A/N - Not really sure about this chapter, but I really hope you guys appreciate the updates, I'm trying to keep the story going without any long breaks. Enjoy!

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When Kacey walked through Brewster High's hallways that morning, everyone knew something had changed. The usual, sparkling Kacey was dull, and lifeless. Her signature curls, were flat and cried for some attention, her face was clean of any make up and her outfit, well it looked like Kacey just rolled out of bed. She didn't even do the 'Kacey' walk; it was more of a zombie like shuffle. Everyone was talking about this latest update and contemplating how to handle it. Let's just say when Kacey shuffled passed the Perfs tables, Molly was elated and ready to attack.

"Oh my gawd, I didn't know stores even sold rags on rack," she exclaimed, eliciting laughs from fellow Perfs, "No really Kacey I like the new look, you're finally looking like the loser you are." Another round of giggles but it fell on deaf ears because Kacey just moved on.

"Wow she looks really sad," Grace pointed out.

"I don't care for once Kacey is looking like Grade A garbage and I don't want anyone to forget, come on!" Molly pulled her along towards the table Kacey decided to mope at. She smiled down at the darker skinned girl smugly.

"So Kacey how about a photo op?" Kacey didn't reply and even if she did, Molly snapped a picture way too quick for an answer.

"There. If you're lucky they'll put this in the yearbook as the 'True Kacey Simon'!" Molly waited for Kacey's overdramatic reaction but it never came. Why? Here she was bashing Kacey like she never bashed before in front of the whole school and she acted like she wasn't there. Molly was enraged, she has to care what she thought, people had to know that even once perfect Kacey Simon now feared her as Queen Perf.

"What's wrong? Scared to speak in fear of morning breath!"

"Ewww morning breath is so gross," Grace echoed and lower in command Perfs murmured agreements.

"Shut up," Molly hissed at them, she then turned her attention back to Kacey and got in her face, "Did you finally get tired of enduring your long, tedious morning ritual just to look somewhat decent? See this perfect, Kacey, is natural, I don't have to try. And while I look like an upcoming supermodel without even trying, you just look like somebody's grandma." Kacey finally flinched and Molly smiled, "Like a disgusting, wrinkly, smelly, old, grand-" Molly never got to finish because Kacey fist connected to her nose knocking Molly flat on her back. Her fellow Perfs screamed and backed away from Kacey in horror as she stood up. To everyone watching it looked like she was going to continue the onslaught on Molly and maybe she would have if the muscular arms of Zander didn't wrap around her waist pulling her back.

"Oh no you don't," he murmured and she resisted at first, glaring at a bleeding, shocked Molly with so much hatred, then her expression fell into utter despair and she went limp in his arms. Without much strength he lifted her up, her head cradled in the crook of his neck, and carried her away. The first thing he noticed was how light she was, Stevie warned him that Kacey probably didn't eat since it happened. Stevie was going to kill him when she found out about the situation with Molly. He was supposed to be taking care of her at school while Stevie was home with her sick brothers. Making sure she didn't do anything stupid. So far, Zander knew he wasn't getting any rewards for his trying. He opened the door to the band room awkwardly, and carried her over the threshold; thankfully Kevin and Nelson were nowhere to be found. He sat her down on the couch and kneeled in front of her. She looked so vacant, as if Kacey left to go mourn, leaving her body an empty shell. It was heartbreaking.

"Kacey I'm sorry," he whispered, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. She didn't even glance at him. He swallowed hard. He wanted her to talk to him to open up, to cry, to smile, to laugh, anything besides stare at the wall like she didn't want to be here. He knew that pain all too well.

"I know what you're going through." He felt her hand twitch slightly in his. She blinked and her lips thinned out. He knew exactly what she was thinking.

"You don't believe me but I do. My abuela, my dad's mother was Honduran so she made me call her that, she passed away when I was fourteen. But my abuela was an amazing woman," he paused taking a deep breath, " she was more a mother to me than mines was. And when she moved on, well it was hard," he stopped talking, he didn't want to bring up the memories of his abuela and he wouldn't have if he didn't think it would help Kacey.

"How did you deal with it?" she asked, he looked up at her, she cleared her throat quietly, "With losing her?"

"By doing the same thing as you, shutting down, pushing people away, punching people in the nose once or twice, I just didn't have great friends like you did."

"I know things will get better, but I just miss her so much," her voice cracked at end and she was holding back tears. He shushed her.

"Ssshh you know you can talk to me about anything, I'll listen okay?" She nodded, "I don't think I'm ready to talk about her yet." He relocated to the sofa cushion next to her, "Well we don't have to, we can talk about that awesome uppercut to Molly's nose."

"She is really awful, "Kacey replied laughing, "I don't understand how you could like her Zander."

"I don't," he said seriously. Kacey looked at with mock suspicion.

"Sure you don't. I saw he way you two were all over each other when we rehearsed for High School Sensation."

"I may have liked her a little back then but somebody else caught my attention. Besides Molly doesn't look as good as I thought she would covered in blood."

"Stop. You're going to make me feel bad." She twiddled her fingers, "Did I really punch her that hard?"

"I don't know, I was too busy stopping you from going Muhammad Ali on the Perfs." She blushed embarrassed.

"So uhm who's the girl you like now?"

"I'm not telling."

"Well she must be real special to catch your eye, Zander."

"You think so?"

"Of course," Kacey smiled giving him a small shove, "You're smart, funny, attractive!"

"You're making me blush," Zander joked.

"See? Not even Stevie could get me out of my funk but you made me laugh Zander, you are a amazing guy, any girl would be lucky to have you."

"Any girl?" he questioned, he looked at Kacey expectantly and she saw something in his eyes she never seen before.

"Yea anyone," she replied breathless.

"What about you?" her breath hitched and all of a sudden her mouth was dry. Was Zander trying to-? She swallowed hard and went to respond but the doors bust open.

"Kacey say it isn't true!" Nelson yelled Kevin following behind him in disbelief. And the moment was ruined. Before Nelson and Kevin attacked Kacey her eyes connected with Zander's and the message was clear. That conversation wasn't over. Her heart pounded heavily at the thought.

Words: 1245

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A/N – So this one is sorta dedicated to Princess A, she offered up an idea about her grandpa passing and I had to do it. Thanks for the inspiration, I don't know if this chapter is all that great considering I tried to shorten it and I didn't want it so sad considering last chapter was sad-ish. But the sappy, romantic, fluffy chapters will be coming soon! Anyways I disclaim owning any rights to How to Rock yadda yadda ya, hope you guys enjoyed! Thanks so much for the reviews and I'll write soon!