"What is taking her so long?" Karma pondered, constantly turning her attention toward the bathroom door. "What have you done to her? Did you try it on with her again?"

Reagan rolled her eyes, hard. Turning her attention her plate. It was obvious that Clementine had ordered for her in her absence and she gave a slight nod of the head in appreciation.

"Are you really going to eat all that?" Jonah asked as he watched Aspen wolfing down her orders.

Aspen speared a small pile of pancakes with her fork. "What does it look like shithead?"

"Ohhh. Feisty." Jonah growled.

"I see you didn't develop a backbone while I was away," Amy remarked dryly taking her seat next to Karma.

"Oh, you're finally back!" Karma clapped.

"Obviously. Hey buddy, why don't you focus your attention on your girlfriend?" Amy demanded as she watched the way Jonah was practically drooling over Aspen.

"Woah, Woah, Woah. Who said anything about me and her being exclusive!?"

Karma shrunk in her seat as everyone at the table paused and turned their attention toward her.

"Wow…" Aspen muttered. "It's a shame I can't just tip all this food into my bag and just leave. You're a real piece of work dude."

"Yeah, thanks for the food" Clementine chimed in. "But you are a bit of a jerk!"

"Don't pile on him! It's my fault for not asking first. We haven't even discussed it." Karma insisted.

Amy shook her head and reached for her fork, cringing as her inured knuckles caused her discomfort.

Reagan frowned, "What happened?" she mouthed gesturing to her own knuckles.

Amy said nothing, shoving her injured hand under the table and out of sight.

"I don't really care for this atmosphere. I'm gonna go sit in a separate booth." Francis declared. "Wanna come with?"

"Yeah. I really do." Clementine confirmed carefully packing up her things and following Francis away from the less than ideal situation at hand.

"And then there were six." Aspen muttered, steadily increasing the pace at which she was eating.

Reagan watched Aspen in amusement because she seemed to be eating her food without even bothering to chew it. Amy watched both of them in jealousy.

"If you keep eating that fast you're going to make yourself sick. And don't expect me to hold your hair this time because you're truly bringing this on yourself." Reagan warned.

"Yeah I'm doing it on purpose so that you can look after me when I throw my guts up later tonight."

"I literally just told you that I'm not going to do that."

"But you will, because you always do. That's what i like about you. You're too kind for your own good."

"True."

"Why don't you two get a room, and then I'll join you both later." Jonah winked.

"You wish dude." Reagan countered.

"Can't blame a guy for trying."

The table was suddenly shaking with the force of Amy's clenched firsts. "For gods sake Karma! Get a fucking backbone! Say something! Do something!" she seethed through her teeth before storming out of the diner - James following closely behind.

"What the hell is her problem?" Jonah asked.

"Are you joking right now?" Aspen mumbled around a fork full of scrambled egg.

Jonah shook his head, genuinely surprised and oblivious to his actions.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom," Karma stammered, her eyes misting from the tears that were quickly forming.

"And then there were three," Reagan sighed.

Amy closed her eyes, drew a deep breath and braced herself against the wall.

"Babe, you're shaking." James noted upon seeing Amy's trembling fists.

"No, I'm not!" Amy denied. "See." She unfurled her fists and extended her hands palms down.

Her hands trembled noticeably. Amy shoved them behind her back

"Okay well…"

"What's wrong? You were pretty harsh on Karma back there." James asked.

"No I wasn't. I was right. Why is she with that scumbag? Did you see how slimey he was being? He is just so gross. Why can't she stand up for herself? Why can't she just be brave? Why does she feel the need to force herself into such a shitty relationship? I don't get it. It's just so frustrating!"

"Babe...that's a bit...don't you think that's a bit of an overreaction?" James asked tentatively.

"No. In fact I feel as if it was a bit of an under reaction if I'm being honest."

"I thought they were just...you know. Hook up buddies?"

Amy stifled a laugh.

"What?"

"Hook up buddies? Are we still in high school. It's Fuck buddies. They're Fuck buddies."

"Oh. So you are overreacting. If they aren't in a relationship then why do you care so much?" James smirked, pleased that he had caught Amy out.

"Because I-"

The bell on the diner door rung as everyone started filtering out.

"You know what? You're right!" Amy said quickly. "I don't care. Why should I? Let's just go." she decided pulling James along by the hand.

Reagan was the last out of the cafe and saw the trail end of Amy dragging James down the street and out of sight.

"So!" Jonah clapped. "Party tonight you guys? I'm hosting!"

"Will there be fo-"

"Yes, there will be food. Same as last time." Jonah confirmed.

"Okay. I'm in." Reagan nodded.

"Just what I was hoping you would say! What about the rest of you guys? You in?"

Tears stung Karma's eyes yet again. "Wait. I thought we were spending the rest of this day together!? What happened to that?"

"Changed my mind. Party sounds much cooler." Jonah shrugged.

"Oh...okay yeah. Yeah. You're right. Staying in is boring anyway. We're in college, we should be partying, not wasting time inside!"

"This girl gets it!" Jonah laughed slinging his arm around Karma.

Aspen noticed how Karma's expression changed from disappointment to elation at the slight bit of attention Jonah threw to her. Her heart hurt for Karma because she knew what it was like. It was the reason she and Reagan had started hooking up in the first place, so that she could get over this guy she was seeing. But still, when she thought about it it still stung a little bit. The way he balked when she suggested that they become a couple, the way he would call her any hour of the day and she would go running, they way he ended it by never speaking to her again. The fact they went to the same college made it all the more insulting. It's not as if they were long distance, they see each other practically every single day and yet he acts like they have never met before. So yeah, Aspen could relate to Karma a little. Even if she was admittedly very annoyed by the girl.

"I'm surprised you're coming to the party Reagan. After how it ended last time I would have thought you would be keeping your distance. But some people just can't take a hint I guess." Karma snarked.

No scratch that. Aspen hated the girl.