(A/N: Sorry about the wait…but you know, funny thing about life and how it just beats the shit out of you at random intervals. Please note the heavy drug reference, and know that by no means am I trying to INFLUENCE anyone. Okay, that's out of the way.)

Disclaimer: I don't even feel like coming up with anything clever…it still hasn't changed from the previous chapters and it won't change with this one or any of the following.

Chapter Three
Wrong Way

September green leaves transformed into the deep rich colors of fall as the month faded ushering in the crispness of October. The change was noticeable immediately, if not for the reds and oranges, then for that familiar scent in the air, one that could only be describe as a mixture of apples and dry flora. Early morning frost clung to the dying grass, a sure sign of the snow to come within the next few weeks. The peachy-pinkness of seven a.m. skies was diluted ever so slightly with certain haziness from the night before. In a single word, the view was enchanting.

A teenager attempted to capture all the details of this moment on her trusty sketchbook. Her skin prickled from the cold through thin sweatpants and an equally light jacket didn't take any of the bite away; however, it was wholly worth it. For her to be up this early on a Sunday was rare, and one never knew how many mild October mornings were promised, the month had a nasty habit of pulling 360s, snowing one week and the next with temperatures in the 70s.

Her eyes frequently rose from the paper, working in unison with nibble fingers that clutched a pencil but she couldn't find her artist niche. The teen's mind wandered until she blindly stared at the paper with nothing more than a few light grey marks. Absentmindedly, she started sketching a rough head, added a Mohawk and only realized what she was doing when piercings began to take shape. Yep, she had delinquency on the brain.

Gwen sighed and closed the book, tucking the pencil behind her ear. She pulled her knees close and stared vacantly from her vantage point on the fold out lounge chair as the teen's mind began reflecting on the events of the past few weeks. Duncan and her had revived their friendship to something a bit stronger than what they had on TDA. It unsettled her as she found herself thinking more and more of him in ways that made her heart race.

He was definitely rubbing off on her in small but noticeable ways. The girl grew more lax in her studies and it wasn't unusual for her to miss a few classes or a few days. It started innocently enough; he had cornered her before school and insisted she be his partner in crime for the day. While she put up some resistance to the idea of missing all the excitement of school, with some tough persuasion she eventually consented. After getting over the first hurdle of 'yes' it just got more agreeable every time the subject of ditching came up. So far she had an unimpressive three absences, though when compared to last year's entire total of one…yeah it was a lot.

Her mom was in the dark about that of course, she'd blow a gasket if she found out her daughter's school work was jeopardized. The woman didn't mind her daughter having an ex-con for a best friend or even that they watched movies unsupervised (alone) in her room, so long as school wasn't affected. Gwen's mother hadn't furthered her education past high school and though she was doing okay with the income she made, it wasn't enough to send two-let alone one-child to college. Unless they were to be awarded a scholarship, steep student loans with high interest were in their futures and the single mom was having none of that.

Twirling a piece of hair around her fingertip, she reasoned it wasn't that bad. She was just having a little fun, the fun she'd missed out on most of her high school career. What was the harm in ditching a few days? She'd have to grow up soon enough only to be sucked into the monotony of adulthood. If anyone deserved to have some fun it was definitely Gwen and as long as her grades didn't slip there was no reason to worry. Should worse come to worse, taking a year off of schooling to work and save money didn't seem like a bad idea either.

Content with her convictions, the girl gathered her sketch book and headed to the warmth of the house, deciding to get a few more hours of sleep.

Suspicious plumes of smoke hung low over a small group of teenage boys currently indulging in the finer things in life…such as skipping third hour to smoke-out in an alley. Duncan leaned comfortably against a wooden fence as he listened to a few of his friends talk about nothing in general, being more concerned about who was hogging the joint. He could've sworn he hadn't had a hit in over a minute, though in everyone else's defense, the boy lost track of time quite easily in his present state. Finally he noticed they were all out. Oh well, time to break out his secret stash-not that he planned on sharing mind you.

The background conversation slowly turned toward the topic of hot girls and who had hooked up with who. Ignoring the occasional chuckles and innuendos, he reached into his pocket and withdrew his own pipe and supplies. Stupidly grinning at all the goodness he so craved, he quickly packed the bowl and fired it up. It burned his throat on the way down but it was so worth it, exhaling happily he tried to stay on with the conversation as he nursed his pipe. After what felt like hours (but was probably more along the lines of a few minutes) he started to space out.

"-with that chick yet?"

"-really kinky, huh?"

"I'd do her-"

He heard bits and pieces but since it wasn't directed at him and didn't know who they were talking about he didn't add to the topic. Taking another hit, he glanced around with glazed eyes momentarily forgetting who some of these guys were. In fact, he honestly couldn't remember their names.

A bald kid elbowed him, breaking his…not so concentration. "Dude, have you got with that chick yet?" Then he noticed the pipe. "Hey let me hit that."

