Here we go…I had some time to write more. This is a rare occasion when I have time to write! So I am happy! I will try to keep updating as often as I can because I like this story. Thanks for reading and feel free to write reviews and comments! Let me know if your favorite character isn't getting enough attention and I'll see what I can do. I love all these guys!

MayRaven

Angela joined her friend outside. Rayanne glanced toward Brian's house and mentally shook herself.

"What's going on?" Angela wanted to know. "What happened? Delia said she saw you go inside."

"Nothing. I mean, really, nothing. I don't want to talk about it." Rayanne dug distractedly in her book bag.

"Rayanne, it's okay to, like, have feelings for someone," Angela said placing an arm around Rayanne's shoulders. "If you like him, it's okay."

"I don't need permission, Angela. Who says I like him?" she pouted.

"Well, I guess it's just a good thing you got to the bottom of that whole rumor thing, at least," offered Angela.

"I can't believe he started it. I can't believe he would say he was better than Jordan. I mean, I only said that because I was drunk, with Jordan I mean," Rayanne confessed.

Angela was taken aback. She moved from her friend and gave her a look. "What do you mean? Wait, you and Brian did have sex? And he was better than Jordan?"

"We were drunk, Angela, and in the back of, like, Catalano's car. How great do you think that was? Look, do you really want to talk about this right now?"

"Yes I do, actually," she said frankly.

"Yeah, well, I don't," admitted Rayanne.

"So, why? Why did you do it?" Angela asked, starting to tear.

"We've been over this. It was a mistake."

"You and Brian? Or you and Jordan?"

Rayanne swallowed down the lump forming in her throat. "I thought we were good. Don't do this again, please," she choked.

Angela turned to go back inside. "We're good. I'm sorry," she said half-heartedly.

"It's really hard, you know," said Rayanne.

"What's that?" asked Angela.

"Being you."

Angela Chase spent most of Thursday at school avoiding Rayanne. Brian was back to attending classes and avoiding Delia Fisher.

Sharon Cherski hung on Kyle's arm as they passed Angela and Ricki in the hall. Angela giggled to herself remembering what Brian had told her.

"So, Ricki, what's up with Kyle?" she asked.

Ricki looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Angela leaned her head on Ricki's shoulder. "It's just that I heard that maybe someone noticed him checking you out," she whispered.

Ricki jump. "Angela, that's not funny. Don't say things like that where people can hear you."

Angela was offended. "I wouldn't. I just thought it was cute," she said.

"Just don't say things like that. People would react badly to something like that, even if it was just a rumor. Look what happened to Rayanne and Brian," he said discouragingly.

Angela made a mental nod. "I guess so. God, I don't know what's going on anymore. I can't wait for Saturday when my life can return to normal."

"What's on Saturday?" Ricki wanted to know.

"Oh, Jordan's band is playing and like I'm going. You want to come with?" she offered.

Ricki accepted the invitation and the two of them walked off to lunch.

That afternoon, Mr. Katimsky called another emergency Drama meeting and called many of the main cast and crew out of class. This meant that Angela's regular English period was moved to the library as a free study period. Jordan and Sharon joined her at her table. Jordan sat next to her and kissed her quickly before the stuffy librarian could reprimand him.

Brian entered after everyone else and headed toward a corner table to be alone. Unfortunately, Jordan still felt quite dependent on Brian from tutoring and he called the boy over. Brian squirmed and looked to Angela who offered no help. Reluctantly, he came over and took a seat next to Sharon. Sharon gave Brian a weak smile and returned to her studies.

"Hey Brian? You know anything about this Shakespeare stuff we have to know?" Jordan asked.

"It's not that hard. Just do like we did in session. Read out a sonnet and then re-write it in your own words so you can understand it better," suggested Brian.

"Yeah but, like, when you help me I read and say it in my own words, but you write it down so I don't mess it up. Remember?" Jordan explained.

