Summary: Another day in the life of a teenager. Joan tries to juggle a "suggestion" from God, her friends, and attempts at accepting Iris in Adam's life.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone from Joan of Arcadia or any songs that appear in this fic. I wouldn't mind having Christopher Marquette, though. .

Ratings: PG – just in case of swearing

Author's Note: I want to thank the people that have been reviewing faithfully since I started.

AL:Thanks for the reviews. I'm glad to know you plan on staying until the end. I hope you're not disappointed.

Jane and Adam: Thanks for your patience. I appreciate your comments.

No one important: Thank you for your suggestions. I've taken them into consideration and I hope that my writing has improved.

And to all of the others: THANKS.

Now onto the story. Please R&R

"Hi, honey." Helen Girardi looked up from where she was chopping vegetables for the family's dinner to see Joan walk in and toss her bag on the floor beside the kitchen table. "Bad day?" She arched her brow at Joan's harassed expression, wondering what was going on in her daughter's life this week. She could still remember a time when she actually understood her own daughter, and how they used to talk and be close. But these days, Joan was like a complete stranger, and it made Helen sad to acknowledge that the little girl she used to coddle was growing up before she was ready to accept it. She stifled her own sigh, hoping that Joan would once again open up to her and let her back in.

"You have no idea. My life is one big drama." Joan slumped against the counter across from her mom, reaching out to nab a carrot stick before her mom could slice it up, and began munching on it. She couldn't believe how exhausted she was, and it was the beginning of the week. She still had so much to do, and she had no idea where to begin. She had to figure out what she was going to do about tomorrow… "Mom…"

"Yes, sweetie?"

Joan arched her brow at her mom's bright tone, giving her a weird look before sneaking another carrot stick. "I have a problem. G- a friend asked me to join the annual Beauty Pageant that the school holds, so I did. But then, I messed up on my AP Chem lab and flunked the test. Lischak is letting us take the lab over again tomorrow after school… But I have the Pageant meeting the same time on the other side of the school. What should I do?"

Before Helen could respond to Joan's confusing tirade, Joan cut in. "I know what you're going to say, school is more important, and I don't need another failing class. Not to mention that if I don't go, the only two friends I have in this place will completely hate me and not speak to me for the rest of my life. I've already gotten them angry at me to last a lifetime, I don't need anymore. But if I don't go to this Pageant meeting, I won't be able to join and I have to. I'm not sure why at the moment, because He refuses to tell me. All about free will and making your own choices, and trust… Whatever. Why does life have to be so complicated?" Joan heaved a sigh, slumping further on the counter. She rested her elbows on the marbled top, dropping her chin into her opened palms.

"You joined the Pageant? And what's this about flunking a lab?" Helen stared at her daughter in confusion, trying to piece together all of what Joan had told her. She began wondering whether it was a good thing or not that Joan finally came to her for advice, considering she had no idea what exactly she was supposed to be advising on.

"Ooooh, don't start the lecture, mom. I've already gotten it too many times today." With that complaint, Joan left the room to go up to her room, leaving Helen behind shaking her head. She would never understand her daughter.

The room was abound with laughter as Joan made her way down the stairs towards the dining room. Everyone was gathered around the table, doing various, nightly rituals. It was a comfort to Joan to watch this, because this always made sense. This was something she could count on, no matter how jumbled her life was at any given moment. Her family was predictable. Kevin was setting out the plates and silverware, while Luke followed him around the table laying out the glasses and napkins. Will and Helen were making trips from the kitchen to the dining room transporting steaming plates of food, the smells making the five of them drool with hunger.

Joan walked in and took the offered basket of oven-cooked biscuits. She closed her eyes and took the scents in, her stomach growling its demands for nourishments. Once everything had calmed down to a degree, they took their usual seats, and clasped their hands together while Will said grace over their offerings. Once "amen" had been said, they began passing around the dishes, loading their plates with goodies. That's when the talk began.

"So, Joan… Are the rumors true? You joined the Beauty Pageant?" Kevin looked across to Joan, giving his usual "big brother" grin that always infuriated her. She stuck her tongue out at him, brandishing her biscuit threateningly.

"Joan's in a pageant? I didn't know they let animals be contestants." Luke feigned astonishment, joining in on the teasing. Joan kicked his shin from under the table.

"Shut up, Nerd Boy. Don't you have some poor mouse to torture?"

