N; Maybe one or two chapters of these kids in high school, also lets give WS a hand for all of the sweet 90's references throughout this thing. All hail the Urkel! anyways, read on and enjoy! next up! Tamsin and Lauren face down...and things happen and it gets cute fluffy angsty and there'll be whitney houston songs. We love reviews, they kind of feed our writer brains...don't let us starve!

Friday-

"Wow, Lauren, you have everything perfect. I really can't see any college admissions office denying you with this packet." Ms. Watson flipped through the binder I had spent all of my free time putting together. I wanted to get a jumpstart on admissions for next fall and it gave me an excuse to hide in the library all week instead of dusty abandoned classrooms.

I pushed up my glasses, smiling, "Thank you, Ms. Watson. I think adding my experience with the tutoring will help with my lack of social achievements."

She set the binder down gently, "I've noticed that you seem more at ease and the shouting in the hallway has lessened." She then picked up a stack of tests, "There has been a vast improvement in Callie's tests, Keith seems to be taking a devoted interest in actually learning things other than football plays."

Hearing Callie's name, my eyes shot to the clock on the wall, "Oh fudge." It was a half past six. The swim meet had started thirty minutes ago. I snatched the binder up, trying to shove it in my poor overstretched backpack, "I have to go, Ms. Watson, I'm late."

She gave me a worried look, "I thought the tutoring was on hold this week due to the swim meet?"

I nodded, desperately trying to jam the binder in with more force, "It is. Callie invited me to the event to watch and then meet her parents who want to thank me for helping her." I swallowed hard, slowly looking up at Ms. Watson, "I've never been to…um…a school event."

She smiled, standing up to help getting my giant backpack on my back, "You'll be fine Lauren, you might even have some fun." She laughed pleasantly, "It's nice to see your classmates interacting with you. They are starting to actually see the bright, funny girl you are."

I looked away from the teacher, nodding while I scrunched my face up, "Thank you." It came out soft, I hated that my teachers saw me for who I really was better than most in the world, and not because I wrote all of this year's curriculum for them. I pulled on my Xena t-shirt, it wasn't my favorite, but my grandma bought it for me, mistaking Xena for the X-files. At least it was just the logo and not a big picture on the front, I silently cursed my dad for forgetting to put the wash in the dryer, leaving me to digging out my unwanted Christmas gifts to wear. I peeked at the clock again, "I should go, I don't want Callie to think I skipped out on her."

Ms. Watson nodded and smiled, "Try to have some fun Lauren."

I nodded and rushed out of the room and headed towards the pool, where I could already hear the roar of a full crowd cheering on the Lady Marauder's. I let out a slow breath; maybe I would get lost in the crowd and could sneak in and out before Bo caught me and came through on her offer of pizza and whatever.

Clenching the straps of my backpack, my stomach spun at the memory of her coming to me earlier in the week and asking for help. There was something going on when she looked at me all frazzled about stoichiometry, I walked her through it in the beginning that day and she got the basics. But then the next day she came in early, telling me she skipped cheerleading practice for more help. And that's how it went the rest of the week.

Bo kept coming in and we would chat about this and that, she let it slipped she read the same fantasy novel series I had read a handful of times, and for whatever strange reason, Bo moved to stand closer to me at the desk. Looking at me with a look that I had seen Mulder give Scully a few times this last season. Of course I panicked and took a step back, only to trip over my own backpack and almost bash my head if it weren't for Bo catching me. Ugh, her hands were so warm that I stuttered out a thank you that probably sounded like the Tasmanian Devil from looney tunes. Bo was trying and I was afraid of why she was, her and I didn't fit in the world. We were on opposite ends.

Something happened that day and things grew weirder inside of me that I couldn't explain. I wanted to be around Bo all the time and when she would come in early while I was trying to prep my courage to deal with the crappy stares from Tamsin and stay strong, I would look at her the world would just slow down for a minute before Tamsin burst into the room hollering or doing obnoxious things.

Tamsin seriously scared me as much as Kevin Spacey did in Seven, but she was scarier and she had squinted at me yesterday when she saw Bo and I sitting very close together. I half expected her to threaten me afterwards but she didn't, she just watched me like a hawk in scary silence.

Tamsin had kept her mouth shut during the sessions and actually said thank you yesterday when she told me she got a solid C- on her chemistry quiz. Granted she whipped out the apology in a backhanded weird way, emphasizing my Nerdo nickname, but whatever. She was passing and soon she would be out of my hair, returning to beating up sophomores who may have glanced at Bo's butt as she walked by.

Needless to say, I would never understand the tall blonde.

I moved closer to the pool, hearing the cheerleaders squeak out a dumb swimming rhyme that made no sense and probably offended all of the great poets in their graves, wondering why they even bothered when their art would just be reduced to catchy swim chants. I shook my head, pushing open the side door next to a set of bleachers and looked up.

Dear Mulder almighty, the place was packed and I felt my anxiety overflow. I had never been around this many classmates in my life, only running past them all as I ran to class or away from Tamsin and Dyson.

