Author's Note: Yes I'm still alive. Yes it's been six months since I last updated. Stuff happens. Anyway if anyone is still reading this, here's the next chapter. Also I've decided to stop writing Sloane's story. It's difficult juggling six different perspectives so I decided to focus on the Wasabi Warriors. She's still going to be in the story just in the background as a side character. Also I posted this story onto Ao3 too if anyone else is tired of the ads here.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kickin it or any characters you recognize


Krupnick Residence

Monday, December 31st, 2012

Milton was curled up on his living room couch with a fuzzy blanket and a hot cup of cocoa. He woke up late this morning around ten then stumbled his way into the living room. He turned the tv on and the ABC family channel clicked on since it was the last channel playing. Home Alone was replaying for the millionth time. At this point Milton can recite the full movie by heart. He personally doesn't get the hype of the movie, sure it was funny and all but it was also completely impossible. There's no way an eight year old could set up those traps and there's no way the burglars would've survived said deadly traps. But Daphne loved the movie and demanded to watch it whenever it was playing.

Milton wasn't really paying attention to the movie. He was on his laptop scrolling through his Facebook feed. He liked Kim's latest picture from her family trip to Big Bear Mountain Resort. It was of her mom and her on one of the ski lifts both donned in their skiing attire. They were smiling at the camera though the top halves of their faces were covered by the ski helmet. It was a new family tradition for the Crawford family to visit Big Bear Mountain every Christmas break. It was something that Kim loved since she never got to experience snow before.

Scrolling past Kim's post he saw Julie's newest one. He still hasn't unfollowed his ex even though he knows he should've by now. He can't help it, he still obsessively checks her Facebook page and other social media accounts. Despite everything, he still wants to know what's going on in her life. Just because they broke up on bad terms, it doesn't magically erase two years of love and care. He knows how sad Julie gets during the holidays because more than likely her parents are away on their Zoologists trips and can't come home. Judging from no new pictures of said absent parents Milton guesses they weren't able to make it back.

His fingers itched to pick up the phone and call her. Comfort her. But he had to remind himself that it wasn't his job anymore. She wasn't his to comfort. Milton hopes he doesn't enter the new year still completely hung up on her.

December flew by for the ginger haired boy. It felt like one moment he was preparing for the Talent Show with the rest of the student council then the next moment he was finishing his last exam before the break. The Talent show went off without a hitch. Remy Griffith was the perfect MC with his wisecracking wit. The judges were Evelyn, Destiny, and Shane who were in order the senior class president, vice president, and junior class president. The winner of the show was Smooth's, Step Brother's dance crew. They had an amazing dance performance that had the crowd whooping and cheering. Second place was Rhyland Kingston with his hilarious stand up comedy act. Lastly third place was Skylar Wright and Marcus Reed for their beautiful cover of Everything Has Changed.

The Student Council reached their goal amount for the junior high Snowball dance in January. Talent Shows was a Seaford High favorite for the students. It was nice to have a laugh before the dreaded Exam Week. As soon as it hit December, Milton studied harder than he usually did. All of his free time was spent studying. Kim and him were study buddies and on the side he helped Jerry prepare for his exams. The opportunities for tutoring the dancer were few and far between since the latter was almost attached to the hip to Mika. He also studied with Nigel for their AP Bio exam who turned out to be an excellent study partner.

Milton had so much time studying since he didn't have to do last minute Christmas shopping. He smartly did most of his shopping in November so he didn't have to panic like the rest of the late shoppers. To be honest Milton's enthusiasm for the holiday kinda dwindled when the Sandy Hook tragedy broke on the news. Suddenly his obsessive need for the Rode Demon toy seemed like first world problems.

It helped him really take to heart Sensei Rudy's lesson on the holiday and it made him want to give back. He could never understand the tragedy that took place but it spurred him into wanting to give back to his community. Do something selfless. Milton decided to volunteer at Bayview Mall. There was a Christmas attraction in the mall and they volunteered for Santa's Village. Jerry surprisingly joined him citing the tragedy made him think of his little sisters. Milton understood that, when the news broke for the entire week after he hung out with Daphne more than he usually did.

Their parents shielded her from the news coverage of the shooting. At the tender age of eight they believed she was too young to know about that. She needed to keep her innocence for as long as she could. She didn't need to know about the horrors of the world. It felt really good volunteering at the mall. He was a pro at wrapping presents, he even met a nice lady named Lois. In a funny turn of events he gave her a few pointers on how to wrap presents more smoothly. Unfortunately Jerry was stationed at the snowball section. The dancer had to deal with a few rowdy kids and even got hit with a snowball by one.

Milton texted Jack to ask if he wanted to volunteer with Jerry and him but Jack never texted him back. He was hoping Jack would say yes so it would give him an opportunity to check up on him after the scary Frank thing. Jack didn't return to school for the rest of the week of the Frank Incident. He became completely MIA and radio silent from the gang. He didn't come to karate practice, or answer any calls or texts. Milton and the gang tried to visit him at his home but his mom told them he didn't want visitors. They respectfully left all in a dejected slash worried state. Kim was the only one who Jack talked to right after the Frank thing happened but after that he stopped accepting visitors.

Audrey was their medium for Jack. She assured the group that Jack was more or less okay but just needed his space at the moment. Kim brought Audrey Jack's school assignments so he won't fall behind in class. Milton asks Audrey to tell Jack that he can help him with his work if he needs to. Jack declined. Audrey informed them her mom was pressing charges against Frank who was also not at school. News about the supposed altercation between Jack and Frank spreaded throughout Seaford High. Milton can't say he was surprised because Jack was a popular guy amongst their class. Like rumors the truth got twisted and somehow it became Frank attacked Jack with a chainsaw and the latter nearly bled to death.

When Jack returned to school it was with little fanfare, considering it was the week before exams. Everyone's main focus was on their impending tests. The skater was different to say the least. More -for lack of better words- subdued. He wasn't his usual charming borderline cocky self. He was kinda stoic and seemed more hypervigilant, eyes constantly scanning the halls. He started distancing himself from the group too, choosing to sit alone at lunch and declining invites to hangout after school. Milton decided to respect Jack's need for distance even if he didn't understand why. He couldn't say the same for Kim though. When Milton tried to bring up what happened with Frank in their shared PE class Jack quickly shut it down. The black belt made it clear he didn't want to talk about what happened. He'd rather pretend it didn't happen. Milton respected that. The rest of the group soon learned of Jack's decision to not acknowledge the Frank thing and followed his lead of pretending that didn't happen.

The Frank thing had to be one of the scariest things that ever happened to him in his entire life. He almost lost one of his best friends, someone that's almost like a brother to him. He made the bullies back off of him, Black Dragons and non Black Dragons alike. He helped him with his karate. Milton can't imagine his life without Jack in it. Ever since the skater first swept into his life in the seventh grade he became an integral part of it. Jack was the unspoken leader of their friend group. On top of that he helped bring the Wasabi dojo onto the map.

