Title of the Story: Second Chance In Disguise-Chapter 5

Author's Penname: Alyssa Smith

E-mail: Just send a review, leave your e-mail address, and I'll get back to you!

Summary: It's in the first chapter

Disclaimer: I don't own A Walk to Remember or it's characters.

Author's Note: Thank you for the amount of comments. It motivates me to keep going. Again, thank you. So, don't forget to R&R.

          All morning, Landon hadn't managed to talk to Jamie between classes but after this one, it would be lunch. Landon tried to pay attention to his class. He knew that it would be better for his future and would help later on. After all, he managed to work hard to get into medical school after Jamie died, so wouldn't hit make sense to work hard for medical school before she dies? At least he would be able to show her living self his improvement. But, try as he might, his thoughts kept wandering to Jamie. In the beginning of class he had attempted to take notes on the topic but soon his piece of notebook paper had turned into notes to Jamie and doodles of her name long before the bell rang.

         "And that concludes our discussion today of Ancient Civilizations. Read chapters 1-5 tonight. I will give you the questions tomorrow," the teacher said. Then, the bell rang. "Belinda, could I have a word with you?" the teacher said. Even before, when Landon had never cared about his education, he had never been so eager to leave.  On his way out, he accidentally dropped his notes, but he didn't notice…..

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          Landon went to go get lunch in the lunch line. "Hey, Carter," Eric said as he turned around.

          "Hey," Landon said in reply. He was trying to look calm as he waited to get to the front of the line. He hadn't taken the time during all his classes to figure out his plan. Obviously, he couldn't just walk up to Jamie and start acting friendly. His past had already gotten rid of that option. So, he had to bring up the one topic he used last time: help for the play. He figured he could use the chance to socialize with her. Evidently, it would've worked last time had he not blown her off. But, the improvement he had gone through to get her back would not be forgotten. His second chance was given to him to fix his mistakes, not forget his good actions. Landon and Eric chatted while they were in the lunch line. Finally, after five minutes but what seemed like forever to Landon, they got to the front of the line. They paid for the lunch and left the food area.

         "Uhh, Landon. Our table is this way," Eric commented while pointing in one direction.

         "Oh yeah, um, I'm not going to sit at our table today. I'm going to go sit at another one," Landon said.

         "Why? Which one?" Eric asked. They had sat at the same table all year.

         "I just feel like sitting at a different one. Well, lunch table 7," Landon replied.

         "Lunch table 7? Man, why are you sitting at lunch table 7? There's nobody there but Jamie Sullivan and her whacked up friends. Is this about Belinda?" Eric inquired.

         "I just want to sit there. No, it's not about Belinda. I'll see you later Eric. Bye," Landon said hurriedly and then he walked over to Jamie's table. "May I sit here?" Landon asked. Jamie looked up.   

 "Umm, sure," Jamie said with a curious look on her face. After a silence she continued, "What'd ya want, Carter? I've known you for years and you've never been the first to say hello, nevertheless sit here at this table."

  "I need help with my lines. Would you help me practice them after school? Please," Landon said.

  "Landon Carter is asking me for help?" Jamie asked.

   "Yeah." Landon said

  "You've obviously never asked anybody for help before, right?  A request like yours requires…" Jamie began

  "…flattery and groveling. It has to be for the common good of everybody," Landon interrupted. He could still remember what she had said. "Yeah, I know it is for the common good of everybody. Eddie Zimmerhoff and you deserve the best. Please, you're a really good actor and I'd really appreciate your help," Landon said.

  "Okay. How did you know I was going to say that?" Jamie asked.

  "I'm physic. So, today after school?" Landon said.

  "Yeah, but on one condition though Carter," Jamie said.

  "To not fall in love with you? Well, I can't promise that," Landon said. Then, quickly before Jamie could answer, he stood up and went leaving Jamie to think about what he had said.

              'Ok, that's creepy. He said it before I could. What did he mean by I can't promise that? He couldn't like you could he, Jamie? No, that's not possible. This is Landon Carter we're talking about. It's probably some prank he and his buddies are playing. I don't know. He did risk his so-called reputation to come sit here or even be seen with me. Oh well, we'll see. There's no hurt in helping him. Hmm, well that's 42 off my list, check!'

              "Was that Landon Carter I just saw? What did that jerk want?" Gina asked.

              "Yeah it was Landon. He wanted help with his lines for the play," Jamie said.

              "And you turned him down, right?" Gina said. Gina had a crush on Landon in the 6th grade and he had completely blown her off at the school dance.

              "No, actually I said yes," Jamie replied.

              "You've got to be kidding me! Jamie, that guy doesn't deserve your help. He's a complete slime ball. The play was punishment for him. Now you're making it easier," Gina said.

              "I don't see it like that. I believe you should have faith in people. Besides, think about it this way, Gina. If Landon doesn't do well for the play, that's punishment to us. The fact that he at least wants to make an effort is enough. Anyways, there was flattery and groveling, and thinking about his reputation, I think that was enough," Jamie said.

              "I hope you're right, Jamie, I hope you're right," Gina said. The two girls continued their lunch discussing the play. Gina had to leave early to go ask a teacher a question, leaving Jamie to herself for the last 10 minutes of lunch. When she had finished eating, she threw away her trash to the girl's bathroom. When she got in there, somebody shoved her against the wall.

             "There you are Sullivan. Who do you think you are, trying to steal my boyfriend?" Belinda asked.

             "Belinda, what are you talking about? I don't want to go out with Landon," Jamie said.

             "Oh, don't deny it Jamie. I know what you're up to. What was he doing sitting at your lunch table today?" Belinda asked.

            "He came over to ask for help with his lines for the play, not to socialize Belinda," Jamie said.

             "Well, helping him with his lines better be all you do, Jamie. Landon is my boyfriend. Not yours, mine. So stay away from him. Oh and by the way, I found your notes on the ground. Look at all the letters from 'landon' to 'jamie'. You know, it's pretty pathetic to write letters to yourself from guys, Sullivan," Belinda said, shoving Landon's notes into Jamie's hands. "Let go of her," Belinda ordered to the girl who had shoved Jamie against the wall. "Remember Jamie, stay away from Landon," Belinda said and left the bathroom.

               Jamie stared in awe at the paper in her hands with one thought running through her mind, 'Did Landon write this?'

Author's Note: Again, thanks for all the great reviews. As always, R&R. ~Alyssa