This was going to suck harder than Easter at my Aunt Betty's.

I had made the split decision to spin around, bolt out the doors and run home to the safety of my room and Mulder and Scully. But Callie spotted me from the bench, standing up, waving and rushing over to me, "Lauren! Over here!"

I furrowed my brow, she just called me by my first name. Was I hearing things?

"Lauren!" Callie ran over, grabbing my elbow, "The meet is almost done for the swimmers, everyone should be moving to the diving boards for the rest." She grinned at me, shaking her head, "It's okay, I'm not going to do something mean, I want you to meet my parents and thank you." She tried catching my eyes when I turtled up chewing on my lips.

"I just….I've….no one's ever asked me to come to anything like this." I half smiled looking at the girl, "I'm Nerdo Lewis." I shrugged as if that was the answer to everything in my life.

Callie moved to stand next to me, "Yea, well, I'm one of many who's starting to see that you're a ton more than that. You're a lifesaver and amazing teacher." She yanked me forward, "Come on, it'll take a couple minutes and then I'll let you escape." She winked at me, grinning as she moved towards an older man and woman standing and smiling our way.

I sucked in a slow breath, trying to tell my nerves to settle down. It was working until I spun my head around and caught Bo sitting with the other cheerleaders, chatting. Then as if fate was bored and wanted to be a jerk, Bo looked up and made direct eye contact with me, waving and grinning that big Bo Dennis smile that had the fire truck parking right on my face and my stomach flutter up against my hear. I smiled tightly, throwing a half wave back before dropping my head down to look at the floor, half listening to Callie tell me something I barely heard.

All I could hear was how much Bo Dennis made my heart do that weird jumpy thing my grandma always told me she felt when she saw grandpa in his sailor outfit in Hawaii. They had been in love for almost fifty years, telling me that my crush was probably building into something morbid like a teenage love.

I rolled my eyes, I was fifteen, love was not in the scope of life goals of Lauren Lewis.

Bo stood up from the bench, making a move to walk over to me when Callie spoke, "Mom, Dad, this is Lauren. The amazing one who is going to make sure I end up on the honor roll this year."

I tore my eyes away from Bo, threw on my manners and greeted her parents. Finding a strange confidence I always had when I spoke to adults, I was able to speak with confidence and ease. Adults were easier to handle because they would actually listen to me and not look at me like a freak.

After a few minutes of explaining how Callie could easily get into Notre Dame next fall with her new grades and focus, I turned to see that the pool was almost empty. The crowd had moved to the diving boards, leaving the swim team and cheerleaders to collect their things. Bo had moved back to her friends at some point, probably afraid to interrupt me, but now she was looking back at me. Picking up her bag and making her way back over to me. Sucking all of my confidence out and replacing it with that icky feeling in my stomach, but good lord did she look awesome in that tight cheerleading outfit, making my obsession for boobs rear its ugly head and force my eyes to Bo's spectacular offerings.

Callie broke my boob trance, "Lauren, I have to head over with the rest of the team." Her parents had said goodbyes and thank yous and I missed it because my head was in the gutter.

I turned to look at her, praying to whatever and back that my face was a mild pink and she had not noticed I was boob ogling. "Okay. You're parents are really great." I smiled tightly, fixing my backpack, "I wasn't lying about you getting into Notre Dame. I can help you with that if you want."

Callie grinned, rushing me for a giant hug that caught me off guard. Grunting a bit, I stammered as she told me how thankful she was and that I was pretty great. I swallowed hard, placing my hands on her sides and attempting to hug her back. When she parted she looked over my shoulder, "Oh hey Bo!"

I whipped around to face Bo, my face doing it's usual when our eyes met.

"Hey Callie, Lauren." Bo's tone was less than friendly, "I was coming over to ask Lauren if she would like to go grab a slice." Her eyes darted between me and Callie, her eyes squinting.

Callie shrugged, "Cool." She then patted my shoulder, "See you Monday?"

I nodded, looking at the tops of my worn out Nike Air Jordans, murmuring out a yes. I kept my head down as Callie rushed off to meet up with her teammates. I slid my backpack off to try and readjust it, but it slipped from my hand when I heard Bo speak.

"So, you and Callie getting close? Or something?" Bo had that same weird sassy tone she did when her and Dyson bickered in the hallway.

I set my bag down on the floor, "Uh, she wanted me to say hi to her parents and stuff." Stuff? Really? My expansive brain lands on stuff, god what was Bo doing to me.

"Mhmm. She hugged you."

I looked up at Bo super confused, "Yeah? I mean you hugged me a few days ago when you passed your test." I swallowed hard, "I don't see the big deal?" The big deal was Bo was exhibiting classic signs of jealousy which made no sense to me because what was there about me that could invoke jealousy? Unless Bo had a thing for Callie?

Bo had her arms folded across her chest, a strange look on her face that softened the longer our eyes met. Finally she let her arms drop away, a slow smile building on her face, "I just, I guess I'm a little bored with this snooze fest sports event. So lame to have cheerleaders at a swim meet, you know?"

