Hey

"I swear, I'm going over there tomorrow, bright and early! I'm gonna find out why she did this if it kills her!" Keely ranted.

"Keely," Phil almost whispered. He was tired of hearing her rant, but he didn't say so, considering he'd only had her back for a day. Phil nuzzled her neck, kissed it lightly. He made Keely sigh contentedly.

"I missed this," Phil subtly changed the subject; though he had wanted to mention how much he'd missed her since that morning, but hadn't found a chance.

"So did I. I don't want this…thing to happen again. Ever. So, I'll make you a deal," At Phil's nod, she continued. "We stick together. Some girl wants you…I deal with it. Some guy wants me…you can deal with it. Sound good?"

Phil grinned. "Sounds good. Oh, and Keely?"

"Yes?"

"Who wants you?" Phil narrowed his eyes. Keely grinned and kissed him hard.

"Jealous?" she smirked.

"YES!" Phil cried. He beamed and grabbed her, rolling so he was on top of her. He lowered his head until his lips were inches away, "Mine," he said softly.

"Yours," she replied.

I'm sad.

Because…..?

Diane's gone.

Who cares?

I care.

Why?

I love her.

Still?

Yes, still.

But why are you sad?

She's gone and I loved her.

And?

I thought—

But you thought wrong, so get over it.

Whoa, for my inner advice center, you're mean.
Tough love, baby.

If I'm so smart, how come I need you?

You are a genius, so you have an inner outlet for extra thoughts. We can't have them leaking out of your ears.

Should I be worried about schizophrenia?

Nah. I'm an inner voice...not an imagined friend. Everybody's got an inner voice…Mot of 'em are too stupid to use it in times of "crisis" however.

HEY!

What?

I SAW THE AIRQUOTES!

You mean matter quotes?

Huh?

There's no air in your brain…that would be bad…but there's gray matter…hence, matter quotes.

Ah. I think I'm gonna see a shrink ASAP.

That's unnecessary, but go ahead. If you were crazy, the pills would make me go away. They won't make an inner sense place (what I am) go away so you'll prove me right.

Umm…back to my problem.

Oh yes, the (matter quote)crisis(matter quote).

Stop that!

Matter quote, matter quote, matter quote!

Aggh!

Matter quote.

GRRR!

"Why are we here?" Eric shot the question at Keely for about the hundredth time.

"You have a paper due, you moron."

"Aaaaaaand?" Eric grinned. "Ow!" he rubbed the back of his head where Keely had Gibbs' him.

"Can't he just copy mine?" Phil complained. "OW!"

"SHHHH!" the librarian (dragon-lady) shushed him.

"You hit me!" Phil whispered at his love indignantly.

"Well, you deserved it. Don't either of you have any educational integrity?"

"No." They replied in unison.

"Too bad, you're still writing your own paper," she smiled sweetly at Eric who stuck his tongue out at her as soon as she turned.

"Yes Mom." He rolled his eyes and plunked down in one of the ancient cushioned library chairs. Keely glared at him, but went to retrieve the books he would need. She knew if she dragged him here and gave him the books, he'd write his paper, but attempting to convince him to get the books was pushing it. She sighed; Eric could ace all of his classes if he wanted to.

Eric smiled to himself. He could easily ace all of his classes now, but he didn't want to. But he would, in the end. He'd slack off during the school year, get summer school and finish the entire 12th grade in two weeks. His teachers seemed to have given up trying to teach him, actually secreting away notes and instructions for him, knowing he was capable, just someone who didn't want the long, drawn out work process.

One teacher had allowed him to work ahead, finishing 10th grade Chemistry in a month, and acting as an aide the rest of the year. That teacher had been reprimanded, so it wasn't done any longer, but his chemistry teacher said he was the best student he'd ever had, and certainly the best aide. Eric had smiled and shrugged, leaving his class for the last time. Kind of. Though he'd never tell, he spent his spare time in that room. He hung out and studied advanced science classes with Mr. Lyton. Mr. Lyton had had that same aide since a 10th grade class where the genius with slacker tendencies had emerged. Eric planned out some of Mr. Lyton's new lessons. It was a tiny thrill to incorporate his knowledge for others to understand. His truancy and lack of effort through the years had rendered him unable to become a teacher, a fact which he regretted, but starting to attend regularly now wouldn't affect the outcome. Especially since there were only a few weeks left in the school year.

