Norma used the key that Alex gave her last night and walked into the apartment. Alex was sitting on the couch watching TV when he saw her. He smiled as she closed the door behind her.

"Hey babe. Did you bring some leftovers?"

"Sorry, I forgot."

He immediately sensed something was wrong and stood up and glided over to her. He grabbed her shoulders and looked in her face, his eyes wandering all over her.

"Why were you crying?" Her red eyes was the first thing he noticed. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. He guided her to the couch so that she could sit down. "Talk to me. Please," Alex nearly begged.

"Everything was going fine until I talked to Rebecca."

Alex felt his ears heating up and he was sure his face was about to turn red. He couldn't stand the girl, and he'd never seen Norma so upset before over her. It made him furious.

"What'd she do now?"

"She just said something... I don't really want to talk about it. Anyway, I guess I'll be moving in here soon. Guess you get your wish after all," she looked at him and looked away, then stood up. Alex noticed she had a tone in her voice that he didn't understand. She was giving him an attitude. He stood up and followed her into the kitchen.

"Why'd you say it like that? I wanted this for the both of us. I did all of this for you Norma. I'm not responsible for what happened between you and Rebecca. Let's be honest, that friendship was bound to dissolve sooner or later."

She slammed the fridge door shut but didn't turn around. "Why do you keep saying things like that? You're part of the reason why me and her were fighting for so long anyway."

He frowned and grabbed her arm to turn her around to face her. "How do I have anything to do with that?"

"She warned me about you."

Alex stood there shocked, but angry. Warned? "What the hell does she have to warn you about Norma?"

"You're trying to control me. Is that why you got me pregnant? So that you can think of me and this baby as your possessions?" Something about what Rebecca said to her reminded her of her brother. He would try to claim her as his only and would make it seem as if she didn't have any personal rights.

"Control you? Norma I would never control you. And I didn't get you pregnant on purpose. I don't want to possess you. I love you. You know that more than anybody," he sighed and ran his hand over his face. He stared at her and bit the inside of his cheek, fully and completely pissed. He had to tread the water carefully now when it came to Norma. He knew she was being overemotional and super sensitive now. Still, he couldn't believe she would even say something like that. All because of that redheaded girl.

"Well stop telling me who I need to be friends with!"

"I never did. I just know that SHE isn't a good friend for you anymore. Yeah, she was great in high school. But, she's changed. Don't let her get in your head and in between us."

"Like how you got in between me and her? Way to contradict yourself," she countered.

"Damn it Norma," he started to pace around the kitchen. She could be so difficult at times. "What she says doesn't matter."

She remembered telling Rebecca exactly that a few hours ago. She knew Rebecca's words and thoughts didn't matter. Norma was just upset about what had happened during dinner tonight and taking it out on Alex. He didn't deserve it and she knew it. She burst into tears and covered her face with her hands. Alex slowly walked to her and held her in an embrace. She gave into him and held him tighter.

"You're right. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean anything I just said. I'm sorry Alex," she apologized profusely.

"Shh... Let's just go to bed," he placed a hand on her back and led her into their bedroom. She sat on the bed, looking defeated and completely done. Alex felt a pain form in him. He hated to see her like this. Rebecca must have said something horrible to cause her to act out in this manner. That made him all the more angry, that someone caused his Norma to hurt like this. He bent down to remove her shoes and helped her out of her pants and t-shirt she was wearing. He gave her one of his shirts like he always did and she put it on. He changed into his own pajamas and helped her underneath the covers. He kissed her head and turned off the bedside lamp.

The ride to campus the next day was silent. Norma felt a lot of guilt about starting a fight with Alex. She occasionally glanced at him as he was driving and he had yet to look her way. Her heart felt heavy at the way things were right now. They arrived at the campus and they both got out.

Alex walked her to her class and they stopped once they were outside of the door.

"Text me after your last class so I can take you to work."

"Alex, I'm so sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean any of it."

"I know Norma," he gave her a sad smile and walked away. She watched him disappear around the corner and walked into her class. She couldn't focus on anything. She sat there staring mindlessly at the projector screen, not hearing a word her professor was lecturing. Her class ended and she made her way to her second class.

