So Best Buy lied. Clarence was not repaired, hence the delay on this. Hopefully NOW we are back on the true path now. Thank you guys, go riot to the Geek Squad at your nearest Best Buy, and enjoy finally the new episode! I think it actually turned out bigger and better than I was expecting which is always great! Love you all! Thank you for the support!

XXX

Monday morning, Jessica Timmermans, iced coffee in hand, enters a house on the very edge of campus, peeking in first. "Hello!" she shouts, voice bouncing off the furniture. "Anyone home?!" At no answer she walks into the house heading through the main atrium towards the kitchen. "I'm sure Mom won't mind if I restock the dorm room a little," she mutters to herself as she grabs an entire box of granola bars from a shelf. She then after a pause takes a sleeve of cookies as well. "Elections are later this week so stress eating might become a necessity."

She then makes her way through the house to what appears to be an empty study, sipping her coffee the whole way. She stares at the red wooden desk arranged and organized to a tee with piles and baskets for everything, the bookshelf in alphabetical order, and even every paper in the wastebasket seems to be a perfect ball. She just takes it all in with a bit of a frown. "Why do you have to be so perfect Dad?" she mutters under her breath before taking another long sip.

And then her eye catches something on one of the piles. She takes a few steps closer, though still a ways away, and sees a folder with the label For the Consideration of President Timmermans by the DIZ Company. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she makes her way up to the desk, cautiously peeking into the folder. Her eyes immediately lock on a list of names present for the first page. "We have been looking into the incidents as desired and have concrete evidence the following students are involved in these out of control pranks, including the Science Center fire and death of Caleb Dean, and have ground to be expelled from the college immediately: Lori Fitzgerald, Charlie and Benjamin Prescott, Hannah Frost, Andrew Parker, Kaitlyn Klingbeil, Michael Harms, Rachel Ellis, and Finch Hale… it looks like they're all here. Great." She drops the folder closed and backs off, things weighing on her as she takes another sip.

Finally, after a minute of contemplation and staring at the folder, she turns around and heads out of the office and eventually the house- trying to not look back.

XXX

So follow me down

Lori stands with the glowing Disney Encyclopedia. She sighs and pulls out her phone.
Where to?
Outta this town

Charlie examines his map and grabs his flashlight.
With you
Girl, you're movin way

Hannah is typing away at her computer.
Too slow

So follow me down

Michael grabs his first aid backpack and throws it on his shoulders.
Which way?

Rachel is performing on stage when her phone rumbles in her boot.
Down, down, down

Ben looks at his phone, adjusting his tie.
I'll show you around

Kaity is drawing pictures of the group absently in her dorm room.
Okay

Andrew runs out the door, nearly tripping, removing his magician's cap from his head.
There's a place we gotta go

Finch puts the two fingers to her temple and her eyes glaze over.

Follow me, follow me

Lori, Charlie, Hannah, Michael, Ben, Kaity, Finch, Rachel, and Andrew are running through the preserve, freezing once on each of their faces.
Fa la la la la

Follow me, follow me

Fa la la la la

Lori comes to a halt and the others crash into her, sending them all to the ground.

Lori Disney? (Not Likely!)

Episode Four: When You Lose, No One Will Let You Forget It

XXX

Meanwhile, Lori Fitzgerald exits her dorm room with a deep breath- bruise on the side of her head faded to a sickly yellow. Her best friend Charlie Prescott is right behind her, pulling up next to her as they start down the hallway. "It's okay," he tells her gently. "I was nervous my first day too and you guys got me through it." He takes a beat before trying to cheer her up. "You didn't have as many nightmares last night. Hannah almost got a full night's worth of sleep, though she says she gave up on that a long time ago."

She fondly ruffles his hair. "I'm doing okay with that squirt. I've been put through a lot and it's made me pretty tough when it comes of stuff. I can handle me. What I can't handle is this election spiraling out of control and destroying everything. The debate's today and I get the feeling tonight I'm going to be like and this is where it all went wrong. I don't think I have time for drama."

"They both promised that it wouldn't change anything," he reminds her, clearly believing it. "They wouldn't do that you and despite what they say they clearly really care about each other and their feelings." They come to the Science Building where Michael Harms and Andrew Parker are talking to one another happily. "It would be like if you and Michael ran against one another."

"What am I running against?" Michael joins the conversation, greeting Lori with a tight hug. Andrew just waves and she waves back with a smile.

"She's worried about the debate today," Charlie tattles. "She doesn't believe enough in the power of friendship despite owning a magical Disney book."

"I'm not saying I don't," Lori argues. "But I just know a lot of things can change for a person when you get put in a situation like that. All it takes are a few wrong words to really hurt someone. Timmermans was with her all weekend coaching her. I don't know what that might have included. She seems like the type willing to do what it takes."

"But Hannah isn't," Andrew counters. "She's a good person." Lori thinks on this for a second before nodding in agreement, seeing his point. "We'll get through this. We all sit at the debate together and just don't take sides. Support them both equally." Lori nods, though still clearly a bit troubled.

"Have you talked to Jess yet?" Michael inquires.

"I've tried," Lori sighs. "She's not quite Jolene status in terms of evasion but she's also not like Andrew here who was desperate to join up."

Andrew runs a hand through his hair. "I don't know if desperate is-"

"I talked to Caleb," Michael cuts him off. "You were desperate."

"She insists it was a one-time thing and that she has no interest in being involved. Which is fine by me because I have a hard enough time keeping track of all of you as it is. But she also insists she is going to do nothing when it comes to her father. And she shoots so straight I almost have no choice but to believe her."

"She's solid," Charlie agrees. "I trust her."

"Clearly," Lori elbows him.

"Have you been caught up on the chaos of the weekend?" Andrew inquires. "Because let me tell you without what this little guy did you might still be down there."

"He did," Lori solemnly nods. "And I know it was rough but you made it work for the end. Let me promise you though that none of them are going to treat you like that again."

"It was f-"

"It wasn't. You have my trust. And even if they don't have it, they certainly have no reason to harbor so much mistrust. No one treats family like that and it won't happen again. I meant what I told you in the elevator and I hope doing this and being this harsh about that helps us get to that point."

"It does," he smiles his blinding smile. "Thank you." He takes a moment before looking at the clock in the courtyard. "I should be heading to class. I will see you guys for lunch."

"Sounds good," everyone agrees and he heads off with a large content smile. The three of them head into the building. Charlie notices something and pulls a small card that is sticking out of the pocket of Lori's shorts.

"Almost dropped something," he hands it to her. She just looks confused and opens it, only to burst into a large smile that lights up the classroom they enter. "What is it?"

"'Lores, I thought you might be a little stressed about monsters given everything that happened this weekend. So I would like to personally assure you that I embarked outside my room early so that I checked under every desk you will sit in today. Not a single one to be found. So relax and enjoy your day. You deserve it.'"

