"Randi Riverton, where have you been?" Mr. Riverton asked, as soon as Randi got in the door.

"What's her middle name, throw that in there too," Tina suggested.

"She doesn't have one," Rudy said from his position on the couch. "Neither do I."

"Really? I'm surprised," Tina said in thought.

"Can we get back to the topic at hand?" Rick sighed.

"Yeah," Randi said, her hands on her hips, "I'm being scolded here!"

"Ooooh, sorry," Rudy laughed.

"All kidding aside," Rick said, sitting down, and motioning for Randi to do the same, "I've been worried about you lately, well, we all have," he corrected himself.

"It's painfully obvious that Rudy knows part of what's upsetting you, but we don't want him to betray the bond you have," Tina added.

Randi shot a smile at her older brother. "Guys," she turned back to her father and his girlfriend, "I'm fine. Really," she added, when Tina and Rick exchanged a skeptical look. "It's just a phase. Come on dad, you've read enough books to know that every kid goes through that 'Who am I?', 'Why are we here?' self discovery journey crap. Just consider me Pip looking for my Great Expectations."

"Are you chasing after an Estella too?" Rick asked, making a reference to the girl that Pip loved in Dickens' book.

"Meh," Randi said, "At least Pip knew what the- uh...what he wanted. I apparently have no idea what I want," she said, thinking of Teddy's harsh words.

"Don't worry Randi," Rick said patting her head, "There's plenty of time for that."

"Hun," Tina started, "I know I'm not your mother, but I love you, and I think you're a wonderful girl. You're smart, funny-"

"Thank you," Randi interrupted, "And I...I love you too. But no offense, I'd rather not hear that right now. I don't think my problems have to do with my self confidence. I think pretty damn highly of myself. I usually appreciate comments, but can't anyone tell me how not-great I am? How I'm screwing things up, and tell me that I'm an asshole? Pardon my French," Randi excused herself.

Rudy grinned up at her. "That's why you've got friends," he said. He sent her a clear, insisting look. Randi immediately understood what her brother meant.

"Thanks guys," she quickly kissed her dad and Tina, and bolted into the kitchen to use the phone. She dialed the most familiar number she knew.

"Hello?"

"I'm an ass, you were right, I was wrong, I'm a horrible person, you're-"

"-Randi?" Brand interrupted her, "I'm assuming you want Mikey?"

"Yeah," Randi said sheepishly. "Disregard that apology. For a second I thought Mikey's voice just got deeper."

"No way, Mikey will sound like a little girl forever."

"Heh heh. You're right. And I'd love to hear his darling pre-pubescent voice."

"I'll get him, hold on."

"Hello?"

Randi launched into her apology again. "I'm an ass, you were right, I was wrong. I'm a horrible person-"

"Oh," Mikey interrupted coldly. "It's you. If you are really sorry and are willing to make an actual apology, it has to be sincere."

Randi sighed. "Mikey, you know you're my freaking soul mate, in a strictly non-incestual way. And I was an ass, and I am sorry that I didn't listen. Because...you were right."

"What was that? The Great Randi Riverton telling me that she was wrong? Well dear God, I need to hear that one again."

"I was wrong! The ever-powerful Mikey Walsh was right!" Randi cried in pretend agony, "Are you happy now?"

"Quite. So, explain what I was right about."

"Well in a nutshell, Mouth kissed me, causing Teddy to break up with me, causing Gordie to tell me that he loves me."

"Mouth told me he kissed you. He made me swear on One Eyed Willie's grave that I wouldn't tell Stef. He's not that bright, that one. I'm sorry Teddy broke up with you. No offense, but that kid kinda seemed like an asshole. But what's this about Gordie now?"

"He told me he loved me."

"Holy shit! And what did you say to that?"

"I flipped and asked him who the fuck he thought he was."

Mikey was silent for a moment. "Well that was freaking stupid of you."

Randi groaned, "Yeah, I realize that. But, this is all Mouth's fault. If he hadn't kissed me out of the blue, Teddy wouldn't haven broken up with me, and none of this would be happening!"

"That'd be nice," Mikey told her, "But it IS happening. And it probably would have happened soon enough anyway. The ball's in your court."

