Mission Impossible

By: Twistedness

Pissed-AN-Confused: Thanks for your review, you were the first so it made me really happy =). I checked out your bio and started cracking up. Really hilarious. Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this story.

Avision: I know exactly what you mean. After I finished writing this chapter, I'm like what's wrong with this? I couldn't figure it out but your conclusions are somewhat right. Lol, don't worry… she's supposed to be obsessed in the starting. It'll wear out though.

Autumn Cresent Moon: Does she get the piercing? Well you'll know soon enough, right? =P Thanks for your review hun.

LessConfusionEnsues: Aw, your review made me smile. I didn't think the first chapter was that great but… *grins* if you say so.

Ck: Thanks for your review. I simply love them. You're always complimenting me on how long my chapters are =P Thanks.

WickedCritic: Hello Zara, stupid idiot. HaHA, you actually reviewed. You NEVER review. Oh well, thanks lover.

BrokenIce: I know I never get on, I'm so sorry. My brother is a real pain huh? I'll try to get on more often, and thanks for your review. You are so right, she is shallow. I think that's how she's supposed to act though… heh.

.Park: Alinana! Your new nick rawks. =D Thanks for reviewing, I didn't expect you or Zara to, but thanks hun. =)

Precocious: You're not into piercing? =O You mean on guys or on girls? Aww, I think piercings are pretty cool, but oh well… not as if my parents would ever let me get a tongue piercing =(

2 – Dismissive Reactions

My tongue felt swollen and sore and I kept slobbering for some reason. Ew. I couldn't (more like didn't want to) eat anything solid. I spent the next morning drinking cool water and trying to avoid Luann. My father had left around 6: 45 and it was just my luck that Luann had the day off today.

I could hear her watching something on T.V. Minutes later, however she appeared by the kitchen doorway, smiling. "Morning, Charisse… better hurry," she glanced at the green, flowery clock hanging above the oven. "You'll miss the bus."

I kept my mouth shut and nodded, smiling back. Luann turned her back to me as she started filling up her coffee mug. While her back was to me, I quickly opened my mouth to say bye before clamping it shut and hurrying out the kitchen.

Truthfully I was ecstatic. I HAVE A TONGUE RING! I felt screaming with glee. Oz was going to be so surprised.

Okay, not really… but still. If he didn't spot my tongue ring, I'll just have to find some other way to make him notice me. I was pretty sure he was at school right now, leaning against the side of the building and smoking.

I frowned, as I laced up my sneakers. What if he was too stoned to notice anything? Maybe I could talk to him… his friends usually weren't with him in the morning. At least, not all of them. Only Stine. Stine was always with him.

I rolled my eyes as I hauled my heavy backpack off of the ground. "Bye mom!" I yelled, involuntarily wincing as my tongue ring jutted forward on accident. You might be wondering why I call Luann my mother, but she's been married to my father ever since I was 7. My father told me to call her mother since then and now it sort of stuck.

I stepped out of my nice two-story house, shutting and locking the door behind me before hurrying down the driveway towards the bus stop. I usually went with Riley to school, but today she had an eye appointment and wouldn't be at school 'til 10: 00. After Riley my next driver is usually Cassie, but she took me to get my tongue pierced last night and I don't really want to annoy her.

"Hi Charisse." A few kids from my block who went to my school smiled and waved. I wanted to somehow answer back, allowing my tongue ring to show… but then I'd look like a complete loser if I started wagging my tongue out for no reason. I settled with a decent hi and wave.

"I hope Cassie wins the cross country race next week!" Anna Rice, a girl I sometimes talk to while waiting for the bus squealed. I nodded brightly, although I was pretty bored about the topic. Tons of people I don't know talk to me, but all they talk about is Cassie, Cassie, Cassie. They probably think it's glorious to be friends with a popular girls' cousin. Well it wasn't.

The bus came, sounding noisy as usual. I didn't mind and headed down the row, before flopping into a seat behind two of Cassie's not so cool friends who had to ride the bus. I smirked.

"Hi guys," I grinned. "Guess what?"

"Charisse!" they both exclaimed. "Hey! How's it going? You didn't go to school with Cassie today?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Anyway, that's not the point." I said patiently.

"I wonder who Cassie is giving a ride to then, instead of Riz." Jessica Gruen, one of the two girls said a bit enviously. I rolled my eyes. They were pretty cool, but they could become so obsessed sometimes.

"Guys? I said guess what?"

