"Didn't I tell you she was pretty? To bad little 9th grade punk don't know her manners." D.J. stepped out of the car.

Two of his friends, also dressed in punk fashion. Followed him out. Spinelli startled by the forced distraction. A glare pierced her face as D.J. entered her view. Before she could react, the two friends grabbed her arms, lifting her slim, light frame into the air.

"Maybe we should teach her." One teased.

"What? Can't handle getting creamed?" Spinelli spat out.

"Ooooh, feisty, I think we can tame her!" The third friend taunted.

D.J. planted his fist into her abdomen, she wheezed with impact as the pain trickled like lightning through her system.

It was easy for them to get the spunky punkette into the back seat in her weakened state. D.J. hoped back into the front seat, and sped off. They didn't drave long before they stopped at an old abandoned train station. Spinelli fumbled with her phone, as subtle as she could. She intended to send "SOS old train" to T.J. She could handle herself, even in a three on one fight, But… it couldn't hurt to even out the odds a bit.

Lucky for her they hadn't noticed. They drug her out of the car, kicking and screaming. D.J's two friends once again grabbed her arms. He nailed her against the cheek, biting into her lip, blood dripped from the puncture. Rearing back, landing another punch on the same side by her temple. Her world swooned and she felt nauseous. She tried her best to regain her senses. She snapped her foot up to kick the assaulter. Proud of herself for the contact she made and the pain she caused.

Spinelli then refocused her attention to the other two holding onto her. Still dizzy from the headshots, she still managed to kick off one of the guys. The other took advantage, knocking her balance out and they hit the floor. The other two jumped on top of her. She was use to that kind of impact, having played football and maul ball with the boys for years.

She fought hard, dealing them plenty of damage to the three, but the odds soon added against her. She laid on her side, bruised, scraped, welted. She struggled to catch her breath.

"Maybe next time you'll listen to your 11th grade superiors! Bitch!" D.J. yelled.

"Over my dead body…" She wheezed, spitting out some blood.

"That can be arranged!" D.J. called out as him and his hoard were calling out obscenely as they gathered back into his car.

Spinelli sat up, reaching into her picket. Ms. Finster's pendant was still there. Tenderly she put it on, tucking it under her red shirt. Glad she didn't lose it. She jolted at the sound of something crashing, realizing it was T.J. dropping his bike and was by her side in no time.

"Spinelli? What happened?" T.J. furiously asked, wild concernment laid in his eyes.

"You know Teej… When an 11th grader threatens you… turns out they're serious." Spinelli replied half sarcastically. "Don't Teej…" She knew exactly what he was thinking. "T.J… Can I tell you something?" Spinelli asked, almost shyly.

T.J. desired to question her on the events, to get her help, call the cops, anything! But, knew she'd have a fit if he tried. So, he sat down next to her, stringing his arm around her shoulders.

"Of course, anything." T.J. smiled at her.

"About this morning, I had no right to get mad at you. I know you were just trying to have my back." She confidently smirked.

"It's ok, I know you can handle yourself, and I had no right to answer for you still. I just couldn't stand him being such a jerk towards you." T.J. returned the smirk. They laughed together for a bit.

"I'd have been here sooner, but it took me a minute to figure out what 'SPS old brain' meant." They both burst out laughing.

"Hey, I tried dork!

"We should get home, it's getting late." T.J. offered.

Spinelli nodded and the two walked home together. Spinelli being stubborn refused any help, despite the pain.

"Don't worry, I can handle my parents." Spinelli teased as their laughter and journey ended at the Spinelli home.

"Spinelli?"

"I'm fine Teej, I'll see you tomorrow." She turned to walk into her house.

"Wait! Spinelli, will you meet me tomorrow, 7pm at old rusty? I have a plan."
"T-"

"It's not what you think." T.J. reassured, hopeful.

She eyed him curiously, but nodded. Trusting T.J. He exclaimed excitedly, before running off to his house. She shook her head, turning to enter her house, ready to face her parents.

Spinelli received weird looks and whispers sporting a black eye and red marred lip. Among a few other abbrassions, most of which were hidden by her clothes.

"That's not how most people do a cat's eye!" Ashley A. called out, among a few other rude comments. She ignored everyone, continued walking as if nothing new had happened.

