Author's Note: Ok here it is. I wrote and re-wrote this chapter about five times and I'm finally somewhat happy with it so I really hope everybody likes it. I was seriously so close to discontinuing this fic…but I guess writers-block does that to you haha. I've got a kind of outline for chapter five but I'm going to have a really hard time putting it into words that I actually like so it's gonna be a while again…sorry kids. Anyway enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Newsies, not even just one. I've asked Disney to share but they didn't want to. Also all of the other characters in this fic are really people, so I don't own them either…or so they think. And Footloose is a real Broadway musical and it has really, really great music if you haven't heard it I suggest you take a listen, and oh yeah I don't own that either.

Chapter 4: Yeah Tech!

"Who has rehearsal today?" Lindsey asked nobody in particular as she neared the group of girls that were seated at the cafeteria table.

The girls all looked to Rachel for the answer. Rachel was the responsible one, the one who always knew what was going on, "Uhh…I think it's a tech day," she answered simply before returning to her noodles with pesto.

"Oh," Lindsey replied thoughtfully, glancing around the table once again, "where's Laney?"

This time it was KP's turn to speak up, "She said something about meeting Racetrack before lunch, and told me she was going to be late and also to apologize for her…she's sorry."

Hearing the news about Laney's 'date' with Racetrack was exciting. The girls peeked around the table at each other, grinning and giving each other knowing looks.

"That's what I did too," KP informed them, taking note of her friends' expressions. "She said they were nothing more than friends."

"Hey guys, sorry I'm late," Laney walked up to the table, terminating all chances of anymore conversation about her and Racetrack, "I think I might hit up the tech action today, any of you in?" To her surprise, all of them nodded their heads in agreement, if not to do tech, then to see if anything further happened between Laney and Race. "Then tech it is," she smiled before settling in with her freshly made salad.

"Where have you been?" Jack asked Race with a smirk.

"Excuse me for bein' late, ya highness. I was unaware dat dere was a rule about tahdiness; I'll try and be a little more prompt for our second date," Race retorted sarcastically.

Jack knew when not to push Race for explanations, and this was one of those times, so he let it go and decided to change the subject all together. "So ya got anythin' planned foah aftah school?"

"Wow, tanks!" Race exclaimed over-enthusiastically.

"What? I just asked ya a question," Jack answered, utterly confused.

"I'd love ta!" Race continued in a swooning tone.

"What are ya talkin' about Race?!" Jack asked, now getting annoyed.

Race gasped and looked hurt. "Ya mean…ya not askin' me out on a second date?" he asked, this time in in an overdramatic, hurt tone of voice. "Jeez, a guy's a measly ten minutes late foah a foist date an' he get's de axe."

"Awwww, Race! Are we still on dis?" Jack whined, "Alright, I get it, I'll nevah ask ya why ya were late again."

"So what? Now you've gone from not datin' to not carin'!?" Race retorted, this time looking like he was going to cry. "I gave ya da best yeahs of my life!" he finished with a smirk before radically throwing the crust of bread from his sandwich at Jack's chest and stalking off, leaving Jack alone to sit and ponder what just happened.

Fortunately for Jack he didn't have to ponder very long; Mush sat down at the table with his daily slice of meat lover's pizza. "Heya Jack!" he exclaimed happily. "Wherah's Race?"

"I…uh…I'm not entiahly sure…" Jack said slowly, still dazed by the previous conversation with his insane friend. "Hey, Mush, what are you doin' dis aftahnoon?"

"I'm goin ta tech…you wanna come? It's gonna be tons of fun! I tink da goils are comin' too!"

Jack perked up at this announcement, "Even KP?" he asked, excited, forgetting about his confusion entirely.

"I dunno…maybe," Mush replied as he took a bite of pizza.

"Hmm…maybe I will have to make an appearance den…" Jack muttered, the wheels in his head starting to turn.

"Hey! Hey KP!" Spot called.

KP slowed her quick pace in order to return the greeting, "Hey Spot, listen, I'd really love to stay and chat but I have Chamber Singers practice right now and I'm really late. Sooo…bye." She turned and continued waling down the hallway, resuming her original speed.

"But…hey, wait!" Spot called after her again, running to catch up, "Ya wanna run lines dis aftahnoon?"

KP stopped again, "Oh…I told the girls and Mush that I would help out with tech this afternoon," she looked at him and instantly felt guilty knowing that her first and most important responsibility was to practice, "…could it be a quick rehearsal?" she asked hopefully.

"If dat's da way ya like it, doll face," Spot said suggestively.

"Good," KP answered, too wrapped up in getting to rehearsal to notice that Spot had fed her a line.

"We'll meet in the multipoipose room aftahschool den?"

"Chorus room," KP corrected, hating it when people called in the multipurpose room, "and yeah, sounds great." She turned to leave again but this time Spot grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Just you an' me?" he asked seriously, his icy blue eyes meeting hers and making her somewhat uncomfortable.

"Y-yeah, I guess it will be 'cause everyone else will be at tech..."

"Good, I look forward to it," Spot took her hand and kissed the back of it lightly.

KP looked at him as if he had grown a second head, but seemed pleased none the less, "I have to go!" and with out so much as a final goodbye she took off down the hall, this time in a sprint.

