The Trouble-Makers (Alex Gaskarth Fan Fiction)

Chapter Twenty-Six

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"How was he looking?" Mike asked.

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

"Oh, shut up."

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

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

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

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

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

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