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By the time your alarm finally went off youd already been laying in bed staring at the luminiscent numbers for an hour. Your body woke you up at five o five. This is what happens when you actually get to bed on time. You slapped the off button, rolled out of bed and stepped on a pencil. You slid two feet before getting ahold of the bed post.

" shit this morning keeps getting better and better" you grumbled pulling yourself up. You walked into the bathroom, flipping the lightswitch. Nothing happened.
" Great" you sighed, turning around to go get a new lightbulb. Only to find out you didnt have any. You sighed again
" Shower in the dark it is" you said to yourself going to grab a towel. On the way back to the bathroom you heard police sirens pass your house. You sighed, watching them pass by.
" ive got a bad feeling about the way today is going to go" you muttered going into the bathroom.

Nami was already waiting for you by the time you walked out the door at a quarter to eight. You waved, giving a half smile before turning to lock the door. " rough night?" She asked when you climbed in.

" Yeah" you said and yawned. " went to bed relatively early but, woke up an hour before my alarm".

She hissed, " i hate when that happens. Did you see where the cops were going this morning? "

" no, but i saw them pass by my house"

She frowned. " wonder what all the fuss was about"

You shrugged, "there was just one car right?"

She shook her head, " no, i saw like three or four".

You shrugged again, yawning again. " who knows with this town".

The first bell rang as Nami pulled into the parking lot. You climbed out grumbling, " didnt even get to eat anything this morning". You tossed a bye to Nami as you headed for the spare classroom.

You noticed the light was off before you opened the door. Unconsciously you let out a sigh of relief when you realized Kid wasnt here yet. Maybe he was late again. Who knows with that boy. When he still wasnt there halfway thru the hour you figured it was safe to assume he wasnt going to be here today.

You were right about him not being at school today but you were wrong about the reason. So wrong. You assumed he must be skipping again. You didnt figure out the real reason until you were walking to lunch. You knew something was wrong the moment you saw Principal Sengoku walking with two police officers. You stared so long you nearly ran into someone. " ____, are you ok?" Nami asked, then noticed what you were staring at. She watched too, as the three men walked down the hallway to the office. Nothing clicked until you saw someone with red hair walk in front of the window. In handcuffs.

You gasped, stopping so abruptly, Nami ran into your back. " Sorry! " she apologized, quickly righting herself. Before she could even get half of a sentence out to ask if you were ok, you were already running toward the office. She called after you but you were already opening the door to the office. They appeared to have gone to the conference room. You opened the door to find Several people you didn't recognize seated around a conference table. Besides Sengoku the only one you recognized was The superintendent. The two cops stood beside the table, next to a chair where Eustass Kid was seated. A third cop stood by the door that you'd just came thru.

Everyone but Kid looked up at you. A few of them actually seemed annoyed by your interruption. The two cops actually seemed devoid of emotions. Kid sat with his chair angled away from the door. His head hanging like he was sleeping.

What could have happened for him to have reacted like that. You could tell that whatever he'd done Kid had messed up big time. Your heart squeezed in fear for him. " _____" Sengoku said softly, getting to his feet. You finally managed to look away from Kid when Sengoku touched your arm. " Lets step out here". He turned to his colleagues, apologizing before stepping out with you. The moment the door was closed you turned and asked. " What's wrong with Kid? Is he ok?"

" _____" he muttered. " You should be at lunch. This doesn't concern you".

You noticed he carefully avoided answering that question. , " Aren't I his tutor?"

Sengoku nodded, " Yes, but your duties are to help him with homework. Not keep him out of trouble. I fear no one but Mr. Eustass can do that for himself."

You sighed, " Well can you at least tell me whats going on?"

Sengoku gave you a sad look. " we're trying to come to an agreement on a punishment for Mr. Eustass."

" What have you come up with?" You asked.

He sighed, " i cant tell you much im afraid, but i will say its going to be difficult to continue your tutor lessons at this rate."

Your heart sank and your stomach rolled over. " They want to expel him" you stated.

He nodded gravely, " they wont be convinced otherwise. At least they haven't been yet. They refuse to listen to any of my suggestions".

" Do you want him expelled?" You asked, not sure if you really wanted to know.

" My dear, of course not. You and I seem to be the only two trying to keep him in school" He scoffed "Bunch of fools". He glanced around quickly, lowering his voice. " I didn't say that"

You chuckled half heartedly, " Right". You bowed your head in thought. " If he gets suspended, he'll fail". It was a statement but, Sengoku nodded. You thought about it for a long few seconds. Finally you looked back up, determination in your eyes. " Ok, if he gets expelled. Expel me too".

