Sorry for the delay and all. I had this chapter half way written, and then I lost it. So I got mad and stopped writing for a while. But hey, it's finally finished (I think it was better the first time though), and it's longer than usual too! Hooray!

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"I know what you're trying to do."

"What?" I ask innocently, looking up at the somewhat intimidating, very tall, very I would say attractive if he wasn't extremely pissing me off at the moment, form of Christina who is standing beside me with his hands folded across his chest.

We are at another party, yet again standing at the edge of another dance floor watching other people dance because the freak will never dance himself. Jen and Elton being one of the dancing pairs we're watching. Christian doesn't acknowledge me with a response, so I say, "I'm not 'trying to do' anything."

"Becka, Becka, Becka," he says, shaking his head, "after all our years of friendship you wouldn't lie to me, would you?"

"Oh, off course not," I answer, rolling my eyes in his direction. He meets my scowl with a reproving look, and I give in. "Oh alright," I admit. "Jen, Elton. There's obvious chemistry there. I'm just giving them a little extra push."

For the past week or so instead of trying to avoid Elton I've been finding all possibly opportunities to have him around. At first he was a little surprised, but he pretty quickly got the idea that this was for Jen's sake and not my own.

"It's not going to work, you know," Christian says.

"Oh really?" I ask dryly. "And tell me, Eros god of love, why exactly is it not going to work?"

"Oh no, I think you're smart enough to figure that one out yourself."

"She's nice, he's handsome. No match could be more perfect," I challenge.

"Except you and Chase," he interjects.

"Except me and Chase, off course," I agree, smiling.

Now it's Christian's turn to roll his eyes. Then he's right back on track. "Well, sorry I have to be the one to say it, but Elton doesn't exactly go for 'nice' girls, if you haven't noticed. He's more into—how do I put this tactfully—rich ones."

Unbelievable. "So like the only reason he dated me for a years is because I've got money?"

"Okay, that is totally not where I was going with that," Christian tries to interpose, but I cut him off.

"Yeah, why didn't I think of that? Because of course there's not other reason a guy would ever want to date me. You must be right Christian. Genius."

"Look!" Christian interrupts. Loudly. I shut up. "All I'm saying is, you know, watch yourself. Because I don't think it's Jennifer that Elton's after, even with her heart of gold."

"Well, thanks for the heads up, Dr. Phil."

"Sarcasm is truly one of your greatest assets."

I grunt in reply. Christian is exasperated. I'm irate. "Look I'm out of here. I'll see you around, okay?" he says.

"Whatever," I reply. He looks at me one more time, then shakes his head and walks away.

I'm not allowed to wallow in my anger for very long, as pretty soon I'm joined by an overly-exuberant Jen, and am forced to put on the happy face. She has apparently lost Elton somewhere in the crowd (what a pity) and is bursting at the seems. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!"

"Oh your gosh, what?" I say, hoping to stop her from repeating the phrase any more times.

"Oh my gosh!" No such luck. "He asked me out!"

He asked her out? Elton asked her out?! Damn, that's moving fast, even for him. Suddenly, I'm excited too. Ha ha ha. Eat that, Christian.

"Oh my gosh!" God, now I'm saying it. "I can't believe Elton actually asked you out! Already!"

Fifty percent of Jen's exuberance is suddenly knocked out of her. "No, not Elton," she says, looking at me very perplexed. "My friend, Luke Emerson."

Hell. Not the chemistry geek. Why me God, why me?

"Oh yeah, Luke Emerson," I say, none to excitedly. "I remember him. So what did you tell him?"

"Well. I told him I'd think about it. Because I wanted to talk to you, of course. What do you think I should do?"

"Jen, I can't tell you what to do." I mean, I could. But I'm not completely morally bankrupt. "If you like Luke more than any other guy you know, if you think that he is the best possible boyfriend you could ever have, than I don't see why you have to think about it." Okay, maybe I'm almost completely morally bankrupt.

"Well," Jen begins unsurely. He eyes wander around the room full of people for a minute, as she tries to collect her thoughts. "It's hard to say if I like him more than every guy I know. Every guy, you know? I mean, I like your friends a lot, like Christian—"

This is not headed in the right direction. "No, I don't like many people more than Christian—most of the time—" I interrupt, "but why don't we compare Luke to someone else, say, Elton. You and him have been getting a long pretty good lately. I could've sworn you were starting to like him, but if you like this Luke guy then by all means—"

"No, actually," Jen interrupts me now, "I think I've decided to tell Luke no?" She says it like a question. "Is that right? Or wrong, is it wrong?"

I smile. "Now that you've decided, I can tell you what I think. I think you're perfectly right."

Jen exhales deeply, very relieved that I approve. Then she asks, "Do you really think Elton might like me?"

"Well, yeah," I say as if it's obvious. "Why else would he be hanging around so much?"

"I dunno," Jen shrugs. "For you maybe."

"Believe me, Elton and me are old history. He's all about you now."

Jen's all exited again. "That would be so awesome if he did like me. I mean, I really, really like him. He's just so increadible."

I can't help but smile. My poor enamored friend.

"Ready to go girls," Elton says from behind us, and Jen jumps five feet in the air at the sound of his voice.

"Yep," I answer. We caught a ride with Elton to this party. "Ready Jen?" I ask.

"Actually," Jen begins slowly, "I think I'm going to catch a ride home with Luke. Me and him need to... talk," she finishes, looking at me. I nod in approval.

"Okay see you tomorrow," I say, and she takes off.

"Wow, you mean the girl has friends besides you?" Elton says as soon as she gone.

What?

I look at him with bewilderment all over my face. "Sorry," he says. "I know she's your friend. I'll be nice. But seriously the girl is like a leach."

What, what, what?! I'm so shocked I can't even answer him.

"Come on, let's go," he says, placing a hand on my back and guiding me out of the room.

Suddenly I'm wishing I had alternate transportation.