Austen:

Austen doodles aliens on a piece of paper, the teacher is lecturing but Austen doesn't absorb any of the information. She takes a breath, it seems like the world is the same no matter where you go... drama. Always drama. A piece of paper lands on Austen's desk, what's this? Austen opens up the paper it reads: Did you think about joining our club? -Jasmine

Austen looks up from her desk and sees Jasmine turned around in her seat and smiling at Austen. Austen sighs, I guess it wouldn't hurt to go. Austen writes down her number and asking to tell her what time it starts. Austen throws the paper back to her and Jasmine catches it. Austen chews the inside of her cheek out of nervousness. I wish I didn't have to be here. Austen looks over to Damon who is extremely focused on the lecture. At least one good thing came out of coming here. I wish I didn't have to play dutiful daughter to Gina. Austen rolls her eyes and looks back down at her paper. The bell rings and Austen quickly gathers her stuff to leave. When she stands she sees Val and two other shorter pudgier girls standing behind her.

"Austen." Val says shortly, "I am Valerie. Or Val."

"It's nice to meet you..." Austen says slowly, pushing in her desk chair. This is the girl responsible for the rumors about Damon...

"I just want you to give you a fair warning, you don't understand how this school works." Val explains using her hands to clap in between syllables. "Jumping in with Damon's crew is a good way to get your life ruined. You may be a mystery now but that won't last long honey. When your shit is out in the open, the rest of the school will get at it like vultures." Val stares intently at Austen.

"It feels like your warning is fair... but it also feels like a threaten." Austen hums. "And by the way... this school is just like the rest of the world... unfortunately." Val and her minions just continued to stare at Austen. "I am gonna be on my way then... bye." Austen moves around the group of girls and walks out quickly. She opens the door and almost runs into Damon. He was waiting?

"Everything okay? What'd Val want?" Damon asks, he looks concerned.

"She told me being part of your crew will ruin my life. And warned that I won't be a mystery forever. Challenge accepted missy." Austen laughs. Oh wow... these kids here, are so dramatic.

"Well you aren't really part of the crew so... " Damon trails off. Austen's heart drops a bit, not that easy. Makes sense.

"I didn't think so..." Austen lies. They begin walking to their next class. "Is Colette friends with Val?"

"She was. Why?" Damon asks.

"Maybe Colette can help me take her down a notch." Austen smirks.

"We don't really do that to people." Damon says flatly.

"Two things! One, she's the enemy. She has been telling people that Corey and HER are planning on dethroning you. Two, since I am not technically part of your crew there is no 'we.' " Austen explains. She watches Damon's face turn red when she says we. What a cutie. Austen smiles at him, he glares and looks away from her instantly; his ears turning red.

"Fine. Fine." Damon grumbles at her. They both spot Colette in the distance, "Go on. I'll see you at lunch."

"Bye-bye, tomato face." Austen teases.

"Shut up!" Damon yells stomping away.

Austen walks up to Colette who had watched their goodbye, she laughed.

"You know how to piss him off don't you?" Colette asks smirking.

"I do." Austen sings. "Hey, I need your help. Val introduced herself to me today."

"Let me guess, a passive-aggressive threat?" Colette asks.

"Yes." Austen replies flatly feeling annoyed.

"Typical." Colette sighs.

"What makes her think she's the queen of the world?" Austen asks.

"She's loaded and her dad is a congressman." Colette replies. "She tends to dig dirt on people and hold it over them. If there's nothing, she'll make it up."

"She spreads rumors?" Austen asks.

"Oh yeah." Colette huffs and nods. "All the time, about literally anyone."

"You think she spread those rumors about Damon?" Austen asks. Colette bursts into laughter and throws her head back. "I'll take that as a yes." Austen sighs.

Colette continues laughing, "She's been trying to destroy him since middle school. She just can't."

"Why not?" Austen looks at Colette curiously. Colette blushes slightly and looks away from Austen.

"Because he's outsmarted her every time." Colette explains quickly. "What's going on? What's with all the questions?"

"I want to put her in her place." Austen puts simply. Colette's eyes spark up and she continues to blush.

"Should I be jealous?" Colette asks flirtatiously.

"Maybe... I will be spending all my time focusing on her for the next week." Austen tries to walk away but Colette runs after her and grabs her hand.

"Let me help you!" Colette begs.

"I told you already Colette. I'm not interested in you like that. I'm sorry." Austen says softly.

"I know. I know. But at least let me be by your side... for this." Colette begs again to Austen. Colette pushes herself up against Austen. Austen pushes her slightly.

"For this only," Austen says directly. This girl will not give up, will she? "Well if you're helping. What weaknesses should I know for Val?" Colette pauses momentarily and then smiles villainously.

"I got just the thing." Colette smirks.