"Ooh, the plot thickens," sang Milo.

I watched her back as she walked away from us. What I said was cruel, and a part of me almost regretted saying it. But Snow had to hear it.

It was one thing to rat on us and not believe me, but it was a whole other thing going AWOL on Connie. She couldn't just waltz back into our lives and expect everything would be all ponies and rainbows. Nothing was forgotten.

But . . .

"I'll gel your cotton candy head, Milo," warned Halo.

Milo gasped shockingly at her. With a hand on his chest, he said, "Ugh, how dare you? Fine, I'll just go where the drama is." He waved us off and followed Snow.

"I better go with him," Halo told me, lightly stroking my back in comfort.

"I'm sorry about that," I sighed, rubbing my face with a hand.

. . . I'm fucking tired of this shit.

"Hey, we're here to have fun," she firmly reminded me, as she slapped my back.

I closed my eyes and looked up, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. I focused on the sound of the waves. I took a deep breath, the salty smell of the ocean engulfing me.

We all needed a goddamn break sometimes.

If only I could just forget everything - even for a little while.

I opened my eyes and looked down on Halo.

"You ever jumped off a cliff?" I asked.

She blinked for a second, taken aback by my question. Then, she eyed me suspiciously and slowly shook her head.

"I have an idea," I said, before grabbing her hand and pulling her with me to the shore.

"Yes, Oz," panted Halo, hurrying beside me. "Of course, you can drag me wherever it is we're gonna risk our lives at. Not a problem. I'm cool with it."

"It's safe," I assured her. "We've done it a million times." When we passed by Connie and her friends, I told them, "I'm kidnapping my girl. You'll have her back in a few hours."

Someone behind Brooklyn stopped. My eyes wandered to Snow who was carrying the bag of coals to the grill. She stood frozen on the spot. We stared for a moment.

I couldn't look away.

Back then, I was always numb. Now a part of me thought that I should feel somewhat smug, like a huh-your-loss feeling. But I didn't. I felt far from that.

Staring at her like this, I didn't expect to feel . . . sad.

"Oh, you can keep her," grinned Milo.

"You are so out of my cutiepie list," huffed Halo.

Snow blinked, as if waking up from a trance. She shook her head, avoided my eyes, and continued walking to the grill.

I turned my head to the sea.

"Fine, make the most of the day."

I looked back at Connie. She rolled her eyes at me and went back to taking out the raw barbecue sticks from the plastic container, smiling a little despite herself.

"I owe you for that cockblock, anyway," she shrugged.

I couldn't stop the crooked smile forming on my lips.

"I'm so touched you remembered," I said.

She flipped me off, making me chuckle.

"C'mon," I told Halo, tugging her hand.

"Hold up," Connie called out, just as we turned to leave. "You're going to the cliff?"

I nodded.

She raised an eyebrow. "I thought we're all going together."

"Wait for the crew, then head out and follow us."

"Fuck that," she snorted, putting the container down on the table. "I won't make you break tradition. I'll hound them right now."

I shrugged. "Your call."

Brooklyn waved her off. "We got this."

"Thanks," grinned Connie.

She turned around and went straight to the house, walking past Snow and completely ignoring her as if she wasn't there.

Right. I took that as my cue to leave.

I quickly brought Halo to the cliff side at the end of the beach. Since she was a runner, it didn't take us a while. We both had stamina enough to climb the cliff in no time.

"You're serious," she breathed out, when we finally made it at the top.

She grasped the hem of my shirt as she glanced down, looking as though she was just realizing that I wasn't kidding and that we were really about to do this.

I grinned and pulled her away from the edge.

"Serious as Sirius Black," I replied, taking off my shirt.

"Ha, punny."

I threw my shirt aside. Before I could say anything, she took off her summer dress and revealed a neon blue bikini underneath - the one with the black borders on it.

Honestly, not in a gazillion years did I think she'd be one of those girls who followed the trend but hot damn. The thing cupped her pair nicely. They looked soft as hell, too. And her pale skin was just - holy shit, her legs. Fuck. I couldn't turn away my eyes from her legs.

Look away, Oz. Look the fuck away.

Nope. They're stuck there. Forever.

I was speechless.

"I think I need more sunblock or else you might burn a hole through me."

I cleared my throat and looked away, making Halo laugh wholeheartedly. I smirked as I returned my eyes on her. She was feeling confident, huh?

"You should be in jail for this, Buckley," I murmured, stepping closer.

She smiled, looking up at me. "What's my crime, officer?"

"Pretending to be adorkable when you're this . . ."

I stopped, my eyes wandering down her toned body while my finger ran lightly on her arm. She shivered. That did it.

I brought my lips down to hers.

"You know we need to -"

I kissed her again.

