Disclaimer: This is a complete work of fiction,there's no resemblance to actual persons or events or places. If so, it is utterly not intended. I do NOT own Monster High, or anything to do with it. Thank you.

A / n: You guys are absolutely fangtastic ;D your continued support over this story means so much to me. I hope you enjoy this story to the fullest and keep reviewing, keep reading – I love to hear from you! Thanks again!

Cast In Stone

Chapter Fourteen

"Rock solid!" Deuce commented as he saw Clawd appearing from the front door of the house. They'd be just on time to get to school today. He brought his shades down just a little bit as he watched not only Clawd, but Clawdeen and Howleen pile out from inside. "Uh oh." He laughed softly, knowing that his mother probably suggested he let the ghouls tag along with them this morning.

Deuce didn't mind, he thought Clawdeen was cool and Howleen was 'little sister adorable'. Of course Clawd – he probably minded, very much indeed. Clawdeen hopped into the vehicle first, "Careful Deuce, he might tear every little snake off your head – he's vicious this morning." She tossed her book bag on the floor at her feet, grasping a mirror compact from her purse to check her appearance yet again today. It'd be the sixth time since leaving the bathroom she'd done so.

Howleen then sat in the back of the vehicle next to her older sister. She fastened her seat belt, "I think he's sad."

Deuce raised an eyebrow at Howleen's input; it was possible Clawd could be feeling down. It was possible for anyone to feel down in the dumps every now and then. He didn't like to think that any of his friends, or anyone in general was feeling sad. Feeling sad led to horrible things, like harm. Deuce didn't enjoy violence at all, he wasn't good with it in the slightest.

"I'm sure he's okay Howleen," Deuce reassured the youngest of the Wolf family. He didn't want to think otherwise at all. "everything's fine. We'll get to school and have a good day."

Deuce watched through the car window as Clawd slung his backpack over his right shoulder, hugged his mother and headed towards the passenger side, opening up the door and getting in. "Hey." He greeted bluntly.

The gorgon boy gave a nod of acknowledgement. "Hi there. So I've been meaning to ask you about Jackson." He started off the conversation right away. He didn't think there was a need to tip toe around the topic.

Clawd however, paled. This strong wave of nausea just swept over his stomach as the vehicle began to move. "… what about him?" He hoped not to sound cold, but he didn't want to break down either. Not with his sisters and Deuce in the vehicle with them.

Deuce gave a light shrug. He was getting the impression that he was stepping on toes by asking this specific question, but it was all in innocence. He just wanted to inquire about the normie. "How is he? Do you know? He hasn't been at school… I just thought to ask."

'Oh I don't damn well know, maybe he feels dead despite being alive? Maybe he's in so much agony because his attempt didn't go as planned and he's sick of being in this miserable, horrible world another insignificant second longer!' He took in a deep breath and let it out, shuddering slightly. "He's… uh, he's alright." Clawd couldn't stand lying, but this was for a legit cause. Jackson's dignity. "He's sick real bad though; it's this… normie flu bug. Nasty stuff. Poor thing."

Deuce cringed and nodded, "Oh, I see… well at least he won't be bored with his gift."

Clawdeen and Howleen exchanged glances with one another, wondering just what was going on under their super sensitive noses.

"How the hell do you turn this thing on?" Jackson cursed at the brand new iCoffin, shaking it, angrily tapping the screen. "I hate it. How can I use this piece of junk if I can't turn even turn it on?"

"Just 'gimme that, before you break the damn thing." Heath took the phone from Jackson. "Now I want you to be prepared, this is so mind numbingly difficult, you'll have to nap afterward." Sarcastically he told his cousin as he simply pressed and held the button on the top right of the phone. After a few seconds, he let it go and the device began to turn on.

"Oh." Jackson stated plainly, "That's how you do it."

Heath chuckled and Jackson gave a small smile. "Yeah, I can see you throwing this at me in utter frustration, yelling at me to fix it every single time something goes south with this thing."

Jackson gave a nod, "Oh yeah, I'll teach you not only how to duck, but to hit the dirt and shake uncontrollably when things go south with this piece of sh-"

"Hey, that's so ungrateful." Heath narrowed his eyes at Jackson, who was rather upset at the phone. It was an item, how could he be so upset with it? It didn't do anything. "Someone gave you that-"

"Deuce."

Heath's eyes widened, "Deuce?"

Jackson gave a confirming nod, "Deuce."

"Alright so Deuce went out and got you this phone from the kindness of his heart and you're being so ungrateful? C'mon, that's not the Jackson I know." He reminded lightly.

Jackson lightly sighed, "Heath… I'm not even the 'Jackson' I thought I knew. I feel so far from myself. It's really hard to explain, I'm sorry."

Before Heath could even respond, Clawd came practically running over to them. "Heath! Jackson can't be here right now." He let out a couple pants, but continued on. "I told…" on second thought, he didn't want anyone to hear anything. Walls had ears in this school, super sensitive ears. He pulled out his iCoffin and tapped on a notepad icon. He began to text as fast as his furry fingers would let him. Once he was done, he showed them his phone.

I told Deuce on the way to school this morning that Jackson was sick with a 'normie flu'. I made it sound like he'd be out for at least two more days. I'm sorry Jackson but I do NOT want anyone knowing anything about what truly happened. I want you and your business shielded from heartless gossipers. In contrary to what you might think – I DO give a shit.

Jackson's eyes widened… but he warmly smiled, "Clawd that means so much. Thank you."

Clawd smiled as well, "You're welcome, but we gotta get you up outta here before you're seen and I'm known as a liar."

"Hey!"

Clawd turned around quickly, his big athletic body completely shielding Jackson from view. "Deuce! … hey, hey… what's up man?"

Deuce shrugged, "Not much really. I just wanted to find you before Cleo finds me, to ask you if you could… somehow find out how Jackson's doing? I'm thinking about him… a lot, I'm worried."

From behind Clawd, Jackson remained quiet in shock. Why would the Deuce Gorgon, be thinking about him? "Why'd you want me to find out? Just send him a message, find out on your own." The big wolf voiced, in his own subtle way trying speed up the conversation without directly doing so.

Deuce shrugged, "He probably won't answer me."

Clawd looked nervously to Heath, who waved it off. "Nah, sure he will just give it a try." His eyes widened when Deuce took out his phone, "Not now!"

Deuce almost dropped his phone at Heath's rather loud outburst.

"I mean… he's… sleeping! When I left, he's still sleeping. Maybe try in an hour or so." He finished with a convincing grin.

Deuce gave a nod, "Yeah sure, wouldn't want to bother him. Catch you around guys." Before the gorgon male could leave, Jackson sneezed behind Clawd, whose eyes widened. "Bless you."

Clawd's eyes searched around trying rapidly as he tried to figure out the easiest way to get Jackson out of the school as soon as humanely possible. "… thanks."

I hope you enjoyed it! Review please, it's mega appreciated. :)