Disclaimer: Do not own Faking It or any of its characters.
Hey guys, thanks again for reviews and follows and favorites. I am so very sorry that I have taken so long to update. I just finished up holidays. I was in Borneo for a community project which was really enlightening, and some of it I miss. I then just started a new course in Uni, so I was out for a little bit. Recently, though I just found Nina Dobrev was leaving the Vampire Diaries (one of my favourite shows) I was/am devastated and somehow that inspired me to finally finish this chapter. Enough of the excuses, I'm back and hope you still enjoy this kind of old story.

Anyway enjoy…

A Puzzle – Chapter 4

"Shit! It was real."

"The lemonade only contains lemons – sour lemons, extremely sour. Maybe, even a little bit bitter. There is no salt! There can never be spice in this lemonade. Okay! Even though I'm the salt and she's the sour and he is the bitter. Salt should never be mixed with lemons!"

Wincing before looking at the dumbfounded elderly man, who had only asked for measly bit of salt for his Sunshine in a Cup, Karma apologized and quickly walked away. It was only mid-morning on a nice, bright, sunny Thursday, however Karma was already cranky. It was a continuing pattern every day, from the moment she woke up and until she went to sleep.

The grouchiness was not unnoticed by her parents who had expressed their need for Karma to be further 'in-the-zen', otherwise known as working at their portable juice shop. To Karma, however it was just another way to avoid seeing anyone and everyone.

She knew it was selfish to exploit her family like this, but it was completely necessary; Amy was no longer a part of her life. They would not grow old together. They would not build houses next to each other. They most certainly will not be attending each other's wedding. They would forever be the perfect strangers. Not like the fact didn't tug a little at her heartstrings, to Karma it was necessary. She – They – The two closest people to her had betrayed her in a way that was unforgivable.

"Karma – darling, it's time to replenish ourselves. We are travelling 26 degrees north and 98 degrees west." Karma's mother said pulling her daughter into a firm but loving hug, before dragging her into their van.

~~Karmy~Army~~

It should have occurred to Karma two days ago that it was very likely that the one place she was avoiding the most, was also a place in which her parent's juice was sold the most. So understandably Karma was even crankier when her fellow peers flocked to the van within seconds of their arrival. As her mum beckoned her outside to help, Karma composed herself. She reapplied her lipstick and fixed her hair. She then took a deep breath – and another – and another. Before eventually being slapped out of her 'Zen' by a piercing knock on the window beckoning her out of the van.

Opening the door, she saw nearly everyone; little Rhonda, the ready to burst Lucille, and even Oliver. Unluckily for Karma, they all saw her too quieting down instantly as she stepped out the van. She gave them her best smile, as if there was no bad spirits in her life. She stumbled under their curious stares. Her smile came out as a grimace as she froze wondering if it was acceptable to walk back into the van and stay there for the rest of the day.

"Karma, I want a medium Pearlirific Peach Punch, pronto," Lauren asked strutting to the middle of the crowd and uncharacteristically saving her sister's best friend.

"Uh – Yea, that's - um – no money." Karma spluttered noticing Lauren's scowling face before shuffling off to make the peach punch.

Karma took another deep breath and muttered "Happy thoughts, Karma! Happy thoughts!" Ok, so what goes into this stupid peach punch again? Peach nectar, syrup, water, orange juice, lemo-

"Oh for fucks sake," Karma murmured throwing the lemons as far as she could. Finishing the punch and pouring it into the glass, Karma closed her eyes and decided that she may as well fight her problems head on.

"Hey stranger," opening her eyes in alarm, Karma didn't want to face her problems head on right then and there, with a Pearlirific Peach Punch in her left hand. "I'm sorry for the way I acted the last time we spoke. Y'know? I was still a little angry at you pushing me at Amy, when she uhh – did that. Not that you really want to think about that. I mean your girlfriend or ex-girlfriend sleep-"

"OLIVER! It's fine; I just don't want to think hear or think about that. I am really sorry for pushing the whole Amy likes you thing. In fact lately, I don't even know who or what she likes." Karma sat down taking a sip out of the lemonless punch.

Oliver then sat down next to her sighing. "Karma, the quicker you resolve the issue, the quicker you realize that you were either better off without her or if you really love her enough to forget her mistake. I mean maybe she was drunk, maybe hurt – maybe both. All I'm saying is when you were an outsider in this place; Amy was the one who was always on your side. You both deserve to at least talk."

"I know, it's just I'm not ready. There are a lot of things you don't know."

