"And yes. I would like you to at least consider dating some other people. Even if it's just to prove to yourself that there is no one else you'd rather be with in the whole world than Tom."

It's a little late for this talk, Jenny thought to herself wryly. She had already discovered another guy. And he thought she was great, more than great even and she thought he was... she sighed

as she realized her thoughts were once again on Julian. Her mom mistook her sigh for something else as she continued talking.

"Ok. Not just yourself. Your father and I as well."

Her mom's last comment eluded Jenny's brain and she shot her a confused glance.

"I know what you're thinking. But so what if the guy turns out to be a dud? So what if every other guy turns into Mr. Wrong? At least you'll know other guys find you attractive and fun and all that

good stuff besides Tom. You'll have some new friends out of it. If nothing else you'll have awkward dates you can laugh about with your friends. Maybe someday you can even picture yourself

with someone else besides Tom."

Seeing the look on Jenny's face made Mrs. Thorton laugh again.

"Ok, maybe that's a stretch for now."

But Jenny's mom didn't know that while she was talking Jenny was picturing herself with someone besides Tom and was looking depressed because she wanted that someone, not because she

couldn't imagine it happening.

Should she tell her? Jenny mused for a moment. She couldn't see a reason not to, other than her own desire to keep it a secret. Maybe it would make her feel better; at least she could practice

saying the words. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself first.

"Actually Mom, Tom and I have broken up."

Now it was her mom's turn to give Jenny a look. She practically fell backwards into the cushions. If it weren't such a painful subject Jenny would have laughed at her mom's behavior. As it was she couldn't help but crack a smile. Seeing Jenny's small smile made her mom regain her composure quickly.

"Oh honey…I'm sorry. What happened?"

What happened? What was it about human nature that made everyone so curious? Be it accident, death, or something else equally morbid, human beings couldn't help but wonder…what was the cause?

"Well…" Jenny paused. Obviously the truth was out of the question here. She struggled with the answer, knowing it had to satisfy her mom's curiosity and also stop the line of questioning. She thought for a moment and then realized she didn't have a great answer now and would likely never have one. So she just gave the only one she could think of. She settled on a response that was truthful yet not the whole story.

"There was someone else…"

"Tom became involved with another girl? When? Who?"

Boy that answer really didn't stop the flow of questions now did it? Jenny mentally rebuked herself. She blushed and couldn't meet her mom's eyes as she answered,

"Uh, no, actually…it was me."

That made her mom's eyes widen. For a few moments they sat in silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Then her mom laughed.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Well here I am with this whole speech about growing up and keeping your options open and now I just feel foolish."

"Oh no Mom, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"No, no. Never mind that. I'm not upset. Quite the opposite, actually. I guess I need to give you more credit than I do. So who is he?"

Now it was Jenny's turn to have her eyes widen.

Whoa, was that a topic she didn't feel like discussing with her mom. She remained silent, hoping her mom would take the hint. But it seemed as though her mom was quite content to wait for Jenny's answer. But Jenny refused to fall prey to the trap she had set up for herself just moments before, and so she carefully thought out her answer.

"It doesn't matter."

Boy that sounded better in her head.

"What do you mean it doesn't matter? And don't tell me it was 'just some guy' because I know you and I don't think you could ever…well I didn't think you would ever so much as look at another guy, I already admitted that. So, knowing that you have, I have to believe that he is out of this world. He'd have to be to draw your attention away from Tom for any length of time."

Just some guy? Julian? No way! Out of this world? Definitely. Yes. But she wasn't going there. Not now, not with her mom.

"He is…" Jenny faltered. How did you describe Julian? She thought about him and struggled to find any appropriate words. She searched her memories and conjured up mental pictures of his eyes, his lips, his arms as they held her, his…

"Wow." Jenny's mom interrupted her train of thought. Jenny looked around, silently hoping she hadn't actually started to drool while thinking of Julian.

"What is it, Mom?"

"You don't have to say anything, that's all."

"What do you mean?"

"Just that while you were trying to think of a way to describe him your whole face just lit up. I've never seen that look in your eyes."

Oh dear.

They were getting into dangerous territory now. Before her mom could read into anything else Jenny had to set her straight on one thing.

"We're not together either."

"Okay now I'm confused."

Oh boy. Jenny got up and paced around in a tight circle, tears springing unbidden to her eyes as she thought about why she and Julian weren't together…the real reason. But she forced herself to gain control and face her mom. She gave her answer in a single rush of breath.

"Well he doesn't live anywhere near here. And so we can't be together. It's as simple as that."

"Oh…honey."

That almost undid Jenny's composure. That kind of pity that can only come from your parents.

"It's okay. It's probably a good idea to be by myself for a while anyway, right? I've got all these decisions and changes to deal with so taking some time to focus on me is all right."

"You're growing up so fast." Her mom said with a sigh, standing to take Jenny into a tight embrace. "Just don't grow up too fast."

As she let Jenny go she added one more question.

"What did Dee and everyone say when they heard about you and Tom?"

Jenny noticed that she was trying to look like it wasn't a big deal, and it confused her.

"Well you're the first person I've told, to be honest. That's what you walked in on, the tail end of us breaking up."

Her mom's face brightened noticeably and Jenny understood the peculiar manner her mom had adopted a moment ago…she was jealous. Jealous that she was left out of something this

important in her daughter's life. But knowing she was the first to know about the break-up apparently reassured her about her importance.

"So are you nervous about telling them?"

That didn't even come close to describing the near heart-attack she felt with the mere thought of telling her friends.

"Yes. Very."

