A/N

Yo, it's chapter 2, because I'm really bored and can't be bothered waiting for a couple days. So, without further ado, here's chapter two! (That rhymed. Coolio!)

I walk home on my own. I realize that my attitudes completely changed at this new school. I've gotten more confident, somehow, over the past few weeks. No more meek, quiet Ella. I look down at my new soccer uniform. I'm a changed person, and for the better. When I get home, I collapse on my bed. I'm too tired to do anything, really. I wonder when I'm going to meet the others. That's my last thought before I drift off to sleep.

I'm in a deserted town, it looks like Chicago. Everything's a mess. Debris everywhere, a couple of...bodies lying on the ground. I can only stare in horror. I look at myself in a murky puddle. My jaw drops even further. My auburn hair is pulled up in a tight bun, and I'm wearing a flowing black dress which is surprising against my pale skin. Black veins run under it. My brown eyes look tired and serious. I hold back a scream. My subconsciousness guides me, until I'm sitting beside a monster, in a golden throne. It feels like a twisted fairytale. Two people are marched up to us, along with a few guards. Or, that's what I assume they are. Cody is one of them. I recognize the two as...Maren? Another one of John's friends, Sam, I think? Then I notice that sound is coming out of my mouth.

"Execute them," my subconsciousness says. I refuse to believe it's me. The monster swings down an axe towards Maren's head. I scream. I sit upright in bed, shaking and sweaty, hugging my blankets close around me. I stand up and head to the bathroom. I look terrible. Dark circles under my eyes, along with being red and puffy. The edges of my nose are red too. My lips are cracked, and my throat is sore from screaming. Crayton will already be at work. I splash water over myself, and pull on a hoodie and sweatpants. I arrive at school feeling drained. I see Marina standing in front of me, saying something. But right then, I can't care less.

"Piss off," I say, and push past her, and head to my locker. People are looking at me, confused. They know me as a happy, bubbly kind of person. And I have been, but that dream was so real, and it brought back memories of...my mom. She died when I was little. Some robbery gone wrong. Five bullets to the head. I guess I'm falling into depression again. I see Stanley leaning against my locker. Adam was right, he isn't actually that bad a guy. I'd consider him my friend.

"Hey, Els. How's it going?" He asks. I don't answer, and instead open my locker and get my stuff. I'm about to walk off when I feel a hand on my arm.

"Hey, you ok?" Stanley asks. He looks so concerned. He's really...cute. Oh, no, Ella, you do not like the guy who'd break your heart. You do not like the guy who probably sees you as an irritating younger sister. I look up at him. Damn, Stanley, why must I like you?

"Yeah. Fine. Let go of my arm, Stanley," I say blandly. He does, looking hurt.

"I know you're not okay, Ella. I will find out. Nothing gets past me unnoticed," he waves his fingers at me, then heads over to his jock friends.

Maren and Stanley are arguing when I get to class. Huh, how'd Stanley get here before me? Anyway...

"Well, maybe I would've if you hadn't done what you did!" Maren snapped.

"Well, this isn't about that, anymore, and you should know it, more than anyone. No one should take or hurt just because they can, and I made damn sure those bastards weren't going to do it again. You of all people should know why," he retorted.

"Should I? Because I don't, Stanley. I don't know," Maren argued. I think she's sincere.

"Screw you Maren," Stanley shoves open the door to the art room. I snap at Maren every time she talks to me. That was one class I'd like to forget.

Detention again. Apparently it's to 'build on to my respect for superiors', whatever the heck that means. I just think its rubbish, honestly.

"Hey, Adam," I sit down next to him again.

"Hey, Ella. Woah, uh...are you emo now?" He asks. I look over his hair.

"Are you sure you can ask that?" I reply.

"Hey! I'm not emo! See, red shirt, blue shorts, no black. But
you, on the other hand..." he trailed off and gestures to my black hoodie, jeans and shoes.

