N:Here is chapter 4! things will get crazy and nacho cheesy in the next chapter! also if you haven't already, i published Redmeptio Animae in a original format under my full pen name of Sydney Gibson. So if you're feeling saucy and want to support me and inspire future ff authors who i know are soon to branch out, head on over to amazon and look up RA and download it. There will be hard copies available soon, so if you're interested, message me! or message Ws, or message someone or just read this mess and leave us a review! BECAUSE WE LOVE REVIEWS.

Sunday-

I glided my bike through the winding hills of the giant gated community on the other side of the neighborhood. I wished I had asked my mom or my dad to drive me around the ninth mile of biking, but I wanted to keep what I was doing secret in case it blew up in my face.

Finding a hole in the bushes, I shoved my bike and my equally as thin frame through, popping out the other side like I was shot out of a slingshot. Dusting off leaves and sticks, I looked at the crumpled piece of paper with Tamsin's address on it.

I had no idea why I was doing this, she scared me regardless of what she did for me, she was seriously scary. Jamming the paper back in my pocket, I rolled my eyes, stupid morals and kind heart. All my parents fault for raising me right. I hopped on the bike and rode down to the back half of the subdivision where the address had Tamsin living.

Rounding one last corner I came upon the largest house I had ever seen in person, it was literally the size of a castle and almost looked like one with the large pillars on the front porch and the top turrets at each corner of the house. "Fudging wow." I murmured as the bike cruised down the small hill and up into the cobblestone driveway.

I had a vague idea that Tamsin came from money. The teachers often whispered about how her father was a software engineering genius and yet his daughter was nothing but a brash heathen. A brash heathen that came from a family who probably had more money than the entire country. I wanted to look up her father, but every time I went to the library to use the computers, that weird kid who always wore black was on the only computer, looking up role playing sites. Sad thing was, that kid had more friends than I did and he was trillion times weirder than me.

I parked my bike next to the garage door and adjusted the brand new messenger bag around my back. The new bag was a life saver and it held everything I needed with more room to grow. That and it allowed me to stand up straight for once in my life. Sucking in a slow breath, I yanked on my UFO sweatshirt and took shaky the steps up the fancy porch steps that led to a giant intricately carved wooden door.

I stared at the giant door for a good solid two minutes, debating whether or not if this was a smart thing to do. I closed my eyes as my hand moved to the doorbell, cringing as I pushed it and heard the loud, low tones of the doorbell ring through the home. I whispered out a fudge when I heard Tamsin holler that she was coming and to stop pounding on the fucking door.

I should run, I really should.

Run and hide around the corner before I jumped back on my bike and rode like the wind.

I took one step, looking towards my escape vehicle when the heavy front door whipped open.

"Explain who you are and why the hell you're on my front porch." Tamsin's voice was scary as ever, she covered her face to block out the early afternoon sun blasting her in the eyes.

I spun my head around, wide eyed and panicking. Then I couldn't help the smile that curled around my mouth when I saw what Tamsin was wearing. It was the same X-files shirt I had, but saved for special days because it was an expensive one. A full color picture of Mulder and Scully with an embroidered logo on the right side. I couldn't help but point, my nerd brain taking over for my sensible one, still telling me to run away, "I like your shirt."

Tamsin glared at me, moving her hand to look at me. When she saw it was me, her scary green eyes grew wide, her hands scrambling to pull the zip up hoody she had on, to cover up what I saw. "Lewis, what the hell are you doing here? How did you get my address?" She scowled, zipping up the sweatshirt as her cheeks turned a bright pink.

"The…uh…delivery man left the signature sheet in your package, with the sender's address." I looked down at the tips of my sneakers, shuffling nervously, "Thank you, Tamsin, for the bag and for Friday night."

Tamsin huffed, rolling her eyes, "You read the note. You don't need to be here." She grabbed the door, moving to close it, "Okay, goodbye now."

