The Trouble-Makers

"I think we should crash Kellin's party tonight," Jaime declared, and we all looked at him in shock. We were currently sitting at our lunch table, all of us here including Vic.

"Why would you say that?" Mike asked, digging into his bag of chips.

Jaime smirked, his spiky hair sticking out from under his beanie. "I just feel like starting a fight." I frowned at him. "Just a few punches. I've been itching for a fight lately."

"I hear ya, man," Jack said, leaning forward.

I sighed. "Come on, guys."

"What? We'll just show up and if they want to pick a fight, then fine. If they don't, then we'll leave."

"That's a really stupid plan, Jack, and it's asking for trouble," I told him.

Jack rolled his eyes. "We'll be fine."

"I agree with Stella," Alex started.

"Shocker," Jack muttered.

"You didn't let me finish," Alex said through his teeth, both of them giving each other cold stares; neither one wanting to break eye contact. The table suddenly became tense and all of us leaned in. I gently sat my hand on Alex's thigh, leaning into him. "If we go there now, Kellin will probably know we're going to show up eventually. So that means he has more guys and it'll turn into something a lot bigger than it should be."

Jack didn't say anything at that, he simply broke eye contact. He knew Alex was right.

"Hey guys," Zack said, appearing by our table. He must have sensed the tense air because he added "is this a bad time?"

"No," Jack said, though the tone in his voice suggested differently, "it isn't. What's up?"

We all slowly relaxed at the table, all but Vic. He hadn't been around Zack as much as the rest of us.

"I was talking to Kellin," at the mention of his name, we all stiffened, "and he wants to mend the bridges between you guys." A smile spread across Zack's face, but we were left unconvinced.

"And what does he want?" Rian asked.

"For you guys to come to the party tonight."

Jack and Jaime both exchanged a look, I knew they were excited for a fight that they knew would happen. And if it didn't happen on its own, they would start one themselves.

"I don't know..." Rian trailed off.

"We'll go," Jack said, a malicious smile appearing on his face. I knew that look, something he did before causing problems.

"Great," Zack said excitedly, not noticing the Trouble-Makers great unease. "I'll see you guys tonight." With that, he rushed back to the clique's table.

"Dang," Mike muttered, "I was starting to really like that guy."

I furrowed my eyebrows at him. "What are you saying?"

"It's obviously a set up, Stella," Vic intervened. "I haven't even been around the guy but if it was an invite from Kellin...something fishy is happening."

I bit down on my lip, shifting closer to Alex. "Then why did we agree to go?"

"Because someone here wants to cause problems," Alex murmured lowly, but loud enough for everyone to hear him.

Jack's eyes narrowed. "You have a problem with how I run my group?"

"It's not your group. We act how we want to," Alex growled back. Again, the table became tense with its two 'leaders' arguing.

"If you guys have a problem with how I act, then you guys don't have to be apart of this group."

"That's not what I'm saying," Alex defended.

"Then what are you saying, huh? Oh, wait, should you ask Stella first because it's obvious you can't think with your own mind and she owns you." With that, Jack knew he crossed the line. I saw his eyes widen for a moment at what he said, but he wiped the look away quickly to stand his ground.

Alex stood up, and I grabbed onto his arm but he continued walking towards Jack. Jack jumped up quickly, and for the first time he backed away from a fight.

"You have something else to run your mouth about?" Alex almost shouted. The cafeteria soon became hushed around us.

"We all know it's true, you've changed ever since you met her," Jack spat but took a step back when Alex came closer. "You used to not fear anything and fight like it, now you're just some prick who's bitch owns them."

I cursed under my breath, standing up now just as Alex grabbed the collar of Jack's shirt and slammed him against the table. "You call her that again, I dare you," he hissed, leaning over the Jack.

Jack didn't say anything, and I took a hold of one of Alex's arms. "He didn't mean it, Alex, he's just tense from not fighting in awhile," I murmured quietly. "Remember Jack's your friend. You don't want to fight him."

Alex loosened his grip and stepped away from Jack, gripping my hand tightly. "You're right."

Jack stood up now, a mixture of emotions crossing his face. He opened his mouth to say something but before he could a teacher came walking over. "Does there appear to be a problem, Mr. Gaskarth?"

Alex looked away from me to face the teacher. "No, we're fine here."

She turned to Jack now, cocking an eyebrow up at him. "And what about you, Mr. Barakat?"

Jack stole a glance at Alex for a moment before answering the teacher. "Yeah, we're good."

Notes

Only two chapters left /.\