(junior year)

"I love Clyde."

"Marry him, then," I said, with a bored voice.

After texting my friends a simple '7pm, Diner', they immediately texted back to agree. I wanted to fucking get out of the house as soon as possible. Seeing Clyde out of the blue like that had me all kinds of riled up. Dipshit.

Now my friends and I were hanging out at the Diner, everyone's favorite place in town - especially the high school kids. It was a typical diner with yellow walls, neon signs, and jukebox on the corner. It always smelled of bacon and pancakes. It was neat and comfy, too. No wonder it was always packed with people.

"I would," sighed Alfie playfully, "but he's got no vagina."

Kurt's chuckle was muffled from chewing his fries, his shoulders shaking in quiet laughter.

"Ugh," shuddered Connie. "He gives me the chills."

"I think he's pretty nice."

All heads turned to Frisco. At our gazes, he uncomfortably shifted in his seat beside me. He scratched the back of his head.

"Of course," he added, "you guys know him better than I do. I only met him once."

"He's twisted," replied Alfie a-matter-of-factly. "Oz is like a shark. At first glance, you know you have to stay as fucking far away as you fucking can. But Clyde is like . . . He's like . . ." He trailed off, looking deep in thought. He then frowned and gestured his hand like a hook on his forehead, adding, "What's that ugly ass fish in the deep sea? One with the light bulb on its head?"

Anglerfish.

"Anglerfish?" guessed Frisco.

Alfie snapped his fingers. "Anglerfish! Clyde's like that - Lures you in with his natural charm, then bam!" He slammed his fist on the table. "Eats your fucking ass."

"Oh."

"Exactly," muttered Connie, with a raised eyebrow.

Imagine being related to him. Fucking sucks. Poor me.

I picked up my can of coke, took a drink, and stared at it.

"I need beer," I murmured, setting it down but not letting go of it.

Kurt heard me because he turned and suggested, "Let's get some."

"We got a game tomorrow," I replied, shaking my head.

Although I had a hella high tolerance for alcohol, I'd rather play with a completely sober head.

I didn't take most things seriously. But football? It was fucking religion.

"Doesn't matter," snorted Alfie, leaning back on his seat. His face looked defeated as he laughed humorlessly. "Pretty sure I won't play, anyway."

Coach had been switching him and Adam (the starting QB) for several months now. But since it was Adam's senior year, it was expected that he'd get a lot more play time on the field than Alfie. Even though my best friend and I were one helluva duo on the field.

"You'll get your shot," I told my best friend.

He only nodded, looking away.

"We'll own our senior year, man."

A little smirk appeared on his face. Good enough for me.

Kurt cleared his throat. "Head's up," he announced, nodding to the newcomers.

We turned our heads to see who just came in the diner. Audible groans were uttered around the table. This day couldn't fucking get any better.

Scout and his team walked in, smiling and greeting everyone they passed like they were on a goddamn campaign or something. I looked for the nearest trash bin in case I felt like barfing my ass off.

My eyes wandered to the gorgeous redheaded girl with them. I smiled slightly, liking the way her eyes instantly lit up when they landed on me. She suddenly came running to me, kissing me lightly on the mouth when I pulled her to my lap.

"Why'd you bring your dogs?" I asked, when she pulled away.

She rolled her eyes, her hands on my shoulder as she looked at me.

"They were all at the house when you texted." She looked around the table and smiled at my friends. "Hey, everyone."

They greeted her back. But Alfie and Kurt were still aloof, their eyes on the sissies who were now near us. I ignored them and focused on my girl.

"You should've told me you wanted to come, I would've picked you up."

"It's cool," she shrugged. "Scout and the others were on their way out, anyways."

Then what the fuck are they still doing here?

My eyes flickered to them who were still standing a few feet away from us, watching our every move like the damn groupies they truly were. I noticed Finn McKinley's displeased look. I didn't fucking like it. Not one bit.

I cocked my head to the side. "Got a problem, McKinley?"

He hesitated for a sec, before saying, "Yeah, you."

"Oh, bad move," said Alfie quickly, shaking his head wildly and making a cut-it-out signal below his jaw line with his hand. "He ain't in a good mood."

Scout stepped in front of Finn, put a hand on his shoulder, and shook his head. It was smart of him to take Alfie's advice - no matter how sarcastic it might seem.

But I guess dumbass people gonna be dumb all day long.

Finn scoffed. "I still can't wrap my head around it. How can you let Snow date this douchebag? Look at him, man." He gestured to our table.

"Stop it, Finn," scolded Scout, glaring at him.

"Look at them," said one of the sissies. I couldn't be bothered to know his name. But I recognized him as one of the new addition to their sorry ass excuse for a team.

The others and I looked at each other.

Connie had her knee up on the seat, leaning her back on the glass window. Beside her was Alfie, one arm lazily propped up on the backrest. Kurt sat on a backwards chair he pulled out, positioning himself on the head of the table. Frisco was beside me, across Connie, looking innocent and out of place.

I looked down on myself, one arm was protectively around Snow's waist while the other was holding my can of coke on the table.

"Gotta agree with Finn on this one, Scout. They're bad news."

I smirked. "It's bad news to look cool now?"

"Don't provoke them, Oz," growled Scout, scowling my way.

"They're provoking me."

"Because you don't deserve her," spat Finn, his face turning red.

Snow stood up, her hands on her hips, looking very pissed off.

"You have no right to say that," she snapped, pointing a finger to his chest. "He's my boyfriend. You're just my brother's best friend."

"Snow," said Scout, with gritted teeth.

I studied Finn - brown hair, fair skin, and lean enough to hold his ground. Gotta admit, the guy wasn't bad-looking. So why the fucking hell was he so hung up on my girl when he could have someone else instead?

