A/N: Ok so here's the second chapter! Hope everyone likes it and it's a bit longer than the first! Rate and review!

Chapter 2: Nothing But an Apology

Marshall sat slumped in chair staring at the alarm clock. He had been working on homework but just couldn't keep his mind focused. Corrine just kept slipping back into his head and getting him completely off track. Marshall had convinced Lucas to stay out of their room at least until 10:30 so the silence was almost deafening. The soft, constant ticking of the clock and his own breathing were the only sounds.

He gave a sigh as he crossed his arms across his chest and continued to stare blankly at the clock. It read 10:06. Suddenly, he heard a soft knock at the door that caused him to jump unexpectedly. He hastly stood up and opened the door to see Corrine. She gave Marshall a questioning glance, curious as to why exactly he needed to talk to her so badly. She took a seat in the chair that had just been previously occupied by Marshall. Marshall himself took a seat on his bed; hands clasped, staring at the carpet.

"So…what do you need to talk about that's so urgent?"

Corrine gave Marshall an inquiring gaze, one that he could not match at the moment. Marshall took a deep breath before finally looking up and meeting her gaze.

"Corrine…do you remember the whole Venus flytrap incident? How we tried to spend time together but I didn't want to schedule time to do that? I know I seemed…reluctant and uninterested, but you know me all too well. I'm never what I seem I am. And then you saved me from that heinous Venus flytrap. And I know time's passed since then but…Corrine, do you still feel the same way?"

Marshall stood up and began pacing back and forth in front of Corrine. He seemed agitated and nervous but at the same time relieved that he had finally gotten it off his chest.

"I know I acted like a like a jerk, a blind fool but if it's not too late…"

He saw Corrine stand up and gently place her hand on his arm.

"Marshall, calm down," spoke Corrine gently. Her voice had an almost soothing effect on Marshall. She gave a tired sigh as she sat back down again. Marshall watched her, the hollow feeling inside him gradually growing.

"Honestly, Marshall, I don't know if it's too late. I mean, you're right…some time has passed since then and…"

Marshall sunk back onto his bad, head in hands.

I'm too late.

Corrine looked at Marshall, a look of pain hidden in her eyes. She guiltily stood up and at that sound Marshall slowly raised his eyes to meet hers. She turned towards the door to leave but then stopped and walked back towards Marshall. He watched her with sorrowful eyes. She took his hands together in her own and he stood up. She leaned up a little bit as she kissed him.

"I'm sorry, Marshall," she whispered sadly to him as she turned around and walked back out. She softly closed the door behind her. Marshall sank onto his bed, head in hands. So it was too late.

But she kissed you, didn't she?

"No…that kiss was nothing but an apology."

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"Marshall…Marshall!"

Marshall groggily opened his eyes as a slightly blurry picture of Lucas came into view. He rubbed his eyes as his vision focused and realized that Lucas was shaking him.

"Marshall, if you don't get up soon you're gonna be late for class!"

Marshall grumpily shoved Lucas out of the way.

"Yes, mother," he said with bitter sarcasm. He propped himself up on his elbows to look at the clock and his eyes widened. It was 8:47. He catapulted himself out of bed as he grabbed his books and dashed out of the room and down the stairs.

Marshall arrived out of breath at Professor Z's classroom and ran inside thinking he was late. He practically fell through the door and everyone looked up at him including Corrine.

"Nice job, Wheeler," some anonymous kid commented. Marshall gave a slightly embarrassed smile before quickly taking his seat behind Josie and Corrine. He glanced up at the clock and realized that he could have taken his time and made it without being late, but he had listened to Lucas and taken the irrational route.

Soon the rest of the class including Lucas came in. Marshall glared at Lucas and smacked on the back of his head as he sat down.

"Ow, what did I do?" asked Lucas reproachfully as he rubbed the back of his head.

"You made me look like a complete idiot," whispered Marshall angrily as he tried to pitifully comb his hair with his fingers. Lucas tried to suppress a laugh.

"Like you don't already look like an idiot. You look like Josie on her off days."

Marshall smirked.

"So I see you've finally plucked up the courage to say Josie's name."

Lucas blushed slightly but a scowl appeared.

"Shut it, Marshall. So what happened to you last night?"

Marshall froze and turned towards Lucas.

"What do you mean?" he asked wondering if Corrine had told him.

"Well I came in after being interrogated by Durst about what I was doing in the halls twenty minutes before curfew and you were just sort of slumped on your bed still in uniform."

Marshall glanced at what he was wearing and realized that indeed he was still wearing yesterday's clothes.

"Great, now I need to go change."

"So, what happened?"

"Nothing. I was just uh really tired," he mumbled absentmindedly. Lucas him his famous one eyebrow look that says I-don't-believe-you-and-I'm-going-to-find-out. Professor Z cut into their little scrap.

"Good morning, everyone! I hope everyone's excited about today's further venture into genetics!"

Professor Z was excited but realized the class's lack of enthusiasm. He gave a little cough and straightened his tie.

"Well, regardless, let's continue!"

Marshall would normally have been looking forward to class but he just couldn't focus. He tried to zone his mind onto Professor Z's lecture but what had happened last night seemed to haunt him like a bad dream.