I flung my hand out, pressing on the door to stop it from closing, "Wait, can you give me five minutes?" I nodded to her covered up shirt, "I didn't know you liked the X-files."

Tamsin's cheeks turned pinker, "I don't, the maid hasn't done the laundry yet. It's her day off." She let go of the door, "Five minutes, Lewis. I have shit to do."

I raised my eyebrows, "Okay." I shifted the bag around to dig in it, "This bag is amazing, by the way. Fits everything I need on a daily basis." I removed the large notebook I had kept in my drawer at home after Mr. Aberdeen gave it back when he transferred my notes to his. "I know you've been suspended, so I'm politely offering to tutor you outside of school. I have the entire year's coursework in this notebook, I can keep you up to date and when you go back, you won't be behind."

Tamsin's jaw clenched as she stared at me then the bag, "I'm glad the bag works. The douche at the store said most college kids buy it and that it should last you through college." She sighed, looking at her folded arms, "My dad flipped the shit out when Mr. Carp called him, told me I needed to graduate or else."

I peered around Tamsin, trying to look in the house, "Is your dad here? I can talk to him, tell him that if we work together, I can get you to graduation with at least a B- average."

Tamsin chuckled, "He's in Hong Kong and won't be back until next month, then it's off to Seattle for who knows." She shrugged, "I can give you his number, but you'll just talk to his secretary."

"Oh. Um. Well, okay." I tugged on the bag strap, "Then I guess it's up to you." I met her green eyes that were less scary and a bit sadder.

Tamsin rolled her eyes, stepping back, "Come in then." She looked at me as I entered the massive granite and marble foyer, "I'm not doing any homework today, but maybe you can leave me something to do tomorrow or Tuesday when I run out of Fresh Prince reruns."

I nodded, looking up at the huge ceilings and the sheer size of the house, "Your house is nice."

Tamsin kicked the door closed, "It's not mine. I just live here until I turn eighteen, then it's off to Vassar or Sarah Lawrence to learn how to be a lady." She growled out the last half, "If I don't graduate, I'm cut off and will be sent to my Aunt's potato farm in Idaho."

I half smirked at the image of Tamsin covered in dirt, scowling at potatoes. "I can get you to graduation, it's the least I can do, Tamsin."

Tamsin waved to the staircase, "My room is up there." She rolled her eyes when I gave her a look, "My room is attached to the study I sometimes do homework in. There's a desk and shit." She then winked at me, "I have no funny business in mind, someone has called dibs on you."

I scrunched my face, "Dibs?" I had no clue what she was saying, "I don't know anyone, you're the first person I've talked to for more than five minutes and not in a school setting."

Tamsin chuckled, shaking her head, "Never mind."

We reached the top of the stairs where another giant wooden door was open, revealing a bedroom that was bigger than half of my house. "Wow." I scanned the room, grinning when I caught the big TV with Mulder's face in mid look on a paused VHS tape.

Tamsin moved behind me, "Make this quick, I have a nap planned and a pizza to order." She bypassed the TV, walking to the small study off to the side. I held my grin, opting to test a theory.

"So do you think Scully's cancer was a plot to get Mulder to buy in with Cigarette smoking man? And help him find his son Spender?"

Tamsin spun her head around, her eyes lighting up the same way mine did when I indulged in x-files talk, "Uh yeah, it's clear as fricking day that CSM is all about trying to rope Mulder into getting Spender to love his long lost daddy. But I still think the Syndicate is responsible, that whole black oil shit and Scully's implant from when Duane Barry abducted her." Tamsin suddenly paused her nerd rambling, glaring at me, "You are a shit, Lewis."

I laughed, shaking my head, "No, I just know that t-shirt you are wearing is a fan club exclusive. I should know, I have the same one at home and spent my birthday money on joining it." I shrugged, "Your secrets safe with me, I do owe you a few things."

