AN: Well here it is! The long awaited second chapter lol sorry about the wait.. I've been super busy with school Xx

You will all get used to all the kiddies and their parents as the fic goes on I hope D

xxxx

The social structure of Cleveland High School, Seattle Washington, was not unlike the Indian caste system. There was a top, and there was a bottom, with varying levels in between.

At the top there was the popular group, the very top of which was made up of 'social elite' seniors, with a few junior recruits. It branched off from there, but none of them were as important or 'popular' as the core group.

Fayina Ivanov and Makoto Kinomiya were the leaders of this core group.

In the middle there were many different "cliques", including groups known as the "preps", the "geeks", the "non-descript sophomores" or sophomore boys with no social status, and the "dorky sophomore girls." These cliques were self-sufficient and largely ignored by the top caste. The only exception being the preps, who had some connections with them.

Somewhere between all the cliques, whether above the popular, under them but before the middle classes, or under the middle classes was the group known simply as "bad news." They were often referred to as the "assholes" or "jerks" and were feared by every other group in the school. For a very good reason.

The so called ring leader of the bad group was Alexei Nikolaev. He was easily the most intelligent person in the school, and knew this, and did not hesitate to flaunt his genius in front of others. He was mean to everyone, minus his group members. The bad group were the pierced partiers, who were rumoured to be druggies. However, no one dared to come right out and accuse them, as their reputation was to silence any one who talked about them. They made good on their promise. More than one student had been admitted to the hospital on their account, though they were never convicted of it.

At the bottom of the proverbial food chain were the slacker-stoners. They were the equivalent of the Indian "untouchables" as no one talked to them, and if a popular person was seen talking to them it was seen as a "dirtying" of their social position. Members of this group were looked down upon—not that they cared—and they didn't have a leader per say. They just sort of lazed around. The theory was that they wasted their time smoking pot and skateboarding.

These groups of course were arbitrary and class lines were often crossed, especially since a lot of groups had family members in other groups. Again the only noticeable exceptions being the bad group, and to some extent the slackers.

Of course this meant that the hallways of the old school building were divided into areas of inhabitancy. The popular group hung out on the bleachers beside the soccer field in nice weather, and the senior study hall in bad weather. The preps hung out in Mr. Kehl's history class on level four. The geeks hung out in the Math hallway on level 2, the dorky sophomore girls in the freshman and sophomore "pit"—a small carpeted area in the shape of a pit with stairs and benches in the middle of the school. The unsocialized sophomore boys claimed the PE hallway in the far left hallway on level 1 beside the left entrance where the tennis courts were stationed. The slackers held the front lawn, the left parking lot, or the level four hallways where most of their lockers were. The bad group hung outside in the back parking lot on some days and left stairwell between level three and four on other days. That stairway was largely avoided no matter what day it was.

"Nadie, what do you have after break again?" Fayina asked her best friend who was hiding behind her, tugging her forward so that she stood beside her as she rooted through her fourth floor locker.

"World History II," Nadya replied, shifting her backpack. "With Mr. Kehl."

"Oh right," Fay bit her lip, looking disappointed. "We only have Math together in B block don't we?"

Nadya nodded, looking sad. "I think I'm alone in history, and I know I'm alone in choir."

Fayina snorted, pulling English and Spanish binders off the top shelf in her locker. "You won't be alone in history, I'm sure someone has it with you. As for choir, I don't see why you are taking that anyway. Why couldn't you just take art with me for your fine arts credits?"

"Because…art involves drawing and having other people see it."

The red head rolled her eyes. "What am I going to do with you?" she sighed. "Choir involves singing and having other people hear you."

Nadya shook her head. "Choir is a group, I don't have to stand out."

"And you couldn't have just saved yourself the effort and taken the piano exam and gotten your credits that way?"

The taller girl once again shook her head.

Fayina threw her friend a look. "Have I ever told you that you are the biggest wuss in the world?"

"Aww, be nice Fay," Kale cut in, sliding between the two girls and wrapping his arm around Nadya's shoulder and hugging her sideways. "Our Niddy's just delicate as all. She has a big heart."

Fayina shoved at the pink haired soccer player. "And you are too easy on her. You spoil her. She'll never grow a backbone if you baby her." She scolded, snapping her locker closed with a bang.

