Angelina Johnson, Quidditch Superstar

Chapter Two- - I Honestly Don't Care

So you're with her, and not with me, I hope she's sweet, and so pretty

I hear she cooks delightfully, a little angel beside you

So you're with her, and not with me, oh how lucky one man can be

I hear your house is smart and clean, oh how lovely with your homecoming queen

Oh how lovely it must be

When you see her sweet smile, baby, don't think of me

When she lays in your warm arms, don't think of me

-Don't think of me, Dido

***

"Ang, what's wrong?"

Angelina shook her head, her eyes scrunched up and her ponytail swinging from side to side. She muttered to herself. "Fred's...Fred's...Fred's getting married."

Alicia grabbed Angelina by the shoulders and shook her roughly. "Snap out of it, Angelina!"

"Here, drink some of your water." Katie held Angelina's glass of water in front of her lips, and Angelina begrudgingly took a sip.

After that, Angelina managed to get a hold of herself, and smiled weakly at her friends. "Sorry about that. It was just a bit of a shock, that's all."

"Are you sure you're okay? You reacted rather violently," Katie said with concern in her voice.

"Yes, positive. It's probably just the stress from work that made me react like that. It's not really that big of a deal."

"Angelina," Katie said rather timidly, "you don't still have feelings for Fred, do you?"

"What! Me, have feelings for Fred? That's absolutely ridiculous! I stopped caring about that arsehole six years ago. Honestly, the only reason I reacted like I did was the surprise of someone our age getting married and, as I said before, the stress." Angelina glanced at her watch. "Shoot!" she exclaimed. "I've got to get back for practice. See ya."

Angelina nearly caused her chair to fall over as she violently got up. She walked briskly over to the fireplace and entered. Katie and Alicia watched her exit with interest.

"I don't care what Angelina says," Alicia said after Angelina had disappeared, "she's got to have some feelings for Fred left or she would not have reacted that way, stress or no stress."

Katie nodded. "I know. I've always thought that those two still had some feelings left between them. If they don't care about each other at all anymore, then why do they fight every time they see each other?"

"But I wonder. There's a difference between still having feelings for someone and still being madly in love. I'd always thought Angelina was the first, but now I'm starting to think she's the second."

"I wouldn't go that far," Katie replied. "But I am worried about Angelina. She's not in a very good state right now, and you know how she can get carried away when she's angry. I just hope she doesn't run into Fred or Leslie - who knows how she'll react. We should probably try to find Angelina after her practice is over."

Alicia nodded her agreement and Katie continued, "I've got to go, my shift starts in five minutes, but I'll meet you after work, okay?" Katie said as she started to get up.

"Fine, fine. I should probably get back too."

Alicia Flooed to her office, but even though she tried to work, she couldn't stop thinking about the whole Leslie-Fred-Angelina debacle.

Alicia couldn't stand Leslie, she just couldn't. She knew Fred thought she was an angel, but Alicia failed to see why. Every time she saw Leslie, Leslie tried to ingratiate herself to Alicia's favour, while acting horribly towards Katie. And the way she fawned over Fred was sickening, but, then again, Alicia was pretty much a cynic when it came to love.

***

Katie, too, contemplated the impending proposal as she made her rounds. What Alicia had said was true - Leslie did tend to look down on her, but, Katie reminded herself, she meant well. Leslie and Fred made a good couple, Leslie's sophistication balancing out Fred's pranks. Katie was happy for them.

But she was also concerned about her friend. Katie had lived with Angelina right after Angelina and Fred had broken up. Angelina had refused to talk about anything relating to her ex-boyfriend, including why they had broken up. She had gotten angry every time Fred's name was mentioned, and would not even go back to the apartment to take her things. In the end, Katie and Alicia had ended up doing it for her.

Of course, matters were only exacerbated by the fact that Alicia had started dating Fred less than a week after the break-up. Angelina had refused to speak to Alicia for over a year, and she had never fully forgiven Alicia for it. Even Katie could not rationalize Alicia's actions. Alicia had claimed that they were jumping to conclusions, that she was not, in fact, dating Fred. That lie had made matters even worse.

