Title: Anyone But You

Summary: Each and every day he goes especially out of his way to make her life hell. Little does he know the girl he mocks during the day is the very same girl he can't stop chatting with at night.

This is a Purpleangel (Rosie) and St. Elmo-lover (Briana) collaboration; we hope you enjoy!

10/09 Author Notes: I put up author notes as chapter 5 but then thought it was dumb to have a chapter just to tell you guys some stuff so I deleted it and posted it here. So there is no chapter 5. Anyway - Some of you are asking what Reid's screenname means... sorry, but I can not reveal that YET. It is actually an important part of the plot and well I don't want to give anything away. I know it might seem a little confusing with the whole Reid or Tyler thing but don't worry in a couple of chapters thing should start to clear up.

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The dark oasis of her slumber was fading and Andrea was gradually becoming aware of her surroundings. Slowly opening her eyes, she was immediately hit with the overwhelming whiteness of the room. Where am I? Did I die or something? Everything was white: from the wall to the color of the sheets on her body. If she didn't know any better she could have sworn she was in heaven.

As her eyes adjusted to the light, the rest of her body was hit with reality. Her entire body felt very sore, almost foreign, she usually felt like this when she was lying down for too long. Eyes scanning the room, she barely recognized herself to be in the nurses' office since she didn't have her glasses on.

As soon as she tried to sit up her head immediately began to pound and light-headedness rushed over her. Giving up on the idea, she laid back down snuggling deeper inside the covers. At least I don't have to be in class.

"What happened to me?" she asked herself, her voice coming out hoarse. I need something to drink, she thought as she felt a lump in her throatShe had definitely been asleep for a while, but she couldn't recall why.

Closing her eyes for a second she tried to remember why and how she ended up being here. In an attempt to rub away the haziness from her face, her hands came into contact with her nose. When she scrunched her face in pain, an even worse sensation shot threw her. She brought a finger up to her nose and slowly felt around it. It was than she realized what happened as her mind recalled the earlier events.

I can't believe I got hit in the face with a basketball! Lifting the sheets up she saw that she was still wearing her P.E. uniform and it confirmed her previous conclusion. Andrea pouted her lips as her hand gently massaged her nose. It was all his fault. That was the second time she had been so caught in her own thoughts about Reid and was brutally embarrassed for it. Why was I thinking about him anyway?

Sui Generis. The mystery online guy she had been talking to every night for about three weeks now. It just couldn't be possible that him and Reid were one and the same. No – God couldn't possibly hate her this much.

Part of her could see herself falling for a guy like Sui Generis – personality wise anyway. And there was no way she could ever fall for Reid Garwin – there was no way she could fall for that palely and scrawny sexist manwhore of an arrogant jackass. The image of Sui Generis she had created was too ideal to be tainted with anything even closely related to the blond boy wonder.

Even if Sui Generis turned out to be far from her mental image of him it would be okay. It wouldn't matter to her just as long as it wasn't the blond Son of Ipswich.

It could be anyone.

It had to be anyone but Reid Garwin.

But there is only one-way to find out, she mentally concluded, maybe if I just…

Her thoughts were quickly silenced when she heard voices coming from the outside the room. One of the voices was clearly feminine and she could assume it was the nurse. But the other voice she wasn't too sure about, it sounded like a guy. Not just any guy, it sounded like Reid.

Oh my god! Oh my god! What is he doing here!

"Andrea? Oh yes, she is right through those doors." She heard the nurse say followed by a polite 'thank you' from Reid.

I have to hide! With that thought in mind she took the sheets and covered her face. After a few seconds it finally hit her brain that this wasn't going to cut it as a hiding place. This is so stupid, she thought as she uncovered herself. Maybe if I pretend I'm sleeping he'll go away, she thought as she quickly shut her eyes as the to the door opened.

Reid quietly entered the room and immediately found who he was looking for. The only reason he was here was to apologize as ordered by Provost. He looked on her still form on the bed and assumed she was asleep. Thank god. He really didn't want to have to apologize for something that wasn't technically his fault. She should have had her eyes open, he reasoned with himself but as he stepped closer to her sleeping form, his eyes landed on her swollen nose and a pang of guilt ran through him. Dang, I hit her pretty hard.

His pale blue eyes studied her face carefully. It was the first time he had seen her without her glasses on. Not only that but her hair was loose from those horrible braids. Not bad, he thought to himself as his eyes scanned her delicate features. Aside from her swollen nose she could possibly be classified as pretty. Too bad she has the personality of a wet blanket.

