"So, Gary, wanna see a movie Friday?" Gabby asked.

"Can't," Squib said into the phone.

"Let me guess, practice, right?"

"Yep," Squib confirmed.

"Right," Gabby sighed, "call you later."

Squib heard a knocking at the door.

"Coming," he said, quickly moving toward it.

"Hi, Gary," said the girl in the hall as he opened it.

"Gabby? What are you doing here?" Squib asked.

"I just wanted to drop by," she said innocently.

"But, I told you, I have practice," Squib said.

"Really?" Gabby asked, "Because on the way in I met Adena, and she said the coach was gone tonight. How do you have practice without a coach, Squib?"

Squib sighed, "Okay, I lied."

"No kidding,"

"But, I just have a lot of homework to do, and I really do have an early practice tomorrow, and the week's been really busy. But I just didn't want you to feel like I was blowing you off," Squib confessed.

Gabby looked thoughtful, "Okay," she sighed, "but next time, please tell me the truth. I thought you didn't want to spend time with me."

"Of course I do," Squib smiled.

"Okay," she smiled back, "see you next week, then." She gave him a kiss on the check and disappeared out the door.

"Hey man," Cameron said as he came in a few minutes later, "you wanna come down to the open? We rented Shall We Dance?" Squib quirked an eyebrow, "It was the girls' turn to pick," Cameron confessed.

"Might as well," Squib shrugged, smiling.

"So," Cameron began as they walked out, "you have much homework left?"

"Oh, no," Squib said, "I finished it all last night."

Cody turned on her laptop and found she had a new email. Opening it, she discovered it was from Adena and Tannis, begging her to come home for the November long weekend. Cody smiled, she had missed them. Plus, she had already talked to her dad about it earlier today. Picking up the phone, she decided to call the girls and tell them the good news. But she somehow found herself dialing Squib's number. Maybe this will give me an excuse to finally talk to him Cody thought. She waited for the wave of guilt to come, but it never did. On the fifth ring, the machine picked up.

"Hey, you've reached Squib and Cameron," she heard Squib's voice, "either we're out on the court and I'm kicking Cameron's butt, or we're screening our calls and you didn't make the cut," Cody laughed, "either way, you know what to do. Here's the beep."

Cody took a deep breath, "Hey Squib, it's Cody…"

"Hey Squib, it's Cody. I just wanted to let you all know I can make it next weekend. Can't wait to see you guys, tell everyone I miss them. See you soon."

Squib pressed the repeat button, ready to listen to the message for a 17th time, when Gabby walked in.

"Gabby? What are you doing here? I told you I have homework…"

"Squib," she interrupted, "I think we need to break up."

"What?" Squib asked, shocked.

"I can't date a guy who's so clearly hung up over another girl," she explained.

"What? I'm not…"

"Yes, you are," she interrupted again, "Cody Myers. You talk about her all the time, and you don't even notice it! I know you miss her. How long do you think you can keep making excuses? I know you're not into this relationship."

Squib paused. Did he really talk about Cody that often? "Look Gabby," he said, ready to launch into a string of excuses. Suddenly, though, he found himself saying, "I'm sorry."

"What?" Gabby asked, not thinking he would give in so easily.

"I'm sorry. This whole thing has been unfair to you,"

"It's okay," Gabby said, softening, "you can't help how you feel about someone. Good luck with Cody, Squib." She smiled, pecked him on the cheek, and with that she was gone. Squib sat down, knowing he should feel at least a little hurt. After all, he had just ended a relationship. However, he found himself pressing the play button on his answering machine again.

"Hey Squib, it's Cody…"

Gone, she's gone
How do you feel about it
That's what I thought
You're real torn up about it
And I wish you the best
But I could do without it
And I will, because you've worn me down
Oh, I will, because you've worn me down

Worn me down like a road
I did everything you told
Worn me down to my knees
I did everything to please
But you can't stop thinking about her
No, you can't stop thinking about her

And you're wrong, you're wrong
I'm not overreacting
Something is off
Why don't we ever believe ourselves
And I, oh, I feel that word for you
And I will, because you've worn me down
Oh, I will because you have worn me down

Worn me down like a road
I did everything you told
Worn me down to my knees
I did everything to please
But you can't stop thinking about her
No, you can't stop thinking about her

She's so pretty; she's so damn right
But I'm so tired of thinking
About her tonight

Worn me down like a road
I did everything you told
Worn me down to my knees
I did everything to please
But you can't stop thinking about her
No, you can't stop thinking about her

Worn me down like a road
I did everything you told
Worn me down to my knees
I did everything to please
Worn me down like a road
I did everything you told to me to do
But you, you can't stop thinking about her
No, you can't stop thinking about her
No, you can't stop thinking about her
No, you can't stop thinking about her

-Rachel Yamagata 'Worn Me Down'