AUTHOR'S NOTE:  okay so, here's chapter two!  It took me a while to put it up but hopefully it's worth it.  This story only has three reviews, that makes me so sad! ::weeps::  ::sniffles::  I'm okay . . . anyway, the hint there was to please please please please please please review.   I want all the feedback you readers have to give, actually, I'd like to know if there are any readers . . . . . . . . . . . .

To those who have reviewed . . . I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!  I love looking at my inbox and seeing review alerts from ff.net, it gives me warm fuzzly feelings in my tummy!

Chapter 2

            Fifi sighed and put her head in her hands, frustrated, and continued to listen to the endless banter go on around her.

"I've been sitting here for an hour and a half listening to you people bitch and moan, and nobody, not one of you  has come up with one good suggestion as to how we're gonna get out of here."  Her voice began to rise as she became more boisterous.  "Let's face it, we're stuck and there's no way to get around that fact so everybody get used to it!  Instead of sitting here coming up with dead end plans to escape, we should be thinking about how we're gonna survive the next two weeks like I suggested we do in the first place!  DAMN IT!"  Fifi hadn't realized it until just then, but at the start of her outburst the room had fallen silent and now all eyes were on her.  Feeling all too uncomfortable all of a sudden, she glanced around at everyone's faces.

Davey looked absolutely scandalized at witnessing such a passionate display of emotion and he seemed about to faint from the excitement of it all. 

Skittery was scowling as usual but this time it was directed toward Fifi.

Itey was scribbling furiously in a small notebook.  'How odd' Fifi thought to herself as she continued through the group. 

Spot, who had not been contributing in any way, shape, or form to the aforementioned hour and a half of conversation was simply smirking, as he usually was.  Undoubtedly he was amused by the whole scene. 

Jack looked extremely offended, for he thought he had come up with some splendid plans for escape.  He wanted desperately to defend his ideas, but he restrained himself.  He didn't want to be yelled at again. 

Racetrack looked rather uncomfortable as he sat tapping his foot.  He looked like he wanted to jump up on a table and dance.  Fifi laughed in her head as she pictured it. 

Blink looked a little bit frightened, but Fifi swore she saw something else in his face, although she couldn't quite place it.  When her eyes traveled to the next face, her heart sank immediately and she felt awful. 

Mush looked like he was about to cry.  She hadn't meant to upset anyone or hurt their feelings, especially Mush.  He seemed like such a sweet guy.  She had meant what she said but not for it to come out the way it had.  She had to make amends.  She was about to apologize but she made the mistake of glancing over at KP first.  KP was pursing her lips tightly, trying desperately to suppress the imminent fit of laughter.  The look on her face made Fifi smile, and that made a little giggle escape KP's lips, which in turn produced a small giggle from Fifi, and things continued in this fashion until the two girls were rolling around the floor, laughing uncontrollably.

The boys had all exchanged their previous expressions for those of confusion.  All except for Itey, that is.  He had started laughing right along with the girls, only adding to the confusion of the others.  As KP and Fifi began to calm down, they both glanced at Itey, whose laughter only intensified, adopting their own puzzled looks.

"Itey, why are you laughing?" asked KP.

"Oh like you don't know" he retorted.  He then proceeded to roll around on the ground as the rest of the group looked on.  A silent consensus passed in the minds of the others:  don't ask.

"Anyway," began Fifi, "I'm sorry that I yelled at all of you.  Sometimes I just get caught up in my own emotions and it gets me into trouble."

"Yeah, trouble is right, remember that one time at that party, and you got drunk and you—"

"—KP!  Shut up or I'll tell them all one of your embarrassing stories."

"Okay, okay, my lips are sealed."  KP proceeded to make the "lip sealing" motion.

"Did ya really mean what ya said, though?  About our ideas being crappy an all."  Mush looked at Fifi with puppy dog eyes that glistened with the prospect of tears.

"'Course she did," interjected Spot.  Everybody turned to him as he continued, "And she was right too."

"Excuse me, but I think she can speak for herself," KP shot at Spot, who only glared at her in return.

"Yeah, I think so too, you hypocrite."  Fifi said as she punched KP's arm.  The two shared a laugh.  Spot continued to glare at KP but forced his gaze in another direction.  He didn't like it when people gave him attitude, and that was all this girl was dishing out.  Normally he'd just soak somebody for talking to him like that, but there was something strange about this girl.  She always sounded dead serious, but there was something in her eyes that made him think she was just being playful.  She was just so hard to read and it made him crazy.  He shook the thoughts from his head and turned back to the conversation.

