this chapter will not be told from Angela's pov…
Part 3- Dealing with Change
"So she seemed like she liked it. I mean, you know, even though the card was stupid. Not that it matters what I got her. I just thought…what do you think Jordan got her? Cause in tutoring the other day, he asked me how to spell Valentine's. Valentine's. Like it wasn't up on posters all over the school." Brian said incredulously. He frowned then, looking worried. "So did she tell you? You know, what he gave her?"
Rickie finally glanced up from his work, thinly-veiled exasperation on his face. "I really haven't seen Angela this week."
"Oh." Brian deflated, looking unsure. He looked towards the front to see if the teacher had noticed their talking. After a moment, he started again. "Well, why not? I thought you were like, you know, best friends or whatever… Is it because she's hanging out with Jo-"
"Brian!" Rickie held a hand up to Brian, closing his eyes briefly. "Please, can we stop talking about Angela?"
Brian flushed and closed his mouth quickly. "Yeah, sorry."
Rickie watched as Brian bent his head and focused intently on the papers in front of him. "Look, Brian." Brian quickly looked back at Rickie who rubbed his forehead tiredly. When he finally turned to Brian his stare was direct. "I know that you like Angela."
Brian looked around frantically to see if anyone had overheard them. Rickie lowered his voice considerately. "But you can't keep doing this. She's dating someone else and it's-it's not…healthy. You need to stop revolving your life around her."
Brian frowned and considered Rickie's advice. The bell rang shrilly, interrupting whatever he had been about to say. They stood up and gathered their bags, silently agreeing to drop the subject.
"Hey Vasquez!" Rayanne bumped Rickie's shoulder with her own. She reached into her bag and offered one of the contents to him. "Candy cane?"
"Where did you get candy canes? Christmas was months ago."
Rayanne shrugged and spoke around the candy in her mouth. "Amber getslike, a truckloadof cards andcandy canes and stuffaround Christmas from the guys at the hospital. Yeah right, like a candy cane will make her sleep with them."
Rickie took the pro-offered candy and unwrapped it, sticking it into his mouth. Brian shifted awkwardly and Rayanne eyed him with raised eyebrows. "Sorry, Krakow. I have a strict friends only rule for my candy canes."
"Rayanne!" Rickie pulled the sweet candy out of his mouth.
Her eyes widened innocently. "What? What'd I say?"
"Like I'd want a candy cane from you anyways." Brian said boldly. Rickie turned to him in surprise. "It's probably infected."
"What are we, in kindergarten?" Rayanne mocked. "Ohhhh…cooties!"
"Or AIDS." Brian muttered.
Rayanne's face tightened and her eyes narrowed. "What did you say?"
"Okaaayyyyy…thanks for the candy cane, Rayanne. I'll see you at rehearsal?" Rickie asked, trying unsuccessfully to deflect the argument.
Rayanne turned on him. "What? You think I'm going? Krakow can go! It's not like anyone wants him here."
"Hey!" Brian interjected, frowning.
"Besides, I have to ask you something." Rayanne continued, not-so-subtly turning her back to Brian to push him out of the conversation.
"What?" Rickie asked.
Rayanne looked down, and when she glanced back up her attitude was nonchalant. "Well, I was talking to Amber and she thinks you should come over to hang out. You know, like old times. Maybe…after rehearsals tonight or whatever?" Despite her careless attitude her eyes conveyed her hopefulness to repair some of the damage to their friendship.
"Ah, sorry I can't tonight."
"Oh." Rayanne shrugged her slender shoulders and popped her candy cane back into her mouth, avoiding their eyes.
"No it's just…" Rickie continued, feeling guilty. "I told Delia I would go with her to the movies tonight."
From behind Rayanne, Brian pushed away from the lockers and perked up at the mention of Delia's name.
"We could do it over the weekend though," Rickie offered.