"All your missings' the hair," he says. I laugh.

"Oh yes, I definitely want emo hair," I snort.

"So how's your quest for the story behind the Nine going," he questions.

"Not well. Apparently Stanley's all into this humanitarian stuff, surprisingly. He was arguing with Maren, another shocker."

"Yeah, he had this serious girlfriend a couple years back. Turns out she was cheating on him for money. After that, she moved away, and Stanley found out that it'd been so some guy wouldn't sue her parents. She died in a car crash a few weeks later. From then on, Stanley became sort of...more aware, really. That's what that whole attitude comes from," Adam tells me. My jaw drops.

"How'd you know that?" I ask.

"John and him used to be tight. Best bros. But then the thing happened, and...you know the rest," he says.

"So, were you close with any of the others? I mean, having to pick a side..." I trail off.

"Uh, yeah. There was one of them. But we sort of...grew apart. So I went with John," he says. I nod. I wonder which one it is, though.

"So. On a lighter note, are you okay?" He asks me. I bark out a laugh.

"On a lighter note, I've been having nightmares. Really bad ones. I've pretty much wrecked my relationships with my friends, or people who were nice to me, at least. Maren, Marina, Stanley, they all probably hate me. Myra and John didn't seem too keen on me, and I haven't really met the others yet, but I'll mess that up too," I sigh. Adam tilts his head.

"I'm sensing something deeper here. You got close to them in the past few weeks?" He asks curiously.

"No," I say quickly. I can feel the heat on my cheeks. Damnit!

"Eh? Am I correct in thinking that you, Ella, like S-"

"Shut up! How did you even get that from me saying no? If anyone heard any of that then-" I cut him off, only to be cut off myself.

"Relax. You're secrets safe with me. Really. St-" I shoot him a look. "Him?" Adam corrects himself.

"Yeah, I just...I dunno, got to know him and I know I probably shouldn't like him, but..."

"I understand the feeling. You want to hate them, know you should hate them, but somehow..." he trails off again.

"Exactly! So, who's the lucky girl?" I wink, edging closer.

"Um, about that...Myra...might've..." Adam mumbles. I grin.

"Ooh, really? Isn't she with that Wade guy, though?" I frown. His face hardens.

"Yeah. He's a total tool. Shoplifts, vandalizes, he's actually gotten her to shoplift, too. She got caught. He's ruining her, she used to be so...different, I guess." So that's why she acted hostile. Wade.
"Well, I am going to fix them, and I am going to get you two together if its the last thing I do," I say determinedly. Adam just shakes his head.

"Be careful, Ella. You're getting into some pretty serious stuff."

At lunch, I look around. I cant really sit with Marina, after what I said to her. Stanley was what I called a friend, but...today wasn't a great day for that. I'd never sit with his crowd anyway. I see Adam at his table, and lock eyes with him. I raise my hand in the universal 'what am I supposed to do?' gesture. He leans over to John, and whispers something to him. John looks up and nods. Adam waves me over. I sigh in relief, and head over there.

"You don't know how grateful I am," I tell him, putting my tray down in the space next to him.

"No problem. Hey, guys? This is Ella. Ella, meet Sam," he points to a brown haired guy, "Sarah, John's girlfriend," he nods at a pretty blonde girl, "and those two are Daniela and Drake." Daniela has brown braids, while Drake was another blondie.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ella," I say.

"We know," Sam says, but not meanly, "I mean, since Adam told us before." I grin.

"Yeah," I reply.

"So, Ella, what brings you to our Meredith?" Drake asks. I furrow my eyebrows.

"Meredith?" I question, confused. Adam laughs.

"Drake has a weird obsession with this lunch table. He named it Merida our first year here," Daniela explains, smirking.

"Meredith, not Merida! How many times do I have to tell you?" Drake groans. They start arguing, while the others roll their eyes amusedly.

