Rocked by what happened with CB in the hall, Lainey seeks out Wilma's advice.

~.~

"Wilma, I need to talk to you!"

Lainey charged into the biology classroom, her entire body flushed with heat after what had just happened between her and CB in the lobby. She didn't know what to think of it, yet it had thrilled her to be so close to him. She almost felt… ugh! She probably just needed to clear her head and have Wilma talk some sense into her.

"Sure, but I only have a few minutes," Wilma said, taking off her latex gloves, and placed them on the lab table in front of her. She gestured toward the metal trays beside her. "I need to set up the fetal pigs for today's dissection."

"Okay, gross." Lainey almost threw up in her mouth as she glanced down at the tiny pigs on the metal trays, her hand flying to her nose. "Guess I'm never eating pork again."

"It's a common reaction. Anyway, what's up?"

"I just had a moment... in the hall… with CB," Lainey said, half-smiling.

"Wait, what do you mean by 'a moment,' as in, a moment moment?" Wilma asked smuggly, a knowing grin on her face.

"I think so - and don't give me that look."

"No look. Keep going." Wilma held up her hands and pressed her lips into a hard line as if trying not to smile.

"Well, he was holding the ladder for me while I was hanging up a banner, and I lost my balance and somehow I fell… like right on top of him."

"On top of him?" Wilma looked somewhat confused.

"Yeah, he broke my fall and I landed on top of him… like right smack against the floor." Lainey raised her eyebrows. "He just stared up at me with this look in his eyes almost as if he wanted to kiss me. I couldn't breathe - let alone move."

"So you wanted to kiss him too, is that it?"

"Maybe… I-I don't know." Lainey shrugged, frustrated. "I thought he was all over his little crush, but the way he looked at me… it made me think otherwise."

She didn't dare mention that she'd also felt something else while she was pressed up against him. And the fact that he'd basically groped her ass. Accidentally, of course.

"I thought CB was seeing that girl he met the night we went swing dancing," Wilma wondered, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Oh, he is, but… do you think he could still have feelings for me?"

"Damn, you two are giving me whiplash with all this 'will-they, won't-they' nonsense," Wilma scoffed, her face forming an annoyed expression.

"I'm sorry, Wilma," Lainey said dejectedly. "I could really use your advice. You're really the only person I can talk to about CB… please."

"Okay, fine," Wilma finally relented, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "When you like someone as more than friends, those feelings never really go away, especially if they're unrequited. CB may still have feelings for you, but, Lainey, I think you just need to ask yourself… what do you feel?"

"Ugh! I don't know what I feel!" Lainey threw up her hands and turned away from her, staring at the diagram of an animal cell on Wilma's chalkboard.

"Look, can you honestly see yourself with Barry for the rest of your life?" Wilma came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Of course, definitely, but…"

"Now, forget Barry for a few seconds… can you also see yourself with CB?"

Lainey closed her eyes and pictured CB. He had been such an incredible friend to her, and they'd shared so many fond memories over the past two years at William Penn. CB was funny and charming and caring - and just so downright sexy. Oh, what the hell was she thinking? Charlie Brown was not sexy… was he?

She then thought of Barry, and her stomach lurched at the notion of leaving him. But there was still this nagging at her heart; it had been there ever since the whole Singled Out debacle. Maybe there was something there with CB, possibly something amazing that she just couldn't pass up. And just the thought of CB being with another girl made her mad with jealousy.

She quickly turned back to Wilma, a broad smile lighting up her features.

"That's what I thought." Wilma reached up and patted Lainey on the shoulder. "I think you owe it to yourself to see how CB truly feels. Only then, I think, can you make a real decision."

"You know, he actually asked me out to dinner tonight… on a friend's date." Lainey's eyes darted back and forth, the wheels turning in her mind. "It might be the perfect opportunity."

"See, there you go. Just tell him how you feel and see if he feels the same way. You said it worked out fine when he admitted he had a crush on you," Wilma said, walking back toward the dissection materials. "What's the worst that could happen?"

"I embarrass the hell out of myself and ruin our friendship," Lainey sadly answered, frowning.

"You seriously think our wonderful, amazing CB wouldn't stay friends with you after that?"

"You're right. I guess I got nothing to lose then." Lainey sighed. She knew CB would still be her friend no matter what transpired between them.

"Nope. Now, get the hell out of my classroom, so I can prepare for my lab in peace!" Wilma made a gesture with both hands as if to shoo her away.

"Thank you, Wilma!" Lainey called as she backed up toward the door.

"Mm-hmm. Anytime… oh, and Lainey?"

"Yeah?"

"Good luck." Wilma smiled and gave her an encouraging wink.

Lainey nodded, returning her smile.

As she trudged toward her music room, Lainey had finally made up her mind on what she should do. No more waiting. No more living in the past or dwelling on the "what ifs." She would tell CB that she was starting to have feelings for him tonight at the restaurant and see if he felt the same way. If he confirmed her suspicions, she would break things off with Barry - no matter how hard it would be - and give a romantic relationship with CB a shot. If not, then Lainey would know that Barry was still the one for her.

~.~

This is my dream for Lainey to realize she has feelings for our precious CB. Please let me know what you thought and thank you for reading! Two more chapters! ~ Dazzy xxoo