Dismissing those thoughts, he continued gazing her features and soon enough his eyes then fell on her lips. They were dry but not chapped – despite her rough day her lips seemed rosy and oddly tantalizing. In order words they looked like they could be kissable... Yeah right. She has probably never even been kissed. Still, the thought intrigued much more in him than he would have cared to admit.

Even though her eyes were closed she could feel the goose bumps run up and down her arms from his intense staring. She was beginning to think that pretending to be asleep wasn't such a good idea after all. Just as she was about to come clean and open her eyes when she felt his body shift to hover over her. What is he going to do, her mind wondered as she restrained herself from moving an inch.

Reid placed a hand on the side of her bed and slowly lowered himself closer to her face. Without a moment's hesitation he bent down completely and covered her lips with his own. The kiss was chaste and ended within the minute it started. Straightening up, he placed his fingers over his lips and slightly began to tap at them. Taking one last look at the girl he turned around and walked out the door.

As soon as Reid walked out the room, Andrea sprung straight up on the bed. "Wha..?" she mumbled out unable to form any coherent words or thoughts. She placed her fingers over her lips; I can still feel his lips, she thought, as her blush got deeper. Her heart was racing and all she could do was fall back down on the bed. What the heck was that all about?!

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Reid suantered towards his next class, the class he had missed about forty minutes of already. But for some reason, he couldn't find it in him to care. Wait. Who was he kidding? He never cared. He could have cared less actually. He was Reid Garwin...And yet a certain girl was riding through his thoughts. He had to admit that he kind of felt bad about the whole thing. After seeing her nose like that and how peaceful she looked just lying there and sleeping...

He shook his head. He couldn't and shouldn't be having thoughts like that. He was thinking about the girl he loved to make fun of all the time. It was like a hobby to make fun of her and he was used to it. That kiss was due to mere curiosity and nothing more. Feeling bad for her or feeling an ounce of pity was not allowed, not when you're Reid Garwin. And that's what he had to keep telling himself. He was Reid Garwin.

I'm so sick of being Reid Garwin, he finally decided as he reached out a hand to pull open the door. A green binder sat in his other hand that read World Geography. It was a pretty easy class but the teacher wasn't really one to go easy on slackers, which meant coming in late was going to get him a nice little lecture after class or some other time when nobody else was around. The teacher always liked to ride on him because Reid never really tried. Reid was a personal fan of the speech "You're so smart. If only you tried harder and paid attention." That was the one he got thrown at him by a majority of his teacher. That and the one about letting his reputation get in the way of his education. That one he wasn't so great on, though, because they always found a way to insult him in it. He liked being told he was smart...

"Mr. Garwin." the teacher said sternly as he turned from the blackboard. "I should have known you would show up late...or not at all." Reid gave a carefree shrug followed by a smirk. He was already making his way up towards his desk and he knew the teacher couldn't see him as he stuck out his tongue and made a very obscene jesture with his hand.

"I was in the nurse's office." Reid told the old guy calmly. His voice seemed to float above the rest of the students and all eyes were focused on him. He was sure they were all waiting for him to come up with some witty comment like he always did. Today, though, he wasn't feeling it. He was too tired after all that drama.

"I guess I can accept that. But I'm going to check on your story later." the teacher told him with a loud, irritated sigh. It made Reid want to pucnh the guy but with some great show of self-restriction he manged to take his seat next to Tyler instead. He grinned at the younger boy and flashed him a cocky wink but the other boy only turned away from him with a disgusted look.

What's his problem, Reid wondered as he slouched over his desk and prepared to sleep. He was ready to get some shut eye after all that drama...

"Class is over." a voice snapped from beside him. A large, heavy thing connected with his shoulder and Reid jumped up right, ready for some threat that wasn't really there.

"Oh." he mumbled tiredly as he rubbed his eyes. Tyler was standing over him with an irritated and pissed off look and Reid knew he was on the verge of another lecture but what he got was the least expected.

"You're such a jerk." Tyler told before he slapped his palm down on the desk next to Reid's arm. "What the hell did she ever do to you? She's probably one of the nicest quietest girls and you make it your life goal to make her life a living hell. I can't believe you Reid. Sometimes, I think you can't sink any lower and then you do. It's ridiculous. You need to grow up and face the fact that you can't control everyone for the rest of your life. There's going to be someone out there that can control you and I hope I'm around to see that. God!" Tyler gritted his teeth with anger one last time before he turned away from Reid. His stomps could be heard from the other classroom as he made his way down the stairs.