Sengoku's jaw nearly hit the floor in shock. "____! Do you realize what your asking for?!" When you nodded yes he shook his head. " I cant do that. Not even if I wanted to. Which I don't. Besides, what will it fix? Expelling two kids instead of just one."

You had to admit, when he put it like that it did sound silly. " If he fails every one of his friends will graduate and leave. Who will he have then?" If you were there at least he'd have someone. Yeah right, he refused to sit thru one hour of tutoring with you. What made you think he'd even want you there. Still, you couldn't not help. Not after yesterday.

He gave you an understanding look, and smiled. " What your offering is very kind. Totally unnecessary, but kind". When you tried to speak up he held up a hand to silence you. " I can tell how much you care". You looked away, feeling your face turn red. " Which is why I will try to change their mind".

Your head snapped up, grin coming to your face. " Thank you" you sighed in relief.

Sengoku sighed a tired sigh, rubbing a hand over his face. " I cant promise anything. Even if he doesn't get expelled. He'll still have to have a punishment."

"That's ok, Just as long as he stays in school" you said. Then I might be able to help him, you thought.

He sighed again, chuckling. " Your too kind ____, I've never seen Eustass Kid speak a kind word to you. Yet, here you are going out of your way to help him." He shook his head as he crossed to the conference room door. He opened it, " You kids are what keep me young, but sometimes you're what make me old". He muttered, going in closing the door behind him.

After he left the room lapsed into silence. Not even the secretary made a peep. Several long minutes of silence later the door opened again. Well that was quick, you thought. Which could be either good or bad. As it turns out it wasn't Sengoku coming to tell you the sentencing. It was Kid, being lead out of the room by two of the cops. The third one pulled the door shut behind the other two. They walked Kid past you to a chair by the receptionist desk. The cops sat him down before returning to stand against the wall. He sat there staring at the floor, arms still cuffed behind him. You saw his face and gasped.

" What happened to you?" you breathed, going to kneel in front of his chair. He tried to turn his face away, but otherwise remained silent. You observed what you could without touching him. His bottom lip was busted and bleeding slightly. His left eye was black and swollen. There was a small abrasion over his eyebrow near the temple. You held a hand up, but dropped it again. Eyes narrowing in anger, " What happened to him?" you asked louder. This time directing your question at the cops on the wall.

One shrugged, looking amused at your outrage. The other looked stone calm, and expressionless. You stood up, pitching your tone louder. " What.Happened.To.Him" you asked, enunciating each word.

The amused one finally spoke up, " Must have resisted arrest. Its his own fault."

" and No one thought to take care of his wounds" you accused. There was so much venom in your accusation it took a minute for him to answer.

" Well no, I'm not a paramedic" he replied.

You crossed your arms, pacing toward him. " Listen Officer.." you shot a look at his name plate as you stopped in front of him. " Officer Benton, My father is a marine. As part of his training they made him learn basic first aid. So im almost positive that you must know it. Am i right?"

The officer sighed, knowing you were right. Before either of you could continue, you felt a soft tap on your arm. You looked up to see the other officer offering you a first aid kit. You took it without comment. He nodded to Kid. " i cant do it unfortunately, but no ones going to say anything if you do" he said quietly.

" thank you" you replied softly. You heard the other officer sigh in relief.

He gave you a small smile, " whats your name?"

You relaxed your shoulders a little bit, " ____ ______".

He tilted his head like he was thinking. " I think i know your dad. Whats his first name?"

" Nathan" you replied.

At the mention of your fathers name recognition dawned on him. " Ah! I do know him. Great man" he commented. " You remind me alot of him".

You got a wide grin on your face. " yeah i hear that alot" you chuckled. The officer, who's name was Barns according to his nameplate turned, heading back to stand next to his commrade.

You turned your attention back to Kid who was staring out the window now. When you kneeled in front of him he turned his gaze on you. The look he gave you was strange. It wasnt his normal angry look. It wasnt, cocky, or annoyed or anything like that. He just looked tired, sad and Defeated. As hard as it was not to cry, hou managed. Instead You smiled at him. He blushed bright pink, and averted his eyes. You opened the kit placing it on the floor next to you. You opened a WetNap, reaching up to dab the blood on his bottom lip. He jerked away when you touched it. " Sorry..." you apologized, trying again. He jerked away again. You sighed, " Look, you have to accept my help this time. You dont get a choice".

