Misunderstood }{ (C)

[Signal]

Signal was in a rather grumpy mood today. He felt like he hadn't been out in months. Today though, he would finally get to spend time with the beautiful Liza. He and her had been dating for over 2 years now. It was amazing. She was everything to him. It had been a while since the pregnancy scare and they had been closer for it than ever. Of course, he had to wear extra protection since that incident...

Oh well.

Now he was walking down the hallway, wearing his favorite white jacket and a pair of his nicest jeans. Today was grumpy, not lost.

[Noel]

Liza loved fall, it was almost her favorite season. She loved how it was a little cooler and everything changed. She particularly loved this day. The air had been crisp so she'd put on a white t-shirt, slipping her favorite purple long cardigan over it. She had let her hair fall in waves, not to done up but not running wild. She'd gone through classes like she always had. Recently she'd had a cold so she'd missed a day or so of class. Lucky for her she had a wonderful lab partner named Caleb who was willing to help out. That was were she stood, just outside her classrooms door with said partner after class.

"You are totally my hero right now." Liza took the papers held out to her with dramatic urgency. Her dark washed skinny jeans were tucked into dark brown boots. Caleb laughed a little before saying," Oh you know I try. Just don't get sick for awhile. It's mad boring in that class without you annoying everyone." The girl grinned at this. She liked Caleb, she was glad he had been her partner. He had a girlfriend he talked about constantly which was, adorable first of all, and also gave her an excuse to talk about Signal. Her insides thrilled a little thinking about her longtime boyfriend. Being together two years hadn't made any feeling for him fade or go stale. It had just been getting better with age.

Liza poked Caleb in the arm before teasing," Missed me eh? It's not because I'm annoying either. You know it's because of my stunning good looks and charming ways. Even the teacher can't stand me being gone." This only made the boy laugh harder. They had this thing where they would banter to make the time in class go by. She'd always tell him to stop falling in love with her and he in return would pretend she was gross. The fake gagging always sent them off into titters that made the teacher glare. Caleb shook his head," Aren't you supposed to be meeting your prince charming big head?"
"Pretty big head. And he's a knight. AND no, I'm making him come to me."
"Why do girls always make us come to them?"
"Because we're worth it."
"Not all the time."
"I'm telling Evelynn you said that!"

Caleb plucked the notes he'd given her from her hands and held them over his head. "You tell Eve and I am going to make your grade suffer," he said smiling as she struggled on her tip toes to get the papers. Finally after much torture for the little brunette she snatched them back. Straightening herself and said," Fine fine, I won't tell. Wouldn't want to be responsible for your heart being broken." TO anyone walking in on the conversation it would seem like flirting. Liza was just friendly, and Caleb was madly in love. Hell, she was madly in love. But sometimes she didn't really see the line between friendly banter and unintentional flirtations.

[Signal]

Signal turned the corner, and stopped in the hallway, seeing a reflection. His eyes sparked, violet flashing as he looked at the reflection with new eyes. The boy was smiling at her, holding up a paper, and she was laughing too... rather close to him...

He felt his heart sink into his diaphram, a deeper hit than any punch. He blinked, taking a few deep breaths. Was she wanting a new boyfriend? Had he done something wrong? Let the fire die?

He took a deep breath, walking his way to the door and letting his eyes relax and turning the corner into the room. "Hey. Liza. You ready to go?" His voice sounded a bit gruff. He was staring absolute daggers into Caleb. He dared that boy to say something. Anything...

[Noel]

She was laughing at something Caleb had said, something about making his girlfriend hot chocolate and it going wrong when Signal had walked in. She turned her head at the sound of his voice. She noted faintly the odd tone but didn't think much of it. Caleb looked at him too, noting his expression. He raised an eyebrow before holding up a hand in a half wave. Slinging on his backpack he glanced at Liza," Er, I'm going to go to practice now. I'll see ya Lizard." Liza mock glared at him before walking over toward Signal. She waved the papers before saying," Yeah yeah, thanks again for the notes!"

Caleb nodded, walking out the door, having to pass Signal. Maybe Liza was blissfully blind to it but he could tell Signal hadn't enjoyed the scene he walked in on. Once he was gone Liza leaned up and kissed Signal's cheek," Hey, sorry I wasn't in the usual spot. I had to beg Caleb for notes. I would be dead without them." She grinned before rolling her eyes a bit. She was never a really outstanding student, but at least she had classmates willing to help her out. She finally seemed to notice his expression because the next moment she asked," Are you alright? You seem a bit...not cheerful."

[Signal]

Lizard? He watched the boy as he walked past, his eyes growing a bit bluer as he walked by. Signal wanted nothing more than to make a move... Every inch was tense at that precise moment. How dare he?