"Cassie broke up with Ben!" Olympia Jenson guessed excitedly. I wanted to scream with exasperation.

"Uh, no…" I quickly put my smile back in place and stuck my tongue out. "I got my tongue pierced!"

"Oh, that looks so cool." Jessica complimented.

"You didn't choose a dice, or something?" Olympia said dismally.

I shook my head. "I don't really care about dices, as long as I got it pierced."

"Well anyway, guess what happened to Leila Chapman?" Jessica asked Olympia excitedly and the two started gossiping. I sat back in my seat. Humph, they obviously didn't like tongue rings a lot. My thoughts wandered over to Oz and I sighed wistfully.

He was so cute. I loved how his strong black eyeliner brought out his beautiful blue eyes. I loved his nose. I loved his lips! I loved his hair. I frowned lightly. I heard he had dyed it, but either way, it looked good on him.

"…and what's that green haired guy's name? Well anyway, he's suspended!" Olympia was saying gleefully. "Isn't that so cool?"

"Totally!" Jessica agreed. "Go Leila!"

I sat up. "Green haired guy?" I echoed, now interested. "Stine? You mean Oz's friend?"

They both looked at me in surprise. "Yeah, that's right Oz's friend," Jessica wrinkled her nose. "What kind of name is Oz? His parents must have been watching like… Dorothy or something and decided to name him that." She giggled at her own joke. I paid no attention.

"What about Stine?" I prompt.

Olympia was giggling with Jessica, but stopped. "He's suspended," her eyes lit up happily. "Thank god too! He is so scary, he should be locked away! I mean, look at his hygiene. Nasty. It's green."

"It's dyed." I replied. "Why is he suspended?" I really wanted to ask is Oz suspended too? The suspension was killing me. My once high spirits immediately was punctured.

"Because he got into a fight with Dylan Ross." Olympia said. "Green hair boy pushed Leila just because she was in his way, and she like, fell and got mud all over her cheerleading outfit, and then Dylan, her boyfriend got really angry and the two of them started fighting!" she and Jessica slapped high five.

"What about Oz?" I asked, impatience now biting.

Olympia rolled her eyes. "What about him? I don't care about some total loser who has nothing better to do with his wasted life but smoke weed! I wish he was suspended too!" Jessica murmured in agreement.

I felt annoyed about the comment but didn't push it. "So he isn't suspended?"

"No." Olympia said gloomily before brightening. "Oh well, I always figured Stine was worst. I've heard from Lacey that he hit his former girlfriend!" Jessica gasped in shock as her friend continued dramatically. "He broke her nose and she had to get plastic surgery because it was like… gone."

"Gone?" I made a face. "You mean broken."

"No," Olympia insisted. "Gone."

I didn't pay attention to them anymore, stupid idiots. At least Oz wasn't suspended. I sighed, relief flowing through the channels of my once worried body. I spent the rest of the ride staring idly out at the window and gently pushing around my tongue ring with the roof of my mouth.

There he stood. Unconcerned, absently smoking against the school building as people milled around, entering the school. Stine wasn't with him. It was the most perfect time to talk to him. My throat felt dry for some reason.

Even though I was nervous, I was also determined. Determined to make him notice me once and for all. I jogged through all the students, making my way over to him.

Suddenly I was wondering what on earth I would say. I didn't want to just say Hi. He'd be like; yea? And then I'll be… well, stuck. Something original, I told myself. I needed to say something… interesting.

I boldly walked up to him, standing a mere two feet away. He didn't seem to notice me (as usual) and took a long drag from his butt. He licked his lower lip carelessly, still unaware of me. I saw his tongue ring. It was a hoop. It went horizontal, the tip of his tongue just touching the silver bend.

My eyes drifted to his left hand, which held his lighted stick. His wrists were covered with black bands, fingers adorning various silver and black rings. He placed the end of the butt back into his mouth as I watched, feeling a weirdly thunderstruck.

"You shouldn't smoke, you know." I heard myself say suddenly. "You'd get in trouble for smoking on school property."

His magnificent clear blue eyes focused on me, though appearing a bit hazy. For a second he just stared, raising a disbelieving eyebrow. I stared back, trying to remain brave. He pulled out his cigar finally, blowing out a large cloud of smoke right at me. I took a step back, waving my hand in front of my face.

"You gonna tell?" came his mirthless voice.

I shrugged, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Maybe, maybe not."

"Go to class, kid." Oz said lazily. "I'll deal."

I folded my arms. "You want to get suspended?"