"Yeah, sure. It's not like it's a big deal or anything." Rayanne said, scoffing. She glanced around carelessly, her eyes fixing on Angela, Sharon and Delia who were walking towards the group, laughing loudly at some joke.
As the three drew closer to the group Rayanne looked increasingly uncomfortable. She fixed the strap of her bag, fiddled with her braids and chewed on her candy cane, indecisively shifting back and forth as if to leave or stay.
"Rickie!" Delia called, waving cheerfully.
Angela looked up and smiled, "Hey guys." She nodded at Rayanne.
"So what's up?" Sharon asked Rayanne who relaxed slightly at the welcome.
"Nothin'. Just talking. Candy cane?"
Sharon took one, "Oh my gosh I love these things."
Rayanne nodded and her eyes darted to Angela. She held one up towards her, offering it silently. Angela shook her head and Rayanne dropped it back into her bag, quickly masking her hurt.
Delia inched closer to Rickie, "I'm really excited about tonight."
"What's tonight?" Angela asked curiously, spinning her locker combination. She opened the door and placed her books inside.
Rickie looked uncomfortable at the five pairs of eyes fixed on him. "Delia and I are going to see a movie."
"That's a great idea! What movie?" Sharon asked him. The other three members of the group looked less than enthusiastic about the idea.
Delia grinned and shrugged. "We don't know yet. We'll just see what's on."
Angela frowned slightly at Rickie. "I thought you were coming to my house for dinner."
"What? When did I say that?" Rickie asked.
"I don't know- the other day I guess."
"Oh, yeah." Rickie remembered their short conversation between classes. "I'm sorry, I must have forgot."
Angela frowned again and he hastily tried to make it up to her. "Well, you could come with us to the movies I guess…"
Delia and Sharon's smiles fell, both wanting Rickie and Delia to have some time alone.
Rayanne put her hands on her hips, "Why wasn't I invited Rickie?"
Rickie tugged at his shirt collar, looking like he'd rather be anywhere than in the middle of four angry girls. He glanced at Brian for help but found the curly-haired boy too pre-occupied with looking between Angela and Delia.
Angela noticed Delia's and Sharon's expressions and turned back to Rickie, "I wouldn't want to intrude or anything."
"Rickie don't mind. Do you Rickie?" Rayanne asked, raising her eyebrows at him.
"Oh. No, I don't mind." Rickie mumbled, avoiding Delia's eyes.
Angela shut her locker. "Well, how about after rehearsal-" She stopped abruptly, her attention shifting, and they all followed her gaze down the hall.
Jordan Catalano strode towards them purposefully and stopped just outside the group, nodding briefly at them. "Uh, hey."
Sharon, Delia and Rickie returned the greeting. Rayanne avoided his eyes just as he avoided hers. Angela glanced between them and the silence grew. Unable to bear the tenseness any longer, Rayanne mumbled an excuse and quickly walked away.
Angela watched her go and turned back to Jordan who was watching her closely. "Hey," she murmured, focused only on him.
He leaned against the locker next to her and motioned with his head down the hall, his eyes never leaving hers, "C'mon, let's go."
She smiled and straightened, backpack in hand, sparing a brief look at her friends. "I'll see you guys tomorrow."
The others watched Angela and Jordan leave down the hall and Sharon sighed, shaking her head. "Well, so much for her plan to go to rehearsal. Seriously, when was the last time she actually made it to one?"
"Sometime last week I think." Rickie told her.
"Well that explains why Jordan has been canceling so many tutoring sessions." Brian commented slowly, his expression suggesting he would have rather not known.
"Don't they see enough of each other at school?" Delia asked bravely, sick of being left out of the conversation even though she didn't really know Angela or Jordan.
"Well, yeah. But Patty- Angela's mom?" Sharon explained. "She thinks Angela's at rehearsal…"
"…which means they have a couple hours to themselves after school." Rickie finished.
The frown on Brian's face deepened, and he debated asking the others what they thought the couple did when they were alone. Sharon's next comment startled and dismayed him. "I think their relationship has hit the next level."
