"Gretchen!" Gretchen Grundler, who was on her way to her next class, stopped and turned to search the moving crowed of students for the owner of the voice.

Gretchen had grown even taller in the seven years since fourth grade. She stood a good five inches above the average sophomore girl in the high school. She had swapped her trademark pigtails for a side braid and now wore thick framed glasses as a failed attempt to hide her freckles. She had grown into her buckteeth and was now the owner of a straight, white smile.

She spotted her long-time friend, Gus, just in time to watch him trip over his own feet and go plummeting towards the floor. Gretchen smiled gently and made her way over to him.

Gustav Griswald had been getting even clumsier in the past few months, if that was even possible. He was having a hard time adjusting to his new height acquired after his last growth spurt. He stood even taller than her now at 6'1" and the recent years of training daily with his father had built his muscles so you could make out the lines from underneath his white t-shirt. Having traded his glasses for contact lenses and styling his golden hair into a messy faux hawk he had become quite attractive.

Gretchen crouched down to start collecting the books that where now scattered across the hallway. "You should be more careful." She said, handing the books over to her friend.

"Thanks Gretch." He gave an embarrassed chuckle. "I was wondering if I could borrow the notes from yesterday's biology class."

She gave a sigh and reached into her messenger bag, which coincidently matched her blue button down shirt and blue jeans perfectly. "You know one of these days the teachers are going to start noticing you dosing off in classes." Having found the notes she held them out for Gus to take, although they didn't make it to their destination before being ripped out of her hands.

"Thanks loser!" said an obnoxious voice fallowed by an equally obnoxious laugh. Both teens looked to their side to see Erwin Lawson holding the biology notes with his normal cocky grin splattered across his face.

Not much had changed with Lawson over the years, other than his height. He was still the school's rebellious bully. Unfortunately for him his defiant ways had cost him his spot on the basketball team and had now taken to skipping classes and was known for his frequent trips to Francis, formerly known as the Hustler Kid, and smoking weed and cigarettes out behind the gym.

"Give them back Lawson." Gus said straightening his back to emphasize just how much bigger he was than the bully.

"Or what? You'll hit me and risk having to explain it to your daddy?" Gus didn't have time to reply before Lawson was ruthlessly pushed between the two friends and into the lockers.

"He may not want to do anything but I can name a million things that I will." Snarled Spinelli, fist bunched up in the front of the boys shirt.

Ashley Spinelli was on the shorter side of average in height but when it came to temper, she had the biggest of them all. It was a well-known fact that you shouldn't get on the black haired girls bad side. However, new students tended to make the mistake of not taking the warnings seriously. Sure she looked like the badass punk type with her ripped jean shorts, orange sleeveless t-shirt, combat boots, a pixie haircut and a thick layer of eyeliner but her features had become so pretty that it was hard to believe she could really do anything violent. Lawson opened his mouth to make a not so clever remark when he noticed a companion behind her and shut his mouth again.

Not that Lawson was afraid of T.J. Detweiler or anything. Detweiler wouldn't risk getting into a petty little fight and losing his spot as quarterback of the football team. It was the influence T.J. had on the student body that he was afraid of.

T.J. had always been popular and well-liked by his peers but since moving to high school in grade nine it seemed that everyone in the entire school would sway to his will. Maybe it was because he was the quarterback, which automatically gave him power, or it was because he was an all-around likable guy. Lawson wasn't sure. He was sure, however, that T.J. Detweiler, with his signature backwards red hat, varsity football jacket and warn down blue jeans, was a powerful enemy to have.

"Come on Spinelli." He said. "You've already got detention after school." Spinelli gave the trapped boy a snarl before grabbing the notes out of his hand and letting him go just in time for the bell to ring that signalled the start of a new class.

"Whatever, I don't need those stupid notes anyways." Lawson said before turning and making his way down the now vacant hallway.

T.J. turned towards his friends after standing silently watching as the rebellious boy made his way out of sight. "You guys okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks." Said Gus, receiving the notes back from Spinelli as Gretchen nodded. "That guy has some nerve."

Spinelli grunted. "I don't know why you put up with him, Gus. You could flick him and his arm would break."

"I know I just don't want to disappoint my father with a stupid fight." He sighed and looked at the ground.

T.J. swung his arm around his friends shoulder. "Well, there's nothing we can do about that then. Are you guys going to the party this weekend?"

Gretchen and Gus looked at each other. "Uh, T.J." Gus replied "I think you're team is having a hard enough time allowing you to still be friends with us. It may push them over the edge if we go to one of their parties too."

"What are you talking about?" T.J. smiled. "Any friends of mine are friends of the team… Oh crap." He looked around, seemingly just noticing the empty hallway. "Come on Spinelli, we can't be late for history again." Although the urgency was in his voice, he and his companion strolled down the hall with relaxed strides.

"I guess we should go to." Gretchen said turning to look at Gus though it didn't seem like he was listening. "What are you looking at?"

"Them." He nodded at their friend retreating backs. "They seem to be spending a lot of time together recently, don't you think?"

Gretchens heart leaped in her chest as she looked at the two. "It's only because they've got so many classes together." She wasn't sure if that's what she really thought or if it was what she hoped.

CLAIMER.

My name is Alice and I am the author of this story.

I lost access to the Aliceoverseven account years ago and in my frustration, I gave up on this story. As we grow older we stop spending time on the things we love as much because life and responsibilities get in the way. As I mentioned in the Aliceoverseven biography I was 21 when writing this.

Well now I am old. I have a career as well as continuing my education.

But I still love fanfiction.

So this is going to be a little weird.

I'm reclaiming my story. I'm going to re-post it here on my Malarful page and try to dedicate my time to completing it.

I have some other stories on the go but that's not going to stop me!

Cheers!

And Thank you for everyone's kind reviews over the years (and patience.)