Warning: We can't tell you how to read the story, but we meant for it to be four separate stories, intertwined by a common series of events, in one fic. Also, it's still 2011.


We Fall Between

Henley Sheppard may be a strange creature from another world, but she gets the Lauren Tanner seal approval—not an easy feat. Henley may be book smart, but Lauren is street smart and so Lauren figures out a way to make Henley's strengths work to her advantage.

Letting her stay at her house should be payment enough, but Lauren admits it's fun to barter things in her closet for homework. So far, Henley has gotten a pair of sunglasses and a couple of Lauren's favorite wrap bracelets in exchange for doing an analytical essay and a couple math exercises. If there's one language they both speak fluently its negotiations and fashion.

"Your essay, Miss Tanner." Marcus distributes graded papers towards the end of English class while all the students chatter away. He lays it facedown on her desk and continues to make his way down the aisle. Lauren turns it over and smiles at the A and improvement underlined in red ink. "One question, Lauren. I don't mean to offend you, but—"

"Then you probably shouldn't say it," Lauren says.

"Alright. Fair advice," Marcus agrees. Lauren tries to control her smile despite the triumph that surges through her. "Nice work. See what you can do when you apply yourself?"

Marcus continues to pass out papers while Lauren looks over the essay in front of her. The fact that the ideas aren't hers doesn't spoil the victory. Lauren edits what Henley writes, switching out the unnecessarily verbose diction and adding personal touches to make it sound like her. It isn't copy/paste plagiarism. Grades are important when considering college and Lauren is clearly on her way. She's resourceful. It's admirable.

When Marcus doubles around, he stops next to Emily's desk. "And this…wasn't your best." Lauren can't help, but lean over, silently wincing at all the red pen marks, mostly scribbled comments and question marks in the margins. The final grade: C+. Marcus is guilty of inflating his grades so it must have been a really poor argument. "Are you sure you two didn't accidentally write your names on the wrong papers?"

"Offensive, Marcus," Lauren chimes.

"Statement retracted," he says. "Emily, there wasn't enough analysis in your essay. I read the book myself, a number of times over. You didn't have to tell me what they were saying. I wanted you to tell me what they meant, their motivations, the words inside their words. Just keep that in mind for next time. I'm sure you'll make it up in no time."

"I hope so." Skimming through the essay, Emily is mortified. With them living together, Lauren asked Emily a number of times how things were going, but all she did was stare at a blank Word document and say it was fine.

"Em, maybe you should just talk to your mom again."

"And what, Lo? She'll apologize, but Bruce will still be there and he's never going to change and I'm just going to run away again." Emily rubs her eyes and Lauren shoots glares around the room, urging the onlookers to screw off. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. If you can't rant to me then what am I good for? I just don't like seeing you so miserable. Emo Emily is depressing."

"I'm sorry, Looney Lauren." Emily smiles faintly. "As if things aren't hard enough, everything reminds me of Damon. The guys at the Shack randomly bring him up in conversation and they have no idea we dated. I buy lunch and the cafeteria workers are listening to his stupid single. I walk down the hall and Maeve Benson has a picture of him in her locker. What's with that?"

"Ew. Henley isn't the only one not taking her crazy pills." When she hears herself, Lauren winces. "Sorry. It slipped. And she totally is taking her crazy pills. I watched her last night."

"I was there," Emily reminds her. "She called you Warden Barbie."

"And I thought she couldn't get weirder after day one. She keeps proving me wrong," Lauren says. "But, anyways, back to Damon. It isn't like he's tried to talk to you again."

"I know. Maybe the universe—"

"Don't, Em. Don't be one of those people who leave things up to the universe and wait for the stars to align. We make our own destinies." Lauren squeezes her arm. "You wanted him to screw off and leave you alone. I'm pretty sure that was the message you sent him on V Day."

"Honestly, I don't know anything anymore. The more I try to get over him the more it feels like I'm just lying to myself."

Just as Kaylie walks in (after being called to the office) the bell rings and everyone races past her to get to the cafeteria. Marcus hands Kaylie her essay while the other two shove their books into their bags. Once they make their way to the door, Lauren slings her arm around Emily's waist. With their height difference, it's just easier that way.

"Hey, Kay," Lauren says. "What did Matsui want? Let me guess, you're winning some kind of prefect award for being the perfect little model student you are?"

"Not even close. My mom called the office and told them she had to talk to me and that it was an emergency. Turns out, she was tired of me not answering her calls on my cell—as if I'm not in class, trying to learn things—and wanted to remind me to pick up some stuff for the party."

"How very Ronnie," Lauren says. To her face, she'd definitely address the woman properly by Mrs. Cruz, but AJ calls her by her first time and with how much Lauren's been talking to him lately, it just sort of slips. "So are your besties—and by that, I mean Em, Pay and me—invited to this fancy Cruz get-together?"

"It isn't exactly a boozer party, Lo," Kaylie points out.

"Okay, I'm offended you think the only kind of parties I go to involve hot, college boys, kegs and sloppy, impressionable girls getting taken advantage of!"

"Plus, the guest list includes boring, stuffy old people," Kaylie says. "I'll be standing around in heels, smiling until I lose feeling in my face all night. I don't even want to be there. Nicky wants to be there even less, but he doesn't have a choice. It's a work thing for my mom so there's a high chance a certain recording artist will be there, schmoozing for the bosses."

"That settles it," Emily says. "Count me out. Invitation unnecessary."

Kaylie frowns and links her arm with Emily. "Want me to at least keep tabs on him?"

Lauren scoffs. "The last thing she needs is to hear about her ex flirting with the girls serving shrimp balls."

"No, I don't want to know." Emily stare at the floor, letting her dark bangs fall in her eyes. "Out of contact, out of mind, right? He'll do whatever he's here to do and then he'll be gone."

Kaylie nods. "Whatever you want, Em."

"So, did Maeve get an invite?" Lauren doesn't care if she sounds jealous.

"No, she didn't."

"You know what else Maeve didn't get invited to?" Picking up the ball before it drops, Emily easily segues into a different topic. Despite her problems, she still makes an effort to be a good friend. "The sleepover tonight. Payson got the okay from her mom so we're having it at Lauren's house."

"Our house," Lauren corrects her. She lightly bumps her hip against Emily's. "I'm picking up Pay and we're going to hit up the grocery while you tutor and you cheer. Text me whatever you might want. Gotta love sleepover parties in the middle of the week."

"Well, it only makes sense. Payson doesn't need us keeping her up and distracted the night before she flies to Florida," Kaylie says. "School is going to be a bitch tomorrow, though."

"At least we start late on Wednesdays," Emily interjects. "Then again, you two have to get up two hours before school to get ready."

Lauren smiles at Kaylie. "F.H.O."

Kaylie smiles back. "Face. Hair. Outfits."

Emily shakes her head at the two. "Do me a favor and let me sleep in."

Lauren frowns and tugs Emily a little closer, who in turn tugs Kaylie with her. It reminds all three of how they're connected.

"Hey, ladies!" Max steps in front of the trio and holds up his camera. "For the yearbook?"

"Wait, my hair!" Kaylie frets, smoothing down the dark strands. "And my lipgloss."

"Yearbook." Lauren groans, seeing the way Max is smiling at her and not liking it. "My least favorite word in the English language."

"Harsh. Don't disrespect my craft," Max says. "Walk with me to the meeting? There's something I've been meaning to pick your brain about."

"Unless it's Chanel or Louis, I don't know if there's much to pick," Kaylie says.

"Won't your girlfriend beat you if you don't check in with her first?" Lauren asks. Emily nudges her and Kaylie narrows her eyes. "What? She gives off the Boyfriend Beater vibe."

"Yank the chain a little maybe. How nice of you to worry, Lauren," Max jests. "Maeve has a prom committee meeting so I figured I'd go straight to yearbook right after I take a picture of you three. I don't know. Something about the way you're all entwined like that."

"Any chance of me getting to leave earlier if I show up earlier?" Lauren asks.

"I can't make promises."

Lauren's shoulders sink in disappointment. The joy of sitting around and listening to people who care too much about angles and lighting, things no one else even notices.

"You should go ahead. It'll keep you out of trouble when I'm not around to keep an eye on you," Emily says, only half-joking. "I've got tutoring anyways."

"Who with?"

"Me," Kaylie pipes in. "My math grade is bad. Nicky was trying to help me out the other day. Never again. I'm pretty sure we can cross teacher off his future occupations list."

