"Hello?" Michael Guerin answered on the first ring.

"Michael?" Tess said uncertainly. She hated that sound of doubt in her own voice.

"Tess?"

He recognized her voice. She was so glad. If he hadn't, she probably would have just hung up and left the whole friendship idea to rot.

"Yeah," she answered, cursing herself internally for sounding so desperate. She fixed her voice and continued talking. "You want to get together or something? I feel like talking."

She hoped she imagined the hesitation. Immediately, she rebuked herself for the thought. If Michael didn't want to hang out, she wouldn't kill herself over it. He was just some guy.

Finally, he answered. "I guess I'm not busy. Your place or mine?"

She laughed. "Mine. I redecorated and I need someone to see it. Do you need directions?"

"Nope, I've been there." What? "Before we knew about you. I was...checking the situation out."

"Uh-huh."

"So," Michael continued, "when should I come over?"

"Are you busy now?"

Tess wasn't as suprised with herself as she might have been. She was pretty foward, but she'd never been like this with a guy before. Then she reminded herself that she wasn't inviting Michael over because he was a guy, but because he had potential as a friend.

"No, now's fine," Michael answered, not commenting on her un-subtlety. "I can't stay too long, though, because I have to get to the Crashdown in about twenty minutes. Work."

"That's fine," Tess replied. She didn't really mind if he only stayed for five minutes. She just felt like talking to somebody. "See you."

He hung up without saying goodbye.

Five minutes later, Tess heard the roar of an engine in her driveway. She looked out the window and saw Michael walking up the walkway.

She walked over to the door to let him in. On the way, she stopped to look in the mirror and check her hair.

What am I doing? she scolded herself. It's just Michael.

Just Michael. Right.

She opened the door, and he lowered his head to step in. Then he looked around, scrutinizing every detail with his deep brown eyes. Finally, he turned to her."Nice place," he commented, and she felt some kind of relief surge through her (why did she care whether Michael Guerin liked her house or not?).

"Thanks," she mumbled. All of a sudden, she felt hot, and stupid for inviting him over. To TALK. He must have thought--but she pushed all thoughts like that out of her her. He'd come, hadn't he?

"So," he started, walking into the living room and sitting on the couch, "you wanted to talk."

She prayed that she wasn't blushing. He's like you, she reminded herself, to give herself courage. If anyone can understand you, it's him.

She sat down on the couch next to him. "Yeah." But suddenly, she forgot what she even wanted to talk about. And why in hell, if she wanted to TALK, did she invite Michael Guerin, king of the insensitives.

"So talk."

He wasn't making it any easier. But she gathered all her strength, and started talking. "So. School sucked today."

He didn't say anything. He could have said he was sorry, but she hadn't expected him to. After all, it wasn't his fault. In fact, he was the one who'd made it bearable.

"I've never been an outsider before," she continued. "So I decided that I'd pick up where Isabel left off. You know. She used to be so popular. So I'm trying to fill the space she left." She paused and studied his face for a reaction. There was none. "I tried out for cheerleading today. Guess what I found out. Izzy quit. She QUIT cheerleading!"

This had an effect. Michael's face darkened to a concerned expression, and Tess was glad. Even if he wasn't currently going out with Isabel, he had a weak spot for her. At least one of the destined couples might get together, even if she didn't get to be a part of it.

"According to Tish Okabe, she didn't have enough time for cheerleading," Tess continued. "Tish was worried about her, too--they used to be best friends, but Isabel hasn't spoken to her in ages."

"Tish worships Izzy," Michael informed her. "She'd be worried if Iz passed her in the hall without saying hi. Then again, she has a point. Izzy hasn't really been the social queen she used to be. She's not the same snob either, which the others aren't complaining about, but-"

"But it's not her," Tess interuppted, somehow knowing what he was going to say before he said it."Right," Michael confirmed.

"And..." Tess started to get to her main point; the thing she'd called Michael up to talk about in the first place, "it's not just Isabel, is it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's not just Isabel who's given up her social life. When was the last time any of you went dancing, or to the movies, or to the mall, either as a group or with other friends? Do any of you even have other friends anymore?"

Michael was quiet for a little while, thinking it over. Then he looked up, grinning. "That's sort of hypocritical, don't you think?"

He was right. It was. But... "Not anymore, I don't think. I've just about given up on destiny. Max has Liz...I don't know about you and Izzy. And the other species of aliens...I don't know if they're going to show up--and if they do, will Max and Isabel even care?"

That was okay. It didn't sound too desperate, but it didn't sound too apathetic, either.

Michael sighed. "They'll care. They want to pretend that they're human, but they can't forever. When the other guys arrive, they'll come around. You'll see."

She didn't reply. She didn't know what to reply--not when she didn't really believe him. He picked her head up and forced her to look him in the eye. "Tess. You want a social life? Okay. Let's go to the mall tomorrow night. We'll have fun. Will that make you feel better?"

"Yeah," she replied, barely making any noise. She would have nodded, but Michael was hooking her on his gaze. His eyes were captivating, yet reassuring at the same time.

Suddenly, she realized their hold was too intense for her. She blinked, and suddenly it was gone."Is eight good?" she asked.

His smile was infectious. "Yeah." Then he looked down at his watch. "Damn. I've gotta be at work soon." He stood up.

"Do you mind taking me?" Tess asked. "I'm getting hungry and there's NO food in my fridge. Want to come see?"

"No, thank you," Michael declined. "Come on."