With the kiss on the cheek, Signal turned his attention to the girl. "Who is he?" He held up his hands. "Nevermind... Just... Nevermind." He turned and started walking out the door, not even looking at his shorter girlfriend. He was mad. He didn't even know why...

"Not cheerful? Not... Cheerful. Ok. I'm not cheerful. My girlfriend is slathered all over another guy and I'm just supposed to be cheerful?" He shook his head, his head not thinking clearly. He just felt... scared.

[Noel]

"Caleb is my lab partner," Liza answered while raising her eyebrows at his tone. She narrowed his eyes as he turned away. She was extremely confused. Maybe he'd had a bad day in classes or something. She followed him into the hall almost walking on his heels. Her mouth twisted into a frown. He seemed so agitated but she couldn't understand why. Was she not allowed to have male friends? She was friends with Blake. She didn't see why this was any different.

Her mouth fell open in shock at his accusation. It snapped shut a moment later while an expression of hurt and outrage took over. Stepping in front of him so she could confront the situation properly she protested," I wasn't slathered all over him, I didn't even touch him!" She stuffed the notes in her bag before she could forget while shaking her head. Once she was free of them she crossed her arms, looking at him unhappily. Why on earth would he think that? She had just been talking with a friend. Suddenly she felt like she was being accused of cheating or something. She was just being friendly! She looked at the ground a moment," You're being ridiculous. Caleb is just my friend! I'm not allowed to have friends?" She shook her head again.

[Signal]

Signal looked at the girl and took another breath. "Whatever..." He continued walking, looking at her again. "I have great vision alright, I can see you like him. I think he likes you too." His voice got a bit lower as he spoke, stepping around the corner and outside.

"Seriously though? You didn't notice how you were all over him? I mean come on, he calls you Lizard! Pet names?"

He crossed his own arms, staring at the girl. "If you like him so much, then go out with him. Seriously... Just go."

[Noel]

She couldn't believe this. What was going on? Had she stepped into an alternate universe? She looked around comically for flying pigs. She followed him as he walked exclaiming," I do not like him. You are acting crazy right now!" She threw her hands up. Biting down on her lips hard she closed her eyes to regain composure. She shook her head laughing harshly. She couldn't believe the way this was going. She'd just been excited about spending time with him, Signal. Her boyfriend. She grabbed onto his arm desperately to make him see reason," I wasn't all over him. Your eyes might be powerful but they can trick you too! And Lizard isn't a pet name it's an insult!"

She took a step back in astonishment. Putting a hand to her throat she shook her head. Was he breaking up with her? She hadn't even done anything! Blinking back tears she adjusted her bag on her shoulder. He'd never been so harsh. So unwilling to listen and plain mean. She looked up at him," I don't know why you've suddenly lost your mind but I'm going to leave, to go to my dorm. Alone you know, since you're my boyfriend and no one else. Call me when you don't want to be a jerk." She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying before storming past him in the opposite direction they had been walking. So much for it being the perfect fall day.

[Signal]

Signal watched her storm off, crossing his arms and doing the same, heading to his own dorm. How could she be like that? He wasn't stupid... Or maybe he was. How long had this been going on?

He knocked on Blake's door, walking in and slamming the door.

"Sorry dude... Sounds like she really likes him... I don't know what to tell you. I know flirting," He held up a hand, "And that's it bro."

Signal was pacing back and forth, throwing his hands up in the air and letting out a frustrated noise.

"Look. I'll go talk to her. It'll be alright, just hang out around here, get the steam off... Don't.. break anything though."[/b] Blake stood up, heading out the door and closing it gently. "Shit..." he said under his breath, taking his phone from his pocket.

"Kiiiiiiimber. I'm gonna assume that Liza is on the other line right now... Uh... We should probably meet up and figure out what to do here..."

He closed his phone, heading out to the courtyard to wait for Kimber to get here... She was probably on her way.[/size]

[Noel]

"He just went off about how I liked this guy, and how I should be with him instead. I'm pretty sure he broke up with me," Liza said into the phone as she leaned back into her pillows. Her eyes were a little puffy from a brief crying session. But the tears had dried up with the replacement of anger. She hadn't done anything. Caleb wasn't even interested in her! On the other line a female sighed before offering," Perhaps he just had a bad day and was looking for something to take it out on."
"Yes but Kimber, why me? I didnt DO anything."
"He played keep away with your papers."
"Everyone plays keep away with my papers! It's the whole schools favorite past time."
"It is pretty amusing."

Liza made a grunting noise. Kimber ignored the beeping of a call on the other line, trying to reassure her friend. She agreed to come over for support before hanging up. The red head sighed. It seemed like they were always fixing each other's love problems. As she walked onto Stone Brook's campus she listened to her voicemail. She rolled her eyes. Apparently Signal had gotten to her boyfriend. Sighing she made a detour to the courtyard. Seeing Blake she walked toward him, stopping in front of where he was sitting. Rubbing her temples she began," We have to make this quick Liza is waiting for me."

