Soda And Cigarettes (EDITING & ADDING)

Soda and Cigarettes

CHAPTER 1: New School, Old Friends.

"Bye Collin, have a good day!"

"Yeah, okay, thanks Uncle Dennis, later."

As I walked into the new school as a freshman, I knew in a few years I'm gonna have to get a job and nobody is gonna lay off me about it. That and my current family situation. I'll get into that later. I figured I'd get my old pals to start a little business with me that way by the end of High School we'll have a bit of "starting out" cash. So the best way to get money? Just sell stuff with other people and then split the money evenly, like a company. (I do wanna mention that if this "company" gets discovered. I am fu( ked). So, you know my name already but I'm gonna tell ya again incase you missed it. Name's Collin, don't wear it out, but anyway about my friends. I can tell you my friend's first names but not their last due to identity issues or whatever. I need to find my friends and only one of them will be easy. My pal Dylan lives behind me so I'll just wait until I go home to talk to him, unless by some off chance I see him around. Unlikely though since he has a new girlfriend and they both got high honor roll classes so they can be with each other. My good pal Ian should be easy because the first thing he said he was gonna do when he got in high school is head to the cafeteria and steal a bag of chips. He said that he doesn't care anymore about anything and he doesn't have to listen to anybody because he's an "adult" and shouldn't get in trouble for his adult actions. He said all teachers are jerks and "dumb-holes" so he would just brush them off because he doesn't have to take any "sass" from some old teacher who doesn't know an ankle from a wrist. So I knew my first destination. I found him in the snack bar stealing a bag of "Doritos Sweet Chili" chips. I remember him eating those about every day in middle school. He started to walk away and he didn't notice me. My voice has gotten a lot deeper since 8th grade. I decided to scare him by saying something in a deep voice. So I quickly said "Aren't you going to pay for that young man." He was about to make a run for it, but he turned around to see me and not a teacher. He got so excited. Yelling "COLLIN!!! BUDDY!!!" We haven't seen eachother over summer break, due to him going to summer school. So he was psyched to see me. We got to a place so I could tell him my plan for some fast cash. We decided to go in the back of the library and he heard me out while we snacked on his chips. He said that the plan was good and it sounded pretty entertaining too. I told him he was a captain which means he has little more power over the other two and he'd have to keep things in order if I weren't around. Which he was totally fine with. I asked him if he had seen Nino or Dylan anywhere. He said Nino might be at the football field for football tryouts because you were supposed to sign up during summer vacation and today was a makeup day or whatever. When I looked at the time it turns out we had to head to class already, so meeting up with Nino will have to be paused until lunch. Unless if we have the same classes. I would normally have cut class to go talk to him but I obviously can't miss or be late or cut any classes because I need to make a good impression on the teachers that way they won't shut down my "company" when it starts. If I appear to be a good student, I'd have teachers to back me up in the principle's office if I ever got caught selling stuff. I might LOOK like a good kid to the teachers but you know what they say: "Looks can be deceiving."

CHAPTER 2: My Accomplices

So I looked at my schedule to find my homeroom and I couldn't believe my luck! I got theater for homeroom which was good, but when I got into class, this kid Daniel was there. I found out that he actually picked the same elective as me and we ended up getting it first period together. My pal Daniel, who I call Danny-Boy, is like a detective. For some reason the school now has a ton of narcs, I think it was cuz of a bunch of kids last year hacking into computers, so the narcs act as "hall monitors". So Danny-Boy is a good ally. I can get files or recon photos of the narcs from him and then hang them up in my locker. The best thing is Danny-Boy IS a narc. So rather than an F.B.I connection, I got Narc connections. Which is cool. I also found Dylan and I are in class together. On the other good news, his girlfriend isn't in this class. She's a good kid and all, it's just that she has one of those "stuck-up-I-think-I'm-the-best-thing-since-sliced-bread-attitudes." The rest of my day isn't important. Nino isn't in one class with me and I have Ian with me in Gym, Math, and Science. I will mention however, in Biology Dylan's girlfriend is in my class and this kid Emilio is in my class. The reason why I mention Emilio is because he is the eye in the sky. The King of Social Media. He knows every relationship status, who has detention, who plays "hooky" on what day, etc, etc. The point is I may need to befriend him and get him on my side so I know who I can trust and who I may need to be aware of. Because let's face it, you can't trust anyone in highschool, no matter how good of friends or how long you've known each other, or whatever. So biology may be interesting this year. After biology is lunch. I went to my locker to get my sweater and I heard a voice and whoever it was said my name. I looked up and when I did I saw who it was followed by "I'm in." It was Nino. You probably could have guessed that one right? I asked him how he found out and if he was sure. He just said my "boyfriend" told me. By that I knew he meant Ian. He used to call us that in middle school because we would hang a lot. So he was in. Now I need to convince Dylan. I went to tell him earlier in Theater, but I didn't have the heart. Dylan's really too good and kind of a kid for me to ask something that'll get him in huge trouble. The things I was planning to sell were really big and could get us possibly suspended or even expelled. I'm gonna sell people projects, homework answers, fully complete book reports, even faked report cards. And when it comes around, state test answers. The reason I need four or more people is to sell more stuff. Such as test answers, soda, fake hall passes, all of that. That's why I also need to befriend Emilio so he can serve as a backup guy. Incase I may need to reconsider hiring Dylan, just so he doesn't get in too much trouble. I want to mention my two colleagues Jeremy & Jared are in charge of getting the word out of the business and to make sure no teacher hears or knows of it. I also got business down in the middle school thanks to my cousin, Reese. He said he'll try to bring me a lot of cash. Which I'm EXTREMELY grateful for. I told him if he keeps his word of being a "good earner" I'd owe him a ton. He just said no form of payment required though. He just wants to help his aunt & uncle. (My parents.)

CHAPTER 3: Description

So I've thrown 3 major characters at you plus myself and a semi-major character and you've got no idea how they look or why we're all friends, or whatever. So I'll tell you but then back to the story. I need you to get an idea of how my friends are because trust me, It's gonna get intense. Alright so I'll start with Ian. He's my best friend and we've been friends since Kindergarden. He was new and he always was just rejected and never hung out with anyone, so I took him under my wing. So from us being 5 to us now being 15 we've been friends for 10 years and counting. He's taller than me so about 5'7 and I used to think he was Mexican but he's not yet, his skin color is real tan. He has black hair that he wears it a bit curly, but it ain't noticeable. That's it. I mean you know what he's capable of doing. He stole a bag of chips. So he can be rebellious. I've talked little about Nino and there isn't much to tell. He's 5'5 and really buff. He's been wrestling since 6th grade. He is also really tan but not Mexican tan and he has dark brown hair and spikes it up. Dylan is the same description as Ian except he's 5'4, pale, and has a Justin Bieber cut. He also has the same backstory as Ian. Except we were friends before Ian came and we just became friends, all three of us. Nino and I were never actually fond of each other but eventually became acquaintances and he's mad strong but also very intimidating. Now the other fourth is Dylan's girlfriend, who you don't even know the name of and all I can say is her name is Miranda, she is 5'4, and she has this very bright and straight blonde hair, also she is as white as the snow itself. That's it. I've never really MET her although I've SEEN her. As for me, well, I'm 5'6, brown hair that I slick back and I eat a lot but I'm skinnier than a twig. (I'm also a real lady killer.) I'm actually the oldest. I'm 15, Dylan and Miranda are 13, and Ian and Nino are both 14. We're all (in fact, almost every person mentioned/in this story) are all Italian. Alright, so I guess you know everything about everybody I'll describe more major characters along the way.

CHAPTER 4: Business Finally Begins

So after the first three weeks of knowing all my teachers and getting to know and observe some of the other kids I found out two things: 1. The teachers here don't mess around or play games like in middle school and 2. There are two other businesses that are competition for me. One of them is another group of freshmens. All who I know of. Which is Griffin, Matt, Andrew and Cameron. The other is seniors who I don't know the names of. They're not important. They just work for the school to raise money of a senior field trip. So I got my two acquaintances, Jeremy & Jared to spread the word by slipping notes into some student's lockers who they thought or know that have failed or didn't do their homework/assignments in previous years. That way the people who failed know who to go to if they need to get out of a tight situation. My prices I feel are very reasonable. However, getting the supply is very stressful, so what I do is sneak into at least 10-15 classes during lunch and steal the homework answer key and then I go to the photocopier and make about 18 or more copies to sell. Each worksheet is about 2.50. If it's double sided it's 4.50. So I've been in business about 8 hours and only one client. At the end of the day I walk home. I only had one customer. Which is better than none, but worse than two. At least I got one and I'm not too disappointed, because, hey, I'm just starting out. The next week I got about 12 customers total and I also got the heart to ask Dylan to join and he said yeah, but I didn't want him getting busted, so I told him to only sell small things, like candy. Everyone in my group is working real hard. We've got, like, 20.00! Which may not seem like a lot (and I agree) but because it's our first week, I'd say that's pretty good. At the end of each day I split everyone's pay in shoe boxes with their names on it. Everyone got 5.00 and that was a wrap for week one. Weeks 2-4 we only got 8.00 each so we all have 13.00. By the end of the month we all have around 28.00 each. In total we have 112.00! I also heard that the popular kids Griffin, Mike, Joey, and Conner's business will have one last business day because, already half of their group already got detention and one of them got suspended for selling to a narc. To be honest, I had a feeling they'd get caught. Good thing for Danny-Boy. There are like 10 of them stupid narcs runnin around. The narcs are supposed to find out who's breaking rules and stuff like that. So now that they are working hard and busting people, I'm gonna need to be more careful. Especially since Dylan's on my team now. Just like I said I can't have him getting in trouble.

CHAPTER 5: Back Story

So, you might be wonderin what my family situation is. Well it's not complicated. About a year ago in NYC my parents' restaurant got sued by a guy who burnt is hand on a BURNING HOT plate of BURNING HOT food he said he wanted EXTRA COOKED and EXTRA HOT. They also got accused of tax fraud. With them losing the lawsuit and still trying to plead innocent with the fraud and everything they've decided that they aren't financially fit to raise my siblings and myself. My older brother isn't really a problem since he works and paid for his college and gas and stuff. That and he said he'll live in an apartment by after New Years. My little sister & brother both do sports and stuff. Myself. I just exist really. I don't do anything besides eat, sleep, and play video games. Yet all those things I go through quickly and always nag my parents for more. Anyway, my parents sent us to live with my Uncle Denis until the court thing is all done and they both have there cash back up in order to support us. I feel like I need to help them. I mean after all they did for me? It's the least I can do. Plus me and my greedy ways had BIG impact on why they're mostly broke anyway. I just take, take, take. Well, now. I'm gonna give. On the bright side they did say by September of next year we'll most likely move back in. I've been at my Uncle's in Central Jersey for 3 years. I was born and lived in North Jersey because even though my parents restaurant is in The City, we found an actually pretty decent house that's not as expensive. It's not cheap, but believe me, it's better than the houses or apartments or whatever in New York. So that's it. Not much to tell. My older & younger siblings are handling everything well. I'm not though. It's extremely hard for me to adjust. I've been here since 7th grade. I should be there working with them. I don't like talking about it. Don't get me wrong, I don't keep things bottled up either. People are like balloons, too much air [emotions] and we're at some point, bound to burst. [Let it all out.]

CHAPTER 6: I.O.U More Like U.O.ME

So I've been very loyal and fair to my customers and give them a 3 day limit to pay me or the others our cash. I and everyone else write the date, their names, and what they bought and the price of that item and where at school it was, all in a "Customer Book" that way nobody can not give me my money. I also make sure that they sign their name in the book that way everyone will know it's legit. The reason why I brought this up was due to one of my clients cheating on me and I missed out on my cash. He's about 5 days late. I even gave him over the weekend to collect the money. He owed 20.00 because Nino sold him 2 bathroom passes, (1.00 each) 2 hall passes, (2.00 each) 1 homework pass, (5.00) 1 late pass, (4.00) and 1 fake doctors note (5.00) and never paid up. After the 3 day limit Nino came by during recess to discuss the issue with me. The kid's name was Anthony. I told Nino to give him the weekend to cough up the dough he owes and after that I'll take care of it. I thought it was weird though. Nino is intimidating, like the definition of it, so I have no clue what this guy was thinking. Anyway, it is now Tuesday 2:00 am and I told Nino that if he didn't pay him by Wednesday, tell the dude to meet me in the boys bathroom by the main entrance, right next to the office. Wednesday, at 1:58, almost 8 minutes before class ended, I headed down to the bathroom and Anthony was already there. He said he was sorry, paid, and left. So overall I got paid and everything going great again.......at least I THOUGHT I got paid, but in reality I was ripped.