"They always do this," Sarah tells me, "they're at it nonstop. I swear they have a thing for each other." I stifled a giggle as Drake and Daniela froze, turning their heads to Sarah.

"WE DO NOT!" They yell at the same time. Sarah raises an eyebrow. They scowl at her. I turn to Adam.

"If Sarah and John are dating, and Drake and Daniela have a thing," I put emphasis on thing as the two glare at me, "then what about you and Sam? Is there something going on there too?" I ask, wiggling my eyebrows. The others all start cracking up, but Adam and Sam both look mortified.

"No way!" Sam says. I just grin.

"Adam and Sam sitting in a tree," Sarah begins. The rest of the table starts singing.

"You know what, I'm going to the bathroom," Adam grumbles, and stands up.

"I'm with you, dude," Sam stands up.

"Off to fulfil the song, eh?" Sarah smiles. Sam immediately sits down.

"That's a tree, not a bathroom..." he mutters. And that's how I became friends with John, Sarah, Sam, Daniela, Drake and Adam.

"This is ridiculous! Pi shouldn't go into x, it should be going into my mouth," Drake complains for the hundredth time. We were in the same math class, and we had partnered up for todays assignment. Which was a seriously bad idea, since neither of us have any idea what we're doing.

"Why couldn't I have Sam in this class? He's smart," he mumbles.

"Hey! I'm smart!" I punch his arm, "at soccer."

"And I'm smart," Drake says, "at pranks. Not math."

"You like pranking?" I ask.

"Yeah, but no one knows I do. I'm a closet pranker," he states expertly.

"A...closet pranker?" I grin.

"I don't get to prank much, so I'm a closet pranker, yes," he says stubbornly.

"Whatever you say, Dray."

"Hey! You know I hate being called Dray!" Drake protests.

"Which is why I do it, Drakey," I reply smoothly.

"Is ickle Ella giving me pet names? Does Ella...like me?" he gasps dramatically.

"No-" I start.

"She does! Itty ickle Ella likes me!" he nudges me. I scowl.

"Oh, of course. Your good looks and wit have won me over.
Will you ever be mine?" I sigh dramatically. Drake pretends to think.

"Mmm, I dunno. My girlfriend will be pretty mad..."

"You mean Daniela?" I smirk.

"No! I don't like her," Drake glares.

"Denial isn't just a river in Egypt!" I crow, winking.

"I am not in denial!"

"Acceptance is just around the corner..." I feel something hit my face. Drake grins. He used his pencil as a slingshot! I dunno how, but he did. This means war! I throw my eraser at him. It bounces off his forehead. He looks shocked.

"Finally realizing your mad affection?" I ask innocently.

"As if," he scoffs. He's about to do something else, but the teacher interrupts us.

"Miss Ra and Mr Kent. Please go to the office immediately," says Ms Carpin.

"Yes!" Drake mutters under his breath. I stifle a giggle.

"Something funny, Miss Ra?"

"No ma'am." I follow Drake out. Once he closes the door, he turns to me, holding up his palm. I slap it.

"No more dumb textbook work!" he grins.

"You're the dumb one for not understanding it," I point out.

"Neither did you," he points out back. If that's a thing. I don't think it is. Oh well.

"So, office."

"Yep. Right this way!" Drake holds open the door.

"Its that close to the math room?" I ask.

"Yep. People misbehave most in her class, so they put it right next door," he says. I laugh at that.

"Thanks," I tell him, walking through the doorway.

"Yep. No problem."

"Are you ever going to stop saying yep?"

"Yep. Just not now."

"You're annoying."

"Yep. I get that a lot. All comes with being a closet pranker."

"Mr Kent and Miss Ra, please take a seat and stop that...bantering," the receptionist says. I make a face. Drake does the same. But I take my seat, nonetheless. I look around. Maren, Myra, and Stanley and a few of his friends are sitting in there already. My seats next to Myra's.