But, thankfully, things had eventually returned to normal, or as normal as they could possibly be. The tensions relating to those issues never fully disappeared. After all, Fred and Angelina still fought, without fail, every single time they saw each other. And relations between Angelina and Alicia had never fully returned to their former glory. But things were okay, and Katie hoped that Fred's engagement wouldn't ruin the relative tranquillity they had reached.

Merlin! George would kill her when he found out that she had blabbed to Alicia and Angelina. Angelina was possibly the worst person she could have told. Katie sighed. Perhaps, if she were lucky, Fred would propose before Angelina could cause any trouble. This, however, was very unlikely, with Angelina being who she was.

Katie's thoughts were drawn to the present as one of her patients, a boy who was almost eleven years old, whimpered in his sleep. Katie quietly walked over to him and tucked his covers more tightly around him. He quieted, and Katie kissed his forehead before moving away.

Katie worked with victims of spell damage. Most of her patients were permanent residents, for no one knew how to reverse the spells that had been levelled upon them. It was rather depressing work, for Katie wished there was some way to cure her patients, but she didn't know how.

The little boy had been cursed by one of the less competent Death Eaters, a little less than a year before Voldemort was defeated. He was now unable to perform most motor actions, such as walking, and every movement caused him pain. The Death Eater had been trying to kill the boy, but had messed the spell up. Katie almost wished that the boy had been killed, for then he would be in a lot less pain.

The boy had been brought in six years ago, when Katie had still been in training. He was something of an obsession to her. Both of his parents had been killed in the attack, so he was alone in the world. Katie had taken him under her wing and become a sort of mother figure to him. Katie wanted nothing more than for him to be able to play as other young boys his age did. If he was normal, he would be entering Hogwarts next year, but instead he was trapped in his bed. Katie did what she could to make his existence more pleasant, as she did with all her patients, but at times she felt that even that was trying to do the impossible.

Katie was very talented, and had been offered a better job in various other departments, but she refused to leave her patients. They couldn't leave, so how could she?

***

Angelina tried to concentrate on practice, but her mind wouldn't obey. Her thoughts kept drifting to Fred.

Angelina had never met Leslie, and what she had gleaned from the few times her friends had mentioned her was conflicting. Alicia, of course, couldn't stand Leslie; and though Katie sang her praises, Angelina could tell that Katie wasn't terribly fond of her either. However, when Angelina had overheard George and Ginny talking about Leslie, they both had glowing reports of her. And Fred, of course, was in love with her.

Angelina had heard that Leslie was playing Quidditch professionally this year for Puddlemere United, after having been a reserve for a couple of years. Though she tried to recall, Angelina couldn't remember what position Leslie played.

Angelina's thoughts regarding Fred were even more confused. Although there had been a time when she had loved him, now she couldn't stand being in the same room with him for more than five minutes. He just rubbed her the wrong way.

Honestly, Angelina didn't care what Fred did. He meant nothing to her anymore.

But if Fred meant nothing to her, then why had the news of his engagement affected her so much? And why did she feel so upset, when there was really nothing to be upset about?

***

Angelina entered her flat, wanting nothing more than to spend the next twenty-four hours sleeping. This, of course, was impossible, considering the fact that she had to be at practice again in a little less than eight hours.

Angelina walked into the living room and was surprised to see Katie and Alicia sitting on the couch, playing a game of Wizard's chess at which Katie was failing miserably.

"What do you two want?" Angelina asked grumpily.

Alicia and Katie looked up from their game. They exchanged a look, and after a brief silence, Katie replied, "We just want to make sure you're alright, after what happened at lunch today."

Angelina groaned. "I told you, I just overreacted, okay? Now let it drop already!"

"But why did you overreact, Ang?" Katie asked.

"Stop," Angelina pointed her finger at Katie. "Stop trying to psychoanalyse me. I appreciate your concern, but I'm tired and I want to sleep. I need to sleep. So I'm sorry if I'm being rude, but get out."

