A/N: This is a collection of short pieces that look at some of the other characters' perceptions of the Tennyson teens.

Friendship

Paul Jones tried to be a good person. He never wanted to be liked for what he had. He wanted to be liked for who he was. He refused to be like them. This is why he chose karate instead of fencing; guitar over piano. Sure, you could be a decent human and enjoy those things. But he figured it was better to stay away from his parents' suggestions.

He made sure to treat everyone with kindness and respect even if they didn't extend that same courtesy to him. It was obvious when someone was being fake. Plastering a poor excuse for a smile on their face to get what they wanted. He was sick of it. That's why out of all the other kids in school, Emily was the only one he saw. She was the only one that never looked at him like a meal ticket or a fancy accessory. And to be fair, it's probably hard to see someone who pooped their pants in your Barbie kiddy pool as either. Still, she was his one friend. And honestly, he didn't know how much he wanted more until he got his ass handed to him by the new redhead in karate.

Sense

Emily Martinez was overjoyed when Paul finally introduced her to the girl he couldn't stop gushing about. He was right. She was funny and gorgeous. Not to mention incredibly smart. Emily didn't need to ask. Her bestie was crushing. Hard. And Gwen didn't seem to care. It would have been hilarious if it wasn't so damn embarrassing.

"She said 'no' again..."

"Something about having to get home to talk to a 'mega-doofus'?"

"What does that even mean?!"

Emily knew exactly what it meant. Well…she thought she did. Gwen already had a boyfriend, or at least someone she liked. When Paul came back to her with the new information that "the mega-doofus" was her cousin, Emily wasn't sure what to think anymore. And things only got weirder with time.

When Gwen dropped off the face of the earth without notice, they were worried sick. When she returned months later, they only felt more in the dark. She brought someone back with her. Ben, her cousin. Her very cute cousin. Her cousin she would barely let out of her sight for more than a few moments. Her cousin that started to panic the second she did.

Eventually, their behavior got less weird. Maybe even normal. Emily wasn't sure if the cousins had changed, or if she'd just grown accustomed to them. Still, now and again, something would set them off and cause very…unique behavior. Like when she offhandedly mentioned to Gwen that she thought Ben was cute. The very next day she sat across the table from him at Mr. Smoothie on their first – and last – date. As amazing as her redheaded friend was, she was not a fan of spending a whole date hearing about it.

Yes. The Tennyson cousins could be considered odd. Until you factor in their other cousin. Then almost everything made sense.

Fruitless Endeavors

Kai Green didn't think much of it when she saw her grandpa's friend's granddaughter in her school. Sure, the girl was all kinds of rude when it came to her weird cousin, but that was in the past. That didn't mean she was open to being friends though.

The redhead disappeared from her radar until she overheard the queen bitch, Marci Hunter, ranting about the seventh-grader Paul Jones taking on another charity case for a friend. Now she knew the girl's name again. Gwen. Gwen Tennyson.

Then another familiar face from the previous summer appeared. He looked...different. Maybe sad? Empty. But that was it. Nothing extraordinary. She wondered if he was still obsessed with her. If he asked her out, she might say yes. You know, to be nice. But he never did. He never looked her way. It was almost as if he didn't know she was there. And that was just not okay.

One game day, she decided to announce herself. She walked up to him at his locker, brushing off her cheer uniform and putting on her best smile. Then she greeted him. He took a second to look up. When he did, he only gave her a small smile with a quick greeting before walking off. He didn't even wait for a response. Dumbstruck, she decided to write off the interaction as him having a bad day.

Her interest became truly peaked the summer after their freshman year. For some ungodly reason, Ben's cousins joined the cheer squad. And during their breaks, he would pop up from soccer practice. It was unusually hot that summer. Some said it was the hottest one in thirteen years. And he dealt with it by rarely wearing a shirt. The whole squad knew him by name - and pectorals - by the second day. She even overheard some of the seniors gushing about all the things they'd lick off his chest, abs, as well as other body parts. Still, he never paid any of them attention. He only talked to the rude redhead and the hyperactive blonde.

