Hey. I know, it's been, like, forever since I've updated. I'm really, really sorry. I've been caught up in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, including various other things. "Various other things" include science fair (Everyone in my little 11 person school has to do it. It's like, mandatory.) and Geo Bee states. Don't even ask.

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me. The series doesn't either. Unfortunately.

Schuyler-

I was walking down the polished marble hallways of Duchesne with Oliver when I spotted Jack. Mimi was hanging to his arm and was practically draped on top of him. I successfully fought off the urge to throw up, but a gag escaped me. Jack turned his head toward the sound; everyone else ignored it, and smiled at me. I didn't smile back. How dare he let Mimi do that, after he said that he would do anything to be with me! Apparently, anything didn't extend to not letting Mimi practically make out with him in public. Anything also apparently didn't include calling off the bonding. I had gotten the invitation last night after Jack and Oliver both had left, while checking my mail. It was to be held in two weeks at the Met.

Oliver moved his arm from around my shoulders to around my waist and squeezed possessively. I looked at him with a silent thank-you in my eyes, and as a spur of the moment decision, I kissed him. It was just a quick peck, but he turned red and quickly turned his face away from me and started to walk to out lockers, pulling me with him.

Once we got to the relative privacy of our lockers, Oliver hissed, "What was that about?"

"I'm sorry about that, Ollie," I said, turning away from him so he couldn't see my expression. "I guess I just got carried away."

"Fine," he said, some of the anger leaving his voice," I just don't want to be used like that, okay, Sky?"

"Okay."

I let all of the unsaid things in that conversation slide. Like how I knew it hurt him for me to use him to make Jack jealous, because Ollie loved me and knew that I only loved him as a friend, and always would as long as Jack was there. How I was so sorry that there was a Jack there at all, because I knew that Ollie was an amazing person, and I really, really didn't want to hurt him, even though I knew I was hurting him as long as there was a Jack occupying my heart.

By the time I was walking to my next class, I was fighting tears.

Jack-

What was that all about?

I stared at the space that Schuyler had occupied just a few seconds ago. I couldn't believe it. Schuyler had told me that she loved Oliver and that was why she had to leave me, but I had thought that after what had happened earlier, that was irrelevant.

Apparently not.

I was still musing over that when Mimi whispered to me, "I absolutely can not wait until our bonding. Just think; only two more weeks!"

I almost groaned. In all my excitement over the past day, I had almost forgotten about that little detail. Almost being the key word.

What was I going to tell Schuyler? Of course, I had to break it off with Mimi; I knew that in my heart. The only thing was, I still cared for Mimi, no matter how much I loved Schuyler. I just really didn't want to hurt either of them, and I didn't know what to do. Ugh! I was just so incredibly confused.

I would eventually have to tell Mimi though. I would tell her that night, but I was most definitely not looking forward to it.

Oliver-

He was not good enough for her, and never would be. She was going to break her heart over him, and he wouldn't even care. Would just go off with Mimi and end up having psychotic "kids."

The thing was though, I knew her well enough to know that she loved him. Really loved him, and wouldn't give up on him until he told her that he hated her, that he never wanted to see her again. That he preferred Mimi to her. Like that was going to happen, the selfish bastard.

I walked into my next class, still confused, and saw Bliss waving at me, pointing to the empty seat next to her. I walked over to her, feeling unreasonably happy.

"Hey," said Bliss.

"Hey."

Oh, aren't I just a genius. I mean, the "hey" was just brilliant. But, I'd like to see you do better. Bliss… is a very pretty girl.

We didn't talk to each other for the rest of class, but at the end, while I was gathering up all my stuff, she leaned over and said:

"Do you want to, you know, go somewhere tonight? I mean, I know you like Schuyler and everything, but maybe-just as friends-we could do something?"

The "sure" was out of my mouth before I could even process what I wanted to say. I inwardly shrugged. Maybe I hadn't meant to say that, but what could the damage be of going out with Bliss once as friends? After all, maybe I could give Schuyler a taste of her own medicine.

Bliss-

I can't believe I just did that. I like Oliver and everything, but Dylan was special to me. I know I killed him and everything, but not entirely on purpose. Ok, maybe it was on purpose, but that doesn't make me any less remorseful. Dylan had to be sacrificed.

I got up from my huge, comfy bed and walked over to my closet and looked around. What in the world would I wear?

I swear I had half of my wardrobe all over my room by the time I finally decided. And, let me tell you, that was a lot of clothes.

The dress I wore wasn't too formal; after all, it was a just-as-friends date. Well, not that I thought of it, was it really even a date? Can a just-as-friends going out even be called a date?

UGH! I was sooo over thinking this whole thing.

Anyways, my dress was white and floaty, but showed off my curves, since it was gathered at my natural waist. The fabric was gossamer and felt like feathers against my skin. The sleeves went to just above my elbows, and the hem went down to mid-thigh. I was very pleased that it showed off my wonderful, mile-long legs, without seeming slutty.

My shoes were bronze Louboutin stilettos, nothing flashy, but absolutely gorgeous. I couldn't wait.

Oliver-

I know that everyone thinks that guys don't worry about what to wear as long as they're not gay, but I can testify against that. Well, at least I don't think that I'm gay. Maybe it would be a good thing, though. Then I wouldn't have to worry about loving Schuyler anymore. If only.

But, maybe that wouldn't solve any of our troubles. I mean, I would still care about her, even if it was only as a friend, and therefore, I couldn't let her be with Jack. I sighed. It was making my head hurt.

I was going to go to Bliss' house at 8:00 to pick her up. She didn't know where we were going yet. Trouble was, I didn't know where we were going yet either, and it was 6:30. I had to leave in an hour.

We could go to dinner, I thought, but quickly discarded the idea.. This was supposed to be casual, as friends. Hmmm… club. I'd take Bliss to The Bank. I didn't know if it was really her "scene," but it ought to be interesting. After all, it wasn't like I was going to get into Block 122. The Bank would have to do.

I am so heartbroken! The publishing date for "The Van Alen Legacy" has been moved back from September 1, 2009 to sometime in October.

By the way, I can't wait for "Bloodhound" to come out. It's by Tamora Pierce and is the second book in the Beka Cooper series. I won't be able to get it the day it comes out, though, because I will be on a cruise in the Caribbean. Spring break. Hooray!!!!