Brian sighed and leaned closer across the table. Angela couldn't help study her friend's face with him being so close. He looked tired and she could see traces emotional drain around his eyes.

"Jordan, you'll have to be able to do this for yourself on the exam. Just work them out slowly and I'll help you if you get stuck. Or maybe Angela can help you," Brian suggested.

Angela blinked and nodded. "Oh, sure. Jordan, just tell me if you're having trouble." Jordan agreed, but wasn't too happy about the arrangement. Brian pulled out his calculus books and got to work.

Angela was feeling restless and when she looked over at Jordan he was staring at the top of Brian's head. Finally, Brian looked up. "What? Are you, like, stuck already?" he asked in disbelief.

"What? No, I just wanted to know why you started that rumor. I mean I could get you any girl. Why make something up?" Jordan wanted to know.

Sharon lifted her head with interest. "So, you did make it up. Delia told me something like that last night," she said.

Angela rolled her eyes. "Look I don't think it matters anymore," she sighed.

Jordan thought otherwise. "Sure it does. I mean why go through all of that? Are you trying to make a girl want you? Or like make her jealous, or something?" he asked.

"No, nothing like that," Brian retorted. "It just got out of hand. Drop it, okay."

Despite Brian's obvious discomfort, Jordan pushed on. "You're not trying to make Angela jealous, " he said looking from Brian to Angela and back, "because that would be a waste of time."

Brain shook his head in frustration. Sharon grinned at the thought. Angela went pale and wondered if she could slip under the table and slink away without being noticed.

"No," Brian said at last. "It wasn't about Angela. Just leave it."

"So, what then?" Jordan thought. "It was Graffe, then? You want to be with her, right? I think that's a risky idea. She doesn't usually go for your type."

"Thanks for stating the obvious," blurted Brian.

"Hey, I'm just trying to be a friend. Don't get mad at me," said Jordan. "Why did you have to throw in that part about being better than me, anyway?"

They all stared at Brian and his face flushed. "I didn't. I mean, I don't know who added that."

"You're such a liar, Brian," said Angela.

"Look, I didn't say that Chase. It wasn't me, for real."

"Right, like we're supposed to believe you," added Sharon.

Brian got very quiet and no one else said anything for a time. He thought back to the rainy night that he and Rayanne were together and wondered he was making a bigger deal over things than he should. He decided that wasn't really about the sex for him. While it had been more than he'd ever imagined, it was the events of the next day that had stayed with him.

Rayanne rolled over and placed a lazy arm across Brian's bare chest. Brian was doing his best not give in to the rush of anxiety he felt upon waking in the girl's bed. He couldn't believe what had happened, thought maybe he'd dreamed it. Only there he was in her bed, naked. And there she was…

He caught a glimpse of her bare chest, blushed and looked away awkwardly. Rayanne opened her eyes and covered herself without a second thought.

"Hey," she yawned.

"Hi, I mean, hey," stuttered Brian.

She lifted her hand to his brow and ran her fingers through his fluffy curls. "That's some hair you have in the morning," she commented. His hair was quite a sight, all curls and frizz.

Brian laughed in spite of himself and Rayanne joined him. She moved her face to his and gave him a kiss. For a long while they stared into each other's eyes and studied the other's features.

A grumbling, low in Rayanne's stomach, interrupted them. Giggling, she got out of bed and pulled on the robe Brian had worn the night before. She threw him his pants and stretched out another yawn.

"You hungry? I'm always really hungry after," she paused, "you know." It dawned on her that Brian had probably didn't have any experience to compare to. "We don't have much, but we have, like, cereals and probably OJ."

Brian smiled sheepishly and pulled on his pants under the blankets. He followed her into the kitchen where she poured them both a bowl of cereal and milk. While Rayanne got the orange juice from the fridge Brian looked more carefully at the cereal.

"What kind is this, exactly?" he asked pointing at his bowl.

