To TJ or not to TJ

Summary: Sandy and Kirsten in college. There's a TJ trip but they've just broken up and don't feel like going, what happens if their friends persuade them…

Disclaimer: If I owned the OC I'd have a yacht with a swimming pool on by now.

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So…I'm currently in the MOD offices in Bristol very bored! Leave me a review and brighten up my day!

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Chapter Four

After the initial hullabaloo, someone doing an engineering major was sent under the car to assess the damage. He crawled out with the verdict of a broken axle and the need for a mechanic. There was a hasty confab beneath the blistering sun. It's suggested that two of your stay with the car and two itch a lift with the guys to the nearest garage. Chelsea points out that one of them should be her as it's her car. Sandy mumbled that maybe you should stay where you are for a while because of the shock. You glare but don't bother to disagree. Truth be told, you do feel rather shaky.

Paul offers his services as a 'big scary black man for protection' and Sandy follows suit, minus the big, scary and black part. It's the first joke he's cracked for a week and Paul, surprised and relieved, refrains from punching him on the arm. The three of them confer in whispers while your girlfriends transfer their bags.

'I'm thinking a guy with each of you,' Paul says. 'Just in case.'

'Paranoid much?' you hear his girlfriend tease.

'Oy! Do you want me to come with me or not?'

'You can't,' Sandy points out and your feel a rush of relief.

'Sandy, you can't avoid her forever.'

'I'm not. If you two go together we'll be here all night. You'll get 'distracted'.'

The pair laugh but agree and soon you and Paul are watching as your friend and your ex pile into the cramped station wagon and head off waving.

'Okay?' Paul asks, sitting down in the dusty shade beside you. You exhale loudly, a little exasperated. 'You don't have to ask me every three minutes. I'm fine.'

'You'll still be in shock.'

'I'll live.'

'Just relax okay.'

'I. Am.'

'More water?'

'No!…Thank you.'

'You want my shirt?'

'What?'

'You might be cold.'

'Paul, it's about a hundred degrees.'

'Sandy said you were in shock. I should keep you warm, calm and full of fluids.'

'Sandy talks shit.'

'One of the reasons you love him I suppose.'

'I don't.'

'Kirsten.' Paul's tone is soft but the raised eyebrow is a chastisement.

'Not anymore.'

'You don't just click your fingers and make your feelings disappear.'

'You do when you could lose everything over it. When you almost ruined your finals, your summer and nearly killed a carload of friends.'

'It was an accident.'

'Yeah because I reacted to my friend asking if I loved Sandy rather than the road.'

Paul doesn't look surprised and you realise he and Chelsea have probably discussed the pair of you. 'So what are you gonna do about it all?'

'I don't know. Leave I guess, as soon as possible.'

'Running away,' Paul shakes his head, smiling ruefully, 'doesn't solve anything you know.'

'Sometimes it does. Sandy and I both left for Berkeley. That wasn't that far removed from running away.'

He ignores your twisted logic. 'Would you say goodbye?'

'To who?'

'You know.'

You don't answer.

'Please don't do that. I know this isn't any of my business but…Sandy couldn't handle being left again. His dad…Rebecca…'

'We're not together any more, what does it matter? Plus he let me go.'

'You taking off isn't the same thing. And even though you're broken up he'd probably follow you.'

'Not if I went to Newport.'

'You might be surprised. He cared about you, a lot.'

'If he would follow me if I left how come he can't seem to find my apartment any more? If he cares so damn much why are things so fucked up?'

'That's love I guess.'

'Well it sucks.' You realise what you've said and try to cover it. 'I mean, well…you know.'

'Please just say you'll talk to him.'

'Paul…it's not that easy.'

'Yes it is. It's that easy. You're miserable and the only person more miserable in the whole of Berkeley is Sandy. I like having my mate back but not if he's the way he is right now. He was happy with you and vice versa I suspect.'

'He should be the one saying this,' you burst out.

'Well, give him the chance and I think he will.'

'I think Sandy's said enough. He made it perfectly clear he hadn't given our future a moment's thought and didn't want to.'

'Maybe it was the wrong time.'

'Maybe there won't ever be a time.'

'Kirsten…'

'Look Paul, Sandy and I, we're over. I know you have all these cute plans for double dates but it's not gonna happen. I'm sorry.'

Paul looks as though he's about to argue but decides against it. You sigh with relief as he gives you a disappointed look and turns away. It should be illegal for lawyers-in-training to unleash their powers of persuasion on vulnerable girls with broken hearts.

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