with algebra anytime." I glance past him, two tables over to the tiny red head watching us like a hawk, or maybe I should say a tiger.

Rushing out to the hall in search of anyone who can point me in Misprint's direction, I run into and nearly knock over Ruin.

She glares at me, brushing off her uniform and fuming, "Watch where the hell you walk you stupid sh--"

I cut her off and take a gamble. Wrapping my arms tightly around her waist, I pull her into a hug.

Dear God, please don't let her hit me in the face.

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Well, there ya go, mates, a brand new chapter. Now that the muses are feeling frazzled from not only having to work on one chapter, but then having to do extra work to get the same one rewritten.

*muses all pass out from exhuastion*

Hm, guess that means nobody wants to go out to breakfast.

*muses spring to their feet and dash out the door.*

Wow, I've never seen them move so fast.