All Reid could do was stand there shocked with his eyes following his pissed off friend as he marched out the door.

What the hell had just happened?

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Tyler seethed as he slammed the door behind him. He had actually made it to his dorm room without hitting anyone or snapping somebody's head off. He was actually quite impressed with himself. But it didn't last long. He coudln't say how long it had been since he was this angry. He could feel it, pumping through his veins and infect every part of his body. His heart was even seething with anger. But he couldn't help it. He knew he was right. Andrea had never done anything to Reid and the guy treated her like crap. Tyler was ashamed to call Reid his best friend now, especially after Reid had hit her in the nose with that basketball. He could still see her teared up eyes as he carried her to the hospital wing. She had looked so broken in that moment.

That was what made him realize Reid and all his little tricks were really doing a number on her. Not only physically but mentally, too. The girl was completely broken. No doubt she went through her day trying to decide what one Reid Garwin was going to do to her today.

His bookbag collided with a near by wall and he let out a long string of curses. He was going to go see her and trying his hardest to make it up to her. He knew it wasn't his job but he felt some sort of pull to her. She was nice and quiet and she had a sense of humor like no other.

With that thought and the anger edging away, he opened his door again and calmly walked out. He was determined now to see her and try and make her smile and laugh. He knew it was going to be hard and he probably wasn't going to succeed but it was worth a try.

By the time he got there, he had worked up a whole plan in his head. A huge line of jokes and a long topic of things to talk about. He was ready for this.

With a push of his hand the door to her room opened and he smiled when he found her sitting up in bed, looking around the room. He guessed she was trying to find something to do and he knew she was probably preying to get out of there.

"How you feeling?" were the first words out of his mouth and he gave himself a mental pat on the back for not screwing up yet. Round 1 goes to Tyler!

She looked cute when she scrunched up her nose like that, he decided as he walked closer. He let out a little chuckle and casually rested his elbow on her bed. He secretly hoped he wasn't making her feel crowded though.

"My nose hurts a lot." she told him simply, as if he couldn't have already guessed. His chuckle got louder this time and he patted her leg softly.

"I'm sorry Reid hit you with the basketball." Tyler said softly, his guilt finally coming through.

Her eyes snapped wide as her mouth gapped open. A mixed expression of confusion and anger spread across her face. "It was Reid that threw the basketball?" Andrea cried, all of her muslces suddenly going tight. I should have known, her mind screamed as she struggled to remember the events.

"Yeah. I thought you knew that..." Tyler trailed off with a bewildered look in her direction. Had she not seen the ball? "I had to help you to the nurse's office. Don't you remember?" he looked at her with an eyebrow raised this time. He wasn't sure how she would react if he should give her any sort of pity. Most of the time people didn't want it, so he was trying his best not to give it.

"No. I didn't know you helped me either." a soft smile spread across the girls cracked and dry lips and Tyler couldn't help but smile back. She was a contagious type of person he guessed. "Thanks." she told him. This time it was her hand that patted his arm and he couldn't help the grin that washed over him. He was actually kind of happy that he was getting this much out of her. He was surprised she had ever uttered a word. Most of the time she didn't say much.

"Andrea." a soft voice called out. The boy and the girl turned, their attention drawn from each other suddenly and Tyler noted with relief that it was only the nurse. "You can go now. But come back if your nose starts to bleed again. I don't want you passing out." the nurse said sternly, she had only peaked her head in the door and she looked kind of like a floating head. It almost made Tyler laugh...almost.

"Thanks." Andrea said softly. She slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed and Tyler moved to help her. "Let me help." he told her sternly when she tried to shove his arms away. He got a weird look for a few seconds but she finally came around and let him help her. Her legs were shaky as she finally stood up and he could tell that if he wasn't holding on to her from her shoulders, that she would have fallen by now. He, himself, couldn't remember how long she had been out.

"Just take it slow and steady." he told her as he steered her towards the door. She was trembling underneath his hands and again he had to stop the wave of pity that wanted to wash over him. He had to focus on what he was doing and nothing else.

Slowly and surely the pair made it down a few flights of stairs and over a couple of hallways before the small girl pronounced that they had reached her dorm room. Tyler nodded with a bit of disappointed but didn't let go. He was afraid that if he did, she would fall and he wouldn't be able to catch her.

"You can come in if you want. It's the least I can do to thank you." she whispered. Her voice was back to being hoarse and he wondered if she needed a glass of water. He was determinded to take care of her after all and he nodded his head vigorously.

