I'm actually pretty shocked at how fast this is getting posted. It's so much fun to write :) I wouldn't mind a few more reviews though...
Oh, and some people are PMing me about a 'threequel' or doing a prequel. Thoughts?

Massie was greeted with two giant hugs –courtesy of Dylan and Claire- as soon as she walked into the cafeteria.

"Massie! Where were you? We so thought you died! I mean, you didn't talk to us for like two weeks!" Dylan said quickly.

Massie shrugged apologetically. "Sorry. I went on a little vacation. I didn't tell even my parents. I'm sorry."

"No worries," Claire said, walking toward the tofu bar, hoping to get there before all that was left was runny bean curd and dry rice. "At least you're here now," she grinned at Massie, but there was a glint of malice in her blue eyes.

It made Massie queasy.

"We so missed you yesterday though," Dylan said, as she and Massie fell in step with Claire.

"I invited Olivia Harrington to sit with us," Claire said, spooning rice into a to-go container. "But her and Dyl are having some little spat." She started to giggle. "Dylan wrote slut on Olivia's locker this morning and then got off free."

"That's not very nice," Massie frowned. "I actually like Olivia."

"I do too," Claire said. "She was my best friend before any of you were."

Massie noticed Dylan spooning food into a to-go container as well. "Why don't you guys get plates? We're eating inside."

"No we're not," Claire said. "I want to eat outside. We can watch the boys try out for lacrosse."

"Um, it may be September but the heat is still August-worthy."

"Massie," Claire turned to face her. "We've been meaning to tell you this for a while now. You're out."

"Out?" Massie repeated, her jaw dropping.

"Out. Everyone thinks so. Nawt just us. I mean really, we all know you didn't just take a 'vacation'. You left because of Derrick. Because the pressure was too much, right? And alphas don't just run from their problems –they fix them. You taught me that."

"You guys can't kick me out. I've always been the alpha," Massie said, noticing her hands were trembling slightly.

"Okay then," Claire said, picking up a bottle of Evian. "If we can't kick you out, we'll leave. So don't text or call, 'kay? And try not to talk to us in public. It's bad to be seen talking to an LBR."

Claire pushed past Massie to the doors that led outside. "Come on, Dylan."

Dylan shrugged at Massie and sauntered off after Claire. Massie bit her lip to hold back tears. She thought Claire and Dylan were her best friends. But now even they were leaving her?

She grabbed and apple, knowing she wouldn't be able to eat a lot, and looked around the café for possible seats.

With Kori and Coral maybe? No, the two were a tight knit duo full of LBR. No way Massie could sit with them.

Massie scanned the cafeteria with her unusual amber eyes, finally landing on Derrick. He sat with his arm around Alicia and across from Olivia. Massie swallowed the bile rising in her throat at the sight of him and Alicia.

She walked over to their table, hoping she wouldn't faint. Or barf. Or both.

"Hey, Olivia," she offered her a half smile. Massie had called her that morning, but she hadn't answered.

"Hey Mass," Olivia grinned up at her, making Massie smile. "Have a seat."

"Um, no thanks," her eyes briefly flickered to Alicia. "But I need to talk to your brother." She turned to face Derrick. "In private."

Alicia grabbed his hand as he started to get up. "Don't go," she pouted. "I need you here. I have to talk to you about something too."

Derrick sat back down, sharing a look with Olivia. Olivia's shoulders slumped, and a sad look passed over her navy eyes.

"Derrick, I really need to talk to you," Massie insisted, ignoring the hate-rays coming out of Alicia's eyes.

"Can it wait?" Derrick asked. "I'm kinda busy."

"No it can't wait. But if you don't want to talk in private, I can say what I have to in front of Alicia," she glared at him.

Derrick stood up quickly. "I'll be back."

"Do you know what that's about?" Massie heard Alicia ask Olivia as she and Derrick left.

"No clue," Olivia said, but the sadness in her voice said something else.

Once they were out in the hallway, Massie looked up into his warm brown eyes.

"Explain to me right now what you meant last night."

"I don't know…" he shrugged. "It was late and I was tired."

Sadness clouded Massie's eyes. "So…you didn't mean it?"

"I don't know, Massie. I…love Alicia but then I think about the way things used to be with us. You know, back when we were best friends and could practically read each others' minds. And I just want to be with you again…but I just don't know."

"You have to choose," Massie said softly. "Alicia or me."

Derrick looked down and mumbled something about him not being able to choose.

"Can you tell me you love me?" Massie asked skeptically. "And actually mean it? Because if you can do that I think you have your answer."

Derrick looked into her hopeful amber eyes and felt a pang of guilt. He was breaking Massie Block's heart.

"I…I can't," he watched as her hopeful eyes turned full of sadness and hurt. "I'm sorry Massie. But I do really want to be friends and—"

"I knew last night you didn't mean it," Massie whispered, cutting him off. "But I kept telling myself I was paranoid, hoping I was wrong."

"Massie I'm sorry. I thought I did, but I really like Alicia, I guess. But can we be friends?"

Massie inhaled a deep, shaky breath. "I don't think so Derrick. I want to be with you, and even be your friend. But it's too hard. Loving you hurts too much. And every time I see you with Alicia it's almost to unbearable. So I'm sorry. But being friends will just hurt. And I don't want to put myself through more pain."

"So…" Derrick started, unsure of what she was saying.

"So, I don't want to talk to you. Ever. I'm sorry, Derrick." With that, Massie walked away.

Derrick was sad. He really wanted to be friends with Massie. He wanted to be best friends with her again.

As Massie walked away, she couldn't help letting a few tears fall. She didn't care if she was ruining her make up –it wasn't like she had anyone to look good for anymore. Olivia left her. Claire and Dylan left her. And now she was leaving Derrick.

Her mother's old Bon Jovi cd's were right –love hurts.