"Jealousy," Adena spoke firmly.

"Jealousy?" Cody echoed.

"Jealousy."

"If only Nate were here!" Tanis exclaimed, "He would be perfect!"

Adena sighed, "No kidding. Have you heard how he's doing?"

"In his last email," Cody told her, "he said his mom's place is worse than military academy, Cascadia, and Catholic school combined."

"…Melodrama."

"Yeah."

"Well, what about Rick?" Tanis asked.

After a moment of silence, they all firmly declared, "No."

"No need to encourage him," Adena said.

"Well, who?" Cody asked.

"Don't worry. We'll find someone," Tanis promised her.

"Jealously."

"That's brilliant!" Squib exclaimed, pacing frantically as Cameron lounged on his bed. "But who?"

"Isabelle? She's cute," Cameron suggested.

"Erm…I don't think so…"

"Why not?"

"She…kind of told me that if I ever came near her again she'd file a restraining order."

"…You tried to hit on her, didn't you?"

"Maybe."

"Fine," Cameron sighed, "Lily?"

"Threw a glass of orange juice in my face."

"Janelle?"

"Slapped me."

"Catherine?"

"Called me an egotistical, male, chauvinist pig with a bad case of halitosis."

"Damn it, Squib!" Cameron exclaimed, "What is wrong with you?"

"Hey! It's not me, it's them," Squib was quick to defend himself. "There are lots of girls out there who will have me!"

"The one girl who will have you," Cameron said pointedly, "is the one we're trying to make jealous."

"Fine," Squib sighed, sounding defeated, "now what?"

"Don't worry, man," Cameron assured him, "I'll find you someone."

"You sound awfully confident."

"I, unlike you, know how to handle the female species. I am suave."

"Cody!" Tanis ran up to her in the hall as she unloaded her books in her locker.

"What's up, Tans?"

"Okay," Tanis whispered, "look right over…there!" She pointed furiously over her friend's shoulder. "See that guy?"

"Which one?"

"Green shirt."

"Oh, yeah."

"What do you think?"

"He's cute," Cody shrugged.

"His name is Taylor Sturgis and he's our guy," Tanis informed her gleefully.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously," Tanis nodded, "Adena's planning to talk you up to him during math class."

"Hey, Jenna," Cameron called, quickening his pace to catch up to the tall blonde.

"Hi, Cameron," she smiled.

"So, I was wondering," he put on his best charming smile, "what do you think of…Squib?"

"Ugh. Like, Squib Furlong?"

"Yeah."

"Gag me."

"Oh boy," Cameron muttered. "Well, you know, he's really not all that bad…"

"Are you kidding? He's the worst. He has the maturity of a sponge," she shuddered for emphasis. "Besides, isn't he dating Dr. Myers' daughter?"

"He was, but they split. He's a free man now!" Cameron tried to sound excited. "So how 'bout you and him-,"

"No way."

Cameron sighed, "Come on, Jenna. Please?" She paused, looking thoughtful. "For me?"

"Well…I suppose," she smiled at Cameron, "but you owe me!"

"Oh, of course," he promised, grinning widely, "me and you, next weekend!"

"Sounds perfect. So, with Squib…" her smile faltered.

"Don't worry; he'll take care of everything," he hastily assured her, "just meet him at the front doors at seven on Saturday, okay?"

She sighed lightly, shrugging, "Okay. See you, Cameron."

"Thanks again!"

"Yeah, yeah…" she sauntered off, looking thoroughly not excited about her date.

"Hey, uh, Cody, right?" Cody turned to see the boy Tanis had pointed out to her earlier walking toward her.

"Uh, yeah."

"Hey, I'm Taylor-,"

"Yeah, I know," she told him, grinning in what she realized was probably an idiotic fashion.

He laughed nervously, "Well, uh, I was wondering…I know you just split with your boyfriend…but if you have no plans this Saturday…"

Cody decided to help him along, "I'd love to go out with you."

He laughed again, visibly more relaxed, "Great! So, um, there's this really good Italian place just off 37th ave in town…"

"Sounds great."

"Awesome. Meet you at the East doors at seven?"

"Perfect," she smiled again as he turned to leave.

"Well?" Adena rushed up to her mere seconds later.

"Seven o'clock Saturday night," Cody smiled.

"Awesome!" Adena exclaimed. "Oh, by the way, I told him you were loose, so…"

"Adena!"

"Well, I needed to get him interested in you!" She continued as Cody scowled, "You don't have to do anything! Just flirt a lot; maybe undo a couple buttons on your blouse…" Cody sighed, rolling her eyes and walking away.

"Alright, man," Cameron entered his dorm, "you and Jenna are going out this Saturday at seven."

"Aw, man, Jenna? The really giggly chick?"

"Dude, were you not listening to yourself earlier? You don't have the luxury of being picky."

"Whatever," Squib shrugged, "thanks, man."

"No problem. And I heard that Cody and Taylor Sturgis are going out the same night-,"

"Aw, no! Taylor Sturgis? He's all wrong for her!"

"No, Squib!" Cameron exclaimed, "Don't go all macho and jealous! Stay strong! United front!"

"Right," Squib said, nodding, "united front. Stay strong."

"They're going to that Italian place off 37th ave. I figured you and Jenna could go there, too."

"Sounds good, man."

"Oh, and, Squib?"

"Yeah?"

"One more thing: try not to…talk too much."

"…That's probably for the best."

I don't hate Catholics or Catholic school. I am Catholic and went to Catholic school up to grade nine. But they can be a little…strict there. And I've heard horror stories.

Nova- an email is coming…sometime…