Massive thanks to all my reviewers! Just a quick warning, got a feeling this is going to be very long. :L apologies :P

Chapter 11 - Dates

"So, out of everyone here, who do you like best?" I'd taken Cassidy to the roof. I was a soldier so I was kinda allowed wherever I wanted.

"I don't know" she mumbled.

"C'mon there has to be someone" I looked at her.

She didn't answer and bit her nail.

I sighed "Okay. What kinda guys are you into? No offence, but are you into guys like you ... y'know gothic?"

Cass laughed "No. Strange I know but" she paused blushing.

"You have got to stop being so shy!" I shouted laughing.

She laughed too "I like boys who won't look at me and think I'm a freak. But the only boys who won't are desperate from being so ... blech"

I chuckled "Right, you have to tell me now, who do you find cute. Pick five"

"Okay. Umm" Cassidy looked around her pointing them out "Him, him, him, him and uh...him!" She put much more empasis on the last one. A massive smirk on my face. She had great tase in guys!

"Wait a minute, go back to the third one" I smiled.

"I just think he's cute I know I don't stand a chance" she smiled broadly.

"If he didn't have a girlfriend you actually might" it was Hal but he was of course out of the question with Karen "Right let's go"

I started pulling her back down the stairs as she laughed "Could you slow down?"

"Nope" I smirked "'Sides, starting to miss, Ben"

As we ran down the stairs Jimmy popped into my head. Ugh, he was going to get it. Angry grizzly bears would look tame compared to what was waiting for him! Wait. Calm down. Breathe. You can save all that for him.

Cassidy and I both went outside and I spotted the first two boys and the last one. He was the one I was looking forward to most.

"Stay here" I told her.

I asked the two boys if they had dates and they already had. One had laughed saying "Don't you have a boyfriend?" It was pretty much all resting on the last one.

He was talking to some girl. Younger than me. Obviously trying to act older.

"Hey, kid. Sling it" I said.

She huffed and stormed off. No one ever stood up to me here. Made me laugh so hard.

"Listen, babe, I'm not the kind of guy who has girls fight over him anymore" he looked up at me. He had shaggy blonde hair that went down to his eyes so he did the 'Beiber flip'. His eyes were crystal blue. He had a dark complexion and a totally muscular build.

I laughed then said coldly "Don't flatter yourself" I did my best to be nice after that "I have a boyfriend and he's the only one who can call me babe"

We both laughed "Okay, okay. So what did you come over for?"

"Gonna sound wierd at first but hear me out" I started.

"Go on..."

"What's your name?"

"Logan Kess. You?"

Two Logan's. Uh-oh. That was gonna get confusing "Kristen Marshall. You know Cassidy Williams?"

"Oh, yeah" he stared into space for a minute before coming back to reality. That was a good sign!

"What's your honest opinion of her? It'll stay between you and me. Swear" I tilted my head to the side.

"Okay ... I guess I trust you" wow he trusted me! Wheyhey! "She's really pretty, a good laugh, and really cute"

"Okay, just two more questions...?" I smiled.

"Go ahead" Logan smiled back.

"How old are you? And will you ask Cass to prom?" I pleaded. He was really cute and Cassidy seemed like his perfect match.

"14. And sure"

I squeeled clapping my hands "She's by the door"

Logan got up and walked over to her. Guess some guys found the gothic thing quite attractive. I thought it suited her. I watched sneakily from behind a tree. Logan walked over to her, I could see from here how nervous Cass was. I creeped that bit closer to hear what they were saying.

"Hey, Cassidy, right?" Logan asked.

She smiled "Yeah"

"Listen. I know we don't really know eachother but, I find you incredibly cute" he laughed "so, would you like to go to the dance with me?"

"Me? Really?" Cass pointed to herself.

He laughed "Yes you"

"Sure. I'd love to!" she seemed so estatic.

"Wanna take a walk? Y'know, break the ice and get to know eachother?"

Cass had obviously noticed me before then as she looked at me.

'Go!' I mouthed gesturing with my hand.

"Sounds like a good idea" she nodded and they walked away from me. So much romance was going to be going on after tomorrow night. Yuck. I laughed to myself. The laugh soon stopped. I had something I had to take care of. I went to my room and grabbed a pen and paper. I wrote the words 'We need to talk NOW! Meet me outside at half 7. K' and stuck it on Jimmy's pillow. It was half 6 now. Now finally I could get back to Ben!

I walked back out and walked into something.

"Ben's looking for you"

I turned around "Sorry, Tom. And funny enough just about to go find him myself"

"Actually, don't want to keep him waiting but, I was wondering if we could have a word" he looked down at me.

"Uh, yeah, sure"

I had no idea what he wanted to talk about but agreed anyway and we went to his office. He sat on his desk as I stayed stood up.

"I might aswell just come out with it. Does Ben's back bother you in anyway?"

I sighed and smacked my palm to my face "No offence Tom, and I really don't mean to be cheeky but I'm sick of people thinking I'm that shallow"

"I had to ask. I don't think you are or anthing! But I had to ask. I didn't want Ben getting hurt. He really loves you, you know"

I chuckled remembering this morning "Yeah, I know. And you know I love him too and I'm going to stick by him for the rest of my life, right?"

