Title: Breaking Point

Author: Alan Hitchen

Email: darkmere2000@yahoo.co.uk

Disclaimer: Popular is the property of Touchstone Television

Pairing: None as such

Rating: PG-13

Based on: Booty Camp

Quotation from episode: Nicole Julian to Rock Glass. "That's it? That's all you got? I told you no one could break me. Huh. I win. I always win."

Summary: Nicole loses

After a weekend at sensitivity camp, shunned by her former friends, Nicole makes her way to join Freddy Gong at lunch. He is not pleased to see her.

"What do you want, Nicole? I thought we had an agreement?"

"We do, I just noticed that you always seem to eat alone," she said, while taking the seat opposite him. "It's not such a great feeling is it?"

"No. No, it isn't."

"I'm sorry," Nicole said with genuine feeling.

"Thanks," he replied, somewhat surprised.

Nicole fiddled with her can of diet supplement as Freddy watched, entranced by the close proximity of his former tormentor. She stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. "Want to know why I did it?" Freddy nodded his head.

"It isn't because I hate you. Lord, no, I don't even know you well enough to hate you. Though at least I do know your name. Which is more than Brooke did until recently." She stopped speaking abruptly, lips trembling, on the point of tears.

"Then why did you do it?" Freddy asked.

Nicole took a moment to re-compose herself before answering him. "Because I could. By making you look small I could make myself look big. A simple demonstration of my power and position as a popular personality. It didn't have to be you, it could have been anyone. It isn't about you. It's about me."

Emboldened by Nicole's candour, Freddy replied strongly, "Do you know how pathetic that sounds?"

"Yes, I know, but it gets worse. Why did I say what I said? Why did I constantly imply you're gay, even though I know you're not?"

"I don't know, why?"

"Well, firstly, because you reacted to it. If you'd ignored me I'd have gone away. But secondly, it was the ultimate irony I guess, to accuse another of being what you are yourself." Nicole turned to stare longingly at Brooke laughing with her friends at the popular table. "Yes, that's the kicker, Freddy, you're not gay... but I am."