Chapter Five:

Pizza, the American past time…

"How'd you like the movie?" Averman asked teasingly when he sat down next to Joe.

"It was okay.." she shrugged.

"Okay, you were practically in my lap the whole time," Julie snickered.

"That's because I was attempting to escape that one over there," Joe pointed to Portman who was up getting their drinks.

"Ha, I happen to think it's cute, Portman hasn't been really in to any girls lately, you should feel honored," Russ snickered.

"Honored enough to stick this fork in to my own skull," Joe held the fork to her skull pretending to stick it in her head.

"Hey now, don't make us call the men in white jackets, then you won't be able to use sharp pointy knives to inflict self mutilation," Averman smirked.

"Nope I'd have to use sporks then…and plastic too, won't work as well either.." Joe shrugged laughing.

"Its good to know you have a sense of a humor, eases the whole being afraid you'll kick my ass thing," Averman nodded.

"But won't ease the fact I'll kick your ass for taking my seat now will it," Portman growled looking down at Averman.

"What I was just saying hello…" Averman looked denfensively.

"Well now say good bye," Portman motioned for Averman to get up. Averman did so for fear of a serious wedgie. Joe rolled her eyes as Portman sat down next to her putting his arm around her shoulder once more.

"You're milkshake my lady," he winked at her.

"You know my shoulder kinda hurts," Joe moved towards the other side of the both a little bit, practically ending up in Fulton's lap. Fulton smiled slightly. Portman eyed him slightly then looked to her,

"Well let me rub it for you.."

AHHH crap I'm trapped Help me, please..ahhh damnit.. Joe thought to herself as Portman began to rub her shoulder through her leather jacket. She looked to the other table to see Charlie, she mouthed a plea of "HELP ME!"

AT THE OTHER TABLE

"Do you think he'll ever give up?" Charlie asked starring over at the table where Portman sat with Fulton, Tyler, Julie and Joe.

"Not really, but I can see Tyler is attempting the same stuff with Julie," Russ smiled at Banks.

"Looks like Banks got some competition," Ken nudged Banks.

"Julie won't fall for his crap, she's better than that," Connie said as she bit into a piece of bread stick.

"But the question is will Joe?" Averman laughed.

"Well she hasn't kicked his ass yet, so maybe she does like Portman," Goldberg shrugged, he, Luis and Dwaynne had just joined them at their booth.

"Maybe this is more drama then we need right now, I mean Portman wont be thinking much of school as long as Joe is around and well Tyler I can't say that I think he's an A student.." Guy started looking to them.

"You know he's right, I mean with the new scholarship requirements we all should be hitting the books pretty hard." Charlie nodded. There was a moment of silence before anyone said anything.

"Do you really think Julie likes Tyler?" Banks finally asked.

"I highly doubt it, if you're so worked up about it, why don't you tell her how you feel banks?" Connie asked. Banks went pale white, even paler than his usual color and shook his head,

"Nah it's not like that."

MEANWHILE…

Joe was finally finish her piece of pizza when she looked to her watch.

"Guys it's like 10:00 I need some rest before practice in the moring..and curfew is in thirty minutes!" Joe looked to the four of them. Tyler was busy chatting Julie up, while Dean andFulton were going on about some previous hockey game.

"She's right we need to get going," Julie nodded.

"Well I'll walk you and Julie to your dorms then.." Portman jumped up holding out his hand for Joe. Joe sighed finally thinking to herself..Why not.

"Okay but no funny business Portman," she took his hand and started to the door with him. Julie was close behind with Tyler hanging to her every movement. That just left Fulton alone at the table starring at where Joe had been sitting.

"Fult come on curfew," Charlie motioned for Fulton to tag along with him and Banks. Most of everyone else had left.

"What does she see in him?" Fulton asked looking up to Charlie.

"Well for the most part, maybe the fact he talks more?" Adams shrugged.

"Hey watch your own back cake-eater they got this bet going.." Fulton stopped when he realized what he was saying.

"They made a bet Fulton? What type of bet?" Charlie arched a brow.

"Portman and Tyler, they got a bet they can land Julie and Joe, get them to like eachother," Fulton sighed feeling horrible he ratted out his best friend.

"Great…we need to stop this quick, I can't afford to have a lot of drama on my team here.." Charlie started then looked to see where Banks was. But Banks was gone, the minute he had heard Julie and Tylers name he had stormed out.

"Banks, oh crap, he's gonna end up in a wheelchair.." Fulton said as he got up running with Charlie after him.

OUTSIDE THE GIRLS DORM..

Portman stopped at the door opening it for Joe.

"Thanks Portman, I mean, yea..thanks.." she said looking down slightly blushing. He had grown on her the whole night, being nice and all. She wasn't used to that.

"Well I figured we need a proper introduction and it's the least I could do after the whole biting thing.." Portman smirked at her as he held the stairs door open for her. Joe looked down and sighed slightly, something was nagging at her.

"What's up Joe?" Portman took her hand looking at her.

"Uh Portman, I don't think this whole you and me thing is going to work. I like ya and all but uh, not like girlfriend boyfriend type. More like friend ya know.." Joe stuttered as they stood at the bottom of the stairwell. Portman just nodded not saying anything.

"Understandable, you don't know me, right, I mean we can take it slow if you want?" Portman laughed. Joe tried her best not to bang her head against the wall in frustration as they continued walking up the stairs to her room. She unlocked her door and turned to see him up close about to kiss her.

Damnit...she thought...What to do what to do?

She reached out her hand and shook Portmans smiling,

"Well it's been nice, Thanks Dean. But I need some Zzzss.." And with that she left Portman standing there in the hall as she escaped finally to her room closing the door. She leaned up against it sighing with relief.

"Thank god that's over," she whispered to herself.