Disclaimer: STILL do not own recess, so don't sue me.

Gretchen shut the door behind her and smiled to herself. It was time teachers were put in their place; she was sick of the 'genius girl' front. She sighed and strolled down the corridor; making mental notes to herself some people who could do with some structure.

No. Plenty enough time for that later, right now she had to concentrate on Grotke and the money she owes for that little deal.

Gretchen pushed open the doors and surveyed the playground. Recess was the best part of her day; the freedom was the only thing that kept her from going mad. Sometimes, when she was alone on old rusty or the jungle gym, she would muse about the whole situation that she has been in for the last 5 years. She'd developed grades, adventures but mostly importantly, her friends.

Gretchen clenched her hand around the door handle and sighed the thoughts out of her head. Even if she had friends, that was no reason to stay here. No matter how much she wanted to. She had a business, and that business was being built on me and my company. However, we all knew that Gretchen was going to abandon us sooner or later.

'Hey Gretchen!'

Gretchen snapped out of her daze and grinned when she saw Spinelli, waving frantically from the Kickball field. Gretchen waved back and ran across the playground, but I stopped her.

Gretchen grinned at me and nodded, 'Spin? I'll be right there I just need to get a…um…piece of equipment for my science project! I'll be right there!' Gretchen shouted. Spinelli looked confused but shrugged it away, even though she was sure that Ms Grotke hadn't given anyone a science project this week.

'Ok HK, what is it? I have to go and cover up my story now,' Gretchen asked me impatiently.

'Gretchen, tell me what she said,' I said, I loose my patience with her sometimes. She can be so mean to her friends, especially Spinelli.

'HK don't worry, I scared her. Noon tomorrow or you can give the job to fingers alright? Oh! That reminds me, did you get the merchandise?'

I grinned and pulled out a purple box, wrapped in a pink box from within my jacket, 'right here.'

'Thanks so much HK. Leave it in my locker and I'll get it after school,' Gretchen said. I nodded and smiled un-easily. I knew Gretchen had a crush on me, and no matter how many times I tried to shake it off, she would find a way to get me all alone and flirt with me. There is no way she would ever do it in public. She's too ashamed of me.

'So…' she said beaming brightly, that familiar look in her eyes, 'when are we going out?'

I practically fell into the dumpster.

'Err…what?' I said, my voice shaking.

'Oh come on HK, we both know that I like you and you like me, so why do we have to keep up this charade? Let's be open about it.'

I couldn't believe it! She was talking to me like we were secret lovers or something! I stood there for about 5 minutes with my mouth wide open. What the hell was I meant to say? That I was in love with her best friend? I couldn't hurt her like that; Gretchen and I were friends from kindergarten and even though she treated me like dirt, I couldn't betray her.

'I-um…err…' I started, 'I think that we…should umm…' I could see Gretchen waiting for my response eagerly and my heart sank, 'I think we should….wait?'

Gretchen looked at me oddly and smiled, 'ok, I guess it hasn't been formal between us or anything. I'll see you later sweetie.'

I sighed a breath of relief over my shoulder and received a kiss from her when I turned around.

Gross…

As soon as she ran off to join TJ and the others, I wiped my mouth on my coat and escaped into the cheese box; I buried my head in my hands and rubbed my eyes. I was never going to be able tell Spinelli how I feel. At least not with Gretchen around ruining it all.

Wait a second…

'That's it! I could blow Gretchen's cover! Everyone is searching for her now after those illegal sales on hustler merchandise. If I could just find a way to- wait…no…I can't do that. Why am I even thinking this? I would neve-' my thoughts were interrupted by my pager bleeping. I pulled out the shiny case engraved 'HK' which Spinelli had made especially for my birthday and opened it to find my pager.

My eyes widened, my heart raced, and as quick as the bell ringing for recess, I raced out of school and ran to Fingers' house.