He smirked, attention now fully concentrated upon me. "I'll deal," he repeated. "Besides, just because you want me to get suspended doesn't mean I will be." However, he surprisingly dropped his butt, crushing it with the toe of his shoe.

"I never said I wanted you to be suspended," I said a bit indignantly. "You're so judgmental."

His laugh sounded rough and hoarse. I mentally shook my head sadly. He really needed to stop smoking. Tucking a stray strand of his black hair, he leaned against the wall with his back. "Nope," he said listlessly. "Just different."

"We should get to class," I replied, glancing down at my watch.

"We?" Oz echoed, amused. "No, you get to class smartass. I'll go later." I felt that his name-calling wasn't said in a mean way, and let it pass. I shrugged again, trying to appear not to care, though I did. "Your loss." I walked away, trying not to look back when he started laughing under his breath again.

I entered the school building, grinning broadly. But only because he couldn't see.

"It looks fine to me," Riley reported during lunch break, where we were standing in the girl's bathroom.

"It hurts." I complained, closing my mouth.

"It's supposed to." She smirked. "It'll go away."

"When?" I demanded, using my finger to gingerly rub the tip of my tongue. If I rubbed any further down this crazy pain would shoot through my mouth. I dropped my hand, sighing.

"In a few weeks," Riley said, washing her hands.

"Hey Charisse?" Cassie called from one of the stalls. "Can you please get me a tampon?"

"Twenty-five cents," I called back.

"Charisse."

I chuckled to myself, fingers searching my jean pockets for a quarter, finally finding one I placed it into the tampon machine and twisted. Nothing came out. "They're all out." I said, trying to get my quarter back.

"Ugh, do you have one Riley?" Cassie asked.

"Yeah, but it's in my locker." Riley said. "I don't carry around tampons in my pocket. Sorry hun."

Cassie groaned. "Charisse—?"

"You know I don't use tampons." I said, knocking hard on the metal base. ("Riz! It's just a quarter!" Riley said exasperatedly.) I heard Cassie sigh.

"Fine," she grumbled. "Get me a pad."

"Cant,"

"Is that out too?!"

"Nope, but I got no more quarters." I responded, as Riley started searching her pockets before shaking her head apologetically. "Riley's out too."

Cassie moaned. "So what am I supposed to use?"

I grinned. "Tissue." Both Riley and I said. Cassie emitted something between a gasp and a shriek of horror. We didn't stay and quickly left the bathroom. Chortling, I led the way to the cafeteria.

"What?" Riley said in amazement. "We're not eating outside?"

"Nah," I said. "I don't want him to think I'm obsessed with him." I had told her about the earlier incident and she just rolled her eyes. I pretended not to notice as we entered the lunchroom. "I don't even know why I'm here." I muttered. "I can't eat anything."

"Jello?" Riley suggested as we headed over to food line. "I think they have some. Either that or pudding."

"The jello and pudding taste gross," I grumbled. "Cassie makes better." I waited in line with her anyway. "Where are we going to sit? I forgot where we usually sit," my eyes scanned the crowded cafeteria. "With Sandra? No… she's sitting with Cassie and Cassie's stupid friends."

Riley chuckled. "We'll go sit with Andrew. You didn't forget about him already did you?"

My face lit up. "Oh yeah! Drew! How the hell did I forget about him… where is he?" Andrew Connor was my closest guy friend. Though we weren't very close, we were pretty close.

When I spotted him, I quickly told Riley I would meet her at his table and left. He was sitting with his usual jock friends, though he wasn't one. Although I would never be too keen to sit with jocks who were all part of the Cassie Dently fan club, his jock friends were pretty cool and funny.

"Drew!" I feigned shock. "Why didn't you tell me you were still alive?"

Andrew smiled as I sat into a seat next to him, leaning over to grab one of his fries, before dropping it, remembering my tongue. "I don't know, you tell me. Go ahead and take the fries," he pushed his tray towards me. "I'm not hungry."

I shook my head quickly, glancing at his other friends and greeting them. "I can't eat them." I was pleased for a reason to show my tongue ring. I stuck my tongue out.

Andrew raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you start doing crazy things like Riley?"

"It looks cool." Kenneth, one of the guys disagreed. "Neat, Riz. Matches your teeth." He teased.

I feigned offense. "My teeth are not gold. They're white." I smiled, teeth showing just to prove him wrong before turning to Andrew, pretending to be hurt. "You don't like it?"

"I never said that," he defended himself. I shot him a dark look.