Finding her way to her locker, which was near T.J's at the center of the school by the entry doors. So it was the meeting spot of choice for the group.

"Holy toleito! Spinelli, what happened?" Gretchen pondered, worriedly.

"It's nothing Gretch, just some 11th grade dweebs is all." Spinelli rolled her eyes, sounding annoyed.

"But, did you tell the authorities?" Gus was also greatly concerned.

"Guys, I already went through all this with my parents. Can we just drop it already?" Spinello asked, almost exhausted.

Vince and Gus looked over ta T.J. while Spinelli exchanged books with her locker. T.J. gave a reassuring nod to is group. Without a word Spinelli slammed her locker shut and stormed off to her first class. The rest of the group watched in worry. T.J. turned to chase after her.

"I'll tell you later." He said before sprinting off down the hall, calling out over his shoulder as he left. "I have a plan guys! Oh, and don't tell her, it's a surprise!" His voice fading as he disappeared down the halls.

T.J. managed to have a secret meeting with Gus, Gretchen, Vince, and Mikey. They all eagerly agreed to T.J's plan and quickly spread out after school. Each taking their assignment and left to fulfill them. T.J. and Spinelli walked home together. T.J. didn't think Spinelli suspected anything about his plan, so it was easy enough for him to sneak off after their walk home together.

7pm rolled around, the world began its descent into dusk, transcending into the night. Spinelli entered her old elementary playground, walking up to old rusty. She didn't see her friends scamper off just minutes ago. Standing at the base of the old beloved jungle gym.

"All right, Tee, what's this plan of yours?" Spinelli yelled up, placing hands on her hips.

"Come up here and find out!" The teen boy called out playfully.

"This better be important T.K!" She called out before climbing up.

At the top stood T.J, leaning against a wall, arms crossed and smirking.

"What's this all about T.J?" Spinelli was confused, and a little impatient at this point.

"Come here." He sat down at the top of the slide, overlooking the playground, he motioned for her to sit next to him.

"Tell me already!" She demanded, half pleading as she sat down in her spot.

"Ready?" He asked, childish excitement laced his voice. Spinelli rolled her eyes and punched his arm lightly. "Ok ok! Now!"He announced and right on cue the playground lit up.

Lines of light surrounded the lining of old rusty, following it down the slide. It tangled it's way through the swings, the old bars upside down girl always loved. Passed the field where the diggers use to dig. Littering the football fields, following through the kickball ground. Surrounding the kindergarten pen, swaying through the water fountains and even passed the old dumpster that held the secret feelings of their first kiss. Nothing left uncovered from the onslaught of lights.

Spinelli froze in wild wonderment. This was strange, she couldn't come up with any rhyme or reason behind this event.

"I… was hoping I could... talk to you about something…" T.J. stammered, highly unusual to hear such a lack of confidence from their leader.

Spinelli had a hard time taking her eyes off the scene to look at her red capped best friend.

"Well… see the thing is... I mean, highschool and things change… and … and I like you ok!" T.J. stared off wide eyed as he raced the last part from his mouth. Spinelli almost couldn't believe her ears. Her eyes trailed down, her hand found its way to Ms. Finster's pendant on its own. Smiling as she remembered what her former teacher told her. "Don't be afraid of love."

"T.J?" Spinelli spoke out without removing their eyes from their spot.

"Y-yeah?" The lump in his throat was starting to get to him.

"Can you promise me something?"

"Yeah, sure, anything!"

"T.J… promise me that, no matter what happens, we will always remain friends." She smiled, looking directly at him.

"Always." He smirked back.

"Good." Spinelli leaned in, placing her lips on his.

Cheering could be heard from across the playground. The two ignored them. Lost in their own fairytale on top of old rusty. They parted lips, T.J. seemed to be regaining his confidence again.

"Tender."

So, I thought about having a scene where Ms. Finster and Principal Prickly were watching from a window or something in the middle of it... but yeah, no, this is what we get lol

Also!
I ACTUALLY FINISHED A CHAPTER FIC! WILL SOMEONE PLEASE BE PROUD OF ME T.T

I'd love to read your reviews, even if you're not proud of me though XD

Feel free to request stuff! I've got a couple ideas for oneshots I'd love to play with. My life just doesn't like to give me time for tings -_-