The Trouble-Makers

The past school week had been, surprisingly, nothing but relaxing. Well, relaxing enough for school with all the homework and annoying teachers. But, what I meant, was there was hardly any trouble from the clique. None, in fact. Nicki stopped texting me, and even Zack stopped sending me disapproving glances every time he saw me with my fellow Trouble-Makers. Actually, every time he saw me it looked...longingly? I wasn't sure what the right word would be to describe it. All I knew was that he looked like he wanted to reach out to me, and I couldn't help but feel my heart twitch every time I thought of it. I didn't feel anything towards Zack, nothing romantically at least. But, what can I say? I guess I'm the kind of person who hates to see others suffering.

"They've got to be planning something," Mike remarked, tapping his foot on the ground. He was talking about the clique, and we all knew it. It was the only thing out of context that made sense.

"Nah, we just put them in their place." Jack shrugged it off. We were sitting outside in the courtyard. It was the last period of class, and, of course, Jack and Jaime convinced me to skip English with them. We were surprised to run into Mike, but pleased, nonetheless. Apparently he had a test in his class that he decided to skip.

"But still, for them not to retaliate at all?" Mike blew out a breath. "That's never happened before."

"Did you see what Jack did to Kellin?" I asked, shaking my head. "I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't even look in our direction for the rest of the school year."

Jack smirked. "Yeah, I did do a pretty good job."

"I didn't mean it as a compliment," I muttered, but Jack chose to ignore that remark.

"You have to admit, even after Kellin came back still nothings happened," Jaime said calmly.

I nearly chocked on my spit and apparently Mike and Jack were also shocked. "W-what? When did he get back?"

"Just today," Jaime said, giving us an odd look. "You didn't see him at lunch?"

Jack shook his head. "No, I do my best to not look any where near that table."

"Well, he's back to school all right. I just figured he would've said something snarky to us by now."

I chewed on my lip anxiously. Yeah, Kellin hadn't done anything yet but I was positive he'd do something soon. Or, I thought he would.

"How was he looking?" Mike asked.

"He had a bandage over his nose and it looked like his face was mostly healed, though." Jaime paused. "Well, actually, he still has that gash on his cheek." The boys snickered at that, and I stuck my tongue out at them.

"Oh, shut up."

"What? We were all pretty shocked when you whipped that beer bottle across his face," Jack said, laughing.

"Who knew someone so small could pack such a punch," Jaime added.

"Yeah, I guess you had to be there." We all stiffened at that, turning around to see Zack approaching us.

Jack and Jaime looked at each other. When I first joined the Trouble-Makers, I would always notice the looks they'd give each other. I never understood what they meant, but now that I've bonded with them I can almost tell what they're thinking; and right now they're weighing whether or not to kick the crap out of Zack. Jack gave a small nod and I instantly reached for Jack's arm, forcing him to look at me.

"Don't do it," I said. His jaw set, and I always managed to forgot I can't tell him what to do or he'll purposely defy me. "Please," I added.

He let out a huff, turning his attention back to Zack whom was unaware of the impending danger from Jaime and Jack. Mike was stirring uncomfortably beside Jaime, and I bit down on my lip.

"What's the matter? No welcoming party?" he attempted to joke, but the boys continued to stare him down. I smiled at his attempt at peace, which seemed like it was enough to put Zack at ease.

"Didn't know you were the type to skip class," I said and I could feel Jack's disapprovement rolling off of him. I bumped my shoulder into him, and he simply looked away.

"I could say the same for you." Zack paused, probably seeing if the guys would say something but when they didn't, he spoke again. "Okay, look, I just came over to tell you guys I'm sorry. I asked Kellin about what happened and I guess what you guys said was true..."

"You guess? We were right the entire time," Jack spat, and Zack flinched at his sudden words.

"Yeah, and I'm sorry about that. It's just..." He let out a sigh from a loss of words. I could relate to that. "It's just hard thinking one of your closest friends could lie to you like that."

"Word," Mike said, and Jaime nudged him. "What? The dudes not a bad guy, it's the rest of them who warped him," Mike defended.

"Yeah, well, he chose what side he was sitting on," Jaime pointed out.

Zack sighed. "I didn't think I'd be able to mend things just like that. I just wanted to say I was sorry, and if you could, pass it on to the other Trouble-Makers."

"What's the matter? Can't face Alex on your own?" Jack spoke, a ghost of a smile hinting at his face. I admit, it might not seem like much, but the fact that Jack was practically teasing Zack was saying something.

"No, not really." He chuckled. "Just wanted to try and...mend the bridges, I guess. I'll see you guys around." And with that, Zack was already headed back towards the school building.
We all sat in silence, pondering what Zack said. It was definitely shocking that he went out of his way to do that.

"Wow," Jaime said, shaking his head. "The clique is just full of surprises."

"Didn't believe him?" I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what to think."

"I think I still definitely don't trust him," Jack said roughly. The bell rang and we all stood up, getting ready to head back inside the school building to regroup with the rest of the Trouble-Makers. Just as we were about to head in, Jack turned to me. "And, uh, good call with not beating him up," he said quickly before walking ahead of us.

Jaime looked at me with wide eyes as if he were shocked himself. "Wow," he mouthed to me before following after Jack.

***

"He just apologized and walked away?" Alex asked, beginning to pace around in my living room. Jay, whom was sitting across Mike's lap, meowed up at Alex; as if adding his two cents to the conversation.

Jack nodded his head, leaning against the living room wall. "Yeah, and then he walked away."

"Dude, that doesn't sit well with me," Alex said quickly.

"Oh, chill, I'm sure he just feels bad for what his guys did to you," Mike said.

Alex shook his head. "No, he's one of Kellin's friends, how could he not have known about it?"

"Probably because Kellin was hiding it from him?" I suggested. "I know Zack and he wouldn't be okay with just tagging along with beating someone up. He's not like that."

Alex paused to look over at me. He hated it whenever I mentioned Zack, his protective ways getting the better of him. "He's part of the clique, Stella, he has to have something to do with it."

I frowned. "I was part of the clique and I never did any of that stuff."

He paused at that, clearly stumped by that, before he shrugged it off and continued to pace. "I think Kellin's planning something again, and I don't like it."

"If he is, I don't think Zack's a part of it," Mike said now. "It's clear he likes Stella so he wouldn't do something that hurt her, even if it involved hurting us."

Alex balled his hands up into fists, walking up to Mike whom didn't realize he set Alex off. He scrambled away, Jay falling off of his lap. "Dude, dude, I'm just saying, I didn't mean to piss you off," he said quickly.

I jumped to my feet, grabbing a hold of Alex's arm and he stopped. I didn't think he was actually going to punch Mike, but still, I didn't want him scaring the poor kid. "Come on, Alex. Mikes just speaking realistically."

He turned to face me, a frown settling on his lips. I could tell that he was still thinking of Zack and I together, so I released a sigh. "Come on," I told him, pulling him away from the Trouble-Makers and up the stairs to my bedroom attic. We sat down on my bed, and I leaned into him. "You know I don't have any feelings for Zack, right?" I told him.

He nodded his head.

"Then why do you act like this every time someone mentions him?" I grabbed Alex's hands which were still balled up and gently undid them, intertwining our fingers.
Alex fell quiet for a minute, before finally speaking, "because I can't help it. I mean, you don't feel anything towards him, but he obviously still feels something for you and that will never sit right with me."

I squeezed his hands gently, looking up at him. "You're the only one who has my heart."

Alex couldn't help but grin at that, rolling his eyes. "Oh God, you're cheesier than I am." We both laughed and Alex leaned forward to kiss me.

Notes