"Don't worry. They're your friends for a reason…they love you and they'll stand by you, no matter what."

They had already done that and more, Jenny thought to herself.

"Ok, well why don't you go finish up some homework before dinner? I'll call you in about half an hour."

"Ok mom."

Her mom gave her a long hug before letting her go upstairs.

"Oh Jenny?" Her mom called out before she had made it up the stairs.

"Yeah mom?"

Mrs. Thornton came into view at the bottom of the landing and smiled up at her daughter.

"I know that after telling your friends about you and Tom there will be some awkward tension for a while. But I want you to know that things will get better. You and Tom have been friends for

far too long to let anything keep you from being in each other's lives for more than a short time."

Jenny smiled at her mom's attempts at reassurance. She turned to keep walking but again her mom called out to her.

"One more thing honey."

"Yes?"

"About the other guy."

Jenny's eyes widened and she forgot to breathe for a moment. Was her mom trying to give her heart failure or something? Jenny thought she had made it clear that she and 'the other guy'

weren't together either, so what was her mom doing?

"I just want you to know that things have a way of working themselves out the way they're supposed to. And if you are meant to be with this other guy, or someone else for that matter, then it

will happen. So when you don't think that things will ever go back to normal, well, just remember two things."

"What's that mom?"

Her mom smiled at her.

"Number one is: there is a plan. We don't always know it but our paths are laid out for us. All of the crazy stuff that goes on is all part of a master plan. And number two is: don't be so quick to

wish a normal life for yourself. When all is said and done what's so great about normal?"

Jenny completely froze in place at that statement. It was exactly what she had said to Julian. Spooky. Her mom appeared not to notice her daughter's paralysis as she kept talking.

"When you look back at your life the things that stand out are usually the missed opportunities and the unusual things that deviate from the norm. So even if you and this mystery guy aren't

together anymore at least you took a chance. And that's something that too many people never get the courage to do."

The sudden ringing of the phone brought the conversation to an abrupt end.

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Author's note: I have such great reviewers that I feel that I should really be thanking them more and more often.

Disclaimer: Just for kicks I'll go ahead and have the standard disclaimer plus an order of fries. Please leave off the mayo and add the "do not sue me please". That's all

Chapter 24

Cat I hope that I am updating at a decent speed. I've been busting my tailfeather to do better.

Skyfire Hope that the "more more more" I've dished out is satisfying

Venus Smurf You have to know that your review is without a doubt the reason I've been able to update so fast…great reviews like yours just keep the old creativity flowing!

Amber Evans Potter Why I incite you to violent outbursts is beyond me. Is it just me? I hope that me sending these last few chapters your way has helped curb the impulses?

Forest Elfin So you actually danced in a circle? I thought I was the only one to get physically demonstrative about stories I like!

ArchAngel pixxistixx4me Yes….I did notice that Jenny seems to have that nasty habit of wanting to be swallowed up by the earth…deep-seated psychological stuff I'm sure.

evilspoofauthor1Sven Hope the chapters are getting to you in a timely manner!

Shadow Thanks….I'm trying to update a whole bunch faster than normal.

ArchAngel pixxistixx4me You are so great…I love the regularity with which you review!

Chapter 25

Venus Smurf Well I hope that it was a pleasant surprise to have the next chapter so soon?

evilspoofauthor2Cassi The first part of your review of this chapter reminded me of Grease 2, when Johnny declares that they're broken up so that made me laugh. Sorry to hear that I made you think of an unfortunate ex, though. I love the fact that you want Jenny to go back to sleep…the fact that she hasn't yet probably makes you upset with me, right? Sorry about that…I'm all for quality snog time with the Shadow Man too. It's just getting back there in a way that doesn't make Jenny seem narcoleptic, which I may just have her become anyway so we can have more Julian! Yes…you are so right about Tom but I can see how he would feel bad…not that he doesn't deserve to have the pain b/c he pretty much caused it (even if LJS didn't see that).

Shadow Thanks so much! Yes, you have to feel bad for Jenny. She is kind of a lost puppy.

Kristen Michelle Your idea for helping Jenny and Tom stay together would be great except for the fact that I have claimed Julian as my own. You're still working on your story? SUPER! I am very glad to hear it! Yes, please contact me when you do re-post! I'm down with the time constraints of full-time work and school…what a pain! Oh I'm not sure you're going to like my HP story b/c my ship of choice is Draco/Hermione ducks in case of projectiles You're always so positive in your reviews and I always feel like writing after reading one of them! And no, you are not missing anything…I'm going to go back to the whole J/J thing…I just have to let some other interactions take place first which is a shame b/c I have produced any drool worthy imagery in a while! ArchAngel pixxistixx4me Hey, I'm glad to review your work. Turnabout's fair play. Sorry the chapter length wasn't long enough…I'm doing my best to get better.

Forest Elfin hee hee…yes, Tom seems more like the strong and silent type, doesn't he? But he had a lot of baggage to unload…and I'm betting that the fact that he was still doing it in the next chapter came as a shock!

Chapter 26

Forest Elfin Thank you! I'm glad that my portrayal of Mrs. Thornton came off as believable. I've been there in Jenny's place before.

ArchAngel pixxistixx4me The fact that you're happy makes me happy. I wouldn't say you harass the review forum…you gently prod to get new chapters is all. So you have some hostility towards Tom, hmm? Thanks for re-reading, too. I do that before I write the next chapter to make sure it flows ok. Glad you agree about Jenny being somewhat less than intelligent at times. Sorry about the lack of His Droolworthiness, too.

Shadow Thanks for the appreciation. I'm glad you liked this chapter.