"Let's soak 'em for Crutchy! Come on guys…for Crutchy? Soakin 'em…for…Crutchy?" Taylor looked around the auditorium waiting for people to spring into action.

"Uh, Taylah? I'm right heah. Nobody's tryin' to hoit me, so who are you gonna soak?" Crutchy asked, confused yet touched that Taylor seemed so concerned about his safety.

"I don't know…'em?" Taylor replied defensively. Little did Crutchy know that Taylor really didn't care about his well-being at all, and that he just liked saying the phrase. In fact, he had dubbed it, in his own mind, the Best Saying Ever, and thus vowed to use it as much as possible and maybe, just maybe, actually soak someone for Crutchy. The thought of the idea alone made him shiver with anticipation.

It was then that the girls, minus KP, walked in to the auditorium and stood, looking around and ready for work.

"Hey Mush…uh, who are dose goils?"

"Oh yeah, ya haven't met dem, have ya? Dere in da cast but dey wanted to help out with tech so I told 'em to stop by."

"Oh," Blink answered thoughtfully. "How does Taylah know dem?" he asked, taking note that upon entering the large room, all of the girls had made their way over to Taylor and were now laughing and joking around with him.

"Taylah hangs out with 'em," Mush answered simply

"All of dem?!"

"Yeah, why?"

"Why don't we evah hang out with any goils?" Blink asked, hurt and confused.

"I don't know, Blink. We just nevah have before. We're both so busy with tech and stuff that we don't really get to...I mean, dere aren't many goils in tech, it's not like we don't hang out with any goils."

"Dat's easy for you ta say. You're in da cast so you get to meet all of dem…and probably even be friends with 'em too if you wanted," Blink said, growing nervous at the thought that he might be unfit to talk to girls due to the fact that he never did. "Do ya tink we could?" he asked Mush suddenly, losing all confidence and sounding like a lost child.

"Could what, Blink?"

"Hang out with goils?" he elaborated in a quiet voice, as if afraid of the idea.

"Sure, Blink," Mush reassured his friend, thrown of by the abrupt necessity to meet and hang out with girls.

"Hey, ya playin' Rusty, right?"

"Why yes, yes I am, and it's Fifi," she answered, acknowledging the presence of a boy she had never met before with a large smile. This boy had dirty blonde hair and a charming smile, and an eye patch was over his left eye hiding it from sight, however, his right eye sparkled with a beautiful bright green.

"Good," he answered simply with a nod of his head, going back to work as if the exchange had never happened.

Fifi laughed, "Was there a purpose for that question, or were you trying to strike up a conversation?"

Blink smiled, he liked this girl, she seemed energetic and nice, but she was definitely not a push-over. She was pretty and had an infections smile that shined from her whole face, and a mischievous glint in her eyes. "There wasn't really a poipos. I am buildin' dis platform foah ya solo scene, but mostly I just wanted to know who you were."

"Well I'm glad that now you know," she grinned and paused, "...so now that you do know…who are you?"

"Oh, sorry!" he couldn't help but smile at her, "I'm Kid Blink."

"Well, nice to meet you Kid Blink," she said, holding out her hand.

"You too," he answered, taking it and shaking it congenially.

He started to say something else but was interrupted, "BLINK! TAYLAH'S UP HEAH IN DA LIGHT BOOTH WITH ME AND HE WON'T LET ANYONE ELSE IN! HE'S THREATENIN' TO SOAK 'EM…AND I STILL DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO 'EM IS!"

Fifi and Blink looked at each other and giggled. "Looks like I'm needed," he said to her.

"Yeah, sounds important!" Emma answered jokingly. She was sorry to see Blink go, but the whole situation was just so amusing she didn't say anything.

"You gonna be around for a while?" he asked her hopefully.

"Yeah I'll be here," she replied with a smile.

"Good…den I'll…uh…I'll see you again latah…maybe?" he asked again, he was sure she could hear his heart pounding in his chest.

"You can count on it," she grinned.

"Great!" he exclaimed a little too enthusiastically.

"BLINK!" came Crutchy's voice.

"SOAK 'EM!" Taylor yelled from somewhere behind Crutchy. At this Blink turned and started walking swiftly up the aisle towards the side door.

Fifi laughed, "See ya around!" she called after him.

"Ya can count on it!" he echoed back to her over his shoulder before exiting the auditorium all together.

"So what did you want to run?" KP asked innocently, sitting in a folding chair opposite Spot in the chorus room.

"Well what did you do with Kelly?" he asked in a low, rigid tone, ignoring her initial question.

"We ran lines from a scene," she answered matter-of-factly. She was intimidated by his tone but was doing everything in her power not to let it show.

"Is dat all?" he continued forcefully, standing up. He knew he was pushing it, and possibly a little too far, but he had been on good behavior since he had first met her and now that he had her alone without anything to distract her he was free to act a little more like himself.

"Y-yeah, that's all," KP stammered, "...what do you care anyway?" She stood as well, meeting his harsh gaze and gaining an inkling of confidence.

"I don't care at all," Spot spoke, his voice barely louder than a whisper, as his face got closer and closer to hers.