"Tell me about it," Max says. "Back when we were kids I asked Nicky to teach me how to do a backflip. I fell off the trampoline and broke my arm. Then he told me it's my fault for asking him in the first place instead of asking a professional. Your boyfriend is a jerk." Max smiles at Kaylie and she smiles back. "And how is the happy couple today?"

"Happy," Kaylie answers. "And don't go jinxing it, Max!"

"I can't make promises on that either." He chuckles. "Okay, picture?"

Their smiles vary in degree and Max catches the differences between with the click of his camera. He takes three just to be sure before Lauren untangles herself and listens to Max as he battles with himself over finally ended it with Maeve. Lauren doesn't take him too seriously. Whipped boys never last when they try to quit a girl cold turkey.

Once school is out, Lauren goes to the Rock as planned. She waits out in the parking lot and plays with her phone. Razor hasn't been texting her, fed up with her not returning his texts. She was ready to call him yesterday, but then she saw Emily browsing Facebook, specifically pictures of Razor and his ex. Again. After Carter, Lauren promised she wouldn't fall for guys who already have a High Priority Girl.

When Payson finally walks out of the Rock, Austin is at her side as always. He grabs her hand and she quickly pulls away. He doesn't look too happy about it, but doesn't get upset either. He waves and Payson waves back before she walks over to Lauren's car.

"Well, that was a romantic goodbye," Lauren teases.

Payson slides into the passenger seat and shuts the door. "We weren't exactly at an airport."

"I wonder," Lauren purrs, "have you and Austin ever talked about having sex?"

The way Payson's cheeks flush has to be the most adorable thing. Lauren can barely hold back her squeal. The feeling doesn't even fade when Payson narrows her eyes, trying to use anger to cover her embarrassment.

"Lauren!"

"Payson, you're such a twelve-year-old girl and if you forgot, you're dating a man."

"With the mental age of a fifteen-year-old boy, sometimes an eight-year-old"

"So, have you talked about doing the dirty? Don't be Poopy Payson! I want the girly deets!"

Lauren didn't think it was possible for one person's face to turn that deep a shade of red.

"No," Payson says. Ugh, boring. "But it's implied that nothing along those lines is happening until after the Olympics."

"Boring." Lauren couldn't keep that one to herself. "And Austin is okay with this?"

"If he seriously wants to be with me then he has to be."

"Let me get this straight. You are in a stable relationship, but won't give it up. Meanwhile, on the other side of the spectrum, Kaylie is in a relationship always on the borderline of breaking and she can't get it even if she's desperate to." Lauren smiles a little. She feels a little bad for wanting to laugh every time Kaylie complains about getting cockblocked. The poor thing is so sexually frustrated and doesn't know what to do about it.

"Speaking of Kaylie," Payson clears her throat, "I've been thinking about what you said and, as her friends, I think we should tell her. Tonight."

Lauren hits the breaks a little too hard at a stoplight. Thank God they're both wearing seatbelts. Lauren turns to give Payson her undivided attention. "Wh—what?"

"Are you sure you actually got your license!"

"Payson, not important! Why are you talking like a crazy person?"

"I'm not crazy. Nicky is never going to do it and I can't watch Kaylie agonize over it anymore. I hate how she's afraid to talk to me because I'm friends with Kelly and Faith, but there's nothing I can do about it. This is something I can do for her. We can. It isn't even a matter of her being upset with us about knowing and not telling her. The fact of the matter is she's hurting and it is just going to hurt even more the longer it draws out."

"Hello, Super Girl, didn't you get the memo? Nicky and Kelly made up."

"Exactly! Things are changing. This whole thing could snowball out of control and the longer we wait, the bigger the mess is going to be."

"Payson, it's already a snowball! It's the size of a friggin' house! It's too late now. If she found out before—when Kelly wasn't apart of his life—that pill Kaylie could have swallowed. But now it'll just make things worse. No girl wants to hear her boyfriend is hanging out with his old fuck buddy. Who knows? Maybe if we burry it, they can all learn to get along?"

Payson deadpans. "Lauren, have you met Kaylie and Kelly?"

"Okay, fine, but it's all about timing and right now is not the time. Their anniversary is coming up and the Colorado Classic. And her birthday! As her friends, we should cheer her up and that's what we're doing tonight." When Payson doesn't readily respond, Lauren grows curious. "Pay, does Kelly want him back? You know what I mean."

"She doesn't want to want him, if that makes sense." Payson pauses, unsure of what loyalties she might be crossing by being honest. "But there's something about the way they are when they're together. Even Faith is worried something might happen."

"And what about you?"

"It makes me nervous…for Kaylie."

Lauren doesn't like that Payson is friends with Kelly Parker almost as much as she doesn't like the fact that Kaylie is BFFs with Maeve Benson, but that isn't within her control.

"Watch your friend, Payson," Lauren growls. "If she hurts Kaylie, intentionally or not, being friends with you isn't going to do her any good when it comes to me."

"That's always been one of my favorite things about you, you know, how fiercely protective you are." Payson gives her a smile. "Also one of the scariest." Lauren grins, proud. "Do me a favorite and look out for Kaylie. I know she doesn't talk to me like she talks to you guys…"

"On the contrary, she texted a whole bunch of hashtag-Kaylie-Problems to Emily this past weekend and conveniently left me out of the loop," Lauren explains. "Emily was dealing with things so she didn't reply. It makes me wonder who Kaylie is talking to, clearly not Nicky."

"Regardless, you have better access than I do," Payson says. "Watch your friends, Lo."

Lauren smiles, almost laughs. Payson could never mime Lauren's viciousness.

"At least you're bringing Homewrecker Parker with you to Florida. If anything, it'll be a breather for Kaylie. She can have Nicky all to herself."

Silence follows, but Lauren doesn't apologize for calling Kelly a homewrecker and Payson doesn't call her out on it either.

"Emily too," Payson says after a while. "I know I get busy…"

"We get it. We'll never love you any less, Payson. With Em, she's hurting over so many different things. She needs tonight too. I was thinking and I wanted to bring out the jeans to cheer Kaylie up, remind her why she fell for Nicky in the first place, but Emily…"

"Yeah, we should probably steer clear," Payson says, without even needing a complete thought. "Check your music for tonight, make sure none of Damon's songs come up."

"Did it last night."

Payson looks genuinely surprised for a second and then her expression easily turns to admiration, something Lauren isn't used to seeing, especially directed towards her.

"You know, I knew you changed a lot after last summer, but you've changed even more since we got back," Payson says. "And I mean that in a good way. I'm proud of you, Lo."

Lauren suddenly breaks out in a grin. "Payson Keeler, are we having a moment? It feels like we're totally having a moment."

"Just don't expect me to let you paint my face and nails tonight."

"Be ready to eat your words, Super Girl." Lauren smiles, staring at the road ahead. "Homemade facials and mani-pedis are totes on the itinerary for tonight!"

Especially with the constant drama pedaling through her life, Lauren knows how to appreciate a moment. What she loves most is that she controls it. Why curse the universe when you can just as easily control what it gives you?

Sinequan.

That's the name printed on the bottle of pills Henley refers to an a "unnecessary vehicles of productivity disruption." Emily only snuck a peek at it once, but she repeated it several times in her head. First she's Googling cocaine and now, apparently, antidepressants.

Her Google search tells her that it's a tricyclic antidepressant used primarily to treat depression and anxiety. The article then goes on to explain about an imbalance in levels of neurotransmitters and how it works to elevate levels of serotonin and noerepinephrine. It also confirmed that one of the main side effects is drowsiness, which can be problematic for a machine that runs on productivity like Henley Sheppard.

Henley is the primary reason they move the sleepover to Lauren's instead of following tradition and having the Keelers host. Leaving Henley alone with the History Channel in the Tanner house while they're at school is drastically different from leaving her alone at night.

At the sleepover, they're all in the living room with Clueless playing. Payson is in the next room, on the phone with Austin (they all simultaneously aww-ed when she answered) and Lauren is popping the popcorn in the kitchen. Henley has her laptop out, eyes trained on the screen, in an entirely different mental dimension.

"What's wrong, Kay?" Emily asks.

Lowering her voice, Kaylie asks, "Is Lauren really forcing her to do her homework?"

That is territory Emily refuses to breach.

"Kaylie, I hear you talking about me!" Lauren saunters in with a bowl of popcorn. "Henley, am I forcing you to do my homework?"

"Who, you? No, you'd never," Henley says, with such obvious sarcasm. Without looking up from her laptop, Henley adds, "I want the pretty, textured-leather shoulder bag."

Lauren turns to smile at Kaylie. "See. She wants the pretty bag. Leave her alone, Kay."

Kaylie rolls her eyes. "You're honestly okay with this, Em?"

