"OZ!"

"Feeling it now?"

"Yeah! Holy moly, I feel so high!"

"Told ya."

"How come I've never done this before?!"

I tried not to laugh. "Keep your voice down."

"Oops, sorry."

"Faster?"

"Yes! Push harder!"

"We'll get in trouble," I panted, looking around.

"You started it," she accused.

"I didn't tell you to get on and have a go."

She gasped. "Yes, you did!"

"Well, yeah," I shrugged, starting to grin. "But I didn't think you'd actually do it."

"Never underestimate the power of curiosity," she said, waggling a finger at me.

I snorted. "Whatever, dork."

"You even told me that it would be the ride of my life."

"Am I wrong?"

She didn't say anything, only shaking her head in response.

"Wait!" she shrieked, pointing sideways. "Grab that cereal!"

I pulled a stop on the pushcart and grabbed a cereal from the shelf, putting it in with her. Yep, she was sitting inside the cart. An old woman gave us a disapproving look when she passed by. I flashed her a grin in turn. She huffed and went on.

"I will never look at a pushcart the same way again," muttered Halo.

I chuckled. "What else is on the list?" I asked, peering down.

"Just one more." She raised a hand and pointed forward. "Steak sauce!"

I pushed the cart and headed to the isle where they had a bunch of sauces on display. I kept glancing at Halo's back. Her black hair was in a messy ponytail and she wore a big navy blue sweatshirt that had a 'Ravenclaw' logo on it. I noticed it earlier when I went to pick her up, and I also read Harry Potter when I was a kid so I was pretty familiar with it.

She looked so soft and cozy that I had to fucking stop myself from being a total creep and hug her every now and then.

"You know," I started, grabbing the bottle of steak sauce she pointed to and handing it to her, "I had no idea that doing errands could be fun."

"It usually isn't." She looked over her shoulder to smile broadly at me. "We just made it an adventure today."

I leaned down, placing my right elbow on the handle. I reached out the other hand to gently pinch her nose. Smiling crookedly, I said, "Thanks to me wheeling around the store."

Her purple eyes twinkled as she laughed and pulled her face away. "Okay, you win. All hail to the master of fun," she giggled, raising both hands.

"Bet your ass I'm the master of fun," I grinned, as I straightened up.

I regretted it instantly. The person staring back at me was someone who could ruin an awesome day like this and make into a fucking sobfest. No way in hell was I up for that.

"Oz," she acknowledged. When I didn't greet her back, her calculating eyes traveled to Halo. She didn't look pleased.

I caught Halo shrunk a bit in the cart, uncomfortable at the scrutiny the bitch in front of us was obviously giving. That pissed me off. I didn't like the fact that Halo felt threatened. I gripped the handle, my knuckles turning white.

"So the rumor is true," she continued, glaring at me. "You really have moved on."

"That's your business how?" I deadpanned.

"You broke my best friend's heart," she spat.

Oh, yeah? Snow fucking stabbed mine and left me to pick up the shattered pieces. Now that I was finally opening up to someone again, people had to go and fucking intervene. This was utter bullshit. It was my fucking relationship.

With a stoic expression, I looked at Snow's best friend who apparently was defending her honor. She had a curly blonde hair, and she dressed like a cheerleader. She probably was. I couldn't even remember her name. That usually happened when I simply didn't give a goddamn shit about someone.

"Again, how's that any of your business?" I wondered, cocking my head.

"She's my best friend, you dick," she seethed, taking a step forward. "You hurt her, you hurt me. You don't have the right to be happy when -"

"Hold it," I interrupted, raising a hand to stop her. I sighed and flashed her a bored look. "I honestly don't give a flying fuck what you think. I don't even remember your name."

"It's Emily."

"I didn't ask."

With that, I pushed the cart with Halo in it away from that raging headcase. I couldn't believe this chick brought up that stuff in front of Halo. Rude bitch.

What the shitty hell was her deal anyway, talking about the past like it was fucking yesterday? She had nothing to do with it. Fucking nutjob.

Sure, I knew I was a jackass. But it made me wonder just how much of a jackass Snow made me out to be to her friends. The thought immediately died as the numbness came rushing back. It had been that way whenever she crossed my mind.

Emptiness always took over me.

Truth be told, I was sick of it.

"Jerk!" yelled Emily.