CHAPTER 7: The Alley Yard

So, the next week Nino asked if we got paid and I told him yeah and I showed it to him. He asked to get a closer look at it and I gave it to him and he said they were fake. I was a tad furious, but I wasn't sure. Nino isn't the best with knowing what's real and what's fake. Like last year he told me the apple I was eating at lunch was fake and that the Health Sticker was printed and taped. Well I never ate any more apples (Don't ask why, I just thought It was weird to eat fake apples) and then weeks later he told me out of nowhere that it wasn't true and he heard the fact from a friend. So I went to an expert. My friend Johnny knew his green and he's made money since 3rd grade. The truth is though he's actually the drug dealer of the school. Cigarettes, Cigars, Joints, H, Pot, Pipe, Speed, Pills, Needles, Acid, Shrooms, Beer, Wine, Energy Drinks, you name it. That's not all. He also sells porn, lighters, matches, knives, bats, brass knuckles, hand guns, everything. The list goes on. He did this though since 5th grade. Before now, he sold toys & candy. Once he even sold a whole video game console in 4th grade for a hundred big ones. This was before he sold drugs. He also got an extra 50 lettuces for selling 8 games, a memory card, and a controller. He always knew if the money was fake or not. He always checked the money before handing over the thing he was selling. Nobody has ever gotten passed him. So I stopped by the place he chills out at most and sells most of his things which is the "Alley Yard." That was a court yard, until the school built around it for extra hallways and added another gymnasium to put in a new pool for synchronized swimming. So the court yard is all spraypainted and all from people jumping in and leaving. When the walls were put up they took away the one entrance and one exit and put up walls. So people would get ladders, go on the roof after hours, jump in, do whatever, and climb out and leave. No one saw this because the windows were taken out too. Since everyone forgot about it, it wasn't taken care of and a big tree that never got cut down grew and grew and never died or got chopped down. It also covered a lot of the hole and only a tiny crack is there for people to get in, so now it's spraypainted from kids going in there and dark because they tree covers a ton of sunlight. It's also mad dusty and the plants are all dead and stuff, someone even threw a barrel in there and there is always a fire lit in it. I'm surprised that the tree doesn't catch fire. The point is it looks like a back street alley, so everyone calls it the "Alley Yard" and that's where kids go to smoke or drink or whatever during lunch. I kinda like it though. It's like a bit of New York in Jersey. But goin back on task, the Alley Yard was my stop during lunch. I was going to send Ian, but Ian has a bad memory. I mean he IS a captain and I should have gotten someone else to do it in the first place but whatever. But, yeah he has a bad memory, I tell the kid to go tell someone something and I'm like "Okay, repeat me." And he goes okay, and repeats me. And he comes back and he goes "Uh....I forgot.....you said what again????" So then I gotta do it myself. I was also going to let Jared and Jeremy do it, but they didn't like the idea and kept arguing on how to get in and if they got caught and yadda, yadda, yadda. Nino was at a football meet, and you know why I won't send Dylan, so I had to do it myself as usual. Although, Jeremy and Jared did have a point. You can get at least 3 days detention of going into a restricted area, but I didn't really care though. I was walking around and snuck into a janitor closet to count up the money to get it ready to show Johnny. When I walked in I sat next to a big cabinet so I wouldn't be seen if someone came in. The closet was built by one of the new walls next to the courtyard. As I was counting and getting the bills ready, behind the big cabinet a shine of light hit my eye. I moved the cabinet and it was a window. The school didn't take it out and it was by the little part where the tree didn't cover. So I jumped through there. It was good to know that so I don't have to go on the roof. When I got in I looked for Johnny and sure enough Johnny was there selling matchboxes to some kid who, I guess, didn't have the cash for his own. He probably bought the cigarettes with nothing to light'em with. Johnny looked up and saw me.
"Hey, Big C, how ya been my main man? Haven't seen ya since that incident that we got into back in 4th grade."

"Yeah Johnny, I know. Been laying low for awhile, ya know what I mean?" It felt weird talking to him after so long.

"Yup, I feel you bro, lost so much business, didn't start selling things again until a few days ago. New school so I felt safer."

Okay, so you remember I told you about that game console he sold? I was the kid he sold it to. That's the incident in 4th grade and how we became friends. We both got 5 days detention. We were in the computer lab when Johnny forgot to lock the door and a teacher caught us. We've been good friends for a while, but I've never seen him unless it was at lunch. So that's the 4th grade incident.

"Hey, Johnny, Uh...I....uh need you to check something for me. In private." Johnny looked around. The kid was still there just watching us.
"Hey? Whatta you do'in? You got what ya needed, now scram!" Johnny had a very adult and, to be honest, scary voice when he get loud. I heard him curse off a kid at lunch, and trust me it was ugly. The kid left and it was weird, he looked familiar and then I realized why the guy was there and staring at me, it was Anthony! I didn't recognize him because he had a big leather coat, a fedora, and sunglasses, I knew it was him because when he walked away he had black "Sketchers" and he was the ONLY kid who still wears them. I wanted to go after him and pin him to a wall and start grilling him, but I remembered why I went there in the first place. I didn't want to go after him and find out I was wrong. So I gave him the money and asked Johnny about it.
"Yeah, easy, it's fake, you can tell by how you can't see it from both sides. It's regular printer paper. See it's too thin to be regular dollar bills."

"Thanks, man, I owe ya one."

"So, why'd ya need to know if they were legit?"

"Oh, just starting my own business with a couple of guys, I'm gonna split the cash at the end of the year so I don't need any fakes."

"Ah, I knew you were always one smart fu( kin kid, you came to the right guy then. Alright see you later man."

"Alright, take it easy Johnny."
Now, some may think "Dude!!!! Hire Johnny!!!! You won't have this problem with money anymore!!!!" Well I would and I've tried. In 4th grade detention I asked if he'd like to expand his "company" but he's one of those "I work alone types." Whatever, I thanked him and he said anytime. I left and now I've got some REAL business to do.

CHAPTER 8: Physical Confrontation

I found the kid in second period and, boy, I really let him have the most furious outrage that you'd ever hear. Before I tell you what happened let me get one thing straight: In no means am I wrong in this. I just wanted to get my money. I will do just about anything to get the point across of how serious it is on not paying me and I won't give it up until this guy pays his debt. So here's what happened in second period: I walk into one classroom to get some homework answers right? I was about to leave and Anthony comes strolling in. The look on his face though was priceless. He was gonna make a run for it. I grabbed the hood of his sweatshirt and pinned him to a wall. "HEY, DO YOU THINK I'M SOME KIND OF IDIOT!?!? DIDN'T THINK I WOULDN'T CATCH YOU, YA FU( KIN MORON!?!?, I KNOW THE CASH IS FAKE!!!"

"Collin, I'm sorry, I don't have the money, I got a job just a day ago, I'll pay ya I swear!!!" He started shaking violently to get away.

"IT'S BEEN ABOUT A WEEK!!! A WEEK!!!! AND THEN YOU TRY TO PAWN OFF FAKE BILLS AND EXPECT EVERYTHING TO BE MUTHA FU( KIN ROSES!!!!!"

"Look, I've got about half now, I was gonna use it for lunch, but take it, just please let me go."

"YA KNOW WHAT, I WILL LET YOU GO! GO TO THE FLOOR!!!"
I threw him over a desk and onto the floor. He rubbed his shoulder and had a cut on his forehead.

"A DAY!!! YOU HAVE A DAY TO PAY ME, A WHOLE 24 HOURS!!! AND NOW I WANT DOUBLE AND THE NEXT DAY TRIPLE!!!! TRY ME PAL, FU( KIN TRY ME!!!!! I'M TAKING YOUR LUNCH MONEY EVERYDAY TOO, LET THAT BE A WARNING! SO IT'S YOUR LUNCH MONEY AND NOW DOUBLE!!!,"

I took his bag and pulled about 2 dollars from him.

"AND YOU TELL ONE TEACHER ABOUT THIS AND YOU WON'T HAVE A MOUTH TO TELL ANYBODY ANYTHING ANYMORE!!! YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!?!?"

And then I left the room. I was surprised nobody else heard me. (At least I thought.) Or that loud crash when I threw him. Well maybe he'll learn. I've beaten up kids before cuz they didn't kick up their money, but this time was important. As I left I think I heard light crying. But I ignored it and went back to class.

CHAPTER 9: Then There Was 3

So I eventually got paid and I never saw the kid again. I heard he's homeschooled now or moved or whatever, I don't care, I'm only glad I got paid. In biology today I wanted to rip Miranda's vocal chords out. Apparently my little "chat" with Anthony got out by the grape vine. Which I figured. I guess someone saw me, but I was still hoping I could still get off scot free. Well, Dylan found out because Miranda walked by and saw me. So she told Dylan like a little snitch. Dylan confronted me and I gave him the whole "It's nothing personal it's just business " speech. He said he was done because now that I was identified, people also will accuse him and me. I tried to tell him everything would be fine and he's well protected. He didn't care and he said he quit, even after I threatened to give his cash to everyone. He said go ahead. I was only bluffing. So in times of need I went to Emilio.

"You need me? For what? I hardly know you."

"Look. Emilio, I don't want to lose business, I just occasionally need you to get my name out there, and maybe sell stuff. I need people knowing about this so I get 2X as much dough as I was before."

"Do I get paid?"

"Yeeeeaaaah........no."

"NO?! Fu( k that! How 'bout 12 bucks a day and the money we make gets cut, 50/50, ditch the other two."

"Yeah, okay, 12 bucks a day AND 50/50 at the end? Nah, that isn't gonna fly my friend, either sell stuff and get the money at the end of the year or nothin."

"Look Collin, I need the money but that's my offer, if you don't take it, I guess it's nothing then."

I knew he wasn't gonna do it. I didn't know what I was thinking when I said I may need to befriend him. He has no real friends, only social ones on media. So forget him, I don't need him anyways. Plus I heard he is actually moving back to Connecticut in like a few months. Well, that means I need to work harder since Dylan quit. What a sissy. Maybe I need a talk with Miranda.

CHAPTER 10: Crazy Ex

During biology I was late and as I come down the hall Miranda comes out crying. Well the period BEFORE that Dylan broke up with her. The teacher sent her out in the hall for about 8 minutes to settle down. Then she saw me. "YOU! IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT YOU MOTHER FU( KER!!!!

"ME? THE HECK DID I DO?" In all honesty I was very confused.

"AFTER YOU BEAT ANTHONY UP I TOLD DYLAN AND I TOLD HIM TO QUIT!!! THEN HE BROKE UP WITH ME BECAUSE HE DOESN'T WANNA DATE A SNITCHING RAT!!!!"

"HEY, IT AIN'T MY FAULT, SO DON'T PUT IT ALL ON ME!!!"

"I'M GONNA PUT IT ON YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR LITTLE 'MAFIA OR GANG' OR WHATEVER WAS GETTING IN THE WAY OF MY RELATIONSHIP!!!!"

"OH, GET THE FREAK OUTTA HERE!!!!! YOUR RELATIONSHIP, OR SCRATCH THAT, EX-RELATIONSHIP, GOT IN THE WAY OF MY BUSINESS!!! I'M NOT IN THE MAFIA OR GANG EITHER, THOSE ARE RUMORS!" At this point I was done with her nonsense. I also couldn't let her know I'm in the mafia otherwise she could use that against me if the principal found out. Plus, I've seen enough mob movies and shows to know that when you're in organized crime the only person you tell that you're in that "line of work" is your wife.

"SHUT UP!!!! YOU KNOW IT'S YOUR FAULT YOU FREAKING NUT CASE!!!

"OH, POOR YOU, LITTLE MIRANDA, NO BOYFRIEND, BOO-HOO, GET OVER YOURSELF YOU LITTLE BABY!!! THERE ARE PLENTY OF FISH IN THE SEA, BUT IF YOU DON'T SHUT UP YOU'LL BE SLEEP'IN WITH'EM!!!" I threw that line in for my own personal joke. Just for kicks. She didn't catch it though. It was risky sayin it too. It was a calculated risk, but man, I'm bad at math.

