(The youth versions always have extra content because they are the only ones in print right now. This oneshot will appear in Vol. 4 Youth Version)

Stray

"Don't tell anyone we're going to the woods tonight, 'k?" Cassie grinned a toothy smile, and dropped her face to gaze at Lincoln mischievously, "You don't want any of them coming to bother us, do you?"

Lincoln smiled, blushing sheepishly in a manner uncharacteristic to his usual gruff demeanor. "No, I won't tell anyone."

Cassie jumped up and tapped him gently on the arm. "It's gonna be so much fun!"

Cassie turned and walked out of the library storage room where Lincoln had been sorting books and quietly closed the door behind her. She's right, Lincoln thought, If I say anything, someone's going to say I'm lying about hanging out with her again. I just don't even want to deal with that. Lincoln sighed, and he returned to sorting the dusty vintage books the school library usually circulated at holidays.

Lincoln was excited about hanging out with his best friend, but anxious that people gave him so much flack about it. Being an 8th grader, he wasn't in any of the classes that Cassie was in, but he knew she was one of the most popular girls in the 9th. Her dad owned car dealerships, she had done some local television commercials, and her mom donated all the money for the school dances. Many of the kids already accepted that she would be popular once she moved out of junior high and up to the high school next year. Lincoln was so worried his best friend would forget him that he began taking extra tests and doing upper-level work, and it put him on track to skip a grade at the end of the year, placing him with the only person who seemed to care about him at that miserable school: Cassandra Whittaker.

Lincoln and Cassie were actually only a couple months apart in age but she had started school early, so in Lincoln's mind the grade difference was superficial. In reality, 9th graders were considered high schoolers even though they were stationed at the Middle School, and they got to join clubs and sports the younger grades couldn't. It prevented Lincoln from having any chances to hang out with her other than outside of school. Cassie had so many friends in so many clubs, and she played sports, and her time was so limited with him, that he longed for the moments they spent together, and he considered that he probably liked her more than just a friend. He had decided that before he told her that he was going to be skipping to 10th grade with her next year, he was going to tell her that he felt more for her than just being friends.

Lincoln didn't really have any other friends. Teachers assumed he was a troublemaker just because he was a foster kid, and other students ignored him as if he weren't even there at all. Cassie went along with the high school hierarchy, and Lincoln understood why, but she always seemed to want to spend time with him away from school when she had the chance. He knew hanging out with an 8th grader would embarrass her, but next year would be different. He wouldn't be the "troubled" kid anymore; he'd be the gifted kid who skipped 9th grade.

Lincoln finished up his work in the storage room and exited out into the library. He hesitated slightly when he saw Cassie at a table with her friends.

"Stop stalking her, freak. She don't like homeless losers," a voice close behind him cackled through the library silence, and Lincoln immediately began walking toward the front doors without looking back where it came from. It didn't matter. He didn't want to hear any more, didn't want to be embarrassed further, and couldn't lose this volunteer job with the school that earned him extra credit. He'd see her later, and that was enough for him.

At close to dusk, when purple and pink clouds flowed lazily across the sunset and shadows stretched from the trees, Lincoln sat down at the picnic table by the lake where he was to meet Cassie. This was their spot, close to her house but terribly far from his own, and he was never able to stay long for fear that his foster mother would punish him. A half hour late meant going without dinner, an hour late meant he was grounded to his room for a week. Maybe in a normal home that wouldn't be so bad, but Lincoln learned quickly that a grounding in this foster home meant he was kept from meals and showers as well.

As Lincoln looked out over the lake, he spotted Cassie walking quickly over to where he sat. She grinned widely, and she was carrying a paper bag with her that Lincoln knew would carry snacks and drinks, as she always did when he met with her. To Lincoln it always kinda felt like a picnic date, though he never said that to Cassie.

"Hey. Want a soda?" Cassie asked, and she handed Lincoln a can without even waiting for him to answer. "How late can you stay tonight?"

"Like maybe 20 minutes," Lincoln replied. "I was starting to think you couldn't make it tonight."

"Nah, I just had some stuff to do. Then Nate caught up with me and was bugging me to go to the End of the Year Dance with him again. Ugh."

Lincoln noticed she didn't give what her answer was, but he only had a short time to spend with her and he wanted to discuss more important things. "So, I can't believe you're going to be at the high school next year, in 10th grade."

