"Making friends with the enemy?" he asks, taking her spot at the table. "She isn't the enemy." Xavier is. "Now, you have a minute." "I see things aren't working out with Dylan," he starts, tracing invisible lines on the table. "Why don't me and you go out this Friday?" I want to laugh. Is he really asking me out? After being a terrible friend to the guys, plus leaving Casey when she needed him? No way. "I don't think so." "C'mon," he stresses. "You never felt something when we'd dance or sing together?" Carlos has gone off the deep end, clearly. "It was fun, but we were just friends." His pressing is making me uncomfortable. I shift in my seat and start to stand up. "I really have to go now." I walk towards the entrance, but he catches up with me and blocks my way. "I don't mind if you're not into something serious. We can have a little fun, if that's what you're looking for," he steps closer to me. "What's stopping you?" His hand makes it to my waist and I know I'm in big trouble. I try pushing him away, but he only comes on stronger. Then he's abruptly shoved away from me and I look over to find Kay pushing him towards the wall. "Keep your hands to yourself, asshole," she tells him. I can't believe my eyes. Kay is really defending me from Carlos. His face screams anger. "All of a sudden you care about Lacey?" "When a girl isn't interested in you, take a hint," she spit in his face. "I'll have Xavier come after your ass." The look Carlos gives me is annoyed and fed up. He bumps shoulders with Kay as he tries to leave. She isn't done. "Maybe try to not be a dick and girls will actually want to date you." "Maybe Dylan would've actually liked you if you weren't a bitch," he shoots back. He swing the door open, almost smacking Dylan and Derrick who are just outside. They back up, probably out of surprise, and Dylan stares down Carlos. I think I'm going to have to mediate yet another fight, but Carlos continues walking. Kay smirks. "I don't mind being that bitch." I want to hug her. I'm not sure if we're completely okay, so I don't. "I thought you left," I say to her. "Carlos always gave me the creeps. As much as I still don't like you, it didn't feel right to just leave." Well, there it is. Even if she doesn't like me, I'm still grateful for her help. "Thanks, I think," I laugh. Things get awkward when Derrick and Dylan walk inside and see the two of us talking. Dylan looks entirely confused while Derrick seems impressed. "I need to go," she says. "Still call me tonight." I nod and she ducks her head as she passes the Parker boys. Even though Carlos got weird, I feel happy and somewhat resolved. I came in not knowing what would happen with Kay, and I get to leave without a slap to the face. "Lacey," Derrick acknowledges me as he strides on by me. Dylan opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. He gapes like a fish for a few seconds until I speak. "Carlos tried to hit on me, and Kay came to the rescue," I summarize. "It was girl power at its finest." "What are you even doing here? Were you with Carlos, or Kay? And why?" All his questions come out in a rush. No use in lying. "I met Kay here so we could talk. Carlos showed up and tried to ask me out. He wouldn't take no for an answer and that's when she stepped in." "And she wants you to call her tonight?" I can tell he's having a hard time understanding what just happened. My mind is in the same boat. Kay is unpredictable. "I guess I'll call her tonight," I shrug. She doesn't think the conversation is over, and I want to know what else she has to say. Dylan is watching me, as if thinking hard about something. This expression of his frustrates me because I want to know what goes on in his mind. "What?" I ask him. "I—uh." He stops short and shakes his head. "Nothing." I hate when he does that. Never finishing a thought that wants to come out. We're both quiet and suddenly I want to throw myself into his arms and hope that everything will be all right. "I should probably get going," I say, avoiding his gaze. At lunch it was hard to see him, and only because I was hurt. Seeing him here at Raven's hurts too, but in a way that I know it won't work out. "Already?" he asks. His demeanor is different than it was at lunch. The old Dylan is breaking through and I wish he wouldn't hold back. "Yeah..." I trail off. "I'll see you around." I take one step before he catches my hand. He isn't looking at me. He only rubs the back of my hand with his thumb and says, "Get home safe." My hand is cold when he lets go.