Michael can't help but smile as they all take their seats. "No wonder I found him walking out of here when I came over this morning."

"How did he get it in there though?" Charlie inquires. "He didn't even get that close to you."

"Only Andrew Parker," Michael shrugs.

"Yeah," Lori is still beaming as she gently tucks it into her book. "Only Andy."

XXX

Finch Hale arrives at the boy's dorm door and doesn't even bother knocking- instead choosing to just step into the room. "Ben Prescott?" she inquires.

"Coming!" A moment later Ben Prescott wheels out of the bedroom, books in his lap. "You wasted no time."

"When my first friend requests my presence I do my best to make good time in getting to him." She looks at the books. "Do you require my assistance in wheeling you to class and getting you up the stone steps?"

He pauses. "It wasn't where I was going, but I do admit it would be appreciated." She nods and steps behind him, pushing him out the door and down the hallway. "I actually wanted to talk to you about the debate today."

"You are speaking of the event in which yourself and Hannah Frost will engage in verbal combat that Lori is very worried about?"

Ben sighs. "She doesn't need to be. We're adults and can handle separating our relationship from the business of running against one another. Quite frankly, we've been through too much for her to even consider we won't survive this. It's ridic- between me and her and not the point of this conversation. Sorry."

Finch just shrugs. "There is no need to apologize to myself. I was not offended or upset by your manner in any way."

"What I wanted to say is that I was saving the announcement of my Vice President for the debate when they have to be with us. I figured it would steal some attention my way, especially since my… opponent has one who refuses to even reveal her last name. She's good but that's a major weakness. So I need to counter that… and I think you're the logical choice."

"You are requesting that I be your Vice President?"

"Yes. I think you've earned a lot of credibility in your classes as someone who is very intelligent and knows what she's talking about. I think the two of us together would be quite the team," he proposes, turning back to smile at her. "The two of us have always made the quite the team and I haven't really had time to express that lately."

"Since you became involved with Kaity Klingbeil."

"I know. So this would be our chance to do something, just the two of us. You're my first and only choice really."

"Will Lori-"

"Don't worry about Lori," he snaps before dialing it back at her wide eyes. "I will talk to her. She wants to see me later for the whole Andrew thing anyway. I'm sure it will just add to the great mood that will be built in the room."

Finch hesitates, almost afraid to say what's on her mind. But a nod from Ben causes her to go for it. "I would also hate to mention this, but that reminds me of my surveillance of Andrew Parker. I think it was a mistake but that I only conducted it because it was requested by you. I don't want to feel it, but I feel as if I was manipulated into a situation by your using my desire to maintain our friendship. And I fear this situation may also cause me to alienate others just in service to yourself in a way I may not necessarily desire."

"Finch that is the farthest thing from the truth. You should know that these days I almost feel like you're the only person I can count on to be in my corner," he admits. "This Andrew thing hasn't gained me a lot of points with everyone, but I'm right. And they're going to see that despite the displays he tries to pull off like when we pulled Lori out of the hole. And Rachel thinks she's the actress among us."

"In my opinion it seemed to be a very genuine display of affection on his part. His heartbeat and neurological function gave me evidence to such."

"What do you say to my offer though?" Ben changes the subject as he doesn't want to offer. "Do you want to aid me in changing how the school does some things around here?"

Finch takes a long beat before coming around to the front of him, nodding with a smile. "It would be my pleasure to aid your campaign and Presidency, Ben Prescott." He turns and shakes her hand on the manner, both of them smiling widely at one another. She keeps pushing him and he lets out a cheer from his seat.

"Let's see any of the others try to top this! Nothing is going to get in our way with both our minds in the game! We're going to be unstoppable!" His enthusiasm is very catching and soon Finch lets out a cheer of her own, clearly enjoying being in the company and center of attention for her first friend.

This suddenly comes to a halt when there is a bright flash of light from above them that has Ben shielding his eyes. A moment later, a green ball has landed solidly on his lap and knocked the wind out of him.

"Oh boy," the ball grabs his head where a blue cap sits as Ben just stares down in horror. "I must have drunk too many sloppicinos last night. Bu it also might be from being up three nights straight studying." He pauses. "Wait a minute… where am I?" He slowly turns around and Ben in face-to-face with a young Mike Wasowski. Both can't help but scream, Mike tumbling off the wheelchair onto the empty sidewalk.

"Human!" he screams, rolling around. "Get it off me! Get it off me!"

"No. No Stop," Ben says desperately before they attract attention, making Mike only scream louder.

"Stay away from me, demonic sack of water! My finals are next week and I am not missing Finals because a human contaminated me!" They start to see several windows of the Classroom Building open. "So keep you toxic paws-"

Bang! He crumples to the ground unconscious, revealing Finch had snuck up behind him and delivered a harsh blow with Ben's books. She looks down at the creature with satisfaction at her quick solution as heads poke out only to see nothing out of the ordinary as she stands in front of him. Once they just give a shrug at her and vanish she turns back to Mike. "I will bring him to Lori Fitzgerald's guest room after dropping you off. She might have better luck in an enclosed environment." She pushes Ben with one hand to the stairs while dragging Mike by his foot with the other.

XXX

"I feel that my opponents about the wellbeing of this campus that need to be addressed as much as mine. As such, I would more than welcome an open dialogue with them when elected to see they are not merely dropped but continued through the guidance of myself and Jess," Hannah Frost says with a cool efficiency, though still very charismatic. She is standing in front of the mirror in her room, dressed in her usual style but with a touch of more elegance. She turns to the side and looks at Jess Timmermans who is perched on her desk chair, looking at notecards.

"And that is the only way you will address them," Jess reminds her. Hannah gives a look as if they have covered this a million times already. "I'm serious. You do not engage in any mud thrown at you and you certainly don't throw it back. Your image is what works- the consummate professional rising to take her place among campus. Everything is on your side to win this, so all you have to do it stick to the cards and not screw this whole thing up for the both of us. I'm there cosmetically and can't grab the microphone to bail you out."

"You're more cheerful than usual," Hannah comments sarcastically. "It's practically blinding the room in sunshine." Jess just stares at her. "Relax." They are interrupted by Finch entering the room with Mike cradled in her room, now without his blue hat. Hannah lights up at the site of him. "Mike Wasowski!"

"Excuse me?" Finch raises an eyebrow.

"That's his name," Hannah explains as she comes up to him. "I didn't even hear the book go off… Lori must still have it with her. She didn't let go of it all weekend after… it. Why is he unconscious?" she finally realizes and questions.

"He was carrying on and attracting attention," Finch explains. "I delivered a blow that will know him out for approximately two hours- just as Lori gets back from her first round of classes. He seemed to reject the fact that he was around humans."

