It was Friday night at the Lodge, but it was also make your own pizza night. Several of the boys and Feister were in the kitchen making their food while the radio played in the background. Usually it would be one of those chaotic nights filled with laughter and good natured jabs, but the tight features on Feister's face and the way she was throwing the toppings down you'd think the poor sauce did something. It couldn't be more obvious she was picturing Mush's face and she was pretending to drown him in in said sauce. Luckily he wasn't in the room right now because the oven could only fit about five or six pizzas. They were single serving size, but with chips or fries or really anything else they could find to go along with the food was filling enough.

It had been approximately four days since the fight. Four days since they haven't looked each other in the eyes, much less stood in the same room together. Feister had done a masterful job of making sure of that. As of right now it was for the best. She's a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode and must be handled with care. Not that she's let them do much caring. Nope. She shut them all out. The good thing was Feister was still talking and eating. It's in small portions but it's better than what usually happens. Then again, it seems like she's functioning on autopilot. The girl they all considered a sister is nothing but a shell of her former self. As Crutchie pointed out, she's still making little jabs at them. Some more than others. But hey, if snide remarks get the anger out of her system instead of brawling it out then it's a win.

"Sometimes I hate every, single stupid word you say, sometimes I wanna slap you-" the song was cut off because Feister just so happened to be standing closest to the radio. She all but slammed her finger on a random button to switch stations.

"Should've been us, should've been a fire, should've been a perfect storm-" the slam of the button was louder than the last.

"Now I'm walking down the street like it's a runway-" another slam. This time it was followed by a sound of frustration.

"I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're bout to cry!" This time, Feister reached over and pulled the plug and tossed it to the side. She gave it a little shove just because she could. "I hate the radio anyways," she muttered under her breath. Then returned to making her pizza. Just as she was about to grab a knife to cut up some basil when the item in question was snatched away. "HEY!"

"Sorry Feisty but right now you can't be trusted with sharp objects," Jack said with an apologetic face. "Or anything right now."

"Jack," Feister said sweetly. "I can turn an orange peel into a weapon."

"You can also rip basil with your hands, you don't need a knife," Jack pointed out.

Pressing her lips together and keeping eye contact, Feister grabbed a single basil leaf ripped it in half, rather violently, and tossed it in Jack's face. With that sweet smile, she whirled around, causing her braid to smack Jack's chest and went back to work. All in all that could've gone a lot worse. Wordlessly and without any music to pass the time, the first rounds of pizzas were popped into the oven and in came group two. Sadly Mush was in that group, but Feister, knowing this, had bolted off to her room for the meantime.

"Can't you two make up already," Finch sighed with exasperation.

"Why? Life has gotten so much better without her meddlin'," Mush replied. He kept his focus on his pizza making skills.

"So that's what we're callin' it," Albert said with crossed arms. "Cause she was ready to turn your whole face into a swollen bobble head.

"Yes, thank you so much Albert for remindin' us of that."

Sniper chuckled. "Mush almost got soaked by a tiny girl."

Mush grumbled. It wasn't his fault Feister's anger issues went unchecked for so long. He didn't ask to be her filter. It practically happened against his will. She was the one who followed him around like a lost puppy, not the other way around. Why was he responsible for keeping her in check? It could've been anyone, but no, it was him. In Mush's opinion The girl is mentally unstable. Too much anger running through that pint sized body. It's down right concerning how she's only capable of being mad and ready for a beat down. Personality layers yeah right. It's all an act to draw people in before she strikes. And Feister has to nerve to say other girls are snakes. Well guess what little Miss braids, you're the snake so there. Practically his whole life was wasted on a girl who makes him want to rip his hair out.

"Hey now be nice," Kid Blink chimed in. "He wouldn't have gotten almost soaked if he kept his big mouth shut."

"Oh so you're on her side now."

"Only because you took her biggest insecurity and threw it in her face. C'mon Mush, just cause we know it don't mean we gotta say it out loud. You know how she was like those first few months. She was so distant and cold." If being done took a human form it was Kid Blink. Especially with it came to Mush for brains and the five feet of unstable emotions that is Feister.

"Whatever. I never wanted for her to be my little shadow anyways." Mush replied. Once again the room fell silent. And without any music to pass the time the usual lively night was almost solem.

Before long dinner came around and everyone settled in their usual seats. Aside from Feister. She sat at the far, opposite end. "Hey Feisty, you know that's where the vent hits, right?" Elmer asked.

"Yeah and?"

"And you don't like it. You say it makes you sneeze."

"I'm wearin' a hoodie."

"It's the warmest day of the year. Enjoy it, we're finally outta winter, the days are gettin' longer and-"

"Sit down already and shove it in some food!" Albert said. He grabbed Elmer by the back of his shirt and yanked him down. Making sure to glare at the oblivious boy. Not that it would be much help anyways. Elmer never was good at reading the room despite the very obvious tension that was stirring.

