AN: Whoa…you guys are seriously awesome. But here, even though you will most likely skip this, this story was written in show format, meaning I thought of it like I was planning the episodes of a soap. This is an ultamitely important filler, so no Kristen and double Dylan. Kristen will have her chance in the next chapter. Next chapter is definitely not a filler like this one.

Help Me Help You


Dylan—

As far as some of the people I know were convinced, there was nothing worse than not having a date on a Friday night. It seemed as if Claire would go hungry from Cam absence, he was her drug, and every week (no matter how much time they spent together) she was running dangerously low. Kristen claimed her lack of dating was from soccer practice, which was accepted because she and Layne Abeley were the only girls on a team of 'incredibly cute' guys. (That also meant Kristen was treated like a boy, and Layne went home, sore from butt-smacking.) Alicia simply saw love as a fool's game, and preferred, much like Olivia Ryan, boy toys to boyfriends.

And then that left me – the one who wasn't seen by guys as datable. Heck, if you asked any boy I know if I was free, they'd slap you in the back of the head and declare in a booming voice that you don't date Dylan. You just don't.

So, after reading Claire's much expected busy email, (with tons of apologetic smiley faces), knowing Kristen was practicing her kicks, and sensing that Alicia just wasn't up for it, I resigned to another Friday night, alone.

"Hey Dylan, I need you to walk Cupcake for me," my older sister Dania walked into my room without knocking, dropping Cupcake's purple leash on my lap, like that made it official.

"I thought you needed the exercise?" Only Dania would complain about how she put on one pound, and then refuse to take her Pomeranian for a walk. It was pretty much one of those unsolved mysteries that fifty years later, when Dania was head of a fashion company, E True Hollywood Stories would try to unravel. Or if she married a prince like she said she would, the Discovery Channel.

"Look, just because you're sitting down and singing Ms. Lonely, doesn't mean I should. Besides, I have a very important meeting today, understand?" Dania's green eyes bored into my head.

Very important meeting was of course Dania-speak for trying desperately to get with Harris Fisher. Of course, she was making some progress, stuffing her jeans so that her butt looked bigger seemed to be helping. In other words, I understood.

Before I could even do little sister things like threaten to tell mom, or blackmail her with it, Dania was out the door…and Cupcake was relieving himself on her bedspread.

"Don't worry boy," I said to the whimpering dog. "That can be our little secret."

Cupcake scampered off, leaving me alone. How pathetic, on the world's universal date night, I was cooped up home, and alone. This seriously sucked. I sat there on my bed like a dunce, wondering what to do with myself. How stupid would it look if I went to a romantic comedy by myself? Or if I was foolish enough to even set foot in Vanilla Bean, there was the chance that I would be seen, and declared dateless. Normally, that didn't matter. But at that moment, I'd never felt so alone.

So that was when I made a decision. Not even thinking, I picked up my cell phone from beside me. I guess I was feeling bold or whatever, but I also picked up my student directory, and began typing the numbers.

He picked up immediately.

--

Claire Lyons once took a quiz to see whether or not she 'spoke boy'. She only scored a ten out of a hundred. Declaring the test was rigged, she decided to ignore the results and continue thinking that boys were just as deep and complicated as girls. And she wonders why she doesn't understand her boyfriend…

--

Alicia—

"Sit with us." It wasn't an offer, it was an order.

Following Cookie Elson through the crowded food court, I saw that (as usual) she was there to carry the bags of Olivia Ryan. And for some strange reason, Olivia looked extremely pleased. Seeing that warm smile on her face kind of scared me. What was wrong? Was my jacket too small? Was there something on the butt of my pants? Whatever it was, it must've been pretty good to make her grin like the Cheshire Cat.

"Hello, Alicia," Olivia smiled at me like John McCain's stepford wife. "Massie's busy; you can take her usual seat right here." She patted the blue chair like I had no clue where the seat was. I figured if she was patting the seat, any paint balloon would've exploded, and any whoopee cushion would've made noise. It was safe to sit.

"Um, thanks?" I asked, folding my arms. (Nervous habit.)

"So, anyway, we just wanted to have a nice conversation with you," Olivia continued in her honey sweet voice, batting her Maybelline-covered eyelashes. "And, Cookie here was just wondering, why'd you do it?" Might I add that Cookie looked offended, something that suggested she was not the one who was supposed to wonder. Maybe they'd flipped a coin to see who would ask me, and Olivia had to play dirty.

"I don't even remember what you're talking about," I answered robotically. Cookie rolled her eyes, but Olivia put a hand on her shoulder before Cookie's pupils could finish their journey.

"Of course you don't," she chuckled lightly. "You and Cam practically cleaned out the refrigerator. And you weren't the only ones, you know how it gets at my parties. But, we were just wondering why you don't seem guilty."

"Of course I am," I blurted out.

"I thought you couldn't remember?" Cookie challenged. Olivia shushed her.

"You just told me."

"Touché, touché," Olivia's smile was still on her face. I began to feel even more uncomfortable than before. "But anyway, I think there is a reason. I mean, Cam and Claire don't keep things from each other. And you and the girls don't keep things from each other. I think that you could possibly like him…"

I shook my head before she could even say anything else. I knew she was going to say something like that; it was only a matter of time. Why else would they invite me to sit with them? To say that I was now considered evil enough to be accepted into their little clique?

"You know what, I have to go," I stammered, before anyone could say anything. "Bye."

"Bye-bye Leesh!" Olivia fluttered her fingers at my retreating back. "You know I'm right though!"

I didn't turn around.

Claire—

Massie walked over to me, a wicked smirk gracing her face. She sat down next to me in the shoe section, amber eyes glinting. "He should start talking to you know, I sent him a little message. Check your phone."

A smile grew on my face as I slipped out my Motorola, practically holding my breath. Sure enough, there was a new text message from Cam on it. When I opened the message and saw it, I fought the urge to hug Massie.

CAM: Are you free next Saturday?

He didn't tell me he was madly in love. He didn't even add the 'looking forwards to seeing you again' I was accustomed too. He didn't mention anything about his guy friends. He didn't do any of the ridiculously cute things that made Cam, Cam. And yet, I was happy.

"Here, you can tell me the things you figured out about Kristen while we pick out some new shoes for you." Massie held up a pair of shoes. Normally, she would've insisted that such shoes were hideous, and anyone who wore them should've been arrested, but I guessed that she thought they would look cute on me.

"Okay…" I couldn't hide the brightness in my voice. But really, come on. Would Massie Block purposely lead me wrong?

Oh yeah.

--

We steal from the rich and give to ourselves. The official motto for Olivia's little clique, something recruits are expected to follow to the T.

--

Dylan—

"I knew you'd come around," he grinned at me, brown eyes sparkling with mischief. He kind of made me think of a naughty elf, unless that sounds totally wrong. "They always do."

"Look, just because I'm here doesn't mean I'm your new on-the-side girl," I snorted, rolling my eyes. He must've been crazy.

"Does this?" He cupped his hand under my chin and turned my face around. And before I knew it (okay, maybe I did see it coming), he was kissing me. And I was kissing back.

And, just to answer his question, yes it formally did.