"Look, everyone," began KP, "I think Fifi was right.  We should just figure out what we're gonna do for the next two weeks, but I'm beat, and I need rest, and I'm sure most of you do too.  Let's all sleep on it and maybe tomorrow we can start up a list with some fresh ideas."  Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Hey, wait a second," said Blink as a thought came to him. He turned to KP and Fifi. "Where are you two gonna sleep?"  The two girls turned to each other.

"Good question," Fifi answered turning away from KP to face Blink.

"We can just sleep in a random room can't we?"

"Yeah, I guess so. –Or NOT!  A random guy's room?  I don't even want to think about what dirtiness we could be getting ourselves into with that."

"Well," interjected Blink, "you couldn't anyway.  Students have keys for their rooms, and everyone locks their doors if nobody is going to be in the room, so you wouldn't be able to get in anyway."  KP and Fifi shared a knowing look.  It would be easy for them to get into any room but they weren't about to tell the guys that.  Blink continued, "You two will have to bunk up with us."

"Well, who has room?"

"Uh, let's see.  David and Itey, Race and Jack, and Mush and myself all share rooms, so that leaves Skittery and Spot," answered Blink with a smile.  His smile changed to a frown, though, when he saw the look on Fifi's face.  "What's wrong?"

"Well," began Fifi, "it's just that, Spot is such a cold person, I don't function well around people like that."

"Don't worry, Fif," KP interjected.  "I'll room with Spot.  Besides, you know I love a challenge, and this, I'm sure, would be quite an adventure."  She laughed as she imagined the possibilities.

"I do believe I should have some say in dis mattah."  Spot walked over and glared at the group of three.

"Well, then, what do you say?" asked KP innocently.  Spot thought on that for a bit.  He could refuse, meaning his oh-so-valued privacy would remain intact, or he could agree to the idea.  By acquiescing he might be able to figure out what was really going on in this girl's head, because he had no clue.  And if there was one thing Spot hated above all others,  not knowing what was going on around him was that one thing.  He had made his decision.

"Fine.  Youse can room wid me, but I'se set da ground rules, unduhstand?"  It was more of a command than a question, but KP answered anyway.

"Great.  But I've got some rules of my own too, okay?"  This statement did seem to be an actual question so Spot just nodded.

"Well, now that that's settled, I guess you'll be rooming with Skittery."  Blink turned to Fifi.

"Okay, I really don't want to be a pain in the ass, but are there any other possible solutions to this whole room situation?"

"Why, what's wrong with Skittery?" Mush inquired.  He and the other boys had all gradually drifted over to the group during the past few minutes.

"Well, he's just so, so—"

"—Nancyish" offered KP, laughing at her own jest.  There were a couple of snickers from the group as Skittery's face burned a crimson shade.

"I'm not NANCYISH!" he fumed.

"Actually, I was going more for pessimistic and edgy, but I guess nancyish works too." Fifi said.  Blink wanted to let Fifi room with him, but that would mean Mush would have to room with Skittery.  Mush and Skittery got along rather well considering their clashing attitudes, but Blink couldn't ask Mush to leave his own room.  It just wasn't fair.

"Well, Fifi, you can take my bed and room with Blink.  I'll stay with Skittery," Mush offered.

'Cool' thought Blink.

"Oh, no, Mush.  I couldn't ask you to do that.  It's not fair."  Fifi said.  Of course she wanted to accept his offer, but she felt a need to refuse it, for purposes of social etiquette.

'Damn' thought Blink.

"Nonsense.  You'll take my room, and I'll stay with Skittery.  No arguments," said Mush rather forcefully, well, forceful for Mush anyway.

'Nice' thought Blink.  Mush was always being unselfish.  Fifi breathed a sigh of relief as she threw her arms around Mush in a great, big, hug.  So what if she barely knew him, he deserved a hug, and Fifi loves giving hugs.

"Thanks, Mush!  Look Skittery, I don't dislike you, and I'm sure you're probably a really nice guy once you get to know someone, but you have to admit you've been a little bit less than welcoming and friendly, and your negative energy kind of throws me off balance."

"Karma" stated KP succinctly.

"KP, that's not Karma" said Fifi.

"Minor detail."