"Good," she said, swiftly ducking out of the way right before Spot's lips met hers, "then let's get to work,"

Spot dropped his head, he was so close and he knew it, 'I can't give her time ta think. She's got a conscience and morals, dat's all...God, I haven't had a girl wit morals for a while,' he thought before agreeing to continue and taking his seat again.

The two worked diligently going over line after line and scene after scene, "My daddy hates the fact that we're dating," KP spoke in character with a smirk.

"Good," Spot muttered, breaking his own character and leaning in quickly for another attempt at a kiss. This time their lips met. 'Mission complete,' he thought before deepening the kiss. When she did nothing to stop him, he pushed even further, his tongue touched her lips waiting for them to permit him in.

This, however, was not the case; she realized what was happening and pulled away quickly, wiping her mouth, grabbing her things, and pushing out the door with not a glance backward. She walked down the stairs, through the lobby, and found herself outside the auditorium. She took a deep breath and plastered on a smile before entering. She had always prided herself on being able to hide her true feelings and used the skill often.

Inside she found all of her friends and a few of the guys sitting in the middle of the large room. They were all laughing at Racetrack who seemed to be telling a story very vibrantly. She took one last deep breath and shook her head to ward of any of the of the still looming thoughts about Spot before making her way down the row to meet the crowd. She had plenty of time to think about Spot later.

"Hey KP!" Lindsey said excitedly, still giggling.

KP smiled at her. "What's goin' on?" she asked happily.

"The boys are just explaining where their nicknames came from," Rachel informed her. "You already missed Racetrack's story."

"Oh well, he can tell me later."

"Don't seem all broken up about it," Race smirked at her. She smiled a fake sweet smile back before taking a seat.

"Haha," Laney said sarcastically, "who's next!"

"I think Specs should go," Alanna suggested.

"No, that's too obvious," Randy opposed.

"It's not what it seems," Specs informed them. "I got my glasses at least a year after I got my nickname."

"Oh,do tell," Fifi exclaimed excitedly.

"My sophomore year I was in pre-calculus and I was the only sophomore in the class, everyone else was either a junior or a senior and I was extremely nervous. I had Mr. Frattini, and he always uses these weird phrases like, 'out pops the money,' or 'thank you…very…much,' just weird things like that. Anyway, one day he asked for the 'specs' of the problem, meaning he wanted us to read it to him so he could put it on the board and show us how to do it, but nobody knew what he was talking about except for me and I was too afraid to read it so I just sat there and waited for somebody to get it. The whole class sat there with the teacher standing at the board ready to write for almost the whole period. By the time a got the courage to say it the class was almost over and there wasn't enough time to do the problem so the whole class was wasted and from then I was known as Specs."

"That's awesome!" Fifi exclaimed, "I have him this year with KP!" The other girls agreed and commented, but KP was too distracted to hear any of them because at that moment Spot appeared in the auditorium. Luckily he ignored the large group of people and went directly to the stage to help with lights. KP's eye followed his movements on the stage before turning back to the group. "I wanna hear Spot's story," she spoke up.

"Oh dat's easy!" Blink started, "He's named aftah all da spots of blood on fella's clothes we he's done fightin' 'em."

"I figured," KP mumbled in a discouraged tone, dropping her gaze to the floor as the girls continued to push the other boys for silly stories.

Race, seeing KP's frustration, stood up and took the seat behind her. "Dat's not really wheah Spot got his name; he changed his story. I'm da only one dat knows da real story and dat's only 'cause I'm da only one dat knew him way back when he was given da name in da foist place," he whispered in KP's ear.

"Well did you come over here to tell me the real story, or to rub it in my face that you know it and I don't?"

Race thought for a moment, "I'll tell ya, but if I do ya can't tell anyone else 'cause it's a pretty big secret, ok?"

"Ok, I promise," KP agreed.

"When Spot was youngah, and still livin' in Brooklyn, he had an oldah brothah named Johnny. Johnny was da best guy anyone evah met: he was real nice ta everybody and was always dere to help anyone in need. Spot absolutely adored Johnny and followed him everywheahs, just like a puppy dog, and dat's wheah his name 'Spot' came from."

"Wow, he sounds like he used to be such a sweet little kid," KP whispered in amazement.

"Yeah…was," Race retorted, a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Race? What happened to him? ...Johnny, I mean."

"He was bringin' Spot ovah ta my house down da street. Spot wouldn't let anyone take him anywheah except Johnny, and on the way to my house dey got caught in a drive by shootin' between two gangs. Johnny managed to save Spot by jumping in front of him, but he died in the process. Spot's nevah been da same."

"That's awful," KP said quietly, looking up at Spot who was still on the stage but was now sweeping. Suddenly she saw the little boy that used to be Spot. It was the same little boy that came out when he gave someone one of his charming smiles. Something told her that the little boy was now gone forever...but she couldn't help but see the Spot she knew in a new light—a softer, more accepting light.

"Yeah," Race continued, "evah since den he's been getting inta fights, sleepin' with tons 'a different goils, makin' 'em think he's interested and droppin' 'em when he gets what he wants. I nevah would've guessed seven yeahs ago dat da kid I knew would turn inta what he is now."