Ben Tennyson was not only hot; he was hard to get.

Challenge accepted.

Fruitless Endeavors 2

Marci Hunter was in love with Paul Jones. This was a Bellwood Academy Middle well-known fact. So, naturally, it infuriated her that they barely spoke. Hell. He's said more words to Blair and Olive Oil. It didn't make any sense. She was a Hunter for god's sake! And Hunters always get the best. So why on god's green earth was the hottest, richest, smartest boy in school acting like she didn't exist? Why was he choosing to spend all his free time with Emily Martinez of all people? Was she his long-term charity project or something?

Marci didn't think it could get any worse, but then she came along. Gwendolyn. Fucking. Tennyson. The little goody-two-shoes that stole her rightful place as the top student. Of course, Paul would take her on too! Thankfully, she either had terrible taste in boys or wasn't into them. And as soon as her little friends entered 6th grade, her dependence on Paul's generosity waned.

Then Tennyson's loser cousin showed up. Sure, he was cute, but he was no Paul. He did prove himself somewhat useful when he took Emily out of the picture for a while. Plus, seeing the look on Kai Green's stupid face when he brushed her off was priceless.

Yep. Things were finally going how they were supposed to.

That was until that little army brat came and fucked everything right back up.

Different

Michelle Hallam was happy to find friends quickly after moving to Bellwood. She wasn't too happy with her father's sudden reassignment. But this was the life of an army kid. Unlike other student tour guides, Gwen Tennyson had a personality in that big brain of hers. She was humble and down to earth. And somehow a cheerleader? Yeah... That one still didn't make sense.

The rest of the group were just as nice. Emily was lovely. Cooper was sweet, in his own geeky way. Lucy was energetic; kind of like a puppy. Paul was incredibly cool. And Ben? Ben was…interesting.

At first, Michelle didn't see much of him besides the few classes and lunch block they shared. Then, she started tagging along to the soccer team's matches. Her main objective was to watch Paul. She ended up noticing Ben wasn't too bad himself. Both boys had the loudest, most enthusiastic fans. She was floored when Gwen asked her to help hold up a huge banner. After a few more matches, it became second nature.

In the spring, she somehow got suckered into trying out for the cheer squad. Unfortunately, she made it. Now, she saw firsthand what Ben Tennyson was capable of; pure, teeth-rotting, adorable sweetness. He was at every football game. Not because he liked football, but because of Gwen. If she ever needed something, he'd run and get it. He came to every cheer competition. After they won nationals, he gave her a bouquet of her favorite flowers; yellow roses. And whenever it was cold enough for an outer layer, you could bet on the redhead being in either his team windbreaker or lucky green jacket. Michelle swore she saw the crazy girl inhale their scent once or twice.

There was something to unpack there. But if she had learned one thing from living all over the world – as well as glancing at her family tree – it was that different rarely meant bad.

Knowledge

Lucy Mann knew. She knew from the start. How could anyone not? The way they nagged. The way they fought. The way they fought for each other. The way they danced. It was clear. Just like the fact that they were both blind. For Ben, that made sense. But Gwen? No. Gwen was supposed to be better than this.

Part of her wanted to grab them. Shake them. And tell them to just fuck already. She didn't want to kill them though. Plus, she enjoyed teasing them way too much. That said, even she was concerned her last stunt went too far.

"I dare you to kiss Gwen. On. The. Lips."

She wholeheartedly thought they'd both refuse. That she'd get two red-faced Tennysons for her trouble. Even though she told Ben he couldn't back out. Gwen would shut that shit down. Or at least, she would have if she wasn't wasted. Nope. A drunk Gwen is an extremely ambitious Gwen. She went all in. And as much as Ben wanted to deny it, Lucy knew he loved every single second of it.

END