Author's Note: I apologize dearly for the very late, late update in this story, and would also like to thank everyone for reviewing, favoring, and following this story as well. The reason for this chapter being late is due to a bad case of writer's block that I have managed to mostly get rid of, but still lingers. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the second chapter to this story.

Chapter Two

Okay, so maybe this wasn't going to be so easy, Skull—Gene thought, trying to avoid the stunned looks in his direction. Those he could not help but notice, he sent a friendly nod as he continued on to the principal's office for his schedule. If his fellow student body's reaction was uncomfortable, then meeting with Mr. Kaplan—who was partially responsible for this—was going very interesting, and also nerve-wracking.

The door in-sight, he was raising his hand to the doorknob, just as Principal Kaplan emerged from the office, and immediately noticed Sku—gah!—GENE, and nearly shared the same expression as about every student and teacher he had passed down the hallways. Only Kaplan's did not last so long as he cleared his throat and put on his principal face—the one Gene had become accustomed to when he was the loud and awkward jester-sidekick to the self-proclaimed King of Angel Grove High. Only this time, there was no malice-lined annoyance in his eyes.

"Mister Skullvovitch."

"Um, P-Principal Kaplan…"

"I see you've decided to wear something more…acceptable to our school standards," Kaplan said with a hint of appreciation as he observed Gene's new get-up.

He shrugged. "Guess it was time for a change, you know? Sir," he quickly added.

"A good start. Let's hope you continue to surprise us, like attending classes on time, AND keeping up with your grades." Kaplan handed out a piece of white and green rectangular-shaped paper. "I wanted to give this personally to you myself." It was his class schedule.

"Thank you, sir." Gene gently took the schedule from Kaplan's wrinkled hand.

The principal moved his hands behind his back.

"I like to say as principal, I have a keen eye for pointing out great potential in my students, even if it lays dormant for obvious reasons. One of your obvious reason, Mr. Skullvovitch, no longer exists." Kaplan took a step closer to Gene. "This is more than just a new school year for you, Mr. Skullvovitch. More than just a new beginning. It's a chance to bring let out that potential, which I believe you have."

Gene just stood there, frozen, his mouth trembling like a fish trying to breath out of water. Finally, the encouragement reached his entire senses, allowing him to move again. It actually felt good for someone to believe him, even if it was the same guy who constantly placed him and Bulkie in detention, and for good reason with there many antics.

He nodded with a smile.

"Thank you, sir. I won't let you down anymore, I promise."

Kaplan gave him a small smile. "No, Mr. Skullvovitch, don't let yourself down."

The principal turned on one heel like a soldier doing an about-face, his hands falling to his sides as he walked away, greeting the other students.

Gene continued to smile to himself. Not only had he survived a conversation with Principal Kaplan, but it turned out to be encouraging.

Big deal! You'll screw up, no matter what ya do, a voice that sounded very much like Bulk's scoffed in his head.

Yeah, screw up; and then came a voice that sounded awfully familiar two and a half months ago.

Gene sighed. Maybe he was trying to make a change, but there were still the lingering shadow of his so-called best friend, and the jerk he himself used to be.

Not anymore. I'm not gonna screw up this time. This time, I'm the one in charge, Gene thought to himself.

Starting to feel awkward by continuing to stand by the principal's office while staring into space, Gene looked down at his schedule. Homeroom again with Ms. Appleby. Yet again. No real surprise.

Heading for homeroom, Gene was on the move again as he continued reading through his schedule. The thing is, back in the old days, he would usually be following Bulk whose wide figure would always clear a path to classes. With Bulk not there, and Gene not glancing up to make sure the path was clear, he felt himself bump into someone, and a pink backpack along with some of its compartments dropped to the floor.

He started to say he was sorry, until—it was her.

"Skull!" Kimberly Hart groaned and bent down to pick up her belongings. "Is it asking so much to, like, watch where you're going?"

Even mad, she was radiant.

Gene quickly bent down and helped her gather up her accessories. "Sorry, Kimmie." He paused for a second and looked at her confused. "How'd you know it was me?"

"Because usually when something like this happens, you're at the other end," she replied in an annoyed tone, then looked up at him—her body stopped moving altogether.

Gene noticed as he tried to hand her back her pink trapper keeper. It was the same look that about everyone else had been giving him this morning, only it looked good on her, and made his heart flutter. Though he always told himself he would wait a thousand lifetimes for her to look at him as a girl in love, this was the next best thing. Time, however, was of the essence, as the homeroom bell was just a minute away.

"…You ok?" he asked, fighting back a grin.

Her eyes blinked as the cheerleader came back to the situation at hand. "Yeah! I mean, yeah." She took the trapper keeper from him and effortlessly placed it back in her backpack while her brown eyes like chocolate remained on him. "New look?"

He already had a line in mind, but stopped himself, remembering it was something Skull would say; not Gene. If he was going to make a change, his clothes would be the least of it.

"Yeah. Just…trying something new, you know," he said as the stood back up.

"Oh." She looked over him again and nodded in appreciation. "Definitely…new." She looked up at him with a hopeful glance. "Don't suppose Bulk is also trying something new, is he?"

Gene frowned and shrugged his shoulders, which Kim found surprisingly broad.

"Guess you didn't hear."

Kimberly became concerned. "Hear what? Is Bulk ok?"

"More like ecstatic, last time I saw him. He moved," Gene revealed.

"Oh. Ooohhh!" she moaned sympathetically. "I'm so sorry, Skull."

"Gene."

"What?"

"It's Gene now." She continued looking confused at him. "Short for Eugene, my first name."

"Oh! I get it." She gave him a small smile—forget fluttering, his heart had skipped a beat. "I guess this all means you're moving on."

He nodded. "Yeah. It's a little tough, you know—not having someone who you thought was your best friend around, but…I can digress."

A silence befell the two, neither knowing what to say, which was a surprise from Kimmie. The first bell for homeroom broke the awkward silence, alerting the youths.

"Well," Kim started, "I better get to class—"

"Miss Appleby?"

She smiled knowingly. "You too."

"As usual." He hesitated. So far, the morning had turned out a little better than he had hoped for. And no Tommy in sight! Or yet, anyways. Or maybe Mr. Perfect didn't have homeroom with Kimberly this year, and oh, wouldn't that be nice. Now was a golden opportunity to ask the girl of his dreams if he could walk her to class—

"So, like, shouldn't we get going?" she asked, pointing her thumb in the direction of Miss Appleby's room.

—or he could just stand there and waste time while thinking about asking her, that she would suggest going to class together herself.

Smooth, Gene, real smooth.

"Lead the way, babe," Gene said…or rather, Skull said. Either way, the reply earned him a look. He held up his hands. "Sorry. Old habit."

She accepted his apology with a giggle. Side-by-side, the cheerleader and the outcast walked together to homeroom class. Not once did she plead for him to give her space.

Yep, this was turning out to be a good morning.