"Jump," she panted against my mouth.

I nodded. "Mm."

She felt so soft, so good.

"Right now," she gasped, turning her head.

My mouth traveled down her jaw, one hand on her neck while the other was placed on her back. Her breath hitched up, holding on to my shoulders. One of her hands went and got tangled in my hair.

I loved the way she tasted.

"Oz," she moaned.

Fuck, that was hot.

"If you're gonna suck faces all day, don't mind me going ahead and jumping first!"

I heard Alfie ran past us, and jumped. I pulled away from Halo, and rested my forehead on hers while I caught my breath. She panted heavily, her breath fanning my face. I grinned.

"The water's cold as fuck!" screamed Alfie, from down below. "But it's awesome!"

"Dibs on second!" yelled Kurt.

I straightened up, my eyes following him as he ran and did a kick ass flip. We hooted and cheered. Not a moment later, we heard a splash.

"Shit, you're right! My ass is freezing!"

"Bet your balls are getting all shriveled up," laughed Alfie loudly. "Gotta be careful, or you might shoot ice spikes later."

I burst out laughing at that, causing Halo to give me a curious look. I shook my head in answer. No way was I explaining that to her.

"Ladies first," said Frisco, gesturing for Connie to be next.

She grinned and ran. "Woohoo!"

Frisco followed after her, screaming, "Geronimooooo!"

I laughed. He was such a geek sometimes.

"Let's do that again," Halo told me, her eyes practically twinkling.

"We haven't even jumped yet," I said incredulously.

"No, not that." She made a face, then opened one eye. "You know."

I blinked. "Oh, that. Now?" I asked, surprised.

This was her way of asking to make out again. Cute.

She bit her lip. "Next time?"

A hearty laugh escaped me.

"Okay," I nodded. "But for now, let's jump off this damn cliff. After you, dork."

Her eyes lit up. "Why don't we do it together?"

The corner of my lips turned up in a crooked smile.

"And pretend we're being chased down by Godzilla?" I teased.

"Yeah!" she beamed.

"We better jump now before we get eaten, then."

"Let's hurry. I think I hear his gigantic footsteps!"

I grinned. "On three."

She laughed and nodded. "On three."

"One, two, three!"

Together, we took a leap.

* * *

It was dark. The stars were out. The bonfire was lit up in the distance, and people were partying like it was the end of the world.

Everybody was having a good time.

"Stop."

I was in the middle of filling up my cup of beer from the keg when I heard someone spoke behind me, scaring the shitty soul outta me.

Oh no, wait. False alarm. My fucked up soul is still here.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Scout. He had a determined look on his face that resembled so much like his twin's earlier this afternoon. I almost groaned, turning back to continue filling my cup. I sighed and shook my head instead.

"Dude, it's just beer," I told him.

What was his deal? It wasn't like he never had one.

"Stop harassing my team, Oz," he cleared up.

"Ah."

I knew this day couldn't go on being so perfect. What was I thinking? This was my life. Wrongs visited a lot more often than rights.

"You're not just ruining the lives of a couple of people, but an entire team full of kids with dreams. Do you ever just stop to think about that?" he demanded.

I faced him, because I felt bad. I didn't want him to look stupid talking to the air like a crazy fucker. See, I wasn't that evil.

"Save your bullshit to someone who gives a damn," I stated nonchalantly.

Why won't he just chill? We're at the beach, for fuck's sake.

He shook his head, looking pained.

"You don't get it."

"Enlighten me, please," I said sarcastically.

Why does he even care? It's not like they'll make it to State. I'm doing him a favor. At least, they have someone to blame when they fail this time around.

"You're not just taking away the dream, Oz," he explained. Taking a step forward, his forehead creased. "You're also taking away the hope."

My eyes suddenly turned cold and dangerous, as I looked at him.

"I'm only returning the favor."

He let out a frustrated growl. "What favor?"

"Why don't you ask your boy?" I asked, nodding to Finn McKinley who was having a conversation with Snow. He showed up sometime earlier.

Scout frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Do some damn digging, man," I snapped, getting impatient with his thickness. "Use your fucking brain. I'm so sick of you being stupid and innocent."

"Then, just tell me what's going on!"

"Like I said," I shrugged, "ask your friends. They started all this." My jaw clenched, and I added grimly, "I'm only finishing it."

He scoffed. "Do you like being the bad guy that much?" he asked, studying me. "You act as if you have nothing to lose."

"I do have nothing to lose," I deadpanned.

"Think again," he said, glancing behind me.

I followed the direction of his eyes. There, standing by the bonfire, I saw Halo chatting with Milo and Brooklyn. I gritted my teeth, facing Scout again.

