"Mom, dinner is burning," I said.

"What? Well if it's burning, turn the stove off!" she called from the basement.

"Why bother now? It's too late," I said.

She hurried up the stairs, stopping to shoot me a glare before continuing on her way to turn the stove off. She checked the food and miserably tossed a lid on the pan.

"Well, you tried?" I offered.

"Shut it, you," she said. "You're no help."

"What can I say? I take after my mother," I said.

She gave me another glare and grabbed plates out of the cupboard. She slid one to me and sat across from me at the counter, setting the pan between us.

We scooped burnt food onto our plates and started eating. Mom's eyes kept flickering to the clock.

My dad was home late a lot, but that was normal. Sometimes I was surprised that my mom expected him to be home on time. Dad worked late and traveled a lot.

"So, how was school?" mom asked.

"It was fine," I said. I tried to keep these conversations short and with little detail. My mom wasn't very good at keeping things to herself. Anything I told her would get passed along to whoever she talked to next.

Mom started babbling on about her day and the things that had happened to her. She threw out names that I didn't recognize and situations that I really didn't care about, but I nodded along when it was appropriate and cracked a smile when she started to get annoyed at my lack of attention.

I finished dinner and excused myself as quickly as I could, hiding myself away in my room for the night. I laid on my bed and my eyes roamed over to my comic book shelf, wondering if I should read through something to kill time or actually do my homework for once.

My phone buzzed and I picked it up, checking the I.D. before answering. "Hey, Wally. What's up?"

"Um, well, I just..." He was stumbling through his words.

"Calm down," I said, sitting up a little, curious now. "Take a breath, Wally."

He stopped, probably taking my advice literally. "Okay, well, it sounds stupid, but I...What if I asked Five out?"

My eyebrows shot up. "And here I didn't even know you had a crush on her until just a while ago. Look at you growing up, kid."

"Maybe it was stupid," he babbled nervously. "Never mind. It's stupid. You're right."

"Hey, I didn't say it was stupid," I said. "I'm just surprised. I'll help you, whatever you need."

He was silent a beat. "Thanks, Robin. You're a really good friend, you know that?"

I smiled sadly, because I really wasn't. Wally was the kind of friend everyone should have in their life. I was the one that was no big loss.

"I hope it'll work out for you, Wally. I really do. When are you going to ask her?" I said.

"Tonight, I think. We were going to the coffee shop to study together later anyways," he said. "If it goes horribly wrong, I'll call you."

"I'll pick up gelato and we can watch Young Justice," I said.

Wally laughed. "Good, good, I'll need comfort food and a distraction. Well, I'm going to go mentally prepared myself. I'm meeting with her in an hour."

"Text me and let me know how it all goes. Call me if you need me," I said. "Good luck, Wally. You're a good catch."

"Thank you," he said quietly, and hung up.

I set my phone down and let out a sigh. I hoped that things went better for Wally than they had gone for me. I hope he had a happy relationship.

I sat down at my desk with my homework, keeping my phone out in case Wally called me. Time seemed to crawl by as I kept glancing at my phone, waiting to hear from him.

When my homework was done, I felt restless. I clutched my phone in my hand and went downstairs to the kitchen.

"Hey, Junior," dad said, still in his work clothes. I hadn't even heard him come home. "What are you doing?"

"Killing time," I said, pulling open a cupboard and grabbing a bag of chips.

"Kill time, not your health," he said, reaching for the chips.

I stepped away, glaring at him. "Let me have my junk food. I need to stress eat."

"If you insist. Don't eat in bed, though. That's disgusting," he said.

"I don't tell you how to live your life," I grumbled, leaving the kitchen before I got lectured.

Mom passed me in the hallway and eyed the chips suspiciously. "Junior, don't you dare eat those in your bed."

"I got it!" I said impatiently, hurrying past her.

I locked myself in my bedroom and put on Netflix, opening the chips. I set my phone in my lap as I put on a show and relaxed back on my bed.

It was another hour before my phone came to life, Wally's picture popping up on my screen. I paused Netflix and hastily picked up my phone.

"How'd it go?" I asked.

"I'm, um, we, it," he said, stammering again.

I heard a rustling noise and an impatient sigh. "He asked me out, I said yes, he forgot what words are," Five said. "Is that why you were questioning me this morning?"

"I'm not very subtle, but I guess it all worked out," I said, smiling. "Put the wordless wonder on the phone."

"I'm here," Wally squeaked out a moment later. He cleared his throat. "Um, it went well. I guess you probably figured that out though. She did just tell you. Right. I'll shut up now."

I laughed. "Hey, good for you, Wally. Really, I'm happy for you guys."

"Thanks, Robin," he said softly. "I'll talk to you later."

We hung up and I stared down at my phone. Would things be different now?

Things hadn't changed too much when I started dating Josh. He hung around us a lot more, but that was it. I didn't know if things would be weird around Five and Wally now. Oh, god, I hoped not.