KP was confused by these words. She had a feeling Spot was using her, or trying to, anyway. That didn't bother her--she used people all the time--but the fact that she was feeling sympathy for him, after what he did, made her extremely angry. She wanted to hate him and be awful to him, and get all of her friends to be awful to him, too. But she just couldn't bring herself to do it. There was something inside her holding her back.

Not wanting people to see she was upset and start asking questions, she decided to remove herself from the group. Without a word, she stood and walked directly to the center aisle and out the door. Laney began to stand to follow her friend, but Mush stopped her.

"I gotta get a drink anyway, I'll talk to her," he said, standing.

"No offense Mush, but she doesn't really know you, so she probably not going to talk to you."

"If she doesn't, I'll come get you," he said, walking up the aisle without waiting for an answer from Laney.

"But…but…she probably in the chorus room!" she called after him helplessly from her seat as he walked out the door.

Mush went to the vending machine and bought two sodas before heading to the chorus room as Laney suggested. Sure enough there was KP, sitting and staring at the piano as if she stared long enough it would magically start to play.

He entered quietly and sat down next to her, handing her a soda. "Thanks," she said, accepting it politely.

They sat there for a few more minutes in comfortable silence before Mush spoke, "Ya ok?" he ask softly so as not to intrude too quickly.

"Yeah," she answered simply.

"Well somethin's botherin' ya," he pushed further in a calm tone.

"It's nothing…Spot just kinda came on to me this afternoon and I have a boyfriend and I don't want to tell him what happened," she explained. That wasn't what she was upset about, but it had crossed her mind for a split second.

"Well, doesn't he trust ya?" Mush asked innocently.

"Yeah."

"Then why would he need ta know? It wasn't your fault."

"Yeah I guess," she sighed.

"Anyway, dat's not what's on ya mind."

"What!?" KP asked, surprised and a little intimidated by his ability to pick up on such subtle feelings. She would have expected something like that from herself or Laney, but definitely not from Mush.

"Dat's not what's botherin' ya," he answered.

"I don't want to talk about it," KP said shortly.

"Faih enough. Laney said you wouldn't want ta talk ta me about it…I'll go get her den." KP was amused to see that Mush wasn't hurt by the fact that she didn't want to talk to him about it, he just accepted it for what it was and moved on.

"No, wait!" KP stopped him as her reached the door, "I don't want to talk about it period, but I'm having fun just talking to you."

"Well, I might just have ta stay den," Mush grinned and made his way back to his seat.

The two sat in silence for another couple of minutes, this time it was KP's turn to speak up, "So…tell me, Mush, where does your nickname come from?" she asked, changing the subject to that of a lighter nature.

Mush smiled warmly, at what KP figured was the memory of his name, before starting, "Well, when I was real little I couldn't say da 'ch' sound, I always replaced it with da 'sh' sound and my favorite saying was 'I love you dis much,'" he held out his arms to show just how much love he had before continuing, "but it always came out as 'I love you dis mush' and Mush has been my name ever since that."

"That's so cute!" KP exclaimed, a huge grin on her face.

"Tanks," he replied, returning her smile.

"How old were you when you did that?" she inquired. She wanted to hear more about Mush when he was little, and it took her mind off thinking about Spot and when he was little.

"I dunno, I tink I was around two or tree. Me muddah stahted it, and she nevah called me anythin' but Mush, even when I was in trouble. I tink da foist time I remembah noticing dat it wasn't my real name was in kindahgahden when da teachah did roll call and called me Aaron, only I didn't answer cause I didn't know that was my name."

KP laughed, "That's so awesome!"

"Yeah, now everybody knows where my name is in da alphabet, so before da teachahs say Aaron everyone calls out 'MUSH!' really loud, and it always confuses the teachah but we have fun with it. Dat stahted in da thoid grade."

"That's so cool! I wish I could change my name to KP so everyone called me that. Only the two best teacher's I've ever had have called me KP."

"So do you gots a nickname, too? Or is it KP?"

"No, I have a nickname, too. My eighth grade chorus students came up with it for me."

"You teach music, too?!" Mush asked in astonishment.

"Oh no, not so much, I intern with Mrs. Bushey, the chorus teacher."

"Oh, so what is it?" Mush asked getting back on the topic of nicknames.

"Toys," she answered, getting an odd look from Mush and feeling the need to explain, "because KP, sounds like KB…you know…like the toy store, KB Toys. Only my eighth graders use the nickname, though."

Mush thought for a moment before making a decision and nodding his head, "I like it, it fits ya."

"Good," KP smiled warmly. "Hey, Mush? Thanks for making me feel better."

"Anytime. What do ya say we's go back downstairs wid da othahs?"

"Yeah…sounds good," KP said, taking Mush's arm as they both headed downstairs.

"Listen Sarah, I don't tink we's should go out anymoah."

"What! Why!?"

"Well, ya see, I realized…let's see, how can I put dis inta nice woids foah ya?" he looked up at the ceiling as if the words he was looking for were written up there, "oh I got it!" he continued excitedly, "I tought it'd be fun datin' a senior 'cause…ya know…I tought I'd get some. I tought we'd have a good time tagethah, ya know? But da truth is…I haven't gotten any…not even a little, you anoy da hell outta me wid ya prissy, stuck-up, poifectioness, hoity-toity attitude, and you're a bitch…and, oh yeah, I slept with Rachel. See ya around!" he finished, calling the last words over his shoulder as he made his way up to the group of people in the back of the auditorium.

