After Paige and Alex begrudgingly followed us (probably only because they couldn't stand to be around each other; what I wouldn't give for a tape of the head cheerleader and the school biotch's session!), we headed over to Jimmy and Ellie's room, to a. disengage them and b. take them on our quest to my secret spot. On the walk over, I was trying so hard not to laugh as I surveyed the people around us. Jay was walking beside me, and I was about to pinch myself. Jay Hogart declaring his feelings for me! Before, I had thought our hook-up was just a form of excitement for him, nothing serious. Emma Nelson was just a notch on his belt, which is why I decided to stop. But then, he was so sensitive, proving that their really is a sweet guy behind the mask. Shawn never explained his feelings to me, unless he was telling me everything I did wrong. Oh man, I could not wait to see the look on his face when he learned that his ex-girlfriend and gang leader were now an item. Jay and I kept sneaking glances at each other, as though we both were in shock/joy at what had just happened.

Craig was walking behind us, in a different state of shock. He looked pretty lost and sad, and I almost felt bad for him. First he gets kicked out of the detention room because Jimmy and Ellie (!) were hooking up, then he finds us making out, and basically everyone but he, Alex, and Paige had some sort of other in this room. Well, he was the one to cheat on Ashley with Manny, getting her pregnant no less, and if you ask me he needs some time to fly solo.

Paige was walking next to Craig and Alex behind them. Both girls looked majorly pissed, and Alex even looked like she was on the verge of tears, but if I asked her what was wrong she'd probably go all psycho-bitch and punch me. I have no sympathy for her and Paige for that matter. Paige was nice to me for a millisecond when Rick came back but other than that she can't find enough snippy comments about my outfit, hair, or personality. They're both mean girls and although Alex is the physical one; I have no desire to help them.

Then we got Jimmy and Ellie, who walked behind everyone, holding hands which was so cute and really proving the whole opposites attract thing. I led everyone to the basement, and opened up the door, to reveal my secret hideaway.

"Holy shit," yelled Craig, and even Alex and Paige smiled when they saw where we were. It was some sort of theatre with guitars, drums, a costume trunk, and for some odd reason old-school video games, like Ms. Pac Man. Craig picked up a Fender and started playing, while the rest of us started to explore.

"Wow Greenpeace, you're just full of secrets," Jay whispered in my ear and I shivered.
"How did you find this place?" He asked, giving me a little kiss on the neck.

"Well, two weeks after the shooting I came to school and I thought I was over it. I came prepared to try and get back to normal; but everywhere I went I kept hearing Rick's voice in my head. You lied to me, and then the image of him pointing the gun at me. I was haunted by it, and I couldn't go back home because Mom and Jack were there and I just wanted to be alone, all she did was try and make me talk or eat, but not ask me what I needed. So I stumbled upon here, at first I was weirded out. I started pounding on the drums and just tried to distract myself. Pretty soon it became my secret place whenever I needed to vent." He grabbed me and kissed me soft, but we were shortly interrupted.

"So this is your mystery girl?" Alex yelled, and the others turned to watch, except Craig, who kept strumming that guitar. "This little granola-freak twig is who you're with now!"

"Lexy –" Jay said, trying to reach over her. "We're not –"

"Oh save it, Jay," she turned around, "As if this day couldn't get worse, now I find out that even you and tree hugger have each other whereas you (she turned to Paige) wouldn't even spit on me if I was on fire."

"Wait, what!" Jay asked, "Why do you care about Paige?"

"I don't," she answered stubbornly, "Why would I care about some stuck up bitch with a stick so far up her ass it's cutting off her circulation. She puts other people's feelings in a box and then stomps on it."

Jimmy turned around from the costume box, wearing a gigantic purple fuzz hat, "Don't you think that's a little harsh."

A tear dripped down Alex's cheek and she said "No harsh is kissing someone and then telling someone that they aren't good enough for you; that you'd never be seen with them." She ran out of the room while the rest of us (except Paige) looked around in disbelief.

"Wait a second," Ellie walked towards Paige, with oversize glasses, "You and she hooked up!"

Paige looked super-uncomfortable but she deserved it. How could anyone be that superficial? "Well, we um, kissed but –"

Craig spoke up, now tuning a guitar, "Do you like her? Why'd you do it?"

"Well, I was comforting her and I just I don't know really wanted to kiss her, and then we did and don't get me wrong it was amazing, but it's not like we could ever be together." She laughed, and the rest of us still stared at her, trying to understand exactly how her brain worked.

"Umm..." Jimmy asked the magic question, "Why not?"

"Well we're from two different worlds, and I'm not (she whispered) a lesbian."

"Do you like her?" I asked the first thing I'd said to her in months.

"Well," she thought for a second, "Yeah, I mean, she's funny, she's smart, she's a good kisser. She's really nice, deep down..." she paused, "I don't have to pretend when I'm around her."

"So then why does it matter what other people think. You're willing to throw away someone who obviously makes you happy and who you have great chemistry with, just because of your reputation."

"Oh God." she turned pale, "Oh my God, what have I done? How could I have been so fucking stupid? I'm such an idiot!"

"Go get her," Jay spoke up, resting his hand on my shoulder, "Go get her now and don't look back.