Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer rights apply.

Warning:Updates will most definitely be slow. Sorry, guys.
This contains SLASH, in other words: same sex couples. It also contains drug use, violence, sexual situations, and MAY contain a(n OC) death. This story is marked for mature readers only, please treat it as such.

Pairings: Will be sporadic, and a surprise. I'm not ruining the story by telling you end pairings.

No more beta's, because I've been lost for a million years and I'm very out of touch now.

Summary of Chapter 22:
-Bumlets gets hired on at the arcade Swifty's aunt and uncle own. Runs into Bam there, who he had a one night stand with.
-Spot and Bam get into a fist fight
-Itey asks Sarah out a second time; Sarah tells David she's thinking about saying yes
-Blink reveals that he got two weeks of detention and Skittery is suspended until after the weekend, as well as telling Mush that Skittery has been recruited into the Brooklyn gang
-Slingshot forces both Jack and Skittery into training as soon as they both get home

Notes: I just wanted to give a thank you to my dedicated reviewers. You guys are awesome and a great motivation. Any time I get in a slump I go back and reread them. Your enthusiasm gives me enthusiasm! I'm so attached to this story, and it brings me great joy to know that there are other people who feel the same. :)

Getting Back Together Again

XXIII: Spot Is Not Going Crazy

"Alright, what the fuck's up with you?" Slingshot asked as he forced himself into his boss's room. "I know you're up," he continued when he got no response. He strode over to the bed and ripped the blanket away.

"I don't fucking understand why the fuck everyone won't leave me the fuck alone," Spot groaned, sticking his head underneath his pillow. "And that door is supposed to be locked."

Slingshot crossed his arms as he glared down at the other boy. "It was. You also taught me how to pick locks almost five years ago, if you remember. Useful trait, I have to admit."

"Terrific. Did I also ever teach you how to shut the fuck up and leave me alone?" Spot questioned.

Slingshot bit the inside of his cheek as he looked up in thought. "Mmm … no, I think I missed that lesson,"

"Get the fuck out, Sling."

"Absolutely not," Slingshot answered right back, crossing his arms as he looked at his boss.

"Get the fuck out, Sling."

"You wanna explain to me why you punched a subordinate, Boss? You feel like taking a trip down memory lane with Bam last night, did you?"

"Jealous again?"

"Stop fucking around, Spot," Sling yelled, tugging the pillow that was hiding his boss's head and flinging it across the room. "This is serious, you dimwit."

"He had it coming," Spot snapped back, finally sitting up in the bed.

"Holy," Slingshot got out, putting a hand to his mouth as he surveyed the linked bruises on Sean's face. "Fuuuck. What the fuck? You let him hit you?"

"Get the fuck out, Sling."

"Why would you let him hit you?" Sling asked, ignoring his command and sitting on the bed. "You think you owed it to him? Or … or ..." His eyes widened and he turned them on Sean. "This is about Racetrack, isn't it?"

"You talk too fucking much," Sean growled out. "And you don't fucking leave when I tell you to. Do you not understand 'leave me the fuck alone'?"

Slingshot rolled his eyes and sighed before turning to face Spot on the bed. "I know perfectly well what all those words mean. I'm just choosing to ignore them. What the fuck happened, Spot? You wanted to beat your crush out of you? Or did you want to try and bring up the old, demented feelings you used to have for Bam?"

Spot managed a smirk. "You really still jealous after all these years?"

"Spot," Slingshot sighed again. "You can't just cover up all your problems with a joke. And you definitely can't hide from them like you're a fucking preteen girl."

"Watch it, fucktard," Spot snapped, his smirk dropping off his face. "I don't give a fuck how I'm acting; I can still kick your ass so bad you'll be begging for me to kill you."

Slingshot's eyes widened as he nodded and lifted up his hands in surrender. "Yeah, yeah. I know that. Of course I do; I've seen it in action." He ran a hand through his hair. "But I'm your Second-in-Command, and I need to know what's going on."

Spot shot over the bed and punched him in the mouth before jumping up and leaning over him. "You don't think I'm fit to command? Think you're going to step in and take over Brooklyn from me? Think I'm so distracted I'm going to fucking let you? Because I'll fucking kill you before that shit happens."

Slingshot gently rubbed at the blood that was pouring out of the new cut on his lip. His mouth was bleeding somewhere, but he couldn't identify where as he swallowed his own blood. Happy that when he checked his teeth were all still in place, even if some did seem a bit loose now. "I wish you didn't have to punch me every time you have a revelation. So that's the problem then? You're afraid you're going to lose Brooklyn to your infatuation with Racetrack?"

Spot glared for a second. "It's not an infatuation," he bit out before sighing and losing all his anger. He flopped onto the bed. "I think I'm losing it completely," he finally confessed. "You wanna know what's going on? Fuck. I wanna know what's going on."

"Think you're losing it because you have a crush?" Slingshot asked. He tried to smile, but it turned into a wince when it pulled at his new cut. "Sean, I already told you: crushes are completely normal. It's nothing to get upset about and eventually it will pass."

"I don't want to be anywhere near him," Sean growled out. "He makes me feel … "

He squirmed on the bed, causing Slingshot to raise an eyebrow at the very out of character move.

"... I don't know," Spot finally decided. "But I don't fucking like it. And I want it to fucking stop. But I don't know how," he ranted, jumping back off the bed as he got angrier at every word. "And even if he's not around something's forcing me to think about him. And even thinking about that fucking piece of shit is fucking awful and I just want to fucking kill something!" he yelled, throwing the table lamp by his bed across the room.

Slingshot flinched as the ceramic met the wall and shattered.

"Maybe a break from him would be good," Slingshot conceded. "You can skip school today, unleash some of that aggression … you know …" He twisted around to look at the shattered lamp on the floor. "... away from all our furniture."

Sean scratched the back of his head, his anger once again drained. "I am losing it, aren't I?"

"You aren't losing it, Boss," Slingshot replied. "You just need a break. Go out and blow off some steam. Your new recruit Skitts is off today, too. Maybe you should take him out. Take the opportunity to get your mind off things and show him the ropes." He smirked. "Plus, we both know how stealing and violence puts you in a good mood."

