About half an hour earlier, in the woods

Once again Brandon and Victoria strode through the woods, up the hill from the boathouse back to the cabin. Vicky turned back at the sound of the boats engine, watching Kurt and Jennifer glide over the placid lake wistfully, before glancing at her companion. She felt there was something different about Brandon now, a feeling she didn't think was entirely due to Kurt's absence. He seemed agitated as they strode in silence, conflicted somehow, trying to sneak glances at her that she easily caught, her quizzical expression making him turn away with slight panic, before trying again a few moments later with the same result.

"Hey, Bran," she said suddenly in her musical voice, smiling at him. "What is it?"

"Nothing," he replied, too quickly. She smiled to herself; it seemed silly, but it was almost like he was shy around her. She allowed herself to entertain that fantasy; that this was a jock who crushed on a nerdy writer for the school newspaper, too scared to show his feelings for fear of losing the credibility that comes with playing high school football and dating a cheerleader.

"Come on, what's up?" she continued, her tone utterly sincere. "You keep looking at me like you... I don't know, it's quite flattering."

Brandon came to a sudden halt, looking back at her with a suddenly deeply mistrustful expression. "What do you mean?"

She shrugged. "Nothing." Brandon eyed her for a little longer, before turning back around and continuing to walk, his pace somehow more methodical than before, as if he had something new to think about.

"Is it true?" Victoria asked. "About Ashley not wanting sex?"

Bran spun around again, expression angry. What was her game? "What are you getting at Vicky?"

She blushed. "Well... I was just wondering how long it's been since you've..."

"About a month," Brandon said, his tone harsh and clipped.

Vicky gasped. "Oh you poor man."

"Yeah," he grunted. "I'm fucking horny all the time. Does that answer your questions?"

Vicky nodded. "It does, but..."

"Good," Brandon said before she could finish, turning and resuming his forward motion. He took a few furious strides before coming just as quickly to a halt, turning back to her. "But what?"

Vicky hadn't moved while he'd torn ahead. She was a few paces behind, toying with the button on her shirt, cheeks crimson as she looked at the ground. "Well, I... I thought maybe I could help with that."