A/N: I got a little obsessed with downloading American Idol performance songs and playing them extremely loud to annoy my roommate this week. Loads of fun. Try it sometime. Anyways, that's part of why this took me a tad bit longer. The other part is because I've been studying my brains out for my accounting final. I'm really about ready to drop the double major and do some serious husband hunting. Who wants to work anyway? But anyways, here it is.

bow2thehippogriff Four or five more chapters after this one.

NotreDamegirlie Well, uh, Jeremy sort of was supposed to be Mr. Woodhouse. I mean, that's who he was going to be when I started. But then he sort of morphed into my own little character. Oops. grinning sheepishly

Satan's Advocate Okay, okay. I tried to do a little bit of a jealous Christian in this chapter here. Jeremy was Mr. Woodhouse (as explained above). I know, I know. I've thought about how this story should probably have parents. But Jane Austen has so many characters already! I have trouble keeping track of all of these characters as it is, without adding anybody extra in. Anyways, yeah. It's not perfect. And I'm not v. good at describing my characters, so there actually might not be a whole lot in here about what they look like… So, uh, picture them how you want to (?) I'll try to go through my old chapters before I post again and see if what I wrote about their physical traits.

ohshocking Glad you liked the pointed look. I was particularly fond of that pointed-look part. He he. :o)

Kate: Christian and Becka, coming right up.

BeyondtheSea Dude, he jumped out of his bowl. That is the second fish I've had jump out of that same bowl (Arg!) I tried to resuscitate him (by putting him back in the water), but alas, it was too late (sigh). Oh, and I love Sophie Walker too :o)

SmartStuff: Happy it wasn't as absurd as you thought it would be :o) It's fun to write.

Jill: That was officially the longest review I've ever gotten. :o) Lol. It made me v. happy. I actually had 5 carnival goldfish long ago, all named after various singer-songwriters. John Mayer was the only one who survived the night, so I just figured he was gonna live forever… Chase and Sophie are coming up next chapter, I promise. Mwhahaha.

Chapter 28

Three Lunch Periods and Thursday Night

Monday, 12:18. I get out of the food line with my tray and already I have a dilemma. My people are at one of the center tables. The only empty seat is by Christian. He didn't say a word to me in Ancient Classics, which confirmed my assumption that he wasn't speaking to me.

I spot Chase at the other side of the cafeteria. He's heading towards the gang. But if I hurry, I can probably intercept him. A girl's got to have somebody to eat lunch with.

I feel like a football player, barreling across the cafeteria with my food. But it's worth it in the end, because I make it to Chase in time. "Come on," I say a little more forcefully than I intend to. "This way." I drag him by one arm to an empty table that's a good ways away from Christian.

"What the hell is up with you and Christian anyway?" Chase asks as he sets his tray down and sits. "Or wait, let me guess. One night of crazy sex and these are the repercussions."

"That is so not funny, Chase Everhart," I say tersely, taking the seat beside him.

"I know," Chase groans. "But you're being all depressing again and I'm just trying to counterbalance that."

"Stop trying."

Chase scowls at me.

"Alright, alright," I sigh. It's time I stop taking my aggression out on Chase anyway. After all, for once, he's pretty innocent. "I'm okay. I'm happy."

"Uh-huh," Chase snorts. He doesn't sound so much like he believes me.

Sophie Walker enters the building and I flag her over to our table. "Do you have to do that?" Chase grumbles as she making our way over to us. Why does he always look so panicked when Sophie's around? The hatred must really run deep.

Me, I'm feeling really quite pleased with myself. I've stolen two regulars away from the Christian-table. Take that Christian Lewis. I haven't lost all my friends.

Just the most important one.

I involve myself in conversation with Sophie and then Chase and then I let them involve themselves in conversation with each other. (It's good for them. These two are just going to have to make friends if they're both going to be friends with me.) I can't help but sneak a glance over at Christian now and then. The first time I look he's giving a private and somewhat passionate monologue to West. I can only imagine that Christian is telling West how much he hates me. I could cry.

Becka Hanson does not cry in the cafeteria. I turn my attention back to Chase and Sophie. They're being actually quite civil. I'm so proud. I turn sideways to stretch my legs onto the chair beside me, using Chase as a backrest in the process. I look back at Christian.