"Um, Riverton passes the ball to fellow teammate, Gordon Lachance!" Randi cried like a sports announcer. "Now the ball's in Gordie's court," she informed Mikey.

"It doesn't work that way."

"Damn."

"You have to make up your mind. I know you're confused."

"I'm not used to having all this kind of attention, you know? It was always just me and Mouth, no complications, no questions asked," Randi sighed, "Part of me wishes that I could go back to that."

"But that's not what you really want."

"Of course not. I'm glad Mouth and Stef are happy, and Jesus, I think we've established the fact that I don't love him."

"Okay, there we go. Now what about Teddy?" Mikey asked.

"He's a charmer. I guess that's what kinda drew me to him. It's like, he's tough, but all vulnerable, and sometimes needs people to help him. He liked me, so I kinda just went with it," Randi realized.

"And Gordie?"

"God, I should have seen that coming a mile away, the way he warned me about Teddy..."

"But you didn't."

"Well, no," Randi admitted, "I guess it's because I never thought of him that way-"

"Never thought of him that way?" Mikey interrupted, "That's a fucking downright lie! Look me in the eyes and tell me you never thought of him that way."

"....I can't look you in the eyes over the phone."

"You're missing the point," Mikey sighed exasperatedly. "I know this sounds really stupid and corny, but you've gotta listen to your heart."

"You're right. That does sound corny," Randi giggled.

"You should start paying me therapist fees," Mikey laughed.

Randi smiled. "Um, listen Walsh," she said, "I'm sorry I kinda attacked you. I don't know what the hell came over me."

"You've got violent tendencies," Mikey joked, "Consider it forgotten."

Randi beamed, "I never forget why you're my favorite cousin."

"Well, I don't have much competition. Me or Brand?"

"I think Andi went with the right choice," Randi joked.

"Ouch," Mikey gasped, "I'm wounded!"

Randi laughed, "Aw, you know I'm joking. I'll talk to you later, man."

"Bye Randi."

"Bye!" Randi said before hanging up.

"Feel better?" Rudy asked, walking into the kitchen.

"Yeah, I think so," Randi grinned. "Night Rudy."

"Night kiddo," Rudy called, as Randi went upstairs to bed.

*******************************************

Gordie and Chris sat together in Gordie's room.

"Thanks for letting me sleep over," Chris said, "I know your dad hates me."

"No problem," Gordie put his hand on Chris' shoulder, "And he doesn't hate you...he just doesn't know you," Gordie spoke Chris' words that he had told Gordie when they were searching for the body of Ray Brower.

Chris smiled in that Chambers-esque way. "I give good advice, don't I?"

"The best," Gordie agreed. "Uh...speaking of advice..."

Chris turned to look at his best friend. "It's really killing you, isn't it?"

Gordie nodded, grateful that Chris always knew what he was talking about. "I know that I spent three years away from her...but now that she's here, I can't take fighting with her. But after what she said...I don't know what to do."

"I'm not sure what to tell you," Chris said honestly. "You say you love her-"

"I do, Chris," Gordie told him, "I really do."

"I believe you Gord-o," Chris assured him. "So, you love her, but what she said still hurts."

Gordie nodded sadly.

"The thing is, that if she doesn't love you, can you forgive her and still be friends with her?"

"If she doesn't love me?" Gordie scoffed, "I'll be surprised if she even still likes me."

"Gordie, I don't mean to get your hopes up, but she never said she didn't feel the same way," Chris pointed out.

"She implied it," Gordie said.

"I think she was just overwhelmed and confused. Give her time to sort herself out."

"I am," Gordie snapped. He immediately changed his tone, "Sorry Chris."

"It's okay. I know you're confused, but don't beat yourself up about it. Shit will work itself out."

"Yeah," Gordie said, "I hope you're right."

"I'm always right," Chris grinned. He held out his hand, and he and Gordie skinned it.

A/N: I'm so sorry this hasn't been updated in awhile. I've been working in a production of Bye Bye Birdie, so I'm super busy, and exhausted. Plus I have summer reading for school that I should be doing. But I'll try and get more up when I can. Thanks so much for reading.