Why did I wait until it was too late? Marshall, you just blew your one chance with the girl you love.

To make everything worse Corrine sat in front of him. Of course she seemed intent on memorizing every single fact and detail of Z's lecture, hand flying as she took notes.

What did I ever see in her?

He stared down at the blank page in his notebook for that day's notes.

I saw everything in her. Beyond that perfectionist exterior lays a real person. Not one of those fake girls who pretend so that people like them. No, she's someone who's true to herself and others. She's not always secure about herself but that's never stopped her.

Marshall just wanted to get up and get as far away as possible from Corrine but at the same time want to be near her. Why…how did she make him feel this way?

And why did I have to wait until it was too late?

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Marshall sat at a table outside, lunch untouched as he immersed himself in CD covers and another promo package for his band Magnet 360. He looked up as he heard trays placed on the table. He glanced at Corrine, Josie, and Lucas, nodding. Josie and Lucas both just mumbled greetings as they sat down and proceeded to eat. Corrine caught Marshall's gaze but quickly looked down. Corrine quietly ate her lunch and Marshall tried to act like nothing had happened and everything was just peachy.

With a forkful of macaroni in hand Josie peered over Marshall's shoulder.

"So what are you working on now? More stuff for your band I'm guessing?"

Marshall inwardly gave a sigh of relief at Josie striking up a conversation.

"Yah, just a few more CD covers. This one agent wants another promo package and a new CD if possible by the end of the month."

"Wow, tough luck, Marshall," said Josie as she took a bite of macaroni.

"Hey, Corrine. Did you ever end up auditioning for Marshall's band's lead singer?"

This question caused the two to look up uncomfortably. Corrine shifted a bit in her seat as Marshall just gave a somewhat blank look.

"No, actually I didn't. I thought that the band should be Marshall's thing and didn't want to intrude," replied Corrine.

Josie shrugged at Corrine's reply. Marshall closed his laptop and gathered his tray.

"Well I'm gonna go and head in," said Marshall curtly before leaving the table. Josie watched him leave, eyebrows raised.

"What's everyone's problem?" asked Josie.

Lucas looked up at Josie.

"Nothing, Josie. You're just being yourself, that's all."

Josie glared at Lucas.

"Ha ha, very funny," said Josie sarcastically.

Corrine watched Marshall go with a heavy feeling in her heart.

Did I do the right thing? Oh please don't make me regret this.

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Marshall sat in his room at his desk, hands resting on the keyboard. He gave a sigh and leaned back in his chair putting his hands behind his head. Lucas was in the library and Corrine and Josie were most likely in their rooms. Vaughn was probably outside at football practice. He glanced at the clock on the computer screen. 6:57PM. It was almost dinnertime, but he didn't feel hungry. He decided he'd head downstairs anyways so as not to appear too sulky. He had decided to try and just forget about Corrine and everything that had happened as of late. He would just act like he had before everything had gotten so complicated.

He headed down the stairs and towards the cafeteria. But as he passed a classroom door that was cracked open he stopped. Inside were James and Corrine. But that wasn't what made him go cold then hot with rage. He was kissing her and she was kissing him back. He didn't wait for what would happen next but instead ran blind with rage back up to his room. His feet echoed slightly in the empty corridor. He roughly opened the door to his room and dropped his books before sitting down on his bed. He buried his face in his hands as he recounted what he had just seen. Had he really seen that?

How could she have been kissing him? She hardly knows the guy! She met him like two days ago! This is definitely not the Corrine I know.

He gave an angry sigh.

"Maybe I've been wrong about her this whole time. Maybe this is the real Corrine."

Frustrated he got up and sat down at his desk. He woke up his sleeping computer and sat there. Energy buzzed through his body, but he felt numb, almost like he couldn't move. Marshall turned his attention towards the door as it opened and Lucas stepped in. He dropped his books on his bed and sast down facing Marshall.

"So where were you? You missed dinner," said Lucas. He watched him waiting for an answer. He seemed to be in a better mood than he had been in the past couple of days.

"Yeah, I guess I just caught up in schoolwork and band promos and forgot. I mean, I don't want to spend my entire weekend doing homework."

Lucas shrugged.

"Ok whatever," he said. There was no argument or interrogation for more info. Something must have happened to put Lucas in such high spirits.

"So why are you so happy, Lucas?" asked Marshall.

Lucas fidgeted with his books and papers.

"Oh, Josie and I just finally talked. You know, worked everything out between her, Vaughn, and me."

Marshall tried to feel happy for his friend but his own happiness and high spirits were, unsurprisingly, nowhere to be found. He clapped Lucas on the back.

"You better be careful, Lucas. You never know what a girl's going to do."

Lucas just rolled his eyes and scoffed at Marshall's advice.

"And I'm sure you'd know, Marshall. I mean after all, you are the ladies' man. And all because of that one girl…what was her name? Oh yeah, it was Diana. Except she turned out to be Corrine's Venus flytrap who wanted to strip the flesh from your very bones. You better be thankful Corrine saved your butt."

Marshall looked slightly crestfallen.

"Now I wish she hadn't saved me. Maybe she and I would have been better off," spoke Marshall to himself.

A/N: So how do you guys like it so far? Please rate and review! I'd appreciate it a lot! Thanks!