"Honey, you joined the pageant?" Will looked at his only daughter, a bit surprised. He gave her brothers stern looks, before looking at her once more.

"Yeah… Not like I have a chance to win. They have a talent portion, and I have no talent."

"I could have told you that…"

"Shut up, Kev."

"Of course you have talent, Joan…" Joan's dad cut in to the argument that was brewing, getting raised eyebrows from his three children. "You can play the piano and sing…"

"Oh daddy, that was when I was little, and people were nice to not say that I sucked. I would totally humiliate myself if I tried to do either of them."

"You're going to humiliate yourself anyways, so why would it matter?"

"Okay you two, that is enough teasing your sister." Helen gave a warning to her two sons, causing them to look a bit guilty and regretful… but not too much of either emotion.

"I'm serious, though. It requires grace, elegance, and sense of balance. They wear high heels. When have you seen Joan in high heels, and not worry about her breaking a leg?"

Joan groaned, dropping her forehead down to her folded arms atop the table. She was doomed to make a fool of herself. Her parents knew it, but they were just being supportive… Like they always were. She wanted to curl up and hide until it was all over with…

After everything was cleaned up, and no traces of dinner left around, the family parted to various locations. Will went into the living room to watch some tv and relax, while his wife went upstairs to their bedroom to do some reading. Luke took off for Friedman's house, spouting off some new game that he had to check out. Kevin went out to go hang out with his friend 'Bear.' Joan was left in the kitchen, thinking about things. She was lost in thought and didn't hear the knock at the door right away. When the insistent noise finally registered in her mind, she got up and walked over to the backdoor to find out who was here. She was a bit surprised to see Adam hunched up in his hoodie against the chill night air. She opened the door to let him in, searching his face for some kind of sign of why he was here.

"Hey, Adam… I wasn't expecting to see you-"

"Yo. I hope you don't mind. Uh… I just thought- I'm not sure. I just felt like coming over." He stood there, shifting his messenger back on his shoulder, looking very nervous.

"No! I don't mind. Uh, do you want something to eat or drink? We just got done eating dinner, and there's a bit of leftover."

"No thanks. I already ate." He set his bag next to hers and took a seat at the table, looking up at her. His fingers were absently tracing a pattern on the table, while he was staring at her, lost in confusing thoughts. He had no idea why he was here. He had been in his shed putting together a piece when he got this urge to see Joan. Before he knew what happened, he was at her door.

Joan gazed back at him for a moment before fidgeting under his gaze. She walked over and took a chair nearby him, waiting for him to break the silence. When it continued to stretch on for a few minutes, she cleared her throat before speaking.

"So, what've you been up to?" She winced inwardly at the lameness of that statement. Why was she nervous around him? She answered her own question – because of Friday night, and the revelation of their feelings. Well, it wasn't much of a revelation, because she never openly admitted to liking him, and neither had he. But it was implied. Or was it? She shook herself from these pointless thoughts, listening to his explanation.

"I was working on this new piece. It's going to be great, yo. Maybe one of my best pieces." He gave her a rare grin, his expression one of excitement. Joan leaned forward, grinning back at his enthusiasm. She knew she wasn't much for art, but she loved his art and his passion for it. She could listen to him for hours talk about it and never once get tired of it.

"Have you got a name for it?"

"Uh, not yet. Probably not until I'm done with it. So, you uh… set for the pageant?"

"Not even close. Besides the fact that I'm not sure what I'm going to do about tomorrow after school, I still haven't figured out my talent. My dad gave me some suggestions, but I don't think they'll work. I wish I had your talent…" Joan trailed off as she felt him run his fingertip across the back of her hand, watching him as his eyes followed the path of his finger. She knew she should stop him, because he was with Iris, and although it seemed like a harmless gesture, she knew the brunette wouldn't be happy about it. But she knew she didn't have the willpower to stop him, because she wanted it.

Adam blinked, looking up from the hypnotic sight to look at her in confusion before her words finally sank into his clouded mind. His finger never stopped their meandering as he spoke up, "You wish you could make art like me? Cha… how do you know you can't?"

"What do you mean?"

"Have you tried?" Adam couldn't believe the idea that popped into his head. Wouldn't it be great if he and Jane could work together on art? Never once did Iris cross his mind as he sat there with Joan.

"No… I haven't. Do you think I could, though?"

"Only one way to find out." Without a word, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to stand next to him as he rose. He began walking towards her back door in a rush, barely giving Joan time enough to grab her jacket before they left to go to his house.