Surprise!

I bet you're all thinking "Wow! Has she risen from the dead?!"

And I'll have you know I am VERY sorry for not posting in so long!

It's been almost a year yikes

didn't I hope things get better. I got a job and my mum broke her hip so I've been very busy but I didn't stop thinking about my fanfics and I feel just terrible for abandoning them for so long. But I promise I will complete them eventually so don't hate me too much. They're both fully planned out and everything!

Sorry for the overly long author's note...

Now, on with the story!

Firkle walked to the back of the school like normal and pulled his cigarettes out of his bag, he placed one between his lips and swiftly lit it, inhaling deeply.

He sunk to the floor as he rummaged through his bag till he came across his phone and earphones, holding his cigarette between his lips he quickly untangled the earphones before putting them in his ears.

Finding a decent song that he was actually in the mood to listen to took a while but eventually he pressed play and, exhaling a lungful of smoke, he dropped his head back against the cool brick wall behind him.

Why was Ike laughing? Was he laughing at me or did the conformist actually find it amusing when I shouted at that imbecile teacher? Whatever, he's a fucking weirdo…

Firkle pushed the thought of the Canadian away as he let the music course through him and the nicotine relax his muscles.

Minutes passed and the song changed, soon Firkle's leg began to bounce and tremble slightly. Groaning at the unwelcome pull of his bladder, he opened his eyes and took one last deep drag from the remainder of his cigarette before docking it out and rising to his feet. He put his phone back in his bag and briskly walked back into school.

At least there isn't a high chance of there being a fucking conformist in the bathroom seeing as though class just started a while ago.

He walked in once he reached the nearest bathroom, feeling slight relief when he saw that it was empty, and walked over to the furthest urinal.

After he had finished his business he went to the sink to wash his hands. No sooner had he turned the tap on the door behind him opened, groaning internally he glanced up into the mirror and in the reflection saw the signature smirk and blue hoodie that made his skin prickle.

"Fancy seeing you here!" a cocky voice said from the intruder at the door.

Firkle sighed and rolled his eyes, "Are you seriously stalking me or do you just like to meet guys in bathrooms?" he mocked, continuing to wash his hands.

Ike just smirked and crossed his arms, "Well I don't stalk you and meeting guys in bathrooms isn't really my thing but I wouldn't mind if it was you I was meeting…" He said suggestively, cocking and eyebrow and tilting his head to the side while sweeping his gaze over Firkle's figure.

The smaller of the two felt his skin heat up as he watched Ike's eyes in the mirror, "Fuck you" he mumbled while moving to dry his hands, feeling a spike of irritation mixed with embarrassment when he heard how breathy his voice was.

Ike frowned and stepped closer, "What's wrong?" he asked when Firkle didn't turn around, actually sounding concerned.

The latter finally turned to face him, if only to glare at him. "Nothing. Why are you even here? Shouldn't you be back in class kissing the teacher's ass like the good little conformist you are?" he answered derivatively, Ike smiled again.

"Well after your little argument with him he was in a bad mood so I told him I was leaving, kissing ass doesn't taste half a good when the other person is tense" he added jokingly.

Firkle fought the urge to laugh and opted to frown instead. "And what? He just let you leave?" he questioned skeptically, knowing they had one of the strictest teachers he searched Ike's face for any indication he was lying.

Ike shrugged, "I'm blackmailing him, it can't get out that he has a student actually kiss his ass regularly" he said seriously; this time Firkle couldn't help the corners of his mouth twitching upwards momentarily. Ike grinned at the minor reaction but didn't comment on it, "Nah, teachers don't really care if I attend my regular classes or not, they know if I miss something it'll be easy for me to catch up. Perks of being a genius conformist I guess" he explained properly, his grin turning into a smirk as he exaggerated the mimicked word.

Firkle rolled his eyes for what felt like the fiftieth time, acting uninterested "Clearly you're abusing that power just so you can stalk me" he stated causing Ike to laugh.

"Ok yeah, I guess you could call it stalking but it's not like I follow you home or anything" he admitted, Firkle frowned at how much that didn't sound like a joke. Ike smiled and shrugged, "You're… interesting" he finished.

"Wh-" Firkle began before he was rudely cut off by the lunch bell.

Ike glanced at his watch then took one of Firkle's hands in his own, "Gotta go, see you around babe" he said with a wink as he gave the hand a squeeze.

Firkle quickly snatched it back, a look of horror setting on his face. He stood in shock, clutching the soiled hand as he watched Ike leave the room. Promptly hurrying to return behind the school, he caught a glimpse of his reflection, dread set in his stomach and he all but ran out of the room.

Why the fuck am I blushing?! Did he see?! Why am I so freaked out and WHY did he hold my fucking hand?!

As he grew closer to his destination he slowed to a walk, hoping the other goths weren't there yet. To his dismay, two sets of eyes landed on him as he rounded the corner.

Of course they're fucking here already, nothing can ever go my way.

"Where've you been?" Pete questioned from his place beside Henrietta.

"Nowhere" Firkle replied casually, dropping down beside his bag which he had left there. Now cursing himself for doing so as it gives the others a hint at how long he'd been gone.

Pete looked skeptical, "You left your bag and we've been here for like ten minutes" he prodded, now curious as to where his younger friend had been. Henrietta was also interested although she hid it by focusing on her phone screen.

Of course he'd notice how long I've been and of COURSE he would interrogate me.

Firkle sighed, "I went for a piss. Is that ok, your fucking highness?" he replied sarcastically, trying to end the conversation so he could work through his internal freak out in peace.

"Fucking defensive much" Pete murmured, glancing at Henrietta before returning his attention to his phone.

Fuck.

"I'm not being fucking defensive I'm just in a bad mood from arguing with Mr Connors, fucking dick" he explained, half telling the truth. Not wanting to restart the conversation he then pulled out his notebook and began adding to his bird drawing, allowing his mind to avoid returning to his previous freak out.

Soon after, Michael showed up. Henrietta turned to him as he sat next to her a lit himself a cigarette, "Michael, before I forget, I don't need a ride home today" she stated causing both Michael and Pete to look at her confused.

"Why?" Michael asked, trying to sound apathetic but Firkle picked up on his concern.

"Just… I'm meeting someone after school is all" she explained vaguely.

I wonder why she didn't tell them it was Raven she was meeting…

Firkle continued his drawing but listened to the conversation discretely.

"Who are you meeting?" Pete questioned, both of them remained staring at her.

She sighed loudly, "God I'm meeting Stan ok? I didn't wanna tell you two because I knew you'd both get pissy over it" she complained before lighting a cigarette as if she expected an argument to come from it and was preparing to keep herself calm.

"Stan? As in Stan 'wannabe Raven' Marsh?" Michael asked incredulously, raising both his eyebrows, which is the most expression he's shown all week.

"Yep" Henrietta affirmed, taking a deep drag and not bothering to look at Michael or Pete when she spoke.

The former barked out a humourless laugh, "Brilliant" he scoffed.