After a long, stressful week, exams were finally finished. Milton suggested they come hang over at his house to destress. Milton had a game room in his house that the gang loved to use. It had a three in one game table for air hockey, pool, and ping pong. A tv of course with a Wii and XBox system, and the traditional board and card games. Surprisingly Jack actually agreed to go join them, maybe it was because of the pushing from Kim and Audrey. It was the first hangout the long haired boy joined after the Incident.

Jack still wasn't back to being the Jack they know and love. He was quiet, only really speaking when asked and was slightly tense the entire time he was there. The group did their best to pretend Jack wasn't acting differently and tried to treat him as much. Milton knew being nearly stabbed wasn't something anyone can just get over instantly, not even for someone like Jack. It's a process and at least Jack joined the gathering instead of avoiding them like he was previously doing. It's a step in the right direction.

Besides Jack, there was still hostility between Kim and Eddie. The musician hasn't apologized to Kelsey about the prank and was actually unrepentant about it. Eddie tried his best to stay away from her and Kim switched between ignoring his presence and sniping at him. The two decided on a temporary truce in honor of Jack and for the most part they kept it. The group wasn't back to their usual dynamic but it was as close as they were gonna get.

The five friends spent the next few hours shoving their faces with Christmas cookies and drinking eggnog and hot cocoa while Christmas movies played on the flat screen in the room. They played pool with Jerry being the reigning champion, then ping pong, Uno, and Twister. They knew better than to try and play Monopoly. Kim's competitiveness was through the roof when the group played that game and Jerry was a cheater that steals their money when no one is looking. Those two things don't mix well and the game either ends with Jerry running for his life from an angry Kim, hotel pieces being thrown, or Kim badly dancing while singing 'boom goes the dynamite'.

After the group finished playing games they decided to settle down and watch the Christmas movies playing. Once they were all comfortably seated and wrapped in blankets, they shared their plans for the upcoming Christmas break. Jack's family was going to Colorado for their annual ski lodge trip and to visit his grandparents. Kim's family was going to Big Bear Mountains for their new annual ski lodge trip. Eddie's family was heading to Washington to visit his aunt and uncle. As for Jerry and Milton, their families weren't going on any trips.

Milton spent his Christmas break watching the Christmas movie marathon on the ABC Family Channel, hanging out with Jerry, feeling gloomy about Julie, and watching The Metro Theatre's version of A Christmas Story with his family. Over phone calls with Eddie, Milton had to assure him that the world wasn't ending. Eddie was so convinced that the world would end because of the Mayans calendar. Eddie wouldn't be convinced. Too stubborn minded. But sure enough when it was December twenty first the world didn't end. When they talked on the phone that night Eddie's voice was full of embarrassment and Milton was kind enough to not say 'I told you so'.

Dorris Krupnick entered the living room wearing her red flannel PJs and holding a coffee cup. She smiled at the sight of her son, "Good morning sweetie."

Milton looks over his laptop to smile at her, "Morning mom. Late start too?"

His mom slightly nods before taking a sip of her coffee,"I guess so."

His mom was usually an early bird, getting up as early as five in the morning to do her morning jog before preparing breakfast for the house. Christmas break and summer were the two times his mom finally got her lazy days.

Dorris' eyes flickered over to the TV hanging above the brick fireplace on the wall as she sat on the white couch across from her son. "Haven't gotten tired of Home Alone yet?"

"I'm not watching it." Milton vehemently denies. If he has to watch that movie again he might break something. Probably a tooth. Which would be bad because Milton hates going to the dentist.

"Mhm, then what are you doing on that laptop?"

Milton's eyes shifted over to Julie's latest post shown on his laptop screen before closing the device. "Nothing. Just scrolling through Facebook."

His mom gives him a knowing look. Milton knew her question before she even asked it. "Please tell me you weren't looking at Julie's account."

Milton guiltily looked down. Answer written across his face, "Um."

"Oh honey."

His mom gets up from her couch to walk over to where he was sitting on the couch across from her. She sat right next to him and ran a hand through his ginger hair. It was the same comforting gesture she used to do to him when he was little. And also right after his breakup when he didn't want to get out of bed.

His mom wraps an arm around him, "I know how much she meant to you honey but stalking her account isn't going to help ease the pain."

"I know, I know it's just," Milton sighs, "I can't help it. This is my first Christmas without her. Around this time it's hard for her."

Last year Julie spent the holidays with him and his family. Her uncle Ty was too busy with his girlfriend that he didn't pay her much mind. His mom took it upon himself to welcome his then girlfriend into his family's holiday activities. Julie played board games with them, watched Christmas movies, even ate dinner with them, and she had her own presents under the tree.

"Julie's a strong girl. I'm sure she made it through this holiday break just fine."

Milton nods. He knew how strong Julie is, that was one of the reasons he fell in love with her. Her strong nature could rival Kim at times. "Yeah I know it's just, I got used to being with her and helping her."

"She's been dealing with her parents absence before she met you. I promise you sweetie, she's okay."

Milton nods again. "Yeah I know it's just," he trails off, not sure how he was going to finish the sentence, "I don't know."

His mom removes her arm from around him and clears her throat. She decided it was best to change subjects, "What are your plans for today?"

Milton shrugs. "I don't know. Get started on the Adventures of Tom Sawyer or the Glass Menagerie. Or maybe the Percy Jackson series Eddie won't shut up about."

Eddie wasn't much of a reader but when he does read his two favorite genres are sci fi and dystopian. Eddie's two favorite book series are the Percy Jackson series and the Hunger Games series. Though the Percy Jackson series didn't fall under his usual picks he picked it up after watching the movie that came out two years ago. He loved the movie and decided he just had to read the books. After reading the first two books Eddie rewatched the movie and decided he hated it.

"Milton David Krupnick, I will not let you waste the day feeling sorry for yourself."

The boy cowered slightly at the use of his full name before recovering to defend himself, "Mom I'm not-"

"I don't want to hear it. The county club is having a New Year's eve party for the underclassmen. You're going." Dorria ordered with finality

Milton sighs then looks down in defeat. He knew that was that. What his mom says, goes. He guesses he's going to SCC.