Sean nodded before rubbing his forehead. "Yeah, fine. I assume if I stay here you're just going to bug the fuck out of me all day anyway. Send him up."

Slingshot crossed his arms. "You're going to make him go out the window, aren't you?"

Sean smirked back. "It's the best way out of this hellhole."

"Hey," Bumlets greeted, breathing in the smoke from his cigarette as his back rested against their smoking wall. "Thought I'd be the only one here today."

"Yeah," Itey agreed. "Feel like we're splitting up all over again," he replied, taking out his own cigarette and lighting up. "How're all the fucked up things going with you and Dutchy?"

"They're fucked up," Bumlets replied back, flicking his cigarette. "How're your new friends Blink and Mush?"

Itey snorted. "New, old friends, you mean," he corrected before shrugging. "They're fucked up," he answered, flashing a look at Bumlets, forcing himself not to let his emotions show as he continued on. "Blink even tried beating up Skitts in an attempt to make him calm down so they could be friends again."

Bumlets narrowed his eyes at his friend. "What kind of fucked up logic is that shit?"

"According to Blink and Mush, it's sound Skittery logic," Itey replied with a laugh. "Guess I could see it, even if it's not."

"If anyone would know sound Skitty logic, it's you," Bumlets conceded. "God help you."

Itey forced out another laugh. "Ain't that the god damn truth. You and Dutchy finally all squared away? He move on to someone else yet?"

"Fuck, I wish," Bumlets replied, taking another hit of his cigarette. "No, he's holding on to this one stronger than normal, and giving me a god damn headache besides. Couldn't tell you what the fuck's going on in his head."

"Thank god for that," Itey said, raising his cigarette in a toast. "The day you start understanding Dutchy is the day you need to get yourself a brain biopsy, and everyone knows those things never turn out good."

"Shit, what the hell does anymore?" Bumlets asked before throwing his cigarette on the ground and stomping on it. "At this rate I'm pretty sure the entire year is just going to be one perpetual headache."

"Bumlets!" A man called out, holding a bouquet of daisies and quickly striding towards them. "Thought I'd find you here!" he greeted with a wave and a smile.

"Who the fuck is that?" Itey asked, turning to Bumlets and raising one eyebrow at the frozen look on his friend's face.

"Another perpetual headache," Bumlets mumbled before walking forwards to meet him. "Bam. Hi. I thought we agreed that we'd let this rest."

"'Agreed' is a bit of a lax term in this case," Bam replied before smirking at him. He looked down at the bouquet in his hands. "These, of course, are for you," he said, handing the flowers over to Bumlets. "I hope you like daisies. They did seem fitting, after all. They symbolize innocence and loyalty." His smile widened. "I assumed that roses would probably scare you off."

"Yes, roses would have scared me off," Bumlets agreed, holding the daisies awkwardly at his side. "But daisies are enough to scare me off, too. What happened to what we agreed about?"

"Bumlets," Itey asked quietly as he came up to both of them, his arms crossed as he tried to press down his smile. "Why is this boy bringing you flowers? Don't tell me you have a new secret admirer."

Bam turned with a smile and nodded his head at Itey. "An old secret admirer, if we're being honest. Bumlets and I met quite a while ago, but, due to some rather unfortunate circumstances we ended up losing touch until yesterday."

"Yes," Bumlets agreed, glaring at Bam. "And I was under the impression that unfortunate circumstances were the reason we were going to lose touch again, but it seems that Bam here's changed his mind," he explained, his eyes narrowing further. "I'd love hearing why."

Bam smiled back, completely unfazed at Bumlets' death glare. "So, not a daisy person, eh? I'll remember that."

"Why are you here, Bam?" Bumlets finally snapped. "I thought I was perfectly clear last night. I don't want to continue this."

"I never got my opportunity to change your mind," Bam replied. "You liked what we had that night. I know you did. And I know you'd like me if you gave me a chance. So I'm going to prove it to you."

"I'm not gay!" Bumlets bit out, looking around as other students walked past him shooting him sidelong glances. "I told you this last night. The fact that you don't respect it-"

"I respect it just fine," Bam interrupted, "I just don't care about it, is all. Haven't you heard the phrase 'love transcends all genders'?"

"I've heard it was completely bullshit," Bumlets snapped just as the warning bell to get to first period sounded.

Bam shot a look to the clock that hung above the school doors. "And that is my cue to leave." He pressed a kiss to Bumlets' forehead before quickly dodging the fist that swung at him. "I'll bring you better flowers than daisies next time," he promised with a smile before trotting off.

Bumlets sighed as he wiped at his forehead. "Alright, let's fucking hear it," he demanded of Itey, looking over to find his friend beaming at him.

"I'd say shit is fucked up," Itey replied. "Looks to me that you've found yourself a confident Dutchy. It's so good I think any joke I make is going to ruin the humor of the situation."

"This year's definitely going to be a perpetual headache," Bumlets grumbled to himself as they headed inside.

"Sean, come on, Slingshot tore me to pieces with yesterday's training, and I already bragged to Jack that I got to sleep in today. I'm sore and tired; don't make me a liar as well," Skittery complained as he walked into Spot's bedroom. His eyes widened and he quickly fell to the floor as a knife came sailing right past his head.

Once he heard it stick the wall he immediately leaped back up. "What the fuck was that shit?" he yelled, advancing on Spot. "You could've killed me, you psychopathic piece of shit! What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Spot shrugged. "You expressed worry over your reflexes, I was just making sure they were up to par before we went out to have some fun."

"God damn it, you are a lunatic," Skitts complained, rotating his shoulder. "Usually I'd say that as a compliment, but you are taking it way too far, Sean."

"Couple more things you should know in order to prevent me from having to kill you," Spot said, walking past Skittery to pry his knife from the wall. "One, while we're in Brooklyn you are to address me as 'Boss' or 'Spot' or you will not address me at all. While we're in Manhattan you will address me as 'Sean' or-"

"Or I won't address you at all," Skittery finished, rolling his eyes.

Spot was inches from his face in a flash. "Or I will rip out your tongue and make sure you can't address me at all," he promised through clenched teeth. He backed off before continuing. "Two," he shot a disgusted look to Skittery, "don't fucking interrupt me. It's disrespectful and makes me want to cause you excruciating pain."

