Boy Meets World
"Lips are Sealed"
Series/ Sequel: Nope
Summary: Someone's keeping secrets...
Rating: PG (mild, mild language and slashiness)
Setting: AU seventh season.
Note: This a chapter story, told by four different people. This first part is Rachel's.
Feedback: Vixxxen@rocketmail.com
Disclaimer: They're not mine, because if they were, certain people would be shirtless.
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Chapter One- Rachel's POV
I know something the others don't.
I don't know if they're being obtuse or just blind, but they don't know.
It started earlier this year, right after we started school. Over the summer, we had come to a conclusion.
"This isn't working," we said together. And I meant it- nothing was right, not the communication, feelings, and *certainly* not the sex. I could tell by the way he was looking that he had sensed the same things.
"We'll still be friends, right, Rachel?" he asked hopefully.
"Of course," I said. "I can't imagine you not being my friend, Jack."
And that's how we went into our senior year, the way we began, JackRachelandEric, the three compadres'.
Which was cool. I didn't think about it much, I guess, what with Topanga's parents and her breakup with Cory, Shawn and Angela's problems and my own struggle to make it out of school. Although, I was kinda surprised when Eric didn't immediately try to jump my bones after me and Jack's breakup. I just chalked it up to our not being in the right place now.
Later, when all of our friends were back on track, I fully expected Eric to make his move then. He kept teasing me about how he was going to be all over me now that Jack was out of the picture. His words were all that he continued to use, though.
I started noticing little things, like how Jack would always sit next to Eric, how they were openly affectionate with each other, how they would consult each other when a big decision needed to be made. I also saw the looks they gave each other when the other wasn't looking. They had a curious mixture of longing and fear on their faces. It made me wonder why no one else was picking up on this.
I went out to lunch with Topanga and Angela and tentatively broached the subject. "Do you think that Jack and Eric are acting... strange?"
Two sets of bewildered eyes looked back at me. I belatedly remembered that I was not dealing with my friends in a sane state. This, after all, was the week before Topanga and Cory's wedding.
"Strange how, Rach?" Topanga asked.
"Well... never mind. Tell me about the honeymoon."
As she prattled on, I thought about all of the signs that had been in front of my face. And something occurred to me that made me suck in a breath. I could do something for two of the people who had done so much for me.
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After class (Feeny's, who else?) I grabbed Jack. "You promised to go out to lunch with me today, remember? Come on; I have reservations."
I practically dragged him out the door, noting the look that he threw at Eric.
I was silent all the way to the restaurant. I waited until we had ordered before I put on my serious face and said abruptly, "When are you going to tell him?"
"Tell who what?" Jack's whole body had 'confusion' written all over it.
"Tell Eric how you feel about him."
Jack choked on the salad that he was eating. Concerned, I got up and began frantically patting him on the back.
"Sorry. Next time I'll make sure that you aren't eating." I sat back down and started at him resolutely. "So, when?"
I could see in his eyes that he was seconds away from denying that he was feeling something deeper than friendship for his best friend, but then he sighed.
"How did you know?" With those words, I could see an invisible weight lifting from Jack's shoulders. I think that holding that secret inside was more painful than realizing how he felt about Eric.
"I know the two of you as well as I know myself. Look, for what it's worth, I think that you would get a good reception if you told him."
Jack stared at me for a second finding his voice. "But what... what if... I can't take losing his friendship." I was surprised by the amount of feeling in his voice. Just for a second, I wished that it was me he was talking... thinking about. But I pushed that thought aside.
"Well," I started carefully, "Just think about when you asked me out."
"But that's different."
"Why? Because you're both men?"
He started a little. "No, because, if you had said no, we would have been awkward for a few days, but we would have went back to normal, eventually. But if Eric didn't want to be than friends with me, than everything will be different, and I'd rather be Eric's friend than nothing at all."
I sat somberly for a few moments. Then I thought of something.
Why don't I talk to Eric? Like feel him out." As I was saying this, I knew that they would be together.
Jack had a soft smile on his face. "You really are a good friend. I owe you, like, everything."
"I know," I teased, touching his hand on the table. "But wait until I talk to Eric before you send the cash gifts."
A day later found me taking Eric to the same restaurant. With Eric being Eric, I wasn't sure what to expect. Sometimes he could be serious, but I happened to catch him when he was both sugared up and caffeinated. He was already bouncing up and down in his seat, waiting for the food.
"Eric! Hold still!" I sounded like I was talking to a little kid, but the look on Eric's face, excited impatience, was childlike. I decided that the same approach that I used for Jack would probably work for Eric. I sighed and said, "So, Eric, when are you going to tell him?"
Eric took a large bite of his cheeseburger before he answered. "I guess tonight."
This time, I was the one to choke. Eric handed me a glass of water. "Careful, Rach. I don't know CPR."
After I had gotten myself together, I asked slowly, "Do you know what I'm talking about?"
"Rachel," he said patiently. "I know you like I know myself."
I stared at him dumbly. "Okay, so what am I talking about?"
He spoke slowly and carefully, like I was a child. "You want Jack and me to hook up, and you want me to tell him that I like him like he likes me."
"Well put," I allowed. "Well, are you really going to talk to him?"
"Yes." he grinned. "I'm freakin' scared to death, but... I'm totally psyched!"
After that, there was nothing to say. I was mildly saddened that two of the coolest men I knew were only interested in each other. But it gave me hope that if all of my friends were settling down, then there must be someone out there for me.
I dropped Eric off at the apartment and headed back to my room. Angela was already there, apparently about to go out for the evening.
"Shawn and I are going out to dinner," she said, slipping into a silver sparkling top. "What are your plans?"
I mentally went over my prospects. Angela and Shawn were out, Cory and Topanga were probably 'staying in', so that left Eric and Jack for me to bug. "I'll probably hang with the guys tonight."
With that, I went back to the apartment. Shawn was on his way out as I walked in. "They're not here yet, but you can wait for them," he said, sounding a little out of breath.
"Will do. Have fun tonight." I went in and sat down on the couch, and waited for about 10 minutes. Then they came bursting through the door, laughing hysterically at something. They didn't notice me, watching them as if my life depended on it. When I opened my mouth to say something, I sat still in amazement as they started kissing. I felt as if I shouldn't be watching, not because it seemed wrong, but because it seemed to be so private. I wondered at how right they seemed together.
I finally found my voice and stood up. "Um, I'm here, but it's okay, so, um, I'm going now." I brushed past two surprised and blushing people and stood in the hallway, smiling ruefully.
"My work here is done," I said softly.
"Excuse me," I heard a new voice say. I looked up to see a man with sandy blond hair and hazel eyes. He was shorter than me, but who isn't?
"Did you say something to me?" he asked quizzically.
For some reason, I surprised myself by answering, "I will if you want me to."
Thankfully, he laughed. "My name is Stuart. Stuart Minkus."
"Rachel McGuire. So, are you new here?"
"Yeah, I transferred from UNY."
"Need someone to show you around?"
"Sure." We linked arms and walked into the day.
End, Chapter One
Next: Angela