Everyone had seen the exchange between Jack and Sarah; KP, Randy, and Fifi had found it particularly funny and started giggling profusely. This pushed Sarah over the edge. She turned on her hells sharply and started charging at Rachel, who was also amused by the situation, but not enough to laugh.

"This is all you're fault!" Sarah screamed shrilly, pointing her finger at Rachel. "You home-wrecker…you…you slut!"

"Hey!" KP shouted, stepping between Rachel and the still-fuming Sarah, "Don't take it out on her…it's not her fault that you're a stupid bitch that can't keep a guy interested in her!" She finished with her voice still raised and a gleam in her eye.

"Yeah, how dare you blame this on the love of my life!"

"SHUT-UP, DAVID!" The two girls turned and yelled at him at the top of their lungs.

David looked as if he wanted to say something in his defense and something further in Rachel's defense, but he decided to sit down and mope instead.

KP slowly turned back to her true opponent, making sure that there would be no more outbursts from David, "Look Sarah, I understand that you're upset, and frankly…well, frankly I don't care. When you start a fight with one of us, you start a fight with all of us."

"And you better believe that you just declared war," Fifi said, standing to join KP where she stood as Sarah shifted uncomfortably, trying to hold her ground.

"Oh, it's on!" Randy agreed, taking a spot next to her companions.

"Well Sarah dear, we would love for you to stick around and chat, but I think you need to leave now," Laney said sweetly, leaning over the arm rest of her chair and batting her long eyelashes behind her thick-rimmed glasses.

"But…but…" Sarah thought frantically, trying to come up with some sort of retort, "You're a bitch!" she screamed at KP, that being the first thing to come to her mind.

"I know," KP said in a sympathetic I-feel-for-you tone. Sarah shrieked in rage before stomping back down the center aisle in a rage. "Buh-bye," KP said with a dainty wave, and with that she turned to take her seat, a huge grin on her face.

Everyone looked at KP, the girls grinning knowingly, the boys in complete shock. "Jeez," Racetrack was the first one to speak, "I don't know whethah ta applaud ya or be afraid of ya."

The girls all giggled. "You don't have to be afraid," Laney explained.

"Just be nice to us and you'll be fine!" Lindsey added.

"You don't even have to be nice to me, you just can't freak out like that 'cause that annoys me and I can't help but antagonize you further, so chill out and we'll all get along." KP grinned as the rest of the girls nodded in agreement.

"Oh…" the boys said, not really sure what else to say.

"That goes for us, too!" Jack said, getting the confidence to speak up for his boys (it was, after all, his responsibility).

"Oh really?" KP stared at him, raising her eyebrows in challenge.

Yeah!" he said, the necessity of being a good leader and mentor for his boys over ruling the charming and agreeable attitude that he knew he would have to keep up if he wanted to win the bet. "I'll just have to work a little hard to win her back," he thought.

"Note taken," she answered back surprisingly.

"Hey, so when are you going to be home tonight? I want to give you a call later."

"Uh, I have no clue…why are you telling me you want to call me? Whatever you have to say, say it now, that way we can save on the call altogether." KP grinned, although she was being completely serious.

"Listen KP, is this whole drama thing going to take up all of your time? I mean, you didn't even have to be there today, you're hanging out with all these other guys that I don't know as well as kissing them in front of everyone, and I haven't seen you long enough to ask how you're doing for a week."

"Listen Charlie," KP started, mocking his first words lightly, "tech is extremely important and I do need to be there. Yes, it's going to take up almost all of my time; yes, I kissed one other guy; yes, I did it in front of a lot of people...but maybe that's because it was a stage kiss…and I'm doing just fine," she finished with a cocky smile.

"KP, this is serious. I miss spending time with you," Charlie explained to her, pulling her into an overdramatic embrace.

This reaction annoyed KP further, and she pulled away quickly, "Maybe you need a hobby then."

"But—but I just want to hang out," Charlie answered again, this time hurt.

"Not my problem, Charlie...and actually I don't think this is going to work out. You obviously have codependency issues that you need to work out, you're extremely clingy, you make me feel like I constantly have to make sure you're comfortable in a situation, and you clearly don't trust me."

"But—but KP," he tried again, on the verge of tears, but KP had already turned to walk away.

"Oh, and Charlie?" she turned back, speaking in a faux-sympathetic tone. He turned back and looked her in the eye, his own eyes glistening with fresh tears, "It's not me…it's you," she finished coldly. At this Charlie broke down completely, turning and running through the lobby and out the front doors of the school.

'Ouch,' Jack thought. He, Spot, and Mush had been headed out of the auditorium when they came across KP and her now ex-boyfriend Charlie Conway 'That was harsh.' The three boys stood inside the door, not sure whether to continue on their journey to find food and beverages, or turn around a pretend they saw nothing. KP leaned against the cool, concrete wall and sighed deeply. It was then that they decided to make their move.

"H-hey, KP," Mush said softly, afraid to make direct eye contact.