Angelina immediately regretted the remark. Alicia just shrugged, but Katie looked hurt.

"Jeez. Someone woke up one the wrong side of the bed today," Alicia said as she got up.

"Ang, if you do want to talk, then you know we're here, right?" Angelina brusquely nodded, which seemed to satisfy Katie, as she then exited behind Alicia.

Angelina sighed. She threw off her dirty robes and fell into bed just moments before her eyes fell shut from fatigue.

***

Ginny regarded her brother with amusement. His eyes were darting rapidly to and fro and he looked completely out of place in the fancy (not to mention expensive) jewellery store Ginny had brought him to. Fred really had no idea what he was doing.

Ginny finally said, "Snap out of it, Fred. It's just a jewellery store, after all. You asked me to help you, so you don't have to look so freaked out about it."

Fred jumped backwards before grinning abashedly. "Sorry about that, Gin. Just a got a bit overwhelmed, that's all," Fred spoke quickly.

Ginny rolled her eyes before motioning for Fred to follow her. She led him to a display and turned to him. "What kind of ring do you want?"

Fred just stared at Ginny in response, eliciting a groan from Ginny. "Come on, Fred! You've got to have some idea!"

"I want a ring that's worthy of Leslie, and one that she'll like. Besides that I have absolutely no idea."

"Fred, look at the display. Which rings do you think Leslie might like?"

***

Fred surveyed the rings for several moments. They all looked basically the same to him. How was he supposed to choose one, especially when he didn't know what Leslie would like?

Fred sighed. He spotted a ring in the corner. It was simple and understated. It would be perfect for Angelina, Fred thought, then did a double take. Where did that come from, Fred wondered. Why was he thinking about his ex-girlfriend when he was shopping for an engagement ring for his current one? He should be thinking about Leslie, and that particular ring was definitely not for her. The problem was, he didn't know which ring was for her.

Fred looked up and saw Ginny glaring at him.

"Well?" she asked, not bothering to hide her irritation.

"I don't know. Which ring do you think she might like?"

Ginny sighed and looked at the rings. After a minute, she pointed out one in the middle. It was exquisite and elaborate - perfect for Leslie.

"Perfect! Thanks, Ginny. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably drown yourself because you can't pick out a bloody ring. Honestly, Fred."

***

Angelina bit her lip as she knocked on Katie's door. She had behaved horribly towards her best friend the day before, and had come to apologize.

However, it was George who opened the door.

"Hey, Angie," George greeted, to Angelina's chagrin. She hated being called 'Angie.' She didn't mind the nickname 'Ang,' for that was just a shortened version of her name, but 'Angie' just seemed superfluous and immature.

"Hey, Georgie," Angelina replied acidly, showing her irritation. George just laughed and opened the door for her to come in.

"Is Katie home?" Angelina asked as she sat down next to George on the sofa.

"Aw, and I had thought you'd come here to enjoy my company. Guess old Georgie isn't enough to satisfy you, eh, Angelina?"

Angelina laughed. "Hardly."

"What do you want with Katie, anyway?"

I just need to speak to her."

"You need to speak to Katie? Why so desperate?"

Angelina rolled her eyes. "Honestly! I want to speak to Katie. Is that better?"

"Oh, sure, blow your old friend Georgie off. It's nice to see how far years of friendship have gotten us. Unfortunately for you, such a situation does not exist between me and Katie, so I must know what you need to tell her before I can relay her whereabouts."

"Uh huh. Well, if you must know, I've come to apologize."

"Oh? What did you do?"

"What is this, twenty questions?"

"You can try to find her yourself, if you want."

"Do you enjoy being an annoying git?"

"Oh yes, very much," George replied with mock earnestness.

Just then, Katie walked through the door carrying a bag of groceries. She spotted Angelina and greeted, "Hey, Ang. What are you doing here?"

"My question exactly!" George exclaimed. "She's come to apologize, or so she says. Although she won't say what for."

Katie regarded Angelina seriously. "I see."

George wisely chose to exit the room as Angelina got up and helped Katie with the brown paper bags she was lugging.

