this chapter is dedicated to tiffany :) not only my best friend but the person who gave me my 100th review

cheers to herr!!

Disclaimer: Do you really think i'd be here writing this right now if i owned anything?

Who Knew?

If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them in the mouth
Cause they're all wrong
I know better
Cause you said forever
And ever
Who knew

"Did you see her face?" Alicia gushed as spun around in her emerald green dress, "And don't you just heart this dress?"

Dylan air-clapped for Alicia but Claire just bit her nails.

Alicia glared at Claire, "I said, don't you love my dress."

"Yes," Claire said sighing.

"Good," Alicia said as she checked herself out in the mirror, "Because it's been a whole week since I've seen that Massie Block. I heard she hasn't come out of her room once. How great is that? That means I'm going to be Derrick's date to the annual Midnight Ball!"

The Midnight Ball was a formal dance that Ryan Harrington would host every year at the hotel for the hotel guests, staff, closest friends and lots of other very important people. The girls always came in ball gowns or something elegant and the guys always dressed up in their regular tuxedos. Nearly half of Westchester was invited and anybody that was a somebody wouldn't miss it for the world. The ball was tonight and every worthy clothes store in the city had been shopped out from Ralph Lauren all the way to Vera Wang. Today was the last day for everyone to get ready, buy extra accessories, or find a different pair of shoes to go with their dress. Not that there would be any stores that would be in stock of Jimmy Choos.

Everything was sold out.

Dylan squealed while Claire just smiled.

"And," Alicia continued, "I'm going to be wearing this baby to the ball."

The two girls admired Alicia's latest purchase; the dress fit her like a glove.

"Dylan can wear my fuchsia gown and Claire can wear my cherry red dress." Alicia commanded.

Claire scrunched her nose; those two dresses were designer, but look like they were made from the streets. Claire knew that Alicia would never allow them to dress better than she did. Especially now that she had won Derrick back.

Dylan and Claire got up from Alicia's bed and made their way into Alicia's walk in closet to claim the two ugly dresses.

"This is going to be so fabulous!" Alicia gloated, "Especially now that Miss. Boyfriend Stealer is out of the picture."

"This is going to be the best ball ever." Alicia gushed.

"Ah-greed!" Dylan called out from the closet.

"Ah-greed." Claire said sighing.

Nawt.

"I can't believe your making me do this." Massie mumbled as she stepped out of her closet.

Kristen's jaw dropped open, "Ehmagawd."

"What?" Massie asked worriedly, "Do I look awful?"

"No." Kristen said, shaking her head, "Nawt at all."

Massie looked gorgeous in her gold strapless chiffon gown. The dress wasn't too girly and wasn't too serious at the same time, it was just right. Massie had casually pinned up her ironed curls and she paired the whole thing with an amazing pair of silver pumps. She had absolutely no make up on except for a touch of lip gloss. She didn't need make up because she naturally looked pretty. The only thing that would have made Massie even prettier was if she ate more.

Kristen stared at Massie's pale face. She barely had any color left in her. Every since the day Derrick accused Massie of cheating on him, she had stopped eating. Kristen saw Massie nibble at granola bars occasionally but besides that, nothing. Massie's arms and legs grew bonier everyday and her cheekbones stood out more and not in the good way. Kristen was too scared to pull Massie out of bed the day before, fearing that she might snap her wrists into two if she pulled too hard. Massie looked colorless and skinny and it hurt Kristen inside knowing that she was part of the reason why her best friend was so unhealthy.

"You look so pretty!" Kristen breathed and made her way into Massie's closet.

Massie sighed before pulling up her dressing that was slipping down because she had gotten skinnier since the time she bought to dress.

"I don't know if I should go." Massie said biting her lip.

"No, no." Kristen said after a few moments of changing into her own gown, "You have to go."

"You got to show Derrick that you're still standing strong," Kristen's voice said, coming out of the closet, "And I'll be right by your side."

Massie cringed at the name that brought her so much pain.

After a moment of silence, Kristen realized she had used the D word.

"I mean," Kristen, corrected herself, "We'll have a lot of fun."

Kristen stepped out of the closet wearing a floor-length aqua blue dress that matched her eyes. Her hair was bundled into a casual long side ponytail and she had matched her dress with a pair of black high-heeled mules. She had dusted her lids with sparkly gray eye shadow and wore peach lip gloss.

Kristen grinned sheepishly, "How do I look?"

"Let's just say," Massie teased, "If I were a guy, I would totally hit on you."

The two girls tumbled into a fit of laughter and Massie felt better than she did in days.

Kristen wanted to keep it that way. Massie had completely cut herself off from the real world ever since that incident happened. She had refused to leave her room and never answered or checked her cell phone. She just spent all her free time watching her favorite movies and eating a piece of chocolate once in a while. And Kristen couldn't blame her, if she had been dumped so harshly, she would have done the same.

Well everything except for the eating part.

And the fact that rumors were going around that the watch sitting at the bottom of the pool indeed was William Block's watch didn't make it any better although Kristen was pretty sure who started the rumor in the first place.

Kristen sighed and plopped down onto the bed next to Massie, "You want to go out and eat before we go to the ball?"

Massie shook her head, "I'm not hungry."

"You have to eat something, I haven't seen you eat a full piece of solid food in a long time." Kristen said concerned.

Massie was touched but didn't dare tell Kristen that she couldn't eat anything even if she wanted to. Ever since the pool party, she just threw up everything she ate. After three days of unsuccessfully trying to eat without barfing it all up in the end, she stopped trying.

