The next morning Lexy found herself once again tuning out of Mrs. Dawson's Social Studies class. It was much effort on her part not to notice Jack as he entered the classroom and took his place a few seats behind her. She couldn't stop thinking of Jack, as last night's events continued replaying in her mind. The way he looked at her. The way he touched her. The way he immediately came to her defense. With everything that took place, Lexy also couldn't help thinking about the kiss she gave him when she said goodnight. After Jack's run in with Johnny, Lexy began to feel bad for him. She knew that Jack must have been upset about the whole thing, but she had to let him know that despite all that was said, she still had strong feelings for him. Although she was upset that he never said anything, she also began to wonder if maybe he just wanted to be friends.

*Hmmmm.......I wonder if that's what he wants? Is he trying to give me the hint that he doesn't want to get involved? OR maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm not his type. Maybe he's interested in someone else.*

Lexy laughed softly as she recalled her conversation with Jen last week when they were shopping. Jen described Jack as being tall, mysterious....all the things according to her type. But Lexy retaliated with the response that she didn't have a TYPE. Which was true in most cases. Lexy never dated anyone, and therefore never had to compare Jack to any other guys. But in short, Jen was right. Jack WAS her type.

When Lexy made no attempt to get up when the bell rang, Jennifer turned to her friend and smiled. It only took Lexy mere seconds to come out of her thoughts, when she saw the next class already filing in and taking their seats. Lexy stood up quickly and began talking to Jen about anything that popped into her head. ANYTHING to avoid Jen's awaiting conversation about Jack. With her luck, Jen would never stop bringing it up whenever she spaced out.........especially now that they were making their way to their next class, the school newspaper.

After Gabe paraded around Jen and Lexy, asking the most unrelated topics that seemed to amuse him, Lexy made her way inside the room and turned on her computer. She noticed that Jack had moved to sit at the conference table to look over the new layouts of the issue due to be out next week. Ever since that morning, neither of them had spoken a word to eachother, and Lexy was beginning to think that she had made a mistake by kissing him and ruining a good friendship. But what Lexy didn't know was that every so often Jack watched her from afar. He began to look at her with a whole new perspective. Although he wouldn't have admit it back then, he always thought Lexy was pretty. But it wasn't until AFTER he got to know her that he began to allow himself to think of her as more than a friend.

"UGH! This stupid computer!" Lexy sighed. She began to type codes on her computer to receive her mail, but nothing would help. After she finally buried her head in her hands in defeat, Jack set his things down, and rolled his chair backwards to her cubicle.

"Your computer giving you trouble?"

"You could say that."

"Here, let me show you a trick." As Jack reached over Lexy from behind and placed his hand over hers on the mouse, Lexy began to blush. Leaning over her shoulder, he guided her hand across the mousepad as they clicked around the screen in search of all her files. Once they found them, he typed in a code and waited. Lexy and Jack glanced at eachother secretly, desperately trying to avoid eye contact, but failing miserably. A few seconds later, her e-mail appeared on the screen and all was back to normal. Lexy squealed in excitement and turned to face him........only to find that when she did, their faces were mere inches from eachother. Jack was smiling at Lexy, but when they continued to look back at eachother, his smile faded, replaced by interest. Lexy, suddenly unsure of herself, looked down shyly, and when she looked back he was still staring back at her.

"Uh.....thank you, Jack." Jen was the one who interrupted the two by clearing her throat as she passed them. Jack swollowed hard and smiled again, shaking his head lightly to clear his head. Finally letting go of Lexy's hand, she noticed, with regret, he nodded and looked in her eyes with full sincereness and replied,

"Your Welcome, Lexy." After a small pause, Jack got up and wheeled his chair back to his place to sit down and finish his work. Lexy smiled shyly and clicked on her e-mail, which entailed 50 messages. Lexy sighed heavily and began to answer questions.

Towards the end of class, Mr. Goldbloom called another meeting to make a quick announcement. Lexy took her place next to Jack, and began to have speculations about this 'emergency meeting.' As Mr. Goldbloom cleared his throat, Jen took her seat next to Lexy and listened.

"As you all may know by now, Ms. Gold has covered yet another fascinating story concerning Mr. Walker's case, assisted by our Editor, Jack Downey and Columnist, Jennifer. As a team, I have never seen such great dedication and cooperation that each one has displayed during these past 2 weeks. So with that in mind, I have decided to promote Lexy to Co-Editor of Millington's school newspaper, and Jennifer to Staff Writer." As he finished his last words, everyone cheered and clapped for them in unison. And this time, Jack joined in willingly in support of Lexy and Jen, as he saw that both were at a loss for words. After the announcement, however, the teacher dismissed everyone and each student went back to their work.

