Clark pulled his phone out of his pocket and lit up the screen. "Hmm...I'm surprised he didn't message me too."

"We come as a match set. There'd be no reason to send messages to both of us," she informed him.

"How are you going to get away from her?"

"I don't know. I'll just tell her I don't want to hang out tonight."

"That simple?"

"Yes."

"I supposed you're right. Maybe after you're finished with your studying you could go out tonight. You should go out tonight while I'm gone. Hang out with the crew and all. Have a good time. You've been too stressed lately."

"Maybe," she stated uncertainly.

"Clark thinks we're all going out tonight."

"Why did you tell him that?"

"He was asking a lot of questions..."

"You should text Seth and see if he's going. That way you're guaranteed a good time, and plenty of girls to diffuse his advances," he said chuckling to himself. "Want me to text him?"

"Oh no," she said quickly. She was pretty sure Jack hadn't messaged anyone else about it just yet. "I have his number."

"You'll leave early with me if we go out?"

"Of course. Don't invite Clark."

"Like I'd want to."

Hours later after kissing Clark good-bye and getting all dolled up, Lexi waited rather impatiently in her apartment. She had refused Jack's offer to pick her up just for proprieties sake. If they were going to be out in public, she'd rather not make it look like a date. She had planned on driving herself. However, Olivia had decided she wanted a night out and had insisted on driving. That was fine with Lexi, but Olivia was pretty much the slowest person on the planet. It took her at least thirty minutes longer than anyone else she knew when it came down to getting ready to go out.

"Geez, Olivia could you take any longer?" Lexi asked pacing in front of Olivia's bathroom.

"It could," she muttered.

"You don't even have much hair," Lexi pointed out.

"Which is why I have to make sure every tiny strand is perfect," Olivia said pulling her flat iron through her bleached blonde pixie cut again.

"No one is even going to be in town," she whined.

"Lexi, darling, that is the reason I should take so long. Anyone I see is going to be able to see all of me. I'll spend more time with each person individually. This inevitably means I should spend more time on my hair," Olivia said taking pleasure in Lexi's growing discomfort.

Lexi groaned loudly. "I don't see why you have to take so long."

"I don't see why you have to be so impatient. You're boy isn't even going to be out," Olivia said letting her brown eyes flutter to Lexi's face.

A small blush crept onto Lexi's face. "So..."

"So chill out," she said exaggeratedly.

"Let's just get out of here."

"You can't rush perfection," Olivia explained placing the straightener on the off-white counter top. Her hand reflexively reached out for the tall hairspray bottle.

Lexi groaned again. "Honestly how much of that stuff do you put in your hair?"

After lathering on another layer, Olivia snuck a glance at Lexi. "Alright fine. Are you going to tell me why you are being so impatient?" she asked raising one eyebrow inquisitively.

"I'm always impatient."

"Not like this."

"I just...uh...miss Clark. I want to get out of here so I can get my mind off of him being gone," Lexi said anxiously pushing her hair behind her ear. She really was a terrible liar and did not want to have to deal with Olivia being any more nosy than normal.

Olivia raised an eyebrow further. "You sure that's all it is? You look like perhaps you are anxious to see someone?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh come on. I know that you've liked Jack since the beginning of time, chica. It's not like you have to hide that fact from me," she said coolly leaning against the sink.

"Jack and I are just friends."

"Yeah and pigs can fly."

"Livy, cut it out. You've been on me about Jack since you managed to get him to that concert. I just don't want to hear it anymore. You know what happened between us after that catastrophe. So just leave it be for once," Lexi cried vehemently.

"I'm just looking out for your own good."

"Sure," Lexi said rolling her eyes.

"You know you can tell me anything though Lexi," Olvia said her tone turning serious. "I wouldn't tell Clark if something happened with you and Jack. You're my best friend. I hope you'd trust me with anything. Or at least all the raunchy details," she said giggling convulsively.

Talk about a guilt trip. Lexi wanted to trust Olivia with the details of what had happened with Jack all those months ago, and what was continuing to happen to this day. Something deep inside told her that the only person she could trust with what she was doing was herself...and Jack, of course. Sure the gravity of the situation was eating away at her, but even that wouldn't open her mouth. How could she tell anyone how she felt when she was having issues discerning that on her own? She knew quite firmly that she wanted to stay with Clark. But she just as firmly knew that she had no intention of giving up Jack...whatever she had with Jack. They had been apart for nearly three years previously, and she just could not imagine her life without him in it anymore. Something about the way they were together this time changed the whole dynamic of their relationship. She just wasn't sure how much it had changed everything. After all, she was still with Clark. He was still with Kate. Neither of them had talked about breaking up. Yet, they still spent time together whenever possible. She didn't know what to think about that, and the last thing she wanted to do was cloud her already misguided judgments with other people's opinions.