Big Bear Lake, California

Big Bear Village

Bearly Used Books

"-best song ever! I can't stop playing it. Plus the music video?! Chef's kiss! Taylor has truly outdone herself." Kelsey's voice gushes into Kim's ear

"I can attest to that. She hasn't stopped playing it. At this point if I hear the opening music I will literally lose it. I blackout and next thing I know I'm in a different room." Donna chimes in, annoyance lacing her voice

"So I might be overplaying it. So what? Don't blame me, Taylor Swift and her genius songwriting skills." Kelsey huffs and Kim could hear the pout in her voice

The blonde beauty smiles fondly at her best friend's enthusiasm. Kelsey loves Taylor Swift more than she does. Kim is just a casual fan but the other girl was a full blown Swiftie. She has all of her CD's, t-shirts, posters, and saves her concert tickets as a souvenir. Kim's heart goes out to Donna because she knows that the brunette girl has been annoying her to no end with the Red album. During winter break Donna sleepovers at Kelsey's house and spends almost all of the break over there. Donna's mom doesn't celebrate the holiday and is more often than not out of the house leaving Donna by herself.

It was hearing moments like these that made Kim homesick for her girlfriends. After Christmas Kim's family heads up to Big Bear Resort for the rest of the break. Now don't get her wrong, she loves going to the ski lodge. She was finally starting to get the hang of skiing thanks to her lessons. She graduated from the beginner's class to intermediate which also came with more bruises and aches. It's worth it though because Snow Summit mountain wasn't looking so intimidating anymore. Snowboarding was a lot easier to learn thanks to her already knowing how to surf.

Chuck was the expert skier and surfer of the family. He went on multiple family vacations to Norway and Iceland in the winter. He's been skiing and snowboarding since he was a child so it was second nature to him. Her mama was proficient in both activities since her family also went on winter vacations. Her mama was relearning the two activities again, still a bit rusty after not doing it for many years. The Crawford matriarch fell in love with it all over again and joined her on Snow Summit almost everyday.

Today starts her second (and last) week at Big Bear. She wanted to spend today in Big Bear Village. It was a cute picturesque little village with many different stores to check out. Not to mention it was decorated beautifully for the Christmas season. So many perfect backdrops for her selfies for Instagram and Facebook. Kim was currently in the village's used book store. Kim wouldn't consider herself a big reader but she made a resolution to read more.

Kim nods even though Kelsey can't see her and picks up a book. "Yeah that's a good song and all but I think All Too Well is one of her best songs ever. It darn near made me cry."

"All Too Well! Ugh that song is so heartbreaking! It's not my favorite TSwift song though. That title is still tied between Mine and Love Story though All Too Well is high on the list."

"I'm seriously about to hang up if you guys are just gonna go on another TSwift rant." Donna threatens. Unlike her two best friends she wasn't a Swiftie. She claims it wasn't her type of music.

With that being said Donna has a weird music taste. She likes alternative rock and post hardcore rock music. Bands such as Bring Me the Horizon, Panic! At the Disco, and Sleeping with Sirens. But then she also listens to Lana Del Rey, Marina and the Diamonds, and Sia. Then on top of that, the most surprising thing to a person that doesn't know Donna personally, is that she loves Big Band music. Donna was a closeted lover of the 1920s-1960s era. Her room is filled with multiple movies and shows, records, and even a few posters from that time.

Nobody would've guessed that about Donna judging on the way she looks and carries herself. Her usual outfit is some form of black, ripped, skinny jeans, oversized band shirts, and chunky boots. Sometimes she mixes it up with plaid pants and blue ripped jeans but her shirt was almost always dark colored whether that be black, gray, or red.

"Okay, okay, sorry." Kim half heartedly apologizes then took a few steps back and nearly tripped. She forgot there was a box of books behind her.

The store was a bit on the smaller side. Because of that it had kind of a cramp feel to it. Kim didn't mind, that brought a homey, comfort-y feel to it in her opinion. It also made it easier to find the book and genre she was looking for. Most of the books were lined on multiple floor to wall bookshelves. The rest of the books were on smaller bookshelves in the middle of the isles.

"Then let's talk about you DT. How many times have you replayed the Neighbourhoods newest EP?"

"Ha!" Kelsey exclaims through the phone causing her to wince, "do tell her DT!"

"That is besides the case." Donna tries to dismiss which only proved to Kim that the answer was a heck of a lot

Kelsey snorted, "Sure."

"Besides we're talking about you not me." Donna continues a bit petulantly and Kim giggles while Kelsey full on laughs

She pulls out another book, interested by the title. She turns the book around to read the summary of it. It was about a girl that spends her life in the shadows her popular cousin who seems to have the perfect life until she commits suicide. Leaving the protagonist in a downward spiral and having to choose how she'll deal with it. That sounded really depressing. She puts the book back.

Donna huffs and Kim thinks she hears Donna hitting Kelsey, "Whatever bottle blonde."

Kim perks up at the insult, "Speaking of that," she begins, "I still can't believe you dyed your hair Kelsey Louise."

Kelsey groans, "Ugh not Louise. My hair change is not middle name worthy."

"Eh it kind of is." Donna argues

Kim first saw the hair change on a Facebook post from Kelsey. It was of her and Donna dressed in matching Christmas themed pajamas sitting at a table with decorated gingerbread houses on it. Kim was so caught off guard at the bright blonde hair that she didn't recognize her at first. She thought Donna was posing with a new friend or long lost relative she never told her about. But the account profile said Kelsey's name and still had her old picture.

"I'm still tryna wrap my head around why you'd do that?"

"Why do you think it looks bad?" Kelsey asked, fear slipping into her voice

"No, no it doesn't look bad," Kim quickly denied. She knows how self conscious the other girl can be. "It's just so…different. It's gonna take a while to get used to. Especially since I haven't seen it in person yet."

"It's just hair. You're acting as if I got a tattoo or something."

"Well because-" Kim begins but stops when she hears a faint knocking over the phone.

She hears Kelsey say, "Yeah mom?" then a short, muffled conversation ensues on the other side of the line.

Donna sighs, "Well as interesting as this interrogation could've been, we gotta go."

Kim pouts, upset that she couldn't question Kelsey further, "Ok, love y'all miss y'all." Her Tennessee accent slipping into her words

"Love you, miss you too!" The two other girls echoed

After ending the call Kim pocketed her phone. She pulled the two books off the shelf that piqued her interest. One was about a girl that was in a car accident with her family but doesn't remember it and has to choose if she wants to live or die. The other book is about a small town southern boy that has dreams about a girl he never met. Then a new girl moves to town and he's drawn to her and the girl has powers and a dark family secret. Paraphrasing it like that makes it sound basic but the plot actually sounds really good.

Kim is a sucker for a good romance book and adding supernatural elements she's hooked. That's the reason despite how much she loves to trash the Twilight Saga she faithfully read all the books in the series and watched all the movies.

"Kim?"

The blonde freezes at the voice. It was a familiar voice. A familiar male voice. But it couldn't be. There was absolutely no way.

Kim reluctantly turned around and sure enough it was him. Dressed in black jeans with a matching black puffy coat over a gray sweatshirt and what looks to be ski boots. To finish off the look an indigo knitted hat covered his head.

She croaks out a strangled, "Brody?"