I nodded even though I had no clue what she was talking about. "I,uh…should go. I stopped by for a minute, I should go."

Bo grinned at me, "You're funny when you repeat yourself." She stepped closer to me, "What about that slice of pizza? My treat for all the work you've done saving my ass."

I let out a shaky breath, looking down at my backpack, searching for something to say that wouldn't come out like a fart of air with words mixed in. I deep down really wanted to go to get pizza with her but I was deathly afraid of what would happen if we were alone and outside the safe walls of school. I would actually have to talk to her or something. She made me feel warm and confident, and it was scary weird how she did that to me.

"BO! Yo Bo!" Dyson's voice bounced around the pool walls, making me seize up when I saw Dyson stroll in with Tamsin, Ted and Bev on his flanks.

"Fuuddggeeee." I murmured, panicking. Dyson would be all over me as soon as he noticed how close I was to Bo.

Bo on the other hand rolled her eyes, "Let me get rid of him and we can sneak out, I have more questions about biology and other stuff.\."

I nervously shoved my glasses up, the group was moving closer as Dyson locked eyes on me.

"Bo, why are you always talking to Nerdo?" He glared at me, "And why are you here Nerdo? Isn't there a science nerd convention going on somewhere with the other nerds?"

I dropped my head down, my stomach rolling when Ted moved around me, making me tense up and frightened. Tamsin's smirk faded away when she met my eyes, looking down at the floor embarrassed, what for, I didn't know. All I knew was I had to leave immediately.

"Shut up Dyson, you're annoying as hell. I was asking Nerd…Lauren a few homework questions." Bo looked at me with a soft look that told me it was going to be okay, but I didn't believe her. She turned back to her boyfriend, "Thanks for showing up after the fact, you dick. I told you what time to be here."

Bev chuckled, leaning on Dyson as he puffed out his chest, "Sorry Bo, we were at my house scoring some of my dad's beer stash for tomorrow." He motioned to me, "Get out of here Nerdo, and if I see you talking to my girl outside of class, well, just don't do it anymore." He grinned and flicked his hand towards Ted. "Give her a warning, Ted."

Before I could turn, Ted hopped out from behind me, my backpack in his hand high above his head. He ran to the edge of the pool, laughing like an idiot, shouting, "Time to learn your place Nerdo!

My eyes grew wide and I lunged towards him, my backpack contained my entire life. All of my college stuff, my classwork, my lesson plans and my favorite book my grandpa gave me last year. A book I carried as a safety blanket, one I had told Bo about two days ago and she went out and borrowed the same one from the library so we could talk about it.

I rushed towards him but was too late as he swung my backpack and launched it into the middle of the pool, papers flittering out of the side where I didn't close it all the way, floating down to the chlorine water. The splash sounded like an explosion when my backpack made impact and I screamed out a horrified no as I watched it sink to the bottom. Everything would be ruined, the originals for my college applications, everything, ruined and it broke what little strength I had.

I stopped at the edge of the pool, staring at the backpack and my life spread on the surface, the tears welling up as I was angry, heartbroken and frustrated at the fact I would never belong, no matter how many times Bo Dennis smiled at me and offered to take me for pizza, or how many times Callie called me by my name.

I choked out a sob, covering my face when I heard Tamsin shout at Ted, "You are one fucked up motherfucker Ted, a real psychotic piece of shit! She might be a nerd but didn't deserve this bullshit." She pointed at Dyson, "And you're worse, you just proved how little balls you have. Picking on someone so defenseless. Shit's just not funny anymore."

I looked up through teary eyes to spot Tamsin striding over to Ted who was still laughing like the Joker and pointing at me while Dyson and Bev laughed hysterically and Bo stood their shocked and horrified. I swallowed down more tears, turning to run out of the pool and forget everything when Tamsin grabbed my arms stopping me, "Wait a second nerd." She looked at me with her green eyes that looked a lot less scary and a lot more protective. She then took two long steps towards Ted and hauled off with a haymaker of a right hook, landing right on his nose breaking it on impact.

The cracking sound of his nose breaking almost made me vomit. Ted dropped to his knees hollering as he clutched at his bloody nose, crying at Tamsin, "Why did you do that? Dyson told me to do it?!"

Tamsin bent down to Ted, stripping off her leather jacket and shoes, "Yea well Dyson is a fucking spoiled asshole." She pointed at me, "I was all up for teasing and scaring the nerds, but this, this is stupid shit." She then looked at me, "I don't get you, Lewis, but all I know is you make sense out of algebra and it's gotten my parents off my ass." She turned back to Ted, pushing him over on to his side, "I'm might be a jerk, but I'm not a dickhead bully."

With a blink of an eye, Tamsin dove into the pool and swam right down to my backpack, scooping it up and swimming back to the edge to set it down.