"I have no part in it," Emily says. "As long as they aren't trying to kill each other then they can do whatever they want." Emily stretches her long legs out in front of her and leans closer to Kaylie. "I know for a fact that isn't all you're thinking about. What's really wrong, Kaylie?"

"Oh, goodie!" Lauren shouts with mock excitement. "Things are finally starting to get interesting. Status update on Hashtag-Kaylie-Problems!"

"Lo, can you not hashtag my life?" Kaylie rolls her eyes. "So, when you're friends with a guy, do you really talk to him as if you were talking with a girl and vice versa?"

Emily answers, "yes," while Lauren says, "no," and Henley, eavesdropping, laughs.

"I talk to Razor as if I was talking to one of you," Emily volunteers. "And sometimes when he talks about his girl trouble it even feels exactly like letting one of you vent."

"Girl trouble?" Lauren asks. Emily presses her lips together and Lauren doesn't pry. "I know. Lips sealed. Hands tied."

After comfortingly touching Lauren's arm, Emily turns to Kaylie. "Why do you ask?"

"Things are really good with Nicky right now, but it's a little weird to me that Nicky tells Faith, and probably Kelly, things about us. Intimate things about us, or as intimate as things get."

Lauren laughs. "Duh. Kaylie, he doesn't have friends. Who else is he supposed to tell?"

"They are his friends so naturally he talks to them," Emily explains.

Kaylie remains doubtful. "It still feels weird. As far as I knew, Carter didn't girl talk with any close girl friends. It was always just the guys on the basketball team and at the Pizza Shack. This is all new for me, but I guess it's just something I need to get used to."

"Here." Lauren shoves the bowl of popcorn into Kaylie's lap. "Eat your feelings."

Kaylie laughs and it makes Emily smile. She thinks Kaylie doesn't laugh enough these days.

Emily winces. "And I still feel bad about not answering your texts over the weekend."

"It's fine, Em, really, especially with everything you've got going on?" Kaylie rubs her hand down the length of her arm. Emily has to tell herself it's concern and not pity.

"I don't want to talk about it," Emily says. "So what did Nicky tell Faith and Kelly this time?"

"About everything, apparently," Kaylie answers. "I'm sorry, but I don't get it. I kind of see why everyone loves Faith, but I don't see what the big deal is. She isn't exactly Regina George."

"I think she's cool?" Emily says. "I haven't talked to her in a while, but, I don't know, it's like, even if she doesn't understand you or what you're going through she still has this way of making you feel understood, you know?"

"And she's hot," Lauren adds, leaning over for a handful of popcorn. "You should see the way guys stare at her at the Rock, almost more than they stare at me. And she's either legit oblivious to it or doesn't care. Pretty badass for a spaz."

Kaylie huffs. "I just think you all think she's cooler than she really is."

"We think that or Nicky thinks that?" Lauren asks. Emily nudges Lauren's calf, warning her to play nice. The blonde puts on a big smile and playfully digs her shoulder into Emily's arm.

"Both. But mostly Nicky…and a little Payson."

The mood in the room shifts as it often does when they discuss Hashtag-Kaylie-Problems. Kaylie's hand dives into the popcorn bowl and Emily does the same. Scoffing at both of them, Lauren reaches for one of the three controllers on the side table.

"I know what'll make us feel better!" With the press of a button, Lauren dims the lights and turns on the rotating, multi-colored disco ball above them.

"You have got to be kidding," Kaylie murmurs.

"Why do you own that?" Henley asks. The expression on her face is clearly one of judgment.

"As if me or daddy would ever buy this. I'm pretty sure one of the stoner kids brought it to one of my boozer parties and left it," Lauren explains. "Payson! Tell Lover Boy goodnight and get off the phone! You're missing out on precious girl time!"

"Lauren," Emily starts, "You don't have to…"

"Nonsense, Em. When life sucks, dance it out. And I know the perfect song!"

Lauren goes over to the sound system and hits a combination of buttons. Loud, bubble gum pop with fast, electronic beats starts pumping from the speakers, so loud it completely drowns out Henley's cry of annoyance. Emily can't help and pinches Kaylie's forearm.

Ronnie Cruz straight from the 80s.

Orange lights chase blues and reds blink. Yellows that seem almost gold flicker along with Kaylie's favorite, pink. Lauren starts dancing among the lights, shaking out her blonde hair, with way too much confidence to ever appear dorky. She looks crazy, but too cool to care.

When Lauren tugs on Kaylie's wrist, the dark-haired girl in pink pajamas is reluctant, but ends up going with it. They sort of just jump around, laughing and smiling. Kaylie loses herself to the music. Something in her face reflects nostalgia, maybe because of her mother's voice or maybe because this is the first time she's had fun with Lauren in a long time.

It takes teamwork between the two to get Emily off the couch and dancing with them. Emily thinks of Conrad Cooper, her last dance partner, for a fleeting moment. Unlike Conrad, who was always a gentleman and kept an appropriate distance, Lauren isn't afraid to get close and knock into Emily, who in turn knocks into Kaylie, making the friends laugh hysterically.

"Come on, E.T!" Lauren shouts at Henley, who remains rooted in her spot. She tries to pull Henley up out of the cushioned chair in the corner, but when she can't get her to move, Lauren just waves her off and goes back to her friends.

Payson walks back into the room and asks, "What's going on?"

"Payson!" Kaylie shout. Maybe it's just the lights racing around or her voice as it mingles with the one from the stereo, but Kaylie actually sounds worry-free for once. As beautiful as it is to see, it also goes to show how unhappy she's become.

"You all look ridiculous," Payson says matter-of-factly.

Her friends swarm around her and don't leave her alone until she starts to move with them. Music. Movement. Merriment. All becomes one. Four become one. They start singing along to the music they grew up with. It's always a silly little feeling when you remember all the words to a song you've completely forgotten about.

When she can't dance anymore, Emily crashes down onto the couch and brings a giggly Kaylie with her. They sit around and laugh at how random that was, equal parts stupid and amazing. Once the excitement dies, Lauren announces that she has dibs on choosing the next movie—John Tucker Must Die—a sleepover classic.

Just as the movie begins, Kaylie's phone goes off and she excuses herself to answer it. When Kaylie isn't back for a while, Lauren excuses herself to the bathroom, but they all know she's going to check on Kaylie.

"What do you think is going on?" Emily asks.

Payson readily drags her eyes away from the television and to Emily. She leans towards the doorway and pauses. "No shattering glass, no screaming or crying, so I assume everything is under control. How have they been lately?"

"Kaylie is wrapped up in Hashtag-Kaylie-Problems." Payson rolls her eyes at that, but Emily couldn't help herself. It just goes to show how much time she spends with Lauren. "It doesn't help that Lauren teases her about it and denies she's jealous of Maeve Benson."

Payson laughs softly. "She's still in denial about that one?"

"I can't blame Lo. Sometimes, knowing that Kaylie is hanging out with her popular friends when she could be hanging out with us, but chooses not to, I can't help, but feel it to. Not jealous of their popularity, but that they have Kaylie in a way we don't. I'm just being stupid."

"You are not stupid," Payson says. "A little teenage angst never hurt anyone."

Emily laughs and curls up against Payson. "I miss you, you know?"

"I miss you too, Em. Things around the Rock get so crazy sometimes and with Sasha knowing about me and Austin and Austin's temper that he won't talk to me about…"

"At least things with Kelly are better, right?" Looking on the bright side had always been Brian's thing, but Emily needs it now more than ever.

"I get detailed—sometimes too detailed—updates from Faith and it seems so," Payson replies. "I'll find out firsthand when we go to Florida. Faith asks about you sometimes."

Emily smiles, playing with a stray strand of gold from Payson's ponytail. It's surprising how nice it is to be thought of. "Do me a favor? Next time you see her, ask Faith for a new book recommendation. I could really use a good dose of escapism right now."

"That's what I'm here for." Payson motions to the TV screen. "And the good Mr. Ryan Gosling."

Emily erupts in giggles. The confused look on Payson's face only makes it even more amusing.

"That's Penn Badgley, nowhere near Ryan Gosling!" Emily shouts. Oh, her favorite out of touch with pop culture gymnast. "That's like comparing Carter to Conrad. How even?"

"I know nothing about these things!" Payson shouts back. "I just figured Lauren's t-shirt says Mrs. Ryan Gosling on it and she chose the movie. I didn't think it was too much of a stretch."

Emily sputters, trying to overcome her laughter, and sits up enough to hug Payson, who hugs her right back. Even though she's having problems with her family, hasn't even spoken to her mom or her brother in days, Emily finds comfort where she can.

