A/N: Over the next few days/weeks I'm not sure how much writing I'll get done because I'm having a few personal problems. I hope they don't interfere with my writing as I'm sure all of us anxious out-of-school-for-the-summer kids want to read a few fics a day, but I'm not sure how much I'll be able to concentrate on my fic. I'll keep up with my writing, but if things get in the way I'm not sure the writing will be as good as normal. I just thought I'd mention this so you guys don't begin to think I've lost my touch or interest in this fic. Of course since it's summer that means there'll be more free time to write :)! Thanks to Allie-Dee, birdsofmorrigan, LyingUnder-BlueMoons, Crizzy4RFR, and redtape43 for excellent reviews! We're almost up to 75 reviews and that's an accomplishment we should all be proud of! I mean I couldn't have done it without you guys! Thanks so much for your patience and continued reading of my story, now before babbling any more I leave you to chapter 18!

Part 18: Mother Mode

He took a deep breath, sighed, gathered himself, and then pushed the door open. People scattered all about in the cafeteria, there was no way she'd see him was there? Oh wait she was friends with Lily; of course she'd see him. She'd already be at the table, watching and waiting. He wondered if she'd notice him and leave before he got there, or make him suffer by burning her gaze into him. He couldn't bare that. It was already hard enough...much too hard…people his age shouldn't have hardships like this. But what could he do? It was all part of being Travis Strong, all part of the life he'd never told his friends about. So he gathered his courage and walked into the cafeteria, casting short glances about looking for her, but she wasn't there. He sighed in relief and a small smile plastered itself on his lips before he could stop it.

"Hey Swami, what're you smiling about?" Ray asked.

At that Travis frowned, but he didn't answer.

"What'd I do?" Ray asked.

Robbie put his hand on Ray's shoulder, "Ray, if you don't already know…"

"What he still hasn't gotten used to me calling him Swami?" Ray asked.

"You know something, Ray," Robbie asked, "you're dumber than you look! He never liked that name, and he's not going to get 'used' to it!"

"Oh," Ray stated. "Are you sure that's all that's bugging him?"

"What do you mean?" Robbie asked.

Ray seemed lost in space for a moment, "Uh nothing, man."

"Yeah right," Robbie shot at him.

"It's nothing, really." Ray assured him.

Robbie wasn't convinced, but amazingly for once Ray wasn't talking. "What's gotten into you Ray?"

"Hmm?" Ray asked.

Robbie just shook his head, and the 2 quickly walked over to where Lily was sitting. Soon Travis joined them, looking somewhat glum, which was really amazing considering that he never showed emotion of any kind whatsoever.

"So how was your date?" Ray greeted him.

Travis nearly choked on a bite of his food, and immediately Lily switched into concerned mother mode and began to act like Travis was her own son and was going to die.

"Lily, I'm fine," He assured her coughing.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yes." He answered.

"What happened, Travis?" Robbie asked.

"What?" Travis was confused.

"When I mentioned your date with Parker, you nearly choked!" Ray exclaimed.

"My date with Parker?" Travis wondered.

"Yeah, when you hang out with your girlfriend it usually counts as a date!" Ray explained.

Travis looked at his wrist, and then suddenly exclaimed, "I gotta go."

"But you just got here1" Robbie countered.

"And you haven't finished your lunch!" Ray offered.

"Ray, is food all you think about?" Lily asked.

"Yes," Ray answered, "Especially at lunch time."

Robbie laughed.

"Hey Lily, since Travis won't tell what did Parker say about their date?" Ray asked.

"She didn't," Lily explained, "I haven't seen her at all today, and you know come to think of it I didn't see her yesterday either."

"So where is she?" Robbie asked.

"You know Parker, she's probably off with Meg talking Band." Lily responded.

Ray nodded, "Yeah, without the lead singer; that makes sense."

"Ray, not everything to do with No Man's Land involves me," Lily offered.