A/N: Sorry in advance – I'm not completely happy with this chapter, but I feel bad for making you guys wait… I promise I'll have some good stuff soon. :)

[Eddie's POV]

I tap my fingers impatiently on the worn plastic leather of the seat. My head twists around anxiously, eyes sharp and waiting to catch my goal. A smile jumps onto my face when I finally see her. She's frantically running across the café floor, glancing to the side to make sure no one's too upset about the rush. My heart drops when she crashes into someone and starts slipping. I frantically scramble to get out of the booth. I manage to just barely get my head together and feet planted firmly on the ground when she gets up by herself.

Relief comes and goes quickly as I watch her exchange with the guy. He's fairly well-built, with blond hair and blue-gray eyes. I can tell that he's definitely one of the jocks at their school. A giggle escapes her mouth and she playfully hits his arm. A pulse of emotion shoots through me at the sight of her hand touching him.

They chat for a few moments before he asks her something that seems to be more serious. I try to send her a telepathic message, not wanting to see them together for any longer. I try to read her face – she appears hesitant, but nods.

I flinch when he pulls her into the corner. I do not want Loren to be standing that close to him. She backs up a little, which makes me happy, but also a little worried. What history could they have that makes her that jumpy? They talk for a while, not really doing anything else.

Then the guy says something that makes Lo's face turn red. I ready myself to get up in case it blows up. She looks mad, and he doesn't look very happy either. Loren's still fidgeting. She looks at the clock – it better mean they're almost done talking.

Then he hugs her. His arms wrap around her small frame. I see her tense, but he whispers a few words into her ear and she relaxes. I DO NOT LIKE THIS. Energy burns in me, a white-hot fire raging through my bloodstream. He steps back. I calm down just a little bit. He leans in. I freeze. Time stops and voices fade. The only thing I can see the miniscule amount of space between their faces. Closer, closer.

His lips touch her soft skin and I'm ready to storm over there, but my jacket gets caught on the corner of the table. I rip it away and whip my head back to see the guy walking out the door. I turn around to look at Loren. Her eyes are focused on his back, reviving the anger inside me. He doesn't deserve her. No one does.

I breathe in and out, trying to settle myself. I decide to casually walk by, say hi to her, and try to figure out what in the world just happened.

[Loren's POV]

I watch his steps as he leaves with one last glance at me. I'm hit with guilt by the hurt in his eyes. So maybe he really does, or at least did, like me. But I know it wouldn't have worked out between us. It was for the best, I tell myself.

I shake my head to clear away the thoughts and start clearing tables, suddenly aware of the much-emptier surroundings. Thank goodness for that. Someone clears their throat and taps my shoulder. I whirl around. A smile grows on my lips.

"Lo."

"Hey Eddie, what're you doing here?"

He scratches the back of his head. "Uh, nothing much. Just wanted to swing by." He flashes me that million-dollar smile of his, making butterflies erupt in my stomach. But something isn't quite right. It's forced and awkward.

"Hey, is something wrong?" I look up at him worriedly, placing my hand on his arm. He steps back and I try to act like I'm not surprised and hurt.

"Nah, everything's fine."

"Um, okay." I do my best to brush it off.

"So who was that guy you were with earlier?" Eddie finally looks me in the eye.

"Who, Cam? He's just a friend from school." Now I'm confused.

"Just a friend?" He snorts and looks away.

"Uh, yeah. He's in a few of my classes and wanted to talk to me about something, that's all." I feel my face heating up. Well, I'm not trying to lie here – but this really isn't something I would like to discuss with Eddie, of all people.

"Ha, it didn't look like it was nothing." His voice grows louder and more accusing.

"What are you even talking about? What's wrong with me talking to one of my friends?" Frustration finds its way into my tone. I don't understand what the big deal is.

He takes a deep breath like he's trying to calm down. "Sorry. So do you think we can meet up some time to work on some more songs? Jake's probably gonna start nagging me about it soon."

