Monday:

Jessi and Lori are in the bathroom getting ready, while Kyle, Josh, Niccole, and Stephen are downstairs in the kitchen.

"Hey Jessi?"

"Hmm…?"

"Friday's the dance, you should come."

"I should?"

"Yeah ask Dean to be your date and plus you have that beautiful blue dress we got yesterday."

"Um…"

"Oh come on Jessi."

"Okay okay, I'll think about it."

"Good" Lori went back to doing her makeup. Man, I'm not sure about this Jessi thought. I don't want to give Dean the impression that I only have feelings for him if I still feel attached to Kyle. That will make me look like the bad guy for not telling him sooner about our past…What am I suppose to do.

"Jessi, don't worry about your feelings." Lori interrupted her thoughts. "Going to a dance together doesn't necessarily mean you're ready for a serious relationship, so relax."

Jessi smiled. "Thanks Lori"

"No problem."

Jessi turned and Lori heard her go downstairs to look for Dean. Lori soon joined her. Dean walked up to the door and knocked but before either Lori or Jessi could get it, Kyle had opened the door.

"Hello, can I help you?" Kyle asked coldly. Dean showed no sign of agitation from the way Kyle spoke to him.

"Yes, is Jessi here?" Kyle was taken aback by his confidence. Before Kyle could respond Jessi was already there.

"Hey Dean, I see that you have meat Kyle"

"Hello Kyle." Kyle just nodded.

"And remember me."

"Hello again Lori, it's a pleasure you meet you again." He smiled. "Anyone else I should meet?"

"There's me, Josh's the name."

"Hi. Should I introduce myself to your parents as well Jessi?"

"Of course you should." Lori answered for her.

"Then please lead the way." He smiled once again while following Jessi and Lori to the kitchen.

"Umm…Niccole, Stephen."

"Huh?"

"Oh Jessi, what is it?"

They both looked to see another boy behind them. He stepped forward. "Hello, I'm Dean, Jessi's friend at work; it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Jessi has told me so much about you."

"Why hello Dean." Niccole replied.

"I hope we can trust you with Jessi" Stephen added.

"Why of course, I wouldn't dream of getting Jessi in any trouble." Dean replied.

"Well aren't you charming." Niccole smiled.

Dean smiled in response. "Well then Jessi we should get to school."

"Yeah okay."

"It was great meeting all of you." He told them.

"You too Dean" Stephen replied.

Jessi turned around to lead Dean back, Kyle was still standing by the door, Josh and Lori had left to get ready. Kyle's eyes narrowed as Dean and Jessi approached him.

"It was great meeting you as well Kyle." Dean said grinning.

"Yeah sure." Kyle responded.

"Well then gorgeous, we should get going."

"Yeah okay. Bye Kyle."

"Bye." Kyle responded shortly afterwards.

Dean looked back. "Have a great day Kyle" he said while mocking him. Kyle looked up but Dean was already near his bike. Kyle watched as he got on and Jessi sat behind him, holding on to him, Dean raised a hand in salute. "I'll take good care of her." Kyle's eyes turned dark with anger as he watched them drive away.

They got to school and began walking to the building. They were silent for most of the way when Jessi finally broke the silence.

"Why…why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Mock Kyle like that?"

"He likes you, and he's taking his anger out at me because me and you are always together."

"But he has a girlfriend?"

"But he likes you."

"I don't think so."

"That's because you don't know how wonderful you truly are."

Her eye's looked startled. "Huh?"

"Jessi you're a beautiful girl and even though you haven't told me everything about your past, I know you're not perfect but that doesn't make you worse it makes you even better than perfect because you're you and Kyle missed his chance for now at that. He missed seeing how gorgeous and wonderful you truly are before it was too late."

He can't have loved me, why would he turn me away then. Why did he pick her?

"But I didn't-"

"You didn't have to say a word; I saw the way you looked at each other, he loves you and your too afraid to love him or at least be close to him because he has already hurt you. And that's not it, there is something more, a connection, I felt it, something deeper then blood, something special that you're not saying."

"Dean…"

"I'm not giving up!"

"What?!"

"I like you Jessi, and I'm not going to give up until you tell me to."

"Why?"

"Because you deserve better than that, better than what he's giving you."

"Dean, I don't know what to say."

"That's okay," he smiled. "Now, will you go to this dance with me?" He said while pointing at a sign.

"Yes, I'll love to." Jessi replied.

Dean smiled. "Cool, I'll pick you up at 8:00 on Friday then. Oh and wear a dress, I'm not bring my motorcycle."

She laughed. "I will."

The bell for class rung and they ended up running to 1st period.

"Jessi." Jessi looked around to see Lori sitting there.

"Hey guess who asked me to the dance?"

"Dean."

"You know it."

"Huh…Declan asked me."

