Chapter two.

Sorry it took so long to get it to you. Enjoy

Another long day at work and Stuart was exhausted.

Walking home, he passed the local bakery and stopped in to grab a few sweets for Noodle. When he arrived, he found the house deserted. There was a note from his mother telling him that there were leftovers in the fridge and would he please take out the trash.

Twenty minutes and a hot shower later, he was starting up the driveway to Noodle's house. Sprawled on the lawn was Noodle, her arm over her face to shield her eyes.

"'Ey! Wot cha doin down there?" He grinned at her.

She looked up at him, squinting from the glare of the sun. "Oh, hi! I was waiting for you,"

Stuart blushed and plopped down next to her, setting the box of doughnuts in his lap. "You haven' been out here all day, have you?" Stuart asked, taking in her sunburned looking face and arms. Noodle smiled and admired the lines, "Yea, how'd you tell?" she asked sarcastically.

She eyed the colorful box in Stuart's lap. "What're those?"

Stuart grinned, "Picked you up some doughnuts. Only I di'nt know what kinds you liked so I got one a each," He pulled the lid off and the aroma of chocolate and jellies hit him. Noodle reached for a glazed doughnut with red jelly atop it.

"Mmmm….Thanks,"

She had crumbs around her mouth and a smear of jelly on her nose. Stuart laughed and wiped the jelly off, giving her a teasing smile. "So, ya got any plans tomorrow?"

She nodded and swallowed, "School,"

Stuart noticed the glum look on her face as she said it. "Yeh don't like school?"

Noodle shook her head, "Not my school. It's for stuck up assholes. I'd much rather go to regular high school, but mom and dad won't let me,"

"Ah, well, where d'you go? Maybe I could walk you home…"

"Ellingson Prep, all the way across town. And I'd love it if you walked me home. I'll have to pull some strings, but yeah, that sounds nice,"

"Awright, and how about dinner afterwards?" Stuart bit his lip as soon as the words were out of his mouth, hoping she wouldn't think he was imposing on her too soon. She frowned, "No,"

Stuart felt his face heat up. Damn, m'such an idiot.

Noodle saw his fallen face. "Oh! Stuart, I'd love to go to dinner, but my parents are having some friends over tomorrow and they want me to hang around. I'd much rather go with you though…"

It was Noodle's turn to blush. She smiled shyly up at him.

"Wewl, awright then," he said. Stuart's heart lifted, she didn't hate him. And he had a date the next day with her. Sort of.

Looking down at his watch, Stuart jumped up.

"Shit, I gotta get home. Sorry, mum's workin late t'night and I said I'd make dinner,"

Noodle stood up, "Yeah, I suppose I've got homework to do,"

Stuart nodded, "I'll see ya tomorrow, yeah?"

"Hai. I mean, yes! At three,"

"Right then, bye,"

He gave her a wave and started off down the drive thinking to himself that he was luckiest boy in the world.

The next morning, Stuart's alarm woke him from a pleasant dream. He sat up groggily and threw the contraption against the wall.

"Ey! Wot's goin on in there?" His mom's voice boomed from the kitchen.

"Nuthin mum," he shouted back.

He started to put on a pair of pants when he remembered he was picking up Noodle from school. Tossing the pants carelessly on the floor, he rummaged through his ancient oak dresser and pulled out his nicest pants.

When they were on, he admired his lanky frame in the mirror.

Too skinny.

Look at all those scars.

I look like somfink that got hit by a car.

He snorted.

I was hit by a car.

Ugh, I look like shit.

Stuart stepped away and grabbed a fresh shirt, his personal favorite. It bore the phrase 'Hello Kinky' across the front, complete with a crappy imitation of Hello Kitty's face.

In the kitchen, his mother was preparing a casserole for dinner that night.

"Mornin'" She was a short brunette, dressed in her nurse's uniform. Setting a plate of breakfast down in front of her son, she checked her watch and grabbed her coat and purse.

"I'll see yeh later tonight," She gave him a swift kiss on the forehead, standing on tippy-toes to do so, and started out the front door.

"Bye mum, have a nice day at work,"

The door slammed and Stuart sighed. His father was already at work, up at the crack of dawn to open the fairgrounds and not to return home until dusk.

Stuart secretly wished they had more money. Then his mother wouldn't have to put in such long hours. She could sit home and relax without worrying over the bills.

He finished his breakfast and set the plate in the sink, then, slinging his backpack over his shoulder, left out the back and cut through the yard. He met Murdoc halfway to the shabby high school. Murdoc was leaning up against a fence, eyeing every pretty girl that happened his way. Clad in a gray sweatshirt and deep blue jeans, he looked quite cold in the morning air.

"Ey Muds," Stuart grinned at him.

Murdoc looked over and pushed his black hair from his face and returned the smile. A toothpick stuck out from the corner of his mouth and Stuart noticed the thick cord that hung from his neck, bearing the silver inverted cross that Murdoc treasured so much.

"S'up, D?" Murdoc said as he fell in stride with Stuart.

Stuart shrugged and kept on walking. He didn't want to tell Murdoc about Noodle. No. Noodle was his little secret. Besides, if he did tell Murdoc, he would probably try and steal Noodle away from him.

The school came into view, it's three stories looming ahead of them in the distance. Stuart sighed and knew that today would go by much too slow.

Pretty uneventful. Next chapter may include some totally awsome action packed kissing scenes. But don't count on it.

Thanks much for the reviews!