"I thought that was you." Brody smiles as he takes her in, equally surprised but pleased. He stepped a little closer to her. "What are you- since when did your family come to Big Bear?"

"Since three years ago," Kim answers a bit hotly. Still trying to recover from the shock of him, "and you?" she belatedly adds

"Ever since I was seven," the boy answered, "it was a family tradition. This is my first time back after I moved."

Kim blinks, "Oh. Okay."

She didn't know what to say to that. She didn't know if she should just ignore him entirely and walk out of the store. Even three months later she didn't have Brody and his intentions pinned down. She was still expecting the other shoe to drop. When she looked at him a rush of anger and humiliation still surged through her for what happened in seventh grade.

Brody's eyes trailed down and he notices the book in the girl's hand and nods towards it. "Whatcha got there?"

"A book," she sassily snapped, her instinctive response getting the better of her. She belatedly winces then looks down and deeply inhales to calm herself. "It's called Beautiful Creatures."

Brody nods, "Cool, cool."

Both not knowing what to say they fell into an awkward silence. Kim looked at the book in her hand again, the plot kind of sounded cool and she was toying with the idea of getting it. Plus the sticker price was in her budget.

Brody clears his throat to get her attention, "So where are you staying?"

Kim once more bites back a snarky remark at the question. She still felt a bit like a cornered animal. She couldn't help it, being around him made her feel that way. Off kilter. But she didn't want to make a scene in the bookstore so she forced her body into a more relaxed stance.

She drew her eyes back up to the boy, regarding him with a neutral expression. "In Snow Summit near the chairlift." She reluctantly answers

Brody nods his acknowledgement. "I'm in Shore Acres Lodge. It's near the lake." He tells he even though she didn't ask

"Uh huh."

"We're not that far from each other. Can't believe we didn't bump into one another sooner."

"Yeah, totally crazy." Kim deadpanned. She knew her passive aggressiveness was making Brody sweat and fumble as he desperately tried to make conversation. She would be lying if she said she wasn't relishing his nervous fumbling.

Brody shifted his weight on each foot then started fiddling with his coat zipper, "What day did you arrive here?"

None of your business! She screams in her mind, "Christmas Eve." Was what came out instead

Brody nods again. It's like he's trying to imitate a bobble head. "We came on the twenty second."

"Okay."

Awkward silence fell between them. She wished Brody would get the hint and leave her alone. How much more clear does she have to be that she doesn't wanna talk? Well if he doesn't wanna get the hint then she'll be the one to leave. Kim finally decided she was going to get this book so now all she had to do was go to the register and pay for it.

"So um how was your break so far?"

Kim stares at him, not quite a glare but not very friendly either. "Look I reached my limit of awkward convo for the day. I'm supposed to meet my family soon so I need to pay for this book."

A flicker of disappointment crossed the boy's face before he wiped it away with a forced smile and jerkily nods. "Yeah of course don't wanna keep them waiting."

Kim quickly stepped around him to head over to the cashier. She didn't want to talk or think about Brody anymore. She throws him a forced smile. "Definitely not," she agreed, "see ya." Hopefully not though

She rushed away from him before she could even hear his reply.


Seaford California

Seaford Country Club

Fairway Ballroom

Despite his family's membership, Milton doesn't go to SCC a lot. He doesn't have anything against the place itself because it actually has a lot of fun activities for the whole family and the building is beautiful. It's owned by its members, governed by an elected Board of Directors, and managed by a professional staff. It has an 18 hole golf course, golf practice facilities, six tennis courts, a state-of-the-art aquatics center, and a Clubhouse with dining and banquet facilities. The clubhouse is a long white building that sits on vast green acres of grass with trees around the building.

From what he heard his parents rave about, the service was incredible. The staff goes above and beyond for the members. But of course the five star service comes at a hefty price. You have to be able to afford the membership which means all the members come from the upper class. That unfortunately means a lot of the members don't treat the wait staff kindly, to put it lightly. To put it frankly, some of the members treated them like crap. Claire Zimmerman and the rest of her family being one of the first members to come to mind. From the handful of times Milton attended the club for the holiday events a Zimmerman almost always complained about something.

Some snotty members aren't the only reason Milton doesn't like going to the club. As strange as it sounds he was afraid to allow himself to get immersed in the environment. He was afraid if he did then he'll really become as Kim put it a 'Swathmore Reject.' If he becomes one then what if his friends turn their backs on him? What if they think he can no longer be one of them? He can't lose his friends and he doesn't want to make new ones. He likes his current friend group just fine. Jack the leader, Jerry the funny troublemaker, Eddie the heart and musician, and Kim the spitfire of the group. Milton likes that the group is made up of different-sometimes even clashing- personalities. That is what makes them, them; the Wasabi Warriors.

The ginger haired boy is afraid if he makes friends with the preps then there won't be any different personalities. That they would all be carbon cutouts of each other. Snotty carbon cutouts of each other. Maybe he's being unfair prejudice against them and wow that's a sentence he never thought he'd say about preps. Either way he has to go to the SCC's New Year's eve party so he'll see how it goes.

The Clubhouse still had their Christmas decorations set up including the huge tree in the foyer. SCC goes all out for the holiday season, trying to one up the decorations from the year before. The New Year's eve party took place in the Fairway Ballroom. That's where events like wedding ceremonies, birthday parties, and dances take place. Milton surveyed the ballroom. The room was already a little more than half full of teens. Some danced while others sat at the circular tables on the far left side of the room. A few buffet tables sat towards the left middle of the room against the wall. The lights were off and instead lit up by disco lights. Loud top forties music blared through the speakers.

Milton stood awkwardly by the doorway not sure what to do next and silently debating if he should leave. Anyone who knows him, knows he's not the party going type. He's the guy that plans parties and dances like he does in student council. He doesn't really like dancing or the top forties. His personal musical taste is the classics like Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, and Ella Fitzgerald. He also loves listening to classical piano when he's studying or reading. He only listens to modern music when he's hanging out with his friends like for instance his end of the summer pool party.

Milton decided he stood in the doorway for too long and he needed to do something. To not look like an awkward loser that doesn't know what to do. He moved toward the punch bowl. On his way to his destination he walked past a few tables filled with teens he didn't recognize. That was except for a table towards the middle center. He couldn't see very clearly but there was a flash of ginger hair and a familiar obnoxious laugh. Claire.

When Milton reached the buffet table there were already a few teens loitering there. There was a boy there pouring himself some punch. Milton thinks he recognizes the back of the boy. "Nigel?"

The boy turns around and sure enough it was Nigel. The boy breaks into a smile as he takes the Scot in. "Milton?"

Milton smiles back. He was so relieved that there was someone he knew here. Someone that wasn't an obnoxious brat that looks down on the lower class people on top of that.

"Hey."

"Hi! How are you?"

