A/N: Thanks for the reviews Y'ALL! The plot doesn't really kick in till next chapter, as things are just being set up. You'll see how she reacts with one more 'son' before things are set…then you can join her in her personal hell. I love torturing her. Anyway, here is your third chapter!

3. caffeinated persuasion

FUCK, IT'S STILL MONDAY MORNING

10AM

Friends are people that wake you up for school in the morning when they know you've had a long day. Good friends are the ones that bring in a cup of coffee to get you energized from the crappy night you've had working on a viciously long assignment. Apparently, best friends are the ones that do none of the above, but leave you a crappy post-it saying:

You looked so beautiful, I couldn't wake you. Also, you sleep like the dead. KISS KISS, BROOKIEKINS

I quickly sprinted down the hallway, my white blouse left un-tucked from its proper place under my itchy kilt. My cardigan was fit snugly on one arm, but the rest of it dangled behind my back, unable to find its way to my other arm. My tie was wrapped around my neck like a scarf and my unsuccessful attempt at finding my Mary Jane's resulted in me wearing Brooke's black hooker heels for the day. Basically, I was a mess. And of course, just as I was about to turn back to my dorm—because, let's face it, I looked like post-pregnancy Britney Spears and even I could admit it—I came face to face with an equally late Caleb Danvers who was panting from a strenuous run to our Literature class. He propped his hand on the doorway, leaning against it as he breathed out and in loudly. His breathing fell short when his eyes travelled to me. He smiled.

"Don't even say it, Danvers," I sighed, slouching down to the ground. At any rate, the teacher would pop his sorry head out of the room and wonder why his star students were having a conversation in the hall rather than attending class. "I know I look like shit… Tell Mr. William's I have a cold or something. I'm calling it a day."

He seemed hesitant as he stared from one end of the hall to the next and then finally to the door of our classroom. He smirked, "How about a cup of coffee on me? You look like you really need it."

I paused, my mouth hanging open unattractively.

"Let me rephrase that: you look like a train wreck," he repeated more harshly, holding out his hand.

I slipped my hand into his as he pulled me up. After I dusted off some dirt (which couldn't have possibly made me look worse than I already did), I swatted him on the arm. "And you look like a sweaty beast, but you don't see me complaining."

"Hey, I'm paying for the coffee, aren't I?"

I rolled my eyes. I really hated arrogant bitches.

10:15AM

I rested my laptop on my thighs as Caleb and I sat on a comfy couch in the lounge area. The hooker heels were taking a well-deserved break as well on the coffee table for all to see. I could just imagine the Provost's expression if he saw his two star students skipping class with one another… in school no less. He'd blow a gasket.

"Still working on Chem?" he inquired with that telltale arrogance I hated so much.

My eyes flickered from the screen to his eyes, until I rested them back onto my almost finished assignment, "If you must know…yes."

"Tyler no help?" For some reason, he seemed a bit happy about that… I didn't want to jump to conclusions, but I could have sworn that Tyler's inadequacy was all apart of Caleb's diabolical ploy. Okay, so maybe the brunette wasn't that devious…

I laughed, "He was busy helping someone else into his room. Or, was it into his pants? I forget which one."

He choked on his coffee, evidently surprised. "He what?"

Well, that rules out the diabolical Danvers scenario.

"I'll give your friend this; she was one hot piece of ass."

I could feel his penetrating stare, but I was too concentrated on deciding which note to embed into my conclusion.

"So, he ditched you to screw a girl?"

"Wow, you catch on quick, don't you, Danvers?" I chuckled, meeting his gaze. He had that deadpan expression that meant business. Why was he so serious? I forgave and forgot about Tyler's incident at a record low time and I didn't even know the bastard that well. "Don't sweat it, Caleb. It's fine."

"No, it's not," he shook his head. "I'm really sorry. I never would have suspected this from Tyler."

"Well, you don't have to worry. He's making it up to me on our next project together."

"You'd actually trust him again?" he asked with surprised. "I mean, he's my friend, but I didn't think you'd-"

"He pinky-swore so that automatically makes it official."

"When you're four."

I threw a part of my muffin at him, "Shut up. I'm a big believer in the pinky-swear."

"That doesn't exactly mean he is too."

"Wow, I can see how much faith you have in him. It's amazing," I replied sarcastically.

"I'm just warning you. He's highly influenced by Reid…for some reason unknown to me," he rolled his eyes, pulling out a few notes from his bag.

I leaned back further onto the couch. "Why are you telling me this?"

He shrugged. "I trust you." Enter huge smirk. "And, us smart people have to stick together."

"You mean, us, nerds." I corrected him, as I typed a few more short sentences. "And, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to get me out of this little arrangement. Is it perhaps because you want to work with me? Has Caleb Danvers finally admitted that I, Mitchie Lovell, am better than him in something?"

"I wouldn't go that far, Chi," he answered with a tired expression as he massaged the back of his neck. There was something he wasn't telling me…or something he was trying to tell me, but he wanted me to figure it out. After a moment of silence—minus the incessant keyboarding sounds I created via my laptop—I finally got it. I was pretty dense most of the time, but sometimes, I had my moments. "You just don't want to work with Kira again."

"Took the words right out of my mouth," he replied honestly with dry humour. It was obvious he really didn't like her. Actually, it was obvious that all his friends didn't like her.

"But, she's smart."

"And annoying."

"Efficient."

"But, annoying."

"Hard working," I countered once more. But, his face said it all. I sighed, "but annoying."

"Exactly."

"Why don't you just work with someone else? I bet people are just begging to-"

"Because I want to work with someone who will actually do the work," he interrupted me, staring me right in the eye. I knew that look. There was another reason why. God, just what the heck was wrong with this guy? Instead of beating around the bush, he could have just told me exactly why he wanted to work with me right now so he'd save us minutes of unnecessary conversation…and bantering.

"Marcy, Lauren, Paige, and Lila always do their work," I countered back.

"Do you notice anything common between the four of them?"

"They're all girls," I paused, "…that like you."

He nodded his head.

"So, let me get this straight: you want to work with me because I don't like you?"

"Pretty much."

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. What a high maintenance whore.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR REID: Firstly, I hope you liked it :D More importantly, if you review, can you give me an idea on how MITCHHHie should encounter REID? I have the Pogue scenario already thought out and half-written, but I'm drawing a blank on the Reid one. It should be one that makes him look like a dumbass…so, it shouldn't be that hard to write, but somehow, I'm clueless right now. Anyway, thanks for your time.

MUCH LUB,

soHAPPY