Hiding

Summary: what happens after Double Standard, a sequel of sorts. (It will be called 'Hiding' for now) ... Alex and Jay based, this is a very rough cut of what I have so far. When I've fully recovered, I'll be working on my fics again.

Lyrics: Lauryn Hill "Sweetest Thing"

Chapter One: Sweetest Thing I've Ever Known

"You're trying to get me in trouble and it's not working." Alex said to Jay who was walking so close to her that they were almost knocking into one another. "No seriously, cut it out." She said in between laughs as Jay bumped her with his hip. He laughed back.

"Are you telling me that Gianni would get pissed off because I got you your favorite ice cream and your favorite junk food and--"

"He's always pissed at you. That fact that you're alive and here makes him question things."

"Like your relationship?"

"And I don't want that to happen. I've got a really good thing going on with him and I don't want you to ruin it Jay." She scolded.

"I won't … I'll just test it out a little. If your relationship can survive me, then you deserve to have him."

"Whatever you're planning, quit while you're ahead. We're solid." Alex responded, rushing to finish off her ice cream, leaving remnants of chocolate all over her mouth.

"You have something right … there." Jay took a napkin, seizing the opportunity to reach for mouth and tucking her hair behind her ears before doing so.

"Jay …" Alex warned, but she continued to look at him. The two stood there looking at each other so intensely that the chemistry between them was undeniably present.

"Let me just…" Jay leaned in as Alex stood still, frozen in place. What if he kissed her? What if she kissed him back? What if… Her thoughts stopped running in varied directions once Jay moved closer to her lips, then past her chin, jaw, and to her ear. "Solid huh?"

"Idiot." She grumbled, yanking the napkin from his hand and rubbing it all over her mouth to remove the chocolate.

"I had you."

"You wish. I was testing you to see if you knew what it meant to be a friend." She shot back, not losing her cool at all which made Jay question whether or not he had actually gotten to her.

"Thanks for agreeing to meet me here." Ellie said as she stood up to greet Scott. She studied his face closely, looking for some indication of … anything, but Scott wasn't even looking at her at all.

"It's the least I can do after--"

"Going to school overseas. How was Paris?"

"It sucked." Scott responded with a small smile. "I went away, but all I was reminded of was the same stupid Elaine shit." He nearly pounded his fists on the table in frustration, shaking his head.

"But at least you've got college, right?" Ellie reached for his hands instinctively. Scott looked up, startled, but then let himself be comforted by her.

"How can you even stand to look at me? I can't even get past what I've done. I disgust myself--"

"Shh. It's okay." Ellie began. "I know it's not your fault and I'm glad that you're back."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but it's really bittersweet. It's the end of the semester and you're back but it's almost time to go back."

"Are you saying that--"

"I'm saying that … I think I might want to start something with you Scott. And I'm thinking that it might be setting myself up to get hurt but I'm willing to try, if you are." She offered as Scott nodded, neglecting to mention that Ellie had not been the only girl on his mind while he was away. In fact, he had run into a couple of old girlfriends from the Horizon school that had kept him pretty occupied…

"So tell me just how good is Gianni in bed?" Jay asked as Alex lay down beside him, looking at the starry sky above them.

"You are not allowed to ask that." She nudged him, taking a bite of Twizzlers to avoid having to answer more questions.

"Why not? Maybe we can compare notes. I'll tell you what Emma did that really--"

"Too much info. Okay? I'm trying to be cordial with you. We're not friends. I don't want to know what you do or whom you do it with?"

"Well, prior to hearing you say that I wasn't doing anything with anyone … but if you don't care then I'll drop that." Jay offered, trying to get to Alex and make her hurt a little.

She turned on her side to face him. "You don't have to do that."

"Do what?"

"I know you Jay …" Alex stopped herself before she made things more awkward than they needed to be. "Look, you can date whomever you want. You can have sex with every girl in my building. Every girl in the school and I wouldn't give a damn. It's harsh, but it's true. I'm into Gianni."

"And you've never had feelings for more than one person at a time?"

"Gianni means everything to me right now Jay. Don't spoil it." She responded, turning back to face the sky.

"I won't." He muttered, turning on his side to get a better look at Alex. In the dark he could see the faint outline of her face, the curve of her lips … he could see that she was frowning and that he had done something to piss her off.

Jay wanted to desperately to explain it to her and to make sure that she got it, but he couldn't get that vulnerable with her tonight. Instead, he reached for the side of her hair and tucked it behind her ear so that he could get a better look at her.

Alex turned to look back at him with a sigh. "You're going to make this really difficult, aren't you?"

"I'm a persistent asshole." He responded.

"I know." Alex let herself fall closer towards him, eventually resting her head on his arm. There was just enough space between them that they weren't cuddling … not quite.

When Alex woke up the next morning she was surprised to be sitting on the man-made beach, wrapped in arms that didn't belong to Gianni. "Jay … Jay…" She nudged him, but he continued to sleep. "Jason!"

"What the hell?"

"Get up. You've gotta take me back. I have a pledge meeting I'm going to be late for."

"Here take them." Jay handed Alex the keys, rolling onto his stomach and starting to go back to sleep.

"Jay, just get up. I can't leave you here... TBC

(a/n: Review. --NL)