I really wanted to get this chapter up before leaving for FL on Friday. Due to FL trip, this probably won't be updated for about a week-I'll be working on it, though!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot. I don't even watch the show anymore.

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Chapter 4

"Macy."

The voice startled her the next day and she spun around, eyes wide and grip tight on her books. If Nick could stop showing up at odd times, she might be able to come up with words better.

"Are you…alright?" he asked, eyeing her up and down before raising an eyebrow in question. Clearing her throat and attempting a small nod, Macy spoke what came to her mind.

"I'm fine." She said softly, turning and walking slowly as he fell into step next to her. Why did she feel so glum today? Was it because she couldn't work up the nerve to translate that one, simple phrase? Was it because she wanted him to really mean the words-but she knew he didn't?

"You don't look fine." He stated, making her shrug with a small sigh before looking up into his eyes. Obviously, Nick was waiting for her to cave and tell him her problem, but how could she do that when it was him?

"I'm definitely fine." She assured him, eyes slowly turning away from his face and down the hall as they walked along in silence.

"You look a bit 'minor' actually." His words came and at first Macy began to roll her eyes inside at his persistence, but then she caught that one little word and smiled to herself.

"That's an easy one, too." Macy spoke up, turning her bright smile on Nick now, "Can't you come up with anything more challenging?"

"If it's so easy then tell me," Nick gestured to himself, "Tell me what you think it means."

"I'd say it would mean you thought I looked a little down, sad, depressed, low…You get the idea." She trailed off, biting her tongue just to keep from staring at his eyes for too long. If she tripped, she'd be humiliated.

But then he'd help you up, and your hands would touch.

Macy smiled wider.

No, focus!

"Darn. You're right again." Nick shook his head, sighing in mock annoyance before winking at her. Cheeks growing slightly warm, Macy wondered if maybe it would be better if he didn't wink at her. Like, ever again.

"I told you." Macy laughed, "You come up with easy ones all the time."

"Well the first one wasn't so easy." Nick spoke up, and Macy felt suddenly warm at his bringing it up. He gave her a sideways glance, eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to read her thoughts, "You know, the love song one?" his voice grew quieter with the last couple of words.

"I know." She admitted softly.

"You really have no idea what-" Nick began and Macy panicked inwardly at his question, but was saved when Joe and Kevin fell into step on either side of them, saving her from Nick's question.

"Hey, guys!" Kevin spoke brightly, and maybe a little louder then was necessary.

"So Kevin and I were just talking," Joe spoke up cheerfully, "And we were wondering if a banana-" This time it was Joe's turn to be cut off, but he didn't seem to mind in the least when Stella grabbed his arm.

"Joseph." She said firmly, "I need to see that outfit I gave you to wear to the concert tomorrow."

"Uh, why?" Joe asked, raising his eyebrows in question, "You just gave it to me last night-I swear I didn't touch it. There's nothing wrong with it."

"I need to look at it." Stella insisted in all seriousness, give Joe a look that clearly said there should be no arguing with the stylist. Suddenly looking a little nervous, Joe cast a quick look at Nick.

"Did you tell her?" he whispered, eyes wide in panic.

"No, she just knows these things." Nick shrugged.

"Yes, I do." Stella nodded proudly with a grin, "So after school-….wait." Joe looked worried again, having thought he was about to get by that time. The blonds eyes narrowed suspiciously as she stopped in her steps-all the others stopping also.

"What exactly do I know?" she demanded slowly, eyes nearly boring holes into Joe's scared looking face.

"Uh…" Joe glanced at Kevin before returning his eyes to Stella, lifting his hands in a slight, uncertain shrug, "I don't know?"

"Kevin, do you know what he's talking about?" Stella turned on her next victim, pointing at Joe without even looking away from the oldest boys face. Joe stopped his attempt at sneaking off and groaned.

"Uh…I…well…" Kevin was watching Joe, who was standing behind Stella shaking his head fiercely, that having no affect, he began giving cut throat signals to Kevin and mouthing "no" desperately.

Macy took this entertaining moment to sneak a glance at the younger Lucas boy, her gaze sweeping over Nick before she gave a small sigh. He had that almost smile playing on his lips and his hands in his pockets.

As if feeling her gaze on him, Nick turned to look at Macy, giving a half smile when their eyes met. Hoping he didn't know she had been staring, Macy snapped her eyes back to the others.

"Stop helping him, Joe." Stella snapped, not even turning to look at him, but keeping her sharp, glaring eyes on Kevin.

"How does she do that?" Joe demanded instantly, looking at Nick for an answer-as if he had the answer to everything. Nick only shrugged, feeling partially distracted by the girl standing next to him. He just hoped his fidgetiness wasn't visible.

"No, of course not." Kevin's voice finally spoke, but Macy had to suppress a giggle at his "lying voice".

"Joseph," Stella growled, glaring at Kevin's poor attempt at a lie, "I. Will. Kill. You." With that she spun around to face Joe, but found him already gone, and turned to look at Nick questioningly.

Her expression was completely different when she wanted a favor from someone, and Macy noticed you wouldn't suspect a thing by the way she looked at Nick confusedly.

"He ran at Kevin's squeaky 'no'." Nick informed her, pointing in the direction his brother had run. Kevin took that moment to hit his little brother on the back of the head with a glare.

"Dude, you know it's true." Nick pointed out, "Everyone knows your 'lying voice'."

Kevin only walked off to class, leaving Macy and Nick alone again. The door she had to go through was only a few yards away and she itched to sprint for it. If Nick remembered where their conversation had been going previously…

"Where were we?" Nick spoke up in a tone that clearly showed he knew, and Macy felt her heart rate speed up at the conversation he was trying to trigger.

"I've gotta get to class!" she announced to him, without actually meeting his eyes or even turning to him.

And she ran.

And she ran.

Sorry, I just like that last sentence. Lol

Any suggestions for "music language" are greatly appreciated! I love reviews! I love constructive criticism! So, review no matter how bad you think this is!