Part V: My Friend in You

It was a week after Alex took Luke to her version of a basketball clinic. Normally, Alex would be hanging out with Dianne and the others. She got caught up with her Trigonometry homework. She was working alone in a kiosk in front of the library when Marissa saw her. Marissa took the chance.

"Hey…" Marissa gave Alex a pat on the back.

"Uh… Hi!" Alex smiled then took her books to give space for her.

She gladly took it.

"Having trouble with our homework again?"

Alex nodded, biting the tip of her pen. Alex wasn't dumb in school. In fact she was smart. She just had problems remembering formulas.

"I can help you if you want. I'm done with mine anyway." Marissa offered.

"If it's no trouble… I'm really running out of patience…"

"Well, you have to be patient with numbers." Marissa smiled as she took out her pen and notes.

They spent the rest of the day doing Alex's homework. Marissa transferred from seating in front of Alex to beside her. This made teaching Alex a lot faster. Both didn't really mind being that close to each other.

Summer passed by where they were. She intended to go to the library, but she saw them getting cozy. She stayed to watch from a distance.

They turned to do their Economics homework. Marissa's pen fell on the bottom of the table. Instinctively both of them bent to get the pen, hitting each others head.

"SORRY!" They both said.

Smiling, Alex took the pen herself. She then gave it to Marissa.

They both stared at each others eyes for a moment. Not really knowing why. They blushed when they realized they were staring at each other.

Summer giggled from a distance as she saw the exchange. She then decided it's best to leave her friend. She skipped towards the library.

"Um… I have to go home now. My roommate might get worried. Thank you for the help." Alex stood up.

"You're welcome. Glad I could help you." Marissa smiled.

"See you on Monday." Alex smiled back.

"See you Monday."

They both walked separate ways.

----

You know Jodie, you have to tell her. You can't lie to her like nothing is happening.

"I can't do that. She's young. She's fragile. I can't give her that now."

If you don't ask her now, when will you? You'll lose this one. Believe me.

"Look, wait… I think she's here… I'll settle this. I'll try to find a way to be subtle."

Jodie hanged up the phone and opened the door.

"Sorry I'm late. I had to finish my homework at school."

"Oh, I was about to call you. I was beginning to worry…" Jodie replied as she took some of Alex's books.

"A friend helped me out. Remember the girl I stepped on…"

Jodie raised an eyebrow.

"She's your friend now?"

"No. I mean yes I guess. She's my lab partner and stuff. She helped me with my homework so I guess we're friends now. She's cute too you know. Really cute..." Alex replied.

She threw her bag on the couch and went straight to the kitchen. She left not knowing Jodie has grown upset with her last remarks.

----

"Hey Riss… Anything you would like to share to me?" Summer asked casually as she took her clothes out of her bag.

"Nothing." Marissa replied.

They were watching reruns of Once and Again.

"Are you sure…?" Summer asked playfully.

"Yes…" Marissa rolled her eyes.

"Well I saw you today with someone…" Summer said lying with Marissa in bed.

"I was with a lot of people Sum…"

"Well this particular person is cute…"

"Cute? You're into the person? Who?" Marissa turned to look at Summer.

"I'm not into the person please... I was actually thinking you might be…"

"Get out! I'm not into anybody…"

"Right..."

"Who are we talking about anyway?"

"Alex…"

"She's a friend Sum…"

"But she's cute right?"

"A little…" Marissa replied slightly blushing.

"That's what I said." Summer grinned.

----

"Hi Ry… Sorry I called… Are you sleeping?"

I'm ok squirt. Need help with something?

"Well… sort of… I think I like someone I'm not supposed to like…"

Why would you say you're not supposed to like the person?

"Well she's a friend. A new friend. I hardly know her. She was bitchy before… But she's extremely nice now."

Well… Just follow your heart. If you heart is willing. Just go. You won't know till you try.

"Ok. Thanks Ry… Call me back soon ok?"

I will squirt. Stop thinking about stuff aside from school. Concentrate remember?

"I will. Bye Ryan."

Alex didn't realize Jodie was eavesdropping.

"I'm not going to lose you Alex. I won't…"