Tamsin squinted at me, "I would tell you not to tell anyone, but I think we are both alone on nerd outcast island." She rubbed her forehead, "I love the X-files but everyone else is watching the stupid shit on TV that's stupid, and I think if I ranted on, one no one would understand what the hell I was saying or understand how big of a babe Mulder is." She looked at me harder, "If you can keep my secret, I will let you borrow the promo copy of the movie my dad got last week."

My heart and my eyes lit up with utter excitement, "Yes, yes I can. Yes to everything." Oh my god, the scary blonde was a big nerd like me and had the movie that I had the release date circled on my calendar like it was a wedding anniversary or a birthday.

The blonde laughed at my eagerness, "Such a nerd, Lewis." She waved me over, "Let's get this shit done."

I followed her into the study, setting my bag down I desperately wanted to ask the question I had since Friday night, "Tamsin, why did you do it? Help me?"

The blonde had flopped down in the leather chair facing a wooden desk I'd give my arms for, "Ted is a dick head. Dyson is pussy piece of crap and honestly, you don't deserve anything those turds dish out. You're something unique, I don't think I'll ever understand you. But you care, like I said. When you're in the classroom, you become something better and put all of us popular kids to shame in how you treat us all equal and help make sense of numbers and letters." She leaned back in the chair, unzipping her hoody to reveal the top of Scully's hair, "I might be a frigid bitch, but my mom left me her heart and I think it's time I start being more like her. You kind of remind me of her in some weird ass way." She then nodded to my bag, "I think there's room in that bag for a set of balls."

I half smiled, pushing up my glasses, "Are you suggesting that you could help me with that?"

Tamsin laughed, "You get me to graduation, and I'll help you grow a set of balls the size of Texas." She then cocked an eyebrow at me, "As long as you never tell a damn soul about my secret obsession for the x-files."

I held up my two fingers, "Scout's honor." I smiled again, moving to my bag and pulling out the chemistry book, "Let's get started where we left off on Thursday." I found a small wooden chair and pulled it up to the desk, handing Tamsin her notebook she forgot in class and a new pen.

Tamsin huffed, taking both as she stared at me for a second, "Can I ask a question Lewis?"

I looked at her nodding, "Sure."

"What's up with you and Bo Dennis? Are you two more than friends?"

I felt my heart tighten and I shook my head no, "No, we aren't anything. She has a boyfriend and those jerky friends. I don't fit in in her world."

Tamsin chuckled, shaking her head, "You two are so into each other." She nudged me playfully as my face blew up a hot red, "Hey, one more question, do you think you can help me sneak into school tomorrow?"

I frowned, hating what Tamsin said about Bo and I, "You're suspended. Why do you want to go to school?"

"I have a mission, given to me by someone who shall remain nameless and I kind of made a promise to make sure no one ever fucks with you again." She sucked in a breath, "Dyson is looking for payback and you're his main target. I've been told to tell you it will all blow over, but I want to come to school with you and be your ninja shadow in case it gets real stupid."

I turtled up, "Great."

Tamsin leaned down, catching my eyes, looking at me with dead genuine sincerity, "Hey, Lauren, I promise you, I'm never going to let anyone fuck with you again while we're in high school." She smiled softly, patting my shoulder before turning back to her notes, "Now explain to me how carbon reacts in this stupid fucking equation you gave us last week."

I let out a slow breath, my gut freaking out at the same time it told me that Tamsin was telling the truth and I now had the meanest girl in school as my personal bodyguard.

Deep down, I was ecstatic I had a friend, however loose the term fit, but I was also incredibly sad that it wasn't Bo.

Monday-

I snuck into school through the back entrance near the dumpsters, I had mapped out my routes for the day that would leave me with minimal interaction with anyone. I almost faked sick this morning, but my mom gave me that look when I tried to cough and put on the best scratchy, I'm going to die voice. She just looked at me and said, "I've seen Ferris Bueller more times than you ever will, Lauren. Get up, go to school and be the better woman."