"Bah," Kale dismissed, turning himself and Nadya as Fay left her locker heading down the hallway towards the rest of their group. "You're just mean to my baby." To emphasis his point he kissed Nadya's temple and smiled at her when she pinked.

"You know Kale, you're going to scare away any potential boyfriends that Nadie might have," Hale spoke up from his place against the lockers beside Dallas.

Kale huffed, releasing Nadya and kicking Hale's ankle. "Good. Not just anyone's good enough for her. I'm just protecting her."

Dallas snickered. "Of course not just anyone's good enough for her—not just anyone is you."

"Yeah," Makoto spoke up grinning. "You're the only one that her dad allows near her house…coincidence? I think not."

Fayina turned to her best friend and whacked her, earning a bewildered look and a slightly pained expression. "Don't just let them talk about you like you're not even here!"

"I don't mind…"

"Nadya Alexa…"

Nadya flinched, knowing that tone of voice only too well. She coughed, turning her attention to the boys. "Uh…um" she searched for the right words. "Me-me and Kale are just friends." She nodded to herself internally, proud.

The group kind of looked at her before bursting out laughing; causing Nadya to blush hotly wondering what she said that was so funny.

"Of course you are," Hale said grinning.

"Nadie, we've had the same conversation every year since junior high. We know very well what you and Kale's relationship is," Makoto said winking.

"We're just saying that some others might not know," Dallas finished, shrugging his massive shoulders.

Kale circled his arms around Nadya's neck from behind and hugged her. "Don't listen to them sweet, I'll marry you one day." He laughed winking.

Nadya elbowed him lightly, smiling.

"Hiya peeps! What's up?"

The group turned their heads, almost as one, to see the two new arrivals who had strolled up.

Ana Nikolaev—younger sister of the notorious Alexei—was next in line to be head cheerleader and was considered by some to be the ditsiest girl in their school. To those who knew her, however, she was not really that ditsy. Though she didn't possess half the intelligence of her genius brother, she wasn't stupid. She was actually quite smart, in matters of little importance anyway. She had stunning looks—second only to Fayina—with her long navy hair pulled back into pigtails, crimson eyes and heart shaped face.

Jamie Aston was relatively new member of the group—her family had moved to the school only the year before. She was cute, with her long blond hair and crimson eyes, and medium height. She was the oldest of four children in her family, and the big sister of the only set of triplets in Cleveland high school. She, and Ana were two of the snottiest parts of the popular group.

"Hey Ana!" Makoto waved, nudging Dallas who was eying the bluenette with interest in his eyes.

Dalla just turned his eyes away and whacked Makoto in the arm causing the light blue haired boy to laugh.

"Hello Dallas," Ana chirped, shifting on her feet.

Jamie rolled her eyes. "I'll try not to feel like I was just over looked." She said dryly, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Hey there ladies," a charming voice drawled as yet another new arrival slipped between the other two new arrivals, his arm draping over each other the girls. "How's it goin'?"

Simultaneously crumpled balls of paper flew at the new boy, which he didn't even bother to duck.

"Parker! Not hitting on the naïve freshman girls yet?" Dallas smirked.

Kyan Parker grinned, winking at his friends. "Workin' on it man. I got all year," he said, throwing winning smiles at the two girls under his arms. "But you know I have to give some special attention to my main ladies."

Kyan Parker was one of a kind. He was the single biggest flirt at Cleveland High, and had the single biggest ego—even bigger than Makoto's, though they were really close. Knowing that he was devastatingly good looking, he took pride that over half the female population of their school was in love with him. He had shoulder length blond hair, with light sky blue streaks running through it, and turquoise eyes. He preferred to wear tight shirts so to accentuate his sculpted abdominal muscles and chest, and loose jeans because they showed off his shirt. He almost always had his set of orange headphones over his head, set just behind his ear, and attached to the CD player that hung from his hip.

He played basketball for the sole reason that it made the cheerleaders pay a whole bunch of attention to him. That and basketball was the single most watched sport at their high school. It was almost a shame he was particularly good at it considering he didn't take it very seriously.

Ana giggled, placing a light kiss on his cheek. Jamie smiled back as well, with holding the kiss, but hugging him around the waist.

