A/N: Yes another chapter. I had the urge to update again. This is just a fill in chapter but is sort of important.

CHAPTER SIX: L.A

The last five weeks had been a bumpy ride for Lacey. She'd explained to Jax how she didn't want to be with him and then leave in a few weeks to go to college. She didn't want to feel like she was making him feel like he'd have to choose between her and club. She wasn't like Tara. He tried to convince her she was nothing like Tara, that they could happen because they were close being only a few hours away. He could go see her when he wasn't doing club business and she'd be coming home some weekends. But she didn't want to risk them hurting each other. She loved him too much as a friend to hurt him more than she obviously already had. He hadn't spoken to her since she told him that. He didn't even go to going away dinner.

While her problems with Jax always seemed to take over she managed to find a two bedroom apartment close to UCLA's campus. She wanted her own place to live instead of sharing a dorm and feeling like she'd have to become friends with a roommate.

She moved into the apartment a week and a half ago with help from Donna, Gemma and a moving company since the guys were down in Tacoma visiting the charter there. Gemma had called her every night since she'd moved in making sure she was okay. During those calls she always asked how Jax was. Gemma always told her he was okay but the tone in her voice told Lacey differently.

Getting use to the city was a little more difficult than she thought. She was already starting to feel homesick.

"Fuckin' hell!" she cursed when she walked into someone, knocking things out of both their hands, only a few feet away from her apartment complex. She hadn't been watching where she was going but she wasn't in the mood for apologies. She woke up in a bad mood this morning. It was made worse when one of her professors made her his target for the day. She bent down to pick up her things at the same time as the person went to pick up theirs.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." the person apologized.

She looked at the man. He didn't look older than twenty-five. He was tanned with black hair and hazel green eyes. She blushed as she stood back up after gathering up her things. She gave him a small smile. "It's okay."

"Bad day?"

"Definitely one of my top ten."

"I'm Jesse." He held her hand out to him.

"Lacey." she introduced herself shaking his hand.

"I hope this doesn't sound too forward but would you like to get some coffee sometime?"

"I only have afternoon classes tomorrow so I could meet you at the coffee shop down the street from here."

"Sounds great. I'll see you then." he smiled at her, walking away.

Lacey got back to to her apartment and looked in the refrigerator to find something to eat. When nothing appealed to her she grabbed a can of soda out and opened it. She took a sip as she picked up her phone and ordered a pizza. When her pizza arrived, she paid the delivery guy and walked back into the kitchen putting the box on the counter. She went to grab a couple napkins when her phone began to ring. She dropped the napkins on top of the pizza box and picked up her phone, answering it. "Hello?"

"You're finally home." Donna's voice came through.

"I am. I've had classes all day." She was studying business and photography. She was hating her business classes already.

"How are you liking it there?"

"I hate it. My business professor is a real fuckin' asshole. I think my journo professor is a stoner and the people in my classes are so fuckin' up themselves they look down on me for wearing a tank top and jeans."

"That's city folk for ya."

"What's up with you?" Lacey asked wanting to take the conversation of herself.

"Nothing really. Opie proposed last night. I'm still-"

"Opie proposed!" Lacey cut her off. The tone in her voice didn't hide her shock. "When did he do that? I mean I always knew he would because you two are great together... Oh wow, are you pregnant?"

Donna laughed. "Not that I know of. He asked me on the weekend... at the clubhouse... in front of everyone."

"And you're only telling me now?"

"Yeah sorry."

"You're lucky I am so happy for you guys. Tell Opie I said congratulations and it's about damn time." she smiled.
Donna laughed again. "I will. He told me next time I talk to you that he says hi."

"Tell the big dummy he can call me and say hi himself."

"Has Jax called you or anything?"

Lacey stiffened when she said Jax's name. "Why would he? He still hates me."

"No he doesn't, he's just hurt." Donna said making Lacey roll her eyes. Everyone knew what went down between her and Jax. It was pretty obvious when he was giving her the cold shoulder every time they were in the same room. "He'll get over it and you'll be friends again in no time."

"I wouldn't count on it."

"Well you two will need to get your act together before wedding day. I can't have my maid of honor and Ope's best man being awkward with each other."

"Is that your way of asking me to be your bridesmaid?" she laughed.

"Don't make me regret it."

"I won't, I promise."

Donna and Lacey spoke for another hour before hanging up. Lacey put the leftover pizza in the refrigerator before going into her bathroom and turning on the shower. She walked into the bedroom and pulled out a set of pajamas while she waited for the water to heat up. On the way back to the bathroom she grabbed a couple towels. She made sure the water was hot enough for her before stripping off and getting in. She let the water fall over her, the heat relaxing her muscles as she started thinking about Jax. She really did miss him and want to fix things.