"Hello Eric." A voice interrupted his thoughts. He glanced up to seea woman in a nice suit with a leather briefcase.

"Huh? Oh, sorry, kinda dazed." He stood and held out his hand. "Eric Langhan, nice to meet you."

"Nancy Richards, head of the NTA for this state." She shook his hand firmly and her smile was a warm one.

"Wha--?" Eric's hand dropped limply to his side and his jaw went slack. He cleared his throat. "Uh—I mean, what can I do for you Ms. Richards?"

"I'm here to offer you a position, an entry level substitute for the moment and also assuming you take the appropriate courses and tests of course." She grinned, showing off white, even teeth.

"A teaching position?! B—but, I missed school and and…I slacked off and.."

"And, you finished all the way through college and graduate school classes, Mr. Langhan. You completed four years of high school in the time it takes most people to finish a semester or two. You have talent, and you deserve this job, Mr. Langhan. Would you like the position, or am I wasting my time here?"

"Oh hell yes—I mean, yes ma'am, I'd very much like the job. What courses do I need to take?"

Nancy smiled and pulled a packet from her bag. "Here's all the information you'll need. It's also got recommendation letter from Mr. Lyton and myself, along with many of your other teachers. Those should guarantee your admittance into the courses, which can be taken online, but the final test must be taken in the district office. The position is being made for you, so as soon as you pass the test, an easy feat for you, I'm sure, call me at this number…" she handed him a business card. "And we'll set you up. Okay?"

"Ok—I mean, thank you so much, I thought--," Eric stammered.

"I know. And truthfully, if it had been anyone less qualified, that would have been the case, but you have such a gift, you should share it. I'm simply giving you the means. Have a good day, Mr. Langhan."

"Bye…" Eric replied feebly, but she was already gone.

"Dude, you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost!" Phil waved a hand in front of Eric's dazed face.

"More like an angel…"

A/N : Mmmmkay. I realize this could NEVER happen, but just saw Good Will Hunting that screwed with my head and I got all "wishful, miraculous thinking-y." Sorry for the impossible job Eric was just offered and the genius stuff…but I like this particular plot thinglet for the moment…we'll see where it goes (I'm the only one who knows HA!)

"Dad?!" Phil exclaimed at the sight of his father standing outside his girlfriend's house.

"Not again!" Keely grimaced.

Mr. Diffy rushed to explain before Phil exploded. "Okay, I know. But I just want to apologize, Phil. I overreacted and I completely insulted a wonderful girl. I feel especially bad about that, Keely," He added, looking down.

"That's okay, Mr. Diffy." Keely smiled weakly, the look on Phil's face clearly displaying it was not, in fact, okay.

"Umm…I got a lot of papers to fill out, soooo, I'm gonna go… Eric handily slipped to his car and gave Keely a remorseful look, but left anyway. Keely glared after his car.

"You—you, I—can't—you," Phil stammered, so incredibly pissed off, his speech skills were diminutive. Keely laid a hand on his shoulder, and attempted to soothe the agitated look he wore. He turned to her and sighed, motioning his father inside. Lloyd smiled feebly and followed is son inside, with an apologetic look for Keely, who shook her head at the unnecessary gesture. Maybe we'll have a normal life soon, when Eric has a nice job, when Phil's okay with his dad, I've kicked Diane's ass and she's felt like shit for treating Eric like that and when Phil's back at home. Hmm…how dull would that be?

Okay, so most of you have probably lost faith in me, and no longer read this, but here's a tiny chapter for the reading pleasure of those scant few that held out. I know it's weird, but it'll get better as it goes, I promise. Probably.

Hehe,

Lorn