Tom smiled broadly "I know. I can still remember the night he brought you home"

"Oh, God" I smirked biting my lip.

"You should've seen the look on Ben's face" he chuckled.

I blushed "Don't see why"

"You were all he ever spoke about, that's why"

I smiled and Ben walked in "There you are"

"Hey"

"Dad, what have you been telling her?" Ben looked both suspicious and worried.

"Me? Nothing" Tom shook his head.

Ben looked at me and I laughed. He groaned closing his eyes.

"You two can leave now" Tom said "I need to speak to Weaver anyway"

Ben dragged me out as fast as he possibly could.

"Some things I don't know, Ben?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe. But I'd like it to stay that way"

I chuckled "Everything all sorted in the hall?"

"Yep. What were those boxes you were holding earlier? I forgot to ask" his eyebrows creased together.

"Our outfits" I smiled showing my teeth "That I don't have a single clue how they look"

"What?" Ben looked confused.

"Cecilia picked them out and made me promise not to open them until tomorrow night"

"Uh-oh" he said.

"Nah, I trust her" I nodded "I think"

Ben laughed and kissed me. Anthony and Dai whistled as they passed.

I shook my head at them and turned back to Ben "Don't mean to spoil the moment but I have to do something soon. Kinda ... alone"

Ben looked a little hurt. I hated doing that! "Sure. How long you going to be?"

"It shouldn't take that long. Trust me" Even I could hear the darkness in my voice towards the end.

"Okay" he smiled "Don't worry about me. I'll probably be in the library"

He went to walk away but I pulled him back "I'm really sorry, it's just ... ugh! I can't say anything without making it sound the opposite of what I mean"

"I know what you mean. You don't want me to get involved for my sake"

My eye brows creased together "How do you know that? And it sounds like I'm gonna go beat the crap out of somebody"

He chuckled "You're my girlfriend. I'm supposed to know everything. Now go"

I smiled kissing him on the cheek and jogging off to my room. I needed to have a word with Jimmy. The possibility of us arguing ... 75-80% perhaps the chances of me walking back down here still being friends with him ... 10% maybe.

I went outside at half 7 sure enough Jimmy was there round the back of the school. I did my best to look and stay calm.

"Hey, what did you want to talk about?" he wasn't smiling like he usually did. Jimmy was a pretty bright kid. It wouldn't surprise me if he already knew what I wanted him for.

"We need to talk" I replied. I didn't sit down. I already knew this wasn't going to be long. He didn't say anything so I just continued "I know what you said to that kid. About the ... razorbacks" my teeth ground together at the word "And about me"

"Kristen, I can explain"

"Go ahead. I'd love to hear an explanation" my tone and expression turned to anger and frustration.

"You just want the truth? Fine! I'm sorry but I lost my entire family to those disgusting creatures and the razorbacks are half them! I can't even think about them without being disgusted. Rick is an entirely different kid! And you're telling me that's not just a bit suspicious?" he paused walking closer to me so we were almost touching "And Ben's just as bad as any skitter"

That did it. I trembled with utter rage and I slapped him across the cheek. It surprised me that I did it but I didn't regret it. Jimmy turned back to me. I could see how red his skin had gone. He looked pretty surprised.

I pointed my finger to his chest "From now on, you stay the hell away from me. You're lucky I'm not going to tell Cecilia" I turned around and walked away "Yet"

I walked into Ben's room. It was only 8 but he was already asleep. I smiled and left for my room. God, it was warm! I slept above the sheets.

I woke in the morning and Ben was crouched down stroking his fingers through my hair.

"Morning. Did I wake you up?"

"Morning. And I don't think so" I sat up.

"Day of the prom" he smiled.

"Ugh. Don't remind me" I laughed "Oh" I pulled out the second box from under my bed "here"

"Thanks. Hope it looks good on me" he stood up pulling me up with him.

"It will" I smiled and he kissed my forhead.

"Hmm. I'm more looking forward to how you're gonna look"

I smirked giggling "Terrible as usual"

"You being so hard on yourself..."

I smirked "Ready to put the finishing touches to the prom?"

"Yeah, guess so" he rolled his eyes.

I laughed.

I won't go into too much detail about my day. I brushed my teeth and hair. Me, Ben, Cecilia, Logan Kess and Cassidy all sorted out what was left to do. Jimmy refused to come anywhere near me when Cecilia had asked him to join in. I couldn't help but smirk. I guess part of me hated him right now. Ugh! Why did he have to be such a prick! Anyway we sorted out food, drink, decorations etc etc. Then me and Cass were forbidden to see Logan or Ben until Prom. It started at 7 and it was 4 right now. It took me 2 hours to shower (45 minutes), dry my hair (30 minutes), curl it (30 minutes) and then the basics of my make-up (15 minutes). I only did the basics so I could later match the colours of my dress. I slipped the box from under my bed and put it on my pillow, un-wrapping the ribbon. I took a deep breath. I hope my trust in Cecilia would pay off. I opened the box gently and folded back the crisp untouched paper.

I'll update tomorrow I promise :) well later today to me ;D ... REVIEW! xox