(cut to the cafeteria)

Back at school, nothing much had changed. I still spent lunch sitting with Reilly and waving at Zac from across the room. It was when the topic of conversation had turned to the new 'punk' band amongst the group that I made the decision to walk away.

"Hey you,"

"Kirby, you came to visit me," Zac exclaimed. He walked away from his group to the next table and sat down. I sat across from him.

"How are you Zac?"

"Not bad, yourself?"

"I'm just peachy,"

"What's up, Reilly's friends pissing you off again?"

"YES. My god, I just needed to get away,"

Zac laughed and sat back in his chair. 

"Hey Kirby," My attention snapped to India who slumped down in the seat beside me and sighed.

"Hi Indie,"

She sighed dramatically.

"Ok, what's the matter with you?"

"Reece is avoiding me,"

"Reece...?"

Indie rolled her eyes, "My boyfriend,"

"Boyfriend...?"

"Get with it Kirby, we've been going out for nearly a month now,"

"Right..."

"Anyway, we're supposed to be in love, and yet I haven't seen him all day,"

"It's only recess, Indie,"

"So?"

"Sooo...maybe...you're...smothering him...?"

Indie blinked, "You think so?"

Hmm, no smart comment? Has she been drinking?

"I think it's possible...Guys tend to run off and hide if a girlfriend's being too protective,"

"Hmm...you might be right you know," She stood up and looked down at me, "Might."

Zac waved to India's back as she walked away, "Bye, nice to meet you,"

I burst out laughing and Zac only shrugged.

"Kirby...um...do you mind if...we, if we sit here every recess and lunch?" Zac asked somewhat out of the blue. 

"Of course we can Zac, but what about your other friends?" 

"Kirb, I know you're smart...It's obvious how they treat me," Zac lowered his voice. 

"I've noticed they're kind of protective," 

"They're not only protective, but they're just...They expect so much from me. I used to be the star quarter back and I was their idol. Then came the injury and I couldn't play any more. You'd think they'd cool off from idolizing me, but it only got worse. They kept talking about what a great player I used to be and how much they want to play like I used to," Zac stared down at his hands as he spoke. 

He looked out the window, "I don't think they ever valued me as a friend. All they care about is football and pussy, and for a while that's all my life consisted of as well. But I've changed, and they haven't noticed because they don't know me," 

"Oh Zac..." I clutched his hand from across the table.

"I'm not sad that they don't know me, I really don't care. I was stuck with them as friends only because of football. And now I've had enough,"

"So you're going to get rid of them?"

"I really want to Kirby....But...I just don't know what's going to happen when I do,"

"But you can be protected from that,"

"You think so?"

"Yes, I do," I nodded and laced my fingers with his. "Why don't you come and sit with me and Reilly from now on, ok?"

"You know, I've been thinking...maybe there's an easier way to do it, so that they leave me alone out of their own free will,"

"Really? Like what?"

Zac grinned, "Well...they think I'm this major player and I score all the time. And to be truthful, that's all that really matters to them...hmm...I might possibly have an idea......"

Zac snickered mischievously and I couldn't help but follow.

"You're not going to tell me this master plan, are you?"

"Not just yet, but I may need your help, are you willing?" He asked as the bell rang.

"Of course I am!"

"Eeeexcellent,"

-    -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -      

(cut to outside school: end of day)

"KIRB!" The sound of my name caused me to stop and turn around. Reilly was dodging the other school kids on the footpath until he reached me.

"Yes?"

"Where are you going now?"

"I start work at five," I kept walking.

"But it's only just past 3?"

"How clever of you Reilly,"

"Oh man," He held his hands over his chest, " You're breaking my heart,"

I huffed and looked at him, "Yes Reilly, you can come with me and yes, there will be free ice cream,"

"Free ice cream!?!?"

I groaned as Zac ran across the lawn and jumped onto the footpath.

"You have super human hearing, man," Reilly said.

