Reggie stood in the corner of her high school gym, hot tears flowing freely from her closed eyes.

She opened her eyes, half expecting for it to be gone. No, the image was still there. Right in front of her, dancing with Cathy Stone.

"I can't believe I'm jealous." Reggie whispered to herself. "Thank God the gym's so dark at this dance. This way no one can see me cry."

Reggie wiped a tear from her face.

Reggie saw Sam coming toward her and she wiped away any remaining tears that could still be on her face.

"Hey, Sammy." Reggie smiled. Unfortunately, he knew her so well he was able to see right through it.

"Hey." He looked in the direction of where Reggie was looking. "It's hard, isn't it?"

Reggie gave him a confused look.

"You know what I'm talking about. Seeing Twister dancing with someone who isn't...you. I know the feeling." He said softly.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She replied, crossing her arms over her chest and looking at the floor.

Sam laughed. "Yes you do. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Seeing Twister dancing with Cathy...it's hard."

"Look, Sammy...I know you're trying to help, but Twister and I never had anything. Why should who he dances with bother me?"

Sam shrugged. "You tell me, Reg. Why would it bother you?"

There was a silence between the two of them for a moment before Reggie looked up at him.

"Sammy, could you tell Otto that I left early? I'm not feeling too well."

Sam nodded. "Of course. Be careful." Sam added, concerned about her walking by herself. "Do you want me to walk with you? I don't have to stick around if you don't-"

Reggie lifted her finger to his lips and smiled. "Stay. I need some time to think."

Sam smiled back. "Okay." He whispered.

Reggie smiled one last time before walking out of the school.

Sam watched her sadly as she left.

.......................................................................................

Reggie walked slowly down the beach, her dress skimming the moonlit water.

She laughed slightly. "I can't believe I actually wore a dress to one of those things. 'Spring Formal'. Whatever."

Reggie rolled her eyes, preventing herself from crying.

"Was I really that stupid that I thought, by wearing one of these things and putting some make up one, Twister would actually see me as someone other than his best friend's sister?" Reggie looked down at her dress. It was fair in length, a couple inches below her kneecaps. It was certainly appropriate for the Spring Formal, white with light, pastel flowers covering it.

She leaned down and scooped some water up in her hands, splashing it on her face, removing any remaining makeup her tears didn't already wipe off.

She turned her head and gazed longingly at the school. She sighed, imagining all her friends having a good time. A laugh escaped her mouth as she thought of her younger brother being the center of attention, as always.

Reggie shook her head and proceeded her walk back home.

............................................................................................

"Hey, Reg. What are you doing back so early? I didn't think the dance ended for another hour and a half." Raymundo greeted his daughter as she stepped into the house.

Reggie shrugged. "Got bored, I guess."

Raymundo grinned slightly. "That's my girl."

Reggie smiled.

"Um...dad? I'm gonna go take a shower and get ready for bed."

"Alright, princess. When you're done I could pop in a movie and we could watch it together. We haven't had a movie night in a long time."

Reggie was about to protest by saying she was tired, but the hopeful look in her dad's eye was too overpowering and she responded by saying 'Sure, that sounds great.'

Reggie gave her dad a smile before running up the stairs and grabbing some pajamas from her bedroom. She ran some tepid water and turned the shower nozzle. Stripping out of her clothes and stepping tenderly into the shower, closing the curtain behind her, Reggie washed her hair and lathered her body with soap.

Reggie was in pure solitude. For a few short minutes she was at peace. Not thinking about what she would be doing if she were still at the dance. Not imagining what kind of trouble her brother was getting into. Not visualizing how close Twister and Cathy would be dancing right now. And not letting Sammy's words have any affect on her nice, warm shower.

Reggie sighed and turned off the water, wrapping a warm, fuzzy towel around her body and leaning over so she could wrap a smaller one around her hair.

She wiped some of the steam off of the bathroom mirror and looked at herself.

"No wonder Twister doesn't like me." She sighed. "Figures."

Reggie slipped her pajamas on and fiercely shook the towel through her hair, drying it as much as she could before running a brush through it and cleaning up the rest of the bathroom to a state that would meet her father's approval.

She ran down the stairs, plopping on the couch next to her dad.

"Hey. That was quick." Raymundo got up and pushed the video into the VCR.

"I'm gonna make some popcorn. Do you want anything to drink while I'm up?"

Reggie shrugged. "A root beer?"

"Good choice. Two root beers and a bowl of popcorn, coming up."

Reggie watched the previews as her father prepared the snacks in the kitchen.

"So, what movie are we watching?" Reggie asked as her dad walked into the living room with their stuff.

Ray placed the food on the table and picked up the video case.

"Hitchhiker. It's the infamous hitchhiking urban legend, with a good moral."

"Goodie."

Just as Ray turned out the lights and sat down next to his daughter, the movie started.

.............................................................................................

"Hello? Dad. I'm home." Otto walked into his house. He noticed the lights were out and he heard a low whimpering noise.

"Dad?" Otto walked into the living room and turned on the light.

He saw his sister sitting on the couch and his father...well...behind the couch.

"What's going on?" Otto asked, trying to hold back his amusement.

"We were just watching a movie. Dad got a little freaked."

"A little freaked?" Otto laughed.

"Ahem...well, I don't know about you, Reg, but I'm beat. I'll just turn this off for now." Raymundo stopped the movie and turned off the TV.

"Um...dad? Twister and the Squid are spending the night, remember?"

Ray gave his son a quizzical look.

"Remember dad? Twister's parent's are out of town on a college scout thing with Lars and you said that Sam could spend the night, too, since it's Friday and we could have a-"

Reggie intervened before her brother had a panic attack.

"Dad, you did say that. Remember the other day at the Shack when Otto asked and you said, 'Sure, whatever. Just don't make too much noise.'"

Ray raised an eyebrow in speculation. "I guess I did say that, didn't I. Well, where are they?"

Otto breathed a sigh of relief. "They're waiting in the kitchen."

Ray nodded. "Okay, Otto. Just, keep the noise level to a low. I'm gonna have enough trouble sleeping as it is."

"Thanks dad!" Otto shouted as he ran into the kitchen.

........................................................................................................

Reggie glanced at the digital clock from her position on the couch.

"11:07." She mumbled.

She looked around the darkened living room and noticed her brother, Twister, and Sam staring forcefully at the television screen while they laid sprawled on the floor. They were having a scary movie marathon, currently on 'Scream'. Classic, according to Reggie.

Reggie closed her eyes. She was tired. She wanted to go to sleep. It was a long day and she was exhausted.

Good thing she was already in her pajamas. She pulled the covers up over her and fluffed her pillow on the leather couch. She glanced one more time around the living room. Her eyes rested on Twister. For a split second their eyes locked. Then, Reggie closed them, finally able to drift off to a nice, peaceful sleep.

No Twister included.