Adjusting the bag, I fixed my shirt with the FBI logo on it, a souvenir from last year's summer vacation trip to the nation's capital. I let out a slow breath, this was going to suck, but at least I had the knowledge that Tamsin was somewhere in the building. We had spent all of Sunday getting her caught up and striking up a strange friendship that seemed to work no matter how completely different we both were. The common ground was our mutual love of a science fiction show and it being the trusting bridge that allowed us to relax and share things in confidence.

Over a handful of hours and pizza slices, Tamsin turned out to be a misunderstood girl with a heart the size of the universe, she just hid it under her attitude. She revealed that the only reason she fell into Dyson's group was because she wanted to hide and not be bothered by teachers or other students which in turned irritated her father. She was extremely intelligent, but like most of the world, couldn't understand algebra and why it brought letters into math. The best part of our conversation was she never asked again what was going on between Bo and I, something that had stuck in my stomach from the moment she said it. Rolling around with my oatmeal from breakfast, trying to figure out what was going with Bo and I, and where these icky crazy feelings meant. I didn't want to think about it, I really didn't want to think about Bo anymore. She hurt me more than I ever wanted to admit when she walked away with Dyson.

When I left Tamsin's house, she was my friend, my only friend. Slugging me on the shoulder with a cocky grin, "Lauren, you're not so bad. Maybe if we get you some new clothes and get you to put on a few pounds, you might knock the world dead." She shook her head when I awkwardly shrugged my answer, "I'll see you at school tomorrow, well, you won't know it's me, but I'll be there to make sure the shitbirds stay away from you." Tamsin pointed at me, "I made a promise, I never break those, Lewis. I protect my friends." She winked at me before walking back into the house.

Now walking down the halls, I desperately wished Tamsin was next to me. Giving me some sort of shield from what I knew was coming.

And it came. Walking down the first hallway towards Mr. Aberdeen's classroom, I was nudged a few times, kids laughing and making comments like, "The cheerleader and the nerd, sounds more like a porno than a new couple."

"Way to go Nerdo, bagged the head cheerleader."

"Did you melt Bo's panties using science?"

"Bo and Nerdo, this world is coming to end if those two are banging."

"Watch out Nerdo, Bo will make you another notch in her bedpost."

"You two do it on top of the bunson burners?"

I kept my head down, frowning in confusion. I had an idea what they were suggesting but didn't understand why. I kept walking with my head down and ended up turning a corner and colliding right into a wall of football players. I looked up, mumbling an apology when the biggest one, Wayne, laughed and shook his head, "I gotta hand it to you, Nerdo, never thought you'd be the one to turn Bo Dennis to the ladies. Shit I didn't think you swung that way, just figured you were in love with aliens and science."

I stared at the giant meathead, "What?" My stomach began to roll at what he was saying, I was nervous and scared at what the rest of the school was saying. I only expected Dyson and his jerks to pick on me for what Tamsin did, not this. This didn't make sense.

Wayne laughed, opening his mouth to say something when a fist struck him in his meaty shoulder, "Shut it Wayne." Tamsin's voice was low, but still startled me and the pile of meat in front of me. Wayne turned to Tamsin, wearing a basketball varsity jacket, a marauder hat and I could have sworn she had painted on fake stubble to hide her very feminine features. "Tams, I thought you were suspended for smashing toolbag Ted in the face. Defending Nerdo here." He rubbed his arm, looking back at me.

Tamsin huffed, "I am, and if you tell anyone, I will kick you in the balls so hard, the glee club will be recruiting you to be their next soprano." She looked at me, smiling softly before turning gruff again, "Her name is Lauren and she's my friend. Meaning you fuck with her, you fuck with me." She raised an eyebrow, "And you don't want that now do you Wayne?"

