I'm beginning to break out of this writer block I've been having. If it seems like the updates for this story has been farther apart for the last few chapters, it has. That's all me, because writers block sucks. It's almost over though, and we can make progress in this story. Beginning now.

Read On!

Journal,

This isn't working out like I planned. I was hoping to get some dirt, but I have the opposite. Squeaky cleanliness.

It's disgusting.

~*~V~*~

Pulling back his hair, TJ looked at the mirror in front of him. The unbleached chestnut brown was starting to grow back in. He couldn't take care of it at the moment; he was getting ready for school. For now, he would have to either wear a hat for the day, or to go to school not caring if anyone saw. Though he wanted to avoid resembling Ralphie in any way, shape, or form, he was considering not bleaching his hair again.

'It's starting to break off,' He thought, running his fingers through his hair and looking at the strains that were falling off his head. 'And I don't want to be bald….' Feeling a tug at his jeans, he turned from the mirror in front of him and looked towards the ground where he saw Zack, in his pajamas and crying.

"What's the matter, Zack?" He asked, kneeling down to his brother. Being closer to him, he could see that the bottom of his pajama pants were wet.

"I wet the bed," Zack said, wiping the tears out of his eyes. "Am I in trouble?"

"No, no, you're not in trouble," Said TJ. "It was an accident. You didn't mean to do it. Come on, let's get you cleaned up." He went in Zack's room and changed the sheets on his bed. Seeing that he had enough time before he had to leave for school, he gave Zack a quick bath and put him in clean clothes. His brother followed him into his room and climbed into his bed. Since he was no longer crying, TJ didn't tell him to go back to his own bed.

"I have to go to school now Zack. Don't forget to tell mom and dad what happened, okay? You're not going to get in trouble." Zack nodded as he began to fall asleep. Leaving, TJ kept the door open so that when his parents came looking for Zack, they would see him in his bed.

~*~V~*~

"I should stop smoking," TJ mumbled under his breath as he sat on the steps of the high school. "Cigarettes are expensive as hell outside of Duval." Watching the smoking disappear, he listened to the other students who were outside talking. He drowned most of their voices out to try and listen out for one in particular that he wasn't sure there at all. If it wasn't, he knew that he could find it later, but would rather find it now. He rubbed his eye, trying to scratch the itch he felt on it. It was, for the sixth time, infected again. He wore JoJo's shades to hide it from everyone.

He tossed the cigarette to the ground and stomped it out. He was going to head inside when he saw Gus walking up to him with his journal in hand.

"You said you wanted this back today," Gus said, handing him his journal.

"Thanks," TJ said, turning away and heading inside.

"Did….did you really try to kill yourself like it says in there?" Gus asked, following him into the school.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah. I did."

"….What was that like?"

"Why? You're not trying to do anything stupid, are you?"

"No, no. Of course not. I just never knew anyone who had tried before."

"Mmm. If you must know Gus, it felt like going to sleep. Before that, it was like I was flying. Didn't I right that in there? I'm sure I did."

"I might've skipped over it. I was skimming through it most of the time."

"Oh. Well, that's what it felt like. I don't remember much after that. I woke up in the hospital, like I said when I told you all. I wouldn't do it again," He said, stopping at the end of the hallway.

"Some of the stuff in there was disturbing—"

"If you think that's disturbing then you don't want to read the other four journals. Gus, I have to go do something important. Can we finish this conversation later at lunch or after school?"

"Sure. I'll see you in class." TJ watched him walk away before turning his attention to the trashcan next to him. He listened, making sure that a sound he heard wasn't his mind playing tricks on him. When the sound came and went two more times, he turned to the trashcan. He lifted the top off and reached through the trash and pulled out the source of the noise.

"Randall, just the person I was looking for," TJ said as he took him out of the trashcan. "It must stink in that trashcan."

"You get used to it. Being a snitch an all," Randall said. "You're not going to hurt me are you?"

"For the last time, no. I need something and you're the only person who can give it to me."

"What is it?" The bell signaling the beginning of first period rang.

"I hope you know we're skipping first period for this."

~*~V~*~

"Tell me what you know about this Ralphie guy." When the hall were clear of any other students, TJ had to drag Randall outside to talk to him. It took some force doing so, since Randall was trying to pull away while attempting on convince him to have the conversation at another time (or never). Skipping first period was a bad thing, he argued. TJ however, brushed it off, and continued to walk outside, dragging him along the way.