They went into the kitchen and Angelina started to help Katie unload the groceries, but Katie batted Angelina's hand away.

"You never helped me with the groceries when you lived here, it'd be ludicrous for you do so now."

Angelina raised her hands in the air, showing defeat. She sat down at the table and watched Katie put the groceries away.

Katie put a large container of milk in the refrigerator, then whirled around and faced Angelina. "You came to apologize?" Katie asked shortly. Angelina nodded. "So apologize," Katie said as she turned back to the groceries.

"I just, well, I'm," Angelina broke off, distracted by Katie's movements as she continued to put the groceries away. "You see--"

"Don't bother wasting your breath if you're not going to be coherent," Katie said, not turning away from her groceries.

"It's kind of hard to apologize when you won't even look me in the face." Angelina paused. "Maybe I should just go; I'll come back when you're not so busy."

"No, stay. Sit down." Angelina obeyed Katie's orders. "You have my full attention. Say what you want to say."

Angelina took a deep breath before speaking. "I treated you horribly before, and I'm sorry. You're my best friend, and you were only concerned about my well-being. You didn't deserve to be snapped at like that."

Katie sighed. "It's all right, Angelina. You were tired. You're forgiven."

"So...can I help you with the groceries now?" Angelina asked cautiously.

"Do you want to help me with the groceries?"

"Well..."

Katie laughed. "It's okay, Ang. You, me, and groceries never did quite work out."

"It's not my fault you're so bloody anal about where each thing goes."

"You know, George has no problem with my system. I think the problem is with you Angelina."

"Uh huh. I think George just tolerates your system because he cares for you."

"Of course he does. He's my friend."

Angelina rolled her eyes. "Not that way, Katie. The other way."

"I know which way you meant. I'm just choosing to ignore it because it's utterly ridiculous."

"Is it fun, living in a fantasy world where everything is pure and simple?"

"Better than real life, anyway." Katie laughed as she sat down across from Angelina at the table, having finished with the groceries. "So, did you apologize to Alicia as well?"

Angelina shrugged. "I don't really see the need to. It's not like Alicia cared. She doesn't take things like that seriously."

"But I do," Katie said softly.

"No, Katie. You had every right to be mad at me. Honestly, I apologized to you because you're my best friend and you've always been there for me, and you don't deserve to be treated that way. I don't deserve to have you as a friend." Angelina broke off, surprised by her own words.

"Isn't that the truth." Katie laughed, then regarded Angelina seriously before saying, "Ang, at the risk of being attacked again, I want to ask you something."

"Shoot."

"Why do you and Fred fight constantly? I mean, I know you don't like each other very much, but why the constant enmity?"

Angelina was taken aback by Katie's question and found it hard to formulate a comprehensible answer. "Well, I don't know. It's just that whenever I'm around him, something about him just rubs me the wrong way. Some people just don't get along Katie. It's like that with us, I guess."

"It wasn't like that before."

"Well, things have changed."

"But can't you at least try to get along? Is it really that hard to contain yourself around him, Ang?"

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it, really. I suppose I could. But what's the real reason for this interrogation, Katie? You're afraid I'm going to cause trouble over the engagement, aren't you?"

"Well, honestly, Angelina, yes, I am. You had a very violent reaction to the news, and I can't help worrying about what will happen when you actually come face to face with Fred."

"Oh, it's nothing to worry about. Fred and I try to avoid each other as much as possible these days; it's not like I'm going to see him anytime soon."

"What about Lee's party on Friday?"

"Oh, I'd forgotten about that. It's really not that big a deal, Katie. I can control myself, and I don't really care all that much anyway."

"Well if you don't really care, can't you be friends with him? You don't realize how hard it's been on us, having to mediate between you two for the last five years. You're both our friends, and it's not fair for you to have put us in this position for so long."

Angelina looked shocked at Katie's words. "Katie, I'm sorry. I guess I never realized how hard it was for you. If you want me to, I can work on becoming better friends with Fred."

"Thanks, Ang. It means a lot to me." Katie smiled. "So, how are things between you and Kenny?"