I wanted Wally to be happy, sure, but I hated when things changed. I guess I'd just have to wait and see, and remind myself that Wally's happiness was more important than my comfort.

***

"So, you hear about Five and Wally? Oh, why am I even asking that. I bet they told you first," Piers said, catching up to me in the hallway.

"Yea, he called me last night while they were still together," I said. "It's kind of strange, isn't it? I never got that vibe from either of them."

"Claire's been voted 'Most Likely To Be A Lesbian' five times, Robin. No one was getting the vibe that she was after Wally," Piers said.

"I know, but I mean, I just never noticed. Either I'm as oblivious as Josh claims I am, or they were hiding it really well," I said.

"Maybe it was one of those things where it happened so slowly that Wally never got awkward about it," Piers said with a shrug. "Who knows? They're together now. Good for them. Maybe now everyone will stop thinking Five's a lesbian."

I snickered. "I highly doubt that."

Piers laughed, but it cut off as he looked past me. "Shit."

I glanced over my shoulder and Rhys gave a sheepish smile, shrugging. Piers took a step back, shooting Rhys a warning look.

"Rhys, I swear to god. Don't start with this. I'm not joining any track team or the swim team!" Piers said. "Leave me alone."

"Hey, they're forcing me to do this. I figured I'd just come over here and ask you how your day is going," Rhys said, leaning against the lockers. "Your friend here has been covering for you. Robin was the name, right?"

Piers raked a hand through his hair. "My day was going fine until you showed up, Rhys."

"Robin's the name," I said, ignoring Piers. "Hey, how do you know Josh? Josh Fraire."

Rhys thought for a moment. "Oh, Josh! He's friends with my friend Colt. We've talked before. Not much, though. Why?"

"He saw us talking during lunch and just mentioned that he knew you. I was just being nosy," I said.

Rhys reached up and tightened the knot of the bandana that was tied around his head, holding his bangs out of his eyes. Piers watched him, looking hopeful that Rhys would actually let him get away.

"They're going to keep sending me after you, Piers," Rhys said. "I don't really get a say in the matter. So we can do this the easy way and pretend I'm trying to convince you, or we can do this the hard way and I can bring someone with me who actually will try to convince you."

"Or you could just leave me alone," Piers offered.

"Can't do. That's what you get when you go breaking records around the school," Rhys said, shrugging. "I'm surprised you're not interested. You could totally get a scholarship with your talent."

"And yet here I am, still not interested," Piers said. "Robin and I have to go find our friends. Rhys, pal, buddy, amigo, leave me alone. I am begging you."

"Would if I could," Rhys said. "Catch you later!"

He turned and walked off, heading over to a hopeful group of guys. Piers grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the hallway before Rhys could break the news to his friends that Piers wasn't joining their teams.

"At least he's being nice about it," I said once we were a safe distance.

"He can be as nice as he wants, he's still been after me for over a year. He won't leave me alone," Piers said.

"Hey, we were looking for you guys," Five said, coming up to us with Wally trailing behind her.

"Look at the happy couple," Piers said, wincing and laughing when Five kicked him in the shin. "Careful Five, you don't want word getting out that you're actually dating a boy."

Five crossed her arms. "I don't care what people say. It's not like it'd be a bad thing if I was into girls. Girls are cute, man."

"There's the most likely to be a lesbian we all know and love," I said, slinging my arm around her shoulders.

Five rolled her eyes but didn't bother pushing me off. I looked at Wally, who was blushing and fidgeting with his cell phone.

"Wally, you haven't said a word," I said.

"What? I, oh, I just didn't have anything to say," he said, dropping his gaze to the ground, his blush growing. "Stop teasing her."

"Would it be true friendship if they didn't constantly torment me?" Five said.

"Hey, Robin," Josh said, coming up to us. He looked annoyed and impatient, which just made me want to pretend I hadn't heard him. "Robin!"

"I heard you," I said, letting my arm drop from Five. "What do you want, Joshua?"

"Come with me," he said.

I reluctantly followed him out of earshot of my friends. He grabbed my shoulder and yanked me close, kissing me.

"Easy there, what did you want?" I asked, shoving his chest a little.

"You and Rhys," he said. "I saw you this morning."

"He was there to talk to Piers," I said, losing my patience as well. "You could at least pretend to trust me. If you're such good friends with the guy, go bother him about this, not me."

"I told you, Rhys and I just have a mutual friend," Josh said, glaring at me now. "How am I supposed to trust you when you constantly act like you don't want to be around me?"

"Because I don't!" I snapped.

He dropped his gaze and I sighed, putting my arms around him. I rested my chin on his shoulder, hugging him to me.

"Sorry," I mumbled. "That was a shit thing to say. I guess you're used to me being a shit person by now, though."

He hugged me back. "You can't blame me for getting suspicious when you do everything you can to avoid me."