Wayne shook his head furiously. The kid was at least six foot three and weighed as much as a semi truck of pure muscle, and yet he was deathly afraid of the blonde girl in front of him, "I got it Tams." He glanced at me, "I guess it's true. You left Dyson's crew for the nerd…er, for Lauren." He smiled at me, "Sorry."

I shrugged, pushing my glasses up, fidgeting with my bag, "It's okay." I looked at Tamsin, not knowing what to say that. She saved me, "Wayne, why are all the assfaces saying the shit they are about Bo and Lewis here?"

Wayne sighed, leaning against a locker, "Dyson came in this morning. Crying like a bitch with Bev on his arm, saying that Bo dumped him the other night because she and Lauren here are banging each other. Saying Bo is a big ole dyke now and told him she has her eyes set on this one and all she is looking to do is make Lauren her next great conquest." Wayne shrugged my way apologetically, "People believe it 'cause you never talk to anyone and you get all red faced and weird around Bo."

I tilted my head down, scrunching my face up, clenching my jaw and trying hard not to cry. All Bo did was ruin my life lately. I swallowed hard, stepping back to make an escape, "I have to go." I turned quickly, ignoring Tamsin trying to stop me, and ran down the hallway. I turned around the corner towards the staircase, catching Bo walk in the side doors and receive a bunch of hoots and hollers followed by the same rude comments I had heard. She scowled at people, shoving them away, asking where Dyson was, when she looked up and made eye contact with me. Her face softening and her brown eyes meeting mine, she held up her hand to either wave or stop me. I just shook my head, trying to hold back tears as I continued to run down the stairs and to the empty classroom I always hid in.

Bo Dennis was ruining my life in so many ways.

I made it to the empty classroom and kicked the door close before I dropped my bag to the floor and walked to the big window. The tears welling up and slipping down my face faster than I could wipe them away. I was so close to graduation, I was already technically graduated and was only coming to school to help the teachers and students. I wasn't happy being the nerdy ghost that was picked on, but at least I was semi-invisible and not the focus of a bearded jerk and his girlfriend.

I folded my arms across my stomach, pressing against it to ease the ache, when I heard the classroom door open. I quickly wiped at my cheeks, "I'm fine Tamsin. I just wanted to get my notes ready for Ms. Watson."

"You're not okay, Lauren." Bo's voice was soft and when it hit me, I almost threw up on the spot.

I closed my eyes, pushing up my glasses, "Please go away, Bo." God what I wouldn't give for Tamsin to pop in right now. If only I could afford one of those giant cell phones my mom showed me pictures of. I could have my only friend on speed dial.

"I can't. I want to talk to you, about what happened Friday and what's happening in the halls." Bo let out a shaky breath, moving closer to me. "I think I need to apologize."

I looked up at the ceiling, shaking my head, my voice was oddly strong even as it trembled around the edges. Maybe knowing I had Tamsin as a friend was starting to give that needed confidence, "Why? To make me forgive you for ruining my school life? Walking away from me as your jerky boyfriend had his equally as jerky friend destroy my things while you watched and did nothing?" I sniffled, "Just go away Bo, go back to the cool kids and leave me alone. You've done enough." I swallowed hard, whispering, "I wished I'd never set eyes on you that first day of school this year." I frowned, knowing it was the biggest lie I'd ever tell since I was realizing this growing painful ache in my stomach was because I had a huge crush on Bo and it had grown exponentially since that first day. It hurt as I began to realize that I would never be hers, I would never be anything or anyone important to her, just the nerd who helps her pass her classes and be the fodder for her sick ways. Hearing the stupid rumors and comments, made it very real. As much as I liked Bo, it was never going to be.

I cleared my throat, "You should get to class before you're late, Mr. Aberdeen has a pop quiz planned as soon as he shuts the door." I half looked over my shoulder, "Please go, Bo. I want to be alone."

