The One Where It's The Other Way Around
Chapter Two: Cameron's Dilemma

Patrick and Michael walked out of the main school building and headed towards Patrick's car. School was over and as had been done every day since Patrick got his driver's license, he was taking Michael home instead of making him ride the bus. As they neared the car, a fire engine red convertible Viper pulled up next to them, with Chastity Donner at the wheel.

"Well, well, well, what have we here?" she mocked, turning down the radio. "Patrick, sweetie, don't you know that the vintage look is over? Don't you read GQ?"

Patrick smiled and replied, "As a matter of fact, Chastity, I don't."

"Maybe you should, honey - you need serious help." Chastity's venomous smile turned into a sneer as she put the car in gear and drove off.

Patrick shook his head at Michael and continued on to his car, while Michael watched Chastity's car disappear down another lane in the lot.

"Why do you take that, Patrick?" he asked, getting into the passenger seat. "She's such a witch. She's the type of character that Shakespeare would poison in the first act."

Patrick laughed as he started his car noisily. "My hate for her is a silent thing - lots of seething and gritted teeth."

"You're a better man than I, that's for sure."

Just as Patrick pulled out of the spot in which he was parked, a bicycle came across his path, forcing him to slam on his brakes. Looking up he saw Mandella Eckman swerving out of his way.

Impatient because of his run-in with Chastity, he leaned out the window and yelled out, "Watch where you're going, you moron. Maybe you need to perfect walking before you attempt to ride a bike."

Mandella got off her bike and moved out of the way as another girl came up and stood next to her. Patrick pulled out from his spot and drove out of the parking lot, shaking his head at her.

"Who was that?" Bianca asked, watching the car.

"Only the older brother of the love of your life. That was Patrick Stratford - Cameron's brother. I call him the Shrew - it emasculates him in my mind, which is good because frankly, he scares me to death."

"Why does he scare you?"

"He's a big guy and can be mean sometimes. He's got a reputation for being a real jerk."

* * *

Cameron and Joey walked through the parking lot discussing their weekend plans when Chastity Donner pulled up next to them and called them over.

"Why don't you hop in, guys, I'll give you a ride."

Cameron and Joey debated for only a split second before climbing into the car.

* * *

Patrick walked into his house and dumped his books near the front door before heading into the kitchen to see what was for dinner that night. It was late in the afternoon - he had already done his homework over at Michael's house - just some mindless essay for English lit class. It had been no challenge and Patrick wished the teacher would give assignments that actually inspired him.

Adrienne Stratford, Patrick's mom, was hovering over the stove stirring something in a pot. She looked up and smiled at Patrick, saying "Well, hello, son - make any girls cry today?"

Patrick grinned back and said, "No - I wasn't feeling well today."

Just then Cameron came bounding into the kitchen and grabbed a soda from the refrigerator.

"Where've you been?" Patrick growled.

"Nowhere. Hey Mom." Cameron went over and gave his mom a quick hug.

Patrick rolled his eyes briefly as she hugged his brother back. He turned away and started sifting through that day's mail. He came to an envelope with his name on it. It was from NYU. Ripping it open he let out a whoop as he read that Patrick J. Stratford had been accepted into NYU's freshman class.

"What is that?" Mrs. Stratford asked.

"I got in! To NYU! I get to go to film school in New York!"

Startled, Mrs. Stratford turned off the flame beneath her stew and raced to Patrick's side to look at the letter over his shoulder.

"But I thought you had decided that you were going to go to the University of Washington like I did."

Patrick looked pointedly at her and said, "No, Mom, you decided that I would go to the University of Washington like you did."

Cameron muttered, "The further away the better."

"Who drove you home, Cameron?" Patrick sneered, stuffing the NYU letter into his back pocket.

Mrs. Stratford pounced on Cameron, "Drove you home? Someone drove you home?"

"Mom, don't get upset - there's this girl, a senior. I think she may ask --"

"Oh no!" Mrs. Stratford cried. "You know the rules! No dating 'til your brother does!"

"Mom, as it is I'm just about the only guy in school who doesn't date. That's so embarrassing! And if I have to live by that rule I'll never date until I'm thirty!"

"And I'll get to sleep at night," Mrs. Stratford stated matter-of-factly.

"But that's not fair!" Cameron protested. "Patrick's a mutant!"

Patrick snorted but said nothing in his own defense.

Mrs. Stratford ran to her briefcase and pulled out a manila folder. "Cameron, come here. Do you see this girl here?" She opened the folder and showed him a picture of a young teenaged girl who was obviously near the end of a pregnancy.

Mildly whining, Cameron answered, "Yes, I do."

"This is why you aren't dating until your brother does. When you can be responsible enough to ensure that this doesn't happen."

"But he's not even interested in dating."

"Exactly."