"Oh, hey Mush," KP smiled slightly, glancing at Spot and Jack to acknowledge their presence as well.

"Ya…ya ok?" Mush asked, genuinely concerned for her well-being.

"What? Oh...yeah. I'm used to it," she smiled and snapped out of her brief depression.

"Ya used to it!?" Jack asked incredulously, thinking back to a few minutes earlier when he heard the harsh words come out of her mouth.

"Yeah, it's never particularly hard to get people interested, it's the dating part that sucks," she explained while walking with them across the lobby.

"Why?" Mush questioned her. "You're a nice enough goil."

"Well, I'm convinced it's high school relationships in general…I'm just way too independent—and way too selfish—to deal with the immaturity of it all. I'm so sick of all the, 'let's spend every waking moment together,' 'why are you talking to other guys,' shit. I need my space. I'm my own person and I can make my own decisions and I don't mind being by myself, I actually kind of like it," she paused, "I don't know, that probably doesn't make any sense."

"No…I think it does," Mush said slowly, trying to understand. However, Jack and Spot were too busy lost in their own thoughts to worry about KP's.

'What the hell! How am I goin' ta let her know I'm 'interested' if I have to act detached...she doesn't like forward guys but I hoid she refuses ta ask guys out 'cause she doesn't care enough ta waste her time doin' it. I have ta win dis bet,' Jack thought frantically, a hint of anxiety showing in his eyes.

On the other side of the group, Spot was having similar thoughts, but instead of worrying about it he was trying to think of ways he could get around this abnormally independent attitude of hers, 'Ok so dat means she like ta be friends foist...I could've know that a little earliah, but no mattah...maybe I could threaten a freshman inta makin' her cry so I can console her, but dat could backfiah! Someone could get ta her foist, or woise, someone could stand up for her...she is around at least one poison all da time...dat's annoyin'...I can't plan anythin' if I don't know who's gonna be around...hmmm—,'

"Oh, God! I've got to get back!" KP exclaimed. She had been lost in silly conversation and antics with Mush and completely forgotten that she was supposed to be helping with tech, so with a quick goodbye she ran off down the hall in the direction she had just come from.

"KP, we were looking all over for you! And...by looking all over for you I mean we kinda didn't feel like wasting the energy to actually look for you so we just stood here and discussed the possibilities of places you might be," Laney said with a grin.

"What's goin' on," KP said, returning Laney's friendly smile. "Hey Specs!"

"Specs wants to know if we want to double with him and Dutchy…I told him that you have a boyfriend but he says—,"

"—Had," KP broke in with the correction.

"What!?" Laney exclaimed in shock.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Specs said, "Maybe another ti—,"

"—How long did this one last? Three weeks?" Laney continued, completely oblivious to the fact that Specs had even spoken.

"Two," KP answered with a wide, proud grin. Laney held out her hand initiating a high-five which KP happily gave her.

"So you won't be too upset to double this weekend?" Specs tried again, shocked by the girls behavior but too happy to ask about the bizarreness of it all.

"Hell no!" KP replied enthusiastically, finally acknowledging Specs' presence again.

"Great!" he exclaimed happily. "So I figured we could pick you up tomorrow evening...say around...five? We could do it tonight, but the place I thought we might go doesn't open until Satur—"

"Wait, there's another little problem," KP cut in, still smiling but in more amusement than happiness, "I think Dutchy might be a little afraid of me," she giggled.

"No he's not!" Specs said quickly. Both girls looked at him quizzically. "Ok, maybe just a little bit, but it's not a problem! Laney will go with Dutchy and I'll go with you."

"Ok, it's a date," KP said, putting her arm around him in a joking, suggestive way.

"Uh, Specs? We'll be right back, KP and I have to discuss something," Laney said, taking KP's arm and dragging her a few feet away.

"Ok this might sound really weird, but I always thought that Dutchy and Specs would make a cute couple and I was kinda hoping they might realize their feelings for each other and start going out," Laney explained, embarrassed. 'There now, I told her something that was true and I didn't have to tell her that I was hoping Racetrack would ask me out,' she thought happily.

'It's so because she wants Racetrack,' KP smirked before talking, "Well duh! It's our job to push them in the true direction."

Laney laughed, "Isn't that the name of the camp that they send all of the gay teenagers to in But I'm a Cheerleader?"

"Whatever, come on!" KP grinned, pulling Laney back over to Specs. "We'd love to double with you on Saturday. Pick us up at 4:00 and don't be late...or you can be late if you really want, we don't care," she joked.

"Great!" he answered excitedly.

"Well, thanks Specs…see ya around," KP said, giving him a kiss on the cheek before linking arms with Laney's and walking out of the auditorium mumbling about plans and giggling. Both of them were too busy to notice Race, Jack, and Spot standing at the top of the auditorium, Jack and Spot looking dumbstruck, Race with a look of pure, unmasked hurt.

"Racetrack? What are you still doing here!?" Medda asked from the top of the auditorium. Race was seated in the middle of the first row of seats by himself in the dimmed auditorium.

"Notin'," he answered solemnly.

