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: Wow you guys! I hardly know what to say anymore! Over 80 reviews, 14 favorites and 16 follows! I just feel so amazing that you take the time out of your lives to read this story, it really does mean a lot. Every update is for all of you. Please, enjoy and thanks again so much!

Cast In Stone

Chapter Seventeen

"This is absolutely disgusting! I had this chat with my last class and now I'm having it with you," Mr. Hackington began sternly talking to the students. "I absolutely swear if I ever find out who is writing the notoriously ridiculous, lying for attention, piece of shit blog – I will make sure they are permanently expelled and will face an extremely humiliating exile from Monster High. So bad they will never be able to show face again."

He looked at the worried faces amongst his students. He didn't necessarily like being too mean but he felt as if it were very much justified.

He sighed, "Look guys… I wouldn't mind if the blog actually said nice, kind, encouraging things about the students but it's not and that is the on - going issue. Every person in the school has been victimized at least once out of this blog, be it teachers or other faculty staff and it will no longer be permitted. If this blog doesn't seriously make a huge turn around, I will have no choice but to take some serious action."

He had every single monster's attention in the room and while he had their attention, he wanted to speak a little more in depth.

"You will never actually know what someone else's life is like and I can't tell you and emphasize enough how wrong it is to make assumptions or just say things that simply aren't true. It hurts, it hurts a lot. People have… done drastic things in result of this kind of behavior. I, nor any of the Monster High staff will tolerate it." He figured that he'd spent over half the class basically telling them off, so now it'd be a decent time to start the class. "Alright, if there's no questions – we can start today's lesson."

After what seemed like a very long day at school, it was now time for casketball practice, only some of the teammates had other things on their mind. "Hey Clawd! Wait up!" Deuce called out to him, catching up with the large wolf's steps.

"Hi there," he greeted Deuce as chipper as he could only try to be. He wasn't in the greatest of moods but he didn't want to bring everyone else down with him. "how's it going?"

Deuce nodded, "It's going alright. But I just want to know if you have some spare time after school right now?"

He thought about it for a moment, "There's casketball practice though."

Once again, Deuce nodded. "I know, but… if we could just, skip it? I really have to talk to you and Heath if we can catch him."

Clawd couldn't help but to find this peculiar behavior, especially coming from none other than Deuce Gorgon. The last thing he wanted to do was ignore his request. So he gave a nod and they swiftly managed to catch Heath before he left the school. "Hey, you got time to grab something to eat and… hang out?"

Heath gave a nod and smirk, "I'm always hungry, just give me a minute." He finished what he had to at his locker, locking it and tossing his backpack over his shoulder. "So guys, tell me. What's so important that you're skipping casketball practice?"

Clawd narrowed his eyes while they sneakily attempted leaving the school, "Shhh, no talking until we escape successfully."

Deuce had sworn that these past couple weeks they became regulars at this little fast food place by the school. They settled down in Deuce's car with their orders and he sighed, pulling into a parking spot and ceasing the car from running. His fingers drummed the wheel and he let out a sigh. He took off his shades, as was so rarely seen and he held his head in his hands. Even his sakes seemed down in the dumps along with him.

This truly pained Clawd, he didn't want to see Deuce all down and sad. "Hey man, what's wrong?"

Deuce sighed, grabbing his signature shades and putting them on before looking at anyone. "Everything, I think. Shit's just, falling apart. Nothing is as solid as I thought it once was."

Heath who was happily munching on his food in the backseat glanced at Deuce and Clawd. "Everything? It can't be that bad. I mean, you're not… contemplating anything like… a life, are you?"

Deuce shook his head, "No, no – it's not that drastic. But it's pretty futzed up, I have to say." He heaved another sigh, this time his head on the steering wheel.

Heath shrugged and reached for his soda. "Relax Deuce, we're still gonna be great friends with you no matter what. You're a great guy, there's nothing wrong with-"

"I think I'm crushing mad hard on your cousin." He blurted out ever so suddenly, which made poor Heath almost spit take. He swallowed hard and his eyes widened in pure shock. Did Deuce just openly admit that he had a crush, on Jackson Jekyll?

Clawd put a paw up in the air, "Whoa… whoa, okay let me get this straight."