Kenneth Towler was Angelina's boyfriend. He headed one of the divisions of Spin-It Industries, and Angelina had met him at Alicia's New Years party. They had been classmates at Hogwarts and had reconnected at Alicia's party.

Angelina smiled. "It's going really good, so far. Kenny's great. He understands completely about how hectic my schedule can be sometimes and doesn't mind at all. And it's always so much fun when we go out together. And afterwards." Angelina winked at Katie.

"I'm happy for you." Katie sighed.

"What about you? You haven't been on a date in ages."

"I know. It's hard to find time to have a social life, with my working the night shift all the time. I don't really mind, although I do get lonely sometimes."

Angelina smiled sympathetically. She glanced at her watch and said, "Listen, I've got to go. Practice, you know? I'll see you later."

***

After Angelina left, Katie got up and made herself a salad. She pondered her conversation with Angelina. She wasn't so sure that Angelina would be able to control herself around Fred, and Ang's claims that she didn't care about Fred's engagement were bollocks. If Angelina didn't care, she wouldn't have reacted that way - it was as simple as that.

In addition to her fears concerning Angelina, Katie was also worried about what George would say when he found out that she had blabbed about Fred and Leslie. And to Angelina, at that. There was no question in Katie's mind that she would have to tell George. With Angelina being the loose canon that she was, George would find out, and it was better if he heard it from Katie herself.

Speaking of whom, George entered the kitchen at that moment, grabbing a bag of Bertie Botts to munch on before sitting at the table next to Katie.

"I thought I heard Angelina leave, so I figured it was safe to come out." George grinned.

Katie laughed softly. "Why do you insist on eating those?" Katie asked as George popped a jellybean into his mouth, making a face when he realized it was one of the less pleasing flavours. "I mean, more often than not, they make you want to throw up. Why not eat something that tastes good?"

"Are you kidding? I love spinach-flavoured jellybeans. Mmm. And besides, I like to walk on the wild side."

"Oh, yes, you're a daredevil, you are." Katie rolled here eyes.

"I don't appreciate your sarcasm. Maybe I should just go somewhere where I'll be more appreciated."

"You'll be looking for a long time."

George moved to get up, but Katie placed a hand on his arm, and, with a now serious tone, said, "I need to tell you something, George."

George, sensing Katie's change in mood, shed his joviality. "Shoot."

"Well, um, you know how you told me about Fred and Leslie? Well, you see, I might have accidentally let it slip to...certain persons."

"You what?" George stood up angrily. "Katie, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone in the first place! And now you've gone and blabbed. I should have known you would, gossip that you are."

"Hey!" Katie cried indignantly, standing up as well. "If it was such a secret, you shouldn't have told me. And I am not a gossip. It's not like I deliberately told everyone I passed. It accidentally slipped out."

George sighed. "I'm sorry. I suppose you're right. Who did you tell, anyway?"

Katie looked uncomfortable. "Well, before I tell you, let me just say that if I could take it back, I would. And I'll go out of my way to fix any problems those persons might cause..."

"Merlin, Katie, who did you tell?" George asked aggressively.

"Um, see, we were having our weekly lunch, and we were talking, and I was trying to make a point to Alicia--"

"You told Alicia. Let me see, that means that Angelina heard too?" Katie nodded despondently. "Jeez, Katie, not only did you blab my secret, but you blabbed it to the worst person imaginable."

"I know, George. Don't you think I've realized that?"

Katie was near tears by now, and George immediately began to repent his harshness. He sat down at the table and waved Katie over to the seat next to his. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you." George paused, then ventured, "What was Angelina's reaction anyway?"

"Oh, she pretty much completely freaked out."

George looked surprised to hear this. "Really? You don't think she still has feelings for him, do you?"

"I honestly don't know. She claims that she doesn't, but I don't know if Angelina knows how she feels." Katie sighed. "I'm just worried about what she'll do when she sees Fred."

George breathed in sharply. "Oh, right. They're going to see each other at Lee's party, aren't they? That's a recipe for disaster if there ever was one."

