The Jacket Snatcher

Chapter 45- Temper Tantrum

A/N

THIS STORY HIT #177 IN FANFICTION TODAY! :D so I thought that deserved an early update :)

I'M CRYING HAPPY TEARS!!!!

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This time, even though it's going to be more than four weeks before I'm back home for the L.A. show, it doesn't feel as hard to say goodbye to Brett and Rachel. Maybe it's because I'm not leaving continents this time, but Brett seems much less concerned about the whole thing as well. In fact, after giving me a hug and telling me he loves me, he walks straight back into his room and goes back to sleep. I'm not even sure he was completely awake as he said goodbye.

Rachel and I laugh at him as we sit on the couch waiting for Luke to come get me.

"So have your classes gotten any better?" I ask her.

She stops laughing. "Yeah..." Her eyes bounce around the room like they've done countless times since I've been home. "Look, Steph, there's something I need to tell you."

I've known she's been hiding something from me since the first night I got back, so her sudden change in demeanor really isn't that shocking to me; however, it is a little unnerving.

"What is it?"

Just then, there's a knock at the door. Rachel makes a pained face.

"Nevermind. We can just talk about it later."

I start shaking my head. "No, this is obviously important. He can wait."

"Your flight can't."

"I'm not getting up from this couch until you tell me what's been bothering you since the day I got here."

"You've noticed?" she asks, he face going white.

"Rach, I'm your best friend."

She nods and takes a deep breath. "I guess I can give you the short version. At least then it will be off my chest."

Just before she starts in on her confession, Luke knocks again.

"Just a second," I say, rushing to the door. I open it and tell Luke that I will be down in five minutes. He sees the serious look on my face and doesn't make even a slight protest before walking away. I sit back in my place on the couch and look at my friend. "Now, what is it?"

"I lied to you," she blurts.

Well, I wasn't really expecting that...

"There's this guy. We're sort of dating."

I smile at her then furrow my eyebrows. "That's great! Why wouldn't you just tell me?"

She rings her hands and glances off to the side. "Well, you just hadn't dated in so long...and I wasn't sure you'd be okay with it. But then I saw you with Luke, and now I think...I dunno, I guess I just hope you will approve."

"You really thought I wouldn't want you to have a boyfriend just because I don't have one? Geez, what kind of a friend do you take me as? I'm a little offended."

She shakes her head vigorously. "No. It's not that. I just thought you wouldn't approve of this particular guy. It's sort of...complicated-"

"Rachel," I stop her right there, "is he a serial killer?"

"No, but-"

"Does he hit you?"

"Well, no, but-"