Lizzie glanced down to her wristwatch in the slats of dying sunlight before her gaze lifted once more to the few cohorts who were settled in a semi-circle of sorts with her beneath the bleachers.

?Hey, none of that Lizzie!? Ethan exclaimed, a cloud of cigarette smoke wrapping around his words. ?You said your Dad is working a double tonight so you?re not ditching out on us this early.?

She rolled her eyes. Two fingers plucked the hanging cigarette from between smirking lips to ash it into the dirt beside her. ?I don?t ditch out on you guys ever, so don?t even try to pull that jive on me. Besides, I wasn?t planning on leaving, I can?t just look at the time?? Blue eyes narrowed teasingly, ?Or is this your jealousy rearing its head because you get confused between the big hand and the little one??

The guys groaned and laughed, Ethan joining in as well with a shake of his head. His mouth opened in preparation for a retort, but his train of thought was quickly derailed when everyone?s gazes snapped sharply towards the sound of sneakers scuffling across the dirt nearby. It was amazing how easily their expressions shifted into little masks of innocence even as they sat about reeking like smoke and with a hint of booze. But just as quickly their features hardened when they noticed the varsity jackets.

?Well, it?s practically a meeting of the minds down here, isn?t it?? The tallest of the trio, Jeremy Ryans, had a smug look as he glanced between each of those settled on the ground. His hazel gaze paused on Lizzie who was staring at him just as grimly as the guys. ?Unless you?re all just trying to get your girlfriend there drunk and debating who gets to sack her first.?

The words had barely left his mouth, but one by one the small group of guys and the little blonde rose to their feet. The trio of all-stars laughed, but the two boys behind Jeremy took slow steps forward as if preparing to defend their fearless leader.

Brandon was standing at Lizzie?s side and the first to speak up. ?I can see where the confusion is comin? from, Man.? He said matter-of-factly while gesturing between himself and the others. ?I hear when the football team has odds like this on a girl they usually give her a roofie-colada and go at it, but we?re just hanging out. Oddly enough,? His finger wagged. ?Just so you have something to aim for in the future, people can actually get some without having to worry about charges being pressed in the morning.? Snickers broke out across the group and only got louder when Brandon offered two hearty thumbs up. ?Try it sometime!?

Jeremy?s cocky grin didn?t falter, but it was shifting towards something more predatory, his eyes narrowing. ?Oh, I get it.? His head nodded in Lizzie?s direction. ?So the little skank is ready and willing? Mind if we borrow her for the night then?? He elbowed one of the other guys in the side that laughed in a knee jerk reaction. ?We usually prefer something with a little more in the way of T ?n? A, but I?m sure we could make it work.? The goons behind him both chortled loudly now, but sudden movement from the group cut them off.

Lizzie had thrown down her cigarette and practically launched herself forward in the direction of Jeremy, but Brandon and Tony each grabbed her around the waist to hold her in place. Her sneakers dug into the ground fighting against their grasp while fists swung through the air feverishly. ?Let me get one hit in and then I?ll go. Just one!? Her teeth were practically gnashing on the words.

Jeremy and his friends were stunned into silence for a long while, only Lizzie?s shouting and cussing piercing the quiet, then they burst into laughter. This, of course, only made Brandon and Tony have to tighten their hold on her so she didn?t get loose.

?Oh, c?mon!? Jeremy made a shooing motion at Brandon and Tony. ?Let the little tramp go. If she wants to wrestle then I?m game. I promise I?ll even go easy on her so that she?s good for you boys later on.? The trio burst into laughter again at the idea of the little pissed off blonde being able to do any real damage. Brandon and Tony gave each other wary expressions and then without much warning other than light shrugs Lizzie was released.

The moment she was free she charged forward. Jeremy had honestly expected a love tap to the chest, maybe even a slap to the face like most girls tried when they didn?t like what he was doing. Kitten could even use claws if she was so inclined, he didn?t mind. What he wasn?t expecting was Lizzie to sink down and drive her shoulder full force into his gut. His entire body doubled over at the hit and he stumbled back wrapping his arms around his torso. ?You Bitch!? He was just barely able to spit out the words when a solid right connected with his jaw causing his head to snap to the side. Jeremy twisted and sank down to his knees; still holding himself while his two lackeys stared in awe.

?Do something.? He wheezed through gritted teeth, blood already dribbling from the corner of his mouth and down his chin. But the group of friends had already taken off in the other direction at top speed between the tangle of metal beams that held the bleachers aloft. When they were in the clear on the other side none of them slowed down, sneakers battering the concrete without looking back.

When they were blocks away from the school and there were no thudding footsteps tearing along behind them Brandon slowed his pace and the others followed suit until they were standing in a tight circle again on a street corner. They stared at each other, silent aside from their loud breathing, and then all eyes were on Lizzie. No one said a word for a long while and then rather suddenly a loud roar of laughter from each of the guys followed, the tension finally breaking.

?I can?t believe you punched Jeremy Ryans!? Ethan finally got the words out through his mad snickering.

Lizzie made a face and held up the offending hand, her fingers curling into a fist and uncurling repeatedly. While trying to inspect her knuckles beneath the glow of the streetlight she answered absentmindedly. ?Yeah, I don?t think Jeremy can either.? She smiled weakly and more laughter followed before they turned and started walking down the sidewalk at a much more casual pace.

?You realize you?re pretty much dead meat come Monday, right Lizzie?? Brandon chimed in trying to sound casual even if his glance aside to her was somewhat worried.

Lizzie shrugged her shoulders with a sigh. ?I?ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Can?t take it back now, can I? Besides, it was worth it to see the look on his face.? They all nodded in unison then after a few moments ticked by Lizzie mumbled heatedly under her breath. ?Seriously, I hate football players.? More laughter between the friends promptly followed.