The next morning, Emily is tired, but squished between Kaylie and Payson, listening to Lauren's rhythmic snoring ("heavy breathing," she calls it) was the best sleep she's had in a long time. As good as it felt to sleep, Emily is exhausted and throughout the day she takes whatever chance she can get to close her eyes.

With her ear pressed to the cold wooden table, tapping fingernails is amplified, making her force her eyes open. Rodge sits across from her, wearing his signature red beanie. His backpack is carelessly plopped down in the middle of the table between them.

"Hey."

"Hey." Emily rubs her eyes.

"I made your mom cry," Rodge says. The way he says it is so enduring and almost childlike. He dramatically winces and clenches his jaw. "Not one of my finest moments."

"Ike told me. I wouldn't worry too much about it." Emily props her elbow up against the table and cradles her cheek in her palm. "It was sort of nice of you, maybe even sweet, taking the time to go over and check on me, but as you can see I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

Emily rubs at her eyes again, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I am. I'm staying with Lauren so it isn't like I'm out on the streets. I have my own cash to live off of, thanks to work and partly thanks to you and Ike. I don't have to worry about some drunk, violent stranger kicking the door down while I'm sleeping at night. Things are better this way."

"Sounds like you have all your bases covered."

And? Emily prides herself on it.

Rodge starts scratching at the desk, but Emily can't see what he's doing exactly. His backpack is in the way. She's about to ask, but then Rodge says, "Your brother misses you."

Her heart sinks and the rest of her follows.

"You talked to my brother?"

"Just in passing." Rodge does that annoying boy thing where he tries to play it cool, pretends he doesn't care, but Emily can easily imagine him loitering in their hall for a run-in with Brian. "Brian's smart like you, but he's still a kid, confused and worried and really angry."

The only part of that that didn't completely break her heart was how Rodge referred to Brian by name and not the wheelchair kid like she'd been half-expecting. He may be a junkie, but he listens to her, an admirable limb among a body of flaws.

"He has a right to be," Emily says. "I feel horrible for just leaving him like that."

Rodge looks up at her and the scratching stops. "You should tell him."

Emily has tried. She's called and called and called. Going back to the Meadows isn't an option. The emotional scars are yet to heal, have barely started to scab and Emily isn't willing to risk it. Maybe if she went to see him after school…

"The greatest thing in family life is to take a hint when a hint is intended and not to take a hint when a hint isn't intended," Rodge says. "Robert Frost."

There's nothing she wants more than to believe there's more to him than wasted potential.

"Do you need something, Rodge?"

"Yeah, actually. I need a tutor."

Her eyes widen. "You need a tutor?"

"You're a wizard at math or so Ike says. Chemistry isn't too far off, right? Calculations, equations and me aren't exactly friends."

Emily slowly looks from side to side. "I am not helping you cook meth."

Rodge stares at her, dumbfounded, but then he gives her a smile and not one of those cool guy smirk things, but a genuine smile where both corners of his mouth lift to show his teeth.

"Shucks. I just stole the key to the chem lab. What a waste," he jokes. "No, I was thinking maybe we could start with the basics or at least enough for me not to pass the class."

Rodge reaches into the front pocket of his backpack and fishes out a crumpled piece of paper. He does his best to iron out the creases with his palm before handing it over to her.

"I only know enough to get by." Emily grimaces at all the red marks on the paper, such angry strokes crossing out almost every other problem. "You're better off going to the tutoring center and asking them to assign someone to you."

"But I want you," Rodge says. The way he says it, slow and with so much emotion it catches Emily off guard. "I can pay you. Upfront cash if you like. I determine my future. Putting some money towards graduating high school sounds worthwhile to me."

Though she knows he won't say it, a little part of Emily suspects this is his way of helping her out. Their community raised them to be fighters and to look out for themselves, but Emily's starting to learn that it can also be a unifier. You find solidarity where you least expect it.

"I don't even charge friends for pizza. I can't take your money for helping you graduate."

"Is that what we are?" Rodge smiles. Emily slides her hand down her other arm. She doesn't want to feel so bashful so suddenly, but she kind of does.

"We start tomorrow. And you need to go to class. All of them, Rodge, including homeroom."

"I'd hardly call homeroom a class." Rodge challenges her with a look and Emily remains stern. Not even five seconds later and Rodge sighs dramatically. "Agreed."

Rodge extends his arm out over the table, holding out his large, angular primate hand. Emily gas to stands to give his hand a shake. Rodge is one of those guys who enjoys messing with people. It's not that he likes her…right? He can't. Emily doesn't know how she'd respond. She only agrees because she's Emily Kmetko and isn't good at turning away someone in need.

"Hey, guys!" At the sound of Carter's voice, Emily quickly pulls her hand away from Rodge. "Just the people I was hoping to find!"

Emily groans and sinks back into her chair. "Carter, I'm exhausted. If you think there's any way I'm taking one of your shifts then you're wasting your time. Brad said something about buying a new bike and needing extra cash."

"Good to know, but not why I'm here. I'm actually looking to spend. A little green for green." Carter winks at her and Emily would gag if she weren't already desensitized to Carter being Carter. "I'm freaking out about graduation so I've been smoking maybe a bowl twice a day. My stash is a little low. I could really use it. What do you say, coworker, can you hook me up?"

Emily turns to Rodge, who nods, and she automatically goes into work mode, pulling out her burner phone. She assures Carter that he'll be getting his confirmation text tonight. He grins and thanks her, saying he knew he could count on her. The Royal reaches out to pat Emily on the head, but she ducks away and runs her fingers through her hair, plastering on a smile.

"Aren't we supposed to be keeping it quiet after what happened at the dance?" Emily asks, once Carter is out of earshot.

"Ike and I never get caught." Right after saying that, Rodge knocks on the table. "Kids get caught using, but won't sell us out. If we get screwed, we screw over everyone. Then there's no one to supply, which means the delicate, impeccable Royals would have to go into dirty, dangerous Laguna. Trust me. No one's going to talk. So we've got a deal, right? I gotta run."

"Tomorrow after school. Four o'clock sharp."

Rodge nods, slings the strap of his backpack over his shoulder and waves before he leaves. On Rodge's end of the table there's a pair of eyes scratched into the table and Emily is sure it wasn't there when she first sat down. It is an exact replica of all the eyes around Boulder. The sound she heard, how he kept his eyes down except to smile at her. The eyes are Rodge's doing and Emily isn't surprised at all.

Kelly Parker is back in Nicky's life and Kaylie is cool with it. She is. Really.

Nicky calls Kaylie a little later than he normally does, but it's fine because she had other things to do. There's always homework and cheerleading and Ronnie has an endless list of ways Kaylie can help prepare for the party. Sure, when her phone rings, she runs to answer it, but it wasn't like she was waiting and checking her phone every few seconds. No.

Kaylie listens as Nicky tells her about the party they broke up and how Austin Tucker doesn't seem to like him very much, something Kaylie can relate to. Then he helped the girls clean up and they watched a movie. Nothing extraordinary happened, but from the way Nicky talks about it, you'd expect FKN (plus Payson) cured cancer over the course of the evening.

When he asks her how she spent her day, Kaylie tells him she babysat Amelia (a form of procrastination) and had a cozy night in. He says they're going to breakfast at the Keeler's in the morning and asks if she wants to go too, but Kaylie decides against it. Payson didn't invite her and something tells her that Kelly and Faith wouldn't take her crashing too well. It's weird, having to share her boyfriend, but he's happier so she tries to be happier for him.

To make matters worse, Maeve is in meltdown mode. When they're driving around, doing errands for Ronnie, Kaylie asks Maeve why she's been so quiet and tense. She didn't expect Maeve to pull out a folder filled with pictures of Max and Lauren and dump them into her lap.

"He had them just hanging on the line in his dark room! If he's going to cheat on me, he could have the decency to do it discretely, the son of a bitch." Maeve hits the gas hard and they fly forward. "His excuse was that he was showing her how to use the self-timer on his camera. Really? Look at us, Lee. We're hot bitches and we have manipulative sluts after our men."

"I don't think that's what Lauren's trying to do."

Maeve reaches over with her other and grabs a photo from the back of the stack. Max beams at Lauren and Lauren smiles back. It does make Kaylie curious, but Max isn't exactly doing body shots off of Lauren. That's more Kelly Parker's thing anyways.

"Now do you believe me?"

"So they're friendly. They work together."

"Kaylie, I'm sick of you making excuses for her, something I hear you complain about all the time. If you don't call the bitch out on her shit then I will and it won't be pretty. It's up to you. Step up because you know I will crush her if she's trying to steal my Max."