"I know I can trust you with whatever, but there's nothing to tell," Lexi lied smoothly. "Now can we get going?"

Olivia clicked the off switch on her straightener, glanced at her perfect appearance, and then nodded. Ten minutes later they were pulling into a rather fortunate parking spot down the street from Chamber. Lexi twirled her own stick straight hair around her finger as she approached the door.

"Stop fiddling with it," Olivia said swiping at her hand.

"My hair doesn't look good so straight like yours," Lexi whined. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this."

"Whatever shut up. Everyone is going to love it."

Lexi strutted to the door and smiled playfully at the bouncer. "Hey Max," she said kissing him lightly on the cheek as she breezed through the door without him even bothering to ask for her identification.

To say that Chamber was dead this Saturday night would have been an understatement. Sure they had gone out a little earlier than usual, but still it seemed that everyone in the city had gone home for Thanksgiving break. Lexi passed the empty dance floor marveling at how hollow the room appeared without bodies swarming the inside. Music filtered through the speakers at a surprisingly reasonable volume for a Saturday night. The only constant in the place was the voluptuous woman behind the bar.

"What do you want girl?" Chasity asked sidling around the corner to give Lexi a hug.

"Whatever you want to make me," she asked easily.

"Vodka, Red Bull, grenadine...the works," she mumbled to herself. "Liv you want one too?"

"I'm driving," Olivia pouted.

"You volunteered," Lexi said pushing her lightly.

Chasity shrugged her shoulders. "I guess that means you'll stick to beer tonight then?" she questioned thrusting an open Bud Light at her.

"You know me so well," Olivia said cheerfully.

"Oh dear, look at who just walked into my bar," Chasity said fanning herself.

Lexi's head swiveled to find out who she was making a fuss about, but she really shouldn't have bothered. Jack was a damn good sight for anyone's eyes, but with Seth and Luke flanking him they were a sexy set. Jack was medium height with his shaggy black brown hair and steely blue eyes. Seth towered over the other two and had a very boy next door look about him that made him appear to be safe. Well, at least until he opened his mouth. Luke had tousled blonde hair and light brown eyes, and was extremely clean cut. Though Lexi knew that Chasity was whistling at the trio, her eyes were solely focused on one boy. His easy smile upon seeing her sitting at the bar sent unexpected butterflies in her stomach. She couldn't tear her eyes away. She didn't even have the excuse of not seeing him often. She just wanted to drink in his every feature. The way he looked right then and there in his worn jeans, tight fit t-shirt, and navy jacket.

"Hey," he said nodding his head at the bunch. "Woah, your hair." He immediately went to Lexi's side and fiddled with a strand of the straightened hair.

She smiled up at him goosebumps kissing her skin at his gentle touch. "Do you like it?" she asked hesitantly.

"You look great," he said before he could filter his enthusiastic response.

"See I told you!" Olivia cried. Lexi's smile widened.

"So, let's start the night off right. Shots all around and give me a hug," he demanded of no one in particular.

Olivia giggled and nudged Lexi forward as if he had been talking to her all along. She didn't need much coaxing as she nestled into his arms. He squeezed her tightly around the middle before releasing her.

"Good to see you," he noted winking at her. "Chasity shots? Hug? What are you good for?"

Jack scooted around the bar as Chasity poured the clear liquid into six shot glasses. He wrapped himself around her from behind and whispered something in her ear that Lexi couldn't discern. Chasity laughed boisterously and shoved him away. "Whore," she murmured at his turned back.

"I'm not the only one," he quipped eyeing her black crop top and tiny black and white plaid skirt.

"I'm workin' here. Cut me a break."

"I would if you could count," he said sitting in the chair next to Lexi and leaning across the bar.

"What are you talking about?" Chasity questioned glaring at him.

"Seven," he said gesturing to the group.

Chasity's eyes scanned the set in attendance and then frowned. She quickly shrugged her shoulders and poured another shot. "Not my fault you were hiding the little brunette mouse. Who is she anyway?"

