Chapter8

Chuck caught Spinelli's eye as she walked onto school grounds. Usually it would be because she thought he was so hot, but not anymore. She had gotten over that. The only reason why she looked at him was because he was on the ground, his mouth slightly redder than it should have been around the edges.

She only glanced at him for a second though before seeing TJ scratching his head. The best part was that he was alone… no Bridgette!

"TJ!" she said breathlessly as she approached him. He didn't respond as well as she had thought he would. At first he looked relieved to see her, but then his face hardened without a word. Slightly caught off guard, Spinelli had to drop her eyes, catching sight of TJ's right hand, looking slightly swollen.

"What happened?" she gasped before she could stop herself.

Glancing down at his own hand, TJ couldn't help but grin. "I uh… I punched Chuck over there. I now know why you do it so often with people you're pissed at." Spinelli stared at him in shock, not sure what to say. "I just mean…" TJ added quickly, "well, I didn't mean that… he was just being an idiot." He finished.

"He wasn't the only one," mumbled Spinelli, awkwardly scratching her head. As much as she just wanted to run away, she sucked in a breath, knowing she couldn't stop there. "TJ I'm so, so sorry. I was being stupid."

"You weren't thinking - that's what you were doing." TJ said sternly, "I couldn't believe you had sunk so low Spinelli, it was… it was so, so stupid of you."

Spinelli bit her bottom lip. "Ouch," she couldn't help saying, "I guess I deserved that."

"But even more," he continued, "it was scary, terrifying actually. I don't know if you know this, but I saw you with Chuck and what's-their-names behind the school."

"I had a feeling you did," Spinelli laughed awkwardly, "So I'm guessing you told everyone else, huh?"

TJ hesitated. "Actually, I didn't think anyone needed to know, really."

"Thanks TJ," she said gratefully as she looked up at him through her long eyelashes.

"Don't think I'm letting you off so easily," he quickly said, but with a faint smile playing with his lips, "drugs are addicting. I'm going to need to keep an eye on you, just to make sure."

"Look, you need to trust me on this one. Believe it or not, getting high was just like getting drunk for me – I didn't like it, but I did it anyways for… for some guy. At least I know what a jerk he is now." Spinelli smiled lightly at him, "But I don't mind you keeping an eye on me."

For a brief second, TJ looked as if he thought he hadn't heard Spinelli correctly. Shaking his head slightly, he stood there, speechless.

"So, how are you and Bridgette?" Spinelli asked, trying to sound playful when really it pained her. TJ rolled his eyes, looking like he was going to be sick at the mention of this.

"Why," he cried, "does everyone think I like her? I mean Bridgette is…"

"Hot?" she filled in for him.

"Erm… well, yeah she is. But Bridgette is also pretty clueless on a lot of levels. This will make me sound horrible, but she's funny because she's so stupid! I mean she's not smart or witty or spunky. Her personality is the exact opposite of you I think."

"Oh." It was all Spinelli could say, because for reason she felt herself blushing. Not wanting to talk about Bridgette any longer, she asked quietly, "I talked to Mikey, but do you think Gretchen, Vince and Gus will ever forgive me?"

"Of course they will." TJ said reassuringly, "They probably will on their own, but I'll make sure they do if they're taking too long."

Spinelli grinned as she bit her bottom lip again. "Thanks."

TJ nodded. "So…" he said, glancing around. Chuck was still on the ground. Brian had disappeared, but Sunday was still with him, whining for him to get up. "What do you want to do?" he asked as he turned away from them.

Feeling her grin widening, Spinelli asked softly, "Do you want to walk me home?"

At last – at last! – TJ grinned. "Yeah, actually," he nodded enthusiastically, "I do."

So they did. Spinelli didn't remember being in such high spirits. She had realized what a jerk Chuck was, one by one the gang was slowly starting to forgive her, and TJ was walking her home! Maybe if she felt really lucky she might even reach out and hold his hand…

But for the time being, she was completely happy with TJ walking next to her.

The End.

A/N – And so you have it, the end of Ridiculously, Head Over Heels. It was just a short and (hopefully!) sweet read. Thanks so much for all the comments guys. Hope you like this fanfic as much as I did. I'll be writing a new story sometime soon probably, but for the time being, R&R!!

x0

Vintage88