Special thanks goes out to Poet on the Run- my first beta ever! Thanks, your help means a lot to me!

Sorry it took so long to update, everyone! My apologies!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot. I don't even watch the show anymore.

Chapter 5

"So what did Joe do to his outfit yesterday?" Macy asked Stella curiously, internally hoping it wasn't something too serious. It would be much nicer to talk to a calm Stella than a mad Stella.

Stopping in her tracks, Stella closed her eyes as if counting in her head to keep her temper in check. A fake smile crossed her face as she looked at Macy, taking no notice to other student passing by.

"Sharpie." She said with fake sweetness, "Sharpie. On his white shirt. Sharpie."

"Oh…wow." Macy laughed nervously, "That's…"

"How does someone 'accidentally' get sharpie on a nice shirt?!" Stella exploded, throwing her hands up in the air, but then she held up a hand to signal Macy not to speak, "No, don't s answer that. I can- Joe manages to ruin my creations in the most…unique ways!"

Macy waited a moment before speaking, being sure that Stella's little angry rant was over before she put in her two cents, "I'm sure he really didn't mean to, Stell…"

"I still wanna kill him." Stella s huffed with a scowl, resuming their walk down the hall and Macy smiled to herself but followed the blond. Everyone knew Stella wouldn't hurt Joe to much extent- she liked him too much.

"Sure, you do." Macy shook her head slightly, ignoring the sharp sideways glare she received at the hinted disbelief in her tone.

"I don't like Joe." Stella stated firmly and Macy couldn't hold back a chuckle at this.

"I never said you did!" she announced, amused by Stella's prematurely defending herself. If she wasn't so hung up on Joe, she would be able to keep her act up better. They two were too obvious, yet at the same time completely oblivious.

"Oh." Stella looked slightly taken aback but recoverd quickly, "Well, good, then." She spoke with a curt nod and they both fell into silence until they reached their lockers, "Besides, you're one to talk."

Macy narrowed her eyes slightly as her friend turned to her locker, not bothering to explain her comment more. Waiting a moment, she realized Stella was leaving it at that unless she asked for more of an explanation.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she sighed impatiently and Stella turned to her with a grin that made her fidget.

"Like I don't see how you look at Nick." She stated frankly, then squealed, "You two would be so cute together!"

Hearing these words, Macy's eyes widened considerably before she began shaking her head furiously, "Stella, what are you talking about?"

The blond only cocked at eyebrow and placed her hands on her hips, giving Macy that "look" everyone knew. For a moment she only looked at her friend this way before pursing her lips a moment in thought before speaking, "I…won't say anything to anyone-yet. But Macy, you can't honestly think you'll fool me. I mean, really?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Macy stated flatly, shutting her locker noisily, turning to face Stella once again.

"Talk about what?"

It took a lot to keep from turning tale and running off, but Macy managed to turn to Nick-where did he come from?!- with a friendly smile. Seeing Stella's smirk, she spoke before the blond could take advantage of the question and "lying is bad" moment.

"Nothing. I mean, obviously not nothing, really, but Stella and I were just having a conversation that doesn't involve you-well, I mean, we're not trying to exclude you, but you aren't missing anything by not knowing." Macy took a deep breath after her words, cheeks turning slightly pink at her panicked reaction.

Nick only looked between the two with a bewildered look, possibly turning the situation over in his mind-dissecting Macy's reaction and Stella's smirk. Macy only hoped-she was even holding her breath-that he didn't figure anything out.

"You were talking about me, weren't you?" Nick narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile playing on his lips, though as he joked.

He was joking, but how was she to reply to that? They were talking about him and if she said yes honestly, then he might ask what they had been saying-and Stella would not hesitate with that one.

"Mace?" Nick raised his eyebrows, readjusting his book back and looking at her concernedly. She opened her mouth, but no words formed and Macy's mind worked frantically.

"Well, I'll see you guys!" Stella spoke much too cheerfully before spinning on her heel and taking off bouncily, as if she was satisfied with the situation the two had been put on.

It was easy for Macy to feel Nick's eyes on her face as she glanced around, looking for the easiest or closest escape. Her plans were interrupted, however, by his warm hand resting on her shoulder gently.

"Well, I guess I should get to class," Macy spoke loudly, as if raising the volume of her voice would distract herself from his touch, "I don't' wan to be late, because you know how Mr. Hart is when we don't get there in time and-oh, look at the time I should get going!"

Nick reacted before she had time to scamper off as planned after her nearly yelling rambling. Now he was gripping her arm firmly, eyes searching her face looking concerned with her loud outburst.

"Whoa, Mace, what's with the crescendo?

For a moment, Macy found no words to speak so only looked at him blankly, wondering if she looked as stupid as she felt. Soon enough, though, her mind processed the "music language" he had used and Macy was able to get herself to calm down and relax.

"Nice try." She spoke quietly with a smile spreading across her face, making her eyes nearly light up, "You're implying that I went from regular speaking to…very loud speaking." Blushing slightly at her last few words, Macy waited for Nick's nod at her correct answer.

"Right again." He nodded briefly, "You're doing pretty well so far…except for that first one. Must be a real stumper." Nick's headed tilted slightly at his last comment, making Macy panic inwardly again.

"Well…I…" No words would form and she found her mind strangely clouded, but managed to think enough to shrug his touch away. Macy wondered if that was really a look of disappointment at her action, but it was too brief to know for sure. She must have imagined it.

"I should get to class." Nick sighed, and Macy watched him turn and rush off down the hall through the crowd. Her translation of the first "music language" riddle was on the tip of her tongue as it always was once Nick was walking a safe distance away.

"Why can't I just answer him?" Macy muttered frustrated to herself, taking brisk steps down the hall, "I know the answer, but he just makes me nervous!"

Maybe next week. A weekend off from Nick's riddles might do her good-maybe give her time to work up the courage to tell him her translation.

Macy shook her head, knowing it wouldn't be any easier on Monday.

Thanks for taking time out of your day to read this! Reviews are appreciated but not required! :)

Any suggestions for "music language" are greatly appreciated!