"Really?"

"Yeah I did." Jessi turned to see Declan right next to her. He looked down and smiled.

"Not so alone anymore huh?" She asked.

He laughed "Nope and you're not either it looks like." He teased.

"I guess so."

"That great Jessi, you deserve to be happy."

Jessi smiled, her and Declan always had a sketchy relationship but in the end they always were there to support each other. They were beginning to see each other more as close friends. And now Lori trusted both of them. Class began leading Jessi through a pretty easy day. Dean and Jessi went to work afterwards and relaxed easily around each other like always as they began to work on Jessi's bike. The owner had agreed to them going to the dance on Friday. When Dean went to the restroom the owner showed how happy he was.

"Wow Jessi."

"What?"

"Dean."

"What about him?"

"This is the first time in awhile he decided to ask for a day off, he's always working, even though he acts happy I can tell it hurts to know his mom isn't able to support him as well. It's great to see him act like a teenager for once."

Jessi smiled sadly. "Uh huh." She agreed. Dean returned after that and began working again. Jessi went home at 6:30 rather than 10:30 because Aaron wanted to close instead. Upon arriving home Jessi wasn't sure if she wanted to be there already feeling a hole inside her. Her phone rang.

"Hello."

"Jessi, it's me."

"Oh hey."

"I just called to make sure you got home okay and to say smile beautiful you deserve to." Jessi had gotten so use to these words that she felt the hole refill as he said them.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Being there."

"No problem."

"Bye."

"Bye Jessi." She breathed in and went inside. In the living room Andy sat there.

"Hey Andy."

Andy got up and hugged her. "Hi Jessi, you're home early."

"Yeah I got off early."

"Coolbeans."

"Where's Josh?"

"He had to go to the store with his mom."

"Oh okay, why didn't you go with him?"

"There wasn't enough room so he asked me to stay here."

"That makes sense, I guess."

"So you want to play G-force or something?"

"How about we watch a movie?"

"Yeah okay, I need a girls' night anyways." Andy said excitedly

"Well choose a film and I'll go get us something to eat."

"Alright."

Jessi went to the kitchen and grabbed some popcorn, ice cream, and soda. Upon returning she found Andy had picked "The Notebook".

"I know it's a bit mushy but I love this movie, is this okay?"

"Yeah it's one of my favorites too." Jessi smiled.

"Really?"

"It reminds how strong love can really be and how hurtful it can be."

Andy grinned. "Hmmm…it looks like you understand how love can affect everyone not just those two people." Jessi grinned back and sat down. They laughed at the funny parts neither really cried at the sad parts. The movie was ending and they both fell asleep. Only to be woken by the door opening as Josh and Niccole walked in.

"Oh Jessi you're here?"

"Yeah I got off early at work."

Kyle walked in followed by Amanda and Lori."

"Oh crap, what time is it?"Andy cried.

"9:00" Josh replied "Sorry Andy I should of taken you home first." Josh said sadly."

"My moms are gonna kill me if they think I'm still with you."

Jessi spoke up at this point. 'I'll take you home instead, that way they think you were with me since technically it's true."

"You will?" She asked. Jessi nodded. "I love you." Andy said happily hugging Jessi."

"Well then, now that that is settled we should go."

"Bye then Andy." Josh said as he hugged her.

"Bye"

"Thanks Jessi."

"Happy to do it."

"See you guys later." Andy and Jessi left heading towards Andy's house. After a little bit of walking and chatting about the movie they just watched.

Andy blurted out "You like Kyle right?"

"Huh?"

"Well, it's just that the way you look at him reminds me of Niccole and Stephen. Or how Josh looks at me."

"Oh" Jessi said lamely.

"Don't worry, I won't tell it's just that out of all the girls, I feel it's easier to talk to you because your honest and blunt unlike the others, you didn't pity me for being cancer girl either."

Jessi smiled. "It's alright, I understand, you didn't need to explain. But you're right I do like Kyle."

"I…I don't like Amanda."

"Wha-?"

"-It's just she always acts too nice, I know it's a bad reason to not like her but I rather keep my distance from her because…well it's like nothing gets on her nerves well except for you."

Jessi laughed at this making Andy feel relieved. "Why do you think that is? I mean I'm not around her and Kyle very much anymore."

Andy knew exactly what Jessi meant by that. "I think it's because Kyle's been acting weird ever since you got that job or maybe it's because you're always with Dean now."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah, it's like something is always getting him irritated."

"Hmmm…interesting." Andy and Jessi laughed. "Oh well, what can you do?" Jessi asked. "I mean it's like Kyle doesn't understand himself at all."

"I know he doesn't get his own feelings. I don't know if you noticed but everything your around he acts more like himself."