"Okay. I'll talk to her," Kaylie says. Maeve gives her a suspicious look. "I will this time. As long as you at least try to pretend you aren't at a psychologically disturbed level of paranoid."

"If you were smart, you'd be too. I know girls like Kelly Parker, who have boys like Nicky on a string. She so knows she has power over him and every time she tugs and, yes, she will tug, the closer he gets to her and the farther he strays from you. She iced him out long enough to get him to chase her, which he did, and now that they're 'friends again' he'll do anything she wants. I bet she's been planning this since you and Nicky got together. I'd consider her a genius if she wasn't screwing over my bestie."

"I'll talk to Lauren. I mean it. Just stop talking about Nicky and Kelly."

"Anything you want. I knew I could count on you."

Kaylie tries to convince herself that intervening will prevent the inevitable war that will result from Maeve confronting Lauren herself. Maeve can be a bitch when she's trying to make her point, but the truth of the matter is that she does have a point.

Maeve drops her off and volunteers to help her everything in, but Kaylie declines. Maeve leaves soon after and Kaylie drops off the bags in the kitchen before she heads to the stairs to get her things together for their sleepover. Right before she walks into her room, Kaylie hears a loud, familiar laugh coming from down the hall. It sounds like Faith Giancana.

"Wow," AJ says. "I hear stories from girls we work with, but yours…"

"Thank you?" Faith says. "I mean, thank you. I'm sure you've helped a lot of girls who've gone through worse than I did. Like I said, I had my friends and my dad. I didn't tell you so you'd feel sorry for me. I just want you to know why I'm so grateful that there are people dedicated to helping girls like me. I'd love to lend a hand and do what I can to show my support."

"Well, Faith Giancana, welcome to the Amelia Grace Foundation."

AJ and Faith? How did Faith even find out about AGF? Kaylie carefully makes her way down the hall for a glimpse, some visual validation that this is actually happening. From the sounds of it, AJ just got recruited for the cult of Faith Giancana. Kaylie turns the corner just as AJ and Faith turn the corner and they nearly run into each other.

"Hey, Kay," AJ greets his sister. "Why do you look so flustered?"

"I do? Oh. I was just… Faith, hi."

"Hey, Kaylie Cruz." Faith puts on a big smile that has to be rehearsed to look so happy. "Wow, what a coincidence! Maybe the universe is trying to tell us something, huh?"

That maybe all the people in Kaylie's life are destined to fall for Faith Giancana?

AJ nods between them. "You two know each other?"

"She's only dating my best friend." Faith's voice rises with enthusiasm and Kaylie can't tell if she's being genuine or mocking her. "She's also best friends with my best friend."

Faith makes it all sound so simple when their situation is far from it.

"I guess an introduction isn't necessary," AJ says. "Kaylie, Faith just jumped on the AGF ship. She's helping plan and coordinate the debutante ball, which, thank God. Between me and the country club ladies, we could use some young blood."

"That I am, and excited to be apart of it," Faith reports. "I wander around CU Denver sometimes and on one of the bulletin boards I saw an AGF fliers. I called the number and here I am, ready to do whatever I can to help."

AJ's phone starts to ring and he excuses himself, says it might be a long call and one he can't ignore (most likely Shauna). Faith assures him that she can show herself out. They shake hands to make the alliance official before AJ disappears back into the office.

"So Kaylie, hi," Faith says. She anxiously sways from side to side and doesn't know what to do with her hands, twisting her fingers together. She starts walking back down the hall to the stairs and Kaylie goes with her. "How've you been?"

"Good."

The awkward silence settles all around them. There is obviously a lot to talk about, but nothing either of them is willing to bring up.

Faith suddenly gasps, peeking beyond Kaylie's door. "Let me guess. This one is your room, isn't it? I figured with all the pink. I recently got into interior decorating. One of many new things I'm trying out post-gymnastics. You have no idea how many hours I kill on Tumblr, just looking at pics of walls and nooks and things like that—Holy! You have furry pink pillows!"

Kaylie watches Faith spin around her bedroom and inspect it like Julie Andrews in Sound of Music meets an old episode of MTV's Room Raiders. The auburn-haired girl picks up one of the furry pink pillows and hugs it to her chest. "Your room is cute," Faith says, sitting on the edge of Kaylie's bed. "Like, Barbie meets Bella Swan."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Oh yeah, totally," Faith says, though Kaylie feels like she's just being nice. "It's not what I'd do with my room, personally speaking, but Imma do me and you do you, y'know?"

"Yeah, I actually walked into your room once. Your room at Nicky's house." Kaylie still finds it weird that Faith has an entire room, but then again, they are little rich kids on top of having no siblings and Faith does practically live with him. "With the Polaroids. It's cute."

"Thanks! Did you see my fish? But, anyways, wow, I let this go off on a tangent. Um, this little detour was kinda less about checking out your awesome room that really is awesome, I mean it, and more about a little birdie telling me that my friendship with Nicky makes you kinda uncomfortable and I don't want things to be like that."

Kaylie's eyes widen. She could strangle this so-called birdie.

"I, uh…um, what?"

Faith smiles and it's like a light in a dark room. "It's cool. If there were two hot, totally not normal girls hanging around my boyfriend I'd be uncomfortable too. It'd be weird if you were comfortable with it. I just want you to know that, yeah, I love your boyfriend, but I assure you I don't wanna bang him. Is 'bang' still relevant slang? I've been out of the country."

"Sure?" Kaylie moves to sit down beside Faith, needing to sit, assuming this is going to be a long speech. From what she knows of Faith, it will be.

"Anyways, yeah, I love him and I don't know when 'love' and 'urge to bang' became interchangeable, but I think that's just silly. Who says the person you want to bang is the only one you get to love? Well, they're wrong and I get that the world is obsessed with sex and all, but acting like you're going to die if you don't get some is just plain ridiculous. Not that I'm saying you are one of those people, just people in general. Am I making any sense here?"

"Sort of…?"

"I mean, yeah, depending on who you do it with it has the power to make or break you, but it isn't the only thing that's important here," Faith continues. "The people you'd die for." Faith laughs a little. "Or get tattoos that friggin' hurt for. That's important. Who would you fly cross-country for just to make sure that person's okay? I'd do it all for Nicky. I love him, but it doesn't mean I want to see what's under the horrible polyester uniform pants he irons."

Kaylie smiles. She feels the cult calling to her.

"And what about Kelly? Does she love him or want to bang him or…both?" Kaylie asks, pushing through the fear. She reads the change in Faith's features, the way she clutches the furry pink pillow a little tighter and her blue eyes widen significantly. None are good signs.

"I, um, well…" Faith struggles, but Kaylie holds her gaze, begging not to be lied to. "I know the answer I want to think and what you want to hear, but, truthfully, only Kelly can answer that. She's my best friend, but sometimes I don't even know. It might sound like a copout, but that's what I think. Double honest, I don't even know if Kelly knows. What I do know is you're the first girl I've ever seen Nicky risk his comfort zone for and I think that means something."

As much as she wants to hate her, Kaylie can't. Faith Giancana has honesty and fear and hope seeping out of her pores and Kaylie can't hate that.

"Thanks. I appreciate it," Kaylie says. "One more thing. Who exactly was this birdie?"

"And that I cannot answer for my own safety. Faith-friend confidentiality." Faith winks. "Anyways, I know I talk a lot and sometimes I lose myself, but main point: you don't have to worry. You're Nicky's girlfriend. We're friends. We all know where we stand now. Cool, right?"

Kaylie nods. "Cool."

"Good!" Faith puts the furry pillow back where she found it. "And now we can all be happy. I was trying to explain to Payson that I think it's a good thing it took so long. That means we didn't run back to each other just because we were lonely, but because we were finally ready."

"That's kind of nice. I like that."

"Me too." Faith starting for the door, but then spins back around with a cheeky grin. "And now that we've got our friendship mess all sorted, you and Nicky can go back to being all carefree lovey coupley. Happy early anniversary, by the way! Here's to hoping for no more awkwardness during intimate moments."

Kaylie freezes. When the awkward silence creeps back in, Faith takes notice.

"Nicky told you about that?" Kaylie asks. "Which time did he tell you about?"

"Um, all of them?" Faith says slowly. "But not in much detail or anything!" Faith's voice goes squeaky, filled with hope that Kaylie will let it slide. Kaylie's face says otherwise. "Quick question, so what if he told me? I bet you told Payson and Lauren and Emily too."

"Yeah, but I'm a girl. I'm supposed to go home and tell my girl friends about that awkward moment. He's a guy with hot, totally not normal friends."