"Is that what you dragged me out here for? Dirt on Ralphie?"

"Yep."

"And if I don't tell you anything, you'll cause severe bodily harm?" TJ nodded. "Right. Okay what do you want to know?"

"Everything. There's something off about him and I want to know what it is!"

"I agree with you on that one. He's a strange one. But I have nothing on him," Randall told him. "I looked up and down for anything on him, but nothing. Nothing on his record, never gotten in trouble at school, nothing that would ruin his reputation, nothing."

"NOTHING? What do you mean nothing? This asshole came over MY house last Friday," TJ screamed at him. "I know you know something about him! You're holding out on me Weems! Don't forget I can kill you!" He made a fist and loamed over the shorter and weaker male, making him hold his hands up and back away in a meager defense. Seeing the fear in his eyes, TJ uncurled his fists ad took a few steps back. The same thing that had stopped him from harming Spinelli while in juvie was stopping him from hurting the snitch in front of him.

"Sorry. I'm sorry, okay? Didn't mean to scare you," He said. "You can get off the ground now."

"How do I know this isn't some sort of trick to get my guard down?" Randall asked, looking up from his position on the ground.

"Fine. Don't believe me," he said, sitting on the steps. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his pack of cigarettes and began to smoke hours before he usually did. He would wait between five and eight hours before smoking (unless he was sleeping or around Zack), but he time seemed right at the moment. Closing his eyes, he listened as he heard footsteps approach from behind. Looking over he saw Randall sitting down next to him. "You smoke?" He asked, offering him a cigarette.

"Yeah," Said Randall, taking one. "Thanks."

"Are you telling me the truth when you say you have no dirt on this guy? I was kind of depending on you having something."

"I'm telling you the truth. I've got nothing, which made me look harder coincidently," He said. "He's a goody-two-shoes. Not a spot on his record. THAT's more suspicious than anything! He's hiding something, I know it. NO ONE has record THAT clean. Even Grundler has something on her record for the things she used to do with all of you back in elementary school. He gets on my nerves for this just as much as he's getting on yours."

"I got a headache….."

"But I can tell you something about Ashley A. I hear the two of you are dating."

"Nothing gets past you, does it Weems? What do you have? Anything that'll tell me why she wanted to date me in the first place?"

"I heard her and her friends thinking of having one of them try to go out with you for protection."

"Protection?"

"They think that if one of them is dating you, then when you go on a rampage to kill everyone, you wouldn't kill them because you dated," Randall explained. "These are their words, not mine."

"Hmm. That's a shame. I was actually starting to like her. Now I have to break up with her after all that money I spent on those dates." The bell rang from inside the school and they both could hear the sound of the other students coming out of first period class. "It was nice talking to you, Randall." He said, making his way back inside.

"Hey, if I find out anything about Ralphie, I'll let you know," Randall called after him.

"Thanks."

~*~TJ's POV~*~

"I think you and me got off on the wrong foot a couple days ago. I know we only talk when we have to, but since we're both in the same group, we should be able to get along and we won't be able to if we barely say two words to each other. Can we sit together and talk during lunch?"

Who the hell does this guy think he is? He randomly comes up to me and asks to talk to me? Who are you? I took five steps in the lunch room and Ralphie approaches me and starts spouting out this bullshit about getting along and talking (UGH) like he knows me.

What am I saying? I can get some information about this guy. But I'm not going to let him know anything about me. That can't happen. There's a shit load of things I DIDN'T tell them. Like Alex, and that inmate I killed…and other things.

"Alright, we can talk," I said. He smiled (Creepy-ass smile), and I followed him to a table. "Do the others know about this?"

"I said that I was going to try and talk to you, but I didn't say about what," He said, sitting down. "I asked them to give us some time by ourselves."

"Good, 'cause I'm not in the best mood." And it's your fault. "Tell me about yourself. As far as I know, you didn't exist until a few months ago."

"Heh-heh. I moved here towards the end of eighth grade. From what I hear, it was close to when you were sent to Duval. Is that what the place you were called? Duval?" I nodded. "People here avoided me because according to them, I looked like you. I don't see it. Do you?"

"If my hair wasn't bleached, maybe. I doubt it."

"The guys talked to be first and we became friends. We had fun together." I bet. He' smiling through this. "What about you? What have you been up to?"

"Doing drugs, defending my friends, prostituting, taking care of my rabbit. The usual stuff." Usual for me, anyways. HA! That little smile he has going on faltered for a second. "What do you do for fun?"