XXXXXX

I turned to leave the empty classroom but as soon as my hand was on the doorknob I realized that had followed Lauren here to apologize and make sure that she was okay. I turned around and said, "No Lauren I'm not going to leave you alone. You're clearly hurting and it's my fault that you are. I'm sorry about last night and I'm sorry I didn't stand up for you. I was..." I wasn't able to find the right words to describe why I didn't stand up for Lauren. I sighed and a walked over to an empty desk, "There is this perception of me that as the head cheerleader I'm supposed to hang with a certain group and be attached to a jackass like Dyson. For awhile I was fine with it because it was whatever y'know. Dumb high school shit but then the tutoring sessions started and I started thinking maybe I am more than some stupid stereotype. And that's all because of you. You gave me the confidence I needed to believe in myself and you saw me as something other than a dumb cheerleader."

I had no idea where I was going but the verbal diarrhea continued, "You saw who I really was and didn't judge me for it. But I know I've pissed all over that because of what happened on Friday. I was so surprised that Ted would do that. I knew he was dumb but to actually do that to another person was just stupid. I know none this means anything because I didn't step up when it really mattered. But I'm here now Lauren and I'm not going to let anything happen to you." Lauren continued to look out the window that she was standing in front of and I sighed. I had screwed up big time and that made that weird indigestion feeling come back as well a weird ache in my chest. What was this girl doing to me?

I turned to head for the door and before I walked out of it I said, "I'm sorry Lauren. I really am."

I walked out into the hallway and I was walking up the stairs when I saw Tamsin coming down them with a scowl on her face, "Do you know where Lauren is? The little twerp got away from me."

I nodded and got a half-assed smile on my face as I said, "She's in down in room one fifteen."

I began to make my way up the stairs when Tamsin took hold of my wrist and asked, "What's the matter Bo?

I took a deep breath then turned to look at her. What was the matter with me? Lauren giving me the cold shoulder didn't sit well with me. And it hurt me deeper than when Bev stopped talking to me that one time because she thought I was flirting with some guy she liked. Though to be honest I didn't care. Bev went through more guys than I went through underwear. I sighed and said, "She won't accept my apology and she won't talk to me."

Tamsin got an irritated look on her face as she muttered, "When did I become the nerd whisperer." She looked at me and said, "You hurt her bad Bo, when you just stood by as Ted threw her life in the pool. I mean you saw how stuffed that thing was. I'm certain she was carrying an entire stereo in there at one point, but it doesn't matter. What matters is that you failed Bo. So give her some space. She needs it."

That wasn't what I wanted to hear. I didn't know what I wanted to hear but staying away from Lauren didn't sit well with me. I glared at her and retorted, "Oh and she just so happened to open up to you?"

Tamsin shook her head and countered, "No Bo she didn't but I could just tell. And ease up on the jealousy will you. People might start thinking you actually do have a crush on Lauren."

I was going to deny that I did have a crush on her but instead I scoffed, "Whatever Tamsin. Just go make sure she's okay."

I turned around and headed back up the stairs. It doesn't matter if I did or didn't have a crush on Lauren because I had screwed up tremendously and there was no way that would change. I decided to skip class. I was already missing a quiz so what's one more thing.

I was headed out to the quad when I saw Dyson, Bev, and Ted were hanging out by the table that was in the center of it. I decided no matter what happened I was going to let it go and not stoop to their level. Unfortunately stupidity has a tremendous effect on me. I heard Bo shout, "Hey Bo where's you nerdy little girlfriend at? Is that how you're getting good grades? You do her and she puts in a good word with your teacher?"

I stopped walking. I was telling myself to leave it alone because Bev was an airhead with boob's faker than the nose that was on her face but the irritating tone of her voice along with her mocking Lauren was enough to have me turning to look at them and shouting, "Oh you're just pissed because I wouldn't feel you up that one time we were in the shower after practice." It wasn't true but I was done. "Or how about that time when you were sleeping over my house and tried to make out with me? A little jealous that Lauren gets to and you don't?"