"Kaylie Cruz, do you really want to get me started on gender bias and stereotypes?" Faith asks. Kaylie isn't looking so friendly anymore. She almost fell for it, that Faith Giancana charm, but no. Kaylie refuses. "Well, I should probably go…"

"I think you should," Kaylie agrees. "Unless you want to share about the girl he supposed hooked up with on a trampoline."

Kaylie wants to let go of that one, but she can't. One thing Kaylie likes about Faith is how she completely lacks control. With the way her eyes widen and her lips curve into an o-shape, Faith had no prior knowledge of that particular intimate moment.

"On a trampoline? That is such a former gymnast's fetish cliché. I've never heard that one from Nix. What a little slut." Faith laughs nervously. "Now that we've both heard more than we ever wanted to know, I'll just show myself out like I should have five minutes ago. It was nice seeing you, Kaylie."

Once she walks out, Kaylie flops back on her bed, doesn't even walk Faith to the door. She doesn't understand why everyone wants to orbit Faith Giancana like she's the sun. Kaylie finds the New Yorker exhausting to be around. It has to get annoying. She doesn't get it. It's a point she brings up with her friends at the sleepover, but it seems Emily and Lauren are just as swayed by Faith Giancana as Nicky and Payson despite not knowing her as well.

When Nicky calls her to say goodnight, he makes it known that Faith told him about what happened. Not that Kaylie should be surprised. Then Nicky goes on to make excuses for her, saying she just has a Faith way of doing things. That isn't surprising either. Instead of starting an argument, Kaylie wishes him luck on his exam tomorrow and says goodnight. She stays in the kitchen for another minute, taking the time to collect herself.

"Hey, Kay." Lauren walks in. "What's the boyfriend up to?"

"Studying. Not that he needs it. Sometimes I think he actually enjoys it." Kaylie laughs, seeing the face Lauren makes as she yanks on the door of the refrigerator. "Hey, Lauren, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about…"

"Now that you mention it, walking in here was less about this," Lauren lifts the water in her hand, "and there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about too." Kaylie's gut tightens and she stays silent, letting Lauren go on. "Last weekend, I went to lunch with your brother."

Kaylie's brows curve. "What?"

"I figured he wouldn't say anything to you," Lauren says. "It wasn't like a date or anything. If it were he probably wouldn't have brought his daughter. It was more about AJ wanting me on board for the stupid debutant ball thing."

Kaylie inwardly cringes. Of all the things, AJ had to pick that as his philanthropy?

"And you're telling me because…?"

"I thought Kaylie Cruz demands honesty. The last thing I'd want is some nosy bitch taking pictures of AJ and me, God forbid, having lunch together and sending them to you. We played that game remember? And I wasn't honest with you then, but I want to be now."

"So, how'd it go?"

"AJ messes with my head. That isn't ever going to change. It's also why I've been less focused on him and more preoccupied with Razor." Kaylie lifts her dark brows and it feels so long since they've even talked about Lauren's guy problems. Nicky is always the main attraction. "He's a big comic book-reading dork with an unlimited closet of band and superhero tees…but I like him. He doesn't play games with me, which is new, and he's real…but he isn't here."

"And AJ is," Kaylie adds. "AJ, Razor and you. Hmm."

"Screwy, isn't it? I don't know why I even have it in my head that I'm supposed to pick when I can't have either of them. Not really. AJ has a family and responsibilities and a life that I don't fit into. And, again, Razor isn't here. And I'm not made to do the long distance thing."

"You sound so paranoid." Kaylie finds it just a little cute. "Is that what being single is? I can't even remember."

"At least Nicky Russo is yours," Lauren says. "Me, on the other hand, how do you lose something that isn't yours in the first place?"

"Screwy works. Nice word choice."

"I doubt the grammar snobs in the other room would agree." Lauren rolls her eyes. "Anyways, yes. I had lunch with your brother and your niece who's adorable, but nothing happened that A could blackmail me with. That's about it. You had something you wanted to talk about?"

"Forget it," Kaylie says. "I'm sure you'll work things out with Razor and AJ. If either one of them is serious about wanting to be with you then he'll make room in his life for you, just like you'd do for him. And if it's AJ, I can't promise I'll be any good at hiding how gross I think that is, but I'd be happy for you. I'm actually really happy we're talking it out."

"Lauren!" Emily shouts from the next room. "I caught Henley watching Titanic on her laptop! And it isn't even the movie! It's a documentary on the actual Titanic!"

"Nu-uh, E.T!" Lauren shouts. "You're only allowed to watch twenty-something-year-olds pretending to be teenagers and bitching over dating each other! House rules, Henley!"

Although Kaylie thought to bring up Max, she decided against it for tonight. Why spoil the moment, especially a moment where Lauren is being so open? It's a rare moment, Kaylie knows, and she's going to hold onto it even if it only lasts the night.

Payson knows how lucky she is to have the support system she does. The girls sacrifice their sleep in the middle of the week for a traditional sendoff sleepover and they do it again, showing up at the airport to see her off. Payson loves her friends. The one thing she could do without is all the tension. Kaylie, Lauren and Emily stand near Payson while a little ways off is Nicky and Faith with Kelly and even further away Austin and Conrad say their goodbye. God forbid they can all stand together as one big group.

"You guys didn't have to wake up early just to see me off," Payson says.

Emily slides her long arm around the gymnast. "Of course we did, Pay! It's tradition."

"No biggie." Lauren has her dinosaur camera out and snaps a surprise photo of Payson. "Anything for you, Super Girl. Just don't forget the little people when you're wearing gold."

The girls turn to Kaylie for her contribution as is tradition, but the dark-haired girl is distracted for obvious reasons. Her eyes are a little ways down the parking structure. Nicky's back is to them with Faith and Kelly standing in front of him, effectively holding his attention.

Payson touches Kaylie's shoulder, hoping to pull her out of her jumbled thoughts. "Did you know he was going to be here?"

"Nope." Kaylie shakes it away and smoothes her fingers through her loose hair, pushing strands behind her ear. "But this isn't about him. It's all you, Pay. You got this."

Kaylie holds her arms out and hugs Payson. Emily wraps her arms around the two of them and only pulls away long enough to tug on Lauren's arm to get her to join the group hug. They pull away just as Faith decides to defy the social segregation. She wiggles her way right between Payson and Emily, giving the group one of her winning smiles.

"Pace, you are gonna kill it!" Faith wraps her arms around the blonde with a little hop and Lauren takes the opportunity to capture the moment on film. "Some sage advice from yours truly. Push it to the limit. In it to win it, lovey."

Payson rolls her eyes. "Faith made us watch High School Musical once."

"What? It's not my fault it was streaming on Netflix! Be happy I didn't choose the Bieber doc instead." Faith grins even wider and sets her eyes on the tall girl to her other side. "Hey, Emily Kmetko. Your name continues to be one of the coolest I've ever heard. All of yours, actually."

"Thanks." Emily smiles back. "So what's currently on Faith Giancana's reading list?"

"Hmm. Currently, I'm reading Delusions of Gender." Emily makes a face because that doesn't sound like an epic, emotional adventure story. "Yeah, super informative, but not so fun. Um, what I've been meaning to start, but haven't yet…" Faith reaches into her purse and yanks out a paperback novel. Their Eyes Were Watching God. "It's a classic from Nicky's reading list. It's supposedly about male-female relations, love and loss, identity, empowerment."

Looking over her shoulder, Faith draws everyone's attention to Nicky and Kelly, who are standing a lot closer than they were when Faith was with them. "Hey, Nix!" Faith shouts, holding up the book. "Did you enjoy this?"

"Hated it!" Nicky shouts back. "I couldn't get over the vernacular."

"That means it's a lovely, lovely book," Faith says. "Don't forget, Nicky hates Gatsby, which is an atrocity. If we weren't family that'd be a deal breaker." Faith holds the book out to Emily. "Here. Read it and tell me if it's any good."

"Will do." Emily takes the book and smoothes her fingers over the cover.

"Cute boots. Almost as cute as your other ones," Lauren says, eyeing Faith's feet per usual. They're leather wrapped heels that cut off at the ankle, almost militaristic yet still feminine and completely adorable. "Italian leather too?"

"Possible? Don't know. I got them in New York, actually," Faith says. "Fluevog off of Mulberry. It's practically shoe heaven. If you're ever in the city, I def recommend it." Going down the line, Faith's gaze finally lands on the last of the group. "Kaylie, hi…again."

"Hi," Kaylie says. Her eyes keep going back to Nicky and Kelly.