Right, like that was gonna hurt my feelings.

I laid my eyes on Halo when she put a hand on the railing and leaned over so she could look back at the crazy bitch behind us.

"Everyone deserves to be happy," she called out. "No matter how much of a jerk they are. Even you." She gave out a sad smile and waved goodbye.

My eyes stayed on her, as if I was looking at her for the first time. Was that her way of insulting someone? I had to fight off a smile so I cleared my throat.

"Sorry about that," I told her.

"It's wasn't your fault."

I rubbed the back of my neck.

"Some people just can't let go of that past," I muttered.

Like me. Not until justice has been served to those fucking dipshits.

"The past shapes us to be who we are today," she shrugged, turning her head to look back at me. "Doesn't mean we're all bad people."

I stared at her, taken aback. Even if she already turned her back to me and faced the front, I didn't take my eyes off of her. Damn this girl. Her words always struck a cord deep in me. Maybe that was why she never failed to blew me the fuck away.

A smile made its way to my lips, and I shook my head.

About an hour later, I pulled up in front of her house. It was a white cozy-looking house with blue roofs. It had a wrap around porch, too. I faintly noticed a familiar white car in the driveway. I instantly got a bad feeling. I ignored it, though.

Halo and I got out of the car at the same time.

It reminded me of earlier. She also didn't let me open the car door for her. As soon as I parked out front, she dashed out of the house and climbed in.

"Do you have something against guys opening the door for you?" I joked.

She blinked, her eyes wide. "Oh, I wasn't - were you? I didn't," she stopped and smiled sheepishly at me, her fingers playing together. "Sorry, I'm not used to having dates."

"This is a date?" I asked, the corner of my lips turning up.

"Wait, what?" she choked, flabbergasted. "It is?"

I thought about it, pressing my lips together.

"You're right," I decided. "It'd be a crappy place to have our first date. We should have it somewhere with no old women breathing down our throats."

She laughed out loud as we walked back to the trunk to get the food. It wasn't exactly the reaction I was hoping for. It sounded to me like she thought it was our usual teasing. Huh.

Before opening the trunk, I leaned on my car and gazed at her with my arms crossed. I didn't say anything, I just looked at her. Nothing but her. I waited until she got it.

At first, she frowned at me in absolute confusion. Then, it turned into curiosity. Until it became shock, and she gasped.

"OH, you weren't kidding?"

I merely shook my head in answer. Halo stood frozen on the spot, with her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open.

"You're asking me out," she whispered, astonished.

I nodded slowly, watching her.

And as if something in her clicked, her body tensed. She looked around the street, her eyes full of suspicion. When she faced me again, she looked a bit . . . afraid.

"Is this a prank?" she asked in a tiny voice.

I made a face and swiftly pulled away from the car.

"The fuck? Of course not," I replied indignantly.

"I'm sorry!" she said defensively. "I've just read about this kind of stuff online."

"Where, dickswithoutballs dot com?"

Halo's hands flew up to her mouth, trying to stop herself from laughing. "That sounds like a porn site," she mumbled, giggling.

I closed my eyes and ran a hand through my hair, a ghost of a smile playing on my lips. When I opened them, I caught Halo staring straight at me. She quickly looked away, turning her head and pretending to check if the stars were out tonight.

What am I gonna do with this girl?

With a crooked smile, I opened the trunk and brought out the paper bags. She reached out her arms to take it from me but I dodged her.

"I'll help you bring it inside," I told her.

"Um," she droned out, glancing at the familiar parked car then at the house. She had a worried frown on her face when she turned back to me. "You really don't have to."

My eyes narrowed. She was hiding something.

"You don't want me to walk you to your door."

She bit her lip, before looking down. She let out a deep breath, raised her head, and said, "I have to tell you something."

I didn't like the fucking sound of that.

I returned my eyes back to the familiar car. I got that shitty feeling again, one where I felt like I was gonna barf. I looked at the plate number. And just like that, it fucking clicked.

I scowled, like deep-shit-embossed-on-my-fucking-head scowl.

What the hell is the dickwad doing here?

"Remember when I said Pops taught me everything about basketball?" asked Halo, in a voice so low I could barely hear it.

Shit. I closed my eyes and sighed, trying my goddamn best to keep my cool. I knew where she was going with this. It could only lead to one thing.

