I try all week to get a hold of William. He refuses to text me back or answer my calls. I show up at his dorm, but he doesn't answer, leaving me to wonder if he is even there. He doesn't have a roommate, but after questioning a few people in the hall, I get the impression that no one has seen him for days. Now, I really am worried.

All of this surprises Alex, too. It's his night off and I don't feel like cooking so he orders take out for the both of us. We sit on the sofa together to discuss the problem at hand.

"I haven't seen him this closed off since I first met him," I say to Alex, dishing out some fried rice onto his plate.

"Did he, um... did he ever mention to you why he acted that way?" Alex asks, joining me with our beverages.

"No, and I chose not to pry. He wasn't doing well in school, and I just thought I would offer my help. It surprised me he took it, but when he did, it sort of opened him up a little and he let me in. We have a lot in common, so we hit it off right away. You could say we're kindred spirits, or at least that's how I feel about him."

"He's lucky to have you for a friend," Alex replies, looking rather grave.

"I know you're worried about him, but I don't think he'll do anything stupid," I say, trying to reassure him. "Besides, I have one more ace up my sleeve," I tell him. "It's something I learned from my Mom. When all else fails and you can't seem to get through to someone, use guilt. It works every time."

Alex spontaneously laughs, and I love the sound of it. He's been smiling so infrequently this week. This whole matter has put us both in a mood.

I pull up William in my favorites and call him. His voicemail picks up, as I know it will, since he has yet to answer any of my calls. I hear his message and wait for the beep.

"It's Cat, not that you don't already know that. Look, I know you're going through something right now, but so am I, in case you forgot, and you promised me you'd be here for me. You promised, William. You know what I must face in a few days, and you know what it means. I really could use my best friend right now. But if you're too busy, I understand."

I hang up the phone and slide it back into my pocket.

Alex looks impressed. "Oh, you're good."

I laugh. "I really didn't want to go there. I always hate when it's done to me, but it is a tried-and-true method of getting a response out of someone. Let's just hope it's a friendly response."

"At this point..." Alex dishes out some sweet and sour chicken onto his plate and mine. "I'll take anything."

"I'm sorry I wasn't more help. I really had hoped to make things easier on you."

"You've been great, Cat. You've gone above and beyond. He's just being an ass. I'm used to that, but I just wish he'd give me a little consideration. So, what's happening in a couple of days that he would know about that's upsetting to you?"

"Going home for Winter Break."

"Oh," Alex says, looking a little pensive and pushing his food around his plate. It's a trait I've discovered means he's holding back something he wants to talk about. I don't know why he doesn't feel he can open up to me, but I don't push it. I want him to feel like he can talk to me on his own terms.

"Why is that going to be a problem for you?" he asks, looking at me at last.

"It's not. Not really. I just have to tell my parents about Liam and about the baby. I don't know how they will take the news. No, that's not true. I will disappoint my father, as usual, and my mom will just file it away until she can cope. I just hate having to go it alone. It would have been so much easier if Liam ... well, anyway, not exactly the relaxing break I would have chosen for myself."

Alex goes back to toying with his meal. He frowns at the mention of Liam's name. "You and Liam... do you ever see you two... I don't know... making amends?"

"We really aren't at odds now. I know he cheated on me," I say at his look of surprise. "Of course, he doesn't see it that way, but I do. Truth is, we both been distancing ourselves from each other for quite some time now. It was just so gradual I don't think either of us really noticed. I know it may be odd to say, but this baby is a blessing, really. If I wasn't pregnant, who knows if I'd ever admit the truth about who and what we've become to one another. He mentioned marriage. I shudder at the thought now."

Alex still looks like there is something on the tip of his tongue that he really wants to say, but he's holding back on saying it, and I just wish I could reach in and pull it out of him.

"What?" I nearly demand.

He just shakes his head at me and that's another trait which drives me up the wall.

I put my plate of food on the coffee table and move closer to him. He gets this look of panic for a moment, and I want to laugh, but keep my composure. I take his plate away from him and put it on the table, too.

"Okay, Alexander Bragin, I have had enough of my friends shutting me out. Tell me what you want to say."

Alex shakes his head again. I take his hands in mine. "Please," I say.

"I'm not shutting you out, Cat, not really. I just... I constantly overstep my bounds with you, just like with William, and I don't want to do that again."

"Shouldn't that be for me to decide? Besides, if anyone oversteps boundaries here, I think that would be me."

He grins at me, as he knows I'm speaking of the time when he helped me to bed. He takes a deep breath and exhales. "You were half asleep, Cat. Had you been awake, I'm certain none of that would have happened. Not that I'm complaining," he adds, with that beautiful smile of his.

"Out with it," I say, not giving up.

"I was going to suggest that I go with you, to your parents. If you want me too."

My eyes want to bug out of my head. "Seriously? But don't you have plans?"

"My plans got canceled when William disappeared. I don't go home because, well, I just don't. So I'm free, if you're interested in having a tagalong."