When Faith catches on, she says, "Oh, Nicky's just giving her his version of a pep talk so like a pep talk, but lame." Just as Faith tries to sooth Kaylie's worries, Nicky leans forward and hugs Kelly. She hesitates, but when Nicky doesn't let go, she brings her hands high up on his back and returns the embrace. "So, Kaylie, I was telling Nicky and Kelly that, um, when our g's get back we should all hang out. Like, celebratory bowling or something."

"Ice skating," Payson suggests with excitement.

"Ice skating!" Faith shouts. "Yes! Both Nicky and Kel are really, really bad at it! Kelly's always afraid she's going to break something and Nicky always falls on his ass or clings to the side. It's like trying to give kittens a bath. It'll be great!"

"And why would we want to do that?" Lauren asks. Her sass and suspicion is so blunt that Emily elbows her in response. "What? We're all thinking it. After everything that happened, why do you want to awkwardly make nice?"

"Because she's my best friend's girlfriend?" Faith states the obvious. "And you're cool and we're cool so I just did some math and thought…?"

Payson can see how unsure Faith is, which is weird because Faith Giancana is rarely less than confident in herself. It seems the Four have an interesting effect on her. "Count me in," Payson tells Faith. "It sounds fun."

"Wait, so you're saying Kelly wants to hang out with me?" Kaylie asks.

"She's open to it," Faith says. Payson has known Faith Giancana and Kelly Parker long enough to know that isn't a complete lie, but it isn't quite the truth either. "Anyways, I need to go tell Mr. Kobalt that if he kisses any whorish Kobalt booty girls, there's going to be trouble." Faith gives her blonde friend a wink and hugs her again. "Nice seeing you all."

The Four echo the sentiment, chirping like birds at dawn, before Faith runs over to Austin and Conrad, hooking an arm around each of their necks and dragging them down to her height.

"Well, that wasn't awkward, no, not at all," Lauren says. "Can you imagine what hanging out is going to be like?"

"I think Faith is sweet," Emily says, thrusting the book into her tote bag.

"Apparently, Lo thinks so too." Kaylie sounds almost accusing and Payson doesn't like it, but doesn't comment on it either. "Italian leather? What was that?"

"We're both Italian, which means we're practically family, and you cannot deny the girl has good taste in clothes," Lauren lists. "Hmm, backpacking through Italy or shopping in NYC with Faith Giancana. Now doesn't that trump bowling and ice skating?"

"So I'm officially the only one who hasn't jointed the cult of Faith Giancana?" Kaylie shakes her head at her friends. "Nice, guys."

"We call it Faithism, actually." Austin Tucker, wearing his typical leather jacket and signature Kobalt sunglasses, walks over. He towers over them, even Emily, and smiles nervously. Unlike Kaylie, Payson almost never forces Austin to hang out with them.

"Faithism." Payson smiles at him, giving him reason to ease up just a little. "It even has it's own mandate and everything."

Austin smiles back at Payson, but when his eyes move around the group and to the other blonde, his expression darkens. He nods to Lauren. Is Kaylie still clueless about what I said in front of you? Lauren discretely nods back. Yes, Mr. Famous, my lips are sealed.

Not wanting to even recognize how easy she reads that silent conversation, Payson glances over and sees Faith and Conrad talking. There's something about those two when they're together. They almost immediately revert back to being five years old.

"What are Faith and your life partner planning now?" Payson asks.

"Knowing them, probably brainstorming ways to booby trap the lake house for when we get back," Austin replies. "That'd be my guess."

"Or planning an eating contests," Payson says. That's definitely a possibility with those two.

"Okay, kids, let's wrap it up!" Kim shouts after ending her phone call. "Payson, Kelly, Austin, say goodbye and let's go! Girls, have a good day at school. Faith, Conrad, be good."

"Always, Aunt Kim." Faith smiles as she goes over to hug the woman. They all share one final goodbye before Kim leads the gymnasts off to the ticketing office to check in, each dragging their luggage behind them. Conrad lunges out to hug Austin one last time and it makes Payson laugh when Kelly mutters, "such gays," under her breath.

Payson glances back at her friends and sees Nicky and Kaylie off to the side, talking quietly. She's curious, but gets ushered away by her mom before she can even mouth for one of the girls to text her and tell her what happens.

"Aren't we supposed to wait for Flex?" Payson asks. It still makes her shiver with disgust, remembering that conversation she had with him on Kelly's phone.

"We are not," Kim replies. "I got a call from his manager and she personally contacted me to inform me that Flex Jordan does not travel with 'normal folk' and will be finding his own mode of transportation to Florida via private jet. Payson, if your ego ever reaches the size of his…"

"Ass whooping," Kelly says. Kim gives her a warning of a look and Kelly beams in return.

"It's nice to see you so cheery, Kelly." Payson cannot pass up the opportunity to slip in a little teasing of her own. "Mom, did you notice Nicky Russo hugged Kelly and there weren't any threats of a restraining order and the world didn't end?"

Kim smiles just a little. "It just so happens that I did notice."

"And he totally sidelined his girlfriend in the process," Austin reminds them. Mood killer.

"I noticed that too," Kim says quietly. It isn't disappointment in her voice, just grim observation. She tells the three to stay together while she goes to find Sasha and make ticketing arrangements.

"That wasn't my fault." Kelly glares at Austin. "I didn't ask for it and it isn't like Kaylie was the one flying across the country. Whatever. I'm going bowling with her—bowling with friggin' Kaylie Cruz—which, as far as I'm concerned, is charity enough."

"We actually decided to ice skate," Payson interjects.

Kelly points a threatening finger at her friend. "Hell no. You ice skate? Keeler, as if we don't put our bodies through enough with gymnastics alone, you find enjoyment in strapping blades to your feet and trying not to fall on your ass on ice? That's masochistic is what that is."

Payson recognizes that Kelly has a point, but that doesn't make her any less amused. Plus, Payson is good at ice-skating. Always has been, even as a kid. With how nervous Kelly is at the mere idea, Faith couldn't have been exaggerating earlier.

"So what would you say are the odds of you and Jerk-Off getting together again?" Austin asks out of the blue. He really won't leave well enough alone. Payson gives him a weary look and Austin easily ignores it. It's that night all over again.

"No chance whatsoever. And don't call him that!" Kelly snaps. Austin isn't convinced, but it isn't like Kelly cares much for Austin's opinion. "I'm not a slut. I have this thing called self-control. It's what separates us from the animals, but it isn't like you'd know what that's like."

"But if he broke it off with his girl then you'd be sleeping with him by now, wouldn't you?" Austin accuses. Payson's eyes go wide and Kelly rolls hers, but neither reaction stops Austin. "So the whole you and Conrad thing, was that just so you'd have stories to swap with your boy? Something to compare and contrast to Kaylie Cruz."

"Out of line, Austin," Payson warns. "Not cool."

Being Kelly, she doesn't let anyone else fight her battles for her. "What is your deal, Tucker? You were practically begging me to do your boyfriend less than a week ago."

"That was before I knew you'd break his heart by running back to Jerk-Off!"

"I said stop calling him that!" Kelly shouts. Austin glares at her, disgusted. Conrad is obviously at the center of this argument, but, of course, Nicky Russo is Kelly's first priority. He's her first everything. "You don't even know what you're talking about. All Conrad and I ever had was awkward moments that never led anywhere real."

Austin scoffs. "Nothing is ever your fault is it?"

"Naturally," Kelly replies.

"Both of you need to cut it out." Payson is sick of them fighting and out in the public, where a few travelers start to take notice. She steps up between them, using the voice she learned from her mother when Payson and Becca bicker. Somehow Payson is always finds herself in the middle of people she cares about. "Austin, leave it alone."

His dark gaze moves from the brunette to the blonde. "And now you're standing up for her? Why is it when something goes wrong you always fight with me?"

"I'm not fighting with you!"

"It kind of feels like it."

"Austin—"

"Okay, both of you need to shut up. Your mom is coming back," Kelly hisses. Payson crosses her arms and turns away from Austin while he fixes his Kobalt sunglasses over his eyes.

It's quiet between them as Kim distributes tickets and Sasha greets the gymnasts with his standard nod. Sasha sacrificed a shave to make it to the airport on time, evident by the visible scruff on his cheeks. Kim herds them through the security checkpoint as a group and once they set up camp in front of their gate, the two girls sit together while Kim picks up a magazine and Sasha and Austin are both on their phones, pacing a little ways off.

"Free Wi-Fi. Score." Kelly crosses her legs beneath her and Payson watches as Kelly pulls up Words with Friends. Though she leans into Kelly, Payson's eyes dart between Sasha and Austin. "Keeler, check it out. I am so killing this loser."