Duncan handed it over but didn't answer the vague question. He had his eye on several different girls…though he hadn't decided which one he was going to pursue first. The blonde in English was high on the list but she was a prude and not likely to put out fast enough. There was also the hoe in Government and even though she had it out for Gwen, Duncan was never one to pass up something so easy; however something told him she'd be the psycho type when it came time to being dumped. There were plenty more but in his current state it was hard to remember them.

"So, dude have you tapped it yet?"

The whole vagueness of the topic was starting to wear on his nerves to the point it was killing his buzz. "Who the hell are you talking about?"

The fat kid clarified it in the simplest of layman terms. "That hot goth chick you always hang with."

Though it shouldn't matter what some fat, pimply faced moron (or anyone else for that matter) thought of Gwen, it still gave his ego the tiniest of boosts with the group's positive opinion of her. He'd always known she was hot, but having others agree made it more real and gave her extra points. These guys wanted her, but only Duncan could have her. Oh, it was just too delicious to pass up.

Duncan grinned, making a gesture of superiority to the others. "Maybe I have, maybe I haven't."

Several members of the group rolled their eyes and muttered remarks that would seem derogatory and insulting if not mentioned within a group of guy friends. Someone pointed to Duncan's spiked collar and the group shared a knowing nod.

"She lead you around on a leash?"

He only shrugged a look of amusement in his eyes as he neither confirmed nor truthfully denied the question. Despite his image, deep down he really wasn't a bad guy and he would never stoop so low as to start rumors that Gwen was more than a friend.

"Why would I tell you losers?" Then, "Give me my pipe back." He didn't so much as wait for it as he snatched it back, only to stare dejectedly at the empty bowl. "Man, you guys fucking suck."

"So, why weren't you in class today?" Gwen asked her friend over a slice of pizza during lunch hour.

The boy in question raised an eyebrow as he sipped a Coke. "You miss me or something? I'm touched really." He put his hand to his heart and fluttered his eyelids.

The only thing that saved Duncan from getting a fist full of fries was the fact that Gwen honestly thought he looked adorable. A small smile tried to find its way out but she held it back and pressed forth with the subject. "Hardly," she took another uninterested bite and chewed thoughtfully, thinking of a comeback. "More like I got paired up with Freddy for the assignment in Auto and that guy's a freak."

He instantly placed the name and silently agreed with her. The dude reminded Duncan of Trent so naturally there was tension. "Want me to rig a hydraulic lift and have a car fall on him?" He pondered another idea for a second, making a sound in the back of his throat as he scratched his tuff of hair and adding, "Or maybe he could 'accidently' ingest some anti-freeze? Heard that stuff is wicked."

She didn't respond for a few moments, because she was pretty sure he wasn't kidding around. "Duncan, what's your problem?" He faulted for a second. "You can't just jump from petty misdemeanors to a felony like that!" She snapped her fingers for emphasis. "You have to slowly work your way up."

Sharing a laugh the two became quiet and focused on lunch; Duncan on how much he could cram down his throat and Gwen on trying not to gag from the undercooked pizza and sight of the punk's nonexistent table manners.

"Hey, Gwen?"

"Hm, yeah?"

He cleared his throat and took another swig from the soda, cotton mouth was no joke. "I was thinking, let's go down to Niagara Falls before it starts snowing out. You know, hit up some of the haunted houses."

"Duncan, I can't ditch anymore…" It was true, another absence and she would have to make it up by spending a Saturday morning studying in the cafeteria.

"Ah come on, one more day won't kill ya and promise to be right there during Saturday school." He smiled at her, knowing how to get his way. "You know you can't resist my blue eyes, they're your favorite color."

Gwen sighed and pushed her half eaten pizza toward him, watching as he made quick work of it. "I don't know, I don't really want to have to come in on a Saturday…plus my mom has no idea I've been ditching."

"And smoking out…"

She frowned as he added that little piece of information. Yes, Gwen had finally given into his pleas and smoked her first joint with the punk a few weeks ago. Honestly, it wasn't that bad. Once she got over the paranoia that someone would notice, she found the act of engaging in that recreation rather enjoyable. Duncan teased her that she laughed like a mouse, with a series of high pitched laughs but other than that, what was the harm?

"Yes, that too…" She grabbed the empty soda can from Duncan, hoping there'd be enough for her.

"So, is that a yes?"

Gwen grinned, the bell ringing in the background as a new flood of students flowed into the picnic area. "Yeah, of course. You know just what to say."

Duncan high fived his best friend, as the wheels in his head began to turn. He had other ideas planned besides just running through a few haunted houses and purchasing a new bong. No, there was one place in particular he wanted to take her, but he wouldn't let her in on that just yet. "Tomorrow morning, I'll pick you up for school. That way you can tell your mom you're spending the night at my house."

Her brows furrowed together and she crossed her legs. "How long we going to be down there?"

Duncan shrugged. "That's a surprise Sunshine."

"Okay." She gathered her books and got to her feet, Duncan following suit. "Hey, and you promised that you'll go to Saturday school with me!" There was his trademark smile again and that now familiar flutter in her heart when he answered.

"Sunshine, I would never lie to you."