Skittery just shrugged and headed off to his room.  He was happier this way.  He didn't know this girl at all, so he didn't really care to share his personal space with her.  He and Mush had always gotten along really well so it wasn't bad having to share a room with him.  Maybe it wasn't just with Skittery, but it seemed to him that Mush really understood him and he always felt more comfortable with himself around Mush than he felt with any of the other guys.

All the boys had rooms in the same hall so everyone started to meander toward the rooms together.  All except for Itey that is, who started running in completely the opposite direction.

"Itey!  You're going the wrong way!"  shouted David, more than a little frustrated with his roommate.  KP looked at David questioningly.

"Dude, what's wrong with that kid?"

"How should I know?"

"Well, you are his roommate, aren't you?  You know better than anyone else here.  So spill, what's his deal?"  Everyone turned to Davey, anticipating his answer.

"He's only been at the school for about a month, but in my opinion, he's completely insane.  I don't really know him that well or anything, though.  I mean, he's hardly ever actually in the room.  I don't know where he goes during the day, or where he sleeps at night, but wherever he is, and whatever he's doing for that matter, is probably really creepy."

"Well tank you for your thrillin' psychoanalysis, Doctah Davey.  But if you're quite finished, I tink da rest of us would like ta go ta deir rooms now."  Race was about to brush by David and head down the hall toward his room when a shriek from one of the girls pulled his attention.

"Your accent is SO HOT!!!"  KP exclaimed while Fifi nodded furiously in agreement beside her.  Race beamed as he strutted over to the girls placing an arm around each of them.  He began to lead them down the hall.

"Why tank youse very much.  Did you knowse dat I'se kin also play da harmonica—"

"Cool" muttered KP under her breath.

"—and tap-dance too—"

"I knew it!" Fifi said to herself.

"—and I'm da best pokah playah in da whole school, and prolly anywheah else fuh dat mattuh."

"Really?  I love poker.  Will you play with me sometime?"  asked Fifi.

"Shoah ting.  I cain't disappoint a lady.  Well goils, dis is my room, so until tomorrah."  Race artfully kissed the girls' hands and backed into his room.  Jack followed after him muttering a brief 'goodnight' to everyone over the girls' giggles.  He wanted to get away as quickly as possible.  The girls, especially Fifi, had offended and embarrassed him numerous times that night and he hadn't enjoyed one minute of it. 'Maybe' he thought to himself 'I can get back at her by stealing her hat.  Hell, it worked that one time on the Delancy brothers.  I was praised for weeks for that insult.'  Jack's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Race's voice.

"Dem goils are absolute dolls."

"What are you talking about Race?  They're terrible.  You only like them because they gave you all that attention."

"What's wrong, Cowboy, ya jealous?"  teased Race.

"Yeah right.  I wouldn't give those girls the time of day.  They're awful!"

"You're just sayin that cause dey didn't praise ya like you're used ta goils doin.  They called you on all a your shit, so now you're bittah!!"  The conversation began to grow more heated.

"Take that back or I'll soak ya!!!"

"SHUT UP ya dirty rotten SCABBAH!!!!"

Both boys climbed into bed and turned their backs to each other.  Each boy silently cursed the other in his head, and they both went to bed mad at the other.

* * * *MEANWHILE* * * * *

            "All right, dese are da rules—"

"Wait a second, I've got some rules too, ya know."

"I know dat, but you're gonna listen to mine foist."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"No!  I want to say mine first."

"Tough shit, no way am I gonna let you set da ground rules."

"Well I'm not going to listen to you."  KP proceeded to plug here ears and sing the LaLa song.

"You're really startin' to frustrate me, goil."  And indeed she was.  Spot's normally fair, creamy complexion had gained quite a bit of color since he and KP had gotten back to his room.  KP stopped singing and unplugged her ears.  She sighed.

"Oh, I have an idea.  Let's compromise.  We'll say the first rule together, at the same time."

"Fine."

"Okay, rule number one: 1, 2, 3—"

"—I want my privacy."  The two spoke the same exact words in perfect unison.

"Well,"  said Spot, "nice to know we have one ting in common."

"Yeah.  That seemed to go well, so let's say rule two together also."

"Okay, 1, 2, 3—"

"—Top bunk's mine."  Once again they spoke in unison, but the result wasn't as positive this time around.

"No way," began Spot.  "No way are you getting the top bunk, so don't even think about it!"  He grabbed KP's arm, holding her back as she started for the top bunk.