"No one likes it," I grumbled. Kenneth coughed. "Except Kenny," I grinned appreciatively at him.

"I like it," Heath, another guy protested. "What's wrong with it, Connor?" he questioned Andrew.

Andrew shrugged. "Nothing," he insisted. "It just looks… different. It doesn't look like you." I frowned.

"How does it not look like me?" I demanded, starting to feel frustrated.

"It looks more like Riley." Andrew said lamely.

"What does?" Riley crashed beside Kenneth, also leaning forward to snatch at Andrew's fries. "Long time no see, Drew."

"You too, Rile. Why'd you ditch me?" Andrew responded to her, changing the subject. "I thought you died."

I sat back in my seat, feeling a bit annoyed and upset. They didn't like it. Okay Riley never really said anything, and Andrew said it looked bad… why had I even bothered if this was the reaction I would get?

Oz, came the silent answer. If they don't like it, I thought. It's not my fault. I only did it for Oz.

But Oz didn't notice. He never noticed anything. And if he didn't notice it, and my friends certainly didn't like it, then what was I doing? I had just made a complete fool out of myself. Expecting everyone to like it, I got the complete obvious.

My misery must've shown on my face because Riley suddenly threw a fry at me. I glared at her, unintentionally. She grinned in response, thinking I was just playing. She licked ketchup off her lips, tongue ring flashing.

Drew's right, I thought. It looks great on Riley. It appeared so… so Riley-ish. It fitted her appearance so well. I felt my face burning for no reason. I must have looked like a complete idiot with the ring.

"Hello? Earth to Riz." Riley threw more stuff at me, causing Kenneth to pitch in.

"Stop it," I snapped, batting away a wad of napkin. "Throw your trash somewhere else." I glowered at the pair of them. They just laughed, taking me lightly. I wanted to get up, go to the bathroom, take off my tongue ring and trash it.

I was seriously about to do that when someone suddenly covered my eyes with their hands. They were soft, newly applied with hand gel; a peculiar scent of strawberries, which I recognized.

"Sandra, don't make me bite your precious fingers." I said patiently. She immediately tore her hands away, flopping into a seat beside me, smiling.

"Hey girl—guys." She nodded her head to everybody else.

"Guess what?" Riley blubbered. Before I could stop her (which I dearly wanted to) she told Sandra about me getting a tongue ring and how we had Cassie come with us.

"Are you for real?" Sandra gasped. "Cassie took you? Ooh, let me see, Riz!"

I didn't really want to, but I couldn't refuse under the stare of everyone, including Andrew. I stuck it out before quickly drawing it back in. Sandra laughed.

"It looks great!" she said warmly.

Yeah right, I scoffed. You only saw it for half a second. I smiled and thanked her, before getting up. "I'm going now… I have to go… go take a piss. See ya." I hurriedly turned and left, taking long strides to the exit of the cafeteria.

Once I got to the bathroom, I would throw away the ring, I decided. No one liked it. Oz didn't notice it. There was no point. I sighed, running a hand through my plain blonde hair. Why would a tongue ring look good on a plain Jane anyway? Jeez, how could I have overlooked that.

I was about to enter the bathroom when someone grabbed my arm, turning me around.

"Hey Riz, I'm sorry." Andrew apologized. "I didn't mean to upset you."

I waved it away, smiling brightly. "No, no, you didn't. I promise," I laughed. "I didn't like it either." I lied.

Andrew gave me a look. "Please, you were all happy when you came and sat with us, but after I told you that it didn't look right, you became quiet. I can tell you were upset at what I said, I'm really sorry. I'm not one to say, and I'd feel really guilty if you became upset over what I said."

"I was going to take it off anyway," I insisted.

"No!" his cry startled me. "Don't. You're only taking it off because I think it looks bad. Hey, Ken, Heath and Sandra like it, maybe everyone else will."

"No they wont," I mumbled. "It looks wrong Drew, you were right."

"Don't take it off," Andrew said. "It'll only make me feel more guilty. Just wear it for a week and if everyone else likes it, keep it."

"I'm not going to do something because everyone likes it and then ditch it because they don't," I said indignantly. "I'm not shallow, Drew. I don't care what they think."

He grinned. "Good, then keep it. Don't listen to what I, or everyone else says. If you like it, keep it." He kissed my cheek. "Go piss."

A/N: Another bogus chapter. Do you think it was a pointless one, cuz I sort of do. Nothing big happened except for the fact that Charisse talked to Oz *frowns* ah, oh well. Tell me what you think.