Lexi jerked around to find out what they were talking about. "Sandy," she squealed enthusiastically. Despite the girl having zero common sense, she was beginning to grow on her. Apparently, she was extremely intelligent when it came to grades. She just wasn't capable of showing that to anyone. Once you finally got her to open up, she was a real riot.

"Lexi! I didn't know that you were going to be out."

"I didn't even know you were still hanging out with Seth," Lexi said raising her eyebrows up and down suggestively.

"Oh you know," Sandy said blushing furiously, "here and there. Whenever he's not with some other girl I'll give him a chance."

"I don't know how you do it. I would die if I had to share." A distinct chuckle emanated from behind her. She glanced warily at Jack and the smirk on his face grew.

"It's not the sharing that I mind, because I like to sleep with whoever I want. It's just you know how Seth is and how he treats girls. Sometimes he forgets that we're whatever...not trying to be exclusive. Then the lying starts and ugh," she told her shuddering, "I just can't even get into it."

"Bottoms up ladies," Chasity said pushing shots, several limes, and a salt shaker towards them.

"Tequila?" Lexi asked anxiously turning from her conversation with Sandy. "Are you trying to kill me?"

"Nah. Just loosen you up a little. You've been way too uptight lately," Chasity declared licking the crease between her thumb and first finger and pouring a generous amount of salt onto the space.

"Yeah, let's loosen you up," Jack said nudging her playfully.

Lexi glanced up at him and licked her lips provocatively. "I thought you didn't mind me being a little tight," she whispered just loud enough for him to hear her.

His eyebrows shot up and he groaned a little at the mental image she was leaving him with. "Don't tease me, Lex."

"Who's teasing?" she asked raising her glass to meet the rest of the group.

"To gettin' fucked up," Chasity yelled as they clinked their glasses together.

Much to Lexi's surprise Chamber did end up filling up considerably compared to the meager amount of people who arrived early enough to get personal attention from their sexy bartender. The townies were coming out of the woodworks knowing that much of the college population would be away for the holiday break. Suffice it to say it was quite a sight witnessing an entire group of over 40s dancing to things such as Imma Be, Get Low, and I Can Transform Ya.

As much as Lexi wanted to relax into their evenings, something continued to nag at her. She just couldn't figure out what it was. Ever since that fateful night back in May, Lexi had been very careful in situations around Jack. She tried to keep her distance so that Clark wouldn't see straight through her. And though he had never specifically stated that he thought something was up between them, he still commented on her behavior. He complained of her being distant and closed off among other things...of a more sexual nature. Yet, that wasn't what was bothering her. Every time she would begin to stop thinking about Clark all together it was like she could feel eyes on her. The idea was ludicrous. Chamber wasn't full by any means, but there were enough people in the place that no one specifically would be staring at her. She was recognizable from gymnastics meets, but she wasn't the star. There was no real reason for anyone to be watching her. Olivia had left early on complaining that she wasn't feeling well. She requested that Jack take Lexi home all the while smirking devilishly. Jack had of course obliged her appeal. Seth and Sandy had not so discreetly located a corner to make out in leaving Luke as a third wheel. Not too long afterwards, Luke was closely dancing with a large-chested blonde. Even with all of their friends occupied Lexi still couldn't get over the feeling that someone was watching her.

"Jack," she began taking a strand of her straight hair and pushing it behind her ear.

"How can you be nervous right now?" he asked taking her hands away from her and placing them around his neck pulling her in close to him.

"What?"

"You're messing with your hair. It's a dead give-away," he said letting his bright blue eyes bore into her.

"Right sorry. I just...I dunno...I feel like someone is watching me."

"Who would be watching us Lex?" he asked incredulously.

"I said I don't know, but I just feel like eyes are being drilled into the back of my head," she informed him. Even as she said the words out loud she realized how paranoid and slightly delusional she must sound, but still she couldn't shake the feeling.

Jack pulled his gaze away from her and let his eyes slowly roam the dark, crowded room. He paused briefly as if examining the individuals in that particular location then shifted to circle the entire room. "If someone is looking at you, then they aren't right now. I can barely make out anyone ten feet away from me. I don't see how anyone could be secretive about looking at you even if they were watching. Seeing as no one is blatantly staring from where I can see, I really don't think you have anything to worry about."

"You're probably right," she said wrapping her arms around his neck tighter. She felt his lips gently settle into the soft spot behind her earlobe causing her to shiver.

"If you really feel like that, we can get you out of here," he muttered huskily in her ear. "Actually, I think I should get you home. It's late." He didn't even check his watch.