1.8 - Trouble in Paradise

Spencer and Jeremy had been sitting at a table having dinner at The Grill for about fifteen solid minutes now. Picking at her food, Spencer fished for a topic of conversation before she passed out from boredom. "So...classes going okay?"

Jeremy hardly heard her words, and spoke a few delayed seconds later, once he realized she was speaking to him. "What? Oh, yeah."

"That's good." She paused, desperately seeking for a way to continue. "You know, I'm always here to help if you need it!"

"No, they're good, I promise."

"Okay."

Silence.

Jeremy now felt the need to speak, they were a couple after all, shouldn't they be chatting away during meals? Maybe they had just been together for so long that this is what had become routine. "What about you?"

This time it was Spencer who spaced out on the conversation. "What? Oh, yeah, of course."

Jeremy shook his head before looking his girlfriend directly in the eye with a heavy-hearted sigh. "Spence, what happened to us?"

"I—" "I don't know, Jer. I just know I don't want this to be the end." Spencer responded earnestly.

"It's not the end, of course not, I just feel like we're changing, and maybe our relationship needs to change too."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. We need to figure out how to get that feeling back, or maybe make a new feeling our standard because I know as well as you do that this isn't working, but I want to try. I want to fight for us." There was that Hastings determination again, it never failed to let her down, especially when she needed it most.

"You know I do too Spence. After school tomorrow, let's –" But before Jeremy could come up with a plan of action, the doors to the almost empty Grill swung completely open, and Emily and Matt burst through the doorway, totally in stiches and completely besides themselves with laughter.

"Oh my god, the look on his face! Seriously, I think I almost peed a little." Emily laughed, tears brimming on the edge of her eyes.

"I honestly can't remember the last time I laughed that hard." Matt wiped his own eyes and tried to calm his laughter down to an appropriate state.

"Oh hey guys!" Emily exclaimed as she saw two of her best friends seated right at the next table.

"What's up, everyone? Out for a romantic night on the town? Matt enquired with a wink.

"You could say that." Spencer mumbled, a little peeved at the interruption. Her conversation with Jeremy was finally getting somewhere, and honestly it was one she was eager to be having.

"Of course, as usual." Emily beamed at them.

"Look at these two lovebirds. Alright, well, shift is coming up so I'm headed back. Later, guys!" And with a wave of his hand, Matt headed towards the employee section in the back.

They all chimed in with variations of "Bye Matt!" before Emily leaned against the booth next to Spencer.

"So Jer, I'm guessing you figured out your problem then?" Emily gave him an all knowing glance, referring to their earlier conversation about his relationship with Spencer, and where, or if, it was really going anywhere.

"What problem's that?" Spencer asked the two of them, clearly annoyed at being left out of the conversation.

Jeremy shook his head, not wanting to admit to details. "Oh nothing, just a little inside joke from earlier."

Emily suddenly sprung back into her previous energized state of laughter as she recounted her story to Jeremy, and subconsciously leaving the unenthused Spencer out of the joke. "Wait speaking of inside jokes, you totally should have been with me and Matt earlier, we were pranking Tyler and Matt switched out all his clothes after practice for little pink frilly clothes, and he didn't even notice until he had put the first shirt on, his face was incredible!"

Jeremy's face lit up completely at her words, and his entire attitude and body language changed. It was as if just seeing Emily's face had lit him up, and the entire world around him. She was all he was focused on, and it was as if they were the only people in the universe. "No way, seriously? I can't believe I missed this!"

"I know right? You totally should have been there, you would have loved it."

"I would have! Man, okay, next time, I am so in, this has to happen again, you can't just leave me out of these things!"

Emily grinned at him, almost losing herself for a moment in her own enthusiasm, and talking with Jeremy, something she had always absolutely loved to do. "Okay, well, I've gotta get back home to help out mom with some things around the house, so I'll catch you guys later!"

"See you later Em!" Jeremy called back to her as he watched her leave, not taking his eyes off the glowing brunette for one single second.

"Well, you've definitely got that spark in you, I guess it's just not with me anymore." Spencer raised her eyebrows at him before putting her utensils down for her meal.

"What? Spencer, that's Emily, what are you talking about?" Jeremy quickly got defensive at her words, only proving her point more.

"You like her."

"What...?"

"Admit it, you like her." Spencer demanded, her expression completely and utterly serious in that no nonsense way only Spencer could have.

"I don't like her, you're my girlfriend, remember?"

"Yeah, I do, which is why I'm confused. Actually, scratch that. Everything is much clearer now. This isn't working because you're not into me anymore, you're into her."

"Spencer, you're acting completely paranoid. I love you remember?"

Spencer's tone raised about ten levels of volume as she continued. "Oh yes, I do remember, because we've said that to each other since we were about six years old, Jeremy. But I know you better than anyone else on this planet, and that look you had with her was something you've only ever had for me before." And with that, she stood up, and stormed out of the restaurant.

Jeremy quickly threw down some change onto the table so Matt wouldn't kill them before running as fast as he could after his girlfriend. "Spencer, wait. Spencer!"


Alison knew she had arrived far too early for her scheduled meeting at The Grill, but after that run in with the ever so cute waiter the other day, she just could not get him out of her head. And, once Alison got an idea in her head, she was not one to let it go. In fact, she had a certain reputation and standard when it came to such things, and she was definitely not going to disappoint herself, most of all. She sat herself down and waited for his charming smile.

"Back again?" She turned around to see just the grin she was looking for.

"I just couldn't stay away." Alison beamed at him with her best seductive smile. "So, what's your favorite thing on this menu, Mr. Waiter? I'd love to know more about you, and let's start with this." She turned on her charm at the flip of a switch, and practically batted her perfect lashes in his direction.

And boy did he fall for the bait. She was just about the prettiest girl he had ever laid eyes on, and that magnetic attraction he felt to her the other day only grew stronger. "Well, the chicken has always been a house favorite, but if you really want my favorite meal, I'd definitely splurge for the steak. I can even get you some fries with that for free, I've got that kind of power around here." He moved closer to her with a wink and a smile that was intended to melt her heart.

She debated using her command on him to speed up this process, but suddenly, a wave of sadness washed over her. No, he was too close to her ideal of perfection, and she didn't want to ruin her simple but perfect flirtation with this innocent guy. He was so sweet, and she really, desperately wanted to get to know him. But that always meant trouble for everyone involved in her life, and for some reason she felt such a strong attraction to him, she hesitated bringing him into it. "That sounds lovely, and a yes to those fries, I love a man with power." She giggled, "I'm Alison, by the way, since it's about time I introduced myself."

"Matt Donovan." He grinned at her, matching her perfect smile. "Hey, so how would you feel about grabbing some dinner and a movie sometime? I know it's simple, but I promise I make a great movie watching companion."

"I bet you do." She laughed as she leaned on the table towards him. Dinner and a movie. Simplicity. Deep down, there was nothing more she craved than a simple date with a simply sweet guy. "You have no idea how much I'd love that." Alison grinned as she grabbed his phone to put her number in. Even if this fantasy could only last a while, she was going to breathe in every second of it.