"The One" – Part 72

Summary and additional notes in part 1.

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! Busy weekend, but I wanted to add the next chapter before heading out. Will get to replies when tonight :D

We'll find out what Beth says in this chapter….

This is not related to my Degrassi timeline fics. (See my Author's profile for details!)

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Degrassi!

-oOo-

Beth's status read, "I hope you're as happy as you're pretending." Underneath there was a link to the song 'Screaming Infidelities' by Dashboard Confessional.

"Real subtle!" Fiona griped under her breath.

She was angry. She didn't expect Beth to 'get over it' in just a month. After all they had dated for two years. However, she found this to be incredibly petty! Beth had to know about Gretchen's dinner party tonight and clearly this was a passive aggressive move to make it more uncomfortable since a number of their mutual friends would be there!

On Beth's wall she saw that their friend Pete had posted a comment. "Bollocks!"

Under that one another mutual friend named Nona had also responded. "Oh dear! If you need to talk just give me a call."

Fiona rolled her eyes before closing the browser. She wasn't amused by the pity party. First, the title of song Beth posted implied once again that Fiona cheated on her! Second, she really liked that song. She had listened to it hundreds of times and thought it captured heartbreak well. However, having that song posted in reference to her made her feel sick!

The lyrics ran through her head.

As for now, I'm gonna hear the saddest songs
and sit alone and wonder how you're making out
but as for me I wish that I was anywhere
with anyone, making out

She felt exceedingly guilty as she thought of what used to be her favorite verse in the song.

I'm missing your laugh. How did it break?
And when did your eyes begin to look fake?
I hope you're as happy as you are pretending
I'm cuddling close to blankets and sheets.
And I am alone in my defeat.
I wish I knew you were safely at home
I'm missing your bed, I never sleep.
Avoiding the spots where we'd have to speak.
And this bottle of beast is taking me home.

"Hey, you okay?" Hanna asked softly.

Fiona blinked. She hadn't noticed when her friend came over to her desk, but she was standing before her now. Fiona quickly glanced around. Everyone seemed absorbed in their work, trying to finish the last bit before leaving.

"Beth…" she trailed off.

Hanna sent her a sympathetic look before taking a seat on the edge of her desk. "What did she do now? Post more emo songs?" she guessed.

Fiona looked at her surprised.

Hanna softly laughed. "Don't be so shocked! I do go on FaceRange from time to time!"

Fiona chuckled. "Good to know!" she teased.

"Look," Hanna started as her face changed to a more serious expression. "The way you're feeling now is exactly how she wants you to feel. She's hurting, so she wants you to feel the same. Personally, I think there are more constructive ways to deal with a break up than whining and lashing out on FaceRange."

Hanna felt for Beth. It had to be hard to suddenly be dumped and see the person you love move on so quickly, but she felt it was time for Beth to woman up and move on! Fiona wasn't going to have a change of heart. Hanna knew her friend well and she could clearly see that Fiona was completely head over heels for Adam, and he felt the same way! Since there was no chance of working it out, in Hanna's view one could only beat a dead horse for so long!

Fiona looked at her. "I know. It's just that… I feel like an asshole," she whispered.

Hanna had a wry smile. "It was a fucked up situation, but you weren't an asshole about it. An asshole would have lied and cheated. You were honest to a fault! I think if you could have avoided breaking her heart, you would have."

Fiona gave her a small smile. It felt good that someone else saw her side.

-oOo-

Adam frowned as he checked the address on his phone. He looked up and read the restaurant sign again, then broke out into a triumphant smile.

"Booyah!" he exclaimed. He was in the right place! However, Fiona was running late. She was currently in a cab heading uptown, but there was traffic. He had taken the train a few stops down from his apartment. They had agreed to meet at the restaurant since it was located in Hell's Kitchen. It didn't make sense to go downtown to the Penthouse just to return north again!

He swept his eyes over the establishment and grinned. Room Service was a trendy Thai restaurant. It looked like a lively place and was already filled with people. He was hungry so he was looking forward to the food!

He walked closer, to stand off by the door. As he did a woman with medium length wavy black hair stepped outside. She was wearing a purple party dress and was reaching into her purse, presumably for cigarettes.

"Gretchen?" he called out.

She looked up startled. "Adam?" She smiled at him and they walked towards each other. She gave him a quick hug. "Where's Fiona?"

Adam grinned. "She's on her way."

Gretchen smirked. "Always fashionably late!"

"Of course!" he responded.

They shared a laugh.

She pulled out a cigarette and reached for her lighter.

"Allow me," he said. She handed it to him and he quickly did the honors.

"Such a gentlemen!" she remarked before taking a drag.

He shrugged and smiled. "So, when did you get here?" he inquired.

"About ten minutes ago. There's a bunch of us already inside, holding the table," she told him. She took another puff of her cigarette. "You should join us instead of waiting out here."

Adam considered her words. "I don't know, Fi should be here soon," he reasoned.

"And she'll find you inside," Gretchen countered with a grin.

"Hey, we ordered appetizers," a tall woman with a bohemian style of dress announced as she came near. She wore a long, flowy tiered skirt paired with a white tank top. She had dark brown eyes and wore her afro-textured hair loosely pulled back.

"Great. I'm almost done with my cigarette," Gretchen told her.

The other woman nodded and fixed her eyes on Adam. He looked back trying to place her. After a moment he realized he recognized her from FaceRange. Sunday night, while they were waiting for Gregory to return, Fiona showed him her friends who were slated to attend the dinner.

Gretchen looked between them and smiled. "Have you met Adam?" she asked her friend.

She shook her head and turned back to Adam. "Hi. I'm Nona."

They shook hands.

"Nice to meet you," Adam told her.

"Likewise," she told him, and quickly darted her eyes over to Gretchen.

Nona had known Fiona for a few years. The two had met during Fiona's first Fashion Week show as a designer. Nona was a make up artist and was hired to oversee the make up for the Coyne Roberts models. They became fast friends. The entire time she had known her, Fiona had dated women and even had a crush on her at one point, so this business with Adam seemed to come out of left field!

Nona knew Fiona was pansexual, but he wasn't anything like she was expecting. Adam was tall and classically handsome. With his strong jaw and muscular build, he reminded her of a jock. She didn't know what to make of him, because he seemed so different from anyone Fiona had been interested in or hung out with.

"I've heard lots of about you," she added.

Adam chuckled. "Good news, I hope!" he joked.

They all laughed.

Gretchen dropped her cigarette to the ground and crushed it. "Let's go inside, shall we?"

Nona grinned. "Yeah, let's."

.

tbc

A/N: Oy. Beth's piling on guilt, but it's good to see Hanna has Fiona's back! And hey, we're getting to the dinner ;-) Gretchen gave Adam a warm welcome, but we'll see about the rest of Fi's friends…

Review! You know you want to :D

In the next chapter… a ton of introductions!