He gave you a deeply annoyed look, but didnt pull away this time. You didnt honestly care if he was angry at you for this or not. If he was then good, at least that would be more like himself than this. He looked away again as You carefully dabbed his lip. Wiping away any blood that was dried on. When that was looking as good as you could get it you cleaned the abrasion above his eyebrow.

You were so focused on the task at hand. You didnt feel amber eyes watching you. You finished up with the abrasion, wiping over it once with antiseptic before putting a bandage on it. When you were done your eyes drifted to the black swelling eye. Your determined gaze softened as your fingers touched it gingerly. He flinched making you pull back and turn away. Not before he could see the tear fall down your cheek.

" What are you doing?" He asked quietly.

" what does it look like? " You asked, hastily wiping the tear away.

" Not listening" he replied.

You chuckled, smiling slightly. " oh you know me, im such a rebel. I never do what im told". Your sarcasm was so terrible you heard the receptionist laugh.

" Whatever" he chuckled. You grinned a bit, feeling a little better. However that didnt last too long. You were reminded of the situation every time Kid moved his cuffed hands behind him.

You frowned, glancing over at officer Barns. " Do you have to leave the handcuffs on?" You asked.

He gave you a very apologetic look. You knew the answer before he said it. "Yes, sorry we have to leave them on".

You scoffed, lifting an eyebrow in annoyance. " Really? Why?"

"While hes in our custody he's our responsibility. If anything were to happen to you or any of the students or teachers here as a result of our actions, we will be held liable." Officer Benton rattled off like he'd said the very same thing a dozen or more times.

It took you a minute to realize what he was implying. " He wont hurt me. I trust him. He's my friend" you said and looked to Bafns for some kind of help.

" He's right" he confirmed.

Your shoulders sagged in dissappointment as you turned back to Kid. He shrugged, " Its ok, ____. Its not my first time in cuffs and it probably wont be my last".

You rolled your eyes and was about to retort something when the door to the conference room opened and Sengoku came out. He looked upset which didnt bode well for Kid. He walked over to you. Taking note of the open first aid kit and Kids doctored wounds. This seemed to soften the lines around his eyes some what. " They've decided not to expel him" he said. Your eyes brightened and you smiled. He held a hand up before you could get your hopes too high. " There is a condition" he said.

" Ok what is it?" You asked, eager to do whatever you could to help.

" They wont expel him if and only if you accept whatever punishment they offer him too".

Kid tried to jump up, which in case you didnt know is difficult to do with your hands cuffed behind you. " What!? No! She doesnt have anything to do with it. Thats bullshit."

Benton started for Kid but, Sengoku held up a hand warding him off. " There is no danger here officers you may stand at ease" he said. Even though he wasnt their commanding officer they complied. Sengoku used to be amongst the top ranks while he served. You guessed He still had that authoritive voice.

" Whats the punishment?" You asked. Ignoring Kid and the officers.

" in- school suspension for a week" he replied.

" Bullshit!" Kid spat.

"Did you expect To get away with out punishment? You break the law you pay for it kiddo" Benton snapped.

" Well, no shit!" He shot back. " But why are you involving ____? She wasnt even there!"

" its not my fault your girlfriend cant keep her nose out of your business. If she could she wouldnt be in the middle of this" Benton argued back. You felt your face blush after that statement.

The arguing went on for a minute until Sengoku and Barns jumped in.

You sighed, getting tired of this bs. You were so done with this day. " Its fine, ill do it" you said loud enough for them all to hear. They all stopped at once. Benton and Barns seemed impressed. Sengoku and Kid however looked less than happy with your decision.

" Thats ridiculous! You do know this goes on your permanent record right?" Sengoku told you, giving you a disapproving look.

" Dont be so stupid! I told you not to worry about me. You damn goody two shoes. Always being the perfect student" Kid grumbled.

You frowned turning to first Sengoku then Kid. "First of all, yes i do know what this will do. Thats something im prepared to accept. Two, im no where near perfect. In case you hadnt noticed Principal Sengoku doesnt really agree with my decision to help. Also if you keep calling ne goody two shoes i will hit you and i wont even feel bad about it. If im getting ISS anyways might as well make the most of it"

Sengoku looked upset, Kid looked surprised and mildly amazed. The two officers still looked amused and impressed. " Kiddo, your girlfriend has balls" Benton commented.

Kid blushed, " She is not my damn girlfriend!" He snarled, sending the cop a dirty look.

