Student Center

"We're pretty sure our Science guy is Bill Nye in disguise."

Luke nodded. He pulled out his phone while the others talked and sent a quick text to James to ask if he wanted to swing by the Student Center if he felt up to it.

***

Oriana was seated by the fountain. She pulled out her cell, answering a few texts and remembered the cute guy who's number she had gotten that morning. She flipped to COnnor's name and dialled.

Connor pulled out his phone as the ring tone 'Break Your Heart' by Taio Cruz sounded through his backpack. He pulled it out after some searching through it's pockets before flipping it open. "Connor speaking."

James was walking out of class, and read Luke's text, he figured he go see him at the Student Center, he crossed campus and entered the Student Center, he spotted Luke sitting near some dude and Ashlee sitting across from them.

He walked over to them and took the empty seat next to Ashlee.

Ashlee looked over and saw James sitting next to her, "Hey James."

"Hey what's up guys?" James asked.

Luke eyed James carefully and gave him a hesitant smile. He wasn't sure if James was still ignoring him or okay now. "This is Connor. He's, um...in criminal law but we have a class together."

***

Oriana answered, "Has anyone ever told you you'd make a very hunky secretary? This is Oriana, by the way. I figured I'd grace you with the sound of my voice."

Connor nodded in hello to James before grinning as he heard Oriana. "Hi Oriana. Very nice to hear from you again. And thank you."

James nodded in Connor's direction, "Sup dude." Although he was a bit sure he hadn't heard him cause he was on the phone.

Ashlee looked at James and she could just feel the guilt for having lied to him, but she wanted stuff to be better or normal or whatever it was between all of them, "So James do you like your classes?"

"Yeah they're cool, a lot different than high school you know, but whatever." James added.

Ashlee grit her teeth at the announcement of Oriana's name, "Really? Does that girl seriously know everyone?"

James chuckled, "You really hate her?"

"She almost killed me, she wasted all the hot water, turned off my alarm, and she's an absolute bitch." Ashlee said folding her arms over her chest.

Luke frowned at Connor for a second before pulling a slight face and turning away. "So I met this guy today, he apparently knows Alexis pretty well. And um, he kinda reminded me of you, James. Brown hair and blue eyes and he was all conceited too." Luke frowned. "And he um, apparently, knows Jake."

***

Oriana checked her cuticles. "So, I figured I'd set up a time and place with you. Unless you're running out on me?"

"Ah- of course not. Where would you like to go?"Connor asked, leaning back.

James nodded, "That's cool." He said hearing that Connor had a slight association to Jake kind of made his stomach turn.

Ashlee was going to say something to change the topic, although she couldn't think of anything, her phone buzzed and she looked down at it clicking on the notifications she was receiving online from her brother, "Wow way to tell me ahead of time jerk." She said out loud.

James snorted, "What's going on now? Oriana set your Gucci bag on fire?"

Ashlee nudged James, "No, my brother has decided to visit and he decided to tell me by tagging me in his stupid status on Facebook, ugh! The place is still a dump, cause Oriana is a slob, and there is no place for him to sleep."

"When does he want to come?" James asked.

Ashlee sighed she sent a message to her brother and responded quickly back to her, "He says he wants to come this Friday and stay until Sunday night, because he has classes early on Monday, ugh he couldn't pick another time?"

James looked up at Luke and noticed his face and examined the bruise he left him, he felt a bit bad for hitting him like he did. He knew that was pushing it but he was just so angry for them lying at him James grinned, "So Lucas, have any girls asked you about that bruise I gave ya? They're all probably wanting to take care of your wounded puppy self."

Oriana eyed some guy loitering near her. "Um...surprise me," she said simply. "I live at 2300 32nd Street, apartment 5C. See you at eight on Friday." She hung up sqiftly, getting ot her feet.

***

Luke smiled wanly at James. "Makes me look all badass. Alexis did though." He grinned wider. "Sorry though. We honestly thought it was for the best..." He wondered how Alexis was faring with Evelyn and decided he'd text her in a bit.

Ashlee frowned looking up at James she pat him on the shoulder, "Yeah James we didn't mean to lie, we just wanted you to be happy is all."

"No I get it, I know what you guys were trying to do and I apperciate it. You're my best friends."

James sat for a moment and just figured he didn't want to not talk to Luke or Ashlee while they were all here.

He figured he just avoid Evelyn like she was doing to him.

"So you and Lexie, huh Lucas how's that going?" He winked.

"Ooh right the new power couple." Ashlee grinned winking at Luke.

Connor blinked and hung his phone up, looking between the three and decided maybe it was best to leave and let the friends have their time.

Luke felt his face heat. He glanced at Connor instead. "So you know Orianna?"

"Why does everyone like her? I mean she doesn't even have real black hair! I do." Ashlee pouted.

James laughed and pat Ashlee on the shoulder, "Cheer up short fry, guys like you."

"Yeah sure. I'm stuck with all these tall super model girls like Alexis and Oriana and..." She stopped herself from saying the last name, she expelled a breath as her bangs fluttered up and then fell back into place.

James shook his head, "Cheer up Ash there is hope for you yet."

"Right, its okay in the mean time I can plan Luke and Lexie's wedding." She grinned, her and James high fived each other laughing.

Connor blinked, wondering to himself who this Lexie girl was that they kept talking about as he glanced back at Luke. "Ah- yes. Met her earlier today before glasses.. I.. take it none of you really like her? May I ask why?"

Luke frowned and shook his head, glancing up at James. "Well, not none of us."

"She tried to kill me I have every reason to hate her." Ashlee stated firmly.

James caught Luke's look and rolled his eyes, "I don't like her, she's cool or whatever, but she was someone to talk to. I honestly don't know much about her."

"Uh.. alright.."Connor said awkwardly, looking between the three of them as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.

Luke smirked at James. "Right, first, she gives you her number even though you reeked of roadkill in a sewer. Next, you were totally hitting on her at the fair."

He glanced at Connor. "Oriana's a strange girl, is all."

"Hey I hit on girls all the time. Doesn't mean I'm gonna marry them." James stated.

Just then a cute brunette passed by their table and James smiled, "Hey there goregous."

"Right back at you." The brunette girl winked at James as she went to the counter to order.

James turned back to face Luke, "See,no wedding bells."

"..I see."Connor cringed, rubbing at the back of his neck.

Luke snorted. "Well, at least I know you're feeling like you now, Darko."

"It was only a minor setback my friend." James grinned. The brunette girl passed by their table again after getting her drink. She gave James a napkin with her number on it.

"Call me." She purred.

James smirked pocketing the number to add it later.

Connor licked his lips and messed around on his phone, feeling slightly uncomfortable around the crowd of close friends, not completely sure what to sya.