Sarah jumped pushing Angel off her. It was Alex. Sarah pulled her notebook out of her book bag and Angel put a sofa pillow on his lap.

Alex grinned. “Did I interrupt your studying?”

Angel ignored him but smiled and drank his water.

Sarah sat straight faced chin up. “As a matter of fact we are studying. Angel has a very important quiz tomorrow.”

Alex had already grabbed the remote from the table and was flipping through the channels. “Well, you’re not doin’ it here,” He looked back at Angel. “The guys are gonna be here any minute, we’re watching the game.”

Angel was confused at first then it dawned on him. Monday night football. He glanced at the TV "Don't tell me, Chargers are playing?”

Sarah shot him a stern look. “You have to study, Angel. The quiz is tomorrow, no buts about it.”

Alex tsked. “Sucks to be you.” He motioned Angel off the sofa. “Go in the kitchen. I told those guys they better not show up empty handed, and I’m ordering pizza. I’m gonna need this table."

Angel and Sarah moved into the kitchen. They settled down on the counter in the center island. Sarah turned out to be a pretty tough tutor, not wanting to waiver from the task at hand. Although, Angel didn’t make it easy, with all his continual kissing and groping. She pulled away giggling from his ear nibbling.

“Okay Angel, pay attention. This is easy stuff. Donde estan means where are.” They looked up and saw Romero come in the kitchen. He pulled his fingers across his lips to show his lips were zipped.

Sarah continued. “You already know all these words,” She pointed at a list of words in the book. “So, Donde esta mis zapatos? Means, where are my shoes? Donde estan mis llaves? is Where are my keys? Now you try it.”

Before Angel could start Sarah’s cell phone rang. “I’ll just send it to voicemail.”

“Nah, get it.” Angel welcomed the break. “I’m gonna grab some pizza anyway.”

She answered and stood up walking toward the patio door. The guys in the other room cheered loudly and she covered her free ear to try to hear better. She motioned to Angel that she was stepping outside. Angel nodded, barely paying attention.

“Did they score?” he asked, turning his attention toward the den.

“Sure did!” Romero said, walking toward him. He’d ran back out when the guys started cheering.

They both walked over to the counter where the pizza was. “Hey, try this one,” Romero said. “Donde estan mis bolas?” Where are my balls?

Angel laughed grabbing a slice and leaned against the counter.

Romero shook his head, his face disgusted. He took a quick look out the window to make sure Sarah wasn’t listening. “Dude, you’re that whipped you’re missing the Charger game?”

Angel smiled chewing his pizza. “I have to study, man. If I don’t do well on this quiz tomorrow, I sit out Friday’s game.”

Romero shook his head still unconvinced. “Well, you’re missing a hell of a game.” He grabbed another slice before heading back into the den.

Angel frowned and finished up his slice of pizza. He glanced out the window and saw Sarah still on her phone laughing. She saw him and stuck her tongue out. He smiled and walked away taking advantage of the time to watch a little of the game.

He was just outside the kitchen when he heard the patio door open. He walked back in and saw Sarah standing at the door facing out. He caught the tail end of her conversation.

“Of course not,” she said. “Don’t be silly, I’m thrilled for you. This is huge. You know me. If I was there I’d be jumping all over you, celebrating.”

Angel’s eyebrow went up.

“Yes.. yes.. I swear. Okay, talk to you later.”

She hung up and turned around. She looked a little surprised that Angel was standing there. “That was Sydney.”

Angel’s expression softened and he nodded, walking around the island to get another slice of pizza. “What’s going on with her?” he asked, without turning around.

*****

Sarah bit her lip wincing, thankful that his back was turned at the moment. She knew she had said the next time he referred to Sydney as a female she’d correct him, but somehow now didn’t quite seem like the right time or place.

Something told her Angel’s studying would be shot and she didn’t want to be responsible for him not playing on Friday.

By now, Angel had turned around and was facing her. Careful to not further the already growing lie she had to think about her wording. “Sydney accepted an early music scholarship to Columbia University, in New York.”

Angel’s eyes narrowed a little. “And she didn’t think you’d be happy?”

He walked over to join her. She’d already sat down where they’d been studying.

“Well,” She cleared her throat. “I was quiet for a second when I heard Columbia ‘cause Syd had always said UCLA was the ultimate goal. So, Syd thought maybe I was upset because Columbia was so far. But I’m actually getting use to the distance between us. Besides with technology being what it is now. It’s almost like we’re not even apart. We talk so much on the phone.” As soon as she said that last part, she was wishing she could take it back. She kept forgetting Angel would eventually know about Syd, and little details like that would only make it harder for him to understand.

“Yeah,” Angel nodded. “Then there’s e-mail. No matter how far away, I’m sure you two will keep in touch.”