Upset, Libby walked past her house on the way home from the mall, heading for the Chambers' house. She ran up the porch steps and rapped urgently on the door. All she wanted was to speak to Delia. Delia was the best friend she had, and she needed a friend.

Abby threw open the door, as always looking genuinely happy to see her. "Libby! What do you want? Yay! I didn't know you were even coming over!"

Libby had to bite her lip to keep the tears away. "Um," she said in an uneven, scratchy voice. "Is Delia here? I need to talk."

"Nope," she said. "She and Dexter are off doing God knows what."

"Oh." She felt her knees shaking terribly.

"Do you want to come in? Me and Gordie and Chris are playing fuckin Monopoly. We don't know why exactly, but we are."

Chris came up beside his sister, and smiled at Libby. "Hey. I thought I heard your voice."

Seeing Chris made Libby's stomach flop. She had to leave or else she would break down in front of him and she just couldn't.

"You okay, Libby?" he asked, gently pulling her inside the house.

Abby glanced at Chris in concern, who gave her a pointed look and she walked away back to Gordie in the living room.

"What's wrong?" he tried again.

"Nothing, I just wanted Delia--"

"Well, now you've got me." He tried to make eye contact with her but was unsuccessful. "Tell me about it, Libby."

"No, I don't want to get into this with you."

"That's too bad, because you're worrying me and you're going to tell me what's going on."

"Chris!" Gordie yelled. "Your turn!"

"I forfeit!"

"But you're winning!"

"That's okay!" He took Libby by the hand and led her to his bedroom. He sat her down on his bed. "Okay. Now talk to me."

"I just…" She floundered for a moment, searching for the words. "It's so hard to get people here to love me."

"What?" Chris asked.

"You don't understand what it's like playing second fiddle to Andie," Libby spat out. "You'll never stop wanting her more than me and she is such a…" She shook her head fiercely, weakening under Chris' amazed stare. "You don't look at me like you look at her still sometimes because she's beautiful, and I don't know, I'm not…"

"Libby, stop it. God. Just stop it." Chris felt sick and frustrated. "You are beautiful."

"Shut up."

"You're beautiful. Especially where it counts."

"So why can't you love me?" she demanded.

"Libby--" Chris looked upset. "Did something happen with Andie today? This wasn't brought on spontaneously."

She nodded. "She said you'll always love her more than you'll ever love me. And it's true."

"She's just a bitch. And she's jealous." He stroked her face. "She's jealous of you, Libby, because she knows I love you."

"You do?"

Looking at her wounded, expectant face, Chris just fell in love with her. He lowered his head and kissed her. He felt her arm slip tentatively around his neck and he pulled her closer. She was trembling.

"Why are you shaking so bad?" he demanded, pulling away from the kiss.

"I feel so stuck!" she exclaimed. "I don't know what to do when I'm with you because you're always missing her and wishing I were her and I know that but then you kiss me and I don't care! And I know you're not doing it on purpose because I know you're like the greatest person ever but you make me feel like I'm less than what I am and now I'm going to cry and that's just great."

"You are not less than anything," Chris said angrily. "I hate that I'm making you cry, Libby. But when I'm with you, I forget about Andie, I don't wish you were her. I do miss her. But I'm happy with you. I see you and I instantly feel better. I've only known you for four months, but when you were accusing me of not being in love with you, I realized how badly I am in love with you. Please stop being so scared. I wouldn't hurt you, and God, Libby, I would never keep you in a relationship to make you feel second best."

Libby choked on a small sob. "I can't believe I let her do this to me. I thought I was stronger."

"You are stronger. You're stronger than her. And that's why she's trying to break you down."

Libby flexed her arms. "You think I'm stronger? I kinda think I'm a little bony."

"Oh come on. Look at those muscles," he teased. "You could definitely kick her ass."