"Of course, judging by the braces it must be Monsters University which means-"

"No," Jess interrupts, getting between the two of them. "No. You're getting distracted. We did not do all this work for you to get sucked into this. Lori will handle this, seeing as is her responsibility." She turns to Finch. "Please remove the… creature." Finch does so, heading for the guest bedroom. 'Focus," she warns Hannah. "You're barely first and you can't forget that."

"Come on," Hannah shakes her head at Jess, "You have to admit it's pretty awesome that Finch just came in carrying a Pixar character." Finch returns and merely observes what happens next.

"We talked about this with the roommate… briefly as I desired," Jess reminds her. "She called me President's Daughter as if it was a nickname and it was annoying."

"Well, you responded to that so there's nothing that can be done about that scenario," Hannah shrugs as if it's obvious.

Jess clearly doesn't see the logic. "Between partners I will elaborate to officially end this. It's not cool and I'm staying out of it. It's bad enough I'm not aware of this madness occurring on campus at all." She grabs her bag and starts for the door, pausing. "I have watched my father begin to fear the very job he spent his whole life building to because something seemed determined to burn this campus to the ground. But now I have names to attribute it too." She looks a little torn and is almost surprised to see Hannah is looking at her with only sympathy. "It makes things complicated and I hate that very word more than any other. I cannot handle it… I'm just not built to. So I am staying far from this situation so I don't have to think about it, because this partnership seems beneficial and we have already announced our running together." She starts out the door but pauses, adjusting her glasses. "I honestly recommend you do the same if you want anything to become of your time here." And with that she exits.

"See you for the debate," Hannah sends her off, crossing her arms in thought. "You do have to admit, that situation really sucks."

"I can see how the situation is quite complex." She turns to Hannah, remembering something. "I also must tell you something I feel is important. Ben Prescott had asked me to run as his Vice President and I have accepted. He wished it to be a secret to the public until the debate, but I thought I should tell you. I hope it does not change our-"

"Finch, it's fine," Hannah tells her sincerely. "Ben and I are fine, so the two of us are certainly going to be as well. He made the right choice and I can tell you're happy about him choosing you." She gives the projection a quick hug. "Not that you need my approval to do anything you want, but you have my full support on this. Let me know if there's anything I can help you with. Or you can talk to Jess."

"I get the feeling Jess Timmermans will not wish to speak me," the projection admits.

"She's very rough around the edges," Hannah agrees with a laugh. "But each and every single one of us was too once upon a time, right? I mean, I once tried to kill you after all. You broke Lori's wrist over a hamster. The list goes on and on."

Finch contemplates this for a long moment before nodding. "I will consult with her if I desire any advice. I will see you later, Hannah Frost." Hannah gives her a wave as she exits, leaving Hannah staring at herself in the mirror psyching herself up. She glances at the picture of her and Caleb hanging up in the corner.

"I know you're going to be up there with me today," she talks to it with the saddest of smiles, hand brushing it. "You're with me a lot of the time I think. Or I'm just going crazy, but I like to think with Disney characters running around that becomes a little subjective." She wipes the tears from her eyes and grabs her bag, stopping before she exits the bedroom. "I just want to let you know that you would have made a beautiful First Lady," she says in a choked voice before turning off the light, casting the picture in darkness.

XXX

About an hour later, Kaity Klingbeil is in her art room painting up a storm on a large canvas, her sweatpants and shirt covered in all sorts of paints and oils. She takes a step back, not noticing as she places the paintbrush against her cheek, and studies it. It is a large scenic portrait of a forest with various trees somehow in their state for each of the seasons. Some are bare, some have colorful leaves, some green and vibrant, and some are dotted with pink flowers. "Something's missing," she whispers to herself.

"Maybe it's this," she hears from behind her, turning to see a smiling Ben. She quickly leans down to kiss him, pulling the paintbrush from her face and leaving a long streak of blue. "I'd hate to tell you this, darling, but you're a bit of a mess," he jokes.

"I am indeed," she agrees. "But you're the one who had the crazy idea to try and date an artist. We're not the most presentable sort, you see."

She sits in his lap and he gets a touch more serious. "How long have you been here?"

She tries to keep the mood light. "Do you want the answer you want to hear or the truth?" He just stares at her. "It's been close to twenty-four hours. I'm surprised Rachel hasn't called- Rachel called you the little snitch. I thought maybe she's think-"

"She's blind. Not deaf. She can still tell if you're in the room or not." Ben shakes his head. "I know you're on a peak and that might be a little scary considering how rapidly we're going through the cycle these days."

She shrugs. "It comes with the territory of college and Disney character mayhem. I'm very active and all over the place so the old noggin is too. Though I much prefer this part because though it sucks when I come down from it and just want to sleep at least there are no hallucinations to be seen. And I actually get a lot of work done." She gestures to the painting. "It's going to be my masterpiece."

"You say that about every painting."

"I have to treat every piece of art like that. They're all my kids so you'd better get ready for a big family." They sit for a long moment, her head on his shoulder, in silence before she speaks up again. "Just give me a little bit more and then I'll get some rest and clean up for your debate. I didn't forget, I promise."

"I know you didn't. I'm just glad you're going to be there. Hannah and Jess are practically a machine so I'm going to need all the confidence I can muster."

"You have good points and ideas. Just let those shine through. Plus you've been here two years longer than her so you know this place better." He sighs. "I'm sorry. I know you don't like to think about this being your super senior year."

"I'm making the best of it though." He gives her a kiss and she hops off of his chair. "I'm going to have someone come and check on you in an hour."

"I'll be out the door. I promise." With that, she springs right back into work and he watches her with a smile for a moment before leaving her to her work.

XXX

Soon after that, Mike blinks his eye open. "Oh, what happened? I feel like someone closed a door on my head." He sits up and looks around to see he is in a sparse bedroom with Lori, Michael, and Charlie sitting in the corner watching him. He at first looks past them, but then jerks back over and screams at the top of his lungs as he realizes he's in a human bed. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Lori jogs over to the bed, hands up. "Whoa! Whoa! Calm down!"

"TOXIC! AHHHHH!"

He keeps screaming and starts running around the room away from her, brandishing the light in her direction. Charlie and Michael just hang back snickering at the situation playing out- Lori chasing the green ball. "Mike, you're okay. Stop. We're not going to hurt you, okay?" She grabs the lamp from him and puts it back. "You're… in a dream."

He pauses at this, tilting his head at her. Michael and Charlie just look at each other in amazement. She takes his hesitation and runs with it, waving her arms. "You, Mike, are only dreaming you are in the human world. You aren't really even here at all."

"But why would my dream tell me I'm in a dream, Dream Human?"

"Because… it's your head. Why don't you answer that yourself?" She folds her arms.

