AN: Hi again!

Here's chapter 4. Thanks for your reviews LTJM (again!) and Pirate Bob (even though you are obviously quite mad. :) and I mean that in the nicest possible way.)

This is the fourth time I've tried to upload..sorry..but it's kind of good cos I'm now up to chapter 6. Which, if it lets me actually upload, should be up tomorrow.

Anyway...hope you like it!

Malcolm was sulking moodily on the couch when Reese arrived home. He couldn't believe what his brother had done. As far as he was concerned, Julie was his for the taking. Reese hadn't even known her that well before she'd moved. He was obviously only after her now because she'd got so hot. He didn't know Julie like Malcolm did. He didn't know anything about her personality. He had no idea how kind and caring she was, how pretty her eyes were, how pretty her hair was...

''When did Julie Houlerman get so hot, huh?'' Reese said smugly, sitting down beside his brother.

''I don't want to talk about it,'' Malcolm mumbled.

''Oh well, I guess she just likes older men,'' Reese said casually, though he was clearly rubbing it in. ''Or maybe it's your ears.''

''Okay, Reese, you've made your phoney point,'' Malcolm snarled. ''Now leave me alone.''

''Someone's touchy,'' Reese said, pretending to cower in fright.

''Yeah, yeah.'' Malcolm reached for the TV remote in an attempt to get his brother to shut up, but Reese wasn't going to let him drop it.

''Okay, so tomorrow, Julie said we should both meet her at the park,'' he continued. ''I'm willing to play fair if you are.''

Malcolm looked at him, expecting him to look smug and self-assured, but he just looked sincere, which was unusual for Reese.

''How come you arranged to meet up? She was crying when I left.''

Reese smiled. ''I cheered her up pretty quick. I guess I just have a way with these things.''

Malcolm punched him in the stomach.

''Ow! What was that for?''

Malcolm ignored the question. ''Okay, Reese. We play fair on Julie tomorrow. Just don't be too upset if she calls you a creepy faker.''

''Whaddya mean?'' Reese looked confused.

''Reese, I know you're only pretending to like Julie because you know I have a crush on her.''

As soon as he'd finished, Malcolm knew right away that had been a bad move.

''You have a crush on her?'' Now Reese looked amused. ''That's so sweet.''

''Reese, if you tell anyone, I swear I'll...''

They were interrupted by the loud ''Ping!'' of the microwave from the kitchen. They both turned to see Dewey, carrying a huge bag of microwave popcorn. Smiling, he came and sat on the coffee table in front of them, the popcorn bag on his lap as if he was watching a movie.

''Continue.'' Dewey said. ''It was just getting interesting.''

''Give me some of that,'' demanded Reese, reaching forward and grabbing a handful of the popcorn.

Malcolm was getting worried now. ''Reese, if you say anything--''

''Relax, I said we'd play fair,'' Reese said through the mouthful of popcorn. ''Just don't be too upset if she calls you a freaky little gnome.''

...........

Julie was unpacking her stuff, throwing it out of the boxes angrily. She felt so humiliated. How could she have just started crying in front of Reese? And Malcolm?

At least Malcolm had had the sense to get out of there as soon as she'd started. Reese had hung around slightly longer than she would have liked, but finally he'd gone when she agreed to meet them both at the park tomorrow afternoon, and left her in peace.

They were sweet boys and all, but she really didn't feel ready to talk about her parents' breakup yet with anyone. Least of all with a boy.

Still, she was looking forward to seeing them both the next day. She had a lot of catching up to do, especially with Malcolm. They used to be such good friends, but they'd both changed a lot in four years. She realised she didn't really know anything about him any more.

Oh well, she thought, I guess I'll find out tomorrow.