***

An owl flew through the window, carrying a box, which, due to its shape, Alicia suspected held flowers. She put the box on the windowsill after giving the owl a treat and sending it on its way. She then turned back to the papers she had been surveying before the owl had interrupted her work.

A voice resounded in her office. "Alicia, the papers you requested have arrived. Would you like me to bring them in?"

Alicia picked up her wand and muttered a charm, and then spoke into the end of her wand, saying, "Yes, that will be fine." Her voice was transmitted to her secretary's desk.

A second later, Alicia's secretary, Bess, knocked lightly on the door. Alicia said, "Come in," and the girl entered. She placed a large pile of papers on Alicia's desk, and was about to turn to go when she spotted the flowers, which were still on the windowsill.

"Oooh, what's that?" Bess asked.

"None of your business," Alicia said brusquely.

Either ignoring or not noticing Alicia's admonishment, Bess continued, "Why don't you open it?"

"Bess! What part of 'none of your business' don't you understand?"

Bess took the cue and exited the room. Once Bess was gone, Alicia groaned in exasperation. She looked at the box suspiciously out of the corner of her eye, then suddenly grabbed the box and savagely ripped it open. It held, as Alicia had guessed, a bouquet of roses. Alicia rolled her eyes and tossed the flowers in the trash before reading the accompanying note.

Alicia,

I'm sorry. Forgive me?

Lee

P.S. Do you have the number of that caterer you always use? Thanks.

Alicia crumpled up the note and threw it in the trash. How typical of Lee, to think that a simple note could solve everything. A note that's purpose wasn't even to apologize, but to get help planning his party.

But, then again, most of their arguments had been resolved by less. Actually, most of their arguments never were resolved, just forgotten after a cooling off period.

But Alicia had not "cooled off" yet. She was still mad at Lee, who had a habit of falling into other women's beds when he was on one of his many business trips. Alicia knew about this, and she really didn't care, but she what didn't like was having a gloating Leslie inform her of Lee's latest intrigue.

Suddenly, inspiration struck and Alicia smiled to herself. She called for Bess

to bring her a Laughing Letter, one of the Weasleys' hottest selling products.

***

"And the Harpies beat the Magpies, 350-60. Stay tuned to the Wizarding Wireless Network for all of the latest information on Quidditch."

Six dejected Quidditch players sat at a table in Off the Pitch, the premier pub for Britain's Quidditch lovers. The players in the pub at the moment, however, did not look like they loved Quidditch very much.

Warren, who had been playing for longer than any of his teammates, finally broke the silence with his pragmatism. "So we lost. We can still win the Cup, we just can't lose again."

"Shut up, Warren," Simone gritted out.

"You know, for someone who doesn't even like the game, you seem awfully upset about losing, Simone," Angelina said.

"I don't like to lose," Simone retorted.

"Yes, well if someone had spotted the Snitch ten seconds sooner, we wouldn't have lost," Vinny said maliciously.

"Well if someone had done a better job deflecting Bludgers, then maybe we would have been able to score more points," Carter shot at Vinny.

"Guys, stop it! Just because we lost doesn't mean we have to take it out on each other," Rufus admonished his teammates.

"It's all that new girl's fault. Honnêtement, you'd think a weeks worth of practicing from before dawn until after dar would improve her skills, mais non," Simone said, lapsing into French as her frustration grew.

Carter nodded. "And all the time we put in was wasted."

"What on earth possessed Corey to pick her of all people?" Vinny asked.

"Don't blame Sammy," Angelina objected. "It's hard to be integrated into a team in this kind of situation, and it takes time. I'm sure that Sammy will eventually get the knack of it and show us why Coach Corey chose her."

"And what about all the games we lose in the process, eliminating once and for all our chances of winning the League Cup, which hasn't been within our grasp in years?" demanded Vinny.

"You think bringing in countless different replacements is better?" Warren asked rhetorically. Angelina is right - it takes time. It's unfortunate, but we're better off keeping the same player."

