Reggie is looking for her brother. The scene that had transpired in her first period homeroom had NOT been pretty, and she was going to grab him by his dreadlocks until he gave her a FULL explanation for his lunacy. A giddy Trish had skipped into class, informing all and sundry that she and Otto Rocket were "officially a couple". Cleo's pale face at the news had shocked her, and she had been in the uncomfortable position of having to cheer up Cleo while expressing support for Trish. Sam had been no help; he'd been chattering away to Sherry about gigabytes and RAM speed… As soon as the lunch bell rang, Cleo had mumbled an excuse about having to see her guidance counselor… leaving Reggie free to chew Otto's ear out without worrying about her friends feelings. She stomps over to their usual lunch table, only to find… Twister? Alone?
"H-hi, Reg…" Maurice Rodriguez was usually nervous around Reggie… lately more so… but her scary butt kicking mode was downright terrifying… and also kind of sexy… although he probably would be killed if he ever admitted that out loud.
'Where's your dorky best friend…'
"I take it you've heard about him and Trish…"
'How COULD he, Twist… he KNOWS what happened the last time… doesn't he CARE that he's making things difficult for me?'
"I don't think he really thinks he's doing anything wrong, Reg… he does like her…"
'But he loves Cleo…'
"H-how do you know that?"
'Duh… he talks about her all the time, every time he gets off the phone with her, he's got this dippy smile on his face… and whenever he hears about her dating anyone else he's in a foul mood all week…'
"Er… right…" Twister is getting uncomfortable. Reggie has just described his own behavior around her.
'What're we going to do, Twist?'
"Buy some popcorn and watch the show?"
She can't help but laugh as she looks at her earnest friend. Somehow he always knows just what to say.
'Be serious, Twist…'
"Well… he doesn't really know Cleo's back yet…"
'Where is he anyway?'
"Had to go to the guidance counselor's office… something about not choosing a major for college…"
'He's at the guidance counselor's office?'
"Yeah…"
'Right now…'
"Yeah…"
'Let's just say he'll know Cleo's back in town by the end of the period..' Not sure whether to laugh or to scream in frustration at the irony, Reggie buries her head in her hands. Without thinking, Twister puts his arm around her shoulder and pulls her close to him in a comforting embrace, trying not to think about how good she feels in his arms. He's starting to stroke her hair, when a loud cough startles both of them.
'Tr-trent?' Reggie is surprised to see the handsome New Zealander looking disapprovingly at them.
"Am I interrupting, Rodriguez?" Trent is eyeing the redhead with hostility.
"Was there something you wanted?" Twister is defiant. He knows Trent has no right over Reggie… and if Twister has any say in the matter, he never would… Not Twister wanted her for himself… he was just… saving her… from a pompous pretty boy!
"Actually, I wanted to speak to Regina about our English assignment… I could use a little help…" Trent was turning towards Reggie with his Colgate smile. Was it Twister's imagination, or was that smile a little too sinister for his liking? He reminded Twister of the Joker, from Batman.
'I thought you were doing pretty well in class…'
"Yes, but this journalistic writing thing has me stumped… I thought you could give me some pointers… right now, if it's convenient…"
'Well… sure… let's go over to the library… I bet we could work in one of the study/discussion rooms…' Reggie gets up to leave. As they walk off, both turn to look at Twister; Trent with a triumphant grin, and Reggie with an apologetic smile. Muttering, Twister turns back to his meal, although his appetite is gone at this stage. He keeps imagining Reggie and Trent, in the "study rooms", notorious make out corners of the library… and suddenly feels physically ill. He attributes it to the stress he's been experiencing lately over Otto, Cleo and Trish… and his worry about it's impact on Reggie.
Meanwhile, Otto has made his way to the guidance counselors office, grumbling more than a little under his breath. He COULD be "studying" with his new girlfriend in one of the study rooms in the library… he could probably use a few pointers in biology… Smirking to himself, he doesn't notice the door of the guidance counselor's office opening, and crashes into someone.
'Watch where you're… Otto?'
"Cleo?" Otto's eyes grow wide, as he feels his head for any bumps. He MUST be having one of his dreams. He pinches himself hard on the arm, and winces, as he looks up at a hand being extended towards him.
"What're you DOING here, babe…"
'I'm finishing out high school here… moving in with Aunt Sandy and Uncle Raoul…' Cleo looks at her feet. She isn't sure if she should be discussing her parents divorce with Otto now that he's 'taken'… even though she knows he's probably the only one who could actually make her feel better about it.
"Your parents?" Otto catches a familiar expression of pain on her face, which immediately changes to shock. How DOES Otto read her mind like that?
'Yeah… guess they finally decided to make it official…'
"Aw, man… come here…" He pulls her into a hug, which both of them seem to enjoy a little too much.
"Listen… I have to go in now… but… perhaps we could meet up later… go skating… like old times?" Otto is actually nervous, for once. The fact that Cleo finds his nervousness cute is, of course, not helping their situation.
'W-what… about Trish?' Despite her own feelings, Cleo knows that she should respect the fact that Otto was dating someone else now… especially since that someone else was a friend.
"I'll explain it to her… she'll understand… there's nothing wrong with cheering up.. a good friend, right?" Otto flashes one of his trademark grins, as he opens the door again to enter the room.
'Yeah… a good friend…' Cleo is oddly disappointed.
"So… it's a date?"
'A FRIENDLY date…'
With uncertain smiles, they part ways. Both are pleased to be spending some time together, but are disappointed… with the use of the word FRIENDS.