He slumped back in his chair and he's staring at me. Or actually, he's staring at Chase. Christian's arms are folded, his eyes are narrowed. You'd think from this moment that it's actually Chase he hates.

But it's not. It's definitely me.

Chase has to leave before Sophie I do. He says bye, stands up, and heads for the exit. As soon as he does, Christian get up from his table across the cafeteria and follows Chase out. It's almost like he's been waiting for Chase to leave.

Strange.

- - - - - - - - -

Tuesday, 12:32. This is ridiculous. You know what? I'm just going to sit where I damn well please. Even if Christian and I aren't going to be friends anymore, we're going to learn have to be civil in a group. I march over to the regular table and defiantly sit down next to West, across from Christian.

Christian looks up at me, and the whole table is suddenly very quiet. He smiles weakly. "Hey Becka," he exhales. These are the first two words I've gotten from him since Saturday afternoon, and I'm so happy about them I'm tempted to launch myself across the table and into his arms. But after another three minutes it becomes pretty apparent that these are the only two words I'm going to get from him. He's busy talking with Jen, on his left. West is talking to Elton, who's sitting on his other side. I'm not talking to anybody. It's very awkward and depressing.

So when Chase walks in I get his attention and motion for him to come sit beside me. Chase looks quickly at Christian and shakes his head no. He looks a little bug-eyed. I scowl and gesture again to the seat beside me. Chase reluctantly shuffles over and sits down. He's looking a little meek.

"What is wrong with you?" I ask.

Chase shrugs and begins eating his mashed potatoes. I sit there and stare at him for a while. I've got a question I need answered. I lean in and ask quietly, so the rest of the table can't hear, "Did Christian talk to you yesterday?"

"Briefly," Chase says, obviously hoping that this curt answer will put an end to my investigation. Of course it won't.

"Oh my God. What did he says!" I whisper hurriedly.

"Look, can we not talk about this right now?" Chase scowls, glancing meaningfully at Christian. What Chase really means is "can we not talk about this ever." But he does have a point about Christian. Right now, the boy is trying to pretend he's not paying attention to us, but I can tell he's trying to listen in on our conversation.

"Fine," I relent. "But you are so not off the hook."

Chase grunts. Taylor joins the table, sitting down beside Christian, across from Chase. "Well this is nice," she says brightly as she slides into her seat. "Glad to see we can all sit at the same table again. Does this mean you two made up?" She motions to me and Christian.

Thank you, Taylor, for officially making this the most awkward moment of my life. Christian and I look at each other uncomfortably. Somebody has to answer that question. "Not exactly," I finally mumble, looking down at my food.

We all chew quietly. Then Taylor says, "Okay," like she's just trying to fill the silence and picks up conversation with Christian. Chase reaches behind my neck and massages it comfortingly. I rally my spirits and begin a lively round of verbal jousting with him. West kicks me under the table. Huh?

Elton leaves, and Taylor swings around the table to sit by her beloved. Christian tries talking to Jen a little more, but then he's back to scowling again. Chase and I are getting louder and more animated. The louder we get, the deeper Christian scowls, the harder West kicks me under the table. I don't know what's up with West and the kicking. Come to think of it, I don't really know what's up with Christian and scowling either. But it's all very horrible. Eventually Christian just stands up and leaves.

- - - - - - - - - -

Wednesday, 12:05. After yesterday, there is no way I'm going to try to sit at Christian's table. In fact, I don't really want to sit with any of them. And do you know who's sitting by himself today? That's right. Luke Emerson. The lab partner.

"Can I sit here?" I ask, setting my tray down at the spot across from him. He looks up and nods nervously. I sit down. Luke doesn't know what to say to me, but fortunately for both of us, I'm an excellent conversationalist.

"So. Chemistry final in a week and a half. I am so going to fail. It's cumulative isn't it?"

Luke nods again and says, "Yeah. And it's like 500 questions."

"It's like Dr. Pyke wants us all to fail," I groan.

"He does," Luke says with mock solemnity. He's gaining confidence. Maybe the nervous thing is just his initial persona. I kind of like this guy after all. I like him a lot better than Elton, anyway. I should have let Jen date him. Bad Becka.