"Well he's irritated even when I am there too"

"I think he really does like you Jessi" Andy told her "He's just acting like this because he already told Amanda he would be with her and he's afraid of telling you his true feelings"

Jessi smiled. I don't know if he really felt that way, why doesn't he just figure out what he really wants, I'm tired of other people telling me how he feels, why doesn't he just say it?

"What about Dean?"

"Well if you really do start to like him great because he is a good guy but don't just be with him cause your too afraid of allowing your feelings for Kyle to be there." Andy replied.

"I do like Dean, and I feel safe with him but I don't want to be with him if I still have these feelings for Kyle."

"I understand but maybe it'll be easier to move on if you have Dean there for you."

"Huh? Maybe it will, I don't know. All I know is until Kyle figures out what he truly wants, I can't wait for him forever, and I want to stop feeling this pain."

"Yeah, as of right now Kyle doesn't deserve you so if Dean really wants to be there let him. Just don't go too far if you think you're just going to go back to Kyle because Dean doesn't deserve that."

"Thanks Andy, I know."

Andy just smiled. Soon enough they were arriving at Andy's house. Her moms were mad but after getting a full apology from Jessi who had told them that it was her fault for not noticing the time, they lessen their anger. Apparently happy that Andy had gained a girlfriend who she could talk to rather than just hang around Josh all day, they even when as far as inviting Jessi in for coffee and cake to which she agreed. After some time Jessi decided it was best for her to get home now otherwise Niccole and the others may worry. Andy and Jessi said their goodbyes with a hug and Jessi went on her way. The walk home was relaxing and Jessi felt nature surround her as recalled her conversation with both Dean and Andy.

Maybe it is true that Kyle loves or likes her but until Kyle can figure it out Jessi will only feel pain from his drawn out decision. I love you, Kyle I really do, but I can't be with someone who doesn't even know how he feels. Jessi felt the tears fall down her cheek as the hole reopened in her heart. It's not fair, why am I the only one who has to feel this kind of pain, if he really needed me he should just tell me. She recalled the words Dean had said "I'm not giving up on you Jessi unless you want me to, Kyle doesn't deserve you, your beautiful and wonder and he missed that." Dean is right Kyle has hurt her so much and yet she still loved him. I will try my best to move on for Dean's sake Jessi told herself If Kyle really loves me then maybe he will stop me and maybe he won't I cannot allow myself to be his pawn, it hurts too much to allow that again. Jessi continued walking after that, saying goodbye to her former hurt self and trying to be someone who could depend on herself.

As she came up to her house, she felt Dean's heart. She walked up to him. "Jessi, I'm just here to check up on you, how are you feeling?"

"Great." He saw the tear stains on her cheek but knew that she was being honest. He stroke the tears away cupping her face with his hands. Looking deep into her eyes he saw how truly happy and yet sad she looked. The moonlight shown how beautiful she truly was.

"Beautiful." She smiled and knew that all her uncertain feelings from before had disappeared as she looked into the eyes of the guy who she knew she could always depend on. Dean leaned forward; she could feel his warm breath on her face suddenly a feeling deep inside her stirred. He got even closer and kissed her forehead. He pulled away from her and released her. She smiled at him knowing that he would never push her too far. "Goodnight, Jessi, have pleasant dreams." With that he drove away but before doing that he saluted her or who she thought was her not feeling someone else's heart there. His heart.

Jessi turned to see Kyle standing there, his eyes on hers trying to read her. "Kyle"

"Jessi"

She listened for Amanda's heart finding it in her room knowing she was watching this exchange.

"Well then I should go inside and say my goodnights, Kyle." She strolled past him before he could say anything else. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." She heard him say.

After saying goodnight to the others and getting a million thanks from Josh and Andy who happened to be on the phone she went to bed. I want to love him, I want to love Dean but I know that when my heart is ready I will. And he will wait for me, I know he will.

Kyle was in his room thinking about the past conversation he had with Jessi. What's going on with me? I know Jessi can be with anything guy she wants but still, this is hurting me for some reason, it must just be the fact that Jessi now loner depends on me for emotion support, that it right? Kyle continued pushing this on himself, talking himself into thinking that he only missed how constant Jessi's presence was in his life. These past days I have been sleeping so restlessly, I wonder why?

Hello again, I'm very happy at the reviews I've been getting from you guys, thanks so much for approving of my first ever story, I don't know where to start. Oh right how great is Dean? Awesome huh and he cares so much. Another thing is I wanted Jessi and Andy to bond cause I really like both of their characters and I thought that they would have a great friendship. And lastly Kyle, he acted like a jerk, but he seems to be getting his head clear, at least he's accepting that Jessi was a constant in his life now. So I know that I said this chapter would take awhile to get up and I was wrong, it's gonna be next chapter cause this one I had a rough draft for while next chapter I have to start fresh. T.T. Please be patient. –Tina.