"Yeah, that's gonna suck. I heard it's way more work. But you'll help me, won't you?" Cassie asked. Lincoln sat up straighter, as it always kind of embarrassed him to admit he helped her with her schoolwork. It made him feel kind of cheap.

"Yeah, I guess so… of course…"

"Ok, 'cuz I have this project I'm way behind on right now. I brought it with me, can you help me?"

Lincoln saw that the bag had more than snacks in it this time. He sighed, nodded his head, and continued talking. "Cassie, do you know why I help you so much?"

"Yeah, 'cuz you're my friend. Just like I'd help you if you asked," Cassie replied with a big grin. Lincoln returned her smile.

"Yeah that, but like…" Here goes, he thought. Just get it out there… "I really care about you."

"Oh Lincoln, that's so sweet! I care about you too!" Cassie grinned wider. Lincoln took this as a good sign. She's not blowing me off…keep going…

"I'm not gonna ask you to go to the dance or anything like that, because I know people kinda give me crap about whether I'm your friend and I don't want anyone to mess with you too. But, I do really like you. And I've been working really hard, and next year at the High School I won't have the same reputation of being a foster kid, because nobody would know me there. It would be a fresh start. I would be in the Gifted Program," Lincoln watched Cassie's face nervously.

"I kinda don't know what you mean," Cassie replied slowly.

"I'm moving up to 10th grade next year. I'll be in the same grade as you," Lincoln lowered his head with a proud half-smile. He felt so good being able to say all this, like he was leveling up in the world right this moment.

"Wow, that's amazing…" Cassie replied. She seemed genuinely stunned.

Lincoln smiled wider. "Are you happy about that? I did it for myself, but I kinda did it for you too. I like hanging out with you. Like, we get along well and stuff."

"We totally do," Cassie nodded. It was getting darker outside, and it was harder to see Cassie's face. He leaned slightly closer to her, and she didn't move away. Lincoln took in a heaving breath. It was getting late and he had to get home. Now or never…

"Cassie, I know we can't be like boyfriend and girlfriend right now, but those kinda titles don't mean anything to me. I just wanna know how you feel about me. Can… I give… can I kiss you?"

"Oh my god Lincoln… wow… um… ok," Cassie seemed to lower her head in a blush. She turned to Lincoln and looked him in the eye.

Lincoln hesitated; this would be his first kiss. He knew Cassie had boyfriends before and he'd even seen her kiss one of them in the hallway once, so he knew this wasn't her first kiss. Still, he wanted it to be her best kiss. He leaned in slowly, and kept his eyes nearly closed but opened slightly enough to see that he aimed well. He tilted his head, and set his lips onto his best friend's.

Cassie herself began to lead the kiss, and it surprised Lincoln but he didn't fight it. She opened her lips and slipped her tongue into his mouth for a second. He tried to slow down his movements so that it was more romantic, but she moved her lips quickly. Cassie pressed her mouth into Lincoln's awkwardly one last time and pulled away.

"Wow, that was amazing! Don't tell anyone though, ok? I hate when stuff like that becomes everyone's gossip," Cassie smiled widely again. "That was cool though."

Lincoln smiled. "Yeah, it was cool… I gotta go though, ok? Thanks, Cassie. Do you want me to walk you home?"

"No, come on, I live right there. I can literally see my bedroom window. I don't want you to bother!" She hopped off the picnic table and started trotting off toward her house. "See I'm already on my way! Bye Lincoln!"

"Yeah, bye…" Lincoln smiled, and he knew he was probably blushing, but it was dark so no one would see him anyway. He grabbed the bag Cassie had left and started for home.

The remaining days of the week flew by, Lincoln finished Cassie's project for her, and she got an A. At their next picnic table meeting, without any prompting from Lincoln, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. He felt incredible. He wasn't alone, he had a friend, and it was someone who shared the same feelings toward him that he had for them. It had been worth all the extra work to skip a grade.

Saturday came, and Lincoln wasn't going to be attending the End of the Year dance, as he had to work it. Again, to earn "extra credit", the principal had decided to appoint him to be a teacher's assistant of sorts, meaning he had to help set up and clean up afterward. It showed his "commitment to the school", the principal explained. Lincoln shrugged and did what he was told.

