Chapter 2: Yeah, She's My Guardian Angel

"So, is she okay? Did you tell her I was sorry? What happened, Strong? Tell me what happened!" Ray burst out with questions as soon as he saw Travis walking down the hall.

"She's just a little worried about--,"Travis caught himself just in time. He didn't think telling Ray that Lily was worried about him would be a good idea. "Um, she's worried about leaving us alone. You know, she's like our guardian, sometimes." 'Nice save, Strong,' Travis thought, giving himself an imaginary pat on the back.

"Yeah, she's my guardian angel..." Ray murmured, putting the emphasis on 'angel'. He bit his bottom lip and shook his head slightly, daydreaming. Robbie burst out laughing. Travis bit the inside of his lip to keep himself from blowing up in Ray's face. Normally a cool, collected person, it was hard for Travis to keep that reputation in times like this.

Later that day, in the RFR underground station, Travis was about to put the sow on the air, when Robbie stopped him. "Wait, how are we supposed to explain why Shady Lane isn't here? If we say that she's on vacation, people are going to know its Lily."

"Not necessarily," Ray pointed out. "Someone else might be on vacation. You never know."

Travis studied him, "You sound like you know something we don't. Do you?"

Ray smirked, "Gosh, Swami. You pick these things up quick." Robbie and Travis both looked at Ray, their eyebrows raised. Ray raised his hands. "Okay, okay. I give in. Someone else in our grade is on vacation, too. Well, actually, she's leaving tomorrow, but--,"

"RAY!" the other boys shouted in unison.

"Okay, okay! Audrey. Are you satisfied now? Gosh, guys." Ray said, adding a fierce cat meow afterwards, and a hand movement like a cats paw. Robbie shook his head, glaring at Ray.

However, Travis wasn't satisfied. Why hadn't Audrey told him? 'I mean, sure, she was mad about the whole kiss scenario, but she was only mad at Lily, right?' Travis thought. Then he had another thought. A flashback, rather...

"...I just think there's something going on with him. He hasn't been himself lately." Lily had said.

"Yeah, I've noticed that too," Travis lied.

Now, he finally realized. Since when had Ray and Audrey become such good friends?

"Travis. Travis? Travis!" Robbie was yelling. "Yo, Swami!" Ray added, squirting him with a water bottle he had brought, in case he got thirsty.

The water had caught Travis's attention. "Ray! What was that for? If that had gotten on any of this equipment, I--," Robbie cut him off. "Smog, we kind of have a show to do! This isn't the best time to daydream. We're already running late." In the background, Ray nodded, matter-of-fact like. Travis turned to his equipment and scowled, so Ray couldn't see him. He flipped a couple of switches, pressed a couple of buttons, and then turned to his friends. "You're on in 5... 4... 3..." Travis signaled the last two numbers.

Robbie started the show. Travis was watching Ray, and Ray was watching Travis, since there was no Lily for them to stare at. "What?" Ray mouthed. Travis shrugged and shook his head as if to say, "I'm not doing anything."

"This is Radio..." Question Mark started. Neither Ray nor Travis continued. Robbie looked at them both. "Alright then... For all of us here in the studio, this is Radio Free Roscoe. I'm question Mark, and I'm wondering... what is it going to take to wake up Smog and Pronto? What is your opinion, Pronto?"

Hearing his radio name, Ray popped back to reality. "Yes! Yes, I agree, Question Mark. That is a good point you brought up."

Travis burst out laughing. Robbie slapped his hand to his forehead, annoyed. "Listeners, this is Question Mark telling you all to enjoy not being here. This is going to be a long show, everyone. Smog, how about you play a couple songs for us while you catch your breath?"

Robbie was right. It was a very long show. In addition, Travis was anxious to get it over with so he could call Lily.

"Okay, guys. That's a wrap. We're done for today." Robbie informed the guys, tapping his fingers on his microphone. Ray nodded. He looked down and fiddled with his thumbs. Travis leaned his head back and looked at the ceiling. "Oh, just go. I'll lock up." He said, un-enthusiastically. Robbie and Ray ran quickly up the stairs and out the door. Once they were out of sight, Travis grabbed his phone and dialed Lily's cell.

"Hello?" Lily answered. Travis loved the sound of her voice.

"Yeah, hi Lily. How was your day?" Travis replied, working into the subject slowly.

Lily sighed, "Travis, stop. Just tell me what you found out." She was trying very hard not to let him know how happy she was to hear from him. The call was so unexpected, when she heard his voice, her heart skipped a beat.

"Since when have Ray and Audrey... been friends?" Travis asked, slowly.

"Oh my God..." Lily whispered, "I didn't think this would actually happen. I'm so sorry Travis, but you need to know something...."

(A few days before)

Robbie and Ray were sitting on the bottom step of the stairway. They often found themselves there, liking it to just sit down and talk.

"...So, I figure, since Travis is going out with Audrey, Lily is all mine! Well, you know, unless they break up or something, but who would give up Audrey?" Ray was saying. Robbie was bobbing his head, pretending to listen, and saying the occasional "Uh-huh," and "Yep," when necessary. However, little did they know, Audrey was standing behind them, waiting to get down the stairs.

"You really think so?" Audrey asked, even though she could care less. Ray turned around. He smiled shyly and nodded. Audrey squatted down so her face was next to Ray's. Robbie had seen her. He took a double take, not believing his eyes. "Well, I've been thinking on dumping Travis anyway," she lied, but they thought she was truthful, "and if you really think so..." she started running her fingers through Ray's hair, "...then maybe we could talk sometime. Although, I'm going on vacation on Thursday, for a week. Maybe, you know, if you'd like to, we could talk about some things over some tea at Mickey's?"

Ray, smiling a confused smile, and blushing a bit, nodded slowly. Audrey let out a soft laugh. She lifted Ray's head with her finger so his eyes met with hers. "I'll come back nice and tan for you." She told him.

After Audrey walked away, Ray looked at Robbie, "What just happened? I... I feel like I'm going to melt."

Robbie glared at him. "You told me you loved Lily, Ray. What about Lily?"

Ray laughed, watching Audrey walk away. "Lily? What about her?" He didn't take his eyes off Audrey, even when Robbie turned and walked up the stairs. There, he saw Lily.

"Lil, I'm sorry about what Ray said." Robbie tried to explain.

Lily blinked back her tears, but she wasn't crying for herself. "Why do you feel sorry for me? Did you hear what she said about Travis? I'll bet she's not even going on vacation. She'll make up some lie, and Ray will believe her. What does he see in her, anyway? I hate her. She doesn't even care about Travis's feelings." Lily said, calmly but angrily, before she stormed away.

"Travis, I'm really sorry this had to happen," Lily said, trying to keep her voice from cracking. She never liked to be the bearer of bad news.

Travis was silent for a moment. Lily was getting very worried. "Travis... are you going to be alright? Please say something, Travis. You're really making me uncomfortable."

"Yeah," Travis whispered. His eyes were glassy with tears. "Thank you, actually, for telling me that. Now I can prevent it." He hung up before Lily could say anymore.

Lily couldn't help but let the flood of tears escape for a while. She laid down on her hotel bed and soon after, fell asleep.