Thanks for the reviews everyone! This is my first Secret Life story, even though the show is basically my obsession. Haha. Anyways, from now on each chapter is either going to be in Ricky's or Grace's point of view, it's not going to be both anymore. This chapter will be in Ricky's POV.

A... Friend?
Ricky

Ricky shoved all of his notebooks into his tattered, ragged backpack. He was in a rush, not only because he was going to miss the bus, but because if he wasn't gone before his father woke up... The boy shook the thoughts from his mind. He needed to clear his head of all those thoughts if he wanted any hope of being able to concentrate at school. Ricky's jaw clenched as he shifted the pencil pouch in his backpack to make room for his old composition book. The ticking of the clock was like a timer to game over, and each tick-tock made him sweat harder and move faster.

It felt like an eternity before everything had been shoved together in the backpack. The clock read 7:28. Ricky cursed under his breath, flinging the bag over his back and racing out the front door, not bothering to lock it. There was nothing in there that anyone would want to steal, other then his parents' drugs that they stashed somewhere. Besides, the bus would be at the bus stop at exactly 7:30. Never was the bus driver a minute late. Ricky sighed and broke into a sprint down the sidewalk, ignoring anyone who waved. At one point he had to dodge out of the way of an old woman walking her dog. He heard her startled cry but did not look back.

As soon as he reached the bus stop, Ricky knew that he had missed it. No one was there, yet the smell of exhaust still lingered in the air. Ricky groaned, hurling his backpack at a nearby fence.

"Damnit!"

Now he had no ride to school. No way would he ask his father to drive him, and walking would take him over twenty minutes. He'd be late. As Ricky walked back to pick up his backpack that thankfully nothing was spilled out of, he decided that he'd try and walk. Sure, it'd take a long time, but it was better to be late then not be there at all. If he didn't show up, the school would call his dad. And Ricky would be in for one Hellish night if that happened.

With his backpack hanging off his shoulder, Ricky started down the sidewalk again. The only sound he heard was that of his own shuffling footsteps. He kept his eyes on the ground in front of him, not bothering to look up at any of the people passing. Right now, believe it or not, he just wanted to get to school. Ricky actually did like school, in a way. After all, his father wasn't there, and neither was his high mother. It was his own personal escape, even if it was school.

He wasn't paying attention to the van behind him until it came to a stop right beside him. Ricky looked up, his throat closing up with a sudden amount of fear. The fear vanished immediately, however, when the window rolled down to reveal the smiling face of none other then Grace Bowman. That fear was replaced by a sudden annoyance, and Ricky was just about to turn and walk away. Something about Grace's smiling face made him stay, though. Maybe it was the fact that he hadn't seen a sincere smile like hers in who knows how long?

"Hi, Ricky!" Her voice was exactly as Ricky expected, high-pitched, over-friendly, and full of sweetness. Ricky waved awkwardly, shuffling his feet as he was suddenly overcome by shyness.

"Um, hey. Grace, right?" he replied with a clearly fake grin that almost looked like a sneer. The man beside Grace in the driver's seat looked over at Ricky. It had to have been Grace's father, for the two of them looked very much alike. The same shade of blonde hair rested on the man's head, and similar blue eyes gazed kindly back at him.

"Did you miss the bus?" Grace asked. Ricky nodded absently, looking toward the direction of the school. Now he'd be even later then he already was going to be.

Ricky turned away to start walking. "Yeah, but I really need to go. I'm already gonna be late and-"

"How about we give you a ride?"

Grace's kindness made Ricky double-back in his mind. Was she seriously offering him a ride? He didn't even know them. For all he knew, Grace's father was a kidnapper and Grace was just like his bait. Grace's hopeful eyes stared straight into Ricky's own, and he immediately felt guilty for his thoughts. Grace was clearly just trying to be friendly, no matter how annoying she was acting. Besides, if he got a ride with her he wouldn't get to school late. Ricky nodded, muttering a quick thanks as he slide the door to the white minivan open and jumped into the back.

The car was perfect. It was completely spotless, the leather seats not holding a single smudge or smear. Nothing littered the ground, not stray candy wrappers or leftover french fries from McDonald's. Basically, it was the exact opposite of Ricky's dad's car. The smell of new car tickled at his nose while the sound of some Christian band on the radio filtered into his ears.

Grace looked back at him from her seat in the front. She smiled at him again. Ricky shot her a half-smile in return, feeling a bit awkward around her. He wasn't used to people being so friendly. It was annoying. It was nice. It was all so confusing. The car ride was filled with the conversation between Grace and her father. Grace tried to fit Ricky in multiple times, but he only replied with one-word answers. This was all so foreign to him that he didn't really know what to say. Really, he just tried to take it all in. He wanted to remember this, to remember a normal family.