Ted jumped off the table and I barely made out what he said because of the nasally way that he spoke due to his broken nose, "You're lying. The only one here who is a big lesbo is you."

I rolled my eyes and remarked, "Great comeback Ted. When you develop a few more brain cells you can come find me and try again." Dyson only glared at me. I looked at Ted and smiled, "But hey since Dyson and I have broken up maybe you two might have a chance of being together." I clicked my tongue and held up a finger, "Though he does have a problem getting it up if you know what I mean. Though it could have been me. Seeing where girls don't turn him on."

"Enough Bo." Dyson shouted as he got up from the table. He walked over to me and as he stood over me he said, "Why don't you run along before you cause your girlfriend some more trouble."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Why don't you leave her out of this for once Dyson and take it out on me?"

He got a smug grin on his face as he said, "Because fucking with her seems to piss you off more than anything."

I'm not really certain what happened but all I know was that he had pushed me too far and I was sick of his shit but more than anything I was done with him harassing Lauren. I brought my knee up and slammed it into his groin. Dyson let out a sharp cry and dropped to his knees.

I stood over him and I looked at Bev and Ted then I looked back down at Dyson as I warned, "If any of you continue to fuck with Lauren I will do worse. And Bev I will tell you parents what you really do when you're supposed to be going to bible study." I walked away from the three of them and as I was about to go to the student parking lot I saw Tamsin and Lauren standing on the stairs that led into the school. I gave a quick wave then headed for the student parking lot. I was going to be in so much trouble later but I had defended Lauren and it felt good to defend her. My heart did what I can only call a flutter as I thought about that. I got to my car and once I was inside of it I rested my head on the steering wheel. I think my crush was getting complicated now.

XXXX

"You two are going to be the death of me, or I'm going to be the best man at your wedding." Tamsin grumbled as she yanked me by the elbow down the hall. "You both got it bad."

I tore my eyes away from Bo walking out of the school and Dyson on his knees crying like a baby with his jerks hovering around him. "What did you say?" I heard every single word Tamsin mumbled, and all those words fluttered around my stomach with the little annoying butterflies that erupted when Bo cornered me in the room and apologized and those things she said that made me cry, but for a reason completely other than sadness. It was heartwarming, amazing and made my heart beat faster when she told me she was here for me now and was never going to let anything happen to me. "We both got what bad?"

That's when my crush exploded into something more complicated than any math problem or chemical equation. Now I just watched her mash her boyfriends, ex-boyfriends balls up into his mouth and walk away from the only group of friends she had since middle school. All for me.

"Fudge." I stumbled as Tamsin dragged me, grumbling that we needed to get me into the shadows before she was noticed by the growing crowd looking at Dyson and then back at me. "Fudge. Fudge. Fudge." I looked at Tamsin, "What just happened?"

Tamsin rolled her eyes, "First a nerd whisperer and now I'm a cheerleader translator." She glanced at me, shoving me into the classroom i used for tutoring. Locking the door she pulled over her giant baseball cap, scratching at the tight bun of blonde hair on top of her head. "You're a freaking genius and yet you're as dumb as Ryan on the baseball team after he got conked in the head with a bat at homecoming."

I slipped over to the windows, catching a glimpse of Bo standing and talking to Mr. Carp. The older man had a reprimanding pose, staring at Bo as she was clearly talking her way out of a suspension. Bo flirted with everyone, I had to keep that in mind no matter what my stomach, heart and head was figuring out. "Tamsin, why were they saying those things about Bo and I?" I half looked at her over my shoulder, smiling softly when I noticed the top of Mulder's head poking out underneath the varsity jacket she wore.

Tamsin raised an eyebrow at me, shaking her head, "Dyson is a dick head with a soft dick." She leaned back against the wall looking up at the ceiling, "Bo broke up with him over the weekend for the dick move he pulled against you and to get back at her, he's been telling the school you and her are naked wrestling."