Excluding the hangout back in September, Milton hasn't hung out with Nigel outside of school. Their relationship remained school friends though Milton sometimes wondered if friends were too much and acquaintances was a better word. They haven't talked about anything personal; it mostly remained around school talk. They only really talk in their shared classes and acknowledge one another when they pass each other in the halls. Milton did like Nigel and can see him being a close friend in the future, he wasn't purposely trying to him at a distance. He just had other priorities during that time like being school president, the football team, karate and Julie. Then after the breakup he was too depressed to be friendly and that lasted for a long while.

"I'm doing well, thanks." That actually wasn't a lie. Milton wasn't depressed over Julie, he quit football and has now brought his grades back up. He still loves Julie of course but the heartbreak from the breakup was starting to heal.

Sure there was the fact that Jack nearly got stabbed by Frank and clearly hasn't recovered from that. Eddie and Kim aren't friends anymore after what he did to Kelsey so their group dynamic was dysfunctional at the moment. But has hope that the group will heal from that and become the united Wasabi Warriors again.

Now with a happier outlook on life he was all too happy to speak to Nigel. "How's your Christmas break?"

"It's been good. My family just got back from our trip to Europe to visit my grandparents."

"Oh cool where in Europe if you don't mind me asking?"

Nigel turned back around to finish filling his cup. "Oh no you're good. I should've been more specific. Europe's a big place." Nigel rambled then chuckled, "Prague. We visited Prague."

"Prague?" Milton asks in shock and Nigel nods in confirmation. "Wow, that's, wow. The city of a hundred spires."

Milton knows his friends think his family is loaded and just rolling in money. But they're really not. Milton would consider them upper middle class. His family doesn't travel much outside of the country. Scotland is the only country they irregularly visit and it's not for every vacation. It's more like once every other year. Most of their summer vacation they stay inside the country and they head over to Florida or Hawaii or just stay in California.

It seems like the Vaughn family is the type of rich his friends think he is. They're the ones 'rolling in dough' as Jerry would put it. Prague. Milton wishes his family would visit there. He could only dream of that experience.

Once Nigel finished filling his cup he stepped out of the way. Milton walked towards it and grabbed one of the stacked plastic cups next to the bowl. "That seems like a trip come true. I mean a dream come true. Prague is my dream trip, how was it?"

"It was great. The city is beautiful and so full of history. I saw the castle and went to the christmas markets, and their food was delicious. Saw some holiday performances at the Prague castle and saw the Nutcracker in the National Theater."

Milton blinked. "Wow." That was the only word he could muster out. That sounded so beautifully wonderful. It was his dream.

"What about you? How was your break?"

Compared to Nigel's vacation, Milton's seemed completely boring. His vacation consisted of holiday movies, going to holiday plays, scrolling through his social media, and hanging out with Eddie and sometimes Jerry. Milton prolonged answering by filling his cup then taking a long sip from it.

"It was nice. My family didn't travel this break since we visited my extended family in Scotland this summer."

Nigel raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You have family in Scotland?"

Milton nods in confirmation. "Yeah. I'm from a family of Scots on my dad's side."

A thoughtful expression crossed the prep's face. "Huh. You know now that I think about it that's actually not a surprise. You're red hair and last name."

Milton lightly laughs, "Krupnick is a unique surname." He used to get bullied for his last name in elementary school. Before Jerry became his friend he and Randy wouldn't let up on it.

"Would you like to come sit with me and my friends?"

Milton hung out with Nigel's friend group once back in September. Nigel invited him to SCC for an ice cream social and it was surprisingly nice. Arthur was surprisingly nice to him the entire time. Milton didn't know how to handle that. He knows people can change, Jerry was an example of that. The dancer used to bully him in elementary school before they became friends in fourth grade. It was just Arthur Turner of all people, the spoilt son of Mr. Turner, Bayview mall's owner.

He wasn't completely reformed after being sent away to a reform school of sorts. From the brief glimpses he's seen of Arthur in a few of their shared classes and at SCC he still has a superiority complex. Still looks down on people from the lower class and still treats the SCC wait staff badly. The difference is he treats his fellow upper class people nicely. From his one hangout with them Milton was a bit shocked to see an emotion other than condescending on his face. To see a smile that wasn't smug on his face. The entire time Arthur didn't say one rude thing to him and instead actually apologized to him again for his behavior in seventh grade. He even told him he could call him by his nickname, Archie, it's what his friends and family call him.

Besides Arthur, there was also Kandace Dalvi. A sweet demure tenth grader who was a writer for the yearbook. Milton would be lying if he said he didn't harbor a slight crush on the tenth grader. He thought she was really beautiful

As for Skylar Wright and Marcus Reed he doesn't have much of an opinion on them. The Wright family are some really wealthy entrepreneurs and own the Civic Center. While Marcus' dad is vice president of a software company and his mom is a surgeon. They were the tenth grade power couple of sorts and have been together since the eighth grade. He thinks the two of them are talented actors from what he saw in The Addams Family and good singers from what he saw in the talent show. They were nice enough to him in the Ice Cream Social but Milton could tell they weren't really interested in talking to him or getting to know him.

Milton nods. "Sure."

"Great! Let's go!"

Nigel begins to lead him towards his table. On their way to the table they passed one full of laughing girls. Milton couldn't see very clearly but he recognized the laugh and the flash of ginger hair. Claire. Jerry's boasting of making out with her flashed in his mind despite her being in a relationship. He doesn't understand people who would cheat. If they weren't happy in their relationship why not just break up with them? It'll still hurt but possibly less.

When they reached Nigel's table Milton recognized Arthur, Skylar, Marcus, and finally Kandace. At their last hangout he got along well enough with the sophomores. Skylar and Marcus were nice enough but clearly disinterested in talking to him more than they had to to be nice. Kandace was also nice but she was on the shy side. Sixth grade to early seventh grade Milton harbored a huge crush on the tenth grader. He thought she was absolutely beautiful and on top of that she was smart. That was enough for him.

"Hey guys look who I found?"

The group all turned to look at Milton with varying expressions ranging from disinterest to pleasant surprise. "Milton, hey!" Arthur excitedly greeted him

Milton gave the group a short wave. "Hey, uh happy new year's eve."

Marcus nodded at him, "Ditto."

Nigel looked down at the table and noticed that it was seated for five instead of six people. "Oh I didn't realize there weren't enough chairs."

"You can just pull up a chair from another table." Kandace suggested

"Yeah, good idea."

After a round of hellos and hi's and situating a pulled chair at the table, Milton sat down. He was seated between Nigel and Kandace and across from him were the tenth grade couple with Arthur on Marcus' right. Now newly single he couldn't help but be highly aware of the fact that he was sitting next to his former crush. He tried to push through that.