Benton seemed unperturbed as he met and held Kids hostile gaze. He asked one simple question. " Why not?"

The both of you blushed at this question. For once Kid didnt have a remark. He fell silent. Resorting to sitting and staring out the window. You wondered about his reaction, but filed it away for later scrutiny. " ____, are you sure this is what you want to do? " Sengoku asked.

You nodded yes, thankful that the arguing had finally stopped. "Yes, im sure".

He sighed, nodding in understanding. " Alright come with me so we can get it written in stone". You nodded, following him into the conference room.

Almost an hour later you walked out of the conference room eith Sengoku. " You can go to the rest of your classes for today. The In school will begin Monday. Im sure your friends are worried".

You nodded, " Alright, thank you Sengoku" you said, smiling.

He surprised you by pulling you into a hug. " Child you worry me some times. Never have i seen a child like you. Asking for trouble the way you do". You knew he meant Kid. Kid was the trouble you were asking for. He walked you to your sixth hour class which was almost over. Nami's eyes widened when she saw you. You spent the rest of the school day explaining to her what was going on.

That night on Messenger:
<3ofgold has signed in
<3ofgold: Hey guys i wont be in class next week
Aceofspades: Yeah we heard
~Devilwoman~: You heard? I thought i was the queen of gossip. Who knew before me?
Lovechef: Pretty sure the whole school knows
Marimo: i dont, whats going on?
Monkeyboy: Yeah, me neither. Why wont ___be at school?
Cyberpunk: She got ISS
MissRobin: She didnt get it. She volunteered to take it with Kid so he wouldnt be expelled.
Royalblondie: wow _____, thats pretty awesome of you
Sniper1234: i dont know if awesome is the word id use
<3ofgold: Sengoku wasnt happy about it, but he agreed for some reason
~Devilwoman~: i still dont like it or understand it but whatever. You know what your doing right?
<3ofgold: No, not really. I just wing it mostly
Aceofspades: xD you sound like me
~Devilwoman~: ____ that isnt a good thing.
<3ofgold: Oh no! Im turning into Ace! D:
Aceofspades: Mmmm Female Ace is a fox ; )
<3ofgold: Ace!
Aceofspades: xD
Cyberpunk: better be careful hitting on ___ these days. Her boyfriend might get jealous
Lovechef: boyfriend?!
Aceofspades: she has a boyfriend? ___ you have a boyfriend?
~Devilwoman~: oh yeH, didnt you hear? Thats all over the school too
<3ofgold: 😱😵
MissRobin: Its not really all over the school. They are just messing with Ace. Still i did bear one of the officers say it a few times. I assumed he was doing it to mess with Kid
<3ofgold: i hope not. I have enough problems these days without fighting rumors too.
MissRobin: i have to agree with Officer Benton though
<3ofgold: why is that?what do you agree with?
MissRobin: "Why not"
<3ofgold: i have to go. Getting pretty tired
MissRobin: ^_^ im sure
<3ofgold: i am! Night!
<3ofgold has signed off.

You sat back, your face blushing again for the one hundredth time today. After a minute you clicked on the bubble labeled 'greasemonkey'. There was still no reply, but you decided to write something else. " Kid?" You typed, before closing out the window.

**extended ending**
You crawled out of bed saturday, climbing in front of the computer. To your surprise there was already a chat bubble waiting on you. It wasnt from one of your normal crew. It was from 'greasemonkey'. You felt your adrenaline kick in, making your heart hammer as you opened the chat bubble.

GreaseMonkey: Hey. Yeah its Kid, sorry i dont check messenger everyday.
<3ofgold: its ok
GreaseMonkey: Look, about Friday, did you really mean what you said?

Could he be anymore vague? You said alot Friday.

<3ofgold: which part?
GreaseMonkey: About you trusting me. Do you really?
<3ofgold: Of course i do
GreaseMonkey: what about you saying we're friends, you mean that?
<3ofgold: yes
GreaseMonkey: say it again.
<3ofgold: your my friend
<3ofgold: weirdo
GreaseMonkey: your the weirdo, goody two shoes. Volunteering to have ISS
<3ofgold: shut it Red xP
GreaseMonkey: Red, i like it
<3ofgold: 😝Dork!
GreaseMonkey: hey ___
<3ofgold: yea?
GreaseMonkey: Thank you
GreaseMonkey has signed off

You sat back, unsure if that conversation actually just happened. If not for the proof right there in front of you. Youd have a hard time believing it. You smiled to yourself, "Your welcome Kid" you muttered to the computer screen.