He was still required to dress well, so as to be "respectful", even though he was forbidden from participating in the dance since he was there to help. He had earned some cash from his neighbors doing lawn work and had bought some dress clothes from the local discount store. He dressed plainly in a white button-down shirt, grey tie and black pants but he pulled it together well and he looked nice. One of the teachers who hated him most actually smiled at him as he walked down the hall toward the dance, and it made him feel… validated. For once, he didn't feel like an outcast; he felt like he was part of the school.

The DJ began to play the music and a few kids moved to the dance floor awkwardly. Lincoln replaced cups that had been taken from the drinks table, and he was suddenly aware of Cassie standing next to him.

"Hey," Lincoln whispered. "Do you need anything?" he said louder.

"Yeah, I'm here with Nate. Can I have two cups of orange soda?" Cassie asked nonchalantly. Lincoln was surprised she was there with Nate but it didn't bother him much. She wouldn't have kissed him at the park if she didn't want to, and he held fast to that knowledge that she did it because she liked him.

"Yep," Lincoln replied, and he handed her two cups filled. He looked up at her and smiled. She returned his smile, and he went back to his duties.

Having set up the table, Lincoln left the dance floor and walked out into the school hallway to empty a garbage can that was full. As he lifted the bag out, he was pushed violently from behind and he fell onto the bag. It hurt, both the push and falling onto the trash, yet he pulled himself to his feet quickly to avoid getting pushed again, or worse. It was Nate.

"I've warned you about stalking Cassie, freak. Don't smile at her, don't help her, don't talk to her, you understand?" Nate pushed Lincoln with both hands and sent him tumbling heavily backward again. As Lincoln tripped over the trash bag, Nate swung his leg out and kicked him in the thigh. Before he could stand, Nate kicked him again harder. Lincoln howled in pain, and some kids who heard the noise came running over to where both boys stood.

Nate paused his assault, but now with a crowd watching he felt emboldened to humiliate Lincoln further. He tried to kick him again, but missed as Lincoln rolled to his knees. Lincoln quickly wobbled to standing, pulled his fist back, and swung as hard as he could. Hitting Nate awkwardly in the nose, he drew blood immediately, and Nate stumbled backward. The kids that were gathered around gasped, and some yelled in surprise. Lincoln looked around quickly and did not see Cassie, and he felt conflicted, both grateful and disappointed that she didn't see him have to stand up for himself.

"I'm bleeding, loser!" Nate yelled, as if to signal his unwillingness to continue the fight but not lose face, "I have to check my nose. It better not be broken, loser, or I'll beat your ass!"

"I'm still right here," Lincoln said plainly, and some of the kids laughed. Nate grew even angrier but walked off quickly to the restroom to clean up. No one spoke to Lincoln, and the crowd dispersed. It was surprisingly anti-climactic for what it could have been.

Nothing else seemed to be happening, and Lincoln returned to his work. He didn't see Nate or Cassie again for the remainder of the dance, he finished his cleaning, and left. He walked home anxiously, worried that someone could jump him on the way now that it was dark, but it never happened. He didn't have a cell phone or phone privileges at his foster home, so there was no way to call Cassie and ask what happened afterward. He'd have to wait until school on Monday to learn if she was mad or not and it caused him to be nervous the rest of the weekend.

As Lincoln was about to enter school Monday morning, security stood at the door to escort him to the principal's office. He had somewhat expected this, as he was sure he'd have to explain what happened. In the waiting room sat Nate, who refused to look at him, and Cassie, who stared straight ahead. I guess she might be mad, he thought. The principal waved him in, and he sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

"Lincoln, I don't really need to hear an explanation as to what happened at the dance Saturday, as we have witnesses. Your foster mother was unable to take off work, but she is already aware of what we've decided and she agrees with it. You are being expelled."

Lincoln sat stunned for a moment, then he straightened in his chair, and calmly took a deep breath. "Sir, I don't understand. I was attacked. Nate…"

"Yes," the principal interrupted, "Cassie said Nate did say some words to you, and you punched him. Words are not an attack, Lincoln, a punch is an attack. There are other schools where they can handle children prone to violence but this is a civil school and we educate civil children."

Lincoln's mind raced. "What about me skipping 9th grade? Can I… can I appeal this?"

"That's up to whatever school you transfer to but I imagine a dent this big in your educational record might derail that. Your guardian may appeal but she has declined."

"Wait, but I can't? I have no say? Nate pushed me and kicked me first!"