"I'LL TELL THE PRINCIPAL ABOUT THIS AND GET YOU SHUT DOWN!!!!"

"TRY IT!!! YOU GOT NOTHING!!! ABSOLUTELY NO PROOF, EVIDENCE, PHOTOS, WITNESSES, ANYTHING!!! AND EVEN IF YOU DID SHUT ME DOWN YOU THINK THAT'LL GET DYLAN TO COME BACK TO YOU?!"

"YOU'RE NOTHING BUT AN A$$ HOLE!!! A LUNATIC!!! A COMPLETE FU( KING JOKE!!!!"

"YEAH, OKAY, I'M THE JOKE, YOU KNOW WHAT'S A GOOD JOKE? YOUR RELATIONSHIP, YOU THINKING DYLAN LIKED YOU? HILARIOUS! HE ONLY USED YOU TO GET GOOD GRADES, HE DOESN'T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT YOU AND YOU BELIEVED HE LIKED YOU! THAT'S THE KNEE SLAPPER!!!" I was lying, but whatever. After I said that, the yelling stoped.

"What?!?"

"You fu( king heard me, or did those slutty earrings of yours get in the way?"

"I'm NOT a slut, I'm just really popular and I have friends and not some idiots who know nothing about anything, especially those kids, Ethan and Antonio or whoever." She meant Ian and Nino. At that point I lost it. I took off my book bag and threw it on the ground and came about a centimeter away from her and told her to shut up and listen. She backed up into some lockers. She just looked and didn't scream or anything or tried to run, she just looked. I yelled, but in a whispering tone.

"NOW, YOU LISTEN AND YOU LISTEN GOOD. IF YOU EVER, EVER AGAIN, SAY ONE MORE NASTY THING TO ANYONE AND WE WILL HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM! I'M SICK OF THIS LITTLE ATTITUDE OF YOURS AND THINKIN YOU'RE BETTER THEN EVERYONE, IT'S MESSED UP!!! YOU'RE NOT POPULAR, PEOPLE FEEL SORRY FOR YOU SO THE HANG AROUND YOU!!! SO KNOCK OFF THE 'I'M SO GREAT' ACT CUZ YOUR NOT!!! ALSO, IF YOU SAY ONE WORD OR HECK, IF YOU EVEN LOOK, THE WRONG WAY AT IAN OR NINO OR ANYONE ELSE ASSOCIATED WITH ME YOU ARE DONE FOR!!! CAPISCE?! NOW, I WANT YOU TO DO ONE SIMPLE THING: I WANT YOU TO SWEAR THAT IF YOU SAY ONE MORE MEAN THING I GET TO RIP OUT YOUR TONGUE!!"

"I swear........."

"NOW GET OUTTA MY SIGHT AND DON'T TALK TO ME FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR!!! COMPRENDE?!?"

"Yeah........"

"GOOD!" And I picked up my stuff and walked into class. She came in like 2 minutes after me. Looked at me and sat down. I think I have one less person to deal with and we're almost half way through the year with a total of about 600.00. I think the boys need a little week party. Winter Break is in about 8 days so we'll see.

CHAPTER 11: Vacation I

So today my crew and myself are throw'in a little house party at my grand-parents shore house they got down south. It ain't a party per say, it's more of a buncha dudes playing poker until 2 in the morning. But anyway it's Dylan, Nino, Ian, and a few business associates, Jeremy, Jared, Danny-Boy, Johnny, and Reese, that's about it. Dylan came because Ian dragged him there. Dylan didn't talk to me a whole lot, he's still mad about Miranda. My guys are stay'in for the week 'till Christmas. Everyone else is just stay'in for a day or two and then hitting the road. The REAL party is happening New Year's Eve. I'm inviting TONS of people. Anyway, we got there at about 4:00. I told everyone to be there at around 6:30. So in the free time I had, I went to the grocery store and bought chips, and dip, and soda, and I got a cake. When I got home Dylan and Ian were playing video games and Nino passed out on the couch. I felt like a freakin house wife for cryin out loud! I'm carrying in tons of groceries, I got two "kids" bothering me asking me 5000 questions while they are playing video games in a different room when they should be helping me, I got my "husband" passed out cold not helping me, and I got a load of cleaning and prepping to do. I woke Nino up and told him to help me clean, and I got Ian and Dylan outta the house and told them to go buy a poker case. I thought my grandparents had one, but they didn't. Now THAT would be bad. Gettin everyone together to play poker and then be like "Ohhhhhh, yeeeeeeaaaaaah, heh heh, uh, my uh, grandparents don't have a set.......whoops...." After we were done cleaning and setting the table and chips and everything it was about 5:20 and then at 5:50 Ian and Dylan came back. I asked them what took so long. Believe it or not those idiots went down to the boardwalk. I asked them what the h, and they said they saw a billboard that said they can WIN a poker set, dart board, and 1,200 by entering their name in a little box. I didn't know how they had won, so I questioned them. Apparently because it's winter, not a whole lotta people go to the board walk and Ian saw a few pals of his there and convinced them to enter but under Ian and Dylan's name. They even split the money evenly so that was our betting money. Ian also gave me my 40 back. I originally gave them about 40 bucks to go down to a casino only 15 minutes down the road and buy one. But, hey, as long as they got here before the others. At 6:15 Jeremy and Jared came and around 6:32 Johnny came with Reese because Reese and Johnny's little brother Tom are friends so Johnny said he'd give Reese a ride. Finally about 10 minutes later, around 6:40 Danny-Boy showed up. I also remembered that everyone beside me, Reese, and Jeremy drink. I got a 2 cases of beer for the others. (Fake id's are great, aren't they?) So we set up, ate some snacks, kicked up bit of music, and played. Once everyone was got hungry (maybe two hours later) I ordered a pizza. When the pizza guy came he handed me the pizza and Johnny came and got it. I think Johnny might of had a bit of alcohol on his shirt cuz I could smell it. If I smelt then I knew darn well the pizza dude smelt it.

"Uh, hey kid, how old is your friend?"

"21." He's really 15, but the pizza guy didn't know that.

"21? Really? He looks too short to be 21."

"HEY PAL, HE HAS A MEDICAL CONDITION!" Not really. But again. He didn't know that.

"Uh huh, sorry sir." He glared at me and went to his car. As he pulled out of the driveway and went down the street, I saw him on his phone. I don't think he bought my story. I went inside and about 6 minutes later a cop was at the door. I quickly told everyone to run out back and run to the bathhouse and lock themselves in there and keep quiet until I showed up. He asked how old I was and I told him 14. He asked if I've been drinking. I told him yes, even though I wasn't, but I had to cover for the guys. He said he had to arrest me. I told him to come inside for a second. I took him to the kitchen. I told him if he'd let me off with a warning, I'd dump all the beer out. I got a 12 pack, there were 8 left. He could tell I wasn't drunk and complied. I dumped all the beer down the drain and the cop checked the fridge to make sure I wasn't hiding any. He then tip his hat and told me I should try to quit drinking and then he left. The second beer case was in a cabinet. I threw it in the fridge and went and got the guys. They came back and played the rest of our game. We ended off the night with a movie and some video games then went to bed. In the morning we went to a diner for breakfast. Now this is what some people mean by Karma's a b. When we sat down and when our waiter came over me and Johnny knew exactly who it was. It was the pizza dude. I made this guy work. Like I totally screwed with him. I made him get extra napkins, like twice, I took forever to order, I pretended I didn't know what I wanted, I purposely spilt my coffee and he had to clean it, then I knocked over this glass cup and it shattered every where (which he also had to clean,) I did some other stuff, but I'm not going into detail on those, finally I felt like I messed with him enough. He was a bit mad, but he was trying to hide it. I felt a bit bad. When the bill came, it was 60 bucks. I gave him a 30 dollar tip, I forgot to tip him for the pizza, so I left an extra 12 and wrote him a little note. "Buy yourself someth'in pretty, P.S here's a tip for the pizza. Love, Your Number One Customer." I thought it was funny. We went back to the house and everyone left except us four. We cleaned up and I went shopping again for more food and snacks and beverages. I'm also cooking tons and tons of food. Burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, fries, and ziti. I also made a list on what I'd be ordering. Pizza, subs, and sandwiches. Also I got New Year cupcakes. I got party favors too. Hats, poppers, confetti, and some other stuff. I couldn't wait! When I came back from the store the others were playing a board game. They were waiting for ME to COOK dinner. Now I REALLY felt like a housewife. But I decided to go to a fast food joint. The rest of the week was snowed in and power cut out so the video game system wasn't working, luckily it thawed the day we had to leave. We said bye and went home for Christmas Eve. We went back New Year's Eve, and a crap ton of crap went down that day.

CHAPTER 12: Party Hardy

I headed down to the house with the guys cuz we had loads of things to. I invited over 30 people. It was us four & the associates, Reese, and like 10 freshmen, 5 sophomores, 4 juniors, 3 Seniors. (Half of the freshmen and juniors, and ⅗ sophomores were chicks. It ain't a party without a couple broads!) Anyway, I'm skippin over the whole day and fast-forward to about 8:30-ish. So everyone is there partying, drinking, making-out, eating, the whole 9 yards. Then Reese pulls me outside and around the corner. "Dude, there are way more people than expected. Almost double! Mabey even more!"

"So? Reese, everybody is having a great time!"

"Yeah, but Nino & Ian were selling stuff."

"Whatta bout Dylan?"

"Huh, you kiddin? Kid doesn't even wanna be SEEN around you, no less SELL stuff for you."

"Okay. Now tell me why Ian & Nino sellin stuff is bad?"

"There....there are uh.....na..."

"What?"

"Narcs! Ok! Fu( king narcs!"

"SERIOUSLY!?!?!?"

"Yes, but we have to pretend we don't know or raise suspicion. If the Narcs catch on that'll be more evidence. They took like 5 pictures already.

"Okay, get both of them, as well as the other associates, and tell them to meet me in the bath house." I was there for an hour and a half. It was 10-ish now, 9:45 mabey. Once I explained everything to them we went back. We watch out for anyone with a camera and then tried to figure out their name and wrote it on a piece of paper. At some point Ian was telling this one kid to give him the camera because Ian didn't want to be photographed. Well that made a shoving match start out and then every single person was in a giant fist fight. The police came AGAIN and we all went on the other side of the development. At like 11:30 almost everyone left except us four, the associates, and eight people who didn't bail or get arrested. I kicked two out because they obviously were narcs, two others left on their own and the other four were Emilio, (Obviously he stayed because it was a huge party and he needed something to tweet about) This kid Ron, and his brother Kyle, and this girl Ryder. (Who is this girl I kinda like.) I was haning out with her most of the party because we actually are really good friends. She's extremely attractive. My type 100%. Black hair and green eyes. Also if you saw this girl, you'd believe me when I say this girl has hips. Skinny waist to. Sexy as anything. Her voice is calm but has a bit of spice to it. She has a bit of a New York-Jersey accent. I can't really tell, but it makes me smile every time I hear her talk. "Hey Ryder, you still here? Didn't bail?"

"Nah, I've been sober and I haven't been causing trouble like I usually do, plus the cop knew my grand-mother. I saw you were on the run though."

"Well, I knew they would probably look for the guy hosting it, that and I'm already in trouble with the cops here."

"Hmp, figures."

"What?"

"You're always doin this stuff C. This organized crime stuff changed you. What happened to the C I knew? In middle school. Sweet, charming, and not running from the cops?"

"I don't know Ryder, I just don't want to work as hard, this is my way of getting money so I don't have to rely on a job. That and you KNOW my current family situation."

"No, you don't wanna work in general. And if you wanna help your parents get a REAL job."

"I need money Ryder! And I don't wanna work in an actual place like retail or the food industry. You know my temper! And I need money! This pays better then a regular job!"

"What do you need SO much cash for?! Huh?! For what!?"

"For one, to get you this." I pulled out a little box behind my back pant pocket.

"What is it?"

"Open it." She did and it was a necklace with a heart and our initials carved on it. Ryder is a sucker for jewelry and a bit of sucker for me. We both have some form of crush on each other.

"I....I...C, it's gorgeous. Why'd you get me this?"

"Well, I was wonderin if you'd wanna go out with me and I got you this."

"Either you got me this because you still are the same C, and is just as charming as ever, or you got me this just cuz you knew I won't be able to say no."