He sees my hesitation and pulls his hands away to grab his plate again. "See, told you, dumb idea. I should have just listened to myself and not said anything."

"No!" I say, putting my hand on his arm, and he looks up at me. "If I'm hesitant, it's just because I'm not entirely sure I want to subject you to my family. They can be a little... rough, annoying, overbearing... I don't know what adjective to use here, as several apply."

"Cat, if you want me... if you need me, I'll be happy to go with you. I can handle myself when it comes to your parents. I'm very likable," he says, wearing a very smug expression.

"Of that, I am aware," I tell him, grinning. "Okay."

He looks at me in shock. "Really?"

"Really. I usually plan on staying with them for a week. I have had William come with me in the past, so I doubt having you there will be a problem. However, since I am dropping some heavy baggage on them, we may not stay as long. I have to wait and see how this plays out."

He is smiling at me, and he just can't seem to stop. "It all sounds good to me."

"That's because you're crazy," I tell him.

"Is that a bad thing?" he asks, as I pick up my food again.

"No. I like crazy."

He laughs. "So do I."

We enjoy our meal together, falling into an easy conversation about my family, growing up, my brother, and it takes a while before I realize he's got me talking all about myself, yet again, and I still know so little about him.

"What about you?" I ask, placing our dishes in the sink and washing them.

He follows me with our glasses and places them in the sink as well. He's so close to me. Since he doesn't wait for me to move away, he just reaches around me. I've been purposely trying to avoid this kind of situation, which is one reason I didn't want to cook tonight, knowing he had the night off. This kitchen is just not a suitable space if you're trying to keep your distance from someone.

"What about me?" he says. His words are spoken right by my ear. I involuntarily shiver and pray he didn't notice. Thankfully, I have the dishes as an excuse not to turn around.

He steps away from me but hoists himself up on the counter so he can sit on it. I know he's watching me because I can feel his eyes on me.

"You always have me talking about myself. Which is kind of ironic as I hate to talk about myself."

"Why?" he inquires. "I find our talks rather fascinating."

I rinse out a glass and turn to shoot him a look over my shoulder. "Fascinating? You're either a horrible liar or perhaps just too easily impressed."

"Why do you do that?"

"Do what?" I say, finishing up the last of the dishes and wiping my hands off on a towel on the rack near him.

He slides down off the counter to stand directly in front of me. "Why do you talk down about yourself all the time?"

I shrug and look away, feeling a little uncomfortable with the turn the conversation has taken. "I don't know. Habit?"

He reaches up and turns my face to look at him. "It's a nasty habit."

"You're just trying to avoid my questions again," I fire back at him.

The back of his fingers run along my jawline as he just shakes his head at me again, but this time I don't want to back down. "You're not being very fair."

"I'm not?" he asks.

"No!" I say, thrusting my chin up to him. "I'm supposed to be this open book and you... well, I only know what I knew over a week or so ago. I know your name, your major, and that you like Manga comics. How is that fair?" I challenge.

"I'm pretty sure you've learned more than that, Cat. At least you have if you've been paying attention."

"I'm always paying attention," I say, feeling annoyed. His hand drifts from my chin and is now casually resting on my shoulder, but his fingers are playing with the soft fabric of my sweater. It's not fair that he has this effect on me and I can't do anything about it.

"Okay then, Pop Quiz!" he replies."What's my favorite breakfast?"

"French toast," I say without hesitation because it's the only meal he's requested of all the things I've made for him for breakfast.

"Correct."

"When do I like to take a shower?"

"When you get home from class before you head to work."

"Correct again!"

"What do I enjoy doing in my free time?"

I have to think about this one. It seems he has very little free time, but I have noticed three things.

"Read your comics, stream anime online, and occasionally draw."

"That last one is new. Inspired by you as a matter of fact," he tells me.

"Me?" I ask, stunned, but "How do I inspire..."

"Ah, ah, ah. We're not talking about you, remember? We're talking about me. How do I prefer to sleep at night?"

I blush slightly. It always gets to me each morning that he only sleeps in his boxers. I often have to wake him up and it is embarrassing to see him nearly naked, and it doesn't help that he's so damn good looking.

"In your boxers, with a light blanket that you usually kick off or get tangled in during the night."

His hand slides off my shoulder and down my arm so that my skin feels all tingly.

"Someone HAS been paying attention. So, see, you actually know a lot about me."

"That's not what I mean and you know it," I say, suddenly angry. I'm not exactly sure why my temper flares. Maybe it's the hormones. Maybe it's the tension I feel throughout my entire body from his touch. Maybe it's my frustration that he gets to touch me so casually, while I'm dying to touch him back, but know I can't or I shouldn't, so I don't.

I take a step back and I am about to walk off when he grabs my wrist and stops me.

"Are you mad at me?" he asks in disbelief.