She sat in a seat when James sat right next to her.

"Hey Norma. How's it going."

"Good," she said, not even bothering to look his way.

"Nice. So our last meeting for the club is this Wednesday. Think you might be able to make it? Adam should come too."

She turned to him slowly. "His name is Alex. A-L-E-X. And no I can't go to your damn meeting. I have things to do. Leave me alone."

He sat there dumbfounded at her rudeness. He didn't even know she was capable of being that way. He looked around, hoping none of their peers noticed what had just happened.

"Hey, chill out. What's got your panties in a bunch?"

She squinted her eyes at his nerve. She couldn't deal with foolery right now, so she grabbed her belongings and walked out the class. She went to the campus library and sat outside on one of the benches. She thought about Alex, wondering if he truly knew that she didn't mean anything she said to him last night. So lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Rebecca walking up to her.

"Hey Norma."

Nora looked up and saw the girl standing in front of her.

"Hey," she cleared her throat.

"You okay?"

"Yup," Norma answered quickly. Rebecca nodded her head and adjusted her bag on her shoulder.

"Okay. Listen... yesterday. I'm sorry for what I said to you. I don't know why I would say anything like that."

Norma just shrugged and avoided eye contact with her. She didn't really have much to say to her now.

"If you need help moving out... I don't mind."

"Okay."

"So... how did you find out about the pregnancy? At the clinic?"

Norma sighed and finally looked at Rebecca. "Yeah."

She didn't say anything for a minute and stood there awkwardly. "That's just crazy," she chuckled lightly but Norma kept a straight face. "You think we can fix this?"

"I don't know Rebecca."

"I guess I'll just have to accept that. See you later then." The girl walked away and Norma leaned her back against the bench. She couldn't think about fixing her relationship with Rebecca. Her first priority was Alex. She needed to make sure they were okay.

Norma was sitting at her work desk in a daze when she heard June's voice. Alex still didn't say much to her when he took her to the City Hall. He didn't even kiss her goodbye.

"Norma?"

"Huh? Sorry."

"You okay?"

"Yes," she lied. June looked at her for a moment and Norma started to feel uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Come to my office please."

Norma got up nervously and followed the woman into her office. June closed the door while Norma sat in a chair in front of her desk. June sat on her desk and looked at Norma.

"What do you need to get off your mind sweetie?"

"Nothing," Norma said timidly.

"You can talk to me about anything. I know I'm your boss, but we won't have that kind of relationship. I want you to feel comfortable enough to talk to me, even if it's personal. Maybe I can help."

Norma hesitated. She really liked June and looked up to her a lot. She gulped and stared at her shoes.

"I'm just going through something right now. It won't affect my job though. I can do this job and I can get things done. Whatever you need Mrs. Puckett."

"I know you can get things done Norma. I'm not worried about that. How's your classes?"

"They're good. I'm graduating in 2 weeks. My finals are next week."

"I'm happy for you," the woman smiled at Norma and Norma relaxed. "So what's got you staring into space at your desk?"

"I'm sorry about that. It won't happen again."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it," she assured.

"Well... I just had a fight with my boyfriend recently about something stupid. And I think I just lost a friend. The girl I was roommates with. There's just... life is kind of crazy right now."

"Yeah. I can imagine. All this stress isn't good for you Norma."

Norma looked into the woman's brown eyes. She could tell June knew about her pregnancy. She sighed and pushed her hair back.

"How do you know?"

"I remember gettings sick easily off smells when I was in my first trimester. Why didn't you tell me? Not that you're obligated to. I'm just wondering."

"I was scared," Norma confessed.

"Why? You shouldn't feel scared to talk to me."

"I just thought you would replace me if you knew."

"That would be unethical of me Norma. I'm actually happy for you and your boyfriend. We can work with this. You're an amazing assistant and I would like to keep you around as long as I can," she smiled and Norma returned the gesture.

"Thank you for being understanding."

"Of course. If you ever need anything, I'm here," she offered.

Norma nodded and walked out of the office. She felt better now about this situation. However, Alex still consumed her thoughts like the plague.