Skittery nodded, finally being sensible enough to keep his mouth shut.

"Third," Spot said, turning and facing Skittery, "if you come into this room without knocking ever again that knife is going to get a lot fucking closer to your face. Clear?"

"Yes, sir," Skittery replied with a nod, subdued and finally wondering if maybe moving into the Brooklyn gang had been a mistake.

"Excellent," Spot replied. "Let's go then; I've got steam to blow off," he explained before heading towards his window and disappearing through it.

"Aren't we on the top floor?" Skittery asked, striding towards the window and looking down to see Sean sliding down the drain pipe. "This shit safe?"

"Don't be a puss," Spot commanded. "And keep up, for god's sake. The last thing I need is some idiot slowing me down."

"Why the fuck even invite me along then?" Skittery muttered to himself before climbing out the window and slowly following Spot down the pipe outside the windows.

Racetrack looked around his first period class to find Sean's spot empty yet again. He quickly glanced towards the door, scanning all the heads walking through with what was becoming practiced eased. He wasn't experiencing the unbridled fear he had yesterday, but still, something here was very wrong.

He already had a plan, of course. He had already assumed Sean would be a no show today, and he had already told himself he could go into Brooklyn for lunch and no one here would notice. He was determined to find out what the hell was going on, even if it did mean chancing yet another grounding of a lifetime.

What the hell was up with Sean yesterday? He'd looked like a deer in the headlights when Racetrack had finally caught up with him in the hall yesterday. Was something happening in Brooklyn? Something he didn't want Race to become a part of?

That would explain why he had been skipping classes so much recently. Racetrack knew Sean would give up class in an instant if his right over Brooklyn was threatened.

And maybe that was all it was: just some punkass kid trying to make a name for himself that was taking a little longer to bring down than usual.

But while that would explain Sean's absences from school it certainly wouldn't explain why he had looked so god damn scared. Had Sean looked scared because of him? Or was he afraid of something else and ran because he didn't want Racetrack asking about it? Did he run because he didn't want Race knowing he was afraid of something?

Racetrack bit his pencil, not hearing the lecture that was coming from the front of the room as he became even more lost in thought.

It was concerning, honestly. Racetrack could admit that on a personal level he was worried about Sean; he didn't want him worrying unnecessarily and wished there was something he could do to help. Sean was becoming an odd sort of friend to him, if he choose to be honest with himself, and he had never been a fan of waiting instead of helping.

On another level it was terrifying. Racetrack knew what Sean was: he was Spot, Brooklyn's gang leader; the first gang leader in over a century that was able to unite all of Brooklyn under him. He was a teenager and had already accomplished things grown men had failed at time and time again.

How terrifying did something have to be in order to scare the gang leader of Brooklyn?

Racetrack bit down on his pencil too hard as he thought about it, leaving teeth marks close to the tip of the eraser.

As much as Racetrack wanted to help, he really didn't want to meet whatever beast of a thing was horrifying enough to scare off Spot.

Suddenly he wasn't so sure exactly where he would be when it was finally lunch.

"Spot," Skittery huffed as he lifted himself up onto a roof near the edge of the Brooklyn territory. "You ever hear about taking a breather?" He held his stomach as he sat down. "Jesus, I don't have the lung capacity for this shit."

Spot just rolled his eyes as he looked down at him. "Keep up or go home," he advised before crouching down and looking over the roof so he could see the street below.

Fuck, he really was going soft. Not even a year ago he would have shoved someone off the roof for complaining about a little running around. So why wasn't he? Did crushes turn people into this? Skittery wasn't even Racetrack's friend. Not that Spot would care either way, because he wouldn't.

Spot could do whatever he wanted. He owned Brooklyn. People looked up to him, and he had never cared. If someone was pissed off or disappointed in him he had always just told them to fuck off. So why was he hesitating now?

Without another thought Spot walked over to Skittery and round housed him in the side of the head.

"Ow! What the fuck you fucking bastard!?" Skittery yelled as he toppled onto his side. "What the fuck was that for?"

"Your complaining pissed me off," Spot answered quietly before returning to his position crouched near the side of the roof. "You should be happy I didn't kick you off this building."

"We're seven stories up! You're a fucking sadistic bastard!" Skittery shouted back. "How the fuck is it that people even follow you? Fear? It certainly isn't because you're a kind and sympathetic leader, you piece of shit!"

"Would you shut the hell up?" Spot snapped. "We're entering enemy territory, you idiot. Hard to get the jump on someone if you're screaming bloody murder." He turned his attention back to the street below him. "Should have fucking dropped you off the roof," he muttered to himself, "At least then I know you'd be fucking quiet."

"Did you bring me out to this god forsaken place just so you could threaten my life?" Skittery asked, his voice still loud as he massaged the side of his face.

"No," Spot answered, snapping around to look at Skittery. "I brought you here to correct a problem of mine and see if you're worth the amount of food it takes to keep you alive. Now shut the fuck up before -"

Spot was cut off mid sentence as a bat was swung directly at the back of his skull.

"... Before you're caught?" the man finished, leaning the baseball bat against his shoulder. "Probably should have been a bit more quiet if that was your goal," he advised, walking up to Spot's body and kicking him so that he was face up.

Spot only replied with a groan.

Skittery stood up as he held out his hands and began to back away from the assailant. "Oookay, I don't know what's going on here, so I'm just going to take off."

The other man laughed. "Spot still taking newbies out for dangerous missions, huh?" he asked with a smile. "Not explaining anything to you, threatening to kill you himself, and, with all the stories, I bet you are actually scared for your life. I used to be like you. Then I realized what a bastard Spot was. And how meaningless everything we were doing was. He doesn't give a shit about you. So I started my own gang. A gang that actually cares about its members."

Skittery shot a glance at Spot, still unmoving on the ground, before he smirked at the assailant. "A gang that cares, huh? Sounds like an oxymoron to me."

"Pissant's always been a moron," Spot groaned out from the ground before picking himself up. He swayed a bit before standing upright.

"The name's Melvin, you fucktard," the other man snapped before getting a good look at Spot's face. He whistled as he took in all the bruises. "Looks like someone's already done a number on you. That's what you get for pissing the wrong kind of people off."

