Eric messes with the empty cup infront of himself. He passes it between his hands, back and forth.

"Let's talk about this girl problem, you have."

Eric places the cup away from himself, he exhales deeply. "Okay, her name is...Sharon."

"Okay, and what's going on with you and Sharon?" His father asks.

"I think I like her, I know she likes me but."

"But what, what seems to be the problem. You're going to have to give me more information." Allen looks over towards his son, his face red.

Allen places his hand on Eric's shoulder to comfort him. "Just take your time, son."

Eric looks up from the table, he looks over to his father, smiling. "Thanks, dad. It's not easy to figure out. Let alone talk about it when I myself don't understand it."

"I know, I was young once, too. Love can be a very complicated feeling to decifer."

Eric laughs nervously.

"I wouldn't call it that, dad. At-least not yet."

"Okay, I'm sorry. Go on."

"Well, she's younger then me. And I've been hearing that she likes this other boy, too. He's around her own age. You see?"

"I see. And you think she would be better off with this other boy, the boy who is her own age?" Allen asks, not exactly understanding fully.

"I suppose I do. I don't know. I like her, I think I do, anyways. I just don't know how I feel. It changes.

Allen knods his head. "It does indeed sound complicated."

"It is. How am I supposed to figure out what my true feelings are, if the feelings keep changing. And I don't even know how she feels. Considering there's the other boy in the picture, that she likes, too. And her age, to consider."

"Have you talked to her about this? About the other boy and the rumors of her liking him?Maybe it's just rumors."

"I have, she says she likes him, but that being with him isn't a option."

"I see. How younger is she from you?" Allen asks.

"A year or so. I'm not exactly sure."

"Well, I think you might want to find that out."

"Yes, sir. I will. Would you have a problem with that, me dating someone younger?"

No, I don't believe I would. As long as she's mature enough to know how she feels and that she wants to date you, and that you both like each other, I don't believe I would have a problem with it at all. I trust you. And I think you should see where it goes, if that's what you want to do."

Allen studies his son's face. Eric was contemplating it. His father may not have known what they were truly talking about, but Eric was asking for guidance. Guidance on what to do about the situation he was presently in.

Eric smiles over at his dad. "Thanks, dad. I'm happy to hear that you trust me."

"You're a good kid. Why wouldn't I." Allen laughs.

"I really have to give it more thought, on the whole dating thing. I just have a feeling that she's confused and she doesn't know how she really feels or what she truely wants, just yet.

I mean, she's told me that this thing with the other boy is over with, but I have a feeling that it's not. And she's just in denial about it all. And with our age difference, I think she'd be better off with him."

"Well, give it time then. Maybe, that's what the both of you need. And she can really figure out who she wants."

"Yeah, I've been trying too. I do like her, though. I like being around her. She's alot of fun."

"Well, it sounds like you really like her?"

"I do."

"It sounds like you've already made up your mind, then." Allen smiles. Pats his son on the back, gently.

Eric looks over at his father, smiling unsurely.

Eric knew he liked Shawn, knew he could be with him, if he wanted to be. But it was the effects of him doing so that scared Eric. What would happen between Cory and Shawn. He didn't want to be the one to blame. Or the cause of their friendship ending. It was something that he could not bare.

Eric thanks his father for the talk, he tells him how he feels better having discussed it with someone. And that if they were through, he'd like to go up to his room.

"Sure, son. I hope I've helped you figure it out a little."

"You have, dad. Thanks. And I am sorry about the rudeness I showed to you earlier. I just was afraid to talk about it with anyone. I'm glad I did, though. And that it was with you."

Eric heads upstairs where Cory is done dressing. He's all ready for his date.

Eric looks over to his little brother. Unsure of what to say, but needing to say something to him.

"Cor, I need to talk to you. I hope you'll listen to me."

"Sure, what is it?"

Eric sits down on his bed, he waves Cory over to take a seat down next to him.

"I know you're still upset with what happened between me and Shawn. You can say it's fine all you want, but I don't believe you. It's understandable for you to be mad at the both of us. And even for you to want a explanation. But I want you to remember how Shawn's your best friend, has been for a long time. And you're about the only friend he's got, I just want you to wait for a little while, until you go see Topanga. I'll call Shawn over, we can all discuss it. Or just you and him, if that's what you want."

Cory smiles while shaking his head.

"I told you I'm okay with it, why do you want to keep bugging me about this."

"I just don't want you to throw away all that you have with Shawn. If I'm getting in the way of the two of you reconiling. Then tell me. And I'll step aside. Your friendship is more important to me then whatever this is."

Cory looks over towards Eric. "Are you even listening to me?"

Eric grabs Cory unexpectedly by the shoulders.

"I'd do that for you both, cause I know how deep your feelings are for one another. And I don't want to be the blame for such a wonderful friendship like the frienship that the two of you have to be destroyed."

Cory was confused. But knew what Eric was getting at. He couldn't fool anyone into believing that everything was fine. And alright. Eric knew that he was keeping away from Shawn because he was hurting. Feeling betrayed. And Eric would be right.

"You don't want to be the wrecking ball, is that it?" Cory whispers, feeling deflated. His buried heartbreak reaching up to the surface. His face showing just how he was feeling.

Eric silently shakes his head. "I want you to talk to him. Talk it out with him, Cory."

"I would be lieing if I said I wasn't hurt by what happened. But I'm trying to move on from it. I'm back with Topanga."

Eric lets go of Cory. Sits back down on the bed.

"Tell me what you want me to do, Cory. Tell me to stop seeing him."

Cory looks at Eric. His eyes glistening with fresh tears.

"Why would you ask me to do that for?"

Cory looks over to his watch, shakes his head. Replies that it's getting late and that he must go.

Eric grabs a hold of Cory's wrist as he was walking infront of him.

"Cor."

Cory looks down, scared of seeing his older brother this vurnable.

"Cory, I don't want to hurt him. That's why I want you to tell me to stop seeing him. I don't want to hurt him."

Cory kneels down infront of Eric.

"You really like him, don't you, Eric?"

"I do, I believe I do."

Cory grabs Eric's head, tilting it upwards so that he can look at him.

"Then be with him, he deserves someone to be with him whole heartily. Not someone who will just be with him on occasions. You'd be good for him."

Eric looks at Cory.

"And you'd be okay with that?"

Cory looks down, unsure. Cory straightens up. He looks over at Eric.

"I don't know what's going on with you, Eric. But I know you're hurting so I'm doing this for you as much as I'm doing it for Shawn. You both could use someone, so why can't you be with one another. And I'll try to forgive you, both. I'll even talk to Shawn, for you."

Eric closes his eyes, momentarily.

"Thanks, Cory."

Eric runs downstairs to see if Shawn was on his way.

Cory slumps down on the bed. He wipes his eyes. He didn't know if he'd beable to see them together, knowing what he knows but he'll try. How could have said no to Eric when he was in such a state. He had never seen his brother cry, it was the only reason why he said what he said.

Truth be told, he hated Shawn to be with anyone, other then him-self.

"It's you and me, Cory. And it's always going to be you and me."

TBC

Authors note: I am not as satisfied with this chapter as I would like. But's it's been like (a year or something) since I've updated, and I wanted to get something on here, let you all know I haven't forgotten about my stories.

I hope the chapter is not too confusing. If you have anything you'd like to discuss, then PM or leave a review. Thanks and I'll hopefully be more motivated to write in the nearer future then before.