He nods to this point. "Fair enough I suppose." He claps his hands together and actually moves towards her, no longer afraid. "I need to wake up though if you'd be so kind Dream Human. Tomorrow's my Scare Final and I need to mop the floor with Sullivan once and for all. So I need to wake up and get back to studying."

"First off, it's Lori. Call me Lori. Second, in good time," Lori offers. "You'll make your Final just fine. This… maybe your brain's trying to calm you down a bit. So just relax and… go with what happens. You'll- well you might learn some things about yourself or others or something."

"You're not a very convincing guide for this Dream Human." Charlie laughs into his hands and finally Mike glances over to them. "Who are these two?"

"My Companions. They're sort of like assistants in what I do." She goes over to them ruffles Charlie's hair. "They're more of a pain in my neck than anything though."

"Hey! That's not true and you know it!" Charlie shoots back.

"Minions," Mike goes with. "This must be quite a big operation you have here if you have minions. So… let's not waste any more time. Show me what I need to see." There's a knock at the door and Lori gestures for him to follow into the living area. He does and sees Hannah, Rachel, Finch, and Andrew enter carrying to-go containers.

"Thanks for the last minute change of plans," Lori greets them as Andrew hands him a container. They all grab a seat around the small table. "He's not exactly one we could bring out into public. Where are Ben and Kaity?"

"He said he needed to get ready for the debate when I texted him," Hannah explains, not taking it personally at all. She hands Mike a container. "We weren't positive of your preferences, so we just grabbed a few things."

"Thank you," Mike takes it. He opens it to find it's scraps and bits from the trash can. Lori gives Hannah a look, but stops when he starts digging in. "This is absolutely amazing! I didn't realize you could even get hungry in a dream. Your minions provide excellent service. Plus it's the minion who brought me here. It's nice to see you again. Sorry about my reaction earlier." Finch just stares, unsure what to say to that.

Hannah shrugs. "I know my Disney. Did he say dream?"

"Yes, I had to tell him so that he wouldn't try to skewer me through with a lamp." Everyone catches on and nods, starting in on their lunches.

It's silent for a moment before Finch speaks up. "Rachel Ellis wants you to ask her about auditions." Rachel elbows her. "It is a true statement."

"I'm so sorry," Andrew apologizes. "I forgot. How'd it go?"

Rachel beams and puts and arm around Finch. "You are looking at aunts who murder old men with arsenic! We got the two leads!"

"Congratulations!" Lori cheers and everyone echoes the sentiment, Charlie applauding. Finch is smiling herself and looks very proud at her achievement.

"And my friend Robert Rowell has received the male lead of Mortimer," Finch adds. Rachel is clearly very excited by this news. "He said he was inspired to try out and spend time with someone."

"I might as well be planning the wedding at this point," Rachel smiles brightly, clearly enamored. "I can't wait to start working with him and really let our chemistry fly- on and off stage."

"Great. We have another raging romantic," Lori rolls her eyes. "What happened to the days of subtlety I ask? But I can't wait to go see it… maybe even twice again. I feel the second time really adds something."

"Someone has to rub their actions in," Hannah quips.

"I'd watch the debate twice if I could," Lori smirks. "Because I love you." Hannah throws a piece of celery at her. Mike watches this exchange, eye wide.

"Okay, emphasis on the number two. I need to watch out for that one on the test maybe," he thinks to himself. He goes to scratch his head when he notices his hat is missing. "My hat! I had it before. I lost my hat!" He grabs Lori by her jacket. "We need to find it, Dream Human."

"We will," she vows. "We will. It must have fallen off when Finch brought you here. After lunch we'll-"

"It needs to be now. That hat… that is everything I have ever wanted in my life. I need to have it for tomorrow otherwise everything is going to be ruined and I'm going to fail. And if I fail I'll never become a Scarer and I have to become a Scarer. It's the only thing I've ever wanted and-"

"Okay," Lori rises. "It's okay. We'll go get it. You stay here and I'll bring it right back to you. Dream Human is on it."

"Well, I'm coming with you. You might need my expertise in finding it. Dream Humans might be colorblind or something."

"How does- never mind. You can't go out there though. It's not safe for walking green things. You'll stick out like a sore thumb and then I'll have some real explaining to do. And though I have become THE Master Bullshitter these past two years I doubt I can pass even you off."

"He's a green basketball," Rachel offers. "I know I wouldn't think twice if I saw that. Just make sure he doesn't stare at anybody. They've seen you holding weirder at this point." Mike stares at Lori and finally she gives a nod of consent. He climbs up into her arms and folds himself up tightly so she's holding him under one arm.

"This is the weirdest dream I have ever had," Mike announces to her. "I don't even get what this is supposed to mean. Am I the ball or am I the one carrying the ball?"

"Again, it's your brain so you figure it out. I'll meet you all at the debate." Charlie jumps up right after her. "How did I know you'd be tagging along?" She gestures for him to leave and the two of them head out the door together with a wave to everyone else.

"I'm surprised the Doctor isn't going with them," Rachel comments.

"The Doctor is hungry," Michael counters. "Besides, I have a few things I need to get done so my paperwork is ready for Rounds next week. I'm finally going to be in a hospital learning the things I want to spend the rest of my life on."

"That has to be super exciting," Hannah agrees before recalling something. "Jolene asked about you in the cafeteria today." She watches his demeanor fade as he looks down at his food. "Michael, I get that she let you down. But she was hurting too. And now she's trying to make it right and quite frankly figure out if she still has a boyfriend. You need to talk to her now because I get the feeling you don't know the answer yourself."

"I don't know what to say," he admits to the group. "At this point half the time we've been dating we haven't been speaking to one another on her end. The last thing she officially said to me was that I'm a murder. I don't want to leave things there, but I also have no clue where to pick them up. But, I promise, if I see her at all I will… think about talking to her and apologize for not answering." Hannah raises an eyebrow. "I'm not going to call her. I just think it needs to be an in person thing rather than a phone one. "

"I have to agree with the Doctor," Andrew volunteers. "I had a bad break-up once and she said some things that really core cut me… cut me to my core. Over the phone one night. I was never able to speak to her again. Here at least he might have a chance at keeping her in his life in some way." He sees everyone is staring at him in something close to shock. "What?"

"I'll start," Rachel speaks up. "How the hell did you date someone if you don't touch people?"

He immediately gets smaller. "This is why I don't volunteer personal information to you guys."

"It was a joke," Finch tries to salvage the situation.

"No. That was a real- Ow!" Rachel is elbowed in her side by the projection harshly.

"It was a joke," Finch says again more forcefully. Andrew can't help but smirk at that and returns to his food quietly. Hannah sighs at his evident clamming up and turns back to Michael.

"Talk to her, please."

