The lake lay like a silver shield on the grounds, the sun only just warming up the grounds. Beth smiled to herself, walking down to the edge of the water then staring into her reflection. A small girl with wavy brown hair, ending in tiny curls, and deep blue eyes smiled back. She hated her appearance but, for some reason, she couldn't be unhappy today.

"Hey, Beth!"

She turned and her smile widened. Marcus was walking towards her, his hands clamped under his armpits for warmth. "Aren't you cold?"

She nodded. "Freezing. But I couldn't stay inside, it's too pretty."

They sat down on the grass, silent for a while. Beth stretched lazily, strangely like a cat. "So," she yawned. "You and Em. How long?"

"A month. Took us a while, too worried about what everyone else thought."

"And Razzy?"

His head snapped around so fast he winced and pressed his hand to his neck. "What about her?" he asked, with a pathetic attempt at a casual shrug.

"Well, what does she think about the situation."

"Hates it."

"Ah."

"She's misunderstood."

"By any one with a dick, maybe..."

He grinned. "No. She's really a nice person."

Beth turned and looked at him hard. He was staring out over the lake, his brown eyes fixed on some imaginary point, his dark hair a huge contrast to the cold whiteness of his cheeks. She finally understood what Emily had meant. This Razzy was trouble... she had worked on Marcus' mind alright. But Beth hardly knew Marcus, so, looking away, she decided to say nothing.

Marcus glanced at her and, lifting up his hand, gently poked her in the arm. Beth turned and stared at him.

"What was that for?" He shrugged and grinned, poking her arm again. She frowned and poked him back.

"Hey! You poked me!"

"Did not!" She poked him again.

"Did too!" He poked her back.

"Hey!"

A new voice had joined the melee. Marcus look over his shoulder, turned, opened his arms and a small figure pelted into him. He gave the newcomer a bone crunching bear hug then finally released her, leaving the young girl gasping for breath. "Geez, Sparky, that was rough!"

"Well, you know me..." he winked, then turned back to Beth.

"Beth, this is Rebecca. Bec, Beth."

Beth's smile was replaced by a stunned expression as Bec walked up and hugged her. Marc grinned. "Bec's very friendly... especially with me."

"Yeah, I wonder why, you huge spunk. What were you two doing here, hey?" She winked suggestively. Beth laughed automatically, responding to Bec's harmless sense of humour.

"Well," Marcus said evilly, advancing on Beth. "I was just about to throw her in the lake..."

"You do and you're a dead man, Flint." Beth said, punching her finger in his direction.

"What are you going to do? Bite me?"

"No, you'd enjoy that."

"Damn straight."

"I'll sick Bec on you." Bec growled instantly, already on the same level as Beth. Marcus stopped short.

"You know, she has sharp teeth."

Bec looked mortified. "How would you know that?!"

"I've heard."

"Lies."

Beth sat back and watched. It was obvious Bec liked Marcus... a lot. It certainly seemed like this boy was every girls dream. Although, she couldn't see why. He was nice and good looking of course, but crude as well.

"Go." Bec was pushing Marcus in the back towards the castle. "Beth, help me!"

Marcus groaned. "I don't want to go to class..." Beth snapped out of her deep thought, giggled, and ran around to grab Marc's hand. He glanced down at her, smiling gently for a moment, then continuing to whinge over his shoulder at Bec. Bec sighed and twisted around, using her shoulder to push him instead, panting.

"One day... I'm sure... I'll feel proud... of him. But... right now, he's... a pain... to raise!"