Disclaimer: I don't own anything affiliated with "That's So Raven."

Chapter 13

The next day at school, Raven felt a little better. She was listening to her walkman, bopping her head up and down to the funky sounds of "Boys In Motion," when someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was Ben.

"Hey Raven."

"Ya know Ben," Raven said, taking off her headphones and closing her locker, "it's really not customary to stay friends with your best friend's ex, if you get my meaning."

"I just wanted to see if you were okay."

"I don't think I'll ever be okay, but I'm doing better. Thanks."

"Okay." Ben said and then leaned in. He whispered, "And don't worry, I'm not telling anyone."

"Thanks." Raven said sincerely. Ben nodded and walked off.

Then, Eddie appeared. "Hey Rae."

"Hi."

"I talked to Chelsea last night. She said you weren't taking any of her calls?"

"Well, I couldn't think of a good enough excuse for the way I acted at her house, so I just didn't answer the phone."

"She's kinda upset. She thinks you don't want to be friends anymore."

"God, no. I knew she was going to think that. I just knew it." Raven whined, hanging her head.

Eddie put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"What am I gonna do Eddie?"

"I don't know Rae, but at least you'll have some time to figure it out. Chelsea ain't gonna be here today, but she's definitely feeling better, so she'll be here tomorrow."

"Great. Just great. You know, it's my own fault. I got myself into this mess."

Eddie hugged Raven tightly and whispered in her ear, "You can't help who you love Rae. That's just how it is."

Raven nodded and hugged back. At least Eddie sort of understood. And at least Chelsea wasn't in school today. Raven knew that she had to face Chelsea sometime though, if she wanted to keep her as a friend.

But she didn't know what to tell her. It was a "damned if you do, damned if you don't," situation. Either Raven tells Chelsea and risks losing her as a friend, or Raven doesn't tell Chelsea and risks losing her as a friend. No win. There was a rock, a hard place, and Raven stuck right in the middle.

Raven spent the rest of the day thinking about what she was going to say to Chelsea tomorrow, but nothing good came to mind.

The next day, Raven woke up and took the coward's way out. She faked a stomach virus and got her parents to let her stay home from school, but not before calling Eddie and telling him, so Chelsea wouldn't feel too bad.

Eddie leaned against Raven's locker, holding Chantel by the waist and kissing her softly.

"Isn't...Raven...gonna...be...mad?" Chantel asked between short kisses.

"Nah...she...ain't...here." Eddie replied and began to really kiss Chantel.

"Raven's not in today?" A voice said from beside them and they both stopped and turned to find Chelsea by her locker.

"Chels? How long have you been standing there?" Eddie asked, a little surprised that Chelsea talked to them as if they weren't doing anything.

"Oh, sorry. I just got here and heard Raven wasn't coming in. Why not?"

"She's sick. Got a stomach virus or something." Eddie said, looking at his shoes. He knew the real reason Raven didn't come to school today, and he suddenly felt very uncomfortable talking to Chelsea.

"I don't think she's sick. I think she's avoiding me." Chelsea said with hint of hurt in her voice.

"Why would Rae be avoiding you Chels?" Eddie laughed nervously. He tried to sound as normal as possible, but it wasn't really working.

"I'm gonna get to class early. I'll save you a seat." Chantel said, understanding that this conversation wasn't really any of her business.

"Oh, okay baby. I'll see you in a few." Eddie said, kissing Chantel quickly, thankful for the momentary distraction.

Chantel waved bye to Chelsea, who nodded, and then she walked off. Chelsea didn't waste a second. "She acted so weird at my house and she said that I'd hate her---"

"For what?"

"I don't know Eddie, that's what I'm trying to figure out." Chelsea slammed her locker shut in frustration, and Eddie flinched. She moved in closer, squinting in suspicion. "Do you happen to know why she'd think I'd hate her?"

"Me? Ah--aha, no. No. Nah, not me. Nope. I don't know nuttin. No. Not a thing." Eddie rambled on nervously, backing away from Chelsea slowly. Unfortunately, he backed himself into a corner.

"Eddie."

"Shoulda stopped at the first 'no' huh?"

Chelsea nodded. "So, what's up? Why's Rae acting so weird?"

Suddenly, the bell rang.

"Oh! That's the bell! We'd better go before we're late--" Eddie said happily, walking away from Chelsea. But Chelsea grabbed Eddie's arm and pulled him back into the corner.

"Dang girl! You're strong." Eddie whined, rubbing his bicep.

"Eddie." Chelsea warned.

"I think you bruised my bicep."

"Eddie!"

Eddie flinched and then sighed in defeat. "Look Chels. I know, but I can't tell you. It's up to Rae to do that."

"But Eddie--"

"But nothing Chels! You're my best friend, you know that. But Raven is too, and I promised I wouldn't tell. It ain't my choice."

"Can't you at least give me a hint? Is it something I did? Something Raven did? Why does she think I'm gonna hate her?"

"I'm sorry." Eddie said, shaking his head. "It's not my secret to tell."

Chelsea knew she wasn't going to get anything out of Eddie. Annoyed, hurt, and defeated, Chelsea shook her head and stepped aside. Eddie left his corner and started to walk to class, but he turned when Chelsea didn't follow.

"Hey Chels--" Eddie began, putting a hand on her shoulder, but Chelsea shrugged it off.

"Forget it Eddie. Later." She said firmly and walked out of school.