"I'd stop avoiding you if you'd stop accusing me," I said.

"I'd stop accusing you if you'd stop avoiding me," he said.

I pulled away from him a little and gave a tired smile. "Then I guess the loop starts again, huh?"

"Let's give it a rest for a little," Josh said, stepping away from me after kissing my cheek. "I'll see you in class. I'm going to go stop at my locker."

"Don't get lost. Or do. I don't really care," I said, keeping the smile on my face so he knew I was kidding.

I made my way back over to my friends. Wally looked up at me, a frown settled onto his face.

"Was he mad at you about something stupid again?" he asked.

"When isn't he?" I sighed and shook my head. "Don't worry about it Wally, it was nothing."

"The bell's going to ring soon. We should get going," Five said.

"You guys go on. I'm going to the art room for a bit," Wally said.

"Don't skip all your classes or this will be the shortest relationship of your life," Five said.

"How could it be the shortest? It's already the longest relationship I've ever had," Wally said in confusion.

"Right, I forgot you never dated," Five said. "Okay, well, now that threat rings a bit empty. Just don't skip all your classes. I'll send Robin to drag you back to us."

"I'll come back to class second period, I promise!" Wally said, waving to us before taking off.

"Is it weird?" I asked Five as we started walking.

"Weird? Nah," she said. "My mom looked shocked when I told her. I think she secretly cast a vote for me to be a lesbian."

"Who didn't?" Piers grumbled, wincing when Five hit him.

"You know, maybe it's time for you to reevaluate your relationship," Five said. "You and Josh aren't looking too good these days, Robbie."

"Josh and I are fine," I said dismissively. I could handle the way things had been going. It was irritating but predictable at this point.

Five and Piers shared a look but didn't press the topic any farther. We reached class and became even further distracted by the work we had to do. Like Wally had promised, he reappeared in time for second period, and we went about our day as usual.

By the time lunch came around, we'd hardly discussed my relationship or Five and Wally. Lunch would probably be the real tell of just how much things would change in our group now that the two of them were dating.

We sat at our usual table and started eating. Piers and Five were arguing about TV shows and Wally was doodling in his notebook absentmindedly. Huh, maybe things wouldn't change.

I reached out and shook Wally's shoulder a little. "Hey, are you okay? You seem distracted today."

He peeked up and smiled a little. "I'm fine. Just didn't sleep well last night."

"You can tell me if something is wrong," I said, lowering my voice.

He shook his head, hair bouncing around wildly. "No, nothing is wrong! I swear!"

"Alright, alright, don't snap your neck," I said, smiling at him. "I was just making sure."

"Robin?"

I looked over at Rhys curiously. He gave me an apologetic smile.

"Mind if I talk to you for a minute?" he said.

"What, you don't want to beg Piers to join you?" I said.

"Not right now. I need to talk to you," he said.

I shrugged and got up, following him out of the cafeteria and out into the hallway, which was relatively quiet. A few kids were scattered about talking or eating, but they paid us no mind.

"Uh, Josh came to talk to me this morning," Rhys said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just wanted to apologize if I caused trouble between you guys. I didn't know you were dating him. He thought I was flirting with you."

I groaned. "Ignore him, Rhys. He's jealous of everyone I talk to. Sorry he came to bother you about it. God, I'm going to kill him."

Rhys laughed. "Don't commit murder on my behalf. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't giving you the wrong idea here or anything."

"Don't even worry about it. Josh is paranoid," I said. So instead of going to his locker, he'd gone to show off his bitching abilities to Rhys. Poor Rhys. Could've lived his whole life without enduring a jealousy induced rant session from the king of bitching.

"So we're cool?" he asked.

"Yea, we're cool," I said, nodding.

Still, I was annoyed that Josh had gone and done that. But maybe there was a way I could make it up to Rhys and get back at Josh at the same time.

"Hey, come to Donovan's Coffee with me afterschool. I'll buy you a drink or something as an apology," I said.

"You don't have to do that!" Rhys said in surprise. "I came to apologize, not to guilt you into apologizing to me."

"But Josh was an asshole to you over nothing, and I feel bad. Come on, you can pitch your war plan against Piers to me and I can help you find new ways to corner him," I said.

Rhys laughed a little. "Alright, alright, can't argue with that. Give me your phone."

I handed him my phone and he put his number in, handing it back to me. I tucked it away in my pocket.

"I texted myself so I'll have your number. We can meet up afterschool, then. I'll see you later Robin!" he said.

"See you," I said, watching him head back into the cafeteria.

It would no doubt piss Josh off, but maybe that was a good thing. He needed to learn that he couldn't get jealous over everyone I talked to. And hey, maybe I'd even make friends with Rhys. I could taunt Piers with that. Smirking a little at the thought, I went back into the cafeteria.

-------------------------

A.N.- So, who's your guys' favorite character so far?!