She ended up taking me over near Mrs. Jenners' room. The little ferns in the window weren't much for back-up, though, and the look Marie shot me almost made me flinch. I stood my ground though. She wasn't gonna break me.

We looked at each other for a second, and it was kind-of eerie, so I decided to speak up.

"Sooo what did you want?" I asked warily, my hand gripping onto the concrete windowsill.

"Ha," the sound escaped her throat harshly, then she growled her words, "like you even give a shit, Goldilocks."

I tapped my foot, crossing my arms in a faux-annoyed stance. I mean, I was curious, and Kevin...if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here. Totally annoyed. Definitely.

"Well, maybe I wouldn't be if you weren't such a witch all the time," I laced my words in venom, but kept them light enough that a teacher couldn't accidentally overhear. Wasn't likely, but I wasn't one to take chances, 'specially when I knew they liked to keep their eye on troublemakers like her.

A smile cracked her lips, "...Witch? Come on, really? That's the best you can do? I thought kitty had claws..." She sighed mockingly, "Oh well, I guess she's just all talk and no game like the rest of the sissies..."

I didn't bite, but I did take a step forward, shoving off, "Hey, I'm just being smart, I'd rather not get in trouble for insulting a lowlife like you."

Unlike my previous insult, this one didn't seem to faze her. Her gaze drifted over my shoulder, locking onto something. She frowned.

I heard a familiar voice, "She causing you trouble, Nazz?"

My shoulders relaxed, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I turned to look at Ed, wrapped up in a large, woolen brown jacket. There was concern in his eyes, and his lips were drawn into a line. I almost felt bad about this...

"No...no, she's not, Ed. It's alright," I took a few steps forward and patted his shoulder out of reflex, "Thank you, though. You should get back to Sarah before she worries about you."

His expression didn't change, but his eyes flicked away. He walked off without a word, and my heart plummeted. I didn't say anything else for a moment, and didn't even look back at him.

"...What does she even see in him?"

"Huh?" I turned back to see Marie watching Ed's departure, and cocked my head.

She looked back at me, blinking back into reality, and cleared her throat, "S'nothing, don't worry about it."

I frowned, "Uh, I totally will worry about it. Who were you talking about and how does it relate to Ed?" My words held teeth, and Marie flinched. I would have been shocked if I'd had the time to process it.

"Jeeze girl, calm your ass, I just..." she sighed, a genuine one for once, "Look, if she finds out I told you, you're dead. You hear me?"

"I-"

"DEAD. You don't have life cover, I am her sister so she won't kill me, but she can be..." Marie shivered for a moment, and I almost couldn't tell if she was being serious or not, "Let's just say it won't be pretty."

I just nodded.

She groaned excessively, "Alriiight...so the truth is...uhh...my sisters and I have a thing."

She stopped. After a few moment I goaded her on, "Yeah...?"

"Alright already, yeesh! My sister likes Ed, okay?!"

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Which..."

"The stupid one."

If it weren't mid-morning, crickets may have chirped.

"May."

"Ohhh..." The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Memories of her standing near Ed during get-togethers flashed through my mind, and I wondered how dense I could actually be.

"I mean, Lee-" she cupped her hands over her mouth.

"No no, you totally gotta tell me now," I goaded, and realized a smile had appeared upon my lips, and bit it back. Fortunately, she relented.

"...Yada yada yada dead and stuff, she totally wants in Eddy's bed."

My jaw dropped, and Marie let forth an infectious cackle.

"Ha! You should see yourself right now, you totally look like you're drooling!"

"I don't..." I shook my head, "So wait, why do they like...I mean, Ed is...and...Eddy...?"

I guess I looked like a lost dog because she walked to my side, hopping on the windowsill and putting her hands behind her head as she spoke.

"Well, I guess it all started when May accidentally had to use Sarah's bathroom. And heard Ed's parents arguing. I mean, you know Sarah well enough, she's probably told you...I mean, she is her brother's keeper, and...I guess I should thank her for that. I mean, she still pisses me off for going after Eddy when she TOTALLY knows that Lee...nevermind. Anyways, I guess it just clicked with her. Probably because of her own dad..."

I bit my lip as her mind seemed to trail off, but stayed silent, waiting on baited breath for more.

"And, well, Lee just...honestly, I couldn't tell you. I guess it goes back to our dads. I mean, not mine, of course, but hers was a total charmer! Suave, charming, the only reason mom learned his name was because she saw his credit card. I guess what I'm trying to say is, she wants someone to sweep her off her feet, even if they're scum. I guess she believes if she turned out alright, her dad must have been a 'better person' than she thought...pfah! As if!"

Marie crossed her arms in disgust, looking down at one blade of grass with the seething fury of Hades.

I spoke up, "Yeah, well...what about you, then?"

She looked at me incredulously, "Me? What about-" she paused, "oh...me."

She sighed, closing her eyes and cracking her knuckles.

"Well, if it wasn't obvious, I went after the black horse of the group. And look at where that got me..."

There was melancholy in her eyes, and I actually, for once during our entire conversation, felt sort-of bad for her. Maybe she wasn't like this on purpose...maybe it was his fault.

"Where?"

Her eyes met mine, and we shared a long, searching look. I could see pain, distrust, and fear. Like a stray who had been hurt too many times to trust anyone...then the cockiness enveloped it, and her eyes twisted. Chin lifting slightly, she looked to the side.

"Well..." I didn't know how to feel about how low her voice had gone, "I spend most of my days worrying about a guy who only sticks around because I make him promise to..."

I didn't understand. But from the look of it, I decided not to pry. I was utterly confused and bereft of any knowledge of the girl before me, her eyes shaded lightly with blue eyeshadow, glittering in the sunlight.

The bell rang, and I jumped; so did she.

"I...shit, I didn't tell you, uh..."

I didn't move, waiting to hear whatever she had to say, "Hmm?"

"Look, just...I...my boy and your boy are kinda a thing now. Maybe. Possibly. I don't even know, please don't ruin it for them, but for the love of God, make sure Li-Kevin's prepared, okay? I...I care about the kid. Now, I mean. And maybe you too."

I was kind-of in a stunned silence as I felt her grab and pull me towards the entrance, and let go when I started walking on my own. When I turned back towards where Kevin and Eddward had been left, I saw the smile of Kevin's face. And the tail end of Eddward. My eyes flicked back to Kevin, but...a nudge from Marie kept me silent. This wasn't the place to ask about all this.

Something was going on, and I had to find out more...

...and probably punch Kevin for making someone else tell me.

Ugh. Guys.

FoFNazz is...UGH. I hated writing this. I mean, I really want to flesh her out, but her character just isn't one that needs to be developed. I don't believe I'll be writing her perspective again. It is beyond painful. But I did it.

It didn't come out as I envisioned it, but it never does. Now, envision me punching Nazz in the face.

And now, the story may continue. Hope you enjoyed.