"I take it you think 'the wrong kind of people' consist of people too weak to even swing a baseball bat properly?" Spot asked, paying no heed to the blood that was trickling down the back of his neck from the blow.

"Swung it hard enough to knock you out, didn't I?" Melvin asked, smirking and swinging the bat around. "You want another demonstration, Boss?"

Spot smirked right back. "Let's go, Pissant. I never did get to see what you got. You'd always coware away every time I invited you out."

"Because you would have walked me to my death!" the man yelled before running at Spot, bat high in the air.

Spot wasted no time crouching down and surging forward as well, easily dodging the bat and punching Melvin in the gut.

Melvin immediately dropped the bat as he fell to the ground, grabbing his stomach. Spot picked up the bat and threw it over to Skittery.

"I'm here because your pussy excuse for a gang is encroaching on my territory," Spot explained as he stood over him. He aimed a kick to Melvin's side. "We have no alliance and you have no right to be here. You should know how much I hate it when people get into my space. But, since you seem to have forgotten, I came over to remind you."

Spot turned to Skittery who was switching the bat he had been tossed from hand to hand as he frowned. "You wanna do the honors?"

Skittery blinked before looking first at Melvin and then at Spot. "Huh? Honors for what?"

Spot rolled his eyes before wincing as his world tilted to the side for a second. "Beat his fucking head in, you retard."

"What?" Skittery asked, his eyes wide. "You mean, like, you want me to kill him?"

"Preferably," Spot replied with a shrug. "But if that's too much for your pussy ass disposition, I suppose a concussion and a few broken bones would suffice."

Skittery took a deep breath before approaching the man on the ground. "Concussion and broken bones," he muttered to himself as he cocked back the bat. "Right, okay. I can do that," he replied before bringing the bat down on the man's back.

"Davey," Specs greeted with a smile as soon as he sat down next to him in their second period English class. "Just the man I wanted to see."

"If only I could say the same thing," David muttered to himself before flipping open a book and bringing it up to cover his face.

"Oh, come on, Davey, what's that supposed to mean?" Specs asked, leaning over his seat to be closer to him.

David glanced over the top of his book. "It means I'm still mad at you, you ass. And you pretending that nothing's wrong isn't helping anything."

"Mad about what? The bathroom thing?" Specs rolled his eyes. "I was stressed out, Davey. I'm going through some things, you see. Huge, great, stressful things. It'd be more concerning if I wasn't freaking out."

"Freaking out is one thing," David relented, his mouth set into a frown as he set down his book. "Yelling shit about how awful it is to be a fag is an entirely other story," he bit out in a quiet voice.

"Well … I mean … come on, Davey," Specs replied with raised eyebrows. "Being gay can't be considered a good thing, can it? Even you can admit that."

"No, I can't," David growled out as he slammed his book down. "What I can admit is that you're a god damn ass," he said, his voice getting louder with every word. "I defended your homophobic ass to so many people. I begged Bumlets to try to be nice to you when all he wanted to do was kill you. I've always been on your side. And all you do is criticize fags like me," he shouted, leaping up from his seat.

"David," Specs whispered, leaning in and holding up his hands in an effort to placate his friend. He pointedly looked around the classroom, now full of people openingly gawking at them. Again. This was happening way too often lately.

"Oh, I don't give a fuck," David snapped back, standing up from his seat. "I'm gay and proud, you little piss worm. Why the fuck would I care who knows it?"

Specs' mouth dropped open. He had to be dreaming, right? Davey didn't swear; he didn't even talk loudly most of the time. "Piss worm?" was all he managed to get out.

"Yeah, a piss worm," David replied. "And a piece of shit. Leave me the fuck alone, Specs. I don't even want to look at you today," he said before walking out the door.

He passed the teacher on his way out, not even bothering to give her an excuse.

"You skipping too, huh?" Swifty asked as he walked around the school and saw Bumlets leaning against the wall and smoking.

Bumlets shrugged as he took another hit off of his cigarette. "I needed a fucking break," he admitted. "You?"

Swifty shrugged back. "I've got French this period. We're doing this huge group project and Sean's my partner. He's a no show today, and I didn't much feel like doing all the work without him. So, here I am."

"You're going to be skipping a lot of French if you only go when Sean's there," Bumlets advised. "Not too sure how much he cares about his grades either. Might be best to start doing some work yourself."

"He'll do the work," Swifty replied. "And he was really good about showing up for awhile there. But he wasn't there yesterday or today. You know what's going on?"

"No idea. I've got way too much other crap going on to be concerned about whatever the hell Sean's doing," Bumlets said. "I did see him last night at the store though."

"Oh, yeah!" Swifty said, his eyes widening as he stood up straighter. "How'd that go on your end? Uncle Jeff seems to have taken a liking to you, which either means you had an okay time of things or you're traumatized for life."

"Both, actually," Bumlets admitted, taking another puff. "Though the traumatizing happened after I left the store."

Swifty frowned. "You run into trouble getting home? I realize Brooklyn isn't the safest place to be walking around, but I've never had any problems before."

Bumlets snorted. "Nah, it wasn't anything like that. It was more …" Bumlets frowned before bringing his cigarette up to his mouth, unable to think of how to exactly to describe his walk home.

"Someone hassle you?" Swifty asked, matching Bumlets' frown. "Or you see a crime or something?"

"No, no, it was nothing like that," Bumlets replied, waving him off. He sighed out the smoke he had inhaled. "I met someone. An old … uh, acquaintance, I guess." He shrugged. "Didn't have the best time."

"Yeah? What happened?"

"We just didn't … uh," Bumlets stuttered. He took another hit of his cigarette before realizing it was all filter and throwing it at the ground. "Jesus," he muttered, staring at the ground as he stomped on what used to be his cigarette. He sighed as he looked back up at Swifty. "I slept with him."

"Oh," Swifty replied, eyes wide and mouth open. "Oh."

"A long time ago."

"Yeah, yeah, no, that's cool," Swifty replied quickly. "I just wasn't … I didn't know you were gay."

"I'm not."

"Right, yeah, no," Swifty stuttered. "I mean, if you were I'd be cool with it, of course."

"I'm not."