I spun around to glare at Tamsin, shoving my glasses up on my face as I shook my head, "But, no. I mean, Bo and I aren't, I'm not, I've never….uh…I don't understand why he would such an idea like that….it's clear that Bo and I…."

"Have a massive crush on each other." Tamsin finished my sentence for me, looking back at me with a smirk. "I'm the only one who can see it right now, I have a gift you could say. I've always been able to read people and the way you two waltz around each other." She paused squinting at me, realizing I was still confused. "You waltz around each other like Mulder and Scully do this entire season and you act like my dad did when my mom was around, googly eyed and in a world of your own."

I shook my head furiously, looking down at the floor, "No, no. We aren't. She's a student, I tutor her. That's it." I shook my head harder hoping it would fall off and shake away the truths Tamsin was spoon feeding it.

"True, but she's asked me three times to watch over you and make sure no one fucks with you." Tamsin moved away from the wall, "I caught the last chunk of her apology to you before I backed away and hid until she came out. " She sat on the desk across from me, "Bo asked why you shut her out, I told her that your feelings were hurt and you needed space. That and her phone call, she's your Scully. She doesn't know what to do so she's keeping her distance until you forgive her."

I shrugged, hating that Tamsin was dead on and seeing things I had no idea I was feeling, but clearly was. "She did, I expected more, a lot after spending time and getting to know her a little better. I thought she was different." I looked up at my blonde friend with fake stubble on her face. Letting out a sigh I shrugged again, "I think I do have a crush on her, a big one and I have no idea where it came from and what to do with it. I feel weird when Bo is around me and then I feel weirder when she's not around me." I glanced out the window to catch Bo walking to the office with Mr. Carp, "I'm a nerd, a bag of bones, what on earth would Bo…" I paused, fudge did I like Bo, I liked her a lot, like a lot a lot and couldn't fathom how a popular beautiful girl would love the skin covered skeleton I was. I didn't even really have boobs, just a lumpy chest. I had already forgiven her the second she walked into that room and refused to leave until she poured some of her heart out to me. It was so hard to stare out the window and not go to her and try to hug her. I missed her hugs, even though I only had two in my lifetime, I wanted another one.

"She sees the beautiful inside of you, Lauren." Tamsin's voice was soft as she looked at me with genuine green eyes, breaking me out of my internal ramble, "The way you light up when you talk about fractals, square roots and all that other super nerdy smart shit you spew out every day. You light up and when the rest of us see it, we all look past the nerdy, skinny girl running like a rabbit with a turtle shell of books on her back."

I felt my eyes widen, "You think I'm beautiful?" My tongue contorted around the word, it wasn't a word that I had ever thought would fall into a descriptive category in regards to me.

Tamsin chuckled, shoving me to the side, "Inside, Lauren, the outside, well we got some work to do." She then pointed at me, "Just for the record, I do not have a crush on you in any form; I will always be a Mulder loving gal. You just need to hear some honesty once in a while." Tamsin slipped off the desk, "Come on, let's skip the rest of class and take you to the mall."

"Skip class?! What? I can't." I gripped to my bag tighter, panicking and shoving my glasses back up. "I can't skip class."

Tamsin laughed, grabbing my arm, "Bullshit you can't, Mr. Carp told me in my suspension meeting that we all should be thankful you're hanging around until summer. That you could easily be on the west coast starting your freshman year." She yanked me harder, "We're going to the mall. I'm getting pizza and you're getting a pair of jeans that fits your skinny ass."

I shook my head, trying to resist, "I've never skipped class, what would my parents think if they found out?"

"They would think, finally, finally our little girl is living life." Tamsin winked at me, shoving the baseball cap back on her head, "And this will be lesson one in how to grow that set of balls." She grinned at me, "If you're lucky, maybe we'll run into Bo, she always goes to the mall when she skips."

I felt my stomach spin at the thought of seeing Bo after my mini revelation and speaking it aloud to my only friend. I really didn't want to get lucky today or ever.