TJ laid on his bed, thinking about Spinelli. His hands rested behind his head, and his cap rested on his bed frame. His hat hair messily covered his eyes.

'She has been acting really weird lately, in fact, since last year ended. First, she had avoided them all summer; then she had done a make-over on herself that could rivil any make -over the Ashley's had ever given; next, she seemed jumpy, almost all the time now. It just wasn't right. What made her want to be all girly anyways?'

TJ jumped up and ran down stairs to grab the phone. He took it back into his room and dialed Gretchen.

As soon as she was on the phone, he started questioning her.

"What happened, Gretchen? What made Spinelli want a make-over? I know you know. What's going on with her?"

"TJ, I promised I wouldn't tell. Spinelli doesn't want anyone to know. I don't even know really; I just know the basics of it." Gretchen sighed.

"I have to know Gretchen. Spinelli's my friend, and I need to help her. She's acting weird."

"TJ, I can't." Gretchen sighed again. "Don't do this."

"Gretch, please." TJ sounded so upset."I'm really worried about her."

"Fine, but I didn't tell you." Gretchen answered. "TJ, she asked a boy to the end of the year dance last year. He turned her down..."

"But! She shouldn't change herself because of that!" TJ cut in. He kept rambling about how wrong it was.

"TJ, I wasn't done."

"Oh. Sorry."

"She said that she wasn't changing for him, but that she wanted to know what it felt like to be recognized as a female. She keeps telling me, 'I'm a girl, I need to be seen as one'. I don't understand it."

"Who was it?"

"She wouldn't tell me."

"What the?" TJ breathed in deeply, thinking."I gotta go, Gretch, thanks." He hung up the phone and sighed.

'It makes no sense. Who would turn Spinelli down? She's a great girl.' TJ was deep in thought when the phone rang and startled him. He jumped and nearly fell off his bed.

---------------------

Hustler kid was sifting through his recent findings from his newest lacky. He picked through the watches and charm braclets, trying to guess which ones would sell for the best price at school. He closed his eyes and blew a raspberry. He slid his arm across the table and knocked all his merchandise into the floor.

"Dammit! Ashley, what the hell is going on?" Frankie said as he slammed his fists down on the table. He pulled his cell phone out of his trench coat pocket and dialed Spinelli's number. Then he hung up and threw the phone.

"What am I supposed to say? You drive me crazy? I don't know what to do with myself when I'm around you?" He took a deep breath and pulled out some paper and a pen.

Ashley, I don't want you to think I only like you because you're all girly now. I've liked you for a while, but

He crumpled up the paper and threw it in the trash.

"Screw it." He flopped down on his bed, frustrated.

----------------------

Jaymes left Spinelli's house and headed to Kelso's. The basketball team was waiting for him. Luke and Brenden had promised to order him a milkshake. When he went in, the team all yelled.

"So, Jaymes, how'd it go with Spinelli?" Luke asked as he passed Jaymes a chocolate milkshake.

"She's so hot now! I can't believe you turned her down last year!" Brenden said. Jaymes took a seat and waved at everyone. The rest of the team began giving their opinions on Ashley Spinelli as Jaymes got comfortable and kicked his feet up on the table.

"Yea, that girl has so much going for her."

"Her attitude stinks though!"

"Totally! She's such a bitch."

"Hey! Shut up. She said she'd think about it. Give me a week and she'll be begging." Jaymes smirked and took a sip of his shake.

"Dude, that's my friend your talking about." Vince frowned.

"Yea, and you won't say anything if you know what's good for you! She won't believe you anyways." Jaymes smiled. "She likes me."

"What are you gonna do?" Vince got up in his face and Jaymes stood up to be eye-level with him. Chest to chest they stared off.

"You better not say a word."

"Or what?"

"You're off the team!"

"You can't do that! You're not the captian."

"No, but I am." Lawson butted in. "Keep your mouth shut or you're off the team. I want to see Spinelli fall."

"I'm. Out." Vince knocked over Jaymes' milkshake and walked out the door.


AN: Well, it didn't flow as well as I'd hoped, but I think it works. Let me know what you think about it! Thanks for all the support, ya'll. ^.^