"Can't you two make up already?"

There were several glasses clinking against the table, one choke like cough and so many death stares and still, Elmer made no move to stop talking.

"Maybe when she stops ruinin' relationships."

"I ain't the problem," Feister muttered under her breath.

Leaning towards Race, Romeo whispered "Does this count as them talkin'?" Race mouthed "no", acting casual as he did so.

"Mush, I hate to break it to you but you're kinda the king of failed relationships," Buttons said gently. "Remember talkative Tammy?"

"Was that before or after the prep school girl?" Jojo asked.

"Before," Kid Blink clarified.

"Wasn't that the one who went to study in London?" Mike asked

"No, that was before the prep school girl," Ike replied.

"So, when did kissy Kate come into the picture?" Sniper asked.

"Right before that annoying Amelia chick," Race said.

"Her name was Amy," Albert corrected.

"No, I'm pretty sure it was Ally," Finch piped up.

"Annie. Her name was Annie." this time it was Henry who spoke.

"Alice."

"Aspen."

"Ashely."

"AMBER YOU IDIOTS HER NAME'S AMBER!" Feister shouted as she slammed her fist against the table. "First love Lacey, rude Rowan, needy Nacey, crazy Chloe, kissy Kate, then it was the prep school girl, shortly followed by the one who went off to London. Annoying Amber, talkative Tammy, mad Mary, which now brings us too gross Genevieve," Feister explained without breaking a sweat. "mind you even if those were talkin' stages and never had any chance of makin' it past that. But really are any of the considered girlfriends really that much?" all the while she picked at her food sounding nonchalant as ever.

"Didn't know anyone was keepin' track of my love life."

"Tu dis garder une trace, je dis que tu ne fermes jamais ton trou à tarte, espèce d'idiot obsédé par l'amour," Feister said.

"Does that count as them talkin'?" Romeo whispered.

"It ain't in English so I'd say a la no," Race replied.

"Oh my gosh that is - ah forget it." Feister waved off.

"Spekain' of relationships, when are the two of you gonna make up already?"

"Elmer!" several of the boys shouted in unison.

"When Feisty stops doin' her all bark and no bite act."

At this point Feister usually said some sort of remark. Whether it be sarcastic, sass, or a combination of both. She always had a quick response with twice the force. But this time around she kept quiet as she slowly picked away at her food. Actually she ate most of the crust and none of the pizza. It was unsettling to the rest of the boys that she didn't fight back with any fire whatsoever. After pushing her food around the plate she got up and left without a word. However, her footsteps on the stairs were heavier than normal, but she didn't slam the door.

"You know, I remember a time when you said you wouldn't let anyone hurt her. That you'd always protect her." Kid Blink pressed his lips together. "Didn't think I'd see the end of it."

"She's always been heartless."

"Mush, are you tellin' me that or trying to convince yourself."

"Feisty! Are ya dressed cause if not do it, Grab your gear, let's head out."

Was the sentence that was said right before Feister found herself at the local skate park with Albert. Honestly she couldn't remember what her response was, just that she was all but dragged out the door while the redhead carried their skateboards. So there she was, lacing up her shoe and tucking them inside to ensure it didn't untie or tangle up. The sound of wheels against pavement was one of her favorites. The thud it would make when one would land quickly followed by the drag. Why Albert had brought her here was beyond her, but once she hopped on her board and started to run the various obstacle she stopped questioning and allowed her body to take over. It almost felt like she was floating when she'd soar through the air and land with ease. Of course this was just a warm up seeing as it's been several months since she last did this. Now that it was warmer and the snow had melted it was deemed safe to do so. Kloppman didn't let them go when the snow season was over since he didn't trust whoever was in charge of cleaning said snow off the skatepark to do their job properly.

"Nice work Feisty!" Albert called out as he watched from the side. He didn't have a warm up routine like Feister seemed to have, he preferred heading over to the bowl or half pipe. Really get into the nitty gritty part.

"Is that your sister?" a female voice asked. Turning around he was met with a pretty brunette with sparkling green eyes.

"Yeah. best skater this side of lower Hattan." there was a pause. "Sides me of course." he winked.

"That's my brother over there by the triangle thingy."

"That would be the a-frame," Albert corrected. He observed the boy who was going back and forth on the concrete obstacle. He could easily tell the kid was new at this by his shakey form and hesitation to roll down. Complete opposite of Feister who was willing to go down the highest point she possibly could. Albert didn't let her and taught her the basics, but she's a fast learner, or maybe it's her stubbornness, but within less than two weeks she was rolling like a pro.

"Right. I'm Sydney."