"I volunteer down at the senior center sometimes, but most of the time I help at the animal shelter on the edge of town." Are you fucking kidding me? "I like helping others, so it's not work. It's fun. A couple times a month I go down to the library and read to the little kids."

….

Goody-fucking-two-shoes. Randall was right.

I listened to him go on and on about what he does with his time, volunteering and helping people. I don't buy it. Not for one second. I understand that there are good people like that, and I respect them for doing good and helping their community, but not him. Not him. I don't believe it. Just nod my head as he says this crap. He wants to make a good impression, that's it.

Okay. Time to put on a mask and pretend that I believe him.

"That's amazing. I don't know a lot of people who do even a little of all that," I said. It's taking all my willpower to not laugh at this lie. "I haven't even come up with a hobby yet."

"You should come with me," he offered. "You might like it."

"No thanks. I'm still getting used to 'normal' life. Whatever the hell that is," I said, getting out of my seat. "I have somewhere to be, so I hope you got what you wanted out of this conversation." I walked away from the table, not listening to anything else he was going to say. I checked my phone I saw I had a text from my mom asking me to pick Zack up from daycare. I don't have to take him to tumbling class; a pipe burst and class won't be held for another week or two. Good. I have to go buy Duracell food at the pet store.

"I'll talk to you later," I told Ashley A. after she came up to me. I'll confront her tomorrow or the weekend. My mind is focused on Mr. Wholesome.

~*~V~*~

"What'd you learn in school today, Zack?" I asked as we walked down the sidewalk. His hair was up in pigtails. The girls must've done that. He seems fine with it, so I didn't make him take them out. We're on our way to the pet store.

"I learned how to play tag," Zack said. "And then teach read us a story."

"What was it about?"

"It was about a boy who had a tree that gave him everything he needed. It was by Dr. Susan."

"I think you mean Dr. Seuss."

"Yeah that's him," He said. "I didn't like that story. I like The Cat in the Hat."

"I like that one too. Do you have it at home?" He nodded. "Then I'll read it to you before bed, okay?"

"'Kay!" when we reached the pet store we went inside. As soon as I opened the door I could smell the animals inside. We walked towards the back were all the food and supplies for small animals were.

'Alright, which one of these does Duracell eat?' I asked myself, looking through the different sorts of hay. Duracell's a picky eater. She won't eat certain fruits or hay.

Sounds spoiled once I think about it. I spoil her. Anyone would with that chubby face she has.

I found the type she likes to eat and got the biggest bag I could find. This has to last me a while.

"TJ! TJ!" Zack said running over to me. I didn't notice that he walked away. "Come look at all the bunnies!" I followed him over to a pin and looked to what he was pointing to.

There must be twenty bunnies in there, hopping around. Eating, drinking and playing.

I couldn't stop the smile growing on my face even if I wanted to. Damn they're cute. After looking for a few more seconds, they all hopped over to the edge I was standing by. Goddamn. These things are born to be cute, I swear.

What do you all want from me? It's like when I first got Duracell all over again.

"TJ can we have one?" Zack asked me.

"I'm sorry Zack, but we can't. We already have a bunny." And if I took one, I would have to take ALL of them. I'd feel guilty for separating one from the group. Just look at their little furry faces and fat chubby cheeks! It's so sweet I can feel my teeth rot.

"But we can get her a friend!"

"She already has two friends. Valarie's bunnies, Ice Cream and Cake." He pouted and folded his arms. "C'mon, we have to get home to feed her." As I paid for the food, Zack stopped pouting. He was eyeing the candy now. "Want some?"

"Can I?"

"Sure. But one thing only." He wasted no time picking a pack of RingPops off the shelf and handing them to me. They still make these? Have to snatch me one when he's not looking. Once I paid for everything, we left and headed home. I have enough rabbits there.

I got a text from Ashley.

Ashley A.: Wat was with u today?

What do you mean?

Ashley A.: U act like u didn't want 2 b near me

Oh that. I was busy, sorry. I'll come over to your house tomorrow and make up for it, ok?

Ashley A.: u better

She has some nerve demanding I pay attention to her. She's only with me for her own benefit. I'll take care her tomorrow.

Okay, this story was going to be updated days ago (last Wednesday to be exact), but it couldn't be done for two reasons. One, a major power outage meant no access to the internet, and two, an agonizingly painful toothache caused by wisdom teeth. Now I know where my first paycheck is going towards.

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