"Maybe? A little?" I say. A warning bell is resounding in my brain, trying to get me to stop talking, but I don't listen.

He pulls me back and somehow swaps places with me. My back is now against the counter and his hands are leaning on either side of me, locking me into place. He's staring down at me with a very serious expression.

"Alright, Cat. What do you want to know?" he asks.

What do I want to know? What DO I want to know? He's so damn close my brain can't think of a single thing to ask. My heart wants to leap out of my chest, but then my mind floods with questions.

Does he feel this too? Does being this close drive him as crazy as it does me? I already know the answer to this question. He's not interested in me. He's only interested in William. I wish I could get Alex out of my mind. I wish my body didn't react every time we get close. I wish I can ask him how to move on from wanting him, when he's all I want, yet can never have.

He is looking at me expectantly, waiting, staring. I stare back. Damn him and those blue eyes. I wish with every fiber of my being that I could just ask him to kiss me.

His look changes, somehow. Don't ask me how because I can't explain it, but he slowly, softly exhales. I feel the heat of his breath on my face, and his body leans in a little closer to mine. I see in that very second what I so badly want to see and have to close my eyes, not being able to bear it.

My phone rings and startles us both. Alex backs away from me, and I fish it out of my back pocket. "It's William!" I say, sliding the button to answer the call.

"It's about time!" I say to William.

"I'm sorry, Cat. You're right. I said I would be there for you and when you need me the most, I abandon you. I'm a horrible friend."

I know a reverse guilt trip when I hear one. "Tell me you're okay and why I shouldn't be worried sick about you and I'll call it even," I tell him.

"I..." He sighs. "You know, when we first met I was sort of in a dark point in my life."

"Yes," I say, waiting for more, since there is a long pause.

"Well, events occurred that sort of triggered a lot of those memories for me and I know it was wrong but I just needed time alone, to process... everything."

"Do you want company now?" I ask.

"I'm not even in the state, Cat. I had to... run away, so to speak. I'll be back, but not until after Winter Break. I'm so sorry. I didn't think about you going home and all that you would go through. I should be there with you. I screwed up big time, Cat. I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

I shake my head as I listen to his impassioned speech. "There is nothing to forgive, but you can't just shut me out, or shut Alex out like that. It's not fair, William. Promise me you won't ever do that again."

"I promise. Is Alex there?"

"He's right here," I say, and hand Alex the phone.

"Hey," Alex says. "Yeah, I'm mad. I'll get over it. Well, how did you think I'd feel? That's right. I know. Yeah. She told me."

Alex is quiet for a long time. I wish there was somewhere I could disappear to, but there really are no private conversations in this little apartment. Even if I walk into the bedroom, I can still hear him. So, I just walk back to the kitchen on the pretense of getting myself something to drink.

"Consider it done. Yeah." Alex walks back over and hands me my phone. "He wants to talk to you."

I nod and take it from him. "Hello?"

"Cat, Alex agreed to go with you to your parents." It wasn't a question, so I didn't interrupt. "He'll get you through next week. I'm sorry again that I'm not there, but I promise to see you the moment I get back. Okay?"

"Sure," I tell him.

"I love you, Cat," William says and I smile. " I love you, too."

"If you need to talk, call me. I promise to pick up the phone next time."

"You better!" I tease, and I hear him chuckle slightly. I take that as a really good sign that his mood is improving.

"See you soon, Cat."

"Take care," I tell him, and he hangs up the phone. I slide it back into my pocket and notice Alex watching me. I keep thinking of where we were a moment ago, as I'm still mortified that I keep wanting what I know I can't have. There is something seriously wrong with me.

"Why didn't you tell him you already offered to go?" I ask, hoping to steer our conversation to safer waters.

Alex shrugs. "William always accepts things best when he thinks it's his idea."

I laugh a little. "That's true enough. So, what is your favorite Anime show to watch?"

"What?"

"You asked me what I wanted to know? So what is your favorite Anime show to watch?" I ask.

He looks like he wants to say something but just shakes his head. For once, I'm grateful he will not tell me what is on his mind.

"Right now it's Full Metal Alchemist," he tells me.

"Brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric?" I say, and his eyes get wide.

"You're familiar with the story?"

I ignore his question. "If you queue it up, I'll make some popcorn," I offer.

"You mean you want to watch together?"

"Do you have other plans for tonight?" I ask.

He gives me this sly grin. "You know I don't."

"Well, then..." I return to the kitchen while he grabs the remote.

In a few minutes, we are sitting on the sofa together and Alex turns on the T.V. He's streaming the episode from this laptop. There is a bowl of popcorn between us, and the intro music fills the room. Alex looks over at me. "Never would have pegged you for an Anime fan."

"Well, I guess you still have a few things to learn about me," I say smugly, grabbing some popcorn.

"I guess so," he says, grabbing a handful of popcorn himself and shoving it in his mouth.

He says something else, which I don't quite catch, but it sounds suspiciously like...

"Fascinating."