"Take your pick, both are correct. But see what I'm sayin? I couldn't get that much money from a normal job."

"How much did this cost?"

"The silver chain necklace was 45 bucks. The heart was an extra 35. And to carve it, it was around 20 bucks a letter/symbol or sign. So 100 bucks. 180 total. All in under 2 days. A day to order and for them to make and a day for me to pick it up."

"You, my friend, are amazing."

"Guys, 12 more seconds!" Dylan called out and we were watching the news which was live from New York. I totally lost track of time after I started talking to Ryder and everything. Everyone started counting.
"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Once everyone said Happy New Year, I felt a tug on my shirt and lips on my lips. Once our lips departed and I saw it was Ryder. I honestly didn't know who it was because I wasn't expecting it to happen. I really thought it was Emilio, he was drunk as heck and I didn't know cuz I was tired and couldn't keep my eyes open
"Look, C, I love the necklace and the answer is yes, I will date you, but I don't approve of the mob stuff. As long as you make time for me and don't ALWAYS hang with your friends I think this will work."

"Trust me, I'll make all the time in the world." She kissed my cheek, grabbed her coat and left. So yeah, as I told ya, a crap ton of crap went down. I also knew at school, that my days as a high school mobster are over. And not cuz Ryder doesn't like it.

CHAPTER 13: Narc Infestation

Today, I went into school and was at my locker getting some stuff out when the principal came up to me and called me into his office.

"Hey Principal Brown, what's goin on boss?"

"I was gonna ask you the same thing...'boss.'"

"Not a thing."

"Look Collin, I think we both now why you're here."

"No...I really don't. Please enlighten me."

"It's no secret or rumor. So just spill it."

"What? Spill what?"

"Don't play dumb. We know you are boss of this gang or Mafia or whatever. It's not the 50's. It's also VERY illegal. Still don't wanna fess up?"

"No. I haven't got a CLUE what you're takin about."

"Well, maybe these will give you a clue."

He toss the pictures from the party on his desk. I looked at like 7 of them. They got pictures 4 pics of Ian and Nino selling just homework answers and 2 of me talking to them and Reese. Then 1 of a bunch of people partying and stuff.

"That your party?"

"No. I just attended it."

"Ok. So are those your friends?"

"Yeah."

"So your friends are at a party with you. What are they doin in these pictures?"

"I dunno. Studying? Looking at a funny picture? I don't know."

"It looks to me that they're selling homework answers. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Actually, how do you know they're selling and not buying?"

"I have a few witnesses."

"Lemme guess, the narcs you got roamin this school if yours? The ones that do your dirty work for free? The ones that bust the kids you and your staff are too lazy to do?"

"We don't have narcs."

"Whatever you say. I have my connections though."

"Like who?"

"Yeah right. Like I'd tell you. I'm no rat."

"Fine. But I know you're in the Mafia. You're a liar and you rob innocent kids."

"Kinda sounds like your over priced lunch meals."

"Real funny. A mobster and a comedian."

"I don't get where this is coming from. I'm not a mobster. Those are just rumors."

"Doubtful. If you are a gangster however, It seems you are getting quiet the reputation. And not a good one."

"First off, I don't care about a bad reputation and second, those pictures are supposed proof when you A) don't know if it's my party or not. B) don't know if my guys are selling or buying. And C) you're only witnesses are guys who you forced to attend that party."

"A) I know it's your party because the people who took the pictures had their location on, on their phones and it was all over Twitter,"

Freakin Emilio. That moron. I shoulda figured.

"B) I know your guys were selling because the young ladies and gentleman you sold to, already told me. And C) They aren't my only witnesses and I didn't tell anyone to attend anything. So you have two choices. Confess and get a month suspension or your other option is I report this to the authorities and have them deal with it."

"How about this. Since I know that you told me those people told you they bought the homework answers was just to scare me, how about unless you get a hard, totally undeniable, and unavoidable picture of me selling to someone, I'll tell you everything. Think about it. Just because my friends were at a party that may or may not be mine with me and THEY sold some stuff doesn't mean I had anything to do with it. So if you get a picture of me personally selling something, I'll cooperate. Deal?"

"I suppose. Let me tell you something if I do get that picture you are done for. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal."

"Be on your way. Go to class."

I got up and left. I went straight to talk to Danny-Boy.

"Danny, gotta talk to you."

"Sure. What's up?"

"I was in the office."

"For what?"

"The party I had? The principal found out. He's gonna call all his narcs down to tell them to get a pic of me selling stuff."

"Why?"

"He was gonna suspend me for a month. I convinced him not to. He said if he got a pic of me he will suspend me. I made well thought out points on why his pictures aren't proof. So how many narcs I gotta watch out for?"

"About 40. 10 for each grade."

"Sh!t."

"I'd suggest going into hiding."

"Like have all my guys stay home?"

"Nah. That's obvious. It would make it easier to identify who's in your crew. Just you. Stay home for a few days until some of the narcs get fired or quit. But you also have to stop selling and advertising. Completely."

"Okay. Anything else?"

"Not really. I'd also not sell anything for all of today either. Chances are Brown has all the narcs in his office now. Pages them in via walkie-talkie as soon as you left.

"Why aren't you there?"

"You fu( king kiddin me? I'm Brown's best narc. He knows I'll do good. I'm also in charge of the Mafia case. So he's gonna have someone tell me everything you just did."

"Okay. Thanks Danny-Boy. I owe ya."

"Sure thing. Tell all your guys and associates."

"Right. See ya later."

I went to the library during lunch and told them all we're officially in hiding and to not sell anything to anybody. Just be a normal, regular, everyday, average, high school student. After I made sure they all understood I went to go back to class and Johnny starts talkin to me.

"Hey Collin. How ya been?"

"Yo Johnny. It's been a while! I've been alright. How ya holdin up man. Heard you got caught sellin some chewing tobacco to the athletes."

"Yeah. 3 week suspension and 2 Saturday detentions."

"Sorry to hear that."

"Meh. It's fine. Can I talk to you in the bathroom. I need your help."

I followed him in the bathroom.

"What can I help ya with my old chum?"

"Well all my stuff got confiscated. Including my money. I was wonderin if you can give me a hand. I'll buy whatever you have. Somethin to get me back on my feet. Y'know?"

"God Johnny, I dunno. I'm in hiding. I can't."

"Please. I'll pay extra. There aren't any cameras. Nothin."

"Fine. But you don't have to pay. How about a fake hall pass, 2 fake doctor notes, and I got about 4 finished book reports."

"That's fine. Anything."

I took out the hall pass. When I did there was a click and a flash. I put the pass back in my pocket and I went to the stall where the sound and light came from. I kicked open the door and one of the narcs was in there! Johnny tackled me and the kid went to run for the door. I tripped him and broke from Johnny's grip. I ran and locked the door. The kid went to get up and I pushed him back. I grabbed the camera and smashed it over his head. Johnny was siting on the floor. I picked him up by his denim jacket and slammed him against the wall next to the sinks.

"Are you kiddin me? I think you come to me in friendship and you wanna get me busted? We're in the same form of business and this what you do? You flipped? What's wrong with you?"

"They said if I did they'd never suspend me again. They'd help me go to college and clean my records."

"You rat on your friend for free college!?"

"I'm sorry."

I pulled him forward and slammed him back to the wall. A wire and tape recorder fell out of his shirt.

"AND YOU'VE BEEN WEARING A WIRE!? THE FU(K BRO!? I swear to Jesus himself, if you rat me out to ANYONE again, I'll sew your mouth shut. Same with your butt buddy over there."

I pulled him back and made him face the mirror.

"I see you in this reflection and I used to see a great guy, now I see but a snitching traitor. What do you see?"

"I dunno."

"Then get a closer look!"

I smashed his face in the mirror. He screamed and put his hands on his face as dark red blood dripped on the floor. I took the roll of film and wire to burn it in my fire place when I got home. I walked out and went home. I had like 1 period left anyway. I'll cut. Whatever. I'm in hiding anyway. Just until this narc invasion comes to an end.

CHAPTER 14: Home Hiding

So after all the quadruple stacks up on narcs, I decided to use a few sick days to stay home for Tuesday through Friday and then I have weekend. I also thought it's time to tell Uncle Dennis where I'm getting all this cash from. Some days as I walk home I'll sell candy or a homework worksheet or something and I just save it at home. Well Uncle Dennis was going to get McDonald's for all of us one night and asked if he could borrow 40 bucks. He was surprised I had the money. Then my sister Kay-Leigh asked if I could loan her another 40 so her and a few of her friends could get pizza. So that's 80 bucks and I bought a 50 dollar video game. A 130 bucks. So Uncle Dennis are real suspicious. So I figured I'd tell them after dinner tonight.

*LATER THAT NIGHT*

I sat down at the table where everyone but my Uncle was sitting. He made his plate and sat down and started talking. "So, how was everyone's day? CJ?" (My older brother)

"Fine, I guess."

"Collin?"

"Business as usual."

"Kay-Leigh?"

"Well, today some narcs from the high school came in. They were asking if any middle schoolers would like to help in the field."

Can't I catch a flippin break from these retards? I jumped in.

"You didn't take it did you?"

"Yeah I did! Why? They said if I wanted to be a police officer, this would look good on a résumé."

"Are you serious? Are their narcs at your school?"

"Of course! I don't know any. But some say they know you. Like this kid Tim. They say you are their top targets. They say you're in the Mafia."

"That's ridiculous! Why would I be in the mob? Remember these kids are high schoolers, always with the rumors." I was seriously mad about those freaking narcs. Then I realized that the narc program has 3 narcs train one kid and they rotate. So I figured anybody I see Kay-Leigh with is automatically a suspect of being a narc. It may work to my benefit in a way. After dinner I came into my Uncle's room.
"Uncle Dennis? You got a sec?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"You know how K was sayin I was in the mob and stuff? It's true." He glared at me.

"What?"

"Me and some friends got together and started a mob trend and we sell stuff."

"What stuff? Drugs!?"

"No, no, no, no, I mean stuff like soda, gum, candy, stuff like that."

"That's not bad."

"No, if you sell anything the school doesn't give you, you can get suspended. I also sell....sta est anse...."

"What"

"State test answers! Also homework answers, projects, book reports, and school supplies."

"WHAT?! YOU KNOW ILLEGAL THAT IS?! I SHOULD WHACK YOU UPSIDE THE HEAD!"

"Ok, but Uncle Dennis I'm making decent amounts of cash. I just wanna help mom & dad."

"Is this 100% true? You aren't pulling my leg? You are being totally honest?"

"....yeah..."

"Get out, while I think about this. I will call you back in when I decided what to with you." I walked out and waited for 3 minutes and he called me back in.

"Okay, you wanna be an adult. Fine. Since your grades are good and you've been doin your chores and stuff I'll let you keep doin this. But here are some ground rules:
1. Sell whatever you want but NO drugs.
2. Pay your debts if any.
3. Keep your grades up and your chores in order. Deal?"

"Yeah, deal."

"Okay, go get ready for bed." I did and I planned to stay in bed. For the whole weekend to plan my next move for when I go back.

CHAPTER 15: Everyone's Insane

So after the weekend I walk into school and I run into Danny-Boy.
"Yo, Danny-Boy, how ya been? What's the situation with the other narcs?"

"Well, the narc program got mostly terminated. I mean, it's still in operation, but at a less dangerous threat level. At least 1/3 off the narcs got laid off. So that leaves like 6. But the bad news is that your sister got hired because of her impressive work in the field, and passed all her tests. So she works here every Tuesday & Thursday. Also, the pictures of you at the party got destroyed."

"How?"

"Friday, while you were out Ian broke in the office, found a file labeled "Mafia Narc Files" and threw the pictures in a shredder."

"He what?!"

"Yeah. But it doesn't matter. They already copied and downloaded them to the main office computer."

"Anything else?"

"Not really. But I have heard a group of emo kids have their own family now and they're making tons of business. Not as much as you but they're saying they're apart of your crew to ensure they get customers. Which the teachers believe. But other than that. Nothin to report."

I told him thanks and left to talk to Ian. I found him in the bathroom.

"Hey Collin, you're back!"

"WHAT IN THE HOLY MOTHER OF JESUS WERE YOU THINKIN!?"

"Wh...what I do?"

"Breaking into the office and shredding the files! Are you freaking insane!?"