I was still crying as Dyson and Bev helped Ted to his feet, glaring at me and Tamsin. Bo was still standing in the back frozen as to what to do. Bev hissed at Tamsin, "You'll pay for this you bitch!"

Tamsin laughed, chucking a handful of water on Bev, "I hope you come collecting, Bev, I'd love to punch you in the face too." She then turned to Dyson, "By the way Thornwood, fuck you and your group, I'm out." Tamsin then pushed away from the edge and dove back down to retrieve more of my things.

I sat on the edge, wiping away tears, trying to find a voice to speak. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Bo frown as Dyson grabbed her arm and told her to come with him, leave the nerds alone. Bo had so much struggle on her face, shrugging an apology before hesitantly going with her boyfriend. I turned back to my wet backpack, crying more as I realized the truth was still there in front of my face. Bo and I didn't fit in this world.

Tamsin popped back up from the water, slapping more papers on the edge, "I'll get everything I can, Lauren."

I raised my head up, it was the first time Tamsin ever sounded sincere saying my first name. I shook my head, reaching for my things with shaky hands, "It's okay, I can get it. Please just go, just leave me alone." My voice was distant, tears riddling every syllable.

Tamsin sighed, pushing up out of the pool to crouch next to me. "Look, I'm an insufferable asshole. My parents will tell you the same." She paused, reaching for my arm to get me to look at her, "But in the last week, you've shown me more care and consideration than any of them. My parents, my stupid ex-friends and the teachers finally look at me with hope." Tamsin cleared her throat, "I owe you, Lauren. More than I know how to say, so for the love of Scully, let me do this."

She smiled at me when I sniffled out an okay. Tamsin still scared me, but I was so upset that I could barely move. I was stuck letting the one person who scared me, help me. I was scared if I said no, she would break my nose.

With that she dove back in and collected every single piece in the pool and even helped me carry it outside to where my dad was waiting. Tamsin sucked in a breath as I waved to my dad to stay in the car, "I'm going to go, Lauren. I saw Bev talking to Mr. Carp, I think I'm about to be suspended." She stepped away from me, "It's a safe bet I won't be in the next few tutoring sessions."

She turned, taking a few steps away from me, before pausing and looking at me, "Lewis, grow some balls. All those dipshits are more afraid of you than you are of them." She winked at me before walking back inside in her soaked clothes, holding her dry leather jacket and shoes over her arm.

I swallowed hard, clutching my soaked backpack and sniffling as my dad ran up to me asking if I was okay.

xXxXxX

I was still stunned as Dyson and I walked back to his truck. Bev had taken Ted to the hospital after being stopped by Mr. Carp to find out what had happened to him. I couldn't believe Dyson had told Ted to do that and I can't believe Ted was that much of an asshole to do that to Lauren. Seeing the look on Lauren's face broke my heart. I should have stayed. I should have defended her. I should-I sighed. Should haves wouldn't change anything but I was going to fix what had happened. Starting with the root of the whole situation. I stopped walking and Dyson turned to look at me, "What's the matter babe?"

I gave him a pointed look and said, "We're breaking up."

He chuckled a little then walked closer to me, "Funny Bo. Now come on let's go back to my place and get drunk."

I took a step back and repeated myself, "No. We're breaking up Dyson. This isn't a joke."

Dyson let out an aggravated breath then said, "What did I do Bo?"

I scoffed then gawked at him for a second. He was unbelievable. If he saw nothing wrong with what he did to Lauren then he clearly had bigger issues. "How psychotic are you? Do you not see anything wrong with what you did to Lauren?"

"Oh my god are you kidding me right now Bo? She's a dork and she'll get over it. It was just a bunch of junk." Dyson argued and it further upset me because it showed how self-centered he really was.

I moved closer to him and retorted, "You're a fucking asshole and I refuse to be with someone who takes joy in messing with those who really haven't done anything to you."

Dyson got a grin on his face and said, "Well you didn't care all those times when we were picking on the little dork or when we knocked her books to the ground."

"People change Dyson." I countered before I said, "I didn't know her then but I know her now and I know that she is a genuine person who is sweet, caring, and is actually fun to be around." I glared at him, "Unlike you who's a self-centered asshole who has to overcompensate with flashy clothes and being the world's biggest douchebag."

Dyson was breathing heavily through his nose and he glowered, "Careful Bo it's starting to sound like you have a little crush on the nerd. "

I narrowed my eyes at him and said, "And so what if I do?"

He got a threatening look on his face as he said, "Then I guess I'll have to start a rumor about the two of you and how you're one big dyke."

I honestly didn't care considering I flirted with everyone but I wasn't going to let him do that to Lauren. Not after what he had done to her tonight. Luckily I had an ace up my sleeve, "And if you do that then I'll have to tell everyone that you're a big virgin."

A worried look came across his face. I almost smiled. Dyson was the school's varsity hotshot. Claiming that he had lost his virginity in the tenth grade had given him the position of top dog in the school but in reality he never had sex with anyone and got soft anytime we did try. I had started to wonder if he was gay. Dyson's eyes bore into mine as he warned, "If you walk away from me. I will make your life a living hell."