"It really only works for the word ice cream," Zac said, Reilly nodded, "Can I come with?"

I pretended to be pissed off just to see the look on Zac's face dissolve. It didn't last long though. I cracked a smile, "Yes you can come! Jeez,"

The majority of the next hour was spent eating a whole tub of banana ice cream between each other. Taylor decided to join us one point so the ice cream seemed to disappear a hell of a lot faster once he showed up.

"You working Tay?" I asked.

"Yeah, in about twenty minutes," He said, buttoning the cuff on his shirt sleeve.

"Until late?"

"About ten, you wanna catch a movie afterwards?"

I grinned, "Sure. What about you clowns, wanna come?"

Reilly shook his head, "Nah, I'll pass,"

"Date with Aimee," Zac said.

"Right, I'll see ya here at ten then, shall I?"

"Damn straight."

Slowly everyone left. I gave Taylor a big peck on the lips and everyone was gone with the jingle of the doorbell.

-    -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -

(cut to after school the next day)

"So what's going on?" Reilly asked as we crossed the courtyard after school and made our way over to the oval.

"Just go along with it ok, agree with whatever I say,"

"I can't help but think something huge is about to happen,"

"I wouldn't say huge...But it should be good,"

The school football team was practicing on the oval and Zac stood beside the coach. He often participated in training to offer his advice since he was the star player and all. Reilly and I lent over the side fence once we got there. Zac winked and nodded.

"Hey guys,"

"Oh hey Tay,"

"Tay's here too?" Reilly asked, utterly confused.

"Quiet Reilly. Remember what I said,"

Reilly sighed and nodded. We all went back to watching the guys practice. They seemed to be rapping it up. The coach gave some final orders and left the oval. The guys stayed back and were talking amongst each other.

Taylor gave me a look and whispered, "Now?"

"Not yet..."

Thankfully, we could hear everything that was said on the field.

"So you're comin with us on Friday night Zac?" Connor asked him.

"Uh-"

"We can pick up man, you know Aimee doesn't care," He punched Zac on the arm and laughed heartily.

Zac laughed out loud and walked with the group towards us.

"Hey Zac! What's he talking about?" I asked, half laughing. Both Zac and Connor, plus a few other people, mouthed 'Huh?'

"Yeah dude, since when do you pick up?" Taylor asked, practically in hysterics.

"Shut up...I...I pick up," Zac blushed.

"No way Zac, you've been totally faithful to Aimee," I said, acting like it was all a joke, "Didn't you tell me the other night that you'd never even dream of cheating on her?"

Zac was speechless.

"But Zac, man, what about all those times you said...?" Connor looked hurt.

"I'm sorry Connor, I was lying...I'm so in love with Aimee, I'd never do that to her, it's so...wrong,"

"Yeah, didn't you guys know?" I looked at them, "He's gonna propose to her on her birthday,"

A few of the guys, including Connor, made disgusted noises and looked at Zac.

"Jeez man, you're a freak," They all laughed and joked amongst each other. Zac stood there blushing and looking down at the ground. All the guys continued to laugh hysterically until they had walked off the field.

"Well," Zac came towards us with a big grin on his face, "I think that went rather well,"

"You think so?" Taylor asked.

"Definitely. I knew it, they don't care about the football, only the image that comes with it...Finding out that I don't pick up and never plan to...man..."

I laughed, "It'd be funny if it was true,"

Zac's face straightened.

"What!"

"Of course it's true,"

We all went silent.

Taylor was the first to speak up, "Excuuuuuuuuuse me?"

"It's true guys. I'd never cheat on Aimee. You should know that from experience Kirby," Zac patted my shoulder and walked away.

Taylor's mouth dropped open, "Excuuuuuse me?"

I only grinned and walked off behind Zac, Reilly following.

All we could hear was Taylor's faint voice as we crosses the school yard, "You've made a move on Zac....? Kirby.....! Look at me when I'm talking to you....! Heeeey.......! Guuuuys.......!"

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