"Stop pining over my girl, Crimson."

"As soon as you stop pining over my sister."

The corner of my lips twitched.

"Yeah, I can tell you're still hung up on her," he added.

Despite the outrage that was desperate to come out, I managed to smirk.

"It's so cute when you try to talk about things you know jack shit about."

He sighed. "Stop being the bad guy, Oz." He looked at me pleadingly. "Just stop."

"You think I wanted this?" I laughed humorlessly. "I never asked for any of this shit."

"Then, stop," he whispered, looking me in the eye. "Do the right thing for once. I know there's good in there somewhere."

My right hand closed really fucking tight.

"Being good and doing the right thing doesn't necessarily come together." I forced out a smirk. "You never know, maybe I'm doing the right thing by being bad."

He stared at me in disbelief, as though seeing me for the first time.

"No wonder my sister left you."

A flash of rage rushed through me.

"Don't delude yourself," I spat. "She chose to stand by you because you're her brother. She had an obligation to you."

He nodded. "Yeah. You know what, you're right. I must be 'deluding' myself thinking you could ever change your ways. You'll always be the bad guy in this story."

"You got it wrong, Crimson," I sneered, my voice dripping colder with every word. "I wasn't always this bad - 'til you made me one."

He frowned, confused and troubled.

"You can't change the past," I told him, before turning and leaving him there because I was seriously dying sick of this conversation. "Just like you can't change me."

I nodded to Kurt before I sidled up next to him.

"What was that?" he asked, referring to my run in with the golden boy.

"Fucktard begged me to stop with all this shit," I answered, before taking a huge gulp from my cup. I needed to loosen up.

"But we won't, right?"

I stayed silent. I didn't wanna think about any of that right now.

Like a magnet, my eyes wandered to a black-haired dork dancing cheerfully with her friends by the bonfire, without a care in the world. They jumped around as if they were the only ones here, looking happy and bright.

Milo waltzed to Connie, who wildly shook her head. But then, Brooklyn came over and helped him drag her to the bonfire with them. Connie laughed, nodded, and handed her red cup to - Parker? The fuck?

I was about to turn to Kurt and ask about what was up when Halo caught my eye. She smiled mischievously and walked over to me. Oh, shit.

"No," I immediately said.

"Yes!" she persisted, grabbing my hand and pulling me with her.

"I don't dance," I confessed, hoping she didn't notice the slight panic in my voice.

True story, bro. I didn't even attend last year's junior prom. Not because I didn't have a date. Even if I had, I wouldn't be caught dead on the dance floor.

I simply had no interest in it.

Halo pouted. "Pleeeaase?"

I stared at her attempt with the puppy dog eyes, her purple orbs appearing bigger and more Bambi-looking. Her soft pink lips called to me like fucking Nirvana. And then, I realized: I just could not say no to this adorkable creature.

Hanging my head, I sighed, "Fuck it."

"Yay!" beamed Halo, clapping briefly.

I let her drag me to the makeshift dance floor around the bonfire, while I drank more alcohol in hopes of making me brave enough to get through this.

I looked around the people dancing, some of them couples were grinding. Just then, Halo stopped walking and faced me with a smile. For a moment, I had no idea what to do.

How do I fucking move? Can I just bob my head and consider it dancing?

Halo placed her hands on my shoulders and went on her tip toes until her lips were by my ear. I gripped her waist to keep her balanced.

"Just let go," she whispered softly.

When she pulled away, she smoothly twirled around. I watched her do that with her arms raised up, grinning from ear to ear.

She wasn't particularly following the beat, nor did she have any pattern. With her eyes closed, she just moved her body the way she felt like it. The best part was, she looked like she was having the time of her life.

A warm smile made its way to my lips.

I closed my eyes, and followed her advice.

I let go.

_____________

THE END

Kidding. HAHA.

There's like, tons of chapters left. ;)

And dudes, please don't hate on Snow. She's not a bad person, she just made some poor choices (ratting on Oz and not letting him explain his side, ignoring Connie). But really, can you blame her for choosing her brother? You'd do the same for your family, right? Just because you like Halo doesn't mean Snow is so much more beneath her. It's wrong to think that way. They're both good girls.

It's also disturbing to read that some of y'all diss on Oz for liking Snow too much. I mean, I get it. Snow deserves an awesome guy, too. But do y'all have to say Oz doesn't deserve Snow? Kinda hurts. He was a good boyfriend to her. Maybe he was mean to others, but he was always sweet to her. :(

Anyhow, Scout. I feel so bad for the guy. Why can't Oz just tell him everything? Well, do you think Scout will believe him? I think it's better to let him figure that out on his own, don't you think? Come on, tell me what you think so we can discuss this. I love hearing about what you think.