Kyan for his part looked extremely pleased with himself. He turned his bright eyes back to his male friends, wiggling his eyebrows up and down suggestively.

Dallas, Makoto, Hale and Kale rolled their eyes, balling up pieces of paper and throwing them at him. Nadya giggled, while Fay just snorted, propping a hand up on her hip.

"Kyan are you ever going to grow up?"

Kyan's eyes immediately shifted to the red haired beauty, his eyes lighting up with what could be called joy—as well as a little mischief. "Fay!" He cried, pulling away from the other two, and striding the four or five feet to where Fay was looking at him with narrowed eyes.

Once he reached her, his hands quickly grasped her hips and he twirled her around, laughing when she squeaked and gripped his shoulders.

"Put me down loser!"

"Ahh my pretty Fay!" He smirked, putting her down, but pulling her towards him. He placed a smacking kiss on her protesting lips before scampering away before she could wallop him. Grinning at her from across the sea of legs that lined the lockers, he said, "Still my number one girl eh Fayina?"

"Touch me again and I'll beat you." She retorted, slight amusement in her tone. No one took Kyan very seriously.

"Touch her again and I'll beat you, preferably to an inch of your life."

"Oh please," Kyan smirked, staring arrogantly at the newest addition to the hallway group. "What can you do? I can't honestly say I'm intimidated by a guy whose hair looks like a candy cane."

Conrad flipped the blond off. "Can't say I'm intimidated by a guy whose hair looks like a mouldy banana." He sniped back. "And that's natural. At least my hair is self inflicted and looks like an edible food."

Laughter sounded throughout the group, including Kyan who shook his head. "Mouldy banana? I think it's time to get a new burn Conrad, you've been calling me that since sixth grade."

"And it is as true today as it was then," Conrad replied, leaning up against the locker beside Fay, nudging his little brother who was sitting beside him with his foot. "Some insults never grow old: they're classic."

Just then the bell sounded over their heads, effectively ending the witty repartee, and eliciting groans from the teens.

"Time for hell I suppose," Makoto mumbled, standing up and stretching. "I don't think I'm made for physics."

"Why in God's name are you taking senior physics?" Conrad demanded, taking Fayina's books.

Makoto threw Conrad a dirty look. "I'll have you know, I am fully capable of taking senior physics!"

"Darren or Kaden is in your class again eh?"

The bluenette grinned, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, both actually, and mom says I have to take two senior sciences."

"Good luck Makoto…" Nadya murmured, smiling at the basketball star.

He shone her a brilliant smile and gave her the thumbs up. "Thanks Nadie."

"See ya later Nadie!" Fay called, walking beside Conrad, who was carrying her books towards their English class.

"Bye…" Nadya sighed, seeing that all her friends had already disappeared towards different classrooms and different parts of the school, leaving her alone in the hallway amongst the moving students—mostly seniors.

Time for the real fun to start.

xxxxxxxxxxx

Ilya sighed, glancing at his friends as they ignored the bell that rang through the school. Sometimes they worried him in their complete lack of care for school. However, even though they cared far less about school than he did, he couldn't help but be attached to them. They were a good group of friends that stuck up for one another—especially his best friend Mika, who, though quiet and kind of moody, was the best friend anyone could ever ask for.

They were a small group—especially when compared with some other groups in the school—and only had the four of them.

Mika was the unofficial leader, his quiet assertiveness leading them with little effort.

Damien DuBois was a lanky, forest green haired boy with cerulean eyes and a quiet, yet fierce temper. He was more likely to stay silent and fume than to rage—unlike Mika, who, if he was mad, let everyone know it—but over all he was a nice guy—as long as you didn't get him mad at you.

Lastly there was Isaak Aston, a friendly, easy going, candy pink haired boy, who had bright blue eyes. He lightened the atmosphere that was often rather quiet around their group.

Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a pretty, two toned haired girl, heading into the stairwell. His eyes widened. They were on the second floor, she was going up.

Oh no.

"Uh guys, I'll see you later ok? I don't want to be late for Math," he said quickly, shifting his backpack over his shoulder and hurrying away towards the left stairway.

He figured he'd follow her, just in case. She looked like a freshman, and obviously she didn't know the unspoken rules of the left stairway. She was either headed towards the history/language floor or the Math floor. He prayed it was the math floor.