"What!" Brian yelped, his eyes wide.
Sharon gave him a disgusted look. "Relax Krakow. I don't mean sex."
Some of the tenseness left Brian's shoulders and he looked embarrassed. "Oh. So…what then?"
Rickie glanced around the near-empty hallway and checked his watch to make sure they weren't late. "I think she means that they're closer now- you know, spending all their time together and talking and all? It's…deeper, than it was before."
"Yeah, now you could actually call it a relationship." Sharon commented.
Rickie shifted, his conscience nagging him for talking about Angela with a girl he barely knew. "I better get going. Katimski doesn't like us to be late."
Delia smiled at him, "Okay, have fun! I'll see you tonight!"
He nodded and walked towards the auditorium. The two friends shared an excited giggle as soon as he was out of sight. As one, they turned to Brian with similar expressions of annoyance.
"Oh," he said when he saw their faces. Awkwardly, he raised a hand in a half-wave and turned to go. "Well, bye."
They watched him leave with raised eyebrows.
At the Chase's House
"Here, can you stir this for a second? I just want to check the meat."
Camille took the spoon and stirred the cream, while Patty opened the oven. She lifted the spoon and closed her eyes in bliss, "Mmm, it smells good."
Patty looked up with a pleased smile, "Really?" Camille nodded enthusiastically. "You know, you should stay over for dinner tonight."
"I wish I could. But you know how Andy gets when we don't eat together as a family."
"Yeah." Patty murmured with a faint frown. She shook herself abruptly and faced her friend. "Well, sometime then we have to have your whole family over for dinner! I can't remember the last time we did that."
"Oh I do." Camille said ominously. The spoon dripped onto the counter and she surreptitiously wiped the spot with her finger and licked it. "Remember, that was the time Bob and Bernice Krakow were in town and they came over too."
Patty raised her eyebrows, "Oh yes, and the whole dinner was spent analyzing what our choice of food said about our mental state."
Camille laughed. "The Krakows certainly make things…interesting."
Patty closed the oven door and put down her oven mitts. "It's almost ready. Thanks for helping me with dinner."
"Anytime. I know how it gets. But that reminds me, where is Graham? I thought he would have been here half an hour ago to kick us out of his kitchen." Camille chuckled at the thought.
Patty picked up the mail off the counter and rifled through it intently, "Oh, he's at the restaurant with Hallie."
The mood in the kitchen changed instantly and Camille raised her eyebrows. "Oh."
"There's so much to do with the restaurant opening in two weeks. I'll be glad when it all settles out into routine and he's home more." Patty continued, ignoring her friend's tone.
"Let's hope so." Camille murmured to herself. She changed the subject smoothly. "So how's Angela doing?"
"Angela?" Patty sorted the mail into different piles and looked up. "Oh, she's good, I suppose. I haven't seen her much lately because of 'Our Town' rehearsals."
"Oh is she in the play?"
"No, she's helping backstage. You remember Rickie, right? The boy that stayed with us over Christmas break? He's actually the stage manager."
"Ahh…" Camille nodded and turned the stove off. "Sharon was saying that she doesn't see Angela much either."
Patty frowned, puzzled. "Really? I thought they were hanging out more now."
"Well apparently Angela's pretty preoccupied. What's her boyfriend's name again? Jason?"
"Jordan." Patty corrected slowly, eyeing her friend. "But they're not spending that much time together."
The phone rang in the background, and Patty picked it up with a mock-glare at her friend. "Hello?"
Camille poured the sauce into a dish, periodically glancing over at her friend. Patty frowned, looking surprised. "No, Jordan's not here."
Camille gave Patty a pointed look to which she rolled her eyes. "Angela? No…she's not here either. She's still at school." Her eyes narrowed and she asked suspiciously, "Why?"
Camille covered her mouth to hide her smile. Faintly she heard the person on the phone saying they had to go. "Wait." Patty said quickly, "Can I get a name?"