"Well if you know, you ever want to talk about it. I have five contacts on my phone, want to by my sixth?" He asked passing a note over with his phone number on it.

"Yea, I might take you up on that offer. Hey, if there is something good that came out of this, I'm glad I met you." Karma said smiling for the first time in a while. In which Oliver returned equally as bright, before standing up and walking away.

In a better mood, Karma walked towards where Lauren was now sitting. She was relatively aware that while her peers were quiet, they were glancing her way. Just so they could catch the next development in the ongoing soap drama of her and Amy's relationship.

"Here you go," She politely said to the petite girl who sat with her arms crossed.

"How long are you going to let this continue for?" Lauren enquired whilst taking a sip of her Pearlirific Peach Punch. "Oh! This is too sour, it needs salt."

"You know what Lauren? You have never cared for your STEP-sister in your life and quite frankly our relationship is none of your business." Karma began to stomp of before shouting back "Salt does not fix sourness."

Walking back to her parents van, ignoring the questions, Karma had reached the peak of her bad mood. Unbelievably, this was amplified when she went behind to get some air to cool down and found her mum in a warm embrace with Liam freaking Booker.

"What the fuck is this?"

Cutting the hug short, Karma's mum locked eyes with her fuming daughter in front of her, "Karma!"

"No mom, I'm not talking to you."Karma exclaimed, pouncing on the boy, the one that had started all of this drama.

"Kar-"Liam started, before Karma gave him one of her coldest glares.

"No! You – You slept with AMY! You don't get to say anything. Not one thing." She began turning away in frustration, trying to control her emotion.

"You slept with Amy?" Her mother asked, as she pieced together part of the story, realizing exactly why Karma was acting the way she was. The two lesbians dating one another, they then break up and not long after one of them goes off to sleep with a guy.

Her mother's question snapped something in Karma; it was something that became even more real to her after her own mother seemed appalled. Turning back around and pouncing for the boy, she stopped right in front of him and finally spoke what she was feeling. "You are dead to me."

"Karma – just calm down, let me explain,"

"Let you explain! Explain! I don't need a fucking explanation. I already know everything, I hate you. I don't want anything to do with either of you. I hate you and I fucking hate Amy! Tell her that won't you, you'll probably see her tonight anyway."

"There's no need, I don't need to be told twice" Whipping her head back, her eyes met the tear streaked, pale face of her best friend – Amy.

Jazzy

Hey I just wanted to add a little bit extra, not about the story but just answering a few questions about some of you amazing reviewers have asked. So firstly, thank you so much.

Georgialyndll : I'm sorry I took forever to update (like this chapter). I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. I don't 100% know if this is the end of Oliver. I like him as a character, but he has such an unknown story, other than that we can see what happens. Secondly, I know that Season 2 is very different to Season 1 of Faking It, but I love it still. I mean I miss the more intimate moments between Karma and Amy, but it's not all bad. Also I kind of like Reagan and I think her relationship with Amy is good development for her, but I do not ship them. Lastly, I completely love Lauren's intersex storyline, I feel like this show is stepping outside the boundaries and I hope it lasts for quite a while. If I will add the storyline… If it fits. ;)

A Puzzle reviewe : I know you didn't ask a question, but I really wanted to talk about this. Whilst I don't agree that Amy is an overrated character. I do agree with the fact that people shouldn't hate Karma for not reciprocating Amy's feelings. Yes, that doesn't coincide with the fact that she's a bitch. I'm glad you liked the teenage line. I feel like as teenagers we can be perceived falsely, however it's not as if the stereotype is wholly bad, but can be rectified.

Shreeti Shax: I'm so glad you're so passionate about this FanFic. I really liked how you pointed out the fact that its reverse homophobia at Hester High. Also I'm not really feeling Shane this season, how he didn't like how Karma was the one acting out to be someone else, but he is the one who actively 'outs' people and is very superficial. I can't really see where you're going with the Quinn Fabray – Shane comparison – but okay! Yes, I do ship Faberry! I also ship Dramione, Klaroline, Bechloe, Dair & Chair (Season 1-3), Emison, Snowing, Hollstein, Samigail, Snowbarry, Stelena, Bamon, Jeff/Annie, Steferine, Stydia, Mergana, Sparia, Nicky x Lorna. Kind of on/off about Spoby, Wrencer, Vauseman, Rumbelle and Captain Swan. Plus a few others I can't remember of heart. Lastly, I do have social networks (Crazzy_Jazzy). My tumblr & twitter is found by searching ducky7goofy and the name is under Crazzy Jazzy.