Something to Believe In

CH 16: Conflict Resolution

                As we're headed back out to the SUV, Michelle pulls me aside. "Punk?"

"What is it?"

She bites her lip. "Can we trade seats?"

I frown at her. "Trade seats?"

"I'll sit up front, next to Gallows and you sit in back, next to Serena."

"Why would you want to sit next to Gallows?" I ask her.

"Because I don't think he likes it when I sit behind him."

"Why don't you and Serena trade places, then?"

She shakes her head. "You didn't want them sitting that way when we started. Besides, what's the big deal? It'll give me a chance to have a conversation with Luke."

I sigh. "Fine."

"Really?" She smiles at me.

"Yes, really."

"Great!" She throws her arms around me and hugs me. I give her a halfhearted hug, then let her go.

"Come on," I say, "Gallows and Serena are staring."

"Let 'em stare." She gives me an impish grin. "Give me a month and I'll have Gallows eating out of my hand."

I groan. "Not another word, McCool! This is how that business with Hardy got started!"

She pulls away from me. "You're right. Sorry." Then she waves and bounds off to the SUV, leaving me to trail along behind. That woman is a roller coaster.

Serena and Gallows are already in the SUV. Michelle shoots me a mischievous look and slides into the passenger seat beside Gallows just as I arrive. "What are you doing?" he demands.

"I called shotgun," Michelle says, clearly pleased with herself.

' Gallows frowns as I slide in to the backseat. "But..."

"It's fine, Luke," I say. "Michelle said she was feeling a little car sick back here, so we're trading for the next couple hours."

"Terrific," Gallows mutters.

"I knew you'd be pleased!" Michelle says with a grin. She immediately starts messing with the radio.

"Driver picks the station," Gallows says, pushing her hand away from the console.

"Fine," she says. "But pick something good, or I'm going to change it."

I try to hide my grin. This is going to be an interesting ride. I hope they don't kill one another. "Punk?" Serena asks, hesitantly.

I turn to her, tuning out the squabbling in the front of the vehicle. "Hmm?" She gnaws on her lip, looking unsure. "What's the matter, Serena?"

"I... It's nothing."

"It must be something. You've been pretty quiet ever since this morning."

She sighs. "Maybe we should move to the very back seat so we can talk?"

I raise my eyebrows at her, then shrug. "If you'd like." She slides out of her seat and moves to the one behind it, straight behind me. I only hesitate a moment before joining her. Michelle and Luke don't even notice; they're too busy arguing over the radio. "Are you all right?"

"I'm having some second thoughts," she confesses.

"About the straightedge society?"

She shakes her head. "About her." She indicates the front seat.

I sigh. "She's my friend, Serena. She asked me for help..."

"And she's helping us. I know. You've already said all this." She looks down. "But if she shaves her head and joins us, then where does that leave me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Right now, I'm the only girl in the SES. Once she joins us, I won't be special any more. She'll have all your attention, and everyone else's because she's Michelle McCool. No one's even going to look at me with her around."

"Is that what you're worried about?"

"Sort of." She looks up at me, and there are tears in her eyes.

"Hey," I say softly, brushing them away with my thumb. "Serena..." She takes a deep breath, then she leans forward and kisses me. I feel like my brain is about to explode. What is it with these girls kissing me, anyway?

Not that I'm thinking that as she pulls away and hides her head. "Sorry," I hear, though the word is muffled.

"Er. Um." I try to get my brain to function again. "I uh..." She won't look at me. "Serena?"

"What?"

"Can you quit hiding from me, please?" She takes a shuddery breath and finally pulls her head away from the seat back. She won't meet my eyes, though. "Talk to me."

"And say what?" she whispers. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

I lean close, but she cringes back, still not meeting my gaze. "I'm not sorry."

She raises her head and blinks at me. "You're not? But what about what you said to Michelle earlier, about not wanting to be with me because you're in a position of power?"

"I meant that I wouldn't try to force you into a storyline relationship, Serena. I didn't mean that we couldn't discuss something more... personal between us." I pause. "I thought you and Luke were getting together."

She chuckles. "Did you really?"

I shrug. "You guys spend a lot of time together."

"So do you and Michelle."

"We're just friends. She's still in love with Hardy, whether she'll admit it or not. And she's so not my type. I love her like a sister, but I'd kill her if we ever dated because she's so frustrating."

Serena smiles at me. "That's a real relief. I was worried that I'd never have a chance with you because of her being around all the time."

"Believe me, you've got a very good chance. In fact, you're the only one with a chance." I cup her cheek and pull her close for another kiss. It's blissful, beautiful, amazing...

"Hey!" Michelle calls from the front, "are you guys making out back there? What the hell?"