Milton cleared his throat then looked up from the table to Skylar and Marcus. "Uh Skylar, Marcus, you two were really good in Addams Family."

The couple preened. "I know right?" Skylar boasted while Marcus decided to play humble. He waved the compliment off "Aw, thanks man. It was a group effort."

"So how's everyone's New Year's Eve going?" Milton asked

Arthur was the first to answer. The ginger haired boy can't say he's surprised. "Great. Have a certain girl in mind who I wanna kiss to ring in the new year."

Skylar groans then looks up at the ceiling. "Please tell me it's not Claire Zimmerman."

Arthur flashed her a mischievous grin. "It is." He confirms causing the tenth grade girl to dramatically shake her head. Milton smirks at her dramatics.

Nigel gives him an incredulous look. "You still want her? Did you forget she has a boyfriend?" He asks

The boy in question shook his head. "Oh no I remember. But it's only a matter of time she realizes I'm who she wants to be with."

Kandace huffs then sinks down into her chair. "Here we go again." Milton hears her mutter

Judging from the group's reaction he guesses this isn't the first time Arthur brings up Claire. Milton finds it kind of funny in an annoying way that it seems like lately he can't escape from hearing about Claire. First being Jerry then now Arthur. Why do they like the Swathmore girl so much? What's so special about her?

"You're sure about that?" Skylar dryly remarks after crossing her arms. Marcus reaches towards her plate to steak one of her fried balls off of her plate.

Arthur leans back in his chair then starts listing points on his fingers. "Absolutely who wouldn't want to be with me? I'm rich, I'm cute, our families are friends and I'm a Turner."

There it was. There was the Arthur Milton remembered. The cocky, obnoxious Arthur that terrorized the group and thought he was free from punishment from his dad.

Skylar laughs, "Oh just when I think you couldn't be anymore of an egomaniac."

Arthur scoffs and rolls his eyes, "Oh you're one to talk."

"Just because your families run in the same circle doesn't mean you're meant to be together." Nigel argues

"Oh yeah? Tell that to Skye and Marcus' parents."

That caused the entire table to fall silent. Milton doesn't know much about the high society of Seaford but he does know that Skylar and Marcus' family are close friends. He does remember hearing them brag about how their two kids are perfect together and meant to be at some of the dinner parties he was forced to go to. It was expected of Skylar and Marcus to get together. It was just how high society worked.

Skylar slowly nods, "Well played."

Marcus raises his plastic cup towards him, "Touche," he says before taking a sip from it. After he finishes drinking Marcus continues. "Well I'm rooting for you Arch."

Arthur beams at him. "Thanks man. I mean who wouldn't want this face?" He rhetorically asks pointing to his face

"Why don't you aim for someone easier like her friend Rayna. She's pretty." Kandace suggested

Skylar's face scrunched in confusion, "Who's Rayna?"

Marcus shrugs, "No clue." He reaches over again to steal another fried ball off of her plate and this time she notices. She smacks his hand and scowls at him but he shoves the ball in his mouth before she could stop.

Arthur scoffs, "Easy's boring. I like a challenge. And Rayna's really not my type. She doesn't even come from an important family. "

Milton bit his tongue from defending Rayna. It was talk like that that made him not want to be friends with him. That made him want to walk right out of here and not come back. Arthur was exactly the type of wealthy snob he wanted to avoid. He didn't though.

"What's her last name?" Marcus asks after he swallows. He grabs his cup and downs the rest of his drink

"Beats me, I only remember important people's last name," Arthur dismissively answered before pausing in consideration, "and hot girls."

"I think it starts with an O," Nigel answers. "O'brien?"

Kandace shakes her head. "It's Olson."

Arthur snaps his fingers "Olson! Right." Then he shakes his head. "Like I said before. Not important."

Skylar breaks a part of her cookie off her plate then pops it in her mouth, "Well since you're going for a Zimmerman that challenge is going to be for the rest of high school."

Arthur dramatically clutches his chest, "You have such little faith in me."

Skylar arches an unimpressed brow, "Well considering the last time you tried to talk to her it ended with her ignoring your existence until Monty scared you off, yeah I do."

"I have more faith in Monty kicking your ass." Nigel admits

"Et tu Nigel?"

His fellow ninth grader shrugged, "Sorry man."

"Well Monty's not here tonight so we'll see how it goes." Marcus encourages

"Thank you." Arthur turns towards Milton, who's been silently watching the interplay, "what about you Milton? Do you think I have a chance?"

Milon's eyes widened slightly at the question and he was internally grateful that the lights were dimmed. Everyone was looking at him and he could feel his hands clam up.

"Oh um, I, I really don't know," Milton laughs a little nervously, "I mean I don't know Claire that well so I can't say what she will or will not do. And um me personally she's not really my type she's kinda scary and rude but um. But um it's possible, I mean she made out with my friend a few months ago."

His last comment drew shocked exclaims from the group.

"Wait what?"

"Come again?!"

Milton shyly nodded, then sat on his hands to stop himself from tapping the table. "Yeah it was back in November I think. He was at Swathmore for the award ceremony for the freshmen class because his sister goes there. He left the auditorium and ran into her then they ended up making out."

The group was stunned into silence as they digested the information. He wasn't sure if maybe he shouldn't have shared that or not.

Skylar was the first to recover. "Huh. You know what, I don't know why I'm acting surprised. I knew little Zimmerman was going to follow in her sister's slutty footsteps."

Nigel loudly clears his throat. "Anyways," he starts, "how was your winter break Milton?"


Big Bear Village

The Bowling Barn

For the rest of the day Kim tried to push the Brody thing out of her mind. So what if she ran into Brody Freaking Carlson at Big Bear? It's no big deal. It's no big deal that out of all the people in Seaford High and Seaford in general Brody was who she ran into. That Brody also vacationed at Big Bear, who cares? Kim didn't run into him at all the first week at the ski resort so she can reasonably believe that she won't run into him again.

Kim spent the rest of the day making a valiant effort to forget about stupid Brody's stupid face and enjoy her day. Her family ate lunch in one of the restaurants in the village then afterwards walked around the village a bit. Afterwards the Crawford family headed over to the Alpine Slide. There they burned through a few hours playing mini golf, Go karting, and snow tubing. Chuck and her both tried out the tobogganing while her mama and Belle, understandably, opted out. Kim loved tobogganing, it was such an adrenaline rush sliding down the winding hills.

For those few hours Kim was successfully able to forget about Carlson. She was able to enjoy quality family time in this beautiful ski resort. She put all the crappy stuff out of her mind; Eddie being a big fat jerk, Jack and his weird behavior, and Brody being at this resort. It was like she was living in a snowglobe of bliss where everything is perfect. Like at the end of that Reese Witherspoon movie where she died but was a ghost and Mark Ruffalo's character was the only one who could see her.