"I will. I promise," he vows, clearly upset at causing Andrew's behavior now as well.

XXX

Lori and Charlie have reached the side of the classroom building, and after making sure the coast is clear she deposits Mike on the ground. "Alright, now where did Finch knock you out?"

"Well, it's all a blur due to the heart-clenching fear that was in my chest honestly, but I do recall that it was around the vicinity of some bushes."

Lori looks to see the entire side of the building has bushes running along it and turns back to him, sighing. "You're going to have to be more specific than that."

"They were green."

"I guess we'll just start at one end and make our way to the other," Charlie volunteers. Lori reluctantly agrees and the trio starts looking through the bushes for any sign of the blue hat.

"So I've been trying to piece together the meaning of this dream using the cavalcade of clues and my superior mind," Mike pitches. "I think you may be suggesting the type of roar I need to use for the Final. Or maybe one of you is meant to represent Sullivan and the complete domination-"

"Can you think about anything else besides the Final?" Lori suggests. "Because here we're only at the beginning of the semester and I really don't think that's it."

"What else is there right now?" he asks sincerely. "I know what I want and I'm not about to let anything get in my way of my dream. Everything else is just a distraction."

"There are other important things," Charlie tells him. "Because what happens when you get where you want and no one's there to celebrate with."

"Or if you don't make it at all," Lori adds gently, trying not to be too obvious.

"You need friends," Charlie finishes with a purposeful glance at Lori. "Because life's way too hard to attempt on your own."

"I get the feeling you're trying to tell me something," Mike says finally after they both stare at him a moment. They both just look at each other and shake their heads. "I do have a friend though. His name's Randy and he's my roommate. I pretty much just talk to him about class though."

"That's good. I've found roommates can be pretty extraordinary," Lori smiles. She points at Charlie. "Never let her know I said that." He nods with a smirk.

"If you say so Dream Human," Mike shrugs, continuing his search. "I don't know here it could- it's going to take forever for me to look through all this." Lori kneels in front of him.

"All we're saying," She concludes, "is two brains can be better than one." She drops the hat on his head gently before rising. "Let's go save some seats for the debate." She holds out her arms and Mike hops into them without hesitation, folding himself up. Lori and Charlie then start for the path to the quad, her putting an arm around him.

"You need to stop getting taller," she tells her best friend.

"I'll give my body the memo." She ruffles his hair with a smirk. "Are you worried that everyone will notice your basketball is wearing a hat for some reason?"

"Ah, I think I just need to go with it. We'll just tell them we added the basketball to our cult is all."

XXX

Ben is making his way towards where the stage is set up in the quad, muttering to himself as he pushes his wheels. "So that is why I believe more ramps need to be inserted on campus to accommodate the needs of a set of students on campus I myself sadly might not have considered before. But now my new challenges remind me-"

He's cut off by his phone ringing, and picks it up after pulling it out of his pants pocket. "Hello?"

"It's me," Kaity says on the other end. "Just… wanted to give you a call."

He can instantly tell something is wrong. "Kaity?"

"I'm-I'm coming down from the peak and my head's a little… God, this picture is so awful. I should just paint over it and start over."

"You're still in the Art Building?"

"I think I feel asleep for a bit… in some paint. At least that's what I can gather from half my face being green now. It's really… why did I even think I could paint this? I need to-"

"Step away from the painting," Ben commands. "You know this happens. You get really hard on your art when you're heading for a valley. It's great and you need to just leave it be until you've rested some. Go back to the dorm and just get some rest, okay?"

"I'm worried he's going to be there," she admits in her smallest voice. "I haven't seen him since the hospital but with this flip happening so fast it might just be a matter of time before my ghost puts in an appearance again." A beat later she pulls herself together, or at least appears to. "Never mind. It'll be fine. I'll go back."

"I'll come by as soon as the debate's over."

"Wait, the debate's… I thought it wasn't until… oh, I'm so mixed up right now."

He comes to a halt, hands gripping the wheels tightly as he makes his decision. "Listen, I have a few minutes. I'll swing over and get you into bed before coming back here."

"You don't have to-"

"I do. I need to take care of you and make sure you're okay otherwise I'm not going to be able to have my heart in it at all." He turns the chair around in the direction of the Art Building. "I'll be there in a few minutes. Don't touch the painting. Just… leave it. It's my favorite you've ever done."

"Really?" He can hear she's almost crying now.

"Really. Just hold on. I'm almost there."

XXX

Hannah is walking with the others to the quad, straightening out her already ironed skirt and taking a deep breath. "You look perfect," Andrew compliments her. "Just breathe and remember that if you mess up Jess just may kill you on stage and hurt your poll numbers."

She laughs at this. "It's a college election. There aren't poll numbers."

"Something tells me Jess found a way." She goes to hit him on the arm, but manages to stop herself quickly enough. Andrew just stares down at his arm for a moment, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I bet you guys were thinking that it might be different, but I'm me still. Wait… no that was what I was trying to say."

"I wasn't expecting that," Hannah disagrees. "Whatever it is, because I suspect it's more than germs but that's your business, it's not going to just vanish because of one hug." They keep walking but she decides to go for it. "And because it was Lori. She's pretty special."

"She is amazing," he smiles, making Hannah smile as well that she was right in her leading. "Just when I think I've seen it all she just goes and does something extraordinary. She's one of the most sincere and strong people I have ever met." He sees the look Hannah is giving him. "What? I mean, you're pretty awesome too… and smart… and am I in a hole?" He's blushing now.

"Nothing," she plays coy. "I just think someone special and strong like a dragon slaying college girl deserves someone equally positive and special is all… maybe even magical."

Andrew's smile fades and he turns so he is looking straight ahead. "Well, I hope she finds that someday because she deserves it. " He then speeds up a bit to catch up to Michael, talking to him. Hannah just watches him, crossing her arms in thought.

"I hope so. Maybe she can be just the person he needs too." They are coming up on the quad where they see Lori and Charlie waiting in the second row with seats between them. Lori offers her roommate a wave as she heads behind the backdrop with Finch in tow. Jess is already waiting for her.

"There she is," Jess lets out a deep breath and grabs a wandering tech. "Get her a mic now." He nods and scrambles off. "Cutting it close, aren't we?"

"Not really. Just by your standards is all," Hannah fires back. She looks around at the small group of people behind the scenes. "Where's Ben?"

"No clue," Jess shrugs it off as another kid comes up to give Hannah her mic and the pack connected to it. "Make sure she's loud enough to reach everybody. I don't want the back missing anything she has to say." He nods, clearly afraid of Jess when she's being a force of nature like this.

"That's weird," Hannah comments as Finch steps away to try and contact him, fingers going to her temple.

"Now let's cover the main talking points," Jess cuts in, keeping her on track.

