A/N: Ah, hello! I figure we're almost ten chapters in so I may as well say something! I hope you're enjoying the story thus far! I'll admit that this is the most I've ever written for a fanfic and we're barely getting started! I can't say thank you enough for you kind reviews :) I'll also take this chance to give you all a heads up that this story will get a lot darker and while it is still rated T, there will be a few patches of mature content in the coming chapters. It isn't gratuitous by any means but it will happen sooner or later. Anyway, thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoy!

IX

September 3rd, 2002 – Albuquerque

Felicity swirled the left over milk in the bowl in front of her, ever so often glancing at the hallway to see if Jesse was ready yet. It was their first day of their senior year and she had gone over to Jesse's house for breakfast. They had been going to school together every morning since sophomore year when Jesse first moved to his aunt's house.

Ginny was a wonderful woman. Despite being diagnosed with cancer, she had been nothing but patient with Jesse. With her, it seemed like he was a completely different person. He never did so much as swear in front of her – nor did he even think of lighting up a cigarette in the house. Regardless of how understanding she was, Ginny wasn't stupid. She knew all about what her nephew did in his spare time, but as long as it didn't happen when she was present, she was more than happy to let it slip.

"We're going to be late," Felicity mumbled, draining the milk in the sink as she rinsed out the bowl.

Ginny stepped beside her, also placing a few dishes in the sink. She sighed, shaking her head.

"Well, I told him to go to bed early last night, but we both know how he is," she laughed. "You better go up there and check if he's even awake. Only god knows what time he came home."

She was much skinner these days. Her skin was pale and sickly and her head was wrapped in a colorful scarf. Felicity had never been very familiar with Ginny growing up. She was always just Jesse's aunt that she would occasionally see at parties and barbeques but ever since Jesse moved into her house, she saw much more of her. Felicity sort of looked up to her. Ginny was selfless and kind – a person who always put other people first. While Felicity was already quite generous and tolerant, she could only hope to be half as good of a person as Ginny was.

Felicity nodded as she barreled up the stairs and into Jesse's room. As expected, he was snoring quietly in his bed. He wore nothing but his boxers, one foot dangling off the bed, his blankets kicked onto the floor. Felicity rolled her eyes. To anyone else, they probably would've felt awkward or at least a bit uncomfortable, but Jesse Pinkman had seen her at her lowest points of puberty. Seeing him in his boxers was nothing new. But what was new was the tattoo on his chest.

"A dragon? Really?" she whispered under her breath, rolling her eyes.

She scrunched up her face before leaping onto the bed. The mattress sunk beneath her as she stood over him. Jesse's eyes shot open and he inhaled sharply.

"Holy shit, Fissy, next time get a fucking blow horn," he swore, rubbing his eyes. "What time is it?"

"Ugh, it's almost nine o'clock, idiot," she said, jumping back onto the floor. "You have fifteen minutes to get dressed and downstairs. I've been here since like eight o'clock."

Jesse rolled out of bed and slowly bent down to pick up a shirt from off the floor, along with a pair of jeans. Felicity frowned.

"Do you not have clean clothes or…"

He flipped the bird in her general direction before opening a tub of hair gel. He ran his fingers through his hair quickly and turned to her, a challenging look on his face.

"That took me like, what… Two minutes? You coulda let me sleep in for another ten," he mused, grabbing a large sweater off the headboard of his bed.

"Yeah, yeah, but then you wouldn't have time to eat breakfast," Felicity reminded.

Jesse threw her a look over his shoulder. "Thanks a lot, mom."

"Don't you think it's a little gross that you've seen your mom in her underwear?" she retorted.

He paused, shuddering a bit.

"Thank you for that mental image."

Felicity laughed.

"You're very welcome. Now hurry the hell up, we're going to be late."

It never took Felicity particularly long to get ready. Her hair was never really an issue considering it only fell a little above her shoulders. She usually slapped on some foundation and eyeliner along with jeans and whatever blouse fit her mood that day, but unlike Jesse, most of her clothes came from a closet, not off of the floor.

Jesse stepped into the kitchen and greeted his aunt good morning, scooping up a piece of toast. Regardless of how much he didn't want to go to school, it was the first day of senior year and that in itself owed some obligation. These days, he only really went to school to see his friends. He could have cared less about education, and to be honest, his little gang of friends would probably be down for skipping with him, however, his educational trials were more out of spite than anything else. His parents had already exiled him from their home, so it was obvious that they had already run out of hope with him. To Jesse, getting his high school diploma was the biggest 'fuck you' he could give to his parents without actually saying it. It also helped that his aunt was extremely supportive, as if to compensate for what his parents refused to give him.

"I'll be home at like… Four-ish, alright?" he said before stepping out the door. "So I can drive you to your appointment."

Ginny shook her head.

"Oh, no, Jesse, it's fine I can go on my own-" she began.

"Nuh-uh, no way. I'll be home by four and I'll drive you myself," Jesse protested, speaking in between bites of toast.

The older woman simply smiled and nodded. "Alright, you two have a nice day, then!"

Felicity, who had been waiting outside the door, popped her head in, "Bye Ginny! You too!"

Jesse swallowed and waved.

"Later!"

And with that, they got into Jesse's car and made their way to school. 'Without Me' by Eminem blared from the speakers, so much so that Felicity could feel the seats shaking. Jesse began singing along, bobbing his head with the beat of the song. She rolled her eyes and rested an elbow on the door, resting her face on hand. The album that the song was on was practically the album of the summer and it was only one of the albums on repeat whenever she hung out with Jesse and his friends.

The chorus was coming up in a few seconds and Jesse began to nudge her, nodding as if to get her to sing along with him. Felicity scoffed, rolling her eyes again, only leading Jesse to nudge her even more. She let out a small laugh before finally giving in, spitting out the lyrics with precision. Her mind traced back to a hazy summer night downtown at some shady karaoke place with Jesse and his gang of friends, drunk off her mind and maybe a little bit high, too.

They both continued rapping along until the song wrapped up and before Felicity knew it, they were parked in the student lot of J.P. Wynn High School, the windows rolled down and the entire student body now aware that Felicity Scott had the ability to rap.

Just as the next song started, Jesse killed the music and glanced at Felicity. For a brief second, she looked like a deer stuck in headlights. Her eyes were as wide as dinner plates and her cheeks burned red. Everyone outside was staring into the car. But in a matter of seconds, Felicity cracked up laughing. She shrugged any of the attention off and turned to him as she opened up the car door. She was still laughing as she smiled at him.

"I'll see you at lunch."