Rufus nodded. "Why didn't Sammy come with us today anyway?"

"I asked her, but she said she had something else to do." Angelina regarded her teammates. "Can you blame her? After all, you guys are being mean enough behind her back, I hate to think of what you'd say to her face."

"Anything we say, she's earned," Simone sneered. "If she'd played well, then she'd have heard our praise."

Angelina groaned in frustration. Remarks such as these reminded her of why she hadn't liked Simone initially. Angelina wondered if anyone liked Simone on first glance, for displays like this tended to cause the opposite.

Rufus patted Angelina's shoulder sympathetically as Warren said, "Simone, sometimes giving encouragement is more helpful than admonishing them."

Angelina nodded fervently. "Part of Sammy's problem is a lack of confidence. She has the skill, she's just overwhelmed."

"Whatever. I'm sick of talking about this. Let's talk about something more pleasant," Simone said in a bored tone.

Angelina rolled her eyes as Rufus breathed a sigh of relief that the conversation regarding Sammy was over.

"Are you guys all going to Lee's party tomorrow night?" Angelina asked.

"Sorry, can't. I've been away from home enough with all these extra practices, I want to spend some time with my family," Warren replied. Warren was married and had two kids, so he was somewhat less happy-go-lucky than the rest of the team.

"You are so boring, Warren," Simone said flippantly. "You never have time for any fun."

"Simone, something makes me think that you and I have different definitions of fun."

"Hmph! Well, I will be at the party, anyway. Lee's parties are always fun."

Carter laughed. "Amusing anyway. It always seems like there's some big scandal going on at those parties."

Vinny added, "Usually they end with Alicia and Lee screaming at each other."

"That's not true!" Angelina immediately defended her friend. "You're exaggerating, that only happened once..."

"Please, Angelina. We know you turn a blind eye because she's your friend and all, but you can't deny the hard facts," Rufus chided.

"I will not sit here while you badmouth one of my best friends!"

"Okay, okay." Carter raised his hands in the air in defeat.

"Well, I'll be there, at any rate, to see what debacles unfold or don't unfold tomorrow night. And you all will get to see my hot date," Vinny said.

"Oh yeah? And how much did you have to pay her to go out with you?" Angelina teased.

Vinny raised his eyebrows in response and said, "Angelina, you, of all people, should know that I don't need to pay girls to go out with me. If anything, the opposite is the case."

"What do you mean by that?" Warren said, curious as to what Vinny was alluding to with respect to Angelina.

"That it's more likely that girls would end up paying to go out with me, of course."

Simone snorted. "You know, I bet your ego is longer than your broomstick."

Laughter soon erupted at the table, previous antagonism due to the game having disappeared.

**

Alicia entered her apartment, tired out. She took off her cloak and was about to go to the bedroom when she saw a tall black man lounging on her couch.

Alicia sighed. "What are you doing here, Lee?"

"Oh, come on, Alicia. You're not still mad at me, are you? I've told you I'm sorry." Lee paused. "Besides, I'm the one who should be mad. That Laughing Letter came right in the middle of an important meeting and ruined a potential business deal!"

"What? Did I hear correctly? Did you say that you were mad at me? I'm not the one who philanders around, not even bothering to covering up my tracks properly! And that note does not count as an apology."

"I'm sorry, Alicia. What more can I say? What do you want me to do?"

"Get the bloody hell out of my apartment!" Alicia screeched.

"It's not like you to be this petulant, Alicia," Lee said patronizingly.

"GET OUT!" Alicia screamed so loud her voice became hoarse.

"Fine. Owl me when you're feeling rational. See you tomorrow night."

As Lee closed the door, Alicia collapsed on the couch, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She buried her head in her hands and scrunched up her face, willing herself not to cry. He's not worth it, she told herself. Don't let that arrogant prick make you cry.

When she had calmed herself, Alicia got up from the couch and got ready for bed, using fast, deliberate actions to keep herself under control. When she got into bed, she squeezed her eyes shut and ordered herself to go to sleep. Unfortunately, it wasn't until hours later when she finally drifted off.

**