Of course she didn't find Milhouse alone the next day. It was never that easy, and it wouldn't be Lisa's rotten luck, if he hadn't somehow become the popular kid overnight.

People she didn't know (and hadn't even seen before, not even hanging with Bart or Milhouse) were scoffing at her. Willie, willie of all people, who wouldn't miss a chance at making fun of the guy, had shook his head with disapproval when she looked at him.

Lisa walked to the locker room, Janey (who she suspected hanged out with her only so she could gossip about her afterwards) by her side.

She opened the locker, as usual three books fell off the locker, I really should do something about this dump someday

She blinked.

"Lisa?" asked Janey, "What's wrong?"

She sighed, "nothing. It's just…normally this would be the cue for Milhouse to show up"

Janey blinked, "yeah, you're right. normally this would be the cue for Milhouse to jump to your help. But what's the problem?"

She bent and picked the three books herself, "what do you mean?"

"I believe 'don't talk to me! Don't even look at me!' were your exact wordings. Don't tell me you didn't think this was part of the deal"

She sighed, "yeah, you're right. I really screwed up, didn't I?"

Alex, who was just walking by, said "I don't get your deal, Simpson. you've got guy groveling at your feet, and you do this to them!" she rolled her eyes, "what, you like breaking hearts?"

Lisa narrowed her eyes, "I don't have to answer to you, Alex, what I said, I said in a moment of anger in a day full of frustration. I regret it, but it's not like I actually meant it."

"Are you kidding me? You roll your eyes at Milhouse when he tries to help you! You made fun of Nelson, the bully we don't dare talk to, even though he was literally trying his best to change himself for you. Your own brother, who's been keeping you away from the bullies for years, and you thank him by making him run away from home." She narrowed her eyes, "You've been trying to put meat out of the cafeteria menu for months! You almost ruined our annual historical parade, you ruined the wacking day! It's like you like taking all happiness out of everyone!"

Lisa sighed inwardly, she would have to endure this all day long?

She'd better find Milhouse, and soon! She couldn't take this much longer!

POV change

Ignoring Lisa for the first time in four years, Milhouse walked with Taffy by his side, to their lunch table. Bart and his newest girl (damn, how easy was it for the guy to find girls?) already sitting.

"Guys, this is taffy. Would it be a problem if she sat here?" Bart gave taffy a look, (one Milhouse couldn't know, but was sure Taffy had replied to with a small nod) and looked at the girl in front of her, "fine by me. What do you think, Ashley?" to the girl's giggle and nod.

Of course he would do that the first days. luring the girl in. It wouldn't be until he'd got used to her that she would see his true (maybe a little selfish) self. That would be when the girl would dump him. he would be sad the first day, angry the second. And be back to cootie-land by third.

As he always used to say, 'Milhouse, we live in the age of Cooties!'

Milhouse feared for when this guy reached High school. He really did

POV change

Either way, he sat, a shyer taffy sitting on the other side, and they made some small talk about school and skateboards and the latest Radioactive man comic issue and this new fantasy book that had been released lately. Until Milhouse felt the call of nature, if you will.

The moment he left, Bart's eyes hardened, he snapped his head towards Ashley and said "What you hear here you're never going to tell anyone else, Okay?" "alright!"

"Good. So how'd it go?" he asked taffy, "it was…god! His parents've destroyed him, not to mention your sister!" exclaimed taffy, her head in her hands.

"wait," said Ashley with confusion, "you guys know each other?" "we have a mutual friend. For the lack of better words" said Bart absentmindedly, "what do you mean, what have they done?"

"He craves any sort of approval," Bart blinked, "he's always been the same" "no. he was going to pay for my ice-cream, even though he's a year younger than me, gets no allowance, and doesn't keep money on him. even though I blatantly said 'my treat' three times. Do you know any kid who'd do that at ten?"

Bart rubbed the back of his neck, and Taffy said "so, what was I saying? Oh right. he craves approval. He didn't even make small talk in fear of making an idiot out of himself, and his face is literally an open book!" She said, "your dear sister, and his great parents have done such a great job on him he needs professional help!"

Bart sighed, "Do you really want to go out with him? you know he's not going to get over Lisa" "are you kidding? I've had a crush on the guy ever since he was a 1st grader!" "then please. I'm begging you. Don't make him worse than he already is. He's like the brother I never had, if you ruin him he'll…"

Ashly whispered "quiet. He's coming back" to which Bart thanked her, and changed the subject quickly.

As the next class (Math, as it was) went by, while Edna was Droning on about divisions, Bart went into deep thought.

This side-project with Milhouse was fine, it would do his friend good, but he needed some source of income.

Homer's money (that went to his account) was a good source, but eventually it would dry out.

If he were to remain alone, living without the rest of the Simpsons, he needed more than just that.

He needed a job.

POV CHANGE

A thought was on Lisa's head the entire day, after the lunch break.

Milhouse was hanging with a girl. A dorky, probably sweet girl she'd seen before with some of the fifth graders.

Taffy Brown (as she found out her name was, with a little research) was hanging out with Milhouse, probably for something.

Absentmindedly passing by a Homer twirling two scissors in his hands, she went to her room, logged on to spring face (her little project everyone used, but no one knew the source of) and searched for a taffy brown.

Popular girl. Friends with half their grade population, with hobbies and favorite things varying from smelling flowers to jogging to slasher flicks. This girl was not the sort that would hang out with a girl like Milhouse!

No offence, but there was no way a girl that popular would just want to hang out with a Milhouse like Milhouse!

Something was fishy, this puzzle had a piece missing, and her name wasn't Lisa Simpson if she didn't find out what.

A.N

Welcome to the newest chapter in this story

Sorry for the delay, at first I had an exam, and then my internet connection was lost for a few days, so I couldn't really upload this chapter (and the next one)

Thanks for reading.

Davoid, Signing off!