"What'd you do to wind up in here?" she asks me. I look at her, surprised.

"I...don't actually know. Talking, or something," I reply. Ms Carpin didn't actually specify.

"Lemme guess, Mr Rey or Ms Carpin."

"Yep, Ms Carpin. Though I did get detention from-wait, nevermind. You were in that detention," I say.

"Look who's saying yep now," Drake whispers to me. I elbow him, then look back at Myra.

"Yeah, sorry about that. It's kinda my fault. Mine and...John's," she spits out his name.

"What about John?" Drake asks.

"You're that friend of his, Drake, right? Daniela's boyfriend?" Myra asks. I snicker. Drake scowls.

"She's not my girlfriend!" he explodes. I roll my eyes at Myra.

"He's in denial. That's partly why we're in here. I said something about that, then he threw something at me," I tell her.

"Ah, of course. Acceptance is just around the corner," she
says.

"That's what she said!" Drake bursts. Myra and I snicker quietly while everyone sitting near us looks at Drake weirdly. Realization dawns on Drake's face as he understands what he said.

"That's, uh, what Ella said before I threw something at her, I mean. Uh, yeah," he corrects himself, scratching his neck awkwardly.

"Nice one," I smirk.

"Shut up," he mutters.

"Wait, you're Myra!" Drake says suddenly.

"Uh, yeah. So?"

"So I'm not supposed to talk to you! It's a 'massive act of disrespect against the unspoken, unwritten friendship contract you automatically agree to when you become friends with John," he rants. Myra raises an eyebrow.

"I hate John, John hates me, that doesn't mean his friends have to," she replies.

"Eh, screw it. He'll forgive me. He cant live without me," Drake boasts.

"Yeah, and you also have a thing with Daniela, so-"

"I DO NOT LIKE HER!" Drake yells. Everyone in the room turns to him. He just stares, as if nothing happened. Myra smirks.

"Denial!" I sing. He glares at me. Myra stands up.

"Hey, everybody. Who here knows who Drake goes out with?" she asks. Someone starts humming Hey Everybody by 5 Seconds of Summer.

"Daniela, obviously."

"He totally has a thing with Daniela."

"Isn't he dating that braided-haired chick?"

"He's always flirting with her, duh. He likes her, doesn't he?"

"He's Daniela's boyfriend." Myra and I send smug looks at Drake. He looks confused.

"Where the hell do you people get this stuff from?" he asks.

"Well, I thought it was obvious, man."

"Everyone knows, except you two, apparently."

"Its common knowledge. Like, how birds eat worms. Or the sky is blue, or-"

"We get the point, Stanley," Maren says pointedly.

"I wasn't talking to you, Maren," Stanley replies coldly.

"Who were you talking to, then? I thought it was everyone," she retorts.

"Drake asked the question, didn't he? Even though it's obvious as hell that he likes her, I still answered him."

"Well maybe you shouldn't have," Maren says coolly.

"Maybe you should go jump off a cliff."

"Maybe you should castrate yourself."

"Maybe you-"

"Maybe you two should just kiss and make up. It's been years," Myra broke in.

"Why would I kiss her?"

"Why should I listen to you?"

"Your problem isn't with me, and you know it. I mean yeah, we still hate each other, and for a good reason, but all this arguing's kinda getting old. I mean, is it solving anything? No," Myra says. Stanley looks thoughtful. Maren does too, for a moment.

"No. We can't go back to how it was, and you know it, Myra. You're in the same situation as me, really," Stanley replies.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Myra says coolly.

"Of course you do. Did it hurt, when they didn't choose you? I've been through that twice, Myra. Imagine how I feel about it."

"Oh, that's right, you're the massive humanitarian now, huh? Don't hurt or take for no reason. Well, news flash, Stanley; you've hurt a billion people while you've been at this school. Do I see any regret?" Maren breaks in. Drake mouths the words 'see what you started' to me. I roll my eyes, and mouth 'only because you won't ask Daniela out' back. He scowls.