"Come on...tell Medda what's wrong." Race looked at her for a few moments before diving into the story of love, heartache, and Laney. "Oh, I knew that girl would be trouble for you! Racetrack...have you ever thought about dating a...an older women?" Medda asked cautiously.

"Whaddaya mean? Like a college goil?"

"Race...how do you feel about redheads?" she tried again.

"I don't know, I've got notin' against 'em, really." It was then that Racetrack realized what she was getting at. He slowly turned his head to look at her; she was smiling and staring at him. "Uh, Medda? ...I-gotta-go-tanks-foah-ya-help!" And with that he jumped up and ran out of the auditorium with nothing but his sweatshirt and car keys in tow.

Author's Note: Ok thus enduth chapter four…uth? Anyway I hope you liked it as much as the last chapters. So sorry if you are getting a little sick of reading about the same people over and over, I'm trying to add at least one new plot every chapter. So far I've gotten the Dutchy and Specs plot the Laney and Racetrack plot, the 'bet' plot, and I've just introduced the Blink and Fifi plot. I'm so terribly sorry if you haven't seen a lot of the other characters yet I have plans for the next chapter and I'm going to mention the bet but it's not going to be a huge part of the next chapter I hope so I'm gonna be giving that I little break for a chapter for those of you that are sick of it. I know Spot was way out of character in the beginning of this chapter, I hope I made up for it in the middle. Please let me know if you think I'm letting anyone get too out of character because it always bugs me when I read fics in which people are out of character or anything doesn't make since hell I got up on the stage at our school and mapped out the girl gets around making sure that people in the fic had enough time to get to where they had to be in relation to the song (yeah I'm lame but it was kinda fun) so…yeah. And Now For…

Shout-Outs:

Quick Author's note: first of all thank you so much for all of you that review my fic I've made 30 reviews in three chapters and that truly means a lot to me and secondly you guys leave the best more awesomest reviews in the whole entire world but they are soooo long (which is awesome please don't stop) but I'm not sure that I can give notice to everything said because it will take forever. If I need to comment back you will most definitely see it but I'm just going to pick out major points and comment on them.

Thanx KP

Lindsey: YOU WERE MY 30th REVIEWER!!! I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER ANS ALWAYS!! I'm so happy you like the fic and that it makes you laugh…cause that's kinda the point. I don't need 16 reviews just one will do and I love you dearly. Unless I get even worse writers block I'm planning on writing throughout the summer and you can also expect to see the Laney/Q/KP/Fifi crossover fic with HP and NEWSIES which will be the hottest thing ever. We still have plans for that and are going to work on it in RI. Talk to you later, I hope you liked this chapter.

Liams Kitten: What can I say Dutchy and Specs are hot, Morris and Oscar are not and random is the way to be. Thanks for that beautiful mental shot of someone choking but they were laughing first so at least they were happy for a little while. Can you imagine "here is your choice, you can cry because it's funny, or you can laugh so hard you choke," haha. In my school that's exactly how the decision making works and it's not because we are a heard of sheep…it's completely because we don't want to miss anything and when the people sitting at that particular table are involved in anything that you are not there for…you will surely miss out. But I know what you're saying and I'll try and tone it down a little…or at least explain further so it's more believable. I do have it proofread twice by the two best proof readers IN THE WORLD!! Haha I'm glad you approve of Spot and I'm glad I confused him too…cause that's always a fun thing to do. You can't shoot Itey because I'm in love with him…as well as some of the other girls ::cough cough Q, Fifi, Laney, RaeRae, cough cough:: …so yeah HE MUST LIVE!! YEAH DUTCHY AND SPECES!! I hope this chapter was to your satisfaction my dear I'm sure you will tell me if it wasn't. Love and such.

Laney: How many times did you read this chapter again? What's that you say? TOO MANY!! God you must be so sick of it. Why do other people try the three times thing…it's not gonna work for them HELLOOOOO!! I'M KP!!! AND THEIR…uh…um…NOT!! YEAH I SAID IT!!! (I hope you said that in the voice…you know the one I'm talking about haha) Dutchy and Laney sittin in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N…hey that spells kissing…that's yucky!! But it is Dutchy hmmm…Hey I thought he was gay!!! I don't know though it's a mystery. I'm glad you like the you/race stuff I enjoy writing it. Yeah right you know you want me…haha I sound like Jack… and by Jack I mean Zak haha. But in all seriousness you and I are quite the team, we are. And I love you tons and tons. Haha Mushy haha. You wrote hot and then put a period and then wrote out period and then put another period haha that's awesome. "I just wanted to let you know I die……………..::glances around::……………d laughing." So that's how I got a C in global studies haha. Anyway I'm glad you like the inner monologue there wasn't as much of it in this chapter but I think you and I are going to have a conversation in it in the next chapter so you can look forward to that. I love you too I hope you liked this chapter I changed somethings but definitely not much since the last time you read it. Untill next time RIDE THAT HOOLA HOOP!!.

The Artist Formally Known as Q: I love the long reviews!!

-ME TOO!! I LOVE THEM SOOO MUCH…Too bad they're dating me and Laney now haha.

-I think this chapter took care of a little of the tech neediness that you seem to have developed.

-Isn't she though I love her.