"Cassie has stated with a signed affidavit what she saw. We informed her that if legal issues arose, it would have to be admissible in court. Nate's parents agreed not to contact police, for your benefit, and not to sue if you were instead removed from the school. Cassie was made aware that you would be expelled, but she said that she didn't want you to get arrested and she had no issue signing it."

Lincoln sat silent. Cassie had lied, for whatever reason, so did Nate, to protect himself, and the principal was more concerned with the school not getting sued. His foster mother couldn't care less, and he had no way to defend himself in this. Not only was no one willing to stand up for him, after he had been doing everything right, but he wasn't even allowed to stand up for himself.

"Sir, do I have any chance of remaining at this school to finish everything I worked for to skip 9th grade? There's less than a month left of school! I worked so hard, and Nate really did attack me first. This just doesn't seem right. It's not fair."

The principal sat up straighter and seemed to arbitrarily begin moving papers around his desk as if to suddenly appear busy. "Lincoln this is settled. My focus has to be on the entire student population and the good of the school as a whole. You are to leave the school campus immediately, you may not return. The district will handle your transfer. I have been told you may not be put into another school this late in the year and you will likely have to finish the year in summer school at the district offices."

"You have got to be kidding me…" Lincoln muttered indignantly. "Do I even get to talk to Nate or Cassie?"

The principal pressed the intercom button on his desk. "Nancy, he's ready to leave, have security come in to escort him out please." He shifted his attention back to Lincoln. "There really is no further discussion that can happen and you have to understand that I am very busy today. Good luck in whatever school you attend next and best wishes to you," he said hollowly.

Lincoln stood up and exited the office door. Nate and Cassie were no longer in the waiting room, and only the secretary and two security officers remained. One walked before Lincoln and one walked behind him, as if he were an actual criminal, and they marched him out through the halls toward the main door. Classes hadn't started yet for the day and the hallway was packed with kids, who hooted and whistled at the dramatic scene, but no one said goodbye. Before Lincoln even reached the door he already felt like this wasn't his school anymore, like it never had been. It blurred out of his vision through his tears like the end of a movie. A security officer opened the door and ushered him out, without a word, and suddenly he was no longer in school. He continued to walk toward the street so as not to be bothered by the officers if he didn't leave right away, and to end this humiliating parade as soon as possible. He never looked back as he walked home.

An empty day fed Lincoln's anxiety, and as dusk began to darken the sky he walked to the park where he'd always met Cassie. She wasn't there, and he was sure this would be the last time he'd ever come here. He looked out over the lake and thought of their talks, her bringing him snacks, that kiss. It really wasn't much of a relationship, but it was all he had. He sat down on the top of the picnic table and stared at the ground in the dark, mourning yet another set of losses in his life. Not only was his friendship gone, but everything he'd done to better his life had been unraveled as well.

An hour or more passed, and it was time to go home. He needed to be on time so as not to miss dinner, now that he wouldn't be eating a school lunch during the day. As he stood up from the table and began walking, he heard Cassie call out to him. He stopped and turned around.

"What could you possibly want, Cassie?" Lincoln asked gruffly.

"What, are you mad at me? Why?" She seemed genuinely confused.

"I got expelled, because you lied." Lincoln almost growled the words. He had so much more to say but he understood immediately that she probably didn't care.

"Oh, yeah… what was I supposed to do? Nate's my boyfriend, I didn't want him to get in trouble."

"Your boyfriend? Why did you kiss me?! What about getting me in trouble?!"

"I mean, it's not like I'm married to him. Still, he's on teams here and clubs and you're just an 8th grader. You didn't lose anything."

Lincoln seethed. "I worked… so hard… to skip 9th grade…"

"Yeah, that would have been weird. It's better this way."

"Were you my friend just so I could do some of your homework for you?" Lincoln asked mainly just to hear her say it. He already knew.

"No! I was your friend… friends do stuff for each other. I brought you snacks…"

"Oh my god, it's like you had me trained like a dog to fetch…" Lincoln threw his hands up in the air and turned to walk away.

"Wait, can you help me still? It's the end of the year, I can't get this all done by myself. I could fail and get held back in 9th for real!" Cassie set a notebook down on the picnic table. "I'll just leave this here, ok? I gotta go, this is kinda upsetting. I just need it back before Wednesday, ok?" Cassie trotted off toward her house without another word. Lincoln walked over and picked up the notebook. He looked inside at her pages of previous work, including a note to him about what she needed done. He threw it in a nearby garbage can and walked home.