Pulling Lexy up next to Jack he said, "Now Lexy, your job will be to assist Jack in all the editing. Don't worry you will still be able to submit articles and continue with your advice column, but as Co-Editor you will also have the responsibility of helping Jack. If you have any questions you can ask myself or Mr. Downey."

"Ok, thank you Mr. Goldbloom."

As the teacher nodded and left, Jack turned to Lexy and said, "Congratulations Lexy......you deserve it."

"Thanks Jack. That means alot coming from you." As Jack was about to reply, the bell rang and everyone began to file out of the newsroom.

"Wellll.......bye Jack." Lexy smiled brightly and turned to get her things and catch up with Jen, who was already out in the halls telling Gabe the news. From a distance Gabe noticed Jack, and waved from afar. Jack waved back and got his things together and made his way out into the hallways to meet them.

"So......what are you guys doing tonight?" Gabe asked, looking back and forth at Jack and Lexy.

Lexy looked at her friend suspiciously and replied, "Ummmm......I'm not doing anything. Why?"

"Wellll.....I thought we could all just chill at my place tonight. Study for Mrs. Dawson's test tomorrow. How about it Jack?"

"Uh, yeah. Ok. I'll meet you guys back here after school."

"Alright. See you then." As Gabe and Jen left to walk together to their next class, Jack stayed behind and waited for Lexy. His class was not too far from Lexy's, so he decided to use the passing period to talk to her. Lexy gathered her books and turned to Jack, confused as to why he was still there. Not asking why though, she began walking with him in the same direction as his class.

"So.....Jack, um......about last night..." Jack looked at Lexy questioningly and said, "Yeah?" He was wondering if she was gonna bring up when she kissed him, but was caught off guard when she asked about the other thing.

"Um.....I know it's none of my business......but, what is the deal with that guy Johnny? Its pretty obvious that you two use to know eachother." Jack looked away suddenly, becoming a little uneasy about the subject being brought up.

As Lexy took notice of this she quickly added, "We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to....."

"No........no, it's not that. It's just......well......" Jack looked at Lexy apprehensively, unsure of whether or not he should tell Lexy. But knowing her, she would probably find out anyways. He was only afraid of how she might react to what he was going to say. But in the end, he decided to tell her the truth.

"........... Johnny and I use to best friends. A LONG time ago......... before I came to Millington. We grew up in the same neighborhood. But as time went on, we began to grow apart, sort of speak. He changed. Started to hang out with the townies and getting into all sorts of trouble. When my dad died, Johnny started coming around again, but only to get me to join his gang. But it was my brother who told me I should stay away. I took his advice and after a few days later I found out Johnny got busted for something and was taken to Juvie. It was then that I decided to come here to Millington to get away from everything. It got harder after my brother left, but I've gotten use to it. Just recently I heard Johnny got out, but I think he still has grudges against me for not taking part in his schemes. But anyways........that's all in the past now."

When Jack finished, Lexy looked up at Jack and once again noticed the pain in his eyes. It was the same as when he spoke of the loss of his father, and his older brother moving away. Now Lexy realized why Jack kept his distance from everyone. It seemed as though when he got close to someone, he would lose them. Whether it be his father, his brother......or a best friend.

*No wonder Jack never seems to have any friends! No wonder he's always alone! He REALLY must have had it bad. I can only imagine!*

"Wow Jack. I'm sorry.....I didn't know. Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable by bringing it up in the first place."

"No...it's really ok. I needed to tell someone, and get it off my chest. But......... I'm glad that 'someone' was you."

As Jack and Lexy lingered outside her next class, she began to blush. But it was the warning bell that pulled Lexy out of her thoughts.

"Well......I guess....I'll see you after school then," Jack said. As Lexy was about to reply a student came rushing out of the classroom, accidentally pushing Lexy forward towards Jack in his arms. As Jack steadied Lexy, she looked up at him admiringly and blushed once more.

"Uh......sorry."

"It's ok."

"Uh......so I'll see you later then."

"Yeah.......see you later." Jack watched Lexy walk into her class before he turned on his heels and proceeded down the hall.

Around the corner, Gabe turned off his camera and high-fived Jen who was hiding behind him. As Jen squealed in excitement, Gabe shook his head and grabbed her hand, pulling her along to their next class.

"You really need to find a new hobby! You know, I think Jack and Lexy are doing fine on their own."

"I know. But they could also use a little push. Besides, it's all a part of my plan. "Operation Jack Downey" is now under way." Gabe rolled his eyes at the Jen and proceeded to prowl through the halls to prevent from being tardy. Under lowered eyelashes, Jen blushed from being 'assisted' to class, and found it amusing that her old friend was still looking after her.

"Oh yes, tonight is definitely gonna be interesting!" she whispered thoughtfully."