Yeah, he had a thing for Snow. It was all over his stupid face.

"You know we're right," whispered one of the fucking dipshits.

Scout sighed, and said to Snow, "We're only worried about you, sis."

"It's almost a fucking year," I groaned. This was bullshit. "You spent the last months glaring from a distance, and you chose to speak up about it now? Move the fuck on."

I didn't get their deal. I just wanted to fucking chill with my friends after having that disastrous talk with my brother. A guy could use a fucking break sometimes, you know.

"What do you see in this guy?" someone asked Snow in disbelief.

My eyes darkened as I recognized him. Cameron Wood. I knew the dude - or used to. He was one of the guys who befriended me in freshman year, only to gossip about me behind my back like a motherfucking coward. Of course, now he was buddies with Scout.

Awesome. I'm finally pumped up.

"Definitely more than what she sees in all of you," muttered Connie, loud enough for everyone to hear. She looked up and smiled. "A dick, perhaps? Because all I see are pussies."

I grinned, while Alfie burst out laughing. I caught Frisco cover his mouth to hide his chuckle. Finn McKinley opened his mouth to speak, but Kurt stood up.

"I suggest you shut your hole before you piss off the rest of this fucking table."

Finn reluctantly closed his mouth.

"Good boy," grinned Kurt broadly, patting the dude's head.

Finn's jaw clenched, and he angrily swatted Kurt's hand away. Before anyone could say anything, the kind old waitress at the diner came up to us.

"You boys are scaring the customers," she said in a low but still friendly voice.

My eyes scanned the diner. Sure enough, people were stealing uneasy glances our way. I bet they were pretty close to calling the cops right about now.

"I don't know what's going on, but I know it's one insult away from being a brawl. I don't want any trouble in here. Better take it elsewhere."

"Sorry, Wendy," said Alfie, making a puppy dog look.

She fought a smile, shook her head, and waved her hands dismissively. She was pretty much already used to our behavior. She then looked at me pointedly, which I returned with an innocent smile. She raised an eyebrow, so I nodded and stood up.

"Alright, fine," I breathed out. "We'll settle it somewhere else."

"Thank you. Y'all take care now."

"We always do," I assured her, flashing a crooked smile. I fished out some money and placed it on the table. "Thanks for the yummy dinner, Wendy." When my eyes landed on Scout, my smiled turned into a smirk. "Follow me. I know the perfect place."

With that last word, I grabbed Snow's hand and headed out. My friends automatically followed me.

"I warned ya," I heard Alfie told Finn, when he passed him.

"Where are we going now?" asked Scout exasperatedly.

"Pier."

Alfie put an arm around me as we walked out of the diner, beaming, "Are we playing what I think we're playing?"

"Yep," I grinned. "We're gonna play chicken."

Kurt whooped, raising his fist. Snow looked at me questioningly. She knew what game I was talking about, having seen me play it before.

"This'll be fun," sang Connie, clapping her hands like a kid on Christmas.

"What kind of game is that?" queried Scout, with a dubious look.

"Not really fond of explaining," I sighed, facing them. "Alfie, will you do the honor?"

"Certainly." Alfie bowed dramatically. "It's called The Chicken Game. There are many versions of it. But in Mount Valley, we won't ride cars off a cliff. We also won't be using a motorcycle. Your own would be enough. It's pretty simple. Last one to hit the break wins. But if you go over the edge, you lose.

"What's at stake?" asked Cameron.

"Whatever you want," shrugged Alfie.

"I got an idea," I exclaimed sarcastically. "If we win, you keep your fucking noses out of our business - for good."

Scout stared me down. "Fine. But if we win, you better get your act together. No more getting in trouble, or you'll have to break up with my sister."

"Scout!" bellowed Snow.

Lame. He couldn't think of anything better, could he?

"Deal."

Snow's head whipped towards me, looking at me in shock. I gazed back at her with a what-can-I-do face. She pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration, knowing that she couldn't do anything to stop us.

"Don't get all chicken shit already," laughed Alfie, pertaining to Scout who was still thinking about it and looking to his friends for - I dunno, moral support? "We haven't started the game yet, dude."

"We're in," deadpanned Finn.

Fina-fucking-lly.

"Let's bounce," I announced, heading to my car.

I've never lost before. After letting Snow get in the passenger's side, I walked around my car and climbed in the driver's seat with a smug grin. No doubt, this would be my easiest fucking win ever.

"Are you sure about this?" Snow asked me, worry laced with her every word. She was also wearing a concerned frown on her face.

"Hell yeah, I am," I chuckled, revving the engine and swiftly pulling out of the parking lot.

"I have a bad feeling about this, Oz."

"I won't lose."

"I know." She faced me seriously. "That's what I'm worried about."

I shot her an incredulous look.

"They won't back down," she explained.

I almost snorted. She clearly didn't know her brother and his teammates well enough. All she could see was their good side, so did everybody else. People had no idea that they were nothing but a bunch of insecure little bitches.

Seriously, though. What're they gonna do, throw balls at me?

Oh, wait. They didn't have any.

"Just be careful," mumbled Snow.

I wasn't making any promises, so I didn't reply and focused on the road. I glanced at the rearview mirror and saw Kurt's truck behind me. Connie, Alfie, and Frisco rode with him. Following after them were Scout and the rest.

Tonight will change everything.

I'll make sure of it.

_____________

Who do you think won? We're finally closing in on what really happened, people! :O

Who's your favorite chapter so far? For me, I gotta say it's Connie. She's one badass gal!

Next chapter will be on the present day. We'll have another *tooot* moment. ;)