♥ Not much to say. Thanks for not hating me for taking so long! I can't believe this… I put myself in a situation where I actually have to reveal her name… So I spent almost an hour looking for a good name… Then I realized: this girl precisely fits one of my Hogwarts Role-play characters, with the exception of her driving skills, so why not use her? And so I did.

Enjoy!

A girl is confronted.

I didn't go to school Thursday, or Friday. I told mom I needed a few mental health days. She's one of those new-age mothers who try to do the whole feng shui and yoga with vanilla yogurt and fruit thing, so she agreed and, after going into school to collect all my work for me to do over the weekend, made an appointment for me at a spa downtown.

It was an okay two days, but it the relaxation was ruined by my dread at the coming Monday. There was no doubt in my mind as to the extent the stories would spread; I was head cheerleader, for Pete's sake! I was more worried about what would happen to Spencer. I hoped that he was taking the days off, too, possibly claiming sick or something, because something was bound to happen to him.

Friday afternoon found me sitting in the easy chair in the living room, gazing absently at the television, watching something about forensics and the FBI. Mom answered a knock at the door. There were voices, but I didn't pay too much attention, lost in my own thoughts.

"Honey, there's someone here for you," she said, poking her head into the living room. I looked up, surprised. I had hoped to avoid everyone until Monday, but chances are my cheerleading team had tracked me down already, desperate to know what the gossip was all about (only one of the girls was in my gym class, and she had been absent Wednesday, so none of them knew the true story). I sit up and mute the television.

"Let them in," I said with a sigh, composing myself. After a moment, instead of the gaggle of cheerleaders I expected, a shy little boy shuffles into the living room. My eyes widen and I sit up a bit straighter. He's followed by a taller, heavier girl who looks nervous as well.

"Spencer?" I ask in shock. My eyes fly to the girl, his swimming buddy, Jennifer. I finally place her last name—she lived down the street from me when we were a lot younger. "Jennifer Miller? What…"

"Spence wanted to talk to you," Jennifer said. I know puzzlement crossed my face, through inwardly I frowned. So he did have someone to call him 'Spence'… I was almost disappointed in this discovery. I turn my attention to the younger boy.

"Are you alright, Spencer?" I asked. He nodded. I raised an eyebrow.

"I wanted to thank you," he said softly, eyes still trained on the floor, digging the toe of his loafer into the thick carpet. "You didn't have to do that for me, Jennifer would have been able to get out alright, and you wouldn't experience any social repercussions."

My heart broke. I knelt down in front up him, lifting his chin.

"Spence, look," I began, suddenly at a loss for words. "What Duke did was despicable. They've all been horrible to you. And I've been even worse…"

"But you've helped me," Spencer pointed out.

"Yeah, but not all the time," I protested. I sighed, hanging my own head. "I've been selfish, thinking only about my status. It's lost me friends before," I said, glancing towards Jennifer. She snorted and rolled her eyes.

"It's only natural preservation instinct. You went against it a few times, for me. And I wanted to thank you for that." Spencer nodded, backing up a step.

I wanted to cry. He was thanking me for only protecting him, even if it was part-time! I sat back on the carpet, taking in a shuddering breath. "You're welcome," I finally whispered. I paused a moment, then cleared my throat. "Do you guys… want to stay for dinner? Tonight's pizza and movie night," I offered. Jennifer and Spencer exchanged glances.

"Sure, I'd like that," Jennifer said, nudging Spencer.

"Only if it's not too much trouble," Spencer answered. I finally grinned.

"Don't worry, we always order more than we can eat anyway. Come on, I bet mom hasn't called yet, what do you want on your pizza? It's Justin's turn to pick the movie, though," I said, leading them to the kitchen.

Despite my cheerful exterior, my mind still spun with confusion and fear. What was going to happen come Monday?