After they were all worn out from the Alpine Slide the Crawford family went back to their cabin in Snow Summit to relax. Her mama took a nap while Chuck stayed in the living room with Belle to watch TV with her. Kim holed up in her room deciding to crack open the book she bought earlier.

When it was around seven-ish the family headed down to the Bowling Barn for a late dinner. After food and drinks were consumed Belle begged their parents to go bowling. Because Chuck was a sucker for her puppy eyes he caved and the whole family played one game of bowling. Bowling honestly wasn't one of Kim's favorite games; she found it to be kinda boring and long. That one game turned into two games at Belle's persistence and her mama's competitiveness coming out. Kim didn't wanna play in the second game so she asked her parents if she could hang out in the arcade. Her mama granted her permission and the girl was off.

On her way to the arcade area she had to pass by a few tables. At one of the tables a certain boy caught her eye. A boy that was around her age sitting by himself typing on his phone. A boy she unfortunately knew all too well.

Brody. Freaking. Carlson.

Kim narrowed her eyes. "Unbelievable." She muttered then stalked right over to him

"Are you stalking me now?"

Brody jumped at her sudden appearance, nearly dropping his phone. In a different situation she might've laughed. Brody looks up to her, confusion written on his face, "Um no? I like The Bowling Barn. They have good food and my dad and I are hungry."

Kim crossed her arms, "So you just coincidentally ran into me at the bookstore and then coincidentally you're here?" She challenged

"Yeah."

Kim narrows her eyes at him. Brody sighs heavily then places his phone on the table next to him. "Look Kim, don't take this the wrong way but I have better things to do in my time than stalking someone who hates me. That's just pathetic."

Kim flushes at the remark. It threw her off her game as her anger turned into embarrassment at her rushed conclusion. "Fine whatever." She grumbled then turned to make her hasty retreat to lick her wounds in private

"Wait!" Brody stops her before she could leave. "With that being said. I am happy I ran into you and I wouldn't mind the company."

Kim flatly stares at him. "You're joking."

Brody shakes his head. "No, actually I'm not."

The blonde uncrosses her arms to prop her left hand on her hip. "You want someone who hates you to sit with you?"

The boy in question shrugs. "I'm hoping it'll be better than sitting alone." He flashes her a forced grin

"Where's your dad?"

"In the Alley Oops Bar."

Kim's surprise must've shown on her face because he further elaborated. "It's just uh, this time is just kind of hard for him. That's all."

Kim blinks. She's not sure what to say to that. She was further confused as to why Brody was telling her this in the first place. Why was he talking to her so nicely in general after she just got through accusing him of something? He's so confusing and irritating that she wants him. Or shake him and demand answers,

"So uh, what do you think?"

Kim has reached her breaking point. She was done with confusing boys and trying to read between the lines. She was done with Brody making her question everything all over again because he was being so patient and nice. Not rising to the bait. She just wants to hate him in peace and not feel guilty for being rude to him but he was making it difficult. Why can't he just act like a regular rude douchebag?

Kim uncrosses her arms and balled her hands into fist at her sides in frustration. "Okay what are you playing at huh? Why are you like this?"

Brody looked genuinely confused at her question. It just irritated her more. "Excuse me?"

"Why are you being so nice to me? What's your angle?" She demands

The boy in question cocked his head to the side, still confused. "Why do I need to have an angle to be nice to you?"

"Because I haven't exactly been nice to you back but for some reason you're still being nice. You haven't dropped your act so why? I don't like being played with, especially by you."

Brody smirks. "Wow Kim Crawford admitting she's not perfect. Hell must be frozen over."

"Screw you." Kim turns to leave again but this time Brody jumps up from his seat to grab her wrist before she leaves.

"Wait, wait, wait, don't leave." Kim tenses at the touch and looks down at his hand. Brody quickly releases her. " I'm sorry I'm just joking."

Kim crosses her arms again and glares at him. A lesser man would cower under her glare. She got it from her mama and Mimi. Brody didn't cower.

"Wow, you really don't trust me huh?" Brody rhetorically asks, "Did you ever think maybe I'm not playing a game? Maybe I'm nice to you because I want to be nice to you."

Kim's arms remained crossed and her glare didn't soften. Brody runs a hand through his hair and huffs again.

"Look, I'm being nice to you because I genuinely like you. I think you're a cool person and I would like to be friends with you. I know you don't have any reason to trust me after what happened in seventh grade. I'll say it again, I am truly sorry about that. It was dumb and I didn't even end up joining them. Funnily enough I ended up moving a few months later." Brody chuckles humorlessly and a sad look crossed his face

He didn't say anything for a full ten seconds that Kim softened her stance and grew a bit concerned. Brody shaked his head as he shakes off those thoughts and looks back at her.

"I really did start to like you. I started having second thoughts before the Cotillon. I even told Frank that but he talked me out of it and reminded me of my desire to be a Black Dragon and you obviously know the rest."

Kim was silent for a moment. She shifted her weight between her feet. He looked genuine. He sounded genuine. She doesn't know what to think anymore. What to believe anymore. "So that's it? That's your story?"

Brody shakes his head and chuckles humorlessly. "If you wanna call it that then yeah, that's my story."

Kim didn't know what to think.

All of Brody's previous happiness has evaporated. He sits back down in his seat. "But if you don't wanna stay then that's fine. It was just a suggestion but you don't have to." He clearly didn't think she'd stay. He grabbed his phone again and began typing on it again. A dismissal as clear as ever.

Kim bites her lip. She should leave. That would be the smart thing to do. She still doesn't know if she could trust him again. But if she wants to be fair to him, he hasn't given her any reason to distrust him. Again anyway, this year. He's been nothing but nice and patient with her. When she made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with him he gave her the space she desired. Never forced her to forgive him. Plus it's going to be a New Year, did she really want to enter another year despising him?

With much reluctance she slid into the seat across from him. Brody looks up from the table at her in surprise. "You sure?"

"No." Kim admits. "So don't make me regret this."


Seaford Country Club

Fairway Ballroom

About an hour later the group split up. An hour of Milton getting to know the preps and learning their group dynamic. Skylar and 'Archie'-which feels weird to say- have a playful bickering relationship. They were a lot alike too; kinda arrogant, judgemental, a bit snobby, and like boasting about their latest news. They do have good qualities too, they're funny-even though their humor is kind of mean- and they were nice to him. When Milton puts it like that they're cons outweigh the two pathetic pros but he tells himself he just needs to hangout with them more to unravel their layers.

Nigel and Kandace were the mediators and more down-to-earth compared to Skylar and Archie. Nigel changes the conversation when Archie and Skylar's bickering was getting heated or they were going on a tangent about something. Kandace chastises the two when they say something a little too mean. Marcus was fifty-fifty. He said some snobby comments and laughed at Skylar and Archie's rude jokes that rubbed Milton the wrong way. But Marcus was way less obnoxious than Archie and rolled his eyes and some of his comments.