Meanwhile, everyone grabs their seats that Lori has saved with one still remaining for Kaity. "I see you still have the green basketball," Michael comments as he sits next to her with Andrew beside him followed by Rachel. Sure enough, Mike is hiding under her seat and gives a wave at the mention.

"He wanted to watch, it might be essential to his quest in the dream world," Lori explains somehow with a straight face. "But we did manage to find the hat in the end though, so the dream is still very intact." She settles into her seat, taking a deep breath. "Let's get this over with," she voices her clear dread. "It was fun while it lasted." She turns slightly and locks eyes with Andrew who does the first thing that comes to his mind- pulls a deck of cards seemingly out of thin air.

"I know how we can pass the time while we wait," he offers, shuffling through them. This manages to make some of her tension fade as she leans in with the rest of the group to participate in the trick he begins, smiles on all their faces at his antics.

XXX

Ben enters the workshop to find Kaity's painting now has a singular large black streak of paint running through the middle of it. "Oh, Kaity," he sighs, hearing running water in the next room. He walks over to find Kaity desperately trying to scrub the black paint off of her hands. She looks to be a total mess, half her head covered in green paint as she said, and is silently sobbing to herself. "I'm sorry," she whispers to herself between hiccups. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

He just wheels over to her, gently pulling her arms away from the scalding water he flinches from touching. Her hands are red and raw from her scrubbing, and she can't even focus on him as she keeps crying. He pulls her onto his lap with a firm jerk and she just cuddles up against him- sobbing into his nicest tie.

He gently holds her, rubbing circles on her back. "It's okay. You're okay. We'll get you back and you need to get some sleep. Then we can fix the painting."

"You said it was your favorite and I ruined it. I didn't listen to you-"

He shushes her, pulling her even tighter against him. "Just relax. It's not too bad. It'll take some work but you should be able to fix it later." He tries to let go of her so they can get started, but she shakes her head.

"Please… can we just stay here? I'm so tired, Ben. I'm so tired." He takes only the smallest of beats before kissing the top of her head.

"Yeah, we'll stay here." He leans his head back in the chair, settling in. "Just try to relax." He gently strokes her hair as her crying starts to slow. "I'm right here… and I'm not going anywhere."

"I love you," he hears her croak and a moment later her breathing has become slow and even with sleep.

"I love you too," he answers immediately, seeming to let something go with the words. "Maybe the rest of it just wasn't meant to be. And who am I to complain I suppose when I've got you and my mind in good condition." Just then his phone starts to ring. He silences it before she can stir, turning it off and resting his head on top of hers. "I love you too."

XXX

"If he's not here in three minutes we're starting without him," the tech assistant informs the gathered group of Hannah, Jess, Finch, and the third opponent- a boy with green hair and his running mate of a girl with long blonde hair that goes down to her waist. "It'll just be the two of you and we'll cut it shorter. So get ready to head out." He vanishes around the corner to the sound booth and Hannah turns to Finch.

"The current location of Ben Prescott is the Art Building," Finch informs her. "I've tired multiple times to contact him but he does not appear to desire to pick up as he has turned his phone off on my second attempt." Hannah peeks around the curtain to see her friends all gathered in the second row talking with one another, noticing who's not there.

"It's Kaity," she confirms. "She's not here so something must have- I hope she's alright. Try calling him again." Finch nods and steps away, leaving Hannah pacing.

"You need to stop that," Jess reminds her. "You're not going on stage winded. It won't make you look good." Finch comes back, shaking her head. "He'll just miss the debate. It's fine. It's good for us actually." Hannah gives her a look that actually makes her look afraid for a moment. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for and completely the wrong thing to say. I should have known better." The tech assistant comes back up to them.

"Line up. We're going." Jess and others fall into their spots, but Hannah hesitates.

"Can we give him anymore time?" she asks. "It just doesn't seem right to have a debate without the third candidate."

"We've given him all the time we can. Everyone's here and waiting… important people." Hannah forces a nod and gets in line, though clearly still warring with herself. "Wait for your cue and then head on out." He runs over to a microphone and clears his throat before turning it on. "Ladies and gentlemen, we present our candidates-"

Hannah takes off at a run around the corner onto the stage, going to the nearest podium. "Hannah!" Jess shouts after her as she follows and comes to a stop at her side. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Hannah taps the microphone on the podium and sees that it's on. "We can't have a debate without him. Something happened beyond his control and he shouldn't be punished for that."

"You can't throw this debate away," Jess covers the microphone with her hand so they can't be heard. "It will hurt us. They don't have time for another one before the election. No one will hear what you have to say unless you do it here and now."

"Then we'll do it some other way. We still have a pile of fliers Roger rabbit made for us that I think get things across pretty clearly."

"Don't start with me," Jess warns. "Not here and not now. They will think you're too sentimental, Hannah, and thus not capable of making good decisions. It hurts but is the logical thing to do- the thing we need to do. You picked me to win this for you, so I need you to listen to me right now. Go back and we'll do the debate." Hannah doesn't budge and inch and Jess lets out a cry of frustration. "I won't be able to save us from this." Still nothing. "I can't believe you're seriously going to throw away everything we worked for because of a friend who chose to run against you in the first place."

"He's my brother," is the only answer Hannah gives. Jess seems to give up at this, removing her hand from the mic and throwing them both in the air.

"Go ahead then," she gestures to the mic. "If you're going to burn everything we worked for down then you might as well make sure it's an inferno."

Hannah steps forward, taking in all the confused people staring at the two of them. "Hello. I'm Hannah Frost, one of the candidates. One of my opponents, Ben Prescott, is unable to be here right now due to what I believe to be an emergency with his girlfriend." She takes a deep breath as she sees her friends pulling out their phones to start texting and figure this out. "I think it would be very unfair to have this debate without him since it a situation beyond his control. Thus I will not be participating either."

There is a rush of noise from the crowd, mostly gasps and shouts, and Jess has to physically look away from Hannah at this point. She locks eyes on an older gentleman standing in the back- gray hair and mustache with a nice and expensive gray suit. She stares at him almost frozen.

"And with only one candidate I don't think it will be much of a debate," Hannah snaps her out of it by continuing. "I'm sorry for wasting your time, but I feel like this is the right thing to do. I'd be happy to speak to anyone and anytime about my stance on issues and plans as we lead up to the vote. Lord knows I practiced enough for this." Someone in the crowd laughs and she lets out a sigh of relief. "So thank you and I'm sorry for essentially wasting your time and to the people who set this up and put it together. I will be more than happy to help you take it down. Have a great day everyone."

And she starts to walk off with a murderous Jess behind her when a sound hits her. It's a clap. She turns and by that time a few more have joined it. About half of those gathered clapping for her and showing their support. Jess's jaw nearly hits the floor at this. Hannah however just gives a small wave and vanishes back behind the scenes with a still shocked Jess following. Everyone takes this as their cue and starts to rise with Lori turning to her Companions.