"Albert." he did a once over. Sydney's kind of cute in her skinny jeans and pale green hoodie. Her hair was up in a ponytail and she smelt like flowers. "Maybe I could teach your brother a thing or two. No offense but this ain't the park for a newbie like him. They'll eat the poor kid alive. And by that, I mean once Feisty gets a sniff of him, he's dead."

"Feisty?"

"Nickname. I would tell you her real name but she'd eat me alive."

This got Sydney to laugh. It was a nice sound…very nice indeed. "Well, if you can get Timmy to talk then by all means teach away."

"And what about you? Interested in learnin'?"

"Nah. I'll stick to gymnastics."

"Well you've got the balance part down. The rest shouldn't be a problem." Albert shrugged. "The drops are much scarier than they actually are. Once ya go down the thrill takes over."

"So I take it you're a dare devil."

"Hey you said it not me. But it also impresses girls." another pause. "Is it workin' on you?" she laughed again and it was like music to his ears. That's when he felt two tiny fingers pinch his skin while the nails drove in. possibly leaving two crescent shape marks. "Feisty! What was that for?" he grumbled.

"Just makin' sure you're still aware of where you are." Feister shrugged with what's been deemed as the doe face. Her eyes were wide, filled with the upmost innocence. A title of the head while the loose locks of hair laid perfectly against her temples.

"Go do some ollies or kick flips, I'm kinda busy right now." he waved her off.

Feister huffed with crossed arms. "Yeah? Seems like all you idiots are busy these days. Dunno why I even bother anymore." without another word she pushed off, heading straight to the bowl.

"Sorry about her. She's been in a bad mood ever since…." realization hit him like a train coming at full speed. So, that's why she gets all defensive and protective. It's not because she's jealous, it's because they push her to the side when love is floating in the air. Now that he really things about it, they can somewhat get away with it, but Mush can't. Being the closest to her and all she's not used to sharing him with other females. Or any of them really but that's not the point. Kinda. Ish. The sum of it all is that if the others brush her off the same way he did, with no thought whatsoever, when Mush does it, it's completely different. And yeah Albert still believes there's some deeper feelings between those two.

Maybe Feister isn't as complicated as he thought she is. Maybe he never took the time to actually think about it. With Mush around no one really has to do much thinking with her, but now that they're clearly not on speaking terms they all have to make the extra effort to understand her. How Mush ever managed to get as close as he did, Albert will never know. There's some level of insanity, or possibly a death wish. But whatever. He gets the point, blank, period of it all.

"Can't believe I'm sayin' this," he muttered. "I'm actually gonna have to take a rain check. I just unlocked what makes that girl tick."

In the comfy corner of the couch Finch lazily strummed away on his guitar while the others milled about doing their own thing. Race was playing solitaire on the coffee table, Jack and Buttons were working on something for art class, Elmer was scrambling to finish a paper that's due the next day. He had received it sometime last week. Just another normal night at the Lodge. Though it was rather quiet given the fact the two loudest of the group were currently else where. And without his other half Race was fairly calm for the time being.

Eventually his fingers took the lead and he began to mindlessly play a rather familiar chord progression. Strum, strum slap, a small series of strums, double strum slap. "I remember when we broke up, the first time, saying, "This is it, I've had enough," 'cause like, we hadn't seen each other in a month, when you said you needed space-"

"WHAT?!" several of the boys finished off.

"Then you come around again and say-" Finch sang.

"Baby, I miss you and I swear I'm gonna change, trust me," the boys answered.

"Remember how that lasted for a day?" Finch asked. "I say-"

"I hate you guys right now," Mush said, cutting off the flow.

There was a pause among the group. It was pretty ironic the surprise jam session was a song about a break up with Mush was currently going through a double heart break. One being his girlfriend, and the other being his best friend. The boys looked at each other in some sort of unspoken understanding.

"CAN'T YOU SEE THAT SHE'S THE ONE WHO UNDERSTAND YOU, BEEN THERE ALL ALONG SO WHAT CAN'T YOU SEE…YOU BELONG WITH FI…STY!"

And, it was at that moment, Albert and Feister walked inside. Skateboards in tow and a small to-go box of dumplings from a street vendor. Albert looked pretty amused at what was going on despite having no context. While Feister looked utterly unamused.

She opened her mouth to say something. Then she closed it. Pressing her lips together, she kicked off sneakers, stuffed her board into the little coat closet, grabbed her dumplings and headed back up to her room. That's in. no snide remarks, no "I'm done with you idiots" face. No roll of the eyes. Nothing at all.

"What? Got-" before Mush could finish several hands came flying towards his face.

Author's note

Who knew it would've been Albert who cracked the code. Ok well I did and I'm so happy I finally get to bring thier friendship to light. I always meant too but it got lost among other plot stuff in the past. I think some of my favorite moments were Feister killing the radio, the boys trying to figure out who that annoying Amber girl is, and the ending with Finch's little jam session. I hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading, and I'll see you in part three!