"Of course not," Swifty agreed, eyes still wide.

Bumlets rolled his eyes, dropping the argument with practiced ease. "The problem is that I'm pretty sure he's stalking me now."

"Uh? Stalking?" Swifty asked, blinking at him. "You sure?"

"Bumlets! Hunny!" a voice shouted from around the school.

"Case. In. Point," Bumlets snapped out, grinding his teeth together.

"Shouldn't you be in class?" Bam asked as he got closer to them. "Not to say that I'm not happy about it; I thought I'd have to wait until your lunch before I saw you again." He was carrying marigolds this time around.

"More fucking flowers again?" Bumlets asked, teeth still clenched.

Swifty just looked back and forth between them, content to not interfere with a pissed off Bumlets.

Bam nodded before offering the marigolds to Bumlets. "For passion and creativity."

Bumlets swiped the flowers out of his hand before throwing them on the ground. He made sure to grind his foot into them as he walked off. "Leave me the fuck alone, Bam," he snapped, not bothering to turn around as he stomped towards the door to the school.

"He seems to really like you," Swifty said sarcastically as he watched his friend leave.

Bam pouted down at the flowers before shrugging. "He's just playing hard to get."

"I think I broke his leg," Skittery muttered, his face still green from the damage he had done almost an hour ago.

They were finally walking on the sidewalk. Spot had given in after Skittery had retched over the side roof and splattered vomit all over a parked car below them.

"Oh, I know you broke his leg," Spot replied with a smirk. "Few ribs too. Probably gave him a concussion. I still would've preferred to see him dead, but all that physical therapy is going to be fucking torture for him, so I guess it's alright."

Skittery immediately shagged. "You think he'll have to do physical therapy?" he asked with wide eyes. He shook his head. "I don't think I can do this, Se-Spot. I just destroyed a guy's life."

Spot raised an eyebrow at him. "A guy you don't know and have never cared about until today," he pointed out. "You don't have to prove you're moral to me; I don't give a fuck."

"Wait, what the fuck is that supposed to me?" Skittery asked, pulling on Spot's arm to get him to stop walking.

Spot yanked his arm out of Skittery's grip as he turned around to glare at him. "I mean, you don't have to pretend you're a swell guy who cares about strangers, because I don't give a shit whether you do or don't. I just care that the job's done right."

"Who- why the hell would you think I'm pretending? What? Was the retching not realistic enough for you? Should I have added more cat food or maybe some more baby peas before I carried it around in my mouth all day?" Skittery asked, getting louder with every sentence.

"You," Spot answered with a sigh as he cleaned some wax out of his ear with his pinky, "are a fucking headache. And if you keep it up you're going to make my ears bleed. Cat food? Baby peas? What the fuck are you on about?"

"You know," Skittery replied, shrugging as he immediately fell back into a calm, "ingredients to make fake puke."

"Why the fuck-" Spot started before shaking his head. "Never mind; I don't care. Just stop your morality bullshit and let's go," he demanded before turning around and walking away.

"I'm so sorry that me ruining someone's life makes me feel bad," Skittery snapped before following him. "You can't honestly feel good about what we just did."

"What you just did," Spot corrected, not slowing his walk. "And, yeah, I do. I was already nice enough to give him a warning; he's the one that pushed things past my boundaries."

"You're willing to kill someone just because they're getting close to your territory? That's messed up."

"Look," Spot said, finally stopping and turning around, his glare back in place. "No one gives a fuck about me, and no one gives a fuck about you. Wake up dead tomorrow or show up without a leg and the world will keep spinning like nothing happened. I am trying to protect what's mine. And if that means I kill and hurt strangers then that's what I'll do, because that's my best case scenario."

"You're fucking crazy," Skittery said, his eyes wide. "You made me break a guy's leg so you could keep full territory of Brooklyn?"

"I didn't make you do anything," Spot corrected. "I told you to do something, and you choose to do it." He turned back around. "And I did it to protect Brooklyn and my people, of which you are now one. So I'd be a little less repulsed if I were you," he said quietly before he continued on.

"Oh, Spot," Skittery whispered just as quietly, a small smile spreading on his face. "That's so-"

"Shut the fuck up and let's go," Spot snapped, not looking back.

A slow smile spread across Skittery's face. "Yes, Boss!" he answered quickly before jogging to catch up.

"David!" Sarah yelled before rushing up to her younger brother.

"Sarah," David greeted, quickly looking around the halls. "Why are you talking to me?"

Sarah rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "What? I'm not allowed to talk to my baby brother?"

"You never have before," David pointed out. "At least, not during school." He frowned. "Aren't you afraid people are going to start calling you a nerd if they see you hanging out with me? And don't you have class?"

"My class is Current Events, Davey; I'll read a newspaper and catch up," she scoffed. "And if I'm hearing things right you aren't as much of a nerd as you used to be." She cocked her head. "First you're punching people, and now you're skipping class, huh?"

David immediately putting his head in his hands. "And outing myself to my entire second period," he groaned. "Please don't remind me."

"Well, yeah, there is that whole gay thing, too," Sarah agreed. "Walking out of class though? Right in front of your teacher, too." Sarah laughed. "That does take some balls. And as I understand it no one saw you third period either. I know you aren't used to this, but, normally, when people skip school it usually involves them leaving the school."

"I'm not skipping school," David replied, his arms crossed his he frowned at his sister. "I have honors Calculus this period; I can't afford to miss it."

Sarah sighed. "Ah, man, don't tell me you're turning back into a nerd. I was looking forward to being Mom's and Dad's favorite for while."

David deflated. "You probably still will be, once they find out what everyone in my second period knows about me."

"What? About you being a delinquent now?"

"No, Sarah!" David snapped. "I mean about the gay thing."

"Oh, right, yeah, the gay thing," Sarah replied, nodding her head. "I think you need to give our parents some credit, Davey. They aren't going to want you boning anyone; I don't think it matters to them what parts go where."

"Sarah!" David hissed, his eyes wide. "I do not want to talk about … about boning with you. Ever. Okay?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "You're such a prude," she scoffed. "Though, you know, it would be my luck that I can't have sex but you can go off and do whatever the hell you want."

David rolled his eyes right back. "I'm not planning on having sex with anyone, Sarah."