"Did anyone get ahold of them?" Everyone shakes their heads. "Shoot. Let's head back and see if she's in her room. Otherwise, we'll try calling the hospital." The group nods and starts to head out when Michael comes to a halt.

Jolene Dean is crossing the grass right in front of them, not even noticing them. He clearly wants to keep it that way, but after a glance at Andrew, who gives a smile of support, gathers his courage and makes his way over. "Jolene," he grabs her attention softly. She turns to him and her face completely falls. Both of them are just staring at one another, unable to begin what needs to be said. She finally takes a few steps forward, hand going to touch the side of his face with tears in her eyes.

He goes to lean it, but then she abruptly pulls away just as his head starts moving. "I'm sorry," she tells him sincerely. "I-I thought I could- please just call me sometime." She takes off before he could even get a word out, even leaving him with his arm extended after her. He just stares after her, breathing becoming a little ragged and he grabs his chest.

"Hey," he hears Andrew come up beside him. "Just take some deep breaths. In… and out. In… and out." Michael does to his words and quickly gains a grip over himself. "I'm sorry, Doctor. I know it's a lot and it's all super stressful, but just remember to keep breathing. Anxiety-"

"I don't have anxiety," Michael shrugs him off clinically. "I'm going to be a doctor. I can't have anxiety." Andrew gives him a small dubious look, but quickly drops it in favor of a warm smile. "I appreciate the help though, sincerely."

"Well, I'm always here for you if you need it."

"Guys!" They both turn to see Lori and her Companions by the stage with Finch and Hannah. They make their way over, Lori weaving a comforting arm through his. He gives her hand a pat to show that he's alright.

"Ben Prescott wishes to inform you all that he did indeed miss the debate for Kaity Klingbeil," Finch reads off to everyone with two fingers to her temple. "But that she is fine and not needing to be brought to the hospital. He will let us know when she wakes up and is more stable so we can visit her. He appreciates the concern though and to… continue with the debate." At this, Hannah merely shrugs and looks around as the workers have started to take things apart already.

"I don't care what he says," Hannah quips in a manner well befitting a sibling. "I don't regret what I did in the slightest."

Lori steps forwards, Mike under her arm, and puts an arm around her roommate. "I'm really flipping proud of you, Hannah Frost. I was wrong and you just might be right. We might be able to make it through all of this unscathed due to you. You, my roommate, are keeping me from a nut house."

"It's kind of my job," she beams at everyone, content. "But it's a very stressful job so I will leave the majority of it to my good man Charlie." Everyone laughs at this, no one noticing Mike staring up at the two of them with a large smile on his face.

"Hannah!" Jess pokes her head out from behind the stage, ending the moment. "Crew is taking you up on your promise to help. They promise they won't punish you too bad, but I wasn't sure whether that was a joke or not. It was hard to read." Lori lets go of Hannah as the blonde sighs.

"Go have fun with President's Daughter, you rebel." Jess gives Lori the most withering look she can muster. "Listen, I've been called Dream Human all day. I have even less pity for you today than I might be able to muster on a normal day. It's a nickname. It's fun. Smile." Jess doesn't so Lori waves her off. "Listen, we have something we want to run by you about this election real fast."

"Hit me," Hannah prompts.

"Well, I was talking with Lori," Charlie begins. "About how my brother and one of my very best friends is a very hard choice to make because I love the both of you and think you'd both be great. So I think I want to abstain from voting to support both of you equally since I can't vote twice. And Lori thought that was a really good idea and I think the rest of us Companions would do the same to avoid any sort of conflict. So that's what I'd like to do."

Jess goes to say something, but Hannah beats her to it. "I'm perfectly fine with that, Charlie. I completely understand this is a rough situation for you guys too and I don't want to put any of you in a position where you might be uncomfortable. I actually really like it." Charlie nods with relief and she gives him a brief hug. Lori hears Jess let out a huff of annoyance.

She turns her attention back to the group. "Alright, on that note, we're going to head back. See you when you get home."

"Alright," Hannah agrees with a nod, heading after Jess backstage while the others start off in the opposite direction.

"I don't know if anyone covered this with you," Jess lectures, "But nice doesn't win elections."

"Let's agree to disagree, okay?" Hannah cuts her off before she can really begin, going over to pitch in with taking down the sound equipment.

XXX

Later that evening, Ben makes his way to where they are tearing down the stage and wheeling the podiums off. He lets out a sigh when he spots Hannah helping with the last of the folding chairs. She spots him a moment later and makes her way over. "Is everything alright? Is Kaity okay?" she questions him immediately.

"Yeah. She's back in her dorm. I had her eat something and then she fell right to sleep. Rachel knows to call me or her counselor if anything happens." Hannah nods, reaching out and squeezing his hand.

"It sound like it's been a pretty long day," she voices gently. He nods and squeezes her hand back. "You didn't miss much here though. I didn't think it would be right to have the debate without you so I pulled out."

She can't help but be surprised when he pulls his hand back. "You did… what?"

"It would be too unfair for them to hear all about my ideas and not about yours," she explains. "I've even had a few people come up and talk to me while I've been cleaning up so you can expect them to probably approach you too." She instantly judges the look on his face and stops. "You're- you're mad at me aren't you?"

"A little," he admits. "I didn't need your pity, Hannah. I picked Kaity knowing full well what it would cost me."

"But it shouldn't have to cost you anything when you do the right thing," she counters. "I didn't know what was going on and made a call. I don't regret it."

"And now I'm sure the campus is loving the whole Saint Hannah bit you gave them," he lashes out. The gears switch in Hannah pretty quickly as she starts to meet his frustration.

"Hey, I didn't do it for the election. I did it for you. So stop being an asshole."

He shrugs. "I might as well pull out of the race at this point."

Hannah reads him instantly. "Oh, I got your number. You don't think you can win and you're choosing to blame me. You're using me as the excuse because you can't be go after Kaity for being sick. But you can go after me for being nice."

"Leave my girlfriend out of this," he warns.

"I'm not bringing her into this," she clarifies. "This is between you and me. I was just saying how you're treating me-"

"Just because I have a girlfriend and don't desperately need a hobby," he mutters. He instantly realizes not only what he said but that she heard him and realizes the whole situation has just escalated even higher. "Oh my God. Hannah-"

"You know," she cuts him off, tremble in her voice. "I think it could have worked with literally anyone else. Michael and Lori would have been fine. Andrew and Kaity. Charlie and Rachel. Myself and Finch. But it just had to be the two of us, right? Because we always seem to manage to bring out the very best in one another… but also the very worst. And sometimes it's so great and I love you as a brother, but a lot of times it hurts that I love you as a brother."

