A/N: Just a few more chapters to go and then it's onto the next one! Keep the reviews coming, I really love them. And I'm on break now, so that means more updates! Yay!

A few days later, Sophia, Alex and Andy were at the dorms packing his car for their road trip to Chicago. Alex had spoken to the adoption agency and they contacted her birth parents, who were definitely interested in seeing her again. She had trouble hiding her excitement, she had been waiting for this moment for almost three years and it was finally happening.

Alex went inside her dorm to get the cooler full of food while Sophia and Andy continued packing up the car.

He was staring at her and she was starting to get annoyed. She turned to look at him.

"Is there a problem?" She asked and he shook his head. "So why are you staring at me like that?"

"I'm just wondering why you're coming," he asked, leaning against the car.

"Because Alex invited me," she said, and picked up her duffle bag.

"I know but," she looked at him. "Don't you have a job or something?"

"Actually, I don't work at the diner anymore," she said, looking away.

"Why not?"

"Look, Andy," she sighed. "I know we said we were going to be friends but it's really none of your business."

Andy frowned. "Fine, sorry I asked then," he rolled his eyes and got into the driver's seat.

Sophia sighed and closed the trunk angrily.

"Don't tell me you two are fighting already?" Sophia turned around and saw Alex coming towards her with the food.

"No, we're not," she lied with a smile. She knew how important this was to Alex and didn't want anything to ruin it for her. "Snacks?"

"Right here," Alex said, handing her the box.

"Okay, we're good to go then," she smiled, getting in the backseat.

Alex nodded and took a deep breath. "Please let this be a good trip," she whispered to herself and then got into the passenger's seat.

"All ready?" Andy asked, looking at the two of them. They both nodded and he started the car.

A little later that morning, Nora walked down into the living room and giggled when she saw Ethan asleep on the couch. He had been there late last night, up with Emma and had fallen asleep watching TV with Ryan. They had all decided to let him stay there.

She walked over to him and shook him gently. He opened his eyes slightly and looked at her. "Did I fall asleep last night?" He asked and she nodded. He sat up. "Oh, Nora I'm so sorry-"

"It's okay," she laughed. "You were up with Emma all night; I wasn't going to wake up."

He smiled. "Thanks."

She nodded. "So, do you want to go home or just stay here?" She asked, sitting next to him.

"I'll stay," he nodded. "If I know Emma, she'll start crying the second I leave," he shook his head and Nora laughed.

"It's been nice, you know?" She said and he looked at her. "Having you here all week," she told him. "Not only for me but even Emma seems happier."

He smiled. "I'm sorry I ever missed a minute of it," he said and she shrugged. "You know what I couldn't help but notice though?" He asked and she looked at him. "Someone's been missing," he said and she looked away. "Is everything okay between you and Jesse?"

"Do you really think that's something we should be talking about?" She asked and he looked at her.

"Nora, I care about you okay? And if you need me, I'm here," he promised and she nodded.

"It's just, we've been kind of distant lately, ever since the whole thing with Mel, you know?" she said and he nodded. "And… he wants to have sex but I'm just not ready for that yet," Ethan swallowed and she looked at him. "See, I told you we shouldn't be talking about this E!"

"No, its okay," he said. "He didn't like, pressure you or anything though, right?"

"No, of course not," she shook her head. "It's just, he doesn't understand why I won't… I know he's disappointed."

"Well, he shouldn't be," Ethan said and she looked at him. "Being with you should be enough."

She smiled. "Anyways, I bet you're starving," she said and he laughed. "How about I make us some breakfast?"

"Sounds good to me," he said and she smiled, getting up and walking into the kitchen.

That night, Andria and Vince lied in bed together after spending the night in her dorm. Her head was resting on his shoulder and she was drawing circles on his chest with her fingers.

"So, um, have you thought about coming to my parents' party?" She asked and he looked at her. "I only ask because they need to know for their stupid guest list and stuff and-" she was cut off by his cell phone ringing.

"I'm sorry, Andria, I have to take this," he said and she rolled her eyes. He'd been doing that a lot lately. He grabbed his phone and answered it. "Hey, what's going on? Okay, okay, I'll be right there."

Andria raised an eyebrow and watched as he got out of bed. "What are you doing?" She asked, as he started to get dressed.

"I'm so sorry, I just, I have to go meet someone," he said and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"Who is she?" She asked and he looked at her. "What, you've had to go 'meet someone' every time we've hung out, sorry if I assume that it's another girl," she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I know you want me all to yourself, Andria but we're not serious, remember?" He winked and she rolled her eyes.

"So, you are seeing someone else," she nodded. "That's okay really, I mean, it's not like you're the only guy I've dated lately."

He looked at her and laughed. "I'm not dating another girl," he said and sat on the bed. "It's just, it's complicated, okay?"

"Then explain it to me, I'm sure I'd understand," she told him.

"I wish I could," he said, putting his shirt on. "But I just can't, okay?" Andria frowned, she hated secrets. "I have to go okay, I'll come back later?"

"Don't bother," she shook her head and he sighed.

"It's not what you think, okay?" He said and she looked away. He sighed. "Whatever, I'll see you later." He said and walked out.

Andria narrowed her eyes and got dressed. She grabbed her keys and walked out of the dorms. She got in her car and followed Vince to wherever he was going.

Sophia and Alex had switched places in the car that night; Alex wanted to sleep so she took the backseat. To say it was awkward for Sophia, sitting next to her ex-boyfriend in silence, was an understatement.

"So," Andy finally spoke. "Are you going to tell me why you got fired?"

"Andy…" she trailed and he looked at her.

"Come on, Soph," he said. "It's not like I'm some stranger, you can talk to me."

She sighed and nodded. "I just… had a conflict with my boss."

"Who, Ryan?" He asked and Sophia shifted in her seat. He waited and she finally nodded. "What kind of conflict?" He asked, curiously.

"We just didn't see eye to eye on some things so… he fired me."

"That doesn't sound like Ryan," he noted and she shrugged. "Well, I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she said.

"No, not just about that," he said and she looked at him. "I'm sorry I've been so hard on you lately," he said and she raised an eyebrow. "I guess a part of me was still hurting because you picked Jared but…" he trailed and she swallowed. "I'm over that now."

"You have a good thing here with Alex," Sophia said. "Don't mess it up, okay? She's good for you."

He smiled. "Too good," he said and she laughed. "I like us being friends."

"Me too," she nodded and he continued driving.