"Good thing I don't have to worry about that." I turned around and began to walk away from him.

He shouted, "Bo get back here. You're my girlfriend."

I shook my head then yelled over my shoulder, "I'm not your property Dyson nor am I your girlfriend." I continued to walk away from him. When I saw a group of girls from the squad getting into a car I ran over to them and asked if they could give me a ride home. On the ride to my house I thought about Dyson's threat and a part of me knew he would probably do it but I hoped he wouldn't for Lauren's sake. I let out a soft sigh as I looked out the window and watched the houses zoom by. Instead of making matters better for Lauren I might have made them worse for her.

I got home and once I was inside I made a beeline to my room. I closed the door and locked it then collapsed on my bed as I thought about everything but the only thing I could see was Lauren's face and the look of despair that was on it. I bit my bottom lip as a wave of sadness and guilt came over me. Lauren didn't deserve that. She didn't deserve half the shit everyone put her through. Lauren was a brilliant, witty, and adorable person who just lacked confidence in herself and needed someone to show her how amazing she really was. It was then I realized that I wanted to be that person. I sat up covered my face and groaned. Of course this would happen to me. I got up and walked over to my dresser then looked at myself in the mirror. I chuckled and said to myself, "Dyson was right about one thing." I took my hair out of its ridiculously high ponytail and sighed, "I might have a crush on Lauren."

This was surprising considering Lauren wasn't….well she wasn't much of a looker but that didn't really matter. I got up and began to strip out of my uniform so I could go take a shower then I put on my robe. I walked out of my room then made the short trip down the hallway to the bathroom. I thought about my feelings for Lauren and tried to figure out when I went from not really noticing her to…well I wasn't quite certain where I was at the moment. I just knew that I didn't want her to be bullied anymore and I wanted her to be happy. I also knew that every time I thought about Lauren's happiness that I got that weird indigestion feeling. It was the weirdest thing. I got in the shower and took a long relaxing shower. I did minimal thinking about Lauren. Or I tried to. I wasn't a complete success but I also wasn't a total failure.

As I was getting out the shower there was a knock on the bathroom door and I called out, "Yeah?"

My mom said through the door, "Dyson has been calling you."

I scowled as I put on my robe. Of course Dyson would be trying to grovel for my forgiveness. He wasn't going to get it. He was scum and I no longer wanted to be associated with scum. I tied my robe close then I opened the door and told my mom, "I don't want to talk to him."

My mom got an uneasy look on her face then she asked, "May I venture to ask why you don't want to talk to him?"

I rolled my eyes and I picked up my hairbrush and sighed, "It doesn't matter it's not like you care anyway."

She walked into the bathroom then took the brush from me and as she began to brush my hair my mom said, "I know your father and I are busy with the company but we're here for you Bo and if you want to talk I'm always ready to listen."

We were quiet for a moment and I flip-flopped on if I wanted to tell my mom about what happened tonight or not. Eventually I sighed and said, "We broke up."

My mom stopped brushing and said, "Oh Bo…."

"No mom it's nothing like that." I met her gaze in the mirror then looked down at the bathroom counter as I said, "I broke up with him. He-He wasn't the person I thought he was. I mean I knew he was a jerk but tonight he was an asshole. A complete asshole."

My mom chided in a gentle tone, "I know you're upset about the situation and I'll let the swear slip once but don't let it happen again."

"Sorry mom." I said as I glanced up to look at her in the mirror.

She resumed brushing my hair and she smiled at me, "It's not a problem. Now are you going to tell me why Dyson is an asshole or are you going to leave me hanging?"

I rolled my eyes. She was going to ruin the moment by trying to be cool. I took a deep breath and said, "He told Ted to do something really mean to another student and that was it. I couldn't take anymore. Lauren didn't deserve-"

"Lauren?" She asked interrupting me which was annoying. "Isn't that the young lady who's leading your tutoring session?"

I nodded and said, "Yeah she is."

My mom got a confused look on her face as she wondered, "Why would he do something mean to her? She sounds like a very smart girl."

I grimaced a little as I told her, "She's shy. Like wicked shy and she's a bit of a nerd. Okay she's a big nerd. Complete with the big glasses which is kind of funny because sometimes the slide down her nose and she pushes them back up like Steve Urkle does." Okay it wasn't funny. It was cute. Crap. I saw my mom's face in mirror and she looked puzzled about why I would mention something like that. I continued talking so she wouldn't start asking questions, "Anyway she's shy and a nerd and because Dyson is an insecure ass-" My mom glared at me, "Insecure jerk, he had Ted throw her stuff in the pool and it was just so horrible mom."

I avoided looking at her in the mirror because I'm certain she would have that look of disapproval on her face. The one that wonder why I didn't do anything to stop him. Then what would I say? Because I was too much of a chicken to do anything? Or because I was so surprised? It all sounded lame and if I really cared about Lauren I would have said something but I didn't. I was a bigger asshole than Dyson was. I took a deep breath and mumbled, "I'm going to bed mom. I've had a long night."