Kristen swatted Massie's armed playfully before pulling her off the bed, "C'mon, we could at least have a little chocolate before the party."

And with that, the two of them were off to buy some Swedish chocolate from the store just downstairs in the lobby.

"Go awn," Kristen whispered, "You can do this."

Massie awkwardly stepped into the large ballroom although if people were watching, they would have described her as gracefully gliding in. Kristen followed her close behind.

Mr. Harrington must have invited more than just half of Westchester because the room was packed! Massie couldn't believe so many people could squeeze into the room. It took a while but at last, Massie spotted Josh, Cam, Plovert, Kemp, Claire, Dylan and D with his old girlfriend hanging out next to the refreshment tables.

Massie gulped and turned to face to door, "Um, I don't think I can do this."

But Kristen calmly stopped her and said, "No, you can do this. I'll be right besides you. Don't worry."

Massie trembled as she and Kristen made their way closer to the group. She could practically hear her heart beat over the murmurs of people's voices and classical music that was playing from the violins and cellos that were onstage. The closer she got, the more her palms started to sweat and she almost felt like puking all over again.

The only thing that was making her feel better was the sound of Kristen's heels clacking on the marble ground, reminding her that she wasn't alone.

"Hey guys." Massie said nervously once she arrived.

"Hey," Everyone said back except for Derrick, Alicia, and Dylan.

Massie scanned to see what everyone was wearing just to make sure she wasn't dressed too formal. Alicia was wearing a beautiful green dress that went well with her perfectly silky hair. Claire and Dylan on the other hand looked like a blind person picked their outfits for them. Dylan looked like a clown in her puffy purplish-red dress and Claire simply looked like a tomato. They looked ridiculous. Dylan didn't seem to notice but Claire kept head down avoiding everybody's gazes. The guys were wearing ordinary black tuxedos from Armani and Gucci. But Derrick…Derrick looked adorable with his messy blonde hair and his blue, blue eyes that stood out more than usual. He didn't looked scruffy and hadn't tucked in his shirt like the rest of the guys. He looked out of place but still cute. Massie hated herself for thinking such absurd thoughts.

Massie gently touched the charm bracelet that rest around her thin wrist. Kristen had given it to her yesterday. It was an expensive Tiffany & Co. charm bracelet even though Kristen was on a budget. It was suppose to symbolize their friendship. Massie squeezed the charm that was a crown, her favorite one. She would summon the confidence to make it through the night.

Suddenly, someone of the stage was talking through the microphone. Everyone turned to face the speaker.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I'm glad you could all make it."

Everyone politely applauded.

The speaker continued, "I'm sorry to say that Mr. Harrington could not attend this year's ball. He is in the other side of the world dealing with a meeting. He sends his apologizes but hope everyone will have a good time."

More applause.

"For our next song, gentlemen, ask a lovely lady you did not escort to the ball to dance."

There were more murmurs in the crowds and everyone started to look for a partner.

Plovert shyly asked Kristen to dance and they were already on the dance floor. Josh darted his eyes back and before nervously asking Claire to dance. Cam rolled his one blue, one green eyes and asked Alicia to dance. Alicia glared at him before accepting. Kemp asked a girl that was at least three years older than him and with chest that was on the edge of spilling out of her dress. No surprise.

Which only left Derrick and Massie. The two stood there awkwardly for a moment.

Derrick let his shaggy hair cover his eyes before mumbling, "Want to dance?"

Massie said nothing but took the hand that Derrick offered her. They made their way to the dance floor. She locked her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist. The two danced stiffly for a while. Massie tried to avoid his blue gaze and the seconds seemed like hours as they passed by.

"So," Derrick finally said quietly, "Why'd you do it."

Massie raised her waxed eyebrows, "What do you mean."

Massie stomached growled. She was feeling kind of queasy.

"I mean," Derrick said, "Why'd you cheat on me."

Massie finally shifted her gaze onto Derrick, "What?"

"You know," Derrick said uncomfortably, "Why did you go out with Cam behind my back."

Derrick's anger had rubbed off days ago. Now he was only confused, confused and sad that he no longer had Massie.

Massie glared at him, "I would never cheat."

"Don't lie to me Massie," Derrick said, his blue eyes boring into her.

"I'm not," Massie insisted through gritted teeth, "I thought you knew me better than that. I really thought you were a different guy. Who gave you this stupid idea that I'm going out with Cam anyways?"

Derrick paused for a brief moment and Massie feared that she had pushed him too far.

Finally he said, "Alicia."

Massie's eyes widened and said, "And you believed her?"

Derrick danced in silence again while Massie felt her mouth taste like pennies.

"I don't know what to think." Derrick said at last.

Massie lowered her head and shook it.

"Why would I ever cheat on you? You were the first guy I thought I was ever in lo – "

But Massie caught herself before she said the four-lettered word she dread would come spilling out of her big mouth.

Derrick just looked off into the distance and said, "The first time I saw you…"

Massie had unlocked her arms and was lightly holding onto his shoulders.

"The first time I saw you, I knew you were different," Derrick said looking back, "I remember how I was a jerk too."

Massie giggled even though she felt her legs getting weaker. She didn't know that her face was losing more color than before.

Then Derrick stared down at Massie and said, "I remember how I thought you'd be the worst roommate ever but then you started being so nice to the other guys and stuff."

Massie stomach growled again and she began to feel like her body was getting pulled to the ground. When did her body get so heavy?

"But then there was Alicia." Derrick said shaking his head, "Alicia Rivera."

Finally, Massie shushed Derrick's rambling by putting her hand over his mouth.

Derrick looked at her questionably