A moment later she put the phone back on its hook, looking dumbfounded. "He hung up on me."
Camille couldn't hold her laughter back any more and Patty scowled at her. "Oh stop it! It's not funny! That teenager was completely disrespectful! He acted like I don't know where my own daughter is"
"Oh Patty." Camille muffled her laughter with her hand. "You're not that naïve."
Patty clenched her jaw, and Camille stopped laughing quickly. At that moment, Danielle walked into the kitchen and leaned against the wall. "Mom, Angela's home."
"I didn't even hear the door." Camille commented.
Danielle looked at her like she was stupid. "She's not inside yet. She's with Jordan."
"Jordan's here?" Camille asked, interested.
"Uh, yeah…" Danielle said.
Patty frowned as her friend rushed out of the kitchen. "Camille, what are you doing?'
"I just want to see what he looks like." Camille said, peeking through the curtains. "Oh, nice car."
Patty rolled her eyes at her friend's sudden lapse into their high school days. Nevertheless she joined Camille, "Move over a bit."
"Mom what are you doing?" Danielle asked, standing in the middle of the room and looking at them.
"We're just looking for the mail man, honey. Why don't you run upstairs and wash up for dinner." Patty told her youngest daughter. Danielle rolled her eyes and stomped up the stairs.
"I can't see him." Camille complained.
Outside it was starting to grow dark. Jordan's red car was parked next to the curb but the windows were rolled up and it was hard to see much more than dark shapes inside. Suddenly the door opened and Angela stepped out with her backpack. She shut the door behind her.
Camille held her breath, hoping Jordan would come into view. Patty shook her head at her friend in amusement. Almost as if he could hear her plea, Jordan leaned across the car seat and poked his head out the window, calling Angela back.
"Wow." Camille said impressed.
"He's cute, isn't he?" Patty asked, smiling. They watched the two outside talk for a minute.
"You know what?" Camille said, squinting. "He looks kind of like-"
"Tony Poole?" Patty finished with raised eyebrows.
"Don't you think?"
Patty shrugged nonchalantly, "I guess."
"You're a braver woman than I am, Patty Chase." Camille said solemnly.
Patty frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. I just can't believe you trust him with your daughter. He's…not what I expected for Angela."
"Jordan's got a good heart, Camille. And he really does like Angela."
"Even the good guys want sex." Camille said ominously.
The two mothers watched with raised eyebrows as Jordan suddenly grabbed Angela's hand and pulled her down into a fierce kiss.
Patty stood up quickly and ran over to open the front door, "Angela, it's time for dinner!"
Camille stayed at the window and watched in amusement as Angela and Jordan broke apart quickly. Angela flushed bright red and Jordan moved back to the driver's seat. A moment later he sped off and Angela entered the house, mortified. "Mooomm. I can't believe you did that."
"Excuse me, but I can't believe you were kissing him in the middle of the street. And what happened to rehearsal?"
Angela shifted her bag, dropping her eyes. "What about it?"
"Did you go?"
"Of course! Gosh Mom, Jordan just picked me up afterwards." Angela lied. She glanced around the room and spotted Camille, her jaw dropping. "Mom! Were you spying on us?"
Camille stood up quickly and Patty looked guilty. "Why, no of course not. Now go wash up."
Angela scowled and marched up the stairs. Patty and Camille shared a look and returned to the kitchen.
Apartment A
"So what happened to Rickie?" Amber asked while flipping through a magazine.
Rayanne lifted a shoulder and dropped it, leaning back against the couch. "He's out with Delia."
"Delia who?" Amber set the magazine aside and looked at her daughter.
"She's just some girl that likes Rickie."
"A girl likes Rickie?" Amber smiled and scooted closer. "Oh come on, spill."
"It's nothing, alright?" Rayanne scowled and grabbed a pillow to hug to her chest.
Amber observed her daughter closely. "It doesn't look like nothing. What's going on, Raynie?"