"What if Dyson calls?" She asked.

As I walked out the bathroom I said over my shoulder, "Tell him I don't want to talk to him and that he should leave me alone."

She said okay and I walked to my room. Once I had the door closed and in the safe confines of my room I let my guilt completely consume me. God this was all my fault. If I hadn't been around Lauren, Dyson would have left her alone and none what happened tonight would have happened. I changed into my PJs and I got in bed then turned off the lights. I felt like shit but I was certain it paled in comparison as to how Lauren was feeling tonight. Tears began to blur my vision as I stared out the window of my room. I don't know if I was crying over the situation or because of Lauren but either way I continued to cry until I fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning and my mood hadn't changed. In fact it seemed to have gotten worse. After I put on sweat pants and an oversized sweatshirt I went downstairs to the kitchen. My parents weren't home. It was Saturday so they spent the day schmoozing with clients. A day filled with mimosas and golf at breakfast and wine and yachting in the afternoon. It was so pretentious and I was glad they didn't force me to be involved. I got a bowl of waffle crisp then I went in the living room and watched Saturday morning cartoons while I ate and moped. Two hours later I was still in the living room but now I was lying on the couch with the hood of my sweatshirt covering my head and watching Clarissa Explains It All, when the doorbell rang. I groaned and I was tempted to ignore it but if it was one of my parent's clients then they would probably need to be directed to the country club.

I walked to the foyer and I opened the door only to find Dyson standing in front of it. As soon as I saw him I started to close the door but he stuck his foot out and prevented me from slamming the door in his face. "Bo let me talk to you."

"No we are done talking Dyson." I scowled then said, "Now get the hell off my property before I call the cops."

He scoffed and said, "You're not even going to let me redeem myself?

I let out a small snort and retorted, "You're beyond redemption. Now go."

Dyson glared at me then pointed at me as she threatened, "So be it but I'm going to do what I said I was going to do. Nobody dumps me and gets away with it."

I narrowed my eyes at him and said, "Well I just did. Now get the hell off my front porch." Then I shoved him back and quickly closed and locked the door. I rested back against it and closed my eyes. I keep making this situation worse and Monday at school was going to be hell for Lauren if I didn't do something. Then I had an idea. I went into the living room and I got the cordless phone. I started to dial the number but then I hesitated. I took a deep breath and finished dialing hoping I wasn't wrong. I put the handset to my ear and it rang a few times before a gravelly voice groaned, "What the hell man it's Saturday."

I took deep breath and said, "Tamsin its Bo."

"Duh. Dipshit. Caller ID already told me this." Tamsin mumbled into the phone and it sounded like she was about to fall asleep.

I would have annoyed her further but I was on mission. I bit the corner of my mouth then said, "Yesterday when you helped Lauren….did you mean to do it or were you just trying to make matters worse?"

I heard her let out an annoyed sigh then she said, "Yeah I guess I meant it. It was a shitty thing to do you know. She doesn't deserve that shit. Why? You want to pick on her some more because if so Bo I'm not joining in and I might kick your ass. Also I thought you were better than that."

I got a huge smile on my face. So I wasn't wrong about Tamsin wanting to make sure that Lauren wasn't picked on anymore. "No, no, no. Tamsin I don't want to pick on her I just-" I want you to protect her with everything you are because I'm too much of a chicken shit to do it myself. Also I might have a thing for her. I think. I shook my head and continued, "I broke up with Dyson and now he's going to do something shitty and I want to make sure…." I trailed off as I tried to find the right word and when I didn't I decided to go with the truth, "I want to make sure that she has someone one on her side."

Tamsin scoffed then commented, "Of course I'm going to be on that little nerd's side. She gotten me good grades and it'll piss Dyson off." She paused for a second then she asked, "Why aren't you doing it?"

I sighed and said, "I'm going to make things worse and I've already done enough." My mind flashed back to the look on Lauren's face and my heart ached. That was because of the guilt. Nothing else. "Make sure Lauren doesn't freak out about what she hears on Monday. Tell her it will all blow over okay?"

"What's going to happen Bo?"

I couldn't explain it to her because then it would probably raise questions that I really didn't have answers for so I just said, "Just tell me that you'll do that Tamsin?"

Even though we weren't face to face I could still see her rolling her eyes as she said, "Fine, fine. I'll protect your nerd."

My mind seized up. My nerd. Lauren wasn't my nerd. I was just caring for someone I had come to care about who also was painfully shy but it was starting to become more endearing-"She's not my nerd Tamsin."

Tamsin let out a short laugh then said, "Yeah. Okay Bo." She yawned then said, "I'll do what I can. I got suspended for three weeks. Standing up for the teacher's pet comes with some perks 'cause they could have kicked my ass out since I slashed that one teacher's tires." I rolled my eyes. Mr. Inachek had tried to humiliate Tamsin in class but that had backfired and she slashed three of his tires. It took some crafty lying to prevent her from getting expelled. "Okay Bo I'm going back to sleep. I'll protect your nerd."