"He's their coach, isn't he?" I guessed tonelessly.

Damn it. How the fuck didn't I know that his last name is Buckley, too? Oh, that's right. I didn't give a shit enough to find out. Fucking stupid, is what it is.

"Yeeeaah," she stretched out, swinging her arms. "I don't really broadcast that I'm the granddaughter of Mount Valley High's basketball coach."

As I studied her face, her expression, and her eyes . . . Only one thing was in my mind; What I found out tonight didn't change the fact that I still liked her.

"Why not?" I asked.

She sighed. "I guess I just don't like the attention it brings."

I was actually glad I had no idea. Because if I did, I wouldn't have pursued her at all. No matter how interesting she might have been, I would've gotten out before it went too deep.

But now, it was too late. I liked her too much to let go.

Besides, she wasn't in any way related to Scout Crimson or any of the sissies. She was only related to their coach, the same old man who trained Ethan and his best buds. I heard he was a pretty respectable man.

I'll just take Ethan's word for it.

"I got this, Coach!" said Scout, stepping out of the house.

Halo and I turned to the voice.

"Thanks. Okay, see you on Monday!" he called, before closing the door and walking down the steps to his car.

I watched as he pulled out his keys, but did a sudden double take when he saw Halo. He stopped walking and smiled, then headed in our direction. The fuck was he smiling for? As he neared, he noticed my presence. He paused for a moment and glowered.

Damn, I feel so loved.

He continued walking and stopped a couple of feet away.

"Is he bothering you?" he asked Halo, looking at her with a concerned face.

I rolled my eyes. Typical.

"No, no," she answered quickly. "He helped out with the groceries."

Scout looked skeptical, glancing at me with a raised eyebrow.

"I have a hard time imagining that," he muttered.

"Guess I'm not the total asshole you wished I am," I pouted, mocking sadness. I patted his shoulder. "Tough luck, golden boy."

He frowned. "Don't call me that."

"You don't like it when I speak the truth?" I smirked.

"You have a twisted definition of the word 'truth', Oz."

"Maybe so," I shrugged nonchalantly. Then, I tilted my head and stared at him. "But at least my friends and I have that in common. Can't say the same about yours."

His eyes squinted, trying to decipher the meaning behind my words. I kept my facial expression blank, only leaving the humorless smirk on.

Seriously, I wanted to tell him everything. I wanted to see his face when he figured out how his team were nothing but a bunch of pussies. But he had to hear it from them. They had to own up for the shit they had done.

"Um," piped in Halo, stepping between us. "Scout, I think you should go."

Scout faced her. I caught a tiny hint of hurt in his eyes. I almost felt bad for the dude. Almost. Because then I realized the fucker had a thing for Halo.

Nuh-uh. This ship has fucking sailed.

"Don't you need help bringing the bags inside?" he offered her.

Oh, hell no.

"I'm already holding the bags, shithead," I pointed out. I forgot I was holding them all this time, practically weighing nothing to me. "You can go now."

Scout shook his head at me in disbelief. "First Snow, now Halo?"

My eyes darkened, and my blood boiled. I felt the sudden rush of adrenaline through my veins. I wanted to rip this cocksucker's fucking head off.

"Don't," I deadpanned.

Halo was different. I'd be a stupid son of a bitch if I didn't know that.

"Crimson!"

The three of us turned our heads toward the house. Coach Buckley radiated authority as he stood by the doorway.

"Why the hell are you still here, boy?" he demanded.

"Sorry, Coach," called out Scout. "I just said hi to Halo. I was just leaving." He turned to Halo, and said, "Good night."

"Good night," she replied, with a weak smile.

Without so much as a glance to me, Scout headed to his car to leave.

"Halo, bring in the groceries," ordered Coach Buckley, waving her over. He was about to turn around when he looked back, and added, "Oh, and bring the boy with you so we can properly invite him to dinner." After the last word, he went inside.

I blinked.

Holy shit. I wasn't ready for this.

I'm fucking screwed.

_____________

I'm not sure about this chapter. What do you guys think? Did it lack the Haloz love?

Were you expecting the twist? Did you guess right? Or were you shocked? I dedicate this chapter to the first person who guessed Halo's relation to Coach Buckley from the very beginning. Like seriously, she guessed it about 2 or 3 chapters in the story. Haha!

Too much swear wooooords. LOL.