Ilya quickly slipped through the throng of students and into the empty stairwell. Tearing up the stairs, he could hear the girl's footsteps further up the stairs. He could also hear the echoing voices of the reason no one used the left stairwell.

xxxxxx

"Well hello there sweety," a maroon haired boy wearing a backwards black hat smirked, taking a drag of his cigarette and exhaling, eyeing the freshman girl in front of him.

Karina stopped, her eyes widening a bit. She coughed in the smoke that was drifting upwards from the various lit cigarettes. There were five of them—four boys and a girl—and they were all eyeing her with either amusement or distain. They were completely blocking the stairs that led up to the fourth floor, sprawled out on different stairs.

"A little lost?" The red head continued, toying with the stud underneath his lip absently. He had another one in his eyebrow, and she thought she saw one on his tongue as well.

"Um…" she murmured, running her eyes over the group. They looked older, and they looked decidedly frightening.

One of the tallest flicked his cigarette to the floor and stomped it out with his heavy black combat boots. His hair was navy blue, and he wore glasses over his menacing violet eyes. He wore black jeans, and a black, sleeveless, high collared shirt. From the bits of his ears that poked out from his hair, it looked like they were heavily pierced.

He was eyeing her with a certain disgust that mingled with curiosity and amusement. "You're a freshman." He stated flatly.

"What should we do to this one?" A candy pink haired boy spoke up from his place on the step below, exhaling smoke, his crimson eyes flashing. "Obviously hasn't learned the cardinal rule yet."

Karina frowned, biting her bottom lip, unsure of what they were talking about. "Um…"

"You're trespassing you know," the blond of the group said casually, crushing a but under his black shoes. He was wearing a longer black t-shirt and a pair of torn black jeans.

"Morgy's right," the red head spoke up again, "You'll have to pay the price now."

Karina paled, turning her eyes towards the female of the group.

She looked indifferent, lounging against the pink haired boy's legs. She had orange hair, pulled back from her forehead with a bandana.

She didn't like the sound of a 'price', and quite frankly all she wanted to do is back away slowly, then run to the other end of the school and take the other stairwell, even if it meant being late.

This must be why the stairwell was deserted. She should have known better.

Slowly she took a step backwards, making her move to get out of there as fast as possible.

However, before she could get more than a step the red head, who was closest to her, shot forward and grabbed her by the wrist, dragging her against him.

"Ah, ah," he cooed, leering suggestively, his hand running down her hip and onto her backside. "We told you, you have to pay the price. And since you're just so cute… we'll let you off easy."

The navy haired one snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "Do what you want," he said, lowering his lanky frame to the ground, draping one of his arms over the girl's thighs.

Karina was scared now. Some older boy was practically groping her and there was nothing she could do. She wanted to kick and scream, but he had her in such a position that she couldn't move.

"Don't you want to know what the price is?"

Karina flinched. "Wh-what?"

The maroon haired boy grinned. "Give me a kiss and we'll let you go on your way."

She began to wiggle. "No way!"

"Um… can you just let her go? She's new, she doesn't know…"

The group blinked at the new voice, turning their attention from the freshman girl to the new arrival—a shorter red haired boy no older than a sophomore.

Karina used the distraction to get away from the groping hands of the maroon haired punk. She felt dirty.

Ilya sighed in relief, but also flinched. He had gotten there in time, but had also drawn the group's attention to him. He was going to get it now.

There was a very good reason no one used the left stairwell—especially between the third and fourth floors. The bad group, or punks, or assholes or whatever a particular group wanted to call them resided there. They took pleasure in frightening what freshman didn't hear of the rule and stumbled into their stairwell. Apparently the girl was about to be their next victim.

The punk or 'bad' group was made up of five people—the leader Alexei Nikolaev, a senior with a genius mind, but bad attitude, and four other people.

Second in command was the only girl, Mackenzie Kingston, a junior who was quieter than her male companions. She was often considered the nicest of the group, but was still not to be trifled with. She was the protected one of the group, and the male members flocked around her, hurting anyone who came near her. She was a pretty girl, with orange-blondish hair and turquoise eyes. She wore, like most of her group, dark, punkish-goth clothing. Her ears were pierced several times; her nose was pierced, as was her tongue.

