After Lois Foutley and David Dave were pronounced man and wife, Noelle started to leave.

"Noelle, where are you going?" Carl asked, obviously not wanting her to leave.

"My work here is done, so there's no reason for me to stay." Noelle said simply.

"Of course you should stay." Lois smiled.

"Yes, please join us at the reception as our honored guest." David agreed. "Think of it as our way of thanking you for saving our wedding."

"Well, when put like that I can't refuse." Noelle shrugged.

Ginger and Lois were confused. They knew how close Noelle and Carl used to be, but since they didn't know of the Parrot World incident they had no idea why Noelle had stopped hanging out with Carl. Carl on the other hand figured that Noelle dumped him because of Polly, but he couldn't figure out how she found out about him actually enjoying Parrot World.

A.N. I know Noelle already mentioned to Carl that Gripling told her about Carl and Polly and Parrot World, but it slipped Carl's mind with everything else going on. You know, when you got your mind on your mom's wedding, moving to middle school, and your girlfriend dumping you one-time mentioned details tend to slip right out of there.

Anyway, at the reception everyone congratulated the newly married David and Lois Dave. As Hoodsey helped himself to the snacks Carl approached Noelle, who was being praised for saving the wedding by the other guests. Carl waited until she was alone, and then...

"Noelle, I just want to say thank you, big time, for saving the wedding." Carl said a little awkwardly.

"You're welcome, you know me: can't stand injustice." Noelle looked away slightly, also feeling awkward.

"Yeah." Carl chuckled a little. "Listen, about what happened between us...what happened?"

"Don't play dumb with me Mr. Parrot." Noelle glared, looking hurt.

"Aw geez..." Carl groaned. "Listen, I think we need to talk about this...outside."

"Fine."

They went outside, Carl making sure that no one saw them leave.

"Noelle, listen, I did not betray you or whatever you think." Carl shook his head.

"But you did lie to me!" Noelle retorted, very hurt. "You said that you didn't have fun with Polly playing Parrot World but you did!"

"Well...I always have fun doing weird stuff in general. Okay, so I did have fun, I just didn't want to hurt your feelings."

"Yeah, that sure worked out." Noelle rolled her eyes sarcastically.

"Look, I may have had fun, but it wasn't anything special." Carl said gently. "It was just your average run-of-the-mill fun, like the stuff I do with Hoodsey. Well not quite the stuff I do with Hoodsey, but you know what I mean."

"So...you don't love her?" Noelle asked.

"No." Carl shook his head.

Meanwhile, Hoodsey had noticed Carl had disappeared. This, coupled with getting tired of his mom scolding him for snacking so much, caused him to look for Carl. He finally spotted Carl with Noelle outside through a window, and decided to sneak outside and listen in.

"I'll admit I did hang out with her after that, but I was just giving her a chance." Carl continued. "You know, because she was weird and everything, but she wasn't going to replace you. I'm now ashamed of that, you were right about her all along. I'm very sorry."

Noelle sighed sadly.

"I wish I could believe you Carl, but my heart..."

"Is broken, I know." Carl said sadly. "Mine is too, from when you dumped me."

Noelle looked at him with surprise.

"Noelle, no matter what you think, I love you." Carl said. "I always will."

Tears started to form in Noelle's eyes. Carl couldn't tell whether they were sad tears or 'starting to believe him' tears. However, he wasn't taking any chances.

"Noelle, how about I prove my love for you by doing something I'd never do to anyone else?"

"What could that be?" Noelle asked.

Instead of answering, Carl kissed her. Noelle just stood there, wide eyed with shock. Eventually, Carl's love reached her heart and she accepted the kiss. A few seconds later, she returned it. Hoodsey watched the scene at first with shock, then with acceptance. Despite Carl never saying anything, Hoodsey knew him well enough to know about his broken heart and was glad that it was being healed. At that moment, Ginger walked out the door, only to freeze with shock. Dodie and Macie weren't far behind, and they too were shocked. A little later, the kiss ended.

"I believe you now." Noelle smiled.

"So, we're boyfriend and girlfriend again?" Carl asked, double-checking.

"Of course."

They hugged and started to go back inside - only to see Ginger and her friends standing there.

"Ginger!" Carl gasped, startled; then he frowned. "State your business."

"Relax Carl, I was just going to let you know that our parents are cutting the cake." Ginger said. "Sorry about intruding."

"Nah, the business was worth it." Carl waved a hand. "Come on Noelle, let's get a slice. You too Hoods."

Hoodsey fell out of the bush where he was hiding in shock.

"Aw man, you know me too well." Hoodsey said, amused.

"Eh it's okay, I know that you were just wondering where I was." Carl smiled.