Before Heath could comment with a pun, he was interrupted.

"Quiet Heath," the fire elemental shoved some fries in his mouth to prevent him from talking for the most part. "Deuce… you actually, like – like Jackson Jekyll. Is this correct?" Deuce nodded, adverting his gaze from either one of them.

"Yeah, that's right." He fiddled with his fingers, unsure of what else he could do in all honesty. "I had to talk to you guys. I can't talk to anyone else about this, there's no one else that I trust this much. I don't know what to do, I'm stuck and I didn't know who to turn to." He heaved another sigh. "This is definite suicide."

Clawd had this ringing pain in his chest as he'd heard Deuce say that awful word. "Deuce, stop right there. First off, don't ever say that word again. Secondly… how, badly are you… crushing on Jackson? Give us some detail here."

"But not too much detail."

"Can it Heath," Clawd chuckled, but glanced back to Deuce trying to think of how he could make this less awkward on him. He would not want to be in Deuce's position at all right now. "Deuce…?"

Deuce shrugged hopelessly. "I don't know."

"Well just relax and think about it. When did you start noticing Jackson? Better yet, when did you start noticing you had… those kinds of feelings for him?" Clawd questioned lightly. He wasn't doing so to be nosy in the least, he just needed all the details if Deuce wanted some good sound advice.

Deuce thought about it for a moment, "Well – I've been kinda, keeping an eye on him for awhile now. I've wanted to just talk to him and approach him, but with Cleo always on my arm or attached to me at the hip, it's no easy task."

Heath stopped Deuce right there, "Hey man, before you go on – let's talk about Miss de Nile."

His fingers drummed the steering wheel as the chat continued onward. "What about her?"

Heath piped up again after another couple fries. "You're playing her, Deuce. If you're technically interested in someone else, still being with Cleo and in the relationship and saying you miss her when truth be told, she's the last thing on your mind… agreeing to stay in the relationship, Deuce that's not fair to Cleo. Even though it is Cleo – you shouldn't crush her heart."

Deuce lightly groaned. "I don't want to hurt anyone. I just…"

Clawd nodded, "I know that's not your intention Deuce, but you have to get your shit together and figure out what the hell you're gonna do."

Heath's mind began to think once more, this was certainly between and rock and a hardplace where Deuce was sitting literally… so he needed to either do something about it or get crushed. "Deuce… what if you gave Cleo an ultimatum?"

Clawd shifted his gaze from Deuce to Heath, "Go on. You may be on to something."

Heath replied hesitantly, "Well, what if you sat down right? Had a chat with her… told her clearly out and out what's on your mind - not Jackson though, don't dare say a word about him, but I mean talk to her about the lack of communication and whatever else solely going on between you and Cleo only and give her a choice to either shape up, or ship out."

Deuce sighed, "Mhm… but what about Jackson? What do I do there?"

Heath was plunged back into thinking again. 'My brain is gonna hurt massively because of this douche bag. I don't think this much on the norm!' He chuckled with the thought, but cleared his throat. "Well, the only way you're ever going to know… is to test it out. If there's nothing there… and Cleo does prove her changes to you – I think the safer bet would be to stay with Cleo and stay true to her. However, if there's sparks between you and Jackson and you want to make him more than a friend to you – you cannot leave Cleo trying so hard to get back into your good graces, when she's not a priority, but only an option."

Clawd nodded enthusiastically, "That's a very good valid point Heath."

Deuce sat up and bit down on his bottom lip, "So… should I tell Cleo we need a trial separation until she can prove to me she's up to fixing what's not right with us anymore and maybe see if I can get anywhere with Jackson?"

Heath nodded, "Sounds like somewhat of a plan. Maybe not a sturdy one but… it'll have to do for now. I mean, neither one of them deserve to be on the sidelines Deuce – so balance it wisely."

Deuce Gorgon nodded in approval, "You're right. Thanks guys, you're the best."

Clawd shrugged it off, "Nah man, anytime. But thanks."

Heath grinned his signature wide grin, "Yeah, thanks. But you can prove it by paying for seconds?"

Deuce laughed and tossed an empty fast food bag at Heath, "Dream on, hot – head."

Tada! Here it is! Hope you enjoyed it.

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