"That's Nerdy David talking. Lemme ask Delinquent David who he's planning on boning and then we'll compare answers."

"I'll probably fuck Masson first," David answered in a deep voice. "That'll be to spite you. Then I'll probably go for Jack to remind him that he's a bitch. After that I'm going to fuck the rest of the student body; see if I can make a new school record."

"Oh, Davey," Sarah replied, brushing away a fake tear. "I don't think I've ever been more proud of you."

David rolled his eyes again before smirking at her and jerking his thumb to the door behind him. "I gotta go to class now, Sarah."

"And Nerdy David is back," Sarah sighed dramatically. "Oh, well, it was nice while it lasted. See you, baby brother." She turned around before calling behind her back, "I'll make sure Masson knows to be ready for that big ol' dick of yours."

"Ew! Sarah, don't be gross!"

"God damn it, what the fuck is going to make you go away?" Bumlets snapped as soon as he got to his lunch table and saw Bam eating with Itey.

"I like him," Itey replied with a grin.

"Of course you do," Bumlets replied as he sat down, trying his best to ignore the smile Bam was giving him from across the table. "You like anything that raises my blood pressure."

"That's not exactly true," Itey replied. "I like anything that's funny. It just so happens that you irritated is pretty funny. Not my fault you get bent out of shape over an admirer and some flowers."

"I wouldn't call him an admirer," Bumlets grumbled, finally sparing Bam a glance. "I'd call him a stalker if anything."

"I thought by making my presence known and giving you flowers I couldn't be classified as a stalker," Bam replied, still smiling.

"Being creepy and not leaving when told makes you a stalker!" Bam yelled, not caring that a few people walking past shot him glares for the loud noise.

"If you would just give me a chance I wouldn't have to resort to this," Bam said. He brought up his hand from beneath the table, producing another bouquet of flowers. "How do you feel about carnations, by the way? They're light red to symbolize admiration."

"Stop with the fucking flowers, already!" Bumlets shouted, yanking the flowers away from Bam and hurling them across the cafeteria. "I don't give a fuck what they mean! And I don't fucking want them. No flowers. Ever. I mean, Jesus Christ, it's not fucking cute; it's fucking annoying!"

"Jesus, Bum," Itey said quietly, looking over to Bam who was no longer smiling. "Take it easy, will ya? He's just a man in love."

Bam immediately perked up and began nodding his head. "At least you understand me," he said, looking at Itey.

"Don't encourage him!" Bumlets snapped. "He's too dumb to realize you're being sarcastic!"

"I'm not dumb," Bam replied calmly. "I just choose not to register it as sarcasm. I need some sort of encouragement since you're being so cold to me."

"I'm only being cold because you're so-"

"So Specs is avoiding me," Dutchy announced, slamming his tray down as he sat beside Bumlets. "Stupid homophobic faggot," he grumbled. "Can't find that asshole anywhere. He's gotta be hiding in a locker somewhere."

"Trouble in paradise then?" Itey asked with a grin on his face. " … or in whatever demented alternative reality you've deemed convoluted enough for you to live in?"

Bumlets rolled his eyes. "If you put any effort into English like you do for your insults you could be getting A's right now."

"Who wants to put work into school?" Bam asked. "Shit's just as useless now as it's ever been. As long as you can read and have basic math skills you're just wasting your time with all the rest."

Dutchy ignored him and looked over at Itey. "Damn, we really are attracting people. Have we stopped trying to scare them away then?"

"Just this one," Itey replied. "This one's only here for Bumlets; he's in love."

"Oh," Dutchy said, instantly deflating before pasting a smile on his face. "Well, that's great!" he said, turning towards Bumlets and pointing a finger at him. "But don't you dare think this means you get out of you helping to make you jealous of Specs," he demanded sternly before standing up and picking up his tray. "Whelp, that was a good lunch. I'm stuffed. See you guys. Bye! Later," he said hurriedly before speed walking away.

Bumlets turned towards Itey. "Is it just me or does he just keep getting weirder?"

Itey took a bite of his sandwich, easily talking around the food in his mouth. "I'm pretty sure he's just upset you found a guy to fall in love with you so soon after sleeping with him, and he's still got no one even after trying so hard with Specs."

Bam's eyes widened as he jumped out of his chair. "Oh, what? He's good enough for you to sleep with but I'm not?" he shouted loud enough to quiet the cafeteria.

Bumlets slammed his head on the table and left it there. "I think I might have woken up in hell."

"Well, that is very unfortunate for you," Itey replied with a grin on his face. "Because I am having one hell of a good time right now."

"I don't think he's here," Blink told Mush with a sigh as he looked around the lunchroom.

Mush sighed right back. "I wish we could have talked to him in second period like we had planned. That was the longest test ever!" he complained.

"Yeah, first time all year we've had a test longer than fifteen minutes and of course it'd have to be today," Blink agreed.

"You think he went somewhere to eat off campus? If it's close we can walk," Mush suggested.

Blink frowned back at him. "Yeah, I think he went off campus, but I don't think he went anywhere to eat. Spot's not here today either, right?"

"What's that-" Mush furrowed his eyebrows together. "You think Racetrack went off to find him? He knows how dangerous he is."

Blink smirked as he thought about his friend. "Since when has Race ever stopped doing something because it's dangerous?" he asked before dropping his smile and getting back on topic. "No, it's time to plan a different strategy. Race's gotta come back to make sixth period; if he doesn't his mom'll kill him."

"You wanna catch him before he goes to sixth period?" Mush asked. "That's his Algebra class, isn't it? That's fine with me; my English class is only a couple doors down. It might make you late to your American Studies class though."

"Yeah, and I really can't afford to mess that class up anymore than I already have." Blink sighed again. "Still, this is important, and I know we won't be able to catch him before eighth period, and after school is probably going to be just as bad."

"I know this is important, but I don't think it's worth you getting expelled over," Mush replied quietly.

Blink shrugged. "I'm sure it won't come down to that. Getting in late to class is way below fighting in class, after all."

Mush frowned. "I just wish Racetrack knew what he was doing. I don't like him going out all by himself to see that-that monster."