"What? I thought you would be happy. Now they have no evidence."

"1. They have copies downloaded on the main office computer. 2. Come out in the hallway."

I dragged him by his ear and shoved him in the hallway. Then I pointed to a camera.

"What is that?"

"It's a fu( king camera."

"Right. And you don't think they got one of those in the office?"

"Oh...sh!t."

"Yeah, think before you do anything stupid like that you freakin nut case!"

I left and went to class. After a few minutes I hear two kids talking about how Nino and this other guy are gonna get in a fight after school. Well, I know this is NOT the time for him to be getting into a fight. I went to talk to him during lunch. I saw him standing at the garage cans talking to two of his friends.

"Hey, Nino, gotta talk to ya. You two, beat it." Nino looked at them and told them to leave.

"So who's the kid you're fighting?"

"Rodger."

"You think that's a good idea? After we just had narcs at the party? Sure give'em another reason to suspend us!"

"Collin, I gotta."

"NO! You aren't fighting nobody! We're in hiding still. Stay under the radar. You get caught and you get suspended, we're down a man, then business is bad, and it's gonna come outta your pocket! So no fighting ANYONE! Understand?"

".....Fine..."

He walked away. I was still skeptical. I think this fight still may go down. Around a few periods later after lunch I was in the bathroom and this kid comes up to me and starts talking to me.

"Hey. Collin."

"What? Do I know you?"

"Well, I'm Rodger. I'm boss of the Emo Mafia."

"Oh, so your the guy who's been using MY name to get credit for YOUR crew."

"Yeah, not the point. We need to have a chat."

"Bout what?"

"Well, I feel like we need to discuss which part of the school is who's turf."

"Whatta ya mean? The whole school is fair game. You're insane if you think I'm givin any of the school up. Also if you wanna talk about turf, that's more of a sit down thing then a chat. That and we need to discuss more then just turf."

"Okay. How about tomorrow at 5:00? In the big sports shed?"

"THAT EARLY!? Ugh....fine what ever." We shook hands and I walked out. A bit later after school I'm walking home and I get a call from Dylan.

"Hey Dylan, whatta ya need?"

"You by the park?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"It's Nino. He got into that fight. He says you need to come by."

"Are you fu( king kiddin me? Is he alright?"

"I dunno. He's kinda shaky and delusional. We gotta help him."

"What's this 'we', You got a mouse in your pocket?"

"Seriously. He hurt the other dude pretty bad."

"THAT FU( KIN DUMB@SS! OK FINE! TELL HIM TO GO INSIDE THE PRESCHOOL AND TO NOT MOVE!"

"Ok."

I ran to the park and saw Dylan, a group of jocks & a group of emos. I knew if I didn't intervene there would be a big rumble and I, or any of my guys, don't need to be seen in an event like that. So I stepped in the middle of the two groups and saw Rodger with a black eye, bloody nose, and unconscious.

"OK LISTEN! ALL YOU EMOS, GO HOME! NOW! JOCKS YOU TOO!" The jocks & emos left and I called an ambulance and they took Rodger away. I told Dylan thanks for calling me and then told him to go home. I went in the school to deal with Nino. He had a busted lip. His arm was cut and his shirt was ripped.

"Collin, I----"

"Shut up and listen! Are you insane? Do you know who that kid you just beat up was? Huh!? THAT WAS THE MOTHER FU( KIN BOSS OF THE OTHER FU( KIN FAMILY! NOW, LIKE I SAID, THIS IS GONNA GET OUT, YOU MAY BE SUSPENDED, AND YOU'RE PAYIN FOR HIS HOSPITAL BILL! TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THIS MAY SPARK A WAR BETWEEN THE TWO FAMILIES! NOW ME, YOU, DYLAN, AND IAN ARE ALL TARGETS! SO AT ANYTIME, ONE OF US ARE GONNA GET THE PISS BEATEN OUTTA US! GREAT FU( KIN JOB!"
I smacked him upside the head and told him to go home. This is all I need. A war. So now this puts business at risk. I may be forced to split the school so they can pay for the hospital bill. I'm not gonna make Nino really pay. I used that as a threat to try to ensure he wouldn't fight the kid. I'm also still gonna show up to the sit down. I just hope they don't show cuz I don't wanna deal with it. Just in case they DO end up goin, if figured I'd have to get somethin for the emos as an apology for beating up the boss. I went to a convenient store or corner store or whatever ya wanna call it and I got them a 50 dollar gift card to their hang out spot (some goth place in the mall.) Anyway as I'm walking out a girl comes and calls my name. I turn around and it's Ryder's little sister. "Uh....hey. Vanessa right?"

"Veronica."

"Ah, right. So, what's up?"

"So I heard you're dating my sister."

"Yeah. That's correct."

"Well, whatta bout me? Whatever happened to us?"

"Oh my freakin God. That was 2 years ago!"

"Well it's relevant now! You break up with me? To date my sister!?"

"Will you stop with that! 1) I didn't break up with you and 2) We weren't EVEN A THING!"

"BUT I HAD FEELINGS FOR YOU! AND YOU DID FOR ME! THEN YOU DROP EVERYTHING FOR MY SISTER!"

"SO WHAT! I HAD FEELINGS FOR YOU! BIG DEAL! NOTHIN HAPPENED! PLUS I TOLD YOU, WITH WHAT YOU DO, HOW YOUR MIND SET IS, I CAN'T DEAL WITH IT. IT'S STRESSFUL. IF YOU CHANGED OR AT LEAST TRIED I COULD'VE DATED YOU!"

"Oh! So me being a suicidal depressant is MY fault!? Not you or the dirtbags who made me like this! Cuz if that's the case, go fu( k yourself

"See!? Right there! They and myself didn't MAKE you like that, you CHOSE to be like that!"

"Ya know what? I'm sorry I'm a depressant, I'm sorry I have self esteem issues, I'm sorry I'm still alive, and I'm sorry I WAS EVER FU( KING BORN!"

"YOU. ARE. INSANE! YOU JUST WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL SORRY FOR YOU! You live in a first world country where you can practically do and be whatever, you wake up and don't have to worship some dictator, you live in a upper middle class house, have both parents who make decent money, got food in your stomach, clothes on your back, a warm bed to sleep in, roof over your head, perfect health, and you're stunningly beautiful. Your first world, stupid ungrateful girl problems mean nothing! And you wanna kill yourself cuz 1 guy won't date you? Or cuz a few guys called you fat or whatever? You're the stupid one. Not me or the dirt bags. Now get outta my sight." I walked away as she cried. Now I know I'm gonna hear about this from Ryder. But I got bigger things in my mind.

CHAPTER 16: The Big Sit-Down

I walk to the sports shed on time and I got Ian to come along with me. When I opened it I see two emo kids, 3 Asians, and 2 kids from the Popular Mafia. I started talking to them

"Oh, hey guys. I thought you all split."

"We did, but after our guys came outta suspension and we had time to think out our plans, we came back in business."

"Well congrats." The underboss for the Emo Mafia started talking.

"Welcome. Bosses. Underbosses. We are here today because we all have two things in common. Money & Power. Now. Here we have Griffon and Matt. Boss and under boss. Now I ask you. What mob do you represent?"

"The popular Mafia."

Henry, the underboss, wrote the name on a chalkboard.

"Lu. Stu. Riuti. What mob do you represent?"

"The Asian Mafia."

He wrote that down.

"Now me & Rodger, already agreed to represent the Emo Mafia. Collin, what mob do you represent."

"La Cosa Nostra. The Italian-American Mafia."

He wrote that down.

"Now these are the four families of the high school. Like the five families. Our fifth family couldn't join us tod----"

The door opened. I thought it was a teacher but it was actually way worse. Georgie. The toughest bully in the whole school.

"Sup, ladies."

"Georgie. You made it. We were telling everyone who's mob we represent. Who do you represent?"

"Myself and my guys. No other person. But, if I were to chose one....Bullies."

He wrote that down.

"These are the five families of the high school. Now. Let's discus turf."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I already told Rodger the WHOLE school is game. No turf. End of discussion."

"Collin. You don't understand. With out turf, everyone sells all their stuff anywhere. That's not organized."

"Yeah. But guess what. Turf is just gonna be a problem. Because believe me. If one person steps on my turf, emos, or the Asians, or bullies, or whoever! I don't care if Joe Shmo from Idaho steps on my turf, don't care what the rules are, I'm crackin skulls. So go ahead. Give us turfs."

"Well, we'll vote. But first. Here is what WOULD be the turfs. Asians get library. Popular get gymnasium. Emo gets auditorium. Bully gets cafeteria. Italian gets science labs. Asian, Popular, Emo share downstairs bathrooms and Bully & Italian get up stair bathrooms. Also. NO hallway selling."

"Now guys think about this. How are we gonna make cash if 75% of the school isn't in anyone's control? So I say we should keep it in free roam. All in favor?"

The Asians did, and the popular kids did. Georgie didn't though.
Stupid fu( ker.
"3 agains 2. It stays as is. Here." I threw Henry the gift card and walked out. As I did he said its gonna take more then a gift card to make up for what Nino did. So that right there proves they're planing on beating up one of my guys. I'm gonna need a body guard, and I know just the guy. As I'm walking home I stop at this old abandoned strip mall. This place was there for years. But everyone left because of bad business. Fire, hurricane, vandalism, everything. In there is what USED to be a bowling ally. Well a couple of drop-outs made it their personal hang out. The alleys still work and so does most of the electricity. I mean, you got a couple of dark spots or flickering lights here or there but other wise, it's a semi-decent hang out. Anyway the reason I went there was because I know one of the drop outs. A junior named Robert. He's mute. Doesn't talk at all. He has a thick, tough build to him. So everyone calls him "Brick" because he's silent but strong. So I walk in and there's four, five guys in there. One saw me and he was a total wise guy.

"Hey kid, the play-ground is a couple blocks away."

"So why are you here then?"

Two guys from the back started chuckling.

"What? You think this little crap tard is cute? He's lucky I don't pop him one."

"Oh, tough guy in the house huh?"

"Yeah. Whatta you gonna do about it pint size?" He pushed me back a couple steps

"Look. I don't want any trouble. I'm just here to talk to Brick. He here?"

"Maybe he is and maybe he ain't. What do you care?"

"Look d-bag, is he here or not?"

A guy from the back stepped up.

"Yo kid, he's here! He in the back doin somethin, I dunno. You can go in though."

I smiled at the dude that pushed me and walked by. As I did I stepped on his foot and shoved his shoulder with my shoulder and he fell. I walked to the back. He got up and came after me but another guy ran and held him back. I walked into the back room where Brick was playing darts. He looked at me and waved. I knew him from 1st to 8th grade and after the first quarter of high school he dropped out. I explained to him my whole situation and he agreed. (Im sparing you the boring & quiet conversation.) I'm just gonna say is all he'll do is follow me all day and while I'm in class he'll sit by the door. During the hallways and when I walk home he'll follow me until I'm safe and if I need to go out where the emos may be, I'll call him up and he'll come with me. He agreed with two dollars an hour. I left after we made our negotiation. As I continue to walk home I get a call from Ryder. I figured I was in trouble. (I was right.)

"Hey doll face, what's up?"

"So, did you talk to my sister at all?"

"Yes I did. Why? Is everything ok?"

"Well, she came home crying. She's been in the bathroom after a supposed argument you guys had. She won't talk. Care to shed some light on this?"

"Look, Ryder, all that happened was she came up to me, started playing her 'I used to like you and your the reason why I'm a depressant and blah blah blah card.' So I called her out on it and she cried and ran home."

"COLLIN! You know she's a depressant! What the actual h is wrong with you?!"

"Ryder, I like your sister, I really do. I can't just sit there and be told I'm the reason why she's gonna commit suicide! She just throws a 'poor me pity party' all the time! And did a doctor diagnose her with depression or a shrink or anything? Cuz if not she ain't a real depressant."

"Whatever. Hope your happy. This isn't the end of it though!"

She hung up and now I have another thing on my plate I gotta worry about!

CHAPTER 17: BERMUDA LOVE TRIANGLE

As you know I'm in deep trouble with Ryder. I asked her and her sister to burger place. (Which wasn't the best idea because Ryder's vegetarian. She's always like "Save the animals!" And stuff. I mean, how else is she gonna be THAT skinny?) So we're sitting down and we start talking to resolve this. I'd feel pretty bad to make Ryder chose over her sister and her boyfriend. After we order our food Ryder starts off by asking me what happened.

