"Best friends have two requirements: be as crazy as one another and accept the other."

❥

"Have you watched the game yesterday? That was sick", Scott asks Jeff as soon as they arrive at the public baseball field to practice together. "Just a bit", Jeff answers, "I wanted to watch the whole game but Leah had other plans so I agreed to go out with her." "You and Leah", Scott chuckles, "Never thought that would happen." "Why?", Jeff wonders. "You never were close and she's said some things about Liz, you know." 

"Yeah, she's told me about it. But Leah apologized and it's in the past anyways. I won't judge her for that." "So Lennox and you are over for real?", Scotts questions trying not to sound too excited about it. "Yes, no, I mean.. I don't know", Jeff sighs, "You know how I feel about her, but I'm trying to focus on Leah right now. I will never be able to have a normal relationship if I keep thinking about Els." "And your plan for college?" 

"Why do you even care, bro? I thought you hate each other", Jeff wonders about his sudden interest in her. "Yeah, sure. But I can care about you, right? You were the one who came up with this plan." "You're right. I mean, we first have to get into the same colleges. Els is going to Harvard and I doubt that I'll get into Harvard or into a college anywhere close to her. So we might have to re-think that plan." 

"Sounds like a plan", Scott nods, "How did you ask Lennox out?" Jeff told him a few years ago but Scott doesn't know the details anymore. And he needs to know more before he's doing something. What if he asked her the same way like Jeff did? What if he asks her and it isn't enough? Or what if everything is fine but she still says no? They two of them don't have the usual story where they get to know each other and fall in love. 

"Scotty, so interested today", Jeff jokes clapping his friend on his shoulder, "You don't plan to ask her out, do you?" "Hell, no", Scott laughs acting as innocent as possible, "You remember that I planned to only have a girlfriend when I really like her? Looks like I like someone." "No shit, Scotty, man", Jeff laughs, "You're settling down." "Maybe, I am." 

"I picked her up and brought her flowers. Els always says she hates flowers but she's also happy about it so I just decided for it and she loved it. We went for a walk in the park and I made her dinner and asked her. Do whatever you think your girls likes." "Yeah, right. Thanks for the advice, bro." "Asking out a girl for the first time is weird but great if she says yes and I mean you're you. She'll say yes. Who even is it?" "I'll let you know one day", Scott chuckles knowing how mysterious this sounds but he couldn't risk anything, "But she's great."

At the same time as the boys begin to play baseball, the girls walk through the small town talking about they're lives during lunch break. "So, when are you and Jason finally getting together?", Liz asks Sheri excited for her friend to be in love. "We're not going to be together. I mean we've had a good time and all, but I don't love him." 

"Are you okay?", Liz stops walking and looks at her friend worriedly. "Yeah", Sheri laughs lightly, "Thanks, but I'm really fine. I didn't have the strongest feelings for him and we're on good terms so I'm fine", Sheri admits, "Class starts in twenty minutes. Let's go back to school?" "Sure."

"By the way, you're coming to Jeff with me", Sheri decided as she's taking the rest of her books out of her locker. "Sher, I love you but no. Plus, you're annoying." "Yeah, you too. If you're not coming to Jeff's party, I won't be going there, too." "Are you insane now? We're not five years old anymore! Me and the boys, you and Jeff, okay?"

"Ah, Jeff, can you come for a second?", Sheri suddenly calls him when she sees him walking by, loud enough so everyone around them could hear her. "Are you crazy? I have enough problems with Leah!", Liz hisses at her angrily but Jeff and Leah are on their way to them already.

"Listen, Liz is my best friend, the heart to my soul, the weed to my Justin-" "We got it, come to an end", Liz rolls her eyes when the others look at Sheri awkwardly. This is weird enough already so she hopes that it they get it done soon. "I just wanted to let you know that I won't be coming to your party as long as El's not invited. Either both of us or none."

"Just to make it clear, my life does not dependent on that", Liz adds trying to make the conversation less awkward. "Good, we heard it. Let's go, babe", Leah smiles happily pulling her boyfriend closer to her.

"Wait, just come together, no problem. The others will be glad about it", Jeff smiles irresistibly. Now that Liz knows that they're dating and she also said that it's fine, there's no reason why shouldn't come. Of course, Jeff knows what's going on between Leah and Liz. He only acts like he doesn't know about it so maybe the two of them would get along earlier.

"Yeah sure", Liz laughs ironically when I saw Leah's expression. "Babe, Liz doesn't seem like she wanted to come. Let her decide." "Okay again to make it clear: Liz is only for my good friends. And as far as I know we're not even friends because my friends don't fuck with my ex-boyfriend", Liz interrupts her but still smiles provocatively, "But thanks for letting me decide. I'd love to come."

Leah's jaw drops. She is shocked about the way Liz could reply to her this easily and tramps away. Jeff chuckles lightly but knows that the girl just got him into hot water. "Did you have to say that? If you're jealous then just tell me."

"What? I've just said the truth, didn't I?", Liz asks Sheri after Jeff has left and when the girl looks at her skeptically. "Well.. Leah and Jeff haven't had sex. She wants to desperately but he wants to give them time." "Why does he talk to you about that?"

"He doesn't. She stopped me after gym class and asked for weed to calm him down", Sheri explains laughing. "What did you say?" Maybe the girl sounded too interested, but she doesn't care about it that much. She's talking to Sheri, her best friend. She could tell her anything.

"That she should go to Bryce and ask him. I'm not a dealer. Oh and she thinks that I'm on your side because I couldn't help her. Wait, why am I telling you that. You said you were over him!" "Sher, I.. I don't know. I think I am but seeing him with someone else is.. it's awkward. I wish that he finds a good girlfriend but Leah isn't the right one for him."

"What happened?", Zach joins the girls laying his arms around his friends. "Jeff's new girlfriend Leah is not the biggest fan of Liz." "I wouldn't be amused, too, when my girlfriend wouldn't concentrate on me because of her ex-boyfriend", he replies joking. "Okay, stop that guys!", Liz says but still laughs along with her friends.