"But…"

"Cat got your tongue, Jay? Or is that gonorrhea, perhaps?"

"Shut up. What the hell are you doing here, Lexi? I thought you already graduated…" Jay asked dumbfounded.

"I did," Alex replied, "but if I ever want to be accepted into a good university, I'll have to improve my marks. I'm here to replace my old grades. Just like you, I don't want to be a loser for the rest of my life."

"Huh. Who would've thought that a couple of thugs like us would willingly spend this much time in school?" he said jokingly.

Alex nodded her head. "I know. I think our former selves would've kicked our asses for even considering this. It's funny how things can change so quickly."

"Yeah, I hear ya. So, when did you get so good at English?" Jay raised an eyebrow at her. Lexi never used to be into this stuff.

"Ever since I was dying of boredom this summer. I picked up a new habit, and a good one at that: reading. Can you imagine me sitting down on the couch with my nose in a book? I'm still a bit shocked," she chuckled as Jay shook his head at her. "Well, let's get started. How far have you gotten in Franny and Zooey?"

The next hour flew by. Alex and Jay fell into a good rhythm and managed to stay focused on their discussion of the book for the entire period. They were so engrossed in their chat that they didn't even notice the bell ring. Wow, Lexi is a really great teacher. I'm actually starting to understand some of this Salinger stuff! After another five minutes of talking, Jay realized that the day was over. "Well, I guess that's it for today, Lexi. I never would've pictured you as the teaching type, but you've got some madd skillz. Damn!"

Alex chuckled at his grin. "Why thank you, Mr. Hogart. You're not a half-bad student yourself. It's too bad the same thing can't be said about your dating material," she said with a smirk.

"Hey, watch it Nuñez. You'll bruise my ego," he said as he placed a hand on his chest over his heart.

"So does this mean that we're friends again? Because I missed hanging with you. Who else can I constantly bad-mouth guilt-free?"

"Ha, funny," he said in a mock serious tone, but soon burst out laughing. "You know you want me."

"Lesbian here, remember?"

"Of course. Not that it matters anyway, since I already have my eye one somebody else."

"And would this certain someone happen to be Greenpeace?" Alex said with a small, knowing smile. Jay gaped at this statement.

"What?!!!"

"Look at that face, it's priceless! Oh please, Jayson. I know you better than that. So….whatcha gonna do about it, huh?"

"Nothing."

"That's it?"

"I can't give her what she deserves. Besides, after all that I put her through last year, how could she even like me? She's much better than that, better than me." Jay sighed and hung his head in silence.

Alex considered him for a moment. His arms were crossed over his chest in his typical Jay-way, and even though he appeared relaxed leaning back in his chair, his eyes were filled with sadness. If you didn't know him very well, you'd think there was nothing wrong with him; that he was just spacing out. But this was Alex: she could see right through him. "Wow, you're in deep, more so than I thought. You must really like her."

"Yeah, I do. But it doesn't matter, she hates me," Jay said dejectedly.

"You can't know that for sure. Have you even tried talking to her?"

"Sort of…every time I try to say something, she just cuts me off." Jay let out a frustrated sigh.

"Well, that's not good enough, Hogart. You need to try harder. You're not the same person that you were a year ago. Anyone with a fully-functional brain can notice that." She started laughing and continued. "Sure, you're still cocky as hell, but you've also got this mysterious Mr. Sensitive thing going on."

"Ha! In your dreams, Lexi."

"Yeah, keep trying to fool yourself, because you won't be foolin' me!"

"Thanks for the pep talk, Mom," Jay said sarcastically.

Alex answered with a smirk, "Anytime, son. So, meet me at the Dot later tonight? I'll be studying there for an upcoming history test with a few people," she said as she winked at Jay.

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea, Alex."

"Oh, grow a pair, would ya?"

"Fine, I'll be there at 7," he said with a huff.

"Fantastic. See you then, loverboy." Alex batted her eyelashes playfully and left the library, leaving Jay to roll his eyes at her.

Great, now what am I going to say to Emma?