"You afraid of Racetrack, Boss?" Skittery asked. They were back on the roofs, looking down at Racetrack as he approached the hotel that was the Brooklyn gang's hideout. As soon as Spot had seen him he had ducked out of sight, quickly pulling Skittery back to do the same.

"I'll rip out your tongue if you ever use 'Boss' in a condescending way ever again," Spot snapped. "And, no, I'm not fucking afraid of him. I just don't want to see him."

"Really? Because you're hiding up here like you're afraid of him," Skittery replied back with a smirk.

Spot glared at him. "You want me to throw you off this roof? Then shut the hell up," he demanded, not waiting for an answer. "I wanna know why the fuck no one's shooting him," he grumbled to himself.

"He's not that annoying," Skittery answered, still looking down.

"I have snipers, you idiot," Spot replied, rolling his eyes. "They're instructed to shoot anyone who isn't a member of the gang on site. So why the fuck is he," Spot jerked his head down towards Racetrack, "walking all around my building without any bullet holes?"

Skittery shrugged. "I'm not the head of your snipers or whatever," he grumbled. "I don't fucking know. I am getting fucking tired of being on rooftops though."

"Really?" Spot asked, cocking his head at him. "You get around a lot faster this way; don't have to wade through any people."

"Yeah, there's also the vertical climbs and the high plummets to the ground," Skitts explained. "I'll take people any day, thank you very much."

"Now you're starting to sound like Bam."

"Oh, yeah? Is Bam a person that actually makes sense?" Skittery asked.

Spot shrugged. "Only sometimes."

"Better than you're doing," Skittery grumbled quiet enough that Spot couldn't hear him.

"I know you're up there somewhere!" Racetrack called from the ground, looking right up at them from where he stood next to Slingshot. "You can't avoid me forever, Spot!"

"That definitely makes it seem like you're afraid," Skittery commented lightly.

"Say one more word and I'm going to kick you off this building."

"That'd kind of give away your location, wouldn't it?" Skitts asked with a smile.

Spot just glared back.

Mush and Blink stood outside Racetrack's sixth period class, nervously looking between the clock on the wall and the hallways full of people.

"I can't believe he's not here yet," Mush mumbled. He looked over at Blink. "You're going to be late if you don't leave soon," he warned him.

Blink shrugged back. "We always knew that'd be a possibility. I'm more worried about the fact that Race isn't here yet. His mom'll kill him if she finds out he's skipping class."

Mush nodded back. "Yeah, I know. What could he be thinking? We're never going to get to see him again if he keeps getting into trouble."

"Or if I keep getting into trouble," Blink muttered, sparing another glance at the clock.

"Maybe we should go to class, Blink," Mush replied, biting his lip. "We can try again next period; you know he'll be here for that. Maybe he's skipping sixth for some reason."

"Or maybe he's just incredibly late," Blink said with a frown, putting his hands on his hips as a jerked his head down the hall.

Racetrack was running through groups of people, books in his hands and his bookbag half unzipped.

"Racetack!" Mush called, a smile blooming on his face as he finally saw his friend. "Where have you been? We couldn't find you at lunch."

Race slowed to a halt in front of his friends, shrugging at them. "I had to take care of some things," he replied. "What are you guys doing here? The period's about to start."

"Listen, Race, we need to know where Sean lives," Blink said bluntly.

"Huh?" Race asked, his eyes widening. "No. I mean, it's pretty dangerous over there. Just wait until you see him at school."

"This is really important though," Mush replied as he bit his lip. "We need to get there as soon as we possibly can. Please, Race."

Racetrack glanced between them, mimicking Mush's actions and biting his own lip. "What's going on, you guys? Did Sean do something?"

"He most certainly did!" Mush answered, leaning closer to Racetrack.

"Mush!" Blink scolded, putting his hand on his friend's arm. He turned to look at Racetrack. "He recruited Skittery, Race. We need to get to him, okay? He won't be in school until Monday, and it's really important we get to him as soon as we can."

"I-" Racetrack started, frowning as he pushed his bookbag farther up his shoulder. "I can talk to him, you guys. Sean can see reason."

"Can he?" Mush snapped. "Because as far as I'm concerned all you're doing is making excuses for a monster."

"Mush!" Blink scolded again, tightening his hold on Mush's arm, but this time his friend didn't stop.

"He recruited our friend," Mush said. "You of all people should know what that means and the danger behind it. Sean manipulated our friend and if we don't get to him soon he won't be able to ever leave. You know how those gang's operate!"

"Race, we really need an address," Blink said, his hand not leaving Mush's arm as the bell rang.

Racetrack looked at the clock on the wall, knowing they were all now late to class, before looking back to his friends. He didn't want to send his friend's to Brooklyn, especially not right into Sean's den and especially not alone. Still, he had to admit that time was of the essence here, and he knew he wouldn't be able to sneak past his mom to go himself. "Okay, okay," he finally relented. "But it's really dangerous, okay? You guys've gotta promise you'll be careful. And absolutely don't let Sean know you're trying to talk Skittery out of it; that's a huge sign of disrespect."

"The address, Race," Mush bit out.

"Okay, okay," Racetrack repeated, nodding jerkily as his eyes widened at Mush's snapping. "I don't know the address, but I can give you directions from the racetrack."

Itey entered his eighth period class feeling pretty good about the day. He didn't have Skittery, and that really sucked, but maybe he could have Sarah. And Dutchy was sulking, so that was funny. And Bumlets had Bam, and that was even funnier. He had definitely had worse days at school.

"Hiya, Dutchy," he greeted his glowering friend as he took a seat next to him. He turned to look at him with a smirk on his lips. "I take it you aren't having as good of a day as me?"

"I would assume no one's having as good of a day as you," Bumlets answered back, wearing a look identical to Dutchy's.

"Well, it's about time," Itey replied, still smiling. "It's been absolutely miserable being less happy than you two. Normally it's a pretty easy goal; you guys aren't exactly a happy bunch."

"Shut up, Itey," Dutchy demanded. "I don't need you rubbing your happiness in my face. Not when my entire life's falling apart!"

Bumlets rolled his eyes. "You just can't find Specs," he pointed out.