"You know it's true," I tease. The room goes quiet. Oh, crud, I said that out loud.

"I wasn't talking about you," I mumble to Stanley.

"Don't worry 'bout it. I know it's true, even you think so," he says calmly.

"I was talking to Drake," I reply through gritted teeth.

"Ya know what, I think the person just waved us over, let's go," Drake grabs my arm and pulls me out into the office.

"You're trying to fix them," Drake says. I don't answer, it isn't a question.

"They cant be fixed, El. So quit trying."

"Yeah. Sure. But I have a master plan," I grin.

"To get close to all of the nine, then find a way to bring them back together?" Drake asks. I gape at him.

"How did you-"

"It's obvious. I saw you with Marina's lunch group, practicing soccer with Maren, just then with Myra, talking to Stanley the other day, looked pretty intimate, actually, sitting with us. What, are Adam and I just being used by you?" Drake rants.

"Hold up. I talk to them because they're nice, but I've screwed that up pretty bad. Second, intimate?! What the heck? Third, no! I wouldn't use you guys! You're my best friends," I retort. Drake grins.

"I know, El. I was just testing you," he replies. I stare in disbelief.

"You made that all up, and were that accurate?" I gape.

"Oh, God no. I actually did know that stuff," Drake assures me.

"What did you mean by intimate?" I ask. Drake smirks.

"You know how my lockers near yours? Well, I saw you two talking, looking all cosy, so I assumed..." he trails off. I hit his arm.

"Jerk wad," I mutter.

"What? What the heck's a jerk wad?" he looks genuinely confused. I scoff.

"Whatever. So, are you in?"

"In on what?"

"On my plan to bring them back together," I explain slowly.

"Hey! I'm not stupid!" I raise my eyebrows. "Well, that would be one big group...practically the whole school...and Meredith" he trails off. I look at him. "Oh, fine. Screw it. I'll help. But on one condition," he says seriously.

"Yeah?"

"I get to play matchmaker on you and S-"

"Shut up or you're out of the plan."

"Bu-"

"Exactly. So. You will not talk about that, and I...won't talk about you and Daniela," I sigh.

"I like this deal," Drake perks up immediately.

"Of course you do," I mutter.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," I mumble.

"So, what's the plan, boss?" Drake asks.

"Uh, what plan?" I question.

"The plan to get the gang back together! That you signed me up for," Drake says enthusiastically.

"Um...infiltrate the cliques," I tell him. Drake looks torn.

"I cant do that, John'll hate me," he says.

"Exactly. You try to get John and Myra to be friends again, while I infiltrate the cliques," I restate.

"Right," Drake says unconvincingly. "You know how impossible that is?"

"Yup. Which is why Adam's helping you."

"What? He knows?"

"Yup. We had detention together, remember? He shares your views on...everything," I mumble. Drake grins.

"Even on Stanley?"

"Yes, even-shut up, okay? Talk about it with him, not me. We made a deal, remember?" I scowl.

"Hey, Ella! You wanna meet up and practice soccer after school?" Maren calls. I nod.

"Yeah, see you at 4!" I yell back.

"You're actually friends with her?" Drake asks.

"Yeah. I'm ahead of the plan. Waayyyyy ahead."

So, everyone excited for United as One? It's out at the end of June! (Or maybe another month, if you're in another country...I dunno) I'm betting that Five's gonna fight for the Garde, but they still won't trust him. Setrakus Ra won't be dead, even though he should've died. And I think that the person will be either John (cause, I mean, the story is called I am Number Four) or Adam. But I also think Adam will die (even though he's a pretty cool character and I do not want him to die). Also, Six and Sam will not be together. I'm sorry. I just don't see that realistically happening (sorry if you do. You guys' thought on Sam/Six?)

Any thoughts on predictions? I'm open to chatting with you.