𝚠𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 (𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎)

𝐯𝐢𝐢.

𝐯𝐢𝐢.

During lunch, Joelle sat in Rue's classroom while they ate the Zaxby's that Joe had brought and delivered for their lunch.

Rue had retrieved it from the office, thanking Joe for grabbing it, though she suspected the office staff were already gossiping about her and Joe.

As they ate, Joelle asked Rue about her summer plans. Rue replied she didn't have much going on. Joelle then invited her to come hang out with her family over the summer.

Rue chuckled and questioned if Joelle would ever tire of her constant presence. Joelle adamantly shook her head no, affirming "No, you're my person."

Rue smiled at the sentiment and remarked how she hoped to have a daughter like Joelle someday.

Joelle quickly responded that she could just be Rue's daughter since she was the original version anyway.

Rue chuckled but had to let Joelle down gently, explaining that as adorable as she found it, she couldn't allow Joelle to get her hopes up about anything developing between her and Joe.

At that, Joelle frowned and protested that she could see a spark still between them, one that went beyond just her hopes.

Rue was surprised by Joelle's astute observation, realizing even a teenager could see what she was trying to bury - her lingering feelings for Joe and his for her.

Wanting to change the subject, Rue asked what Joelle's plans were for the summer. Joelle just chuckled and answered she planned to get a summer job.

Once the lunch bell rang, Rue bid farewell to Joelle. Rue remained in her classroom to enjoy her free period.

As she settled in, her co-worker and friend Cierra, known to students as Mrs. Noble, entered with two smoothies in hand and a telling grin across her face.

"Oh Cee, I can't do this with you today," Rue protested, already sensing the onslaught of probing questions to come.

"Oh come on, Rue, you know the routine," Cierra replied as she offered a smoothie and took a seat, ready to interrogate. Rue reluctantly accepted the drink and steeled herself for Cierra's inquisition.

Cierra dove right in, confronting Rue about her close relationship with Joelle and her father, Joe, and all the time they've spent together lately.

From him bringing her lunch to attending prom and even vacationing at Disney World, Cierra insisted it was obvious they were dating, no matter how much Rue denied it. Rue wasn't even going to correct Cierra about the events of her being around Joe. Once Cierra made up her mind about something there was no way you could get her to see it differently.

"You two look at each other like you're having the best sex ever. There's no way you aren't together," Cierra claimed.

Rue wanted to toss her smoothie at Cierra's presumptuousness but instead took a sip and claimed they actually don't get along well.

Cierra's skeptical expression conveyed her disbelief at Rue's weak defense. As Cierra excitedly started planning their imaginary Italian wedding, Rue realized she might have a point.

Despite Rue's efforts, she and Joelle did share an undeniable connection. Perhaps it was time for Rue to be honest with herself and figure out how she truly felt, rather than keep lying about their relationship.

For now, though, she just wanted this interrogation to end. "Okay Cee, we're done here," Rue asserted, but Cierra simply laughed in response.

"Whatever, but Rue, I hope you know it's okay to let go and be happy. The happiness you bring to everyone else, it's time to give yourself some of that," Cierra said before sneaking in a comment about Joe being the one who can make Rue happy.

Rue nodded. "Oh my God, Cee," Rue said.

Later that afternoon, when school let out, Joe arrived to pick up his daughter Joelle.

As he wandered the empty hallways searching for her, he was suddenly cornered by Cierra, Joelle's art teacher and Rue's fiercely loyal friend.

Cierra had made it her personal mission to ensure that anyone interested in Rue would treat her properly, so she gave Joe an intense once-over before speaking.

"So you're the famous Joe I've heard so much about. Yeah, you're definitely her type," She said critically.

Joe chuckled anxiously, thrown off guard by this stranger's abrupt interrogation. "I'm sorry, but who are you?" He asked.

"I'm Rue's friend and Joelle's teacher, but I'm not here to talk about Joelle. I want to make sure you'll treat my girl Rue like the queen she is - and threaten you a bit too," Cierra replied with a knowing smile.

Joe crossed his arms defensively across his chest as she continued. When Cierra demanded his intentions for Rue, he provided it hesitantly. Her demeanor made it clear she meant business when it came to protecting Rue.

Joe soon realized this must be the fiery Cierra he'd heard about from True, who didn't tolerate anyone hurting Rue and wasn't afraid to put them in their place.

"Oh, you're that Cierra," Joe said.

"Yes, I am, so I'm sure you know I don't mess around," Cierra affirmed. "I know you want my friend, real bad, so I'm telling you now - if she gives you another chance, don't screw it up. Because it's hard to hide the body of a high-profile person like yourself," She added.

Joe shook his head, taken aback by her intensity. True was right - this woman was no joke. "Thanks for the warning, but Rue wants nothing to do with me," He tried to explain.

Cierra dismissed this excuse outright. "Boy, stop! You know she wants you just as much as you want her. She's just having a hard time trusting you again after how you treated her before," She told him.

Joe frowned, knowing she spoke the truth. "But I won't do that again," He insisted.

"Then you need to show her that," Cierra advised.

Just then, Rue and Joelle happened to walk by and catch sight of Cierra grilling a visibly anxious Joe.

Rue shook her head knowingly - her friend was undoubtedly giving Joe the third degree in her signature ruthless style.

Joelle chuckled, having never seen her usually unflappable father so unnerved. "Should we rescue him?" Joelle asked Rue, who smiled slyly.

"Nope, let's keep walking and ignore his pleas. He's on his own with Hurricane Cierra," Rue said.

Leaving Joe's panicked eyes begging them for help, the girls strolled on past, letting him withstand the full force of Cierra's protective wrath.