AN: Sorry for the six month disappearance and delay. Busy busy busy and I sorta had my account hacked and I've gone through all the trouble in getting it back. :)

Hope this is Alright.

Chapter Twenty One

"Hey, I need help for the exams!" Jerome said to Fabian. "It's in nearly a week and –"

"No, no, no!" Amber exclaimed. "Jerome, say Justin's line with more feelings! Amy, look more like a regular girl not some girl in a horror movie waiting to be killed!"

"Oh, Amber, I just can't!" Amy complained. "There's so much tension with Jerome and Alfie! I can't concentrate. There's this weird aura between them!"

"Alright, everyone take a break!" Amber said as she approached the stage. "Jerome and Alfie, I need to talk to you and Alfie, it isn't about college so don't try to escape."

Alfie gave out a sigh of relief before going towards Amber, avoiding Jerome in the process.

Nina just shook her head at the two people she'd never thought would fight over some petty matter. It was just college and Jerome and Alfie are practically like magnets now except that they have the same charge. You can't keep them together.

"You alright?" Fabian grinned at Nina handing her a bottle of water.

"Uh, yeah. Thanks," she smiled politely at Fabian and took the bottle with much appreciation.

"Can you believe that it only took a week for everything to change?" Fabian stared at Jerome and Alfie intently as they talked seriously with Amber.

"Not really," Nina said drily. "A lot of things can happen in a day much more if it's a week. It could even just take one moment to change everything."

Fabian nodded understanding the double meaning in her words. Nina obviously meant that it only took a week for them to have the roller coaster ride of emotions.

"I'm glad we're okay," Fabian weakly smiled.

Nina tried to smile too but the memory of two weeks ago came flooding back in her head. She couldn't believe that Fabian, after all what happened, agreed to be friends with her, no more and no less. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment when he said the three words that change her life: We're. Just. Friends.

But, after everything that happened in the house the previous week, she was glad that she was still friends with Fabian. Break-ups, or similar things between couples and friends alike, could end up pretty messy just like the majority of the house.

For the past few days, there has been nothing but heartache in the house. Take for example, Mick and Mara. The dream couple. Smart and Athletic Team. Brains and Brawns. They do say opposites attract but opposites can also have huge arguments about their differences. It only took Mick and Mara a few days of arguments (which we all thought was Lover's Quarrel) until one of them (namely, Mick) had had enough and took the guts to tell Mara that they were over. It took two whole days for Mara to stop crying.

Jerome and Patricia, on the other hand, seemed contented until the college ordeal which lead them to have ferocious fights that included Jerome's best friend (now former), Alfie. The fights (and shouting) led them to break up, no crying occurred though.

Alfie and Amber, though still together, are not talking nor communicating as much as before. With Amber's responsibility over the play and graduation party and Alfie being occupied with his fight with Jerome.

"Nins?" Nina was brought back to reality as Fabian waved his hand over her. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she said rather to quickly. "I'll just go sit and rest." She glanced at a chair off the stage.

Nina tried her best to walk straight to the chair. She hasn't admitted to anyone yet that her left foot was killing her. She had thought to leave it alone for a week but it hurt even more.

"Are you sure?" Fabian scowled as he looked right at her foot. "It seems to be all red and swollen?"

"It's not supposed to be like that!" Nina exclaimed immediately. "I already put ice on the first week it hurt!" She looked down on her left foot to see that it was completely normal.

"Gotcha, I knew you're not fine," Fabian grinned but his smile was completely washed away when Nina got off balance and fell towards him.

Fabian leaned forward to catch Nina putting his arms forward just in time. "You're fine?"

"Oh, alright, it's been hurting for a week since that sophomore-"

"Caleb," Fabian supplied.

"-bumped into me," Nina continued.

"I knew you weren't fine," Fabian sighed. "C'mon, let's get you to the Nurse's Office."

"No," Nina protested. "I'm okay now."

Fabian rolled his eyes. "Totally fine. You even did a falling demo for me to prove it." His voice dripped with so much sarcasm. "Let's go."

Fabian supported Nina by offering his arm for her to hold while walking. He excused themselves from Amber and Mr. Winkler as they walked out of the auditorium.

As soon as they got to the office, the nurse inquired the two about Nina's condition and offered her a bag of ice to lessen the swelling.

"So, how long has this been?" the nurse asked Nina.

"About a week or two," she tried to smile reassuringly but this piece of information only made the nurse frown.

"Does it hurt often?" the nurse asked.

"Not really," Nina answered honestly. "About three or four times a week."

The nurse shook her head and excused herself to call a doctor.

Nina heard Fabian give out a disapproving sigh. "What?" She looked at him inquiringly.

"Nothing," Fabian shook his head. "It's just that you're incredibly hard headed."

Nina opened her mouth to answer but the return of the nurse interrupted her.

"Ms. Martin," the nurse looked at her. "I've informed Dr. Steve about you and he believes that you need to have an x-ray just in case it's a serious injury. I already talked to the principal and you are free to go to the hospital as soon as a cab arrives."

"I'm going to the hospital?" Nina repeated incredulously. "Alone?"

"Of course not, dear," the nurse smiled and looked at Fabian. "This young man will accompany you. I already informed Mr. Sweet about it, Mr. Rutter."

"I will?"

"Yes, you will."