"Ryder, as I told you over the phone. She started gettin all pissy with me because she found out I was dating you and not her."

"You humiliated me and totally were a complete jacka$$!"

"Veronica, let's calm down huh?"

"WHY ARE YOU STICKING UP FOR HIM RY?"

"I'm not, I just asked you to be a little more quiet."

"See Ryder? With the dramatization? Of everything?"

"Collin, shut up."

"Don't tell me to shut up Ryder. Tell me to shut up again these people will be having food and a show to go with it!"

"Don't yell at my sister!"

"You freakin stay out of it! Your the reason why we're here! Because you can't control your emotions and you make the smallest things into WWIII!"

"I DO NOT!"

"Sure you don't. Because most people I know don't cut themselves because I guy won't date them."

"COLLIN! SHUT UP!"

"What did I JUST FRE---"

The waiter came and brought us our food. I was just about to go ballistic on Ryder for tellin me to shut up again.

"Ugh. That poor cow, you are so inconsiderate." I got a cheese burger. That comment just made me blow up on her.

"THEN DON'T FREAKIN BE HERE RYDER! WE'RE AT A BURGER PLACE! DON'T WANNA SEE DEAD ANIMALS, THERE'S THE EXIT!"

She flipped me off, got up, and left. I don't know if she cried or was just ticked off or whatever. I didn't really care though. It was just me & Veronica.

"I can't believe you just did that. You are an insensitive sack of sh!t."

I didn't respond. I sat there eating my fries. She continued though.

"I mean seriously! Do you even care about others' well being or feelings? You made me cry, Ryder get all mad, Anthony get a scar on his head, and you ruined a perfect relationship between your friend Dylan and Miranda."

I still ignored her, and took a sip of my soda.

"Also, did you even think for a second that---"

I threw my head back & looked at the ceiling, rolled my eyes, and sighed.

"What? You're acting like I'm the freakin b!tch here. If you even were nicer to people they wouldn't nag you and you---"

I kissed her mid sentence. I will admit. There are still some feelings I still have for her. The main reason why I did that was just so she'd keep her face shut.

"Wh...why'd you do that?"

"Honestly? I still have feelings for you. I always have. I mean the main reason was to get you to shut up."

"So does that mean you wanna...I dunno.....go...out? With me?"

"You do know I STILL am dating Ryder, right?"

"Collin, I love my sister and all but I think you'd be happier with me."

"Uh...look, just because I have a crush on you, doesn't mean I'm gonna ditch Ryder,"

The check came and I paid.

"and, let's face it. If I dated you, you wouldn't be happy with me. We'd be depressed together. That's how your attitude works. You think dating someone will make you both happy and someone will make you happy. But you just want someone to be upset with. So overall? No. I won't date you. I'm happy with YOUR sister."

I left as she put her head down and cried. Again. Now that may have seemed a little harsh, but it's true. Every word. I don't have time for her though. I got other things to worry about. Specifically state testing.

CHAPTER 18: It's Been A Long Day

Look, before I start tellin you everything that went down, I just wanna say: it's a LONG story. So I'm gonna go past the whole week and get to the part that matters: All day Friday. Here's the story: It was the last day of this big state test that ya gotta take every year since kindergarten. It's an all week test. Well as I've said, I got a couple of hackers of mind that got a peek at the test and some answers. They printed the test answers in South & North Jersey. (We're in Central Jersey.) I don't know how but the way they did it was on two separate computers but if the police or f.b.i or c.i.a or whoever tried to pin point the location, it would be nearly impossible. To make it definitely impossible, one guy went up Long Island and smashed the laptop and scattered the pieces along the shore. The other guy went to Pennsylvania and threw his pieces up in the mountains. So I got my answers and I sold them for 35 bucks a page. (15 pages total.) I had two copies. Ian and myself were the only two who sold them. Nino couldn't cuz, as I said, got a week suspension. Dylan....well, you should know by now why I didn't let him sell. I try to protect that kid as much as possible. At the end of the week by Friday we made $1050. Jared and Jeremy asked people in advanced if they wanted answers or not. Well everyone but two people declined. Usually I'd give'em the 3 day rule. Which again, is if you don't pay within 3 days, I bust you teeth in and smash legs backwards. I was feeling generous to give them a week. The testing is stressful enough. But to cheat on a test that could get you arrested and fined? That's even double the stress. So I figured "ah, what the f, lett'em get a couple extra days." One guy paid up on time. The other guy, well, remember the Anthony incident? Lets just say it was more graphic and semi-adult like. Friday I tried not one, not two, but three times to talk to the dude, and he avoids me. At the end of the day I'm walking home with Brick right? And I see someone standing at the bus stop. I got a closer look and it was Alpha. His real name is Victor. He loves wolves and stuff, that and he's the oldest out of his friends, so people call him Alpha. When I got a closer look, he saw me and made a bolt for the woods. I caught up to him and tackled him to the ground.

"WHO DO YA THINK YOU'RE RUNNIN FROM HUH!?"

"YOU, A$$HOLE!"

He sucker punched me in my nose. He got up stumbling and still running. Brick ran and caught up to him. Brick got both his arms and pinned him to the ground. When I got to them I told him to pin Alpha up to a tree.

"Brick, your chains from your pocket. Can I use them?"

He nodded.

"Thanks. Put his arms around the tree."

I took his wrists and tied chain hand cuffs around his hands. He was stuck there.

"Collin, no, please, I...I....I..."

"KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT! Brick, get me a thick branch or something." He brought me this hockey stick laying in the grass.

"So. Where's the money?"

"I just need more time."

"Ya coulda just said that. Ya Didn't need to run. Now look what happened."

I whacked him across the stomach with the hockey stick.

"AH, FU( K! WHY!?"

"WHERE'S MY MONEY!?"

"UP YOUR A$$ F@GGOT!"

"REALLY? WELL GUESS WHAT'S UP YOUR D!CK?" A slammed the stick up to his crotch.

"FU( KING FU( K!"

"SO I'M GONNA ASK AGAIN! WHERE. IS. MY. MONEY!?"

"I DON'T GOT! I WILL THOUGH! I SWEAR ON ALL THAT'S GOOD AND HOLY!"

"YOU BETTER! FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING! AND DON'T MAKE FAKE CASH! YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LAST GUY WHO GAVE ME FAKE DOLLARS!"

"OKAY! OKAY!"

"Brick, get me a rock."

He got me this large stone, boulder, type thing.

"This is for running."

I dropped it on his foot and he yelled. Then I punched him in the nose like he did to me. An eye for an eye. I also socked him in his eye because screw him, that's why. I undid the chains and he fell to the ground. Brick kicked him and then we walked to my house. He waited outside while I told my uncle that I'm going out and I'd be home late. We walked the neighborhood and got Ian, Dylan, and Nino. We decided to go walk aimlessly around town for fun. To have a normal day and be regular teenagers. We egged a few houses, set of some fireworks, and then we went to a coffee shop. Afterward we went home and I got my car. We drove to a rival school's neighborhood & screwed with them. There has been battles between us since my uncle was in high school. There's been rumbles, prank wars, vandalism fights, everything. It doesn't matter what you are at my school, let it be jock, prep, nerd, popular, basket case, goth, greaser, mobster, even drop outs. We all have one thing in common: the deep and passionate hate for the other school. So we got some stuff from the house and went to houses and smashed mail boxes, silly stringed cars, spray painted their school walls, everything. A while later I was gonna go to pick up Ryder to hang with me and the crew. She texted me that she was at the mall with her sister. It was like 6:00 so we went to the mall. We walked around and found Ryder and Veronica at this Brooklyn clothing store. Which I expected. They're both from Brooklyn. I was talking to Ryder and Veronica said it was okay for her to go with us and told me to just meet her at the main entrance in two hours so they can leave. We went to a few stores and then to this bar. Ryder got REAL drunk. This one broad from the rival school comes and starts talking to me. She wasn't drunk, but tipsy.

"Heeeeyyy. You're that guy from the other school right? Ya know...the uh.........gangster."

"Uhh....no. That ain't me."

"Yeah it is. You beat up my ex-boyfriend. Ugh. He was such a wimp.......mmmhmm. Not like you though...a strong and masculine Mafia member."

"Nope."

"God! Stop lying! You're a mobster! A pretty cute one to."

Ryder caught on and shoved her and started sayin stuff to her.

"Hey skank, go hit on a guy whose actually not taken and in your league."

"Why don't you make me cvnt!"

"Ok, I will!"

Then that's where the bar chick fight began. Scratching, hair pulling, shoving, cursing, ect. At some point Ryder smashed a beer bottle across the chick's face! I knew that if the cops came and Ryder got arrested, I'd be using my allowance for bail money. We got outta there quicker then you could blink. I told Brick to carry her to my car and the guys to go with him. I had to make a few stops first. Danny-Boy hangs at this elections shop in the mall. He texted me and told me to meet him there. I went there and he had AMAZING news. He started tellin me stuff about the other families.

"So whatta bout the other families?"

"Well the Populars split again after their guys got suspended for the second time. The Asians grades started slipping and dropped their whole operation to focus strictly on school. George and the bullies just went back to bullying and that's it."

"And the emos?"

"Huh, they're in hiding after they convinced a teacher to work with them. The TEACHER got caught, not the emos. They figured it's best to go in hiding in case the teacher decides to rat them out. The district has this whole sit down, trial, meeting, court, type thing with a jury full of students and teachers to decide who's guilty."

"What teacher?"

"Mr.Rodney."

"That sucks for him. He's pretty chill though."

"Speaking of the emos, I saw them hanging at their usual spot. They told me to tell you to meet them there."

"Yeah, I know. We have a sit-down. I'm a little late so I'll head there now."

"Ok. See ya."

I walked to their hang out spot and we sat down to talk. It was me, the boss and two of his captains.

"So, what do I owe this pleasure? Sorry about your current problem by the way."

"Thanks. As you know we are in hiding. Now we have to discuss the innocent with Nino. I didn't wanna fight him but he fought me anyway."

"I will say, his action were uncalled for. Yet I did give you guys that gift-card as an apology."

"No, that ain't fu( king cuttin it. Think about it. If someone shot you and you go to the hospital for a week and there apology gift to you is some gift-card to a store or restaurant or somethin, you'd be pissed. Right?"

"Yeah, but thats gettin SHOT. You got hit with a scrape and some bruises. I feel thats an appropriate way to be even."

"No. Look, my guys decided we have two choices at this point: stay in hiding for however long and lose TONS of potential cash or shut down our family for good."

"Whatta ya gettin at?"

"Well how about a wager. If your guys like fighting so much, how about a little 1950 style rumble. If we win, your family has to kick up 7% of any cash up to us until we're out of hiding. If you win, we'll shut down operation and give you 1,000 dollars for your troubles."

"Well I've only got 3 guys. Me, Nino, and Ian. You have 5. It's you, Austin, Ed, KJ, and Remmy."

"Well, you'll find someone. They have to be in our grade level."

"Fine. What time we doin this?"

"It's 8:00 now? How's midnight sound? At the Junk-Yard?"

"Perfect. On one condition: it's a fist only rumble. No guns, knives, brass knuckles, bats, or pipes."

"Thats reasonable. We got ourselves a rumble."

I had to run to talk to Veronica because I almost forgot she was at the main entrance.

"Hey. What's cookin good lookin?"

"Funny. Where's Ry at?"

"Look, about that. She's comin home with me."

"WHY?!"

"She's dead drunk and she got into a bar fight. She's in my car now."

"Ugh. God d@mn it."

She looked at me. I don't think she knew on wether to be mad or worried. I put my hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"She'll be fine. Trust me."

She nodded and we glared at eachother. Our faces were close and I was focusing on only her. I was leaning in to kiss her but pulled back. She got pissed when I did.

"WHAT IS YOUR DEAL?! You kiss me, yell at me, and just totally play with my emotions! I don't understand!"