Morgan Mizuhara, a blond haired, green-eyed junior, was probably the most goth of the group. He always had black fingernails and did not wear any other color other than black. His attitude was much like Alexei's, only a bit more indifferent. He liked to fight, and had a violent streak.

Morgan's best friend, Booker Parker, was called the male slut by his group members, mostly because of his propensity too sleep with anything female, no matter of age. He had maroon hair, neck length, and turquoise eyes, and was pierced some eleven times. Four in each ear, once in his eyebrow, once under his bottom lip and once on his tongue.

The last member of the punk group was Kolby Aston, the last and most devious Aston triplet. He had spiky pink hair and blue eyes. He was the youngest of the group, as a sophomore, and had the least amount of piercings. His ears were pierced a couple of times, and he had recently got his eyebrow pierced. He was an arrogant boy, who didn't give a shit about school or his family.

Ilya, like most of the school—and some of the teachers—was scared of them, and he just knew he was going to get the beating of a lifetime for interfering.

"Who the fuck are you?" Booker demanded, narrowing turquoise eyes at the short red head boy.

Karina now stuck to Ilya's side, hoping that he would get her out of the situation she had gotten herself into.

"Wait, I know you," Kolby spoke up, eyeing Ilya. "You hang out with my loser brother Isaak don't you?"

"It's pretty obvious of who he is," Alexei said, running his fingers absently over Mackenzie's bare calve. "He looks enough like that Ivanov slut."

"My sister isn't a slut!" Ilya cried scowling.

"That so?" Booker said, shoving his hands in his pockets and strolling towards the two younger students.

Without warning the maroon haired boy's fist shot out and slammed into Ilya's stomach. Karina let out a small scream and caught Ilya as he fell forward. Ilya wheezed—he knew it.

Booker cracked his knuckles. "Next time you'll mind your own business eh brat?"

"Oh for God's sake, just leave them alone!" Came another voice scolding loudly.

Karina looked up to see a group of four girls travelling up the stairs towards them. They came to a stop on the landing just behind where Karina, Ilya and Booker were standing. In the lead was a lanky girl with sky magenta-purple hair, blue eyes who was wearing large hoop earrings, a baby-doll t-shirt and a skirt. Her hands were on her hips, and she was glaring at the blond in the stairwell.

Morgan rolled his eyes and threw a look at Alexei who shared his sentiments. A girl beside the purple haired girl—a girl with short navy hair and violet eyes, who looked remarkably like Alexei, glasses and all—glared at the tall boy.

"Really Alexei, picking on freshman. Get a life," the navy haired girl said, propping a hand on her hip.

Alexei snorted, waving his hand dismissingly. "Just take them and get the fuck out of here."

Booker looked slightly disappointed, but shrugged and sat down on the stairs in front of his best friend.

Ilya straightened, his hand brushing over the spot where he'd been punched. Just what I get for trying to be a hero, he thought cynically. He threw a look at the girls and smiled a bit. "Thanks Jezabelle," he said before disappearing down the stairs the way he had come.

"Well come on then," Jez said, grasping Karina by the elbow and tugging her towards the group. When the younger girl hesitated she laughed, winking. "You don't have to worry about them right now," she said, "The blond one—Morgan—is my brother and Alexei," she nodded at the navy haired senior who was glaring, "Is Elly's brother."

The navy haired girl waved and smiled. As they passed the group, she delivered a swift kick to her brother's shin, who growled, and made a move to chase after them. This caused the sophomore girls to squeal and dash up the stairs.

"Bloody idiots," Morgan grumbled, rubbing his hand over his eyes. "I wish she'd never been born."

Booker laughed, leaning back on his friend's legs. "I'm sure Alexei shares your sentiments."

xxxxxx

Nadya sighed, slumping into her second period history class. School was far too stressful for her liking.

"Hey there," a male voice said, before its owner lowered himself into the seat behind her.

She turned around, a bright smile on her face. "Blaise!" She cried happily. "You're in this class too?"

The good looking senior grinned easily back. His wavy black hair fell chaotically over his forehead, and ears, and brushed the collar of his plain, tight red t-shirt. His emerald eyes danced brightly, even when he pulled his glasses out of his case and slipped them onto his face. "Ahh there we go, now I can see your pretty face."