"I think that's a good idea." he told her. She slowly opened the door and he was suprised to find it unlocked. A roomate, if one did exist, was absent and that made him strangly comforted. He slowly lead her to her bed and made sure she got in ok before he took a spot by her feet.

Random things started to flow from his mouth. The list of things he had made up to talk to her forgotten. He didn't need a list to talk to her anyway. He was just going to be himself and hopefully that would be enough...

A few hours later the exhausted girl had finally fallen asleep and after a few minutes of watching her peacefully dream Tyler tucked the covers in around her. Her pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head for good measure and slipped out of her room without a sound.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Slowly but surely the sleepiness was fading and she was becoming conscious of her surroundings. Looking down at herself she saw that she was tucked in behind her covers but couldn't recall herself even falling asleep. The last thing her mind could remember was coming into the dorm room with Tyler and...

"Oh no," she gasped as she realized what she had done. I can't believe I fell asleep on him. Andrea felt a wave of guilt wash over her. I'll just apologize to him tomorrow, she mentally concluded as she reached over and grabbed her laptop from her nightstand. There was only one thing she wanted right now and that was to talk to Sui Generis. Signing on, she smiled as she saw the screenname appear on her buddylist as online. A couple of minutes passed by and he didn't send her a message. That's weird, she thought, he always sends me a message first. Deciding to take matters into her own hands, she clicked the name and sent the first message.

APPASSIONATA: hey there.

SUI GENERIS: oh hey I didn't notice u were on.

APPASSIONATA: yeah I can see that.

APPASSIONATA: usually the second I'm on you send me an aim.

SUI GENERIS: I have some things on my mind

APPASSIONATA: did something bad happen

SUI GENERIS: I guess you can say that...

APPASSIONATA: wanna talk about it?

SUI GENERIS: my best friend... he just completely blew up at me today

SUI GENERIS: the things he said...

SUI GENERIS: its like he doesnt even know me

APPASSIONATA: people say things they don't mean sometimes

SUI GENERIS: no he meant what he said – trust me

SUI GENERIS: of all people he was supposed to understand

SUI GENERIS: how i feel about... stuff...

APPASSIONATA: then talk it out with him

APPASSIONATA: whatever it is... its not worth losing your best friend

SUI GENERIS: but... he started it

APPASSIONATA: real mature

APPASSIONATA: still be the bigger person and apologize

SUI GENERIS: looks like someone watches too much oprah

APPASSIONATA: I'm just trying to help

SUI GENERIS: I know

SUI GENERIS: I think we should call it a night

APPASSIONATA: Wait!

SUI GENERIS: I know you love talking to me but I need to get some sleep

APPASSIONATA: Ha ha there you go with the cockiness again

APPASSIONATA: but... just so you know... i'll be here... whenever you need to talk that

SUI GENERIS: its weird

APPASSIONATA: what is?

SUI GENERIS: talking to a girl like that

APPASSIONATA: oh...

SUI GENERIS: but i like it.

APPASSIONATA: good. cause i like it too.

Andrea ran a hand across her cheek and could feel herself blushing. It was silly to be getting flustered over an online conversation with a guy that was more or less a complete stranger. Still... she couldn't contain the grin spreading on her face and the strange sensation running through her. Oh god! She mentally groaned as she tried to shake the absurd thoughts out of her head. Her eyes landed on the clock on her night stand and once again groaned. It had already become almost two in the morning.

APPASSIONATA: its late...

SUI GENERIS: yeah i know

APPASSIONATA: talk to you tomorrow ?

SUI GENERIS: I look forward to it my lover girl

SUI GENERIS has signed off.

Andrea shut down her laptop as she fell back against the headboard of her bed. A content smile found its way on her face. Despite being hit with a basketball and being kissed by that prick, today was better than she expected it to be. Besides getting to spend time with Tyler, it was the conversation with Sui Generis that really made her heart content. All because of that simple conversation. The conversation that lay to rest her worst nightmare. Now she was certain, there was no way Sui Generis was Reid Garwin.

Now the only question was, if it really wasn't Reid than who was he?

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Purpleangel - Author Notes:

We hope you still love the story after that long wait for an update, but hopefully it was worth it. Please be sure to feed the authors by leaving a review.

St.elmo-lover- Author's Notes:

Same, lol. FEED US! Sorry it took so long guys. I had technical difficulties with my computer. :( Thank Rosie for keeping on me with this.