Marcus and Skylar were the first to leave. Presumably to makeout judging by Arthur's wagging of eyebrows at their departure and crude joke. Arthur was next to leave after spotting Claire alone at the buffet table. Lastly Nigel had to take a phone call from his dad so he left the ballroom entirely to find a quiet place. That left Milton alone with Kandace Dalvi. His former crush. Alone with him.

The tenth grader was daintily eating her food. Taking a small bite out of her stuffed mushroom then fully chewed and swallowed her snack before she spoke. "So Milton are you having fun?"

"Yes. I'm glad my mom forced me to come here. It's definitely better than sitting at home and watching Home Alone again." Milton internally hit himself for saying that. He sounded like a complete loser. She didn't need to know he was forced to come here. "Your friends are great too. Especially Nigel."

"I know Arch and Skylar can be a bit much but they are good people. Deep down."

"No, I get it. Don't worry they're fine. I wasn't bothered. Much." That was a bold face lie but she didn't need to know that. Unlike Jack and Kim he's a pretty good liar so thankfully she bought it.

"Is this your first time at SCC?"

"No, no, my family has a membership here. I've been here before for the holiday celebrations."

Kandace looked surprised at that. "Oh. I can't say I have seen you around."

Milton shrugs, looking back down at his nearly empty plate. The only thing left on it was a half eaten turkey wrap that he found delicious. "Not surprising. I don't come here often."

"Oh why not? If you don't mind me asking."

"I just," Milton trails off not knowing how to articulate his words, "I just already have my friends and they don't go here so I don't have a reason to go here either."

Kandace nods, "I get that." She takes a short sip from her plastic cup before speaking again. "So what do your parents do?"

"My mom's a pediatrician and my dad's a scientist at TechTronic labs."

The tenth grader's eyes widened. "TechTronic labs?!" She repeated in shock. "As in the company that collaborated with Davenport Industries?"

"Indeed it is." Milton internally cringed at his answer. Indeed it is? Is he an old person? Jerry and Kim would've teased him for that.

Thankfully Kandace either didn't notice or didn't care. She was too excited by his revelation. "No way! Did your dad get to meet him?"

Milton slightly cringed at the question. He finishes the rest of his turkey wrap to prolong answering. "Yes he did and unfortunately he didn't have many nice things to say about Donald."

Milton has never seen his dad as angry as he was when he came home from work that day. He spent the entire dinner ranting about Donald Davenport and called him an obnoxious, self centered, arrogant jerk. His dad also used some more colorful words and insults that his mom ushered him out of the dining room and away from then seven year old Daphne.

Disappointment crossed the older girl's face that melted into consideration. She turns back to her plate and grabs her fork. "Oh, well I can't say I'm surprised. He does give off arrogant vibes in his interviews."

Milton points in agreement at that. "True. Then there's speculation about having a fallout with his estranged brother over Davenport Industries."

Some of the latest gossip that's been circulating in the news is that Donald Davenport has an estranged brother, Douglas Davenport who's accusing him of- and Milton quotes- 'screwing him out of Davenport Industries'. Allegedly the two started the company together but Donald went behind his back and took all the credit for the inventions then kicked his brother out of the company. The betrayal really ruined his life because he lost out on millions of dollars that he could've used to support his three kids. Donald is of course denying all the claims.

SIlence fell between the two again. Only it wasn't an awkward silence that had him wanting to high tail away in embarrassment. It was a good silence. A comfortable silence as they watched their peers dancing on the dance floor to who Milton thinks is Ke$ha. Again he only recognizes the voice because Kim was a fan of hers.

Milton looked down at his plate, disappointed when he saw it was empty. "I'm going to get another turkey wrap. Do you want me to get you anything?"

Kandace smiled and shook her head. "No, I'm good, thank you."

Milton flashes her a smile back before scooting his chair back and standing up. He couldn't stop a grin from forming on his face as he walked over to the buffet table. Sixth grade Milton would've blown a gasket if he knew future him would've had a proper conversation with Kandace. That he didn't act like a fool in front of her like he did when he tried to talk to Julie for the first time. His smile dimmed a little when he thought about his ex. Almost the entire time he's been here he kind of forgot about her. He pushed the thought of her away again. He was happy right now and he was going to continue being that way.

Once the Scot reached the table he walked down towards where the wraps were. While humming a Frank Sinatra song he grabbed two more wraps and placed them on his plate. He lingered at the table longer to check if there was any more food he might want to try.

"Milton Krupnick."

Milton froze at that voice. He knew that voice. He hated the owner of that voice. The smile wiped instantly off his face when he heard that voice. Why? Why out of all the people in the world that person had to be here? Just when he was feeling so happy.

Milton didn't hold back a groan when he reluctantly turned around and sure enough it was him. "Truman."

The prankster stood behind him holding a plastic cup and grinning like the Chesire cat. "Well isn't this a surprise."

Milton snapped, "Not a pleasant one."

Truman dramatically clutches his chest. "Ouch. Is that anyway to talk to someone who did you a huge favor?"

Milton stills at the reminder of one of his biggest regrets he ever made. Of how he truly became class president.

Truman smiles deviously at him, reveling in the taller's sudden uncomfort. "Yeah, did you forget about that? Cause I didn't."

And to think Milton was just riding off the high of talking to his former crush. Of course he couldn't stay that way. Of course karma had to knock him down for what he did to Kim. Something he forgot about since it was so many months ago.

"Don't worry, your secret's still safe with me," Truman pauses, "for now anyway."

The ginger haired boy foolishly believed that he could forget what happened in September. That Truman forgot and they could go on living their lives separately. He was wrong. Of course he was wrong, he knew how Truman was.

"What do you want, Truman?" Milton aks through gritted teeth wanting nothing more then to leave this conversation now

"Nothing, for now. I'm just catching up with a friend." The boy in question assures him

"We're not friends."

Truman gives him a flat look. "You're going to need to start being nicer to me or I will want something from you sooner." he warns

Milton falls silent at the threat. He scoffs, "I knew you didn't help me out of the goodness of your heart."

Truman made a thoughtful face and tapped his chin. "Some people question if I have one. I'm still trying to figure that one out too."

"So now you are blackmailing me just like how you blackmailed Eddie in seventh grade?!"

"No, of course not. We're friends now Milton and I would never blackmail a friend," Truman denies insincerely. "It's just from now on if I ever need help from my friend you'll help me no questions asked."

Milton glares at him. "That sounds like blackmail to me." Truman shrugs dismissively, "Call it what you want." He flashes him another evil grin then patted Milton on his left shoulder. "Happy New Year's Milton. I have a feeling it's going to be a fantastic year." He tells him then walks away leaving a frazzled Milton behind

Happy New Year's to him.