"Exactly!" he exclaimed. "And how am I supposed to continue my brilliant plan if I can't even find the person the plan's supposed to work on?" He buried his face in his hands. "It's so utterly hopeless," he mumbled to himself.

"Yep," Itey replied, nodding as he looked towards Bumlets. "That's pretty sad. So, how 'bout you, lover boy? You make up with your boyfriend yet?" His smile grew as Dutchy slumped even further into his seat.

"It'd be going a lot better if you didn't encourage," Bumlets snapped. "And don't call him my boyfriend either." He crossed his arms and looked up at the ceiling. "Damn bastard doesn't know how to take a god damn hint."

Itey nodded his head quickly, his smile growing impossibly wider. "I know; I really like him. When you going to say 'yes' to him, huh? Cause I really need to be there for that. Please."

Bumlets glared at him. "I'm not going to-"

"Please, Bum," Itey interrupted, looking at his friend in what he hoped was a successful pleading face. "Do you know how happy that would make me?"

"I think you're already too happy, you bastard," Bumlets growled at him. "Why the hell would I try to make you more happy?"

"Because we're friends, and I've been through some rough times," Itey replied, dropping his head down to stare at the floor. "Why must you be so cruel, Bumlets? First, you drop Dutchy like a sack of potatoes and now you're throwing me to the curb too? Is this new boy so important to you that you can happily abandon us?"

"Dutchy, stop that," Bumlets commanded as his friend slumped so much into his chair that he was almost on the ground. "He's just trying to get a rise out of you." He turned towards Itey. "It's fantastic you're having such a wonderful day, but if you could stop making ours worse that'd be terrific. You feel so responsible for chasing Skittery off you're trying to replace him by being twice the douche?"

"Hey now! That was entirely uncalled for!" Itey yelled, pointing at Bumlets. "You can tread a little bit gentler over my feelings, you know!"

"Why? You sure don't," Bumlets snapped, jumping from his seat. "Why do you expect us to-" He immediately cut himself off and sat back down as their teacher came into the room.

"I'm going through a lot right now," Itey replied quickly, leaning over the side of his desk so Bumlets could hear him. "Excuse me for taking simple pleasures where I can find them."

"Don't take delight in simple pleasures that make your friends feel shitty," Bumlets demanded sharply. He looked towards Dutchy, still slumped on his chair. He jerked his head towards him. "You think Dutchy needs this shit right now?"

"You always-"

"Sure, I like a good joke on him just like the next person," Bumlets said, having no problem interrupting Itey. "But there's making jokes and then there's driving the knife in. You've gotta know where the line is."

"You always-"

"He's had enough for today, Itey," Bumlets said sternly.

"You always interrupt me, you stupid bastard!" Itey finally said in a hard whisper. "Do you know how annoying that is?"

Bumlets frowned at him. "I just assumed you wouldn't have anything important to say," he replied, cracking a smile as soon as Itey started glaring at him.

"You aren't funny," Itey said in a flat voice. "But fine, I can try to be a little nicer to the idiot over there," he relents, jerking his thumb over towards Dutchy, who was still too busy with his self pity to be able to acknowledge them.

It wasn't until the bell signaling the end of class sounded that Dutchy made any type of indication that he was still alive.

"You're lucky, Bumlets," Dutchy commented quietly as he got up from his desk but continued to stare at the floor. "It must be really special to find someone that loves you. I wish I had that with Specs." He kicked at the ground with the toe of his shoe. "I was I could find Specs."

"How am I not supposed to make fun of this," Itey mouthed to Bumlets before jerking his head in Dutchy's direction.

Bumlets just glared at him.

Itey sighed before patting Dutchy on the back. "Look, you big, dumb idiot, if you wanna find Specs just corner him somewhere. Try and see if you can catch him at his house or something. Once you corner him he'll have no choice but to comply with your wishes."

Dutchy perked up instantly as his head snapped to Itey. "I-Itey … that's completely brilliant!" he exclaimed with a big smile. "I'm gonna go to his house right now!" he yelled before running out the door.

Itey turned to Bumlets, frowning when he realized the other was still glaring at him. "What? I cheered him up," he stated, shrugging. "Isn't that what you asked me to do?"

Bumlets sighed as he rubbed his forehead. "I told you not to make fun of him. Instead I'm pretty sure you just talked him into raping Specs."

"That's not what I-" Itey started before putting his forefinger on his chin and looking up to the ceiling. "Okay," he relented after a few minutes. "That is probably how he took it."

"Uh-huh," Bumlets replied. "My fault probably. I should have said that along with not making Dutchy feel bad you shouldn't talk him into becoming a felon either."

Itey nodded. "I'm just glad you see where you made your mistake.

"You're impossible," he muttered, finally heading towards the door. "I can't even go and stop him; I've gotta get to work."

"Yeah, I can find the little worm," Itey muttered at the unasked question as he followed his friend into the hall. "He should just be glad I didn't have any plans today."

"Itey."

Itey immediately looked up, smiling when he realized it was Sarah. "Sarah! What's going on, my lady?"

Sarah crossed her arms in front of her before smiling at him. "Take me on a date."

Itey's smile grew as he smacked Bumlets on the back and walked over to Sarah. "Welp, guess Dutchy's out of luck; I just found plans," he told Bumlets before putting his arm around Sarah and walking off with her.

Bumlets rubbed his forehead as he watched the two walk off. "Is it sane to think I'm crazy?" he asked himself quietly. "Or am I crazy to think I'm sane?"

TBC

So I'm starting to get pretty confident that this story is going to end up being thirty chapters of main story with a seven chapter epilogue. Excessive, I know, but I'm happy with how it's turning out. The last couple chapters are intense. I'm so eager to finally be able to write them! I can lie to myself and all of you, and say that it means updates are going to come a lot faster, but I know that no matter how much I want to dedicate my time to writing, life doesn't give me much of a chance. So sorry in advance, but please bear with me! We will get this story finished.

The next chapter's pretty short, so you shouldn't have to wait long for it.

Also, I'm horribly missing having a beta. If anyone is interested and has some extra time on their hands please let me know. And, if by some miracle, my old betas are out there somewhere please contact me; I miss you two so much!

Please leave a review. I really like hearing from all of you, and your encouragement does help me write faster, even if my 'faster' is still ungodly slow.