Annnddd okay, so I'm putting chapter three up early because, along with NaNoWriMo and a research paper for my psychology class, I'm redoing my room, that means painting and putting up a full wall (floor to almost ceiling, we're leaving the top open so my cat can have someplace high to lounge) bookshelves. Which means I'm going to be completely reorganizing my room. I'm not sure when I'll next have time to post so… anywho, read, review, enjoy. ^_^ Oh! Thanks for the review goes out to vampirelover2009, also, thanks to those that favorite/followed. I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations. ^_^

Recap:

Zach to Mouse: "Why would [Coach Boomer] be mad at you?"

"Besides the fact that I just dropped a car on his toes? My dad is dating his little sister."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Wait a minute! Let me get this straight. Your dad is dating the coach's little sister?"

"That's what I said."

:End Recap.

Fireproof

Chapter 3: Mouse Likes To Read.

"That's what you got out of it Zach? Seriously?" Layla sounded, unsurprisingly, frustrated. "What do you mean you dropped a car on his toes? Mouse! Look at me! Did you really?"

Mouse glanced over her shoulder for a moment, then shrugged. "They're all still intact, if that's what you're asking. I made sure he was clear before dropping it."

"Mouse! I can't believe you! You can't just g-"

"Look, Layla? Can we discuss this later? I'm not really in the mood to be the lunchtime entertainment." She could tell when her freshmen noticed the blatant stares they were receiving from all different directions, as they were suddenly much more focused on getting to their table. Mouse relaxed a little when they sat down but noticed absently that Will seemed to tense.

"Am I crazy, or is that guy really looking at me?" Mouse wasn't really paying any attention to them, she was too busy. Trying. To. Open. Her. Damn. Grape juice!

"Dude."

"What?"

–Success!-

"That's Warren Peace."

"That's Warren Peace?"

She was still only half listening to what they were saying, which is why she misheard them. She mumbled around a spoonful of chocolate pudding, "'s a good book." Only Magenta, who was sitting next to her, seemed to hear her.

"Yeah."

"I've heard about him. His mom's a hero and his dad's a supervillain. Barron Battle."

"Where do I come in?"

She received a strange look from said purple wearing girl. She shrugged innocently, "What? It is. Война и миръ (Voyna i mir) by Leo Tolstoy, first published in 1869. He also wrote Анна Каренина (ˈanə kɐˈrʲenʲɪnə), or Anna Karenina, but I never got around to reading that one. I like books, so sue me." Magenta shook her head then jerked her chin in the direction of the person they were discussing; Mouse lifted her eyebrows questioningly then seemed to actually register what had been said. Her mouth opened in a silent 'oh' and her expression turned sheepish. She shoved another spoonful of pudding in her mouth, pushing down an embarrassed blush.

"Your dad busted his dad. Quadruple life sentence."

"No parole until after his third life." She turned her attention to the young man they were discussing curiously, blatantly staring, head tilted ever so slightly and spoon still hanging out of her mouth.

"That's great. My first day at Sky High, and I already have an archenemy. Hmm." His gaze shifted to her for a moment, the glare not lessening in the slightest. She didn't look away, refusing to be intimidated. –He was attractive, in a dark 'don't mess with me' kind of way.- "Is he still looking?"

Mouse turned her gaze back to her food, taking another bite with a small, amused smile. "No."

"No?"

"No."

Will turned, glancing over his shoulder, and paling slightly when he locked eyes with the older boy. "I thought you said he wasn't looking."

"Yes, well, that's what we typically call a lie." Her voice went almost monotone, and she gave him a blank look. "It was to make you feel better. It's not like I expected you to do something stupid like, oh, I don't know, look over your shoulder at him." Will opened his mouth to argue but she obviously dismissed him, turning her head away with an exasperated huff. He frowned at her, a slight pout appearing but was soon enough distracted by his other friends. Mouse glanced at him from the corner of her eye, a mischievous smile curling her lips upwards, once he was completely immersed in conversation she turned back and began eating again.

She looked up and was surprised to lock eyes with Warren Peace. –He has really dark eyes. They're… intense.- She wouldn't admit to it, but he was kind of intimidating, even to her. She suddenly smiled at him and waved, gaining her a weirded-out look as he went back to glaring at the back of Will's head, she silently laughed.

By the time lunch was over she was about ready to bang her head against the table, having grown frustrated with their constant chatter. So she was not particularly happy to come across little-miss-preppy, a.k.a. Gwen Grayson. She couldn't even really enjoy watching Will make a fool of himself because she knew how much Layla cared for him, the girl had been in love with the idiot for as long as Mouse could remember. The senior's immediate dismissal, hidden under a coating of smiles and compliments, of everyone not-Will caused her mental hackles to raise. When she actually tried to introduce herself to Mouse she was visibly startled by the younger girl's animosity towards her. –She recovers quickly though, gotta give her that.-

"I guess I'll see you guys around."

"Yeah."

"Bye."

"Bye." Will turned to watch her leave.

Mouse, with crossed arms and a roll of her eyes, waited for him. "Geez. Watch it Will, I think you're drooling a little bit there." To her eternal amusement he actually reflexively lifted a hand to check as he was turning.

"That's not funny Mouse." He shot her a glare.

"Please, that was freaking hilarious." Which she happily ignored.

"Seriously, what's your deal today Mou-"

"Hmm?" She turned back to see that Will was inches away from crashing into the guy from lunch, the poor thing looked like he was about to pass out from sheer fear. When she realized that he'd frozen up she heaved a sigh and grabbed him by the shoulders, steering him around the older boy. "Sorry, he's suffering from an extreme mental disease. It's called idiocy. I hear it's terminal, there's nothing that can be done for him." She didn't receive a response, but, then again, she hadn't really expected one. Once they were clear she gave one more good shove before releasing her friend with an annoyed huff. "It's called fight or flight, not fight, flight, or freeze with fright. I can't keep saving you, you know, I have different classes than you do. How you manage to survive while I'm gone is beyond me. Honestly."

"Th-thanks Mouse." He looked at her, still shaken, eyes conveying his emotions clearly.

Her expression softened, "Yeah, no problem kiddo."

Layla had always been the motherly one in their group, she was the one who babied and coddled and lectured when necessary. Zach had always played the motivator, the energizer; he was the little brother, always getting them into trouble. Will had always been the steady one, the one who kept them grounded, though he did tend to fall prey to negativity if he wasn't careful. Mouse had always been the one who protected them, she was only a year older but all three looked up to her and they knew they could go to her with anything, no matter how ridiculous, and she would listen, she couldn't always do anything, but she would always listen. They had a kind of family dynamic, something Mouse would always cherish whole-heartedly.

There were times though, like now, when she wished they weren't so dependent on her, it was bad, putting so much faith in one person like that. Because she knew, better than any of them, that nothing stays the same forever. It just takes the right hit, in the right place, and everything can come undone.