HBIC KP: I'm totally kicking your ass.

Allechaoc: Your turn

HBIC KP: You suck.

HBIC KP: Wow, you suck.

HBIC KP: Did you really just play 'boy'? Quack. Suck on that triple word score.

Allechaoc: Fuck you.

Payson laughs. "And this is just some random stranger?"

"Most of them are. It's more fun that way." Kelly presses her finger to the screen and it brings her back to the master list of games. "I do know some. Namely Nick. 'Fish Nix.' What a dork. And Faith. 'Faith Palm." Then there's Austin's sister."

"How'd you start playing her?"

"I creamed Conrad. I needed a challenge and he set me up with her. She isn't horrible with words, which is surprising because Austin has the IQ of a potato." There's still some leftover aggression in her voice. "It's like playing Faith when she actually tries."

"Does Austin know?"

"If he does, I didn't tell him and I probably won't because he's an ass." Kelly stares off into space. "I didn't break Conrad's heart. How could I when it still belongs to his ex? We talked…sort of and laughed off whatever we tried to have. It all felt too forced. Conrad thinks Nick and I…never mind. Kaylie doesn't have to worry. I'm not trying to steal her boyfriend."

"I believe you. Better yet, I trust you." Payson doesn't go into how she's a little apprehensive, thinking that Nicky and Kelly gravitating back to each other is something they can't help.

After Kelly unlocks the screen and shuffles the virtual tiles, Payson tells her what word to play. Being Kelly, she just has to ignore the advice and make an entirely different word. Payson smiles to herself. Kelly Fucking Parker is definitely on her way to making a comeback.

"Is everything okay, Sasha?" Payson questions her coach the second he starts towards them.

"Great now that that insufferable phone call is done with. It was Marty," Sasha announces. He goes to sit in the row of seats across from the two gymnasts, facing them. Kelly pays him little attention, continuing to update her games while Payson shifts uncomfortable at the mention of her coach who bailed on her. "He told me to keep an especially close eye on you, Kelly."

Kelly turns up her eyes. "I'm not surprised."

"He emphasized how all the mini bottles of alcohol should be emptied from your hotel refrigerator upon arrival." Sasha gives Kelly a look that asks for an explanation.

Kelly shrugs, would rather not explain that one for obvious reasons. "Are you sure that little note was meant for me and not one of Marty's notes to self?"

Sasha rakes his fingers down the prickly hairs on his cheek. "Lord knows Walsh could use it."

"Marty has a drinking problem?" Payson asks, even if she didn't mean to aloud.

"Everyone self-medicates at one point in their life," Kelly says. "Marty prefers Jack no chaser."

Sasha yawns and combs his fingers through his hair. "Payson, I also got a call from MJ. She's wondering why you aren't answering your phone or returning her calls."

"My phone's turned off. We're flying?" Payson states the obvious. "I didn't think I'd need it."

"Well, you should call her. I don't usually make it a point to play middle man, especially when it concerns PR rubbish." Sasha crinkles his face. Anyone who's tracked his career outside of what goes down on the mat would know that Sasha Belov and the media never got along too well. "Something about how you should be using Jacksonville to start to strengthen your fanbase. The more fans we can get for the sport, the better."

"Speaking of fans. Mine need something to tweet about." Kelly leans into Payson and holds her phone out in front of them to take a picture. Sasha watches the two girls with a gentle smile.

Kelly thumbs out the tweet: Headed to Florida with #PaysonKeeler! Eyes peeled for Dexter.

Their 9 a.m. flight out of Denver should arrive in Dallas, TX by noon, where they have a slight layover and take a connecting flight to Jacksonville, FL. If all goes accordingly, they'll make it to Florida by 5 p.m. and that should give them some time to settle in before the American Cup social events begin.

When they're settled in their seats and Payson is right about to pop her earphones in and listen to the playlist Emily made for her, she hears Kelly complain, "Keeler, I can't sleep."

"Sucks for you because I can," Payson says, one ear bud in and her eyes ready to close.

Kelly noisily shifts from side to side, failing to find a comfortable position. She sighs loudly, gives up, and unlocks her iTouch, clicking the Pass and Play Words with Friends option. Kelly expertly moves her finger across the screen and plays her word before nudging Payson's shoulder. Payson knows Kelly isn't about to leave her alone and decides to play along. She looks at the yellow tiles, moves a few and hits play.

Kelly snorts. "On? Three points? Payson, that's pathetic. Almost as pathetic as Faith when she exchanges tiles every turn until she can make whatever dirty word she can."

"Faith would." Payson laughs. She shifts in her seat to face Kelly, observing the look of sheer determination on her face, arranging letters, trying to find the winning combination. Quietly, Payson asks, "How is she really?"

"What do you mean?"

"Faith. Sometimes it feels like there's something there that she doesn't want to deal with and so she throws herself into other things."

"You mean how she obsesses over Nicky and me, the baking and there's this new girl power movement she seems really excited about. And we can't forget how she left the country for three months, giving us nothing more to go off of than vague postcards. Does she ever talk about Europe with you?"

"Just the fun stuff."

"Yeah, me too." Kelly plays a word, evident by the sound of the signature jingle. "That's the great thing about Faith though. She'll let us know when she's ready. Soon enough she won't be able to shut up about it."

They play a few more rounds before Payson really needs to get at least some sleep and resigns. Kelly calls her a loser, but doesn't bug her any more. Payson closes her eyes and pushes away a mixture of anxiety and excitement that accompany the prospects of getting to compete in front of an audience so large it'd easily put her home gym over capacity.

Once they arrive in Jacksonville, they're shuffled from the airport to their hotel and have a little time to relax before having to deal with the press. Austin goes into Mr. Kobalt mode, as if Payson isn't already annoyed with him for what he pulled on Kelly at the airport. Seeing him pose shirtless with the infamous Kobalt Girls makes her sick with irritation. It doesn't take long for Kelly to volunteer to kick his ass in Payson's honor. After all, that's what friends are for.

Despite the show Austin puts on and how uneasy it makes her, Payson has to play up her Payson Keeler: America's Sweetheart image. She paints on her own smile and hates the entire thing. It could be worse. Kelly gets bombarded with questions about the rumors over her behavior, but Kelly handles it like a pro and has them all eating out of the palm of her hand. One reporter asks her about the cute boy from the photo she tweeted and with a mischievous smile, Kelly answers, "just a close, childhood friend."

By the time it's all over, Payson's starving. Her mom asks her where Kelly is and Payson goes to search for her roommate. When she turns a corner, Payson finds Kelly, but she isn't alone. Standing in front of her is that manager woman, Sheila Buboyan, and she looks almost as upset as Kelly does. They take turns lashing out at each other and it gets to the point where Payson thinks she should intervene before one or both of them turn to violence.

Before Payson can take another step, her phone rings. She immediately expects MJ, but sees Lauren's name on the screen.

"Hey, Lo, I'm right about to go to dinner—"

"Payson, we have a problem."

"What is it?"

"…"

Payson finds the silence unnerving. She hates it. "Lauren, what's wrong?"

"Kaylie knows. And I wish I could say it just slipped out, but that would be a lie…"

At this point, Payson doesn't know what to think. Right after she praised Lauren for how much she's changed and how much effort she's put into changing it all just goes to hell.

"Did you do it because you were angry?"

"Pay…"

"Answer the question, Lo! Did you tell Kaylie because you thought she had a right to know or because you got angry over something stupid, like you always do and tried to use Nicky and Kelly to hurt her?"

Lauren doesn't say anything. Payson doesn't wait for confirmation and ends the call.


Author's note: Hey! So, we got some mixed review for the last chapter. Some of you loved it, some of you hated it, but gave us good feedback and others of you, well, just plain hated it and the lack of KayAus. Um, yeah, awkward. Anyways, keep it coming! Whatever you have to say about the story (or your random thoughts, I guess), go for it.

Rose: Sorry to hear you aren't enjoying the story. We get what you're saying, but it being a dramatic angst overload is kinda the point. WeFaB is about teenagers and less concerned with finding resolutions in the conventional sense and more with exploring how relationships place limitations on individual behavior. Second, the technical gymnastics stuff isn't our aesthetic. If you're interested in that, some authors—JCI, Virgo Writer & flowerchild3286—do a fantastic job! I (B) have read their fics, picked their brains and would recommend them. Also, it's just fanfiction. It's just fun. Not like we're publishing this. If you do stop reading, that sucks, but it's cool. Check out the authors suggested and smile! Xoxo

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