D.L. walked into his house, backpack hanging from one shoulder.
"Hey mom. I'm home." D.L. called.
"I'm in the kitchen!" his mom yelled. He walked into the kitchen.
"Hey. What'cha cookin' today?" D.L. said, taking the lid off one of the pots.
"Don't you dare." his mom said, slapping his hand. He quickly reclined it.
"Ow. That hurt."
"Wait until dinner is ready, please."
"Yes, ma'am." D.L. said. He went to sit down in the dining room, pulling out his homework.
"How was school?"
"Good. There's this new girl, Niki."
"Oh."
"Mom, I still have a crush on Felicia." His mom groaned. She did not like Felicia too much. "Still don't like her, mom? Or do you not like her mom?"
"She's going to break your heart, sweetheart."
"Well, I'll heal." D.L. said. He put his bag in the chair next to him.
"I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't. Now, will you tell me what's for dinner?"
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Niki walked into school to find a crowd of people. She found D.L. in the mix.
"What's going on?" she asked. D.L. turned to her, a bit surprised.
"Uh, someone tagged the wall." D.L. said, his arms crossed over his chest. He turned back to the graffiti.
"Who would do that?"
"I don't know." He shrugged.
"Hey D.L. Nice job." a voice behind them said. Niki and D.L. turned to find Linderman. D.L. looked down at the floor. "This is excellent."
"You did this?!" Niki whispered. She didn't want him to get caught. D.L wouldn't look at her.
"What? He didn't tell you?" Linderman asked. "This whole thing was done by D.L. and his crew." Linderman put his arm on D.L.'s shoulder. D.L. shrugged it off.
"Stop it, man." D.L. said. He looked back down at the floor. Niki saw how ashamed he was at his act of vandalism.
"Here." Linderman pulled out a wad of cash. "For you and your crew. See you later, Niki." Linderman walked off. D.L. followed suit, but walked the opposite direction. Niki followed him.
"Why'd you do that?" Niki asked.
"To pay off my debt, which is what I did." D.L. walked to his locker and put in the combination. He opened his locker and grabbed a book and put in a few binders. Niki sighed.
"What will he do if you don't repay him?"
"Who knows? But I certainly don't want to find out."
"All students to the gym!" all the students heard over the P.A. Niki and D.L. looked at each other. D.L. closed his locker, put the lock back on, and began to walk to the gym with Niki. When they got there, they spotted Taylor and Warren. They sat by them.
"Think this is about the graffiti?" Taylor asked as they sat down. D.L. nodded.
The principal walked in just as Trihn and Itchy sat down.
"I know all of you have seen the graffiti in the main hall." the principal began. Niki could've sworn she heard D.L. murmur a silent prayer. "If any of you did this or know anything about this violation of school rules, please tell us. If the transgressor comes forward, we shall be lenient with your punishment." D.L. looked at Niki with pleading eyes. Niki looked at him and nodded.
"Thank you." D.L. mouthed.
"You are excused." the principal said. All the students got up and left. Niki headed to the locker room as the others walked into the halls of the school.
"Think they know?" Warren asked.
"No, but they probably suspect. So, are you guys going to the game tonight?" D.L. said.
"Yeah. We're going to kick the Mustangs' ass." Taylor said.
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Niki sat on the benches in the gym, waiting for class to start. As she leaned back, she pulled her shirt down a bit.
"Hey. You're new here, right? You know D.L. Hawkins?" said a voice. Niki looked at the person talking. It was Felicia.
"Um, yeah. I'm Niki." Niki extended her hand.
"Felicia. Nice to meet you." Felicia shook her hand.
"Same here."
"Alright. Line up!" called Coach Minas. Niki stood up and walked over to the coach. Next to her stood a red-head girl. She was a little taller than Niki and had brown eyes.
She turned to her.
"Hello."
"Hi." Niki said.
"New?"
"Yeah. I'm Niki."
"Tina."
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"So, did you see the graffiti in the main hall?" Tina asked as she and Niki walked to the cafeteria.
"Yeah." Niki said nervously.
"Who do you think did it?" Tina asked.
"I don't know. I don't know too many people, yet."
"I think it was D.L. and his crew."
"Did I hear my name?" said a male voice. D.L. came up from behind the two ladies and put his arms around them.
"Hello D.L." Niki said.
"Hello Niki. And Texas Tina. How are you this lovely afternoon?"
"I'm fine, thanks." Tina said. "I'll see you later, Niki." Tina escaped from under D.L.'s arm. D.L. and Niki watched as she walked off. D.L. kept his arm around Niki.
"Soo, Niki."
"Yes?"
"I heard you talked to Felicia."
"I met her, yes. Why?"
"Nothing. I was just wondering if maybe you could talk me up."
"What?"
"You know. Tell her good things about me. Make me seem like a good guy."
"D.L., just talk to her yourself. You'll be fine."
"No, I won't. Every time I try I can't think straight; my words don't come out right. Please, Niki? I'm begging you."
"You know what? You sure are asking me a lot for only knowing me for two days."
"Please, Nik?"
"Oh. Now you're calling me Nik? Alright, fine. I'll do it."
"Thank you Nik. I so owe you." D.L. kissed her on the cheek and ran off. For some strange reason, the kiss lingered.
A/N: If you will notice, Nik is Niki's pet name, because no one calls her Nik but D.L.