He at first seems remorseful, but then just seems to become angrier. "Well, I think everyone forgets that some of us lost things other than Caleb in that building too. And it sucks and we're angry about it. So maybe someone should consider us for once." He takes a deep breath. "And I know that doesn't make what I said right, but it's how I'm really starting to feel. I'm sick of some people ignoring what some of us are still going through."

"I'm sorry," she agrees. "You're right because I do forget-"

"I don't need this," he dismisses, turning his chair around. "I think its best we just keep our distance and not really talk until after the election. Because… I'm worried I might ruin this and I don't want to. You're right. We're the ones who have the capacity to really hurt each other and everyone else in the process. It's only a few days anyway."

She clearly doesn't like it, but forces a nod. "If that's what you think will be best."

"I do." He starts to wheel away, leaving her standing in the quad.

"I love you too," she says to herself after he has departed. With that, she turns back to her task and notices Jess has been observing the situation curiously. "He's my brother," she explains, though knowing it won't work. "And things will happen the way they're meant to for this election. I won't let it cost me what's important." She takes the chair and brings it towards the rack, leaving a puzzled Jess watching her go.

XXX

Mike stands in front of Lori and Charlie with a lunchbox in his hand. "I'm not really understanding how this wakes me up."

"That's okay. The Dream Human understands and that's all that matters," Lori informs him, book under her arm. "We read the poem and then you'll be waking up back in your dorm ready to take your Final."

"I think I actually might sleep a little longer. Somehow this dream has made me more tired than anything else." He looks down at the lunchbox. "I also don't understand how this is going to come with me, though I appreciate the gesture of all this delicious trash."

"Just trust me."

"I do," Mike nods. "And I think I might have figured out the lesson here. Maybe humans aren't as bad as I'm thinking and not toxic. Maybe I can revolutionize the world and how we collect energy with this information, possibly in the process finding a whole new way of collecting energy that centers on positive emotions rather than negative."

Lori and Charlie are both white. "No! That's not it!" They both say frantically, talking over one another. "Not yet! Too soon!"

"Okay," Mike blinks at them. "Then I will go with the second option. I need to stop drinking sloppicinos before studying all night."

Lori gives a thumbs up. "That sounds better. Let's go with it." She opens the book to a glowing poem. "Make us proud Wasowski."

"I will Dream Human and Primary Minion."

"You and me together That's how it should always be" Mike suddenly looks as if he has had an epiphany and grabs her arm.

"I got it Dream Human. Friends."

"One without the other Don't mean nothing to me"

Mike keeps a hold on her as a bright light starts to envelop him. "Next semester I'll have a better relationship with my best friend Randy. I promise! If I remember any of this at all that is!" And with a pulse of bright light he has vanished. Lori closes the book.

"Are you up for some ice cream and a Disney movie?" she asks her best friend. "I'm thinking maybe a Monster double feature. We could call the others and have them join us." She pauses. "That is, only if your homework's already done."

He just rolls his eyes. "Like you even have to ask Dream Human."

"I think it's time we retire that one, okay?"

"We'll see."

"Oh, will we?" He takes off at a run down the hallway and a second later she's right behind them, the both of them laughing.

XXX

Meanwhile unbeknownst to the others, Jess enters the house once again- this time moving with determination towards her father's study. She peeks to see he is not there before entering, heading straight for the folder still at the top of his To-Do pile. This time she physically picks it up and looks through it, seeing all the pictures and evidence DIZ has lined up against Lori and her Companions. When she gets to the end she gently closes it, only to hide it behind her back upon hearing someone open the door. She whirls around to see it is an older gentleman from before. "Hi Dad," she greets, managing an awkward smile.

"What are you doing in here, pumpkin?" he questions. "You know you're not supposed to be in here at all since you attend the school, let alone by yourself."

"I was just looking for you and figured this was the most obvious place. I swear I didn't change any of my grades." He takes her in a moment before letting out a very small sigh. She catches it and watches him navigate around the desk to sit in the chair- things becoming a bit awkward. "I saw you at the debate today…"

"I thought I'd see the candidates, attend a school function. I was surprised to see you there, especially on stage."

She bites her lip. "Yeah… well, you told me I should get involved in something. I wanted to help the place I've been living on since I was three in some way. So…I did."

He leans forward across the desk. "If I remember correctly, you also told me you wanted to distance yourself from the attention being my daughter earned you. Hence this whole business with the hair and the dorm," he waves at her head. She just tries to keep from getting frustrated after clearly having heard this all multiple times before. "Vice President seems like a strange way to accomplish that."

"Well, only my first name is on the ballot in that case," she says with a little more edge in her tone. "And before you ask, she knows. I didn't start off lying to Hannah, building a shaky foundation and all those other terms you use at board meetings."

"I just don't know about her, Jessica." She flinches at the name and where this is going. "She and her roommate are average students at best who always seem to be around trouble when it starts on campus with their little group of friends. Literally wherever trouble happens they follow. And they always have the perfect excuse-"

"They're not excuses," Jess defends weakly, pulling the folder closer to her back. "They're just very unlucky when it comes to being places."

"I don't think they're the sort of kids I or your mother want you around," he begins a little more forcefully. She just looks at her feet, uncomfortable and a little at war with herself. "We've been awfully forgiving with your desires to go outside the mold lately, but I think this would be a very large step in a very wrong direction. You'd be best to drop out of the race and disassociate from the lot altogether. Especially when I catch them to be behind all of these… shenanigans the past few years. They are an awfully bad influence that will get you hurt, expelled… or even killed like that poor Caleb Dean boy. Now he was a student with promise like you and they dragged him through the mud, didn't they? Plus, you're never going to win if she throws the debate just because-"

"They're good people!" she interjects fiercely. "They are good people, Dad. They do the right thing and make sacrifices for one another. They believe things happen the way they're meant to. I know you believe they're behind most of the headaches this college has gone through, but they are doing the best they can. They're-they're good." She starts for the door backwards, hesitating as she looks up at her father. "Thanks for coming to the debate. It meant a lot to see you there, even if it was a wash." They stare at one another for a long moment. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Jessica," he barely smiles before taking something from his To-Do pile to work on. "Make good choices like your mom and I taught you."

"I will," she promises, vanishing through the door. She looks at the folder still in her hands and goes into the living room where the shredder is located. With a deep breath she makes the choice and sends the folder through it, watching the contents get completely torn apart. She plays with the strap on her bag as it goes, constantly glancing towards her dad's office doors until the job is done. She then turns on her heel and exits the house, leaning against the front door as she does so.

"Damn you and your morals, Hannah Frost."

XXX

Tune in next week as the election finally arrives- driving a further wedge between Hannah and Ben that Lori tries to prevent, causes some arguments for others as well, and makes Jess contemplate a very serious decision about her future.