"Nothing." Rayanne repeated then paused. "It's just-Rickie's so busy all the time now, you know? Like he doesn't even have time for me."
"Well isn't he working on the play?"
"Quit saying that! Everyone says that! I'm IN the play, and I still have time!" Rayanne exclaimed, flinging the remote aside.
Amber blinked, and quickly reassured her. "I know- I can't wait to see you up on that stage." She hesitated, "Well, then maybe it's because of his new home. He is living with a teacher."
Rayanne rolled her eyes and took a deep breath, staring intently across the room. "No, I know he has reasons. It just- it feels like he's avoiding me. Like today- I asked him to come over and he said he couldn't. Then Angela walks up and says practically the same thing and he invites her to go with him and Delia to the movies! Why didn't he ask me? I was his friend before Angela."
Amber remained silent.
"I mean, I guess it doesn't matter." For several moments there was silence. "It's just- the three of us used to be this group, you know? I make one mistake and all of a sudden I'm like this outcast!" Her voice dropped and she picked at some loose threads on the couch. "I don't even feel like I know them anymore. They're different- they've, they've moved on and left me behind. Angela has Jordan and Rickie has Delia and I…I have nobody."
Amber sighed and reached over, wrapping her little girl in her arms.
At the movies…
"I should take up ballroom dancing." Rickie commented, eyes on the screen. Delia nodded absentmindedly, "Yeah we should."
They both sighed dreamily as the lead characters kissed each other after the dance.
"She's so lucky." Delia said jealously. "He's gorgeous."
"Yeah," Rickie agreed. The couple stopped dancing long enough to get refreshments, inspiring Rickie to do the same. "I love popcorn." Rickie closed his eyes blissfully as he chewed and Delia giggled. "Oh, sorry. Do you want some?"
"No I'm fine. But pass me the junior mints." She opened the box and poured some into her hand. "I'm really glad we decided to do this."
"Yeah, me too." Rickie said honestly. "It's good to get away and just relax, you know?"
"Yeah." Delia said and they watched the movie for a few more minutes in silence. She leaned closer to Rickie. "So, anything new and exciting happen lately?"
"Nope. I feel like I'm living and breathing 'Our Town' right now. Seriously, I didn't realize it was this much work. And then I go home-uh, to Katimski's I mean, and he'll be working on it or talking about it."
"It's almost over. One more week." Delia whispered encouragingly.
Rickie shook himself, and turned to her. "Well what about you? Any new guys you like or anything?"
She shook her head, smiling broadly. "Nope, no one quite measures up to you."
Rickie returned her smile and glanced back at the movie, unsure of what to say.
After a minute Delia sighed. "Sorry, did that make you uncomfortable? I didn't mean to."
"What? Oh no, don't worry. I'm fine." Rickie surveyed the theater slowly and glanced back at Delia. "Uh, actually, I'm really thirsty. I know this is really rude, but would you mind getting me a drink?"
Delia blinked, startled. "Uh, sure. What would you like?"
"Anything." Rickie made sure that Delia was gone before he slipped out of their row and walked across the aisle. He sat down and glared at the curly-haired boy in the seat next to him. "What are you doing here Brian?"
Brian gestured to the movie nervously. "Oh, um, going to the movies sounded like a good idea so I came. I didn't like-know you were coming to this one or anything."
"Uh-uh, sure." Rickie scoffed. He rubbed his forehead. "Brian, what are you doing? You really need a life."
Brian looked offended. "I have a life. See, I'm here to see a movie."
"And you like sappy romances?"
Brian glanced at the screen where the man and woman had resumed dancing slowly with their arms around each other. "Well…"
"I didn't think so." Rickie said flatly, an eyebrow raised.
"Rickie?" The boys quickly looked over and saw Delia standing in the other row, surveying the theater. She caught sight of them and wandered over confused. "Hi. What are you doing over here?"
Rickie turned to look at Brian and Delia followed his gaze. Her smile slid off her face and she glared, "What are you doing here?"