Hoodsey smiled back, and they all went back inside to get some cake. Carl, Hoodsey, and Noelle sat together, with Carl in the middle. Brandon soon joined them, and was happy that Carl had found 'treasured love', so to speak. Ginger sat with her friends, including Courtney, Darren, and Simone. Blake at first went to find Carl, Hoodsey, and Brandon, but when he saw Noelle there he ducked out of sight without being noticed.

As for Mrs. Gripling, she socialized with the rest of the guests and talked things over with her husband. Same with Winston, though most of his talk was working out his living arrangements. Despite the Griplings not being rich anymore he was going to stay with the family out of loyalty and fondness for Courtney and Blake. They planned to build a small house in the backyard for him once they could work it out, and in the meantime he was happy to sleep on the couch. Since he was more used to work than the Griplings were (not counting Mr. Gripling), Winston was going to earn most of the money until Mrs. Gripling, Courtney, and Blake could get the hang of things.

"Say Noelle," Carl said after finishing his first slice of cake. "Who gave you that photo of me and Polly anyway?"

"What?" Brandon said, confused.

Hoodsey explained to Brandon what had happened with Carl and Noelle's breakup and them getting back together.

"Now who would be cruel enough to try to breakup such a lovely couple?" Brandon asked.

"Blake Gripling gave me that photo." Noelle explained.

Carl dropped his mouth opened while Hoodsey did a spit-take of cake. Brandon clapped a hand over his mouth.

"What?" Carl gasped angrily.

He looked around, and spotted Blake trying to keep out of sight.

"YOU!" Carl dropped his plate of cake and ran towards Blake.

Blake noticed him immediately and ran away in terror. Noelle, Hoodsey, and Brandon watched, startled. Everyone else soon noticed and watched in shock.

"BLAKE GRIPLING, YOU GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!" Carl screamed.

The chase soon lead outside. At this point most of the guests realized who was being chased and who was doing the chasing. They quickly followed the chase outside.

"Carl!" Lois Foutley called out. "What the sam hill do you think you're doing?"

"Carl?" Ginger said, shocked; she had no idea her brother could go violent, mischievous yes but not violent.

"Blake?" Courtney was confused. "Why is your brother chasing my brother?" Courtney asked Ginger.

"I wish I knew." Ginger shrugged.

Carl suddenly pounced on Blake and started punching him! They rolled around, Carl punching Blake and Blake trying to block the punches.

"Carl! Stop that right now!" Lois scolded.

"Actually he has every right to do this." Hoodsey watched the scene frowning.

"Robert Joseph!" Mrs. Bishop gasped.

Hoodsey explained about Carl and Noelle, and what Blake did to break them up. Everyone was beyond shocked that Blake would do such a thing, especially Courtney and Mrs. Gripling.

Carl then slammed Blake against a tree and pinned him there!

"WHY?" Carl cried out. "WHY DID YOU DO IT, WHY DID YOU BREAK OUR HEARTS?"

Everyone became wide-eyed at that, especially at the 'break our hearts' part. Noelle blushed happily, glad that Carl wasn't shy about their relationship.

"Because..." Blake gasped out, before becoming indignant. "Because I wanted Noelle to be my girlfriend!"

Everyone gasped!

A.N. Okay some fans may not believe that, but I was wondering why Blake would do such a cruel thing even for revenge and this was the theory I came up with. I believe that once Carl noticed Noelle Blake noticed her too and became fascinated with her weirdness, later developing a crush on her.

"Why did you think I would ever date a weasel like you?" Noelle glared.

"Blake!" Courtney frowned disapprovingly. "I am appalled that you would do such a thing!"

"Courtney is right, when we get home you will be grounded for a month." Mrs. Gripling scolded. "And I'm locking up your tonsils for that time as well."

"Master Gripling I am very disappointed in you." Winston shook his head, actually looking hurt. "Hurting a couple like that is beneath you."

"You..." Carl suddenly raised a fist as if he was going to strike Blake big time!

Blake closed his eyes and looked away, flinching. They remained like that for a few seconds. Noelle, not wanting Carl to do anything hasty, ran up to him but slowed down when she neared him.

"Carl?" She said hesitantly, slowly putting a hand on his shoulder.

Carl suddenly relaxed, lowered his fist, and let go of Blake! Blake dropped to the ground, surprised and still a little scared.

"As furious as I am with you I could never stoop that low." Carl said to Blake coldly, starting to walk away. "But our truce is permanently over."

"That goes double for me!" Hoodsey glared in agreement.

Brandon gave Blake a raspberry in agreement.

Blake just lay there, panting.

Everyone went back inside, except for Mrs. Gripling who grabbed Blake by the arm and dragged him back home. Courtney apologized to Ginger, Carl, and Noelle for her brother being a backstabber, but Ginger replied that she knew that you can't always control your younger sibling. Carl only said that he was glad that Courtney wasn't the same as Blake. Noelle didn't say anything, but she did smile, showing that she was on friendly terms with Courtney.