-I'm glad you liked Race I'm a little more worried about his character in this chapter I might have to tone him down a little. The whole thing with Jack was funny I'm just not sure it was really…Race let me know what you think.

-Soak Jack for takingmush'spizzaCRUTCHY!

-Yeah I'm a bitch that way but in my defense I don't know there's a bet going on.

-I took one for the team (the team being laney) and kissed Morris ewwww.

-I hope that this chapter had you're daily fix of pedo in it

-I'm glad you approve of my characterization.

-I got a round of applause!

-YAY RANDOMNESS AND LACK OF LOGIC AND ALLITERATION FOR THAT MATTER.

-Hello in the fic he's just another hormone driven boy in high school.

-That wasn't porn that was just dirty what I posted today was porn. And I will get you to listen to the soundtrack. It's pretty hot and tempting haha kinda like track jacket dan.

-Yay for bill and ted

-I like the Brooklyn line too hehe

-Bob Dole wants everybody's pants.

I'm glad you liked the chapter I hope this one was just as good I'll talk to you later.

Track jacket dan, and the Rupie Groupies signing off.

Fiffifofum: I'm really feeling these comment as you go reviews…they make me happy haha.

What bread is good! I know I'm just too cute for people to say no too. That'd be too easy I LOVE MUSH hehe smitten he's a nice kid you should have talked to him sometime. DAN IS GRADUATING NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! he's already down he's already down hehe rat bastard hehe and yeah he is!! don't kill the Delancy brothers then who will we have to soak for Crutchy…oh yeah I forgot there's always 'em Girl Power Peace and Spice Girls haha making plot bunnies impatient is fun because that means readers are getting impatient which means they'll keepreading. yeah…that's gonna have to change hehe Rat Bastard hehe It seems that everyone is feelin' the monologue maybe I should keep doing stuff like that. I love Dutchy too! haha but that's too eeeeeaaaaaaaaassssssssyyyy!! hehe squee haha damn right!! …uh I mean NO!! favoritism is bad!! laney and I practice things like that no he's to cocky and rat bastard…y to give in. Yeah Itey I don't think I've ever been called a genius before hey there's a first time for everything yay for the word retort and I thought that was very Spot like. ahhh he can be a good kid. yeah it really is especially close up and…you know…horizontal like…I MEAN!! Not that I would know. ( I still like Mush better) Of course you were right. Yeah Disco Inferno!! you could say that in real life you would just have to own it!! I HAVE FAITH IN YOU!!! Yeah Sexy!!

I'm so happy you approve of this fic and I hope you liked this chapter just as much haha anyway I love you tons keep up with the reviews I love them.

TheLoneReed: Ok so I'm glad I'm writing your character. well I have a dialogue planned between you and Spot for the next chapter I hope you like it. I also hope you enjoyed this chapter all right and keep in mind…Spot is not my favorite anymore.

Rubix the Cube: I'm glad you like the last chapter I hope this one was just as good thanks for not letting me be a slacker about it. I worked really hard on this chapter for people like you and I hope you enjoyed it. Anyway I'll talk to you later Thanks so much for your review.

ThatCrazyKid:

A) yeah thanks I really like the title too this really smart kid that I absolute adore came up with it for me.

B) That's what I do at lunch…I eat my bread and guilt trip people into doing my bidding.

C) Who else would it be? Muwah haha Laney is powerless over my flawlessly, cute antics.

D) Yay I'm glad you like the shifting cause that's the way I work…cause I get too bored to stay with one group of people and such.

E) Haha you said super cute and that makes you super cute.

F) Yeah what are we going to do with him?

G) Everyone thinks they should die…I don't know maybe they should. I thought a good soaking was in order

H) He tries!! Haha

I) Yeah apparently I got Laney really well…I think I should do more inner monologue for people.

J) Haha you have quite the violent outlook lately haha.

K) Yay for excuses to…to…uh…do stuff!!

L) Haha YOU'RE A CLEVER PLOY!!! :-D

M) I thought so as well

N) Bowoop-ing is so much fun you should try it some time.

O) I kinda like the way I'm writing David but it's all going to change when he finds out who Rachel's in love with.

P) Haha yeah ESPN!

Q) Yay for it being good

R) Yay for both bullets haha

S) I think it's one of my favorite songs on the whole CD.

T) Nothin' nobody…what happened to "clever ploy" haha he is a pimp and that's why he's hot

U) Haha yeah I'm all about the continuing of things sorry bout that.

V) Haha everyone loved that line…I thought it was very Emma.

W) Haha do I sense some favoritism on your part??

X) Yay for thoughts I've heard that a lot maybe I'll keep doing them

Y) Of course you make a difference

Z) I love long reviews they make me so happy cause first of all I feel like people are actually reading it haha and secondly I know what people really like and I can kinda stick to that style of writing so it's fun

I hope you loved the forth chapter and you approve of your character and all the other characters for that matter…please let me know if any of them are getting too out of character for your liking. Anyway I love you tons and I'll talk to you soon.

Authors Note: OK so I lied and decided to comment on everything that everyone had to say…but I couldn't choose!!

Alright guys there you go I'm done and I hope you all liked the chapter, as for people that might be reading it and not reviewing SHAME ON YOU!! I'm out I'll write more later—

Peace KP