I try not to show my utter bafflement at his strange behavior. What's with him today? "Uh, sure. But my schedule's pretty much packed for the next few days, so maybe on the weekend?"

His eyes darken again. "What, are you busy with 'Cam'?"

"No, I just have a lot of stuff to do. What's with you today? You're not acting like yourself."

Eddie blows out a stream of cool air, making my hair fan around my face. He groans and tilts his head back for a moment. "Sorry, I just – I can't – this wasn't a good idea. I'll text you later, okay?" And with that, he turns and walks away.

I stare at his retreating figure, entirely puzzled. What just happened?

My clouded thoughts are dispersed by a familiar teasing voice. "Lo, was that Mr. Eddie Duran I just saw leaving? What's up between you guys?" She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

I laugh bitterly. "I have absolutely no idea."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know, he just randomly showed up here and started interrogating me about Cam, who just left like five minutes ago."

She perks up at this. "Wait, what happened?"

I sigh. "I just told you – I was working and then Cam showed up and we talked for a little, then he left. Eddie just came out of nowhere and basically yelled at me for having a conversation with Cam, got upset about me being busy, and just stormed out."

Melissa laughs, making me look at her inquisitively. "What?"

"Lo, you really need to learn some important things about guys. They get very possessive very fast. Eddie's jealous."

I stare at her. "What are you talking about?"

Now she sighs. "Loren, think about it. He probably showed up here to spend some time with you and instead saw you talking to Cam, who is fairly attractive, if I do say so myself. Then you most likely brushed it off, being the innocent girl you are, and he took it to mean that you were hiding something. What happened between you and Cameron, anyway?"

"Nothing, really. He just wanted to ask if I was okay, and then we talked a little more and he left. Oh, and he… oh."

"What?" Melissa stares at me. A blush spreads across my cheeks once more.

"He gave me a hug and kissed me on the cheek," I mumble, now thinking that maybe Melissa isn't so far off with her diagnosis of Eddie.

She laughs. "Well, that explains a lot more. Maybe it's a good thing he saw that. Now it gives you the chance to make him finally admit he likes you."

"Right, sure." I roll my eyes.

She studies me for a second. "You like him."

"Really, Mel, state the obvious. You know how long I've been basically his number one fan." I say unconvincingly. "Though that's not exactly the case right now," I add under my breath.

"No, I mean you like him. Not just as a fan."

So maybe I'm not very good at hiding my emotions. "Well, maybe just a little…" I admit.

She shrieks and pretends to wipe away tears. "Aww, my little Loren's all grown up."

"Shut up," I grumble, though without much conviction.

"It's okay, you know you love me."

We laugh again.

[Eddie's POV]

I stalk across the blacktop, keys digging into my hand and hood pulled up. My guilty laugh travels across the now-empty parking lot.

"I just really messed up." Only I hear my own whisper.

I groan and kick the curb. Loren, what are you doing to me? I breathe in and out, replaying what just happened. Well, now I feel like an absolute jerk. And I hate it.

I don't even hesitate before turning back. I have to apologize and explain things. My feet begin to move a little faster at the glimmer of hope that she'll forgive me for being such an idiot.

The door swings open. I see Loren talking to Melissa and immediately head over there.

"Loren."

She turns around expectantly, her face going through a very wide range of expressions before settling on a blank, slightly unnerving one.

"What?"

I don't get a chance to reply, as we all turn towards the sound of the door opening yet again.

This time, my heart drops all the way down. I groan and swear under my breath. I cannot deal with this right now.

Chloe stands in front of us, wearing a dress that shows off her stick-thin figure. A shadow hovers behind her, and a quick glance lets me know it's Tyler.

"So what do we have here?" Her accusing voice seems to echo in the nearly-empty, awkward silence-filled room.

Review please! :) – Also, what do you think about the beginning thing I mentioned last chapter?

- shimmeruponwishes