"Hey asshole!  Haven't you ever heard of lady's choice?"

"That's ladies foist ya moron."

"Minor detail."

The night continued in much the same fashion, and it was a long night for both of them.

* * * *MEANWHILE* * * * *

            "Itey?!  How did you get here before me?  You went the wrong way!"

            "Oh, I have my ways, Davey."  Itey looked up from his little pad of paper and smiled creepily at David, who shuddered at the look.  The creeped-out feeling quickly subsided, though, and was replaced by anger.

"Hey!  Get your feet off of my desk!  What do you think you're doing?  I do my homework there and I don't want your muddy shoes dirtying up my workspace.  That's so RUDE!!!"

"Whoa Davey, calm down.  I sit here with my feet on your desk every night after you go to sleep.  There's no need to start freaking out about it now."  Itey nonchalantly rose from the chair and moseyed over toward the doorway.  David stared at him, mouth agape, as Itey ducked out into the hall. 

David sat, listening to the sound of Itey's feet grow softer and softer until it disappeared completely.  'I did notice dirt on my desk the other day' David thought to himself.  He settled into bed, a little confused and frightened, and very upset about his desk being dirtied.  'Damn, Itey sure is a creepy kid' he thought to himself as he closed his eyes.

* * * *MEANWHILE* * * * *

"So, this is it."

"Cool, which bed is mine?"

"The one over there, in the corner."

Fifi stood there in the middle of the room for a minute, looking around, feeling extremely awkward.

"Blink?" she said, grabbing his attention.  "Could I possibly borrow a pair of pajama pants?"

"Oh, yeah sure.  Here you go" he responded tossing her a pair of red flannels.

"Thanks."  The two looked at each other, neither one speaking.  Blink thought Fifi looked like she was waiting for him to do something, but he had no clue what.  The silence was almost deafening.  "Um, could you turn around, please?"

"Oh, sorry!"  Blink turned away, flustered.  'I'm so stupid' he thought to himself.  Things weren't going as smoothly as he had hoped they would be.

"Okay, I'm done."  Blink turned back around and faced Fifi. "So . . ."

"So . . ."

"Um, that was really nice of Mush to give up his room for me."

"Yeah, Mush is a really nice guy."

"Yeah, it's hard not to pick up on that.  You too seem like you're really close."

"Yeah, we're best friends.  He knows what I'm thinking before I even know, half of the time, and vice versa."

"Yeah, KP and I are the same way.  I tell her everything.  She knows a lot about me that nobody else knows."

"I gathered that." 

"It's important, though, to be around people that you feel that close to."

"I know what you mean.  Honestly, I don't know who I'd talk to if Mush weren't around, about the important stuff, anyway."

            "Yeah, I feel the same way."

"Yeah."

And with that, Blink and Fifi each crawled under their covers and fell fast asleep.

* * * *MEANWHILE* * * * *

"It was nice of you to room with me, Mush.  Not that I give a crap about how she felt, but I didn't want to have to room with her.  I don't think I could have handled it."  Skittery than mumbled something under his breath.  Mush caught the words nancyish and off balance, but he chose to ignore the last statement, knowing that Skittery only needed to get it out of his system.

"I was glad to help out.  Dis way everybody's happy."

"Yeah, that's true.  I don't understand how you can be so damn chipper all the time.  You're not worried my negative attitude will throw you off-balance are you?" 

Mush noticed the attempt at humor in Skittery's voice and was a little shocked it had come out that way, as opposed to sarcastic.

"Nah, in fact, it may be the other way around."  Mush smiled as he jumped into bed.  "You're not that bad Skitts.  So what if you're a 'glass-half-empty' kinda guy, it doesn't make you a bad person."

"Thanks, Mush."

"Anytime, Skitts." 

The two boys went to bed and slept comfortably and contentedly.

Everybody slept that night, some more than others, and whether it was soundly or otherwise.  All of their minds were filled with thoughts about the past day, and thoughts of what the next two weeks would bring.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

     AUTHOR'S NOTE:  like I said before, PLEASE review, I don't even know if anyone is reading this story.  If you review I'll give you a hug, and a cookie too.  If you don't like hugs, or cookies, let me know and I'll send you some pie instead, if you don't like pie, well . . . there are always other deserts that I can send.  WOW!  Rambling is fun.  Signing off now!

Peace

FIFI