[Signal]

"Well I figured we'd get the whole story from each other. Signal says that Liza was flirting with this other guy, and when he told her it upset him, she just told him that he was wrong. Didn't apologize or anything." He shrugged his shoulders, leaning back.

"Told me the guy has a nickname for her and uh... She was poking him and was really smiley. I don't know Kimber. Sounds like the guy just realized he isn't the only guy in Liza's world..."He stood up and hugged her tight. "Nice to see you again though babe. How's life?"

[Noel]

Kimber gritted her teeth as she mulled over the story. She thought back to her phone conversation with Liza. The younger girl had told her that yes, she'd poked him but she poked everyone. And the nickname was just his way of trying to bug her. She closed her eyes momentarily before throwing her hands up in the air. She complained," I don't understand how we always end up helping with their problems. I get anxiety whenever it happens." She then rummage through her bag. Pulling out her phone she glanced at Blake before looking at it. No text messages yet. Making a grunting sound she said," Look, she doesnt need to apologize. Liza is just friendly. She pokes and invades everyone's personal space. Even you." She sighed before looking up at the sun." Besides. She told me about this guy. He has a really serious girlfriend, one he's thinking about proposing to. I think...I think he just reminds her of her brother."

Kimber's expression became sad at this. She sympathized with Liza. Her brother had been her closest friend before he died. She remembered Liza talking about Caleb once, saying he was so like her brother it was creepy. Sometimes she thought the girl was just looking for that replacement. Some sibling bond she no longer had. God forbid she get it from her sister. She leaned her head against his shoulder as they hugged. She rubbed her lips together before replying," I'm okay. Howd you get dragged into this anyway? And what did you say to Signal?" She pulled back and raised an eyebrow. She had a funny feeling when it came to Blake and love advice. Especially when he gave it to Signal.

[Signal]

Blake broke the hug, taking a step back and smirking at the girl. "How many times has Liza and Sig been there for us. This is the first time we get to return the favor." He chuckled, turning on heel and heading toward the school with her.

"Well for Sig to be getting upset, something had to be different in the way she was acting with him. And I just told him... Uh... Well you know the usual it'll all work out and all that." He gave a grin at her, stepping through the door and giving her a wave. "I'll set Sig straight, you just get Liza ready to forgive him."

[Noel]

"We helped them with the scare too," Kimber said in a hushed tone as she followed him inside. She and Liza never said the word pregnancy or pregnant. If they did talk about it it was always just "the scare" or "the incident". Liza thought it was bad mojo to call it anything else. The redhead rolled her eyes a bit before musing," I think Signal has been so blinded by love he just never noticed before, and his bad mood showed some clarity." Not to say Liza was a flirt or something. Not that she ever WOULD cheat on him. But she was friendly and she mostly didnt think about how it could look to other people. She was childlike that way. So open and willing to cling to others easily.

Kimber nodded at his plan, heading in the direction of the girl's dorm. She didn't have time to knock. Liza opened the door as soon as she was in front of it. She looked around before ushering the older girl inside. Kimber was about to ask but Liza was already answering her question," I heard your shoes. No one wears heels around the dorms." Kimber frowned and looked at her heeled black booties. Liza sat down on her bed going back to the magazine she'd discarded when she went to get the door. Her friend sat in the desk chair studying her. Finally Kimber decided to start the conversation.

"Are you ok?"
"I'm fine."
"You don't seem fine."
"Well I am."
"I think Signal is really upset."
"Maybe that's why he broke up with me."

Kimber sighed and rubbed her eyes. Liza glanced up at her with a bitter frown. Kimber shifted her position to sit on the bed with the other girl. She tried again, patiently choosing her words. She felt like she was talking to an elementary student," I don't think he broke up with you. I think he was just in a bad mood and wrongly, I will admit, took it out on you." Liza closed the magazine with a huff, throwing it onto her desk. Settling back on her pillows she exclaimed," Well I know that! But it still hurt." She gave her friend a pout and felt her eyes well up with tears for a moment. But she pushed them back. Kimber sighed,"I know it did. But trust me. He'll see the error and it'll be fine." Liza nodded. She sure hoped it would.

[Signal]

Blake stepped into the room where Signal was laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "Well... You gonna talk to me?"

Sig turned around and crossed his arms. "I was wrong... I should apologize..." Signal, with his epiphany stood up and made his way toward the door.

Blake took a breath and shook his head. "Well that was easy," he mumbled under his breath, following in tote.

Sig was nearly running toward the dorms. Blake was right on his heels, happy hat this was workin out the way that it should happen.

Signal stopped at the door, staring at it.

Blake blinked at him, "What? lose your nerve?"