A/N: This chapter is short but I'll get more out soon. Thanks to everyone for reading!

Parker took her usual place beside Lily at lunch, a huge smile was still plastered on her face as she set her lunch tray down. "Do you really want that pudding cup?" she teased, eyeing Lily's dessert. " I need it, I have energy to burn today."

Lily look over at her, amused. " What's up with you," she asked, curious.

" Oh, I'm just in love," she said dismissively. " And I think he actually noticed me today." She measured her breathing to keep from screaming the words out.

" In love?" Lily asked " That happened fast. Who is he and what did he do?"

" Travis Strong and he asked me out," she said, trying to keep her cool but squealing as she finished the sentence.

" Really," Lily said, after she choked on her drink before regaining composure. " I didn't know that you were in love with Travis...And he's taking you out tonight?" she realized that the anger was coming through her voice, but at the moment, she was too upset to care.

" I'm sorry, Lil," Parker said quietly. " I didn't mean to leave you out but I didn't think you would want to hear me talking about another guy while...Well, while you were still hurting over Ray. Which you obviously still are.

" It's okay," she shrugged. " I mean, I understand." Real nice Travis, you have some nerve. You tell me to take my time and that you will always be there for me and not fifteen minutes later, you're asking someone else out. She fumed but she decided against telling Parker how she really felt. It wasn't like she was actually together with Travis and Parker just had to look so happy. " I am happy for you and you know what, it's time for me to find a date of my own," she smiled.

Parker looked back at Lily " You right, you know, it's way past time to move on."

" I've got to go," she said to Parker " I just remembered a paper that I haven't finished for chem and it is supposed to be done after lunch today." She grabbed her things and slid her unfinshed pudding cup over to Parker " Finish that and I want to hear more about this date later ok?" she said as she hugged her friend briefly " And I mean every detail," she said before she backed up and hurried away.

Parker took the pudding cup and watched her friend leave. I'm worried about you Randi. " I'll catch up with you later!" she called as she watched Lily walk out the door.

Lily didn't know whether she was angry or hurt as she walked quickly down the hallway. She didn't really have a destination in mind, she only knew that she couldn't sit there and listen to Parker rave about Travis. Why her Travis? You could have at least stayed away from my friend. " My best friend," she said aloud.

A voice behind her said " You know, it's not a good sign when you start talking to yourself." She turned to see River smirking at her.

Could things get any worse? " No one else to talk to," she smiled and flipped her hair as she tried to sound nonchalant.

"Come here," he winked " I'll talk to you."

Well now, things just might be looking up. She sauntered over to him " And just what would you want to say?" she asked as she batted her lashes.

River kept the smirk on his face and Lily briefly wondered if she had ever seen him without it. " I would ask why a great looking girl like you would have to resort to talking to herself," he answered as his eyes did a quick once over her body.

" No one has time for this "great looking girl" anymore," she said, using her best pouty voice and sticking her lower lip out.

" You've found someone that will make time," he answered. " Why don't we go somewhere tonight? I'll show you how you should be treated.You've been hanging around the wrong type of people."

No, he did not just ask me out. " Ok," she answered, pretending not to care one way or the other. " I'd like to know how a girl like me should be treated." She smiled inwardly as she gained the nerve to say " There's a movie that I have been dying to see. Want to take me?"

" I like a girl that knows exactly what she wants," he grinned. " Sure. Give me your address and I'll pick you up at seven?"

Lily smiled as she opened her notebook to write the directions down. She felt different somehow. Stronger.