She blushed as she always did, giggling quietly. "You're just as bad as Kale," she stated playfully, her normal shy tone evaporating from her voice.

Of all the boys in her group she was closest to the best friends Kale Jagan and Blaise Valerio. The other boys tended to flock around Fayina, Ana and Jamie, but Kale and Blaise preferred Nadya because she was shy and quiet. And they found great amusement trying to bring her out of her shell.

His grin grew. "Don't compare me to that lazy ass," he teased. It was a well-known fact Blaise Valerio was far more into his studies than his best friend, who preferred sports. It was Blaise that tutored Nadya when she needed it.

"Alright ya bunch of slackers!" The teacher called from the front of the room, his smile bright. "You're all very brave, and now it's time to test your courage! Are you ready to enter the wonderful world of World History II?"

Mystel Kehl was the most popular teacher at Cleveland Highschool. The girls swooned over his good looks—long blond hair and blue eyes—and guys liked his friendly, outgoing, humours character. He was a tough teacher, but at the same time made sure he identified with his students. He was also one of the youngest teachers in the school, which helped his case immensely.

A series of groans met his excited greeting, and the blond teacher waved his hand dismissingly at them. "The subject of this year is Western Civilization post Reformation! This will be a good warm up for university, though we don't cover nearly as much as you would in a first year course." His eyes swept over the classroom.

"Valerio!" Mr. Kehl said brightly, his eyes flashing. "I thought you swore off History forever?"

Blaise grinned, raising his hands in a defeated gesture. "I needed the credit." He said haughtily.

Mr. Kehl scoffed, smirking. "You just couldn't get enough of me, I know, I know, I'd miss me too." He laughed, his eyes landing on Nadya next. "And if it isn't my best student disguised as a little mouse," he winked at the blushing Nadya, who ducked her head. "Don't worry Kyz-Nadya," he laughed, "I can't pronounce your last name so it looks like yet another year of Nadya. Either way, time to dispense with the niceties and time to start! We start with Martin Luther and his Ninty-Five theses! You'll get your textbooks at the end of class."

Nadya sighed hoping the blush on her face would recede. She really wished Mr. Kehl wouldn't draw attention to her. She really didn't know where he got the idea that she was his best student. It couldn't be. Shaking her head, she reached over and opened her backpack, looking for her history binder. However, the binders that were in her bag were not her history binder. They were her homeroom and Italian binders…there was only two. There should be four. Her heart sped up… where were her math and history binders??

She whimpered. This couldn't be happening. Where were her binders?? She had them this morning! She had left the house with them! Where could they have gone?!

Then it hit her. The collision with Alexei, her books scattering, cute orange haired boy, Makoto…her eyes widened. Benjamin Kingston! He must still have her binders! Her eyes teared up. Oh no… what was she going to do? Without her binder she couldn't take notes! If she couldn't take notes then she'd get behind! If she got behind she'd fail!

"Niddy," Blaise whispered, tapping the distressed girl on the shoulder. He could hear her silent cries of over inflated anguish – trademarked by her of course. He wondered what had her in such a fit. "Niddy, what's wrong?"

Nadya turned her wide glassy eyes back to her friend. "I don't have my history binder… I forgot that the guy that helped me before class has it… I can't take notes without my binder!" She whispered frantically.

Blaise sighed, patting her head benignly. "Niddy, why don't you just write the notes in another binder and switch them when you get the binder back?"

She stopped, blinking her eyes, dislodging the tears from the corners of her eyes. "I…never thought of that," she replied sniffling.

He smiled, using his crooked index finger to whisk away the stray tears. "Of course you didn't, that's what I'm here for."

"Thanks."

"Hey you two!" Mr. Kehl called out, one eyebrow quirked. "Would you like to take your private discussion public?"

Nadya blossomed bright red again, slumping down in her seat, discreetly taking one of her binders from her bag. Blaise leaned forward on his desk. "Nope, not at all."

"Then zip it." The blond teacher said cheerfully. "Or next time I'll be sure to tell the entire teaching staff that you were making out in the middle of my class."

The class broke out into snickers while Nadya was once again wishing she was dead. Blaise merely raised an eyebrow, his expression flat.

School. Long.