A woman in front of them turned around with a glare, "Shhhhh!"
Brian shot her an apologetic glance then looked back at Delia who was still waiting. "I uh, felt like seeing a movie."
Like Rickie, Delia clearly didn't believe him. She handed Rickie his drink and folded her arms. "Okay, well, it was nice to see you." Her voice was sarcastic and Brian winced, looking away. "Come on Rickie, let's go back to our seats."
With a last glance at Brian, Rickie followed Delia to their seats. They didn't speak and Delia shifted, finally turning to look at Rickie. "What? Did you want him to sit with us or something?"
Rickie shook his head quickly. "No, no. I guess I just feel guilty that's all. Brian doesn't really have a lot of friends."
"Well, duh. That's what happens when he uses people and then throws them away. It's his fault." Delia said unsympathetically.
"Delia…he didn't…mean to hurt you."
She scoffed.
"He just isn't used to dealing with girls. I think you're the first girl who ever really paid attention to him." Rickie explained quietly.
Delia frowned and gazed across the theater at Brian. "He's friends with Angela and Sharon."
Rickie gave her a look and she rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. He can sit with us. But if he says one thing…"
Rickie returned several minutes later with Brian and they sat down with Rickie in the middle. Brian offered Delia a half-smile and she returned it reluctantly. Rickie smiled in satisfaction. "Okay. Now can we please watch the movie?"
Author's Note- Hey everyone! I am soooo sorry it took so long to update! My family just moved across the country and I haven't had very much internet access. But thankfully I still had my laptop so I had plenty of time to write! I've got like the next 3 chapters written.
I wasn't actually planning on writing this chapter. That's another reason it took so long. I wrote the others first, but then I really needed a part that was focused more on the other characters (not Angela/Jordan). This is really just a filler chapter to show how everyone else is reacting to their relationship and the things going on around them. Also explains why it's in 3rd person.
The next chapter is also sort of slow paced, but it picks up after that. Lots of craziness! Please review!
Thanks so much to my reviewers! I was so excited at all the people who reviewed!
Chanel- Haha, personally that Valentine cracked me up. But yeah, as he said he would have gotten a different one if they weren't sold out. I'm sorry you hated it, but if you're looking for a Brian and Angela story you're not gonna like this one. I mean, I like Brian myself (who wouldn't love the guy after watching him as Sean Deluca in Roswell?) but I don't think him and Angela would ever be a good match. Angela would walk all over Brian. And as much as Brian says he likes Angela, he never has the courage to tell her or show her. Jordan may struggle with emotions and being in a relationship, but when it comes down to it he's willing to walk across the hallway to hold her hand, give her a letter expressing his feelings (not necessarily his words, but still), or tell her mom how he feels about her. I think their relationship has a lot of potential to grow and change, whereas if Angela started dating Brian she would get bored of him and their relationship would come to a dead end. Of course, that's just my own opinion, you are perfectly entitled to your own!
Ingrid Prado- Thankyou so much! Your review made me feel really good about the story! haha I don't think I've ever had my stories called brilliant before… muchos gracias! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!
Guardqueen22- Thanks for the email! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who's been brainwashed by MSCL language! Haha It was great reading your review because practically everything you suggested was what I'd already started writing! Great minds think alike, I guess. You'll most definitely enjoy the next few chapters. LOTS of drama.
Hey, I have a question for you, since you are by far my most loyal reviewer. How does my story flow? Like, when I'm writing I always feel like I'm constantly saying, "She looks up, then away, then she smiles. He looks down, closes his eyes, blinks twice." Does it read okay or is it too choppy? If you have any suggestions, they'd be greatly appreciated!
Chasitie- It's so nice getting new reviewers! Hopefully the next couple of chapters will be sufficiently unexpected… If you have any suggestions or anything, feel free to tell me!
Gabster07- thanks for the review! That last chapter was probably my favorite one so far. I love Jordan! I hope you like the rest of the story!