"She's not my-" The call disconnected.

I scowled at the handset then placed it on the charger. I hoped I didn't regret this on Monday but as of right now Tamsin was my only option. Me sticking up for Lauren would lead to more complications and the poor girl didn't need that. My nerd. I scoffed then got up to go into the kitchen. She wasn't my nerd. And I didn't have a crush on her. I don't think. I groaned as I opened the refrigerator and thought about how interesting Monday would be. I hoped Lauren got out of it with minimal damage. I hoped.

XXXXXX

"You're going have to emerge into the daylight at some point." My mom poked the blankets I had rolled up into to hide from the world for the last eighteen or so hours since I got home from the swim meet.

"No I don't." I grumbled, mashing my face deeper into a pillow, wishing mom would leave me alone, leave me be with the TV playing reruns of Quantum Leap and to drown in the sea of embarrassment I still felt from last night. "I don't have to do anything."

My mom sighed heavily, "Lauren, you've been hiding since your dad brought you home last night, he only told me so much, he had a hard time deciphering your mumblings." She moved closer to me, "What happened?" She said it a tone that told me she already knew everything, she was an intelligence analyst for a reason.

I frowned, pulling a corner of the blanket down, "The cool kids happened. Ted that Neanderthal who hangs out with beard face Dyson, threw my backpack into the pool and ruined everything in it." I paused, my throat tightening up as I caught the sight of my ruined bag and the crinkled dried papers sticking out at haphazard angles sitting in the corner of my room. "I don't want to talk about it, and I'm not going to school on Monday." I said it with such conviction. I was done with school; I could spend the rest of the year hanging out in my bedroom and still graduate with a 4.0 GPA and be the class valedictorian a million times over.

"We both know that's not going to happen, you love school and you love the tutoring sessions you lead." She sighed, leaning back to press against my legs, "Mr. Carp called this morning, told us that girl Tamsin confessed to everything and told the truth. She's been suspended for three weeks and Ted will also face suspension for ruining your things." She glanced at me, "Lauren, it's going to be okay, I promise you."

I huffed, rolling over again, twisting my gangly body in all of my Star Wars sheets and blankets. "Still not going to school. You can't make me, Mr. Carp signed off on my early diploma last week. Technically I've already graduated high school."

The room grew quiet except for the strange beeps from the TV. "Lauren, you're better than all of them and missing school shows that boy he won. What about that one girl in your tutoring you are always talking about? Bo?"

I groaned, squeezing my eyes shut at the sound of her name. Bo. Bo the girl who turned her back on me and strutted away with her crap ass boyfriend while my dignity sunk to the bottom of the pool. Bo the girl who walked away and left me with my second worst enemy to suddenly come to my rescue when it should have been her, I wanted it to be her. "What about her." I mumbled reaching for the stuffed elephant my mom gave me when I was five. I needed to squish something to squish the weird feelings Bo always brought up in my body when I thought about her, looked at her and was near her.

"Isn't she your friend? You talk about her constantly and if I didn't know any better, you probably have a crush on the girl." I could hear the smile in her voice.

I ripped the blanket back, whipping my hair all around my face as I tried to stare at my mom, completely appalled by what she said. "What? No, I don't have a crush on her, I'm fifteen, I don't have crushes or have feelings for anyone. And she isn't my friend, she was a student. That's it. Nothing more, we barely speak to each other outside of schoolwork." I frowned, looking down at Princess Lea and her cinnamon bun hair.

My mom met my eyes, grinning, "You have a crush on her Lauren." She reached up to pat my cheeks, "You're a bright red and rambling. It's okay, your father and I don't care who you end up with, as long as you're happy. We learned a long time ago that the heart chooses who it wants and it's beyond anyone's control. I mean for Christ's sake, I fell in love with him when I was 17 and we've been married for almost twenty years."

I tilted my head down, burying my face in the Star Wars comforter, hating she was right. I maybe, might have a tiny crush on Bo, or maybe just her boobs. "I don't know…." I sighed, "I'm the nerd, and she's a cheerleader. It doesn't make sense let alone understanding why I feel what I do when she's around. Either way, nothing's ever going to come of it as long as she's got a boyfriend and I weigh 110 pounds soaking wet. I'm the bag of bones to her…." Bag of boobs, it almost slipped out but I caught it before I got myself into a super weirder place with my mom.

I honestly did not feel like having a heart to heart with my mom about hormones, burgeoning sexuality and that my heart beat faster whenever Bo Dennis was in the room. I just wanted to crawl back under the blankets and sleep away the ache swirling in my stomach and head. There was no way in the solar system would I ever feel anything more for Bo Dennis after what happened, I couldn't. I thought she was a friend, but friends don't walk away from friends. I shook my head, I was starting to get frustrated and didn't want to cry in front of my mom.

