Miraculously, I have found time for another chapter. Though it had to be cut short, so excuse me for the abrubt ending.

"Wot's up? Yeh've been actin' funny all day,"

Stuart glanced over at Murdoc. The two were walking towards home after what seemed like an unbearably long day at school. Well, it felt like an eternity to Stuart. The rest of the school went about it's usual business as though it was a normal day.

"Nuffin,"

"Bullshit," Murdoc gave him a disbelieving look.

Make summfin' up, anything to keep him from findin' out.

"Mmm…Dad had me workin' late las' nigh'. S'pose I'm jus' tired," Stuart looked down at the sidewalk as he said this. He'd never lied to Murdoc before, never had a reason to. Now his insides were churning like an angry sea. Murdoc just muttered under his breath and kept on his way.

They walked on in silence for a while, Stuart was too nervous to say anything. He hummed to himself and watched the scenery go by. The houses on this side of town were dumpy and ramshackle, the lawns unkempt. It made the neighborhoods seem so…depressing. Even the bright blue sky looked gray to him.

Stuart felt much better when they reached downtown. Though it was filled with thrift shops that looked as they might collapse at any moment and pedestrians that always had someplace to be in a hurry, Stuart loved the atmosphere.

People were crowded around, huddled in groups or off by themselves. Punks, princesses, business people dresses in slacks and suit coats, children being dragged by their mothers, teenagers with wild hair, and elderly ladies pushing shopping carts full of groceries.

He smiled and glanced down at his watch, only twenty minutes till he was supposed to meet Noodle.

"I gotta go, Muds. I told Mum I'd pick up some stuff for 'er," Another lie.

He gave Murdoc a wave and started off towards the nicer parts of town.

"See ya face-ache,"

Stuart walked along, noticing that shops were nicer and nicer as he went. They went from antique shops and fast food joints to name brand clothing stores and swanky French restaurants. While he was passing a park, he noticed bright pink flowers sprouting up from the ground. He bent down and plucked one for Noodle, he wasn't sure that she like pink, but the flower was to pretty to be rejected just because of its' color.

At last he reached Elsington Prep, a huge beige building that had students milling around it. Stuart noticed that they all wore matching uniforms. The boys; tan slacks, white button down shirts, navy blue blazers and red ties. The girls; tan and navy plaid skirts, navy knee high socks, white button down shirts, navy sweaters, and red ties. Stuart tried looking around for Noodle, but didn't get far. Everyone looked the same to him.

Finally, he noticed her purple locks and started forward.

"Noodle! Hi," He grinned at her and handed her the flower.

"Stuart, I was looking for you. Thank you!" She held the flower up to her nose and inhaled its' aroma.

"Ya look lovely,"

She gave him a disgusted look, "I do not. I hate this uniform. Let's stop somewhere real quick,"

Back at the park where Stuart had gotten the flower, Noodle ran for the bathrooms. Stuart waited, flopping back on the soft grass. He hadn't noticed before, but he was a bit tired. He closed his eyes, feeling the sunshine warm his face. He was almost asleep when he heard a noise and looked up.

Noodle grinned down at him, her uniform gone. She had on a pair of blue jeans torn at the knees and a black tank top bearing the name 'Rancid'. She was much prettier this way than in her school outfit. Stuart smiled and jumped up. Noodle linked arms with him and the two set off.

"Where now?"

"Home. My parents aren't expecting their friends for a while, so you can hang out if you want," She said, looking hopefully at him.

Stuart nodded, "Yeah, sounds nice,"

As they reached Noodle's house, Stuart saw a man waiting impatiently on the front porch. Noodle must have seen him too because she said "Oh, shit," under her breath.

Nearing the house, the man stepped towards them, "Who's your friend?"

Stuart recognized his accent, the same Noodle had, and concluded that this must be her father. He certainly did look like her. The same slanted eyes, though his were brown, and the same olive skin.

Noodle introduced Stuart to her father. The man didn't seem to like Stuart, giving him disapproving looks when Noodle wasn't paying attention.

"Well, Stuart, don't plan on staying long, we have dinner guests coming in a bit," Noodle's father gave him one last bitter look and stalked off to his car. Noodle pulled him inside and they clambered up the stairs to her bedroom.

"God, I can't stand him!" She looked more furious than her father.

"Whaddaya mean?"

"What do I mean? He butts into everything. Nothing is private with him. He doesn't like the way I dress, the music I listen to, my friends, ANYTHING!"

She collapsed backwards onto her bed.

"Wewl, f'it makes you feel any better, I like the way ya dress, and your music, and I neva met your friends, but m'sure they're nice,"

Noodle blushed, "Actually, you're my only friend,"

Stuart was a bit taken aback, "Wot? I can't be your only friend,"

Sensing the mistake he just made, he tried to make things better, "That's alrigh' though. Tell ya wot, how bout we throw a party and invite a buncha people? You'll make tons of friends!"

Noodle considered the idea, "Okay, but can we have it here? I've got tons of room,"

Stuart nodded and Noodle looked like she'd just been told that Christmas was coming early. Suddenly a voice from downstairs announced that Stuart needed to leave.

They rose from the bed and as Stuart turned to say goodbye, Noodle gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Stunned, Stuart's goodbye stuck in his throat.

He felt his face turn red and tried to stutter out his thanks, "Umm…uh…t-thanks, I guess,"

Noodle giggled at his awkwardness and walked him to the door.

Stuart started home, thinking of how wonderful his day had been. And Noodle sat back on her back telling herself that it might be love.

I told you there'd be kissing action :D