Grace's dad pulled into the parking lot and let Ricky and Grace out. The busses were just getting into the school, meaning that the two of them were not late.

"Thanks, dad!" Grace called to him. Ricky nodded.

"Yeah, uh, thank you."

Mr. Bowman just smiled, waved, and drove away. Ricky watched the minivan go until it disappeared. He was suddenly aware of Grace beside him again, nudging his arm softly. Ricky jumped back, surprised at the touch. Grace's eyes grew wide as he jumped away, looking as if he'd startled her as much as she had him.

"Sorry," Grace said with a nervous laugh. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"You didn't," Ricky replied roughly. He shrugged his backpack further up on his shoulder. "C'mon, let's go so we're not late."

The two of them walked into the school, an awkward silence hovering over them like a fog. They only split apart when they went to their lockers, but by the time they were both done getting their books they were entering the same classroom at the exact same time.

-0-0-0-

Ricky slammed his locker shut as the bell rang. They had taken their first test of the year that day, and he was sure he flunked it. His father would not be happy. Ricky sighed with fury, slinging the backpack over his shoulders and joining the sea of students as they walked toward the bus. Conversations buzzed around him, most of them involving the Sixth Grade Dance that was taking place in about a week. According to teachers, it was a chance to "make new friends and get to know each other." To Ricky, it was all just an excuse for him to not come home while his dad was asleep. Yes, he'd be attending the dance, but it wouldn't be for the same reasons as everyone else.

"Ricky!"

Ricky held back an annoyed groan as he turned around. Grace was weaving her way through a crowd of kids, waving frantically to catch his attention. All day he'd had Grace trailing behind him like a lost puppy, and it was starting to get really, really aggravating. Sure, it was sweet at first to have her being so nice to him. Now he wasn't so sure he enjoyed the fact. People were beginning to whisper about it. Ricky didn't normally care what other people thought, but the things they were saying... Ricky shook his head in disgust.

Grace had caught up to him in a matter of moments. She stopped, letting out a deep breath thanks to her exhaustion. As soon as that breath let out, she shot him another sugar-coated smile. Ricky didn't even try to smile back this time; all day he'd been smiling back, and now his cheeks were starting to hurt.

"Hey, glad I caught you," Grace said, sounding breathless. "I was just wondering if, maybe, you'd wanna come over for dinner tomorrow night? My mom is cooking steak and pasta, and my brother won't be there it turns out so we'll have extra, and-"

Ricky held up his hand before Grace would run out of breath again. "Thanks, Grace, but I don't think so. I-" Ricky stopped, suddenly getting an idea. If he stayed late at Grace's house tomorrow night... he could come home late. His father would most likely be passed out on the couch by eight o'clock. If Ricky ate slowly, chatted with Grace and her parents for a little bit, and maybe watched a half hour reality show with them, he'd get home some time after eight. Ricky smiled. He felt a little guilty about using Grace that way, but this was what he needed. He needed a break.

Ricky nodded. "Actually, I might be able to. I'll ask my dad and I'll let you know tomorrow, ok?"

Grace grinned brightly, letting out a giggle. Ricky couldn't help but smile at the sight of her so eager. She really wants to hang out with me... I don't know why, but she does.

"That's great!" Grace said happily. "Oh, it'll be so much fun, I promise." Grace flashed him a smile so sincere that Ricky's guilt completely washed over him. He immediately started to hate himself even more. He couldn't believe he would take advantage of a perfectly nice girl like he was. Ricky sighed, feeling a wave of sadness come over him. Grace noticed this and frowned, concern showing on her angelic features.

"Is everything okay?" she asked. Ricky nodded.

"Yeah, it's fine. Thanks for inviting me, Grace. I'll try and make it." Ricky turned away now, beginning to be swept away by the current of students rushing for their bus. Just as he turned around, he felt a hand grasp his shoulder. Grace was pulling him back. Ricky turned again, looking into her eyes as she stared up at him.

"You can talk to me." The words were simple, yet so honest and determined. Ricky held back the urge to glare down at her. No, he couldn't talk to her. If he told her what he'd gone through, she'd never talk to him again. Ricky wasn't sure why, but that could not happen.

"I know, thanks," Ricky said. "But I need to go, okay? Bye, I'll see you tomorrow."

He turned abruptly and walked off, feeling Grace's eyes on him as he walked. The guilt was consuming him, taking over him. He knew now that he needed Grace, yet he wasn't sure why. All of a sudden, he felt like her company was vital to him.

Ricky was starting to think of her as a friend.

Eh, not my favorite chapter. If this story seems a little rushed to you, I'm sorry, but I thought it would make sense that Ricky would feel a bonding with Grace right away. Next chapter will be in Ricky's point of view again, but after that I might try and write as Grace. Read and review!