"That's the mystery of romance, Lauren. Unpredictable at best, but we will talk about that when you're ready and not trying to hide in a galaxy far, far, far away." My mom scooted to the edge of the bed, reaching for a large paper bag. "You're grandpa stopped by a couple of hours ago, dad called and told him what happened. He brought you something and told you to stop by when you're feeling better." She peeked into the bag, scrunching up her face, "And then there was a delivery man that dropped off the other thing inside. The return address is from the gated community over in the fancy part of town."

She set the bag next to my pillows before standing up, "Teenagers are stupid idiots, Lauren, you know that. You're father and I love you very much and just because some dipshit boy picked on you doesn't mean you have to stop living." She met my eyes, half smiling, "Plus I may have looked him up at work and fiddled with his learner's permit. The kid won't be legally driving a car until he's at least 35." She winked at me, patting my leg, "Mope for the rest of the day, get it out of your system and tomorrow, I'll sneak you into my office and show you the new satellite program we got from the Navy."

I half smiled, I loved going to work with my mom and helping her work out all the intelligence algorithms that she worked with. A few times I had been able to decipher them faster than she could. I nodded slowly, "Okay, but I'm still on the fence about school on Monday."

My mom grinned shaking her head, "I love you, kiddo."

"I love you too."

I chewed on my bottom lip as she left the room, leaving me with Sam and Al trying to fix past mistakes. It made me envious, I wanted to go back to the past a few times and change so much. Maybe in college I could create my own quantum leap accelerator and shove Ted in the pool. I rolled my eyes and groaned at my own epic level of nerdiness and reached for the bag my mom left.

The first thing I removed made my eyes well up, it was a brand new copy of my favorite book with a note stuck in the front cover, my grandpa's handwriting all over it.

"A book is a book, Lauren. What matters are the memories you keep around that book. One day you'll look back and laugh, knowing that you are far better than any of those silly children. And when you're their boss, fire them all.

Love you, Gramps."

I clutched the book to my chest, grinning as I wiped away the tears. It was my favorite book, but grandpa was right, it was the memories attached to that book that made it important, not the physical book itself.

Setting the book down on top of the large stack next to my bed, I dug in further, pausing when I felt the coarse fabric of canvas and wrapped my fingers around it to remove it from the bag.

It was a large, very expensive messenger bag that I had seen at the mall a handful of times, wishing and dreaming of having the allowance money saved up to get it. My poor backpack was unable to contain my schoolbooks and general life needs and often looked like it was going to burst at the seams and vomit everything on the floor.

I held the bag, running my fingers over the leather trim, wondering where it came from. Lifting up the front flap, an index card fell out. Flipping it over, I immediately recognized Tamsin's oddly bubbly handwriting from the pop quizzed I handed out this past week.

"Don't say it; you don't have to thank me. I felt bad, feel bad and shit and after seeing your bag. Well, you needed a new one. Use this one, maybe it'll help that hunchback you're developing from carry the entire damn library on your back.

See you in a month.

T."

I read the card three times before I set it back on the messenger back.

Tamsin sent me the bag. A bag that was a hundred dollar bag.

Tamsin the big scary blonde with the scary green eyes that made my stomach hurt when she looked my way.

Tamsin who I watched shatter Ted's nose like it was nothing.

Tamsin who jumped into the pool, grabbed every scrap of paper from the water and helped me smooth each page out before trying to put them back in my old backpack.

Tamsin did something nice for me, technically two nice things. Even though I would never admit that watching her crack Ted in the face was possibly the most amazingly gratifying thing I'd ever witnessed in my fifteen years of life.

I sat in silence for a long period of time, wondering if fate was screwing with me. My emotions were definitely screwy, I had a crush on a cheerleader I kind of hated right now and now I was being shown immense kindness from a girl who was a frightening blonde giant. What the heck was going on? Was I in a coma and living out an episode of X-files? Or was this the trials and tribulations normal teenagers went through? The constant up and down and not understanding a dang thing.

As the end credits of the show rolled across my TV, I picked up the small signature sheet from the bottom of the bag, reading the address that was as my mom said, over in the fancy part of town in a gated community that held houses that cost more than major basketball teams.

I blew out a breath, hating that my good nature and overwhelming need to do the right thing always drove me harder than my raw emotions, and got out of bed. I knew Tamsin was extremely behind in her classes and this three week long suspension would set her back to the point of not graduating this year. I couldn't let that happen, she had done something no one else really ever did for me. She stood up for me, she did something nice for me and the more I thought about it, the more I knew Tamsin would be the one person who could help me grow those balls she suggested I get.

I sighed hard, she had done the one thing I might have wanted Bo to do, but…but, but, but.

I shook my head, shuffling into the bathroom, I started the shower while I searched out a clean pair of jeans and a t-shirt from the neatly folded stack in my closet. I would take mom's advice, emerge into the daylight and be the bigger and better person, Tamsin would be the start.

The least I could do was tutor her, keep her current and make sure she graduated. Not even Mr. Carp would debate that, I knew he wanted the blonde out of his school for the basic reason she scared the shit out of him too.