"Hey, you know what? You're smart. How about we study together?" Okay, I now I sound like I'm trying to use the poor fellow, but that's not really how it is. Like I said, I think I like this Luke guy, and I'm seriously considering adopting him into the group. After all, I could use a new project to keep my mind off of Christian.

"You study with Christian Lewis." Luke sound a bit suspicious of that using thing.

"Not anymore," I say bitterly. "In fact, these days I don't even talk to Christian." Luke has his eyebrows raised. I'm definitely going to capitalize on his curiosity here. After all, I love nothing more than venting.

"Hey, want to hear a long story?" I ask hopefully.

"How long?"

"Long, but interesting. How about I tell you the story and then you can tell me how you think it's going to end." Luke is a little hesitant to commit himself to my long story, but I he doesn't really have a say in the matter. I quickly launch into The Story of Christian and Becka Abridged.

I'm getting pretty animated in my story telling (Luke is laughing at me) when Christian and Jen walk into the cafeteria together. I'm kind of pissed at Jen. I mean, here I am dying of unrequited love and she's all budying around with the object of my affection. They stop and talk to each other, looking at Luke and I. I think they're trying to decide whether or not to come over here. I'll make this easy for them.

"I've got to go," I tell Luke, "but don't think you're off the hook. We'll finish this story in Chemistry."

"I'll be holding my breath," Luke deadpans.

"So how about studying?" I try my luck again. "I'll bake you cookies." There's nothing like a bribe.

"Sounds like a plan," Luke says.

Seriously, I love this guy.

- - - - - - - - -

Thursday, 6:42.

"Jeremy!" I moan, as I trudge into the house. "I'm going to die! If I have to go one more day with him not frickin' speaking—"

"Becka," Jeremy cuts me off hurriedly.

I turn around. Beside him on the couch is Christian. He smiles and lifts his hand in a little wave.

"Oh," I say. I'm rendered speechless.

"That's my cue," Jeremy says cheerfully, and he leaves the room.

Christian sits and I stand and we just look at each other. I hug my stomach nervously and try to think of a way to begin. Christian starts, "So…"

And then everything comes out at once. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I gush, rushing over to the couch and sitting down sideways beside him. "I know I'm horrible person. But you have to be my friend again because it's just crap when you aren't. Please? I know—"

"Woa, down girl," Christian breaks in, chuckling a little. "I'll always be your friend."

I sink back into my chair, suddenly feeling a whole lot lighter. "But you didn't talk to me all week. I thought…" I trail off

"I know," Christian says. "But it didn't… really have anything to with that Natalie thing. I mean, it did, but in a roundabout—" Christian breaks off and shakes his head. Then he tries again. "I just…needed a little away time."

I nod like I understand, although really I don't. But it doesn't matter. As long as Christian doesn't hate me. As long as we're friends again.

"Anyway, I've got to go," Christian says, standing up abruptly.

"It's Thursday night. Where do you have to go?"

"I'm going home for the weekend actually. Leaving," he pauses to look at his watch. "Well, I should have left a while ago. I was just waiting around because I knew if I didn't come make up with you before I left you'd have killed yourself by the time that I got back." Christian was smirking.

"Hey, don't flatter yourself, buddy. I can get along just fine without you, you know," I said playfully.

"Uh-huh," Christian rolled his eyes. "I got that feeling from that 'Oh-Jeremy-I'm-going-to-die-if-Christian-doesn't-talk-to-me' speech you made when you were walking in the door."

"Did I say that? I don't remember saying that."

"Right," Christian laughs. "Well, I've really got to go." He pulls me up and into a hug. "I'll see you Monday, okay babe?" he says into my hair.

"Okay," I smile. Christian hasn't called me babe for a long time. Not since Chase adopted the nickname. Christian releases me and he leaves.

"Okay Jeremy, you can come out. I know you're eavesdropping just around the corner," I say once Christian is gone.

My cousin wanders on in from right around the corner, just as I predicted. "Well that was nice," he says nonchalantly. "The great divide has been bridged once again."

"Har, har, har." I pause and stare at the wall. Then I ask curiously, "How long was he here waiting for me?"

"Like an hour and a half. That's devotion for you."

I smile slowly spreads across my face. "Yeah," I agree. "It kind of is."

Everything is going to be alright.