AN: Good god, this is all so damn angsty. I can't seem to write anything else. I blame the look in Tea's eyes the day after the date while she was watching Tony, right before Michelle sat down with her. Like a kicked puppy...I just want to hug her or something...

AN2: Normally, I don't post this fast. Like ever. But I'm pretty sure Tea and Tony hook up again next week so I'm feeling the need to update. Possibly several more times this week in celebration. Review if this sounds like a good idea.

Warnings: Language

Disclaimer: I don't own "Skins".

Chapter Four
Distracted and Attracted

"Hello?" Tony's voice is rough with sleep and he hasn't pried his eyes open yet. He just fell into bed a few minutes ago, trying to squeeze in two or three hours of sleep before school starts.

"I'm not sorry." Tea's voice says.

Well, he's wide the fuck awake now. "Tay?" But the connection has already cut out. She's hung-up on him. Again. After dropping a goddamned bombshell on him at, he glances at the clock, four in the morning. What the hell was she doing up at four in the morning? What the hell is he doing up at four in the morning. He rolls over, tries to fall back asleep, but her words are echoing in his head, taunting him.

I'm not sorry. What the hell is that even supposed to mean? What, exactly, is he supposed to do with this brilliant little tidbit of information? What does she want from him? Does she want anything at all? Or is she telling him to stop acting like it was a big deal instead of a moment of weakness or stupidity or whatever? Or maybe, she's telling him that it wasn't just a random, slightly drunken fuck. Maybe he should call her back. Maybe he shouldn't.

He groans. Indecision doesn't suit him, and he knows it. He makes it his habit to always have a course of action for every eventually. But he never saw any of this coming and it's just not fair.

Tony comes to class with bleary eyes. "Have fun last night?" Tea asks with a smirk because he's not the only one who looks like shit, Abbud and Stan both look ready to drop at a moment's notice. Chris has his I'm still wasted from last night look on.

"Yep." Tony sneers. "Awesome."

"Why wasn't I invited?" Michelle pouts, and Tea's stomach twists because she knows exactly why Michelle didn't get a call from Tony.

"Boys night, Nips." Tony shrugs with a winning smile. "I didn't even invite Tea, and she's practically one. Lady bits not withstanding." He adds, tossing her a wink.

"Fuck off, Tony." She shoots back, and it's just as playful as the last time they argued like this because nothing as changed. She's going to make sure of it.

"Only if you'll come with."

"Not quite my type, man bits and all."

"Shame." He shakes his head with feigned disappointment. She refuses to allow herself to think that maybe it isn't fake at all.

"You should have invited us, Tony." Michelle says, "Could of made a night of it."

"Next time, Nips."

"Don't call me Nips."

"Whatever you say, Nips."

Michelle looks like she's about to kill him, so he pacifies her with a kiss. The kind that ends with his tongue halfway down her throat. And everyone is staring, except Tea because she does not care. Tony can kiss whoever the hell he wants, and so can she. They're not a thing; they're not having a thing. It was one stupid night and it's over.

Then the teacher is walking in and clearing his throat until the pair part, breathless. They all settle into their assigned seats. Tea tries to focus on scoping out the hot girls, there are a few she knows plays for her team, but the darting glances Tony keeps sending her way are more than a bit distracting. She wishes he would cut it out. It's over and done with. So what, they fucked, doesn't mean anything. They both know that. He fucks just about everyone, and she's not too picky herself. It was one, meaningless screw. Just like any other.

Only they're best friends and still have to see each other everyday. And he's still looking at her like he's waiting for something she's not sure she can give him. Christ, she'd told him she wasn't sorry to avoid this. To skip over the whole so we had sex, now what talk. There doesn't need to be a talk. So they had sex, now they keep living their lives. Simple and clean and easy.

Except he won't stop giving her these brief little looks, and she keeps looking back. It's just a instinctual response to look back. It doesn't mean anything.

It. Does. Not.

So, he's pretty much an ass. He knows it. But damn if he's just going to leave things all ambiguous and unsettled. Which is how he ends up smiling his best I'm a fucking angel smile at Tea's math teacher and telling him that she's needed in the office.

She doesn't believe his bullshit for even a second. It's written all over her face.

"What are you doing, Tony?"

"Ditching. I'm bored."

"And you need me for...?"

"Entertainment?" He smirks.

She starts back towards her class because for all her sexy bad girl behavior, she gives a damn about school and grades and having a future. The thing she seems to have forgotten is that, usually, Tony does too. He grabs her hand, spins her around to face him again. "I don't want to play your games, Tony. You don't want to play mine. Now let go."

"Who said anything about games? I just need the best damn dancer in the school for a minute or two so I can nail my audition." There's his angel's smile again. It's bent girl's to his will before, but it's clear no amount of bull is going to convince Tea that this is a good idea. "Come on, Tay, just help me out. Please?"

He's only half talking about the dance at this point, she's confusing the fuck out of him with the mixed signals he's getting, and he wants to make this make sense. Also, she's the best dancer he knows and he wants to get this part.

"Fine." And he's pretty sure he shows way too much enthusiasm at her agreement. He works to smooth his mask back into place. "But after cheer practice. You're not the only one who needs my help." She adds with a smirk. With his smirk. Bitch.

"But I'm the most important." He reminds her, letting go.

"Only to you." She tosses over her shoulder as she walks back to class.