Rayanne did a double take. "Oh, right. This is, like, our mixed batch of cereals. We, like, try out different ones all the time and stuff. So this is, like, all those bits that get left at the bottom of the bag. You know when there's not enough for a whole bowl. So we, like, keep the leftovers and mix 'em together until there's either enough for a full bowl or like there's nothing else left to eat and we have no choice but to eat it," she explained.

Brian smiled at her logic and stirred into the milk what looked like Captain Crunch, some Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, and possible Fruit Loops. He was slightly afraid of what it might taste like. He took a deep breath and put a spoonful in his mouth. He choked, the taste was so vile he had to spit it back out. Rayanne didn't believe his reaction and tried some herself. She spat hers into the sink.

"Here have some juice," she choked. Both she and Brian drank a whole glass before the taste was gone. "Okay, that wasn't such a hot idea," she admitted.

"Maybe next time you should keep flavors separate," he suggested. Rayanne grimaced. She turned and rooted through her cupboards. Finally she emerged triumphant. She'd found a box of Pop Tarts.

"Hey did you mom ever come home last night?" he asked.

Rayanne thought a moment and then shook her head. "Nah, she was on a date with this guy she's been seeing. She usually stays over and then goes to work from there."

"I see. Sounds kind of like at my house. I mean, my parents probably haven't even noticed that I never came home last night yet," he said sitting on the couch with his pop tart.

"Oh, yeah. You won't get in trouble, or anything?" she wanted to know.

Brian shrugged and watched Rayanne as she stepped over his legs and sat next to him. She really was beautiful. "No, I don't think so. I mean, even if I do, it was worth it," he said putting an arm around her. Rayanne snuggled into him pulling a knit blanket around them.

It wasn't like her to feel so domestic about a guy, but Brian was different. She didn't have to pretend with him. She could be herself. "Cool," she breathed and took a bite of her pastry. "Want to watch cartoons?"

It just so happened to be a Saturday and the two of them spent the morning watching children's cartoons and finished off with Sesame Street. Brian didn't even know anyone watched that show anymore.

Occasionally, they kissed and caressed, enjoying each other's company. Brian's anxiety faded fast and he felt at ease with Rayanne. He wondered if she was always so comfortable after sex. He'd always pinned her as a 'dine and dash' kind of girl.

"Was it like this with Jordan?" he asked suddenly while the Count was counting off nine bats in his belfry.

Rayanne looked up into Brian's eyes. "Where did that come from? You know it wasn't. You were there, you peeping tom," she said, hurt on the edges of her voice.

"Right, sorry. I don't know why I said that. It was stupid of me," he reflected.

Rayanne knew Brain had a reputation of saying something stupid at all the wrong times. She shifted he position on the couch. "I don't really remember what it was like, okay Krakow. It's not something I think about either. If it helps, this is way better," she said with a kiss.

Brian remember how furious his parent shad been hen he got home. They said they were five minutes away from calling the police. They grounded him for the next week and told him he'd lost driving privileges for the month.

Brian snuck a phone call to Rayanne that night. Her mother answered and said Rayanne was out. Brian wondered where she'd gone without telling him. He tried calling her the next day as well, but this time no one answered.

That Monday he tried to talk to her in person at school and she'd brushed him off. Every time after that, she would take-off, claiming she needed to be somewhere, or ignore him and find someone else to talk to.

He needed to find out why she was treating him this way. So, two weeks later he wrote a note in disguised handwriting and fed it to an unsuspecting popular, pretending he had no idea what it said. Luckily, the girl had no idea that he was the Brian in the note and the rumor took its course.

He hadn't expected the intense teasing and touching when people started to figure out he was the one mentioned. And he never expected Rayanne to be so mad at him. What had he done?

"Serves me right," he thought to himself. He couldn't concentrate on calculus after that. He closed his books and left the library. Angela and Jordan watched him leave.

TBC…..