I threw my hands up and turned away and started to walk back to my car. She followed me in the parking lot. She kept goin on with her b!tching. She grabbed my arm and I swung. She fell on the street. I looked at her. My hand was clenched in a fist. I looked at it as she wiped the blood off her knee. She spit at me and ran crying to her car. I was going to check on her but I had to get everyone home. I told them about the rumble. I was surprised when Dylan said he was in. He said even though he isn't with us anymore, he doesn't wanna see us lose money. I thought he was gonna say he didn't want any part of it. I told them to meet me back ay my house at 11:00. An hour before the rumble. I took Ryder down to my room. I explain to Uncle Dennis that I'll be goin back out and not to worry about a thing. My siblings were already in bed sleeping. In my room Ryder was leaning up against me sleeping and I was sitting up playin videogames. After a while she started getting hecka horny for some reason. (She was obviously still drunk.) She was kissing my cheek, licking my neck, biting my ear, ect. I was trying to play my game but I knew she wasn't gonna stop. I flipped the tv off and we started making out. We started getting real into and she took off her shirt and pants and stuff. She was laying on top me with her dark purple lacy bra and panty. We were making out some more and she took off my shirt. She then just laid down on my stomach (and my chiseled and ripped six pack.) I stroked her perfect straight black hair and then she tiredly asked if I wanted to go swimming. It was 10:00, but I figured why not. I was just gonna go in my jeans because I didn't feel like changing into a bathing suit. The pool was too cold so me and her hopped in my Uncle's jacuzzi. Well it turns out when Ryder wanted to go swimming, she meant skinny dipping. She took off her bra and underwear and got in. She took off my jeans and boxers. She sat on my lap (not gonna specify WHERE on my lap, you can get an idea though,) and we made out some more. Now I'm not really a SEX guy. It's not that I'm bad at it or whatever, it's that, I guess it never really appealed to me. I'd take making out over sex any day. Sex is like a big sweaty ball of flesh. Kissing is romantic and charming and all that other 1980's movie garbage. To be honest with you. I've alway been a more quiet romantic. You don't know I'm a romantic until you TRULY know me. I'd rather please one girl with my romantic personality than please a thousand girls with my sexual ability. It's just the kinda guy I am. Anyway, back to me and Ryder. First off, this girl can kiss though. Ever kiss a girl? It's hypnotising. You forget all your problems and worries. All your stress and weights disappear in a quarter of a fraction of a second. It's like magic. It's like Fireworks and lasers and strobe lights going off. Its like tasting candy, cherries, strawberries, and wine all at once. Lips passionately lock on yours and you feel like they're inseparable. The tongue is like a drug and you keep coming back for more. It's like---no it IS an addiction. After you kiss someone and a while later you kiss again it's the same as you remember it. Maybe even better. That may be why I kiss Veronica. I've kissed her more then once. I don't get WHY I do. I really. Freakin. Don't. I just for, some reason, do. Don't get me wrong, part of the reason is She's good at it too. It's like no matter how many girls I shove my tongue down their throats, I get a weird satisfaction from it. Like I crave it like a pregnant women craves a certain food. I've kissed many people. I can't explain why I like kissing. I don't know. I just like it. More than gettin down and busy with a girl. A closed mouth kiss is girly magic. An open mouth kiss is that girly magic if it went through a punk rock phase. I like kissing. Its easy and fun. It's like a sport and I'm the MVP. Ryder's a VIP to my kissing train. She kissed my neck some more. I couldn't tell if it was accidental or purposely but I think she gave me a hickey. I looked at my watch after a while and realized the guys would be coming over in half an hour. I didn't know what to do with Ryder. I found a solution after I put her in my bed. While I was getting dressed, I looked at the door. I decided to switch the doorknob. That way she'd be locked on the INSIDE. So I put some food, a bottle of water and a garbage can in there for her, incase she was hungry or thirst or had vomit or somethin. Now ya know how we agreed to no gun and knives and stuff? Well, this may sound dirty and cheap, but to assure we win, I grabbed a few rings. For me, and Dylan. Ian and Nino can handle themselves. We need an advantage though. I was waiting on my front porch, the guys came on scheduel. I told them we had to pick up a friend before we made our way to the rumble. They asked who, but I just told'em to wait and see. We walked to this arcade and we picked up Reese. Reese actually stayed back and that's why he's in eighth grade not high school. So after we picked him up, we set out for the fight. Me, Dylan, and Reese slipped on 2-4 rings each. We stood in the middle of the junkyard, smoking cigarettes, cigars, and drinking a little. I don't smoke or drink, but I need to calm down because I LOOKED cool, calm, and collective, but on the inside...ugh...forget it...my heart was sweating bullets. We we're there for 10 minutes and then I saw the emos walk over. My guys stood back as I approached Rodger. His guys stood back too. Where have I seen THIS before? Oh yeah, EVERY GANG MOVIE EVER!

"Collin."

"Rodger."

"This how we're doin this. First group to leave the junkyard loses."

"Okay."

We just stared at one another. Sweating angrily and nervously. Fist clenched and dying to swing. Heart racing like a NASCAR event. Adrenaline pumping as fast as speeding jet. Then, out of nowhere, a blast of thunder and a jolt of lightning go off. That was my trigger and I flew my fist across Rodger's face. I pounded him in his nose. After that, the brawl started. Now it went on for a while and I don't feel like explaining in detail what happened. You'd have to be there to know. Ya know? Anyway after the final few whacks in the face and some kicks, the emos ran out like a bat outta h€ll. We cheered and high fived . We all had some cuts and stuff but nothin a little celebration won't fix. We all went home and decided to go pay the shore house a cost for a nice little get-away. I ended my night with a bowl of ice cream and some victory sex with Ryder. I know I said I'm not a fan of sex but that doesn't mean I won't do it. Then I took a nice, long, great a$$ rest.

CHAPTER 19: Vacation II

So I took Nino and Ian on a trip to the good o'l, shore house for about a week. They've earned it. After the rumble we could ALL use a bit of relaxation. Dylan came too...although he's still didn't join back and is still mad at me and Miranda. I was expecting him to yesterday after we won the fight. Anyway, I had 800 dollars I took out of my bank account, I didn't want to take any from our shoe boxes, So I got the money for the trip, everyone got 200 and that was it. When we got there we did TONS. Dylan and myself don't drink but Ian and Nino do. So when they went to the bars, we went to the arcades (and we checked out some of the babes and dames there). Around 7:00 we had our first dinner, all together. I proposed a toast.

"Hey, alright, so we've made around 880.00," We got more cash before we left and got off for memorial day. "and hopefully by the end of the year we can make an awesome 3,000.00!!!! Good job to everyone, you've work hardcore nonstop and I owe ya all. Anyone wanna say anything?" I was surprised when Dylan stood up.

"Okay so I know I quit and I'm happy for all of you guys, but I've given it some thought and I felt were I belong isn't with some chick, who not to mention, isn't even really hot, I'll tell you, thank GOD for fu( king makeup, am I right?"

"Heh,heh,heh, good one D." Ian chuckled in agreement.

"Anyway, Collin? You, uhm ya.....ya think we can make it 4,000?"
I just glanced at him and thought if he even DESERVED to be CONSIDERED to be accepted in. Then I realized I'm kinda the reason he quit in the first place. That and he was a great earner. Not to mention one of my best friends.

"Ah, get over here ya skinny, little, fu( k. Of course you can come back."

I put my arm around his shoulder and jokingly said if he tried to quit again my arm will be around his neck rather than his shoulder. Then we had an awesome dinner. So in the middle of the week we all hit up at least 5 arcades on the boardwalk and 1 or 2 casinos. We went to this one called "TeenZ CA$HINO." It's a casino but for teens. It was more like a glorified arcade. What is was, was a personal waiter/waitress came and seated you and your table either has a pool, poker, roulette, checkers, or air hockey table in the middle and the table had big corners for food and people come to your table and challenged you and you can do the same and the main person gets a walking talkie to their host/hostess if they need anything. They also had great music and tons of darts, slot machines, and card game tables. It was like an adult arcade. Nino actually got into a fight in the parking lot there. He got super drunk. It was him and this other drunk guy, Lucky. It was ugly. They both got a few hits, but DYLAN came in, knocked the guy out, and we ran before the cops got there because I heard sirens, so I had to PICK Nino up because he was tripping and stumbling and was just out of it so I had to carry him to the car and we sped off to the shore house. We were so tired we all passed out cold in 3 minutes. When we woke up I realized today was the last day. The last night 4 hours before dinner Dylan and Nino went to a "Gentlemen's Club" they both had fake IDs, and I guess the bouncer there must have either been stupid, or nice because they got in the Strip place no problem. Me and Ian stayed in the hotel and just sat on the porch and cracked open two sodas and a bag of "Doritos Sweet Chili" chips. I looked at the bag and just felt a sadness inside but happiness too. We've came from some stupid middle schoolers to a big macho high school mafia. "Hey, what's wrong, bro?"

"I don't know Ian, it's, it's just, we've come so far and it'll be over in a few months. I mean Nino is going to champions football league next year so he'll be in Washington D.C all next year and if he wins he goes to the world champions and gets to go to Japan, Dylan is skipping a grade due to his perfect average and he also is going to a different school because of it and they say they'll give him a scholarship, and that just leaves me and you."

"Welp, we had a good run and I....um.....I'm actually.......nevermind."

"What? Nevermind What?"

"Nothin..."

"No, no, no ,no, no, no, NEVER MIND WHAT?!"

"Okay......calm down......I......I'm actually being expelled. So I'll be moving to Rhode Island." I thought it was a joke, but, man was I wrong.

"EXPELLED?!?!? FOR WHAT?!?!?!"

"Well, remember that bag of chips I stole? Well they found it on camera and I cursed off a teacher, slapped a kid who said they saw me do it, and "flipped the bird" to the priceable and after my explanation they weren't impressed and because I didn't have any grades for them to transfer to the new school they let me stay half the year."

"When's your last day?"

"In about 4 days, sorry buddy."

"So it's just me then......"

" 'Fraid so." At that point my heart sunk. My best pals, my friends, my amigos, bit, by bit, by bit, just leaving me in the dust. Then that's it. I'd only have two possible year with Nino and that's that. Done. I couldn't enjoy my vacation anymore.

"Are you gonna tell the other two?"

"Yeah, tonight at our last dinner."

"This freaking sucks." I took my soda and and chucked it and it hit a car.

"WHY'D YA FU( KING DO THAT?!?!" I didn't answer him. I just went to my room and locked the door and that was it until dinner. A few hours later Nino wakes me up. I get up, put on my polo, straighten my hair, and we all hopped in the car and left. Once we got our dinner, before we started eating Ian stood up. I was dreading this part of the whole dinner. "Uh...guys.....you all know we've been good pals but......ummm.....I.....uh........it's sadly going to be the 3 of you the rest of the year."

"Wha-----whatta ya talking about?" Dylan and Nino looked very nervous.

"I.....got expelled and I leave in 4 days. Sorry. I'll explain in the car....lets just have a nice last dinner.......as pals." We all ate and drove home and Ian told Nino and Dylan everything. I dropped everyone off and drove home and when I got into bed I just stared at the ceiling. Hoping that this is some joke or nightmare, but, in the back of my head, I knew I was an idiot for thinking is was a joke, but is sure as heck was a nightmare. I couldn't sleep so I texted Ryder and she said we should get pizza. It was weird though. 9:00 at night for pizza. We went to Nunzio's. We sat down and started talking.

"So, C. How was the vacation?"

"It was good. Some bad news. Missed you a ton too though. How was NY?"

"That's sweet, and it was fine, but what happened? Nothin serious right?"

"Well, Ian got expelled and has to retire from this thing of ours."

"Oh. Sorry to hear that. But the reason why I called you here was cuz I have bad news too."

"What?"

She started to cry. I moved in closer and put my arm around her.

"I have something to admit. I've been....ch....cheating on you..."

I wanted to ripper her lips from her mouth and throw them in acid and disintegrate them.

"For how long and with who?" I said that as I gritted my teeth.

"He was a guy from a different school and for about half a month."

"Ryder, if you felt the flame was burning low and thought there was no hope for us, you should have just put the flame out." Which is something most people in a bad relationship should do. Why let that fire burn, if it burns for nothing? I just glared at her. She didn't respond. I tried not to let my flipping rage take over. I was about to unleash all h€ll on this tramp. She still went on, but about something different.

"Also....Last night. Veronica. She.........she committed suicide. She left a note saying you drove her to this and she had no one else important in her life except you. The note said you beat her and rejected her. She said you enjoyed watching her suffer. She took my mom's gun. Tried to shoot herself but missed. It got part of her skull. She had severe blood loss. So she just went down stairs and hung herself. But she also took pills. We don't know which killed her..."

I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. She over flooded me with emotions and my brain went colder than a brain freeze.

"WELL DON'T JUST STARE! SAY SOMETHIN JERK-OFF!"

"I got nothin TO say! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO SAY!?"

"GEE, HOW ABOUT A 'SORRY' OR 'MY CONDOLENCES?' IF IT WAS ONE OF YOUR MOB FRIENDS YOU'D HAVE TONS TO SAY! YA KNOW WHAT? FU( K YOU! DON'T EVER CALL ME AGAIN! I HATE YOU AND NEVER WANNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN!" She ran out. I couldn't go after her. It's best to leave her be. After a few hours I went to her house to talk....Well, it was talk. If you consider a big argument is just a "talk."

CHAPTER 20: It's Official

I saw cops and an ambulance. I thought Ryder had done something drastic but I found out that it was for something for the house next door. I went and knocked on Ryder's door. The mom answered and said Ryder was crying her eyes out and she wanted nothing to do with me then the mom went on a full rage as her husband held her back from coming after me. I turned around and pretended to go home. As I walked away I heard the front door shut. When I heard it, I turned back around and made my way to the side of the house. I saw Ryder's window was open. Her room's on the second floor. I couldn't figured out how to get up there until I saw that they have a table on their back porch which is fairly close to the roof. I hoped the fence and jumped on the table. Then I took a big leap and I almost missed, but I grabbed the gutter. I pulled myself up and I was on the roof. I slowly walked to her window. I was scared but I knew the only way to get in. I stood up all the way. Turned around and jumped. As I fell, I grabbed the gutter and quickly swung myself in. It was real quiet when I got in. Ryder was face down on her bed with her headphones in. I got up and walked over to her. I tapped her shoulder. She didn't respond. I shook her a bit and she still didn't respond. I was getting nervous. I flipped her over and shook her with a bit more force. I was freaking out. I put her down and was about to jump out the window to rush to the ambulance. I was tapping her face rapidly and softly said her name repeatedly. I accidentally slapped her a lil too hard and she said ow. She opened her eyes and gave a devilish grin. I let go thinkin she was a zombie.

"You're okay?"

"Yup. You think I'D kill myself? I saw you comin and pulled a little prank."

"Funs over. We need to talk."

"I don't wanna talk to you. You're a d!ckhead."

"How am I the d!ckhead? I ain't the one who cheated on their boyfriend."

"BULLSH!T! I KNOW YOU AND VERONICA WE'RE DATING!"

"NO WE WEREN'T! SHE'S FU( KING MENTAL!"

"SHE'S TOLD ME ALL THE KISSING AND SH!T YOU GUYS DID!"

"THAT WAS BEFORE ME AND YOU WERE A THING!"

"OH! SO THAT KISS AT THE BURGER PLACE, WE WEREN'T A THING AT THE TIME!"

"WE NEVER KISSED!"

"VERONICA SAID YOU DID! WHY WOULD SHE LIE ABOUT THAT?"

"I DON'T KNOW! SHE'S A PSYCHO!"

"FU( K YOU!"

"FU( K YOU!"

"LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON'T WANNA EVEN KNOW YOU EXIST! YOU'RE A SELFISH PR!CK!"

"WHY DON'T YOU SAY THAT TO THE 100.00 NECKLACE YOU'RE WEARIN! OR THE 10 PAIRS OF HIGH HEELS! HOW ABOUT THE GIANT MAKE UP KIT YOU OBVIOUSLY NEED! I GOT YOU ALL OF THOES, YOU UNGRATEFUL, INCONSIDERATE, B!TCH!"

"YOU ONLY DID IT OUT OF GUILT! YOU WERE DATING VERONICA AND USED GIFTS TO MAKE IT EASIER ON YOURSELF TO CONTINUE KISSING AND DOING GOD KNOWS WHAT ELSE WITH HER!"

"YOU ARE SO STUBBORN AND THICK HEADED! I GOT THOES GIFTS BECAUSE YOU SO BADLY WANTED THEM! THAT'S WHAT BOYFRIENDS DO, YA FU( KING IDIOT!"

"I KNOW THAT BOYFRIENDS DON'T CHEAT ON THE PERSON THEIR DATING WITH THAT PERSON'S SISTER!"

"YOU ARE SO HYPOCRITICAL!"

"SO ARE YOU!"

"I DIDN'T CHEAT ON YOU! LOOKING BACK, I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE! AT LEAST THEY'D APPRECIATE THE THINGS I DO FOR THEM!"

"I'M SORRY! YOU'RE RIGHT! I APPRECIATE YOU BEING LATE TO DATES BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GO BEAT UP A KID, I APPRECIATE ALL THE STOLEN HAIR PRODUCTS, NAIL POLISHES, PERFUMES, I APPRECIATE YOU DRIVING MY SISTER TO SUICIDE! THAT ENOUGH APPRECIATION FOR YA!?"

"DON'T EVER FU( KING BLAME ME FOR YOUR SISTER'S DUMBA$$ DESISION! YOU THINK I WANTED HER TO DO THAT!? I TRIED HELPING HER! I TRIED EXPLAINING TO HER WHY HER COMPLAINING IS STUPID!"

Let me tell ya somethin. Suicide in some cases, is a cheat way out of fake problems. Just don't do it. Life sucks and everyone has to deal with it.

"AND LOOK WHAT GOOD THAT FU( KING DID! SHE'S FU(KING DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU AND YOUR SH!T HELP!"

I was getting so pissed off that I wanted to hit the closes thing near me. Unfortunately for Ryder, she was the closes thing. I decked her right on her nose. She stood back and checked for blood. There was a tiny bit. She was tough. Not gonna lie. This dame has balls. She picked up a pair of scissors and came after me. She pushed me and I was on her desk. She tried stabbing and cutting me.

"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU MOTHERFU( KING JERK-OFF ( OCK SUCKER!"

I was struggling but got her off me. I took both her wrists and she pulled forward and we both went to the floor. I heard her parents coming. Ryder got up. She turned around and faced me. I got up and looked at her.

"Collin. It's over. Give it up. We are through and there's nothin you can do. You've changed. Just like I've said from the party. Get out of my room, and out of my life. You have three minutes to leave before I call the cops and tell my parents."

"Fine. Fu( k you. And I hope you and the d0uche bag you end with breaks your heart worse than you did to me. Fu( king cvnt."

I went to the window and climbed on the roof and went home and just lied in bed. It was really over between us. I was confused and frustrated and almost any other upsetting emotion. I really loved the chick though. And love is a strong word.

CHAPTER 21: Physically Broken & Heart Broken

Today was Ian's last day. I didn't wanna get outta bed. I got NO sleep. First my friends leave me, then my girlfriend breaks up with me and doesn't even wanna breath the same air as me. I wanted to lock myself away from society. I decided to walk to school. It was storming out. But I like it. The dark clouds of despair and dullness, kinda represents my current feelings. The rain cried the tears I wanted to show but was to afraid to let shead. I walked through the wet, slushy grass. I checked my phone and it died. I was the same thing on the inside at the moment: dead. My head was spinning. I had a pain in the pit of stomach. Like a black hole devouring me from the inside. The lightning did a quick flash. Then the thunder cracked, it sounded like someone stepping on my joy and shattering it into so many pieces that it would be impossible to put it back together. I wouldn't say I'm depressed. I'm just curious on where things went wrong. I was making money, had a girlfriend, great pals. I was either loved or hated by everyone in school. Whether you loved me or hated me, I was respected. People who don't give you the respect you deserve aren't even worth your very thoughts. Anyway, Everything went down hill so quickly and hit me like a speeding train. The nostalgia just blew up in my face. I feel like the loser of the year. I got to school and got Ian's box out of my locker. I wanted to slam my head in the locker door and lay there with my face down and my eyes closed and my head dizzy and be totally unaware of what was going on and hopefully that when I'd wake up I'd have amnesia and lose memory of all the heart crushing things happening to me all at once. After my lil pity party I counted the money. Within the last four days we got 1200.00. So at last period, I got all the guys in the back of the library, where it all started. Everyone came and we said our goodbyes and Ian looked at me and I handed his share of the cash. "Here you go big guy. A whole 300.00 in cash, you earned it brother."

"Thanks. I'll miss ya buddy."

"Me too.......buddy." We fist bumped and Dylan patted him on the back. Nino, I guess was too upset to do anything, but he tried to play it off to look cool. Ian said later and started to walk out as the bell rang. I felt a growing of anger and looked out the window and just saw me, Dylan, and Nino in the reflection, but no Ian. One of my biggest and bestest friends I ever had just left. Like my girlfriend, and within time, the other two. Just to be clear, what I did next, I would have done the same thing if the other two left either. I got so ticked, I threw my fist against the window, then boom, the whole window broke. It was still storming. The rain and wind came in. I was bleeding and got blood all over my hand and glass in my knuckles. Then I just fainted. About two hours later I was in the hospital. I saw Ian in a chair, Nino by my side, and Dylan talking to the nurse. "What the-------- Wha--------Wha happened?" The nurse came over and explained.

"You fainted after all the pressure you put into hitting the window. Your blood pressure went through the roof and you fainted. There were also 12 bits of glass in your knuckles and 3 more in your ring finger. You also broke your wrist, but it wasn't hitting the window, it was how you fell to the floor. You hit a table, that would have fractured it, but, then your unconscious body slammed on your fractured part of your wrist causing it to be broken."

"Ah, freaking great, ugh, Jesus." I was furious. I had to get my cast around my arm and I was in the hospital for two days and it took a month to fully recover. I was heart broken that now I didn't even have my buddy or babe to help me recover and I was physically broken with my wrist. Well the last day was in about 2 months. Whatever.

*TWO MONTHS LATER*

CHAPTER 22: Final Pay Day

So, today was our last day of school. Me, Dylan, Nino, and Skyler (my new girlfriend) went to my locker and we ended up getting 2,100.00. Everyone wanted tons of supply for next year, and they bought tons of last minute projects and tons of book reports for over the summer that some kids have to do. So I gave them both their boxes. Each with 700 dollars in it. "This is it guys, been a pleasure doing business with you. Even though we didn't reach our goal, I'd say we did pretty well for the end of the year. Dylan, good luck with the new school, and Nino good luck with football. Thank you guys very very much for working as hard as you did and thanks for staying by my side the whole time. Well, most of the time."

"Ha, ha, very funny Collin. But, in all honesty, I'm sorry I quit."

"It's alright Dylan, really, fugetaboutit." (Forget about it) I assured him it was cool.

"Thanks Collin, really, if I could, I would do it again. This whole mafia thing was fun, adrenaline rushing, and exciting, and I got paid." I thought I saw Nino starting to cry.

"Is.....is that a tear I see, Mr.Macho?"

"Wha-----I.....FU( K NO!"

"Okay just checking.......liar."

It went silent and I knew what we were all thinking----How fast the year flew by. Two minutes later the bell rang.

"Later guys. Great last year." I closed my empty locker.

"Duces Collin" Dylan started to walk away.

"No, duces boss. And Collin, what was our mafia called? I get that we represent La Cosa Nostra and the Italian mob and all, but I mean we're the only mafia left because all the other mafias split up." Nino asked in a very concerned tone and I never thought why I wasn't asked sooner or why nobody came up with a name for us.

"Well, since we're the only mafia in High School....let's just call it......'The High School Mafia or The HSM Crime family.'"

Then we all noded in agreement and we all walked out the front door with cash in our hands and smiles on our faces. I can tell you for SURE, that I'll never do something THIS stressful ever again. Just sayin though, this mafioso thing was a one time deal. Anyway, I waved bye to Nino because he walked to his bus. I said bye to Dylan as he got in his mom's car. Finally I was holding Skyler's waist as she had her arm around my shoulders up until we got to this lake. We sat down on a bench. I put the box of cash next to me. I'll send it to my parents when I go home, (700 bucks can't help'em get back in their feet, but every dollar counts) Anyway, for now I'm relaxing with my girlfriend from a job well done. To be honest, that was the first time I felt happy in three months. What with Ian leaving and the Ryder situation and all. As a good friend from back home told me "If you lived before them, you sure as h€ll can live without them." I kissed her and we just smiled, held hands, and watched the fountain in the lake.


And that ladies and gentlemen is the life and death, of The High School Mafia.