Inez took a deep breath and picked up the phone. She had no idea how Jackie and Matt would react to her new relationship with Roy. She had tried to talk to them several times during the school day but they had always rushed off, claiming that they were busy and would talk to her later.

"Hello?" Jackie answered.

"Um, hi. It's me, Inez." Inez didn't really know why she was so nervous. She had been friends with Jackie since she was little.

"Oh, hi! What's up? Why are you being so formal?"

"I…have a date…with Roy Jacobs the Saturday after next", Inez blurted out, unable to keep the secret any longer.

"OH MY GOSH! AHHH! MATT, COME HERE!" Jackie screamed and Inez pulled away from the phone quickly, clutching her throbbing eardrum.

"Wait, Matt's over at your house?" She felt a pang of loneliness overcome her. First Matt had decided to leave her and her friendship for Courtney, and now Jackie was avoiding her as well? She closed her eyes, hoping that would stop the tears that threatened to spill over her cheeks.

"Yeah. Matt finally got some time off from Courtney. I would've invited you, but my parents said I could only invite one friend."

"Oh. Well, it's okay. You don't have to tell Matt!"

"Of course I do! Oops, I have to go! Anyway, I'll help you on the day of the date! Ooh, this is going to be SO much fun!" Jackie squealed, excited at the prospect of a girly day.

"Bye."

"Bye!"

O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0

Inez sat on a soft sofa in the hotel. She gazed out the window, enjoying the view of the large beach. Matt and Jackie had yet still to come. She sighed, looking down at her hands. She felt like was she was losing them slowly. She hadn't actually talked to Matt since he had asked Courtney out. Jackie was seemingly avoiding her.

"Hey!" Jackie entered her hotel room. "This is cool," she said, studying the cream and white color scheme decorating the room. They were all allowed to pick their own rooms.

"Thought you'd pick that one," Jackie said, nodding to the room across the hall. It was covered in shades of lavenders, plums, and purples, all Inez's favorite colors.

Inez shook her head. "No," she said simply.

"Ah. Needed a change?" Jackie took a seat next to Inez.

"Yeah," Inez leaned forward slightly, putting her head in her hands. "Jackie?"

"Mmm?"

"Why do you two keep avoiding me?"

Jackie inhaled sharply. She knew which "two" Inez was talking about.

"We're not, Inez. My older cousin got engaged to her boyfriend. Then they broke up. All of our family was trying to get them together. That's why I wasn't around."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. They got back together. And I'm sorry about not telling you."

They hugged, but suddenly Inez realized something.

"What about Matt?"

Jackie looked down. "Well…Courtney…" No other explanation was needed.

Inez closed her eyes briefly. "I wonder where he is," she mumbled softly.

Jackie nodded slowly. "Get ready for dinner," she ordered kindly, making her way out of the room.

O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O0O

Inez pulled on the clothes Jackie insisted she wear a white silky top and slightly ripped jean shorts that brushed her knees. She took a look in the mirror, grimacing as she expected the worst. However, she was surprised to find she looked quite- nice. The top made her honey-colored skin glow and her thick hair shine.

Over the years, Inez and Jackie had more or less chosen a whole new wardrobe. Jackie had been thrilled at the very idea, and had immediately filled her closet with hundreds of outfits, even though she did tend to stick to a lot of yellow. Inez had been less open, and instead stuck mostly with her purple clothes. She had gotten contact lenses, but really only wore them on special occasions. Matt, being the typical guy he was, wore basically the same clothes, only now in a variety of colors.

She sighed and made her way to the dining room. It was on a balcony, and warm winds breezed by her. She looked around. Matt, Jackie, and Slider were sitting around a circular table. The sun was setting, and the various colors reflected off the cerulean blue ocean.

"Hi," she said quietly, taking her place between Jackie and Matt. Jackie beamed at her, probably because she got to sit next to Slider. She wore a yellow (of course) and white top with white shorts. Slider flashed her a grin and she returned it sincerely, the honest happiness in the couple lifting Inez from her pessimistic mood.

But Matt refused to look at her.

They all laughed and joked until dessert. Inez's frustration had been growing throughout the dinner. Matt had ignored her the whole time. She finally snapped when Matt didn't look at her even when she accidently kicked him under the table.

"Matt! Why do you keep ignoring me?" She asked, some of her pent-up anger making its way into the words.

"Maybe because YOU have been staying away from me this whole week!"

Inez could feel rage boiling in her stomach. How dare he? She had been avoiding him? He had been avoiding her! Ever since he had gotten with Courtney, she hadn't actually talked with him once, because he was so busy with that simpering girly-girl.

"I'm not the one who's with their girlfriend 24/7!"

"Hey, I try to stay committed!"

Inez laughed emptily, the hollow sound ringing slightly. "Committed? They are plenty of people out there in relationships who don't abandon their friends, you jerk!"

"At least I can get a partner! You're such a nerdy know- it- all no guy would date you!"

Inez stood up, lips quivering slightly and eyes watery. She wanted nothing more than to slap him across the face, but she restrained herself.

"I can't believe you just said that. You know what, Matt, I don't need to be friends with a guy who preys on my insecurities and insults me."

And with that, she ran to her room.

A/N: So, yeah, as you can probably tell, Jackie didn't tell Matt about Roy yet.

Initially, Matt was going to call Inez a bitch, but I realized how many people already have used that. So he pulls the 'no guy would ever date you' card instead.

When I started this story, I had it all planned and mapped out. But now, I really think my old ending was too cliché. I mean, no matter what, this story will be cliché, but I don't want it to be that cliché. So, I have a whole new ending.

Also, I have an offer. The 70th reviewer (just a random number I picked, don't know why really) will get a brief appearance in the story. Just mention your name and give a short physical description of how you look (or how you wish you look). Also, tell me whether you'd rather play a role in the Inez/ Matt coupling or Jackie/ Slider.

Thanks all!

Oh and before I forget:

Inez's top: ?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=top%5Fdressy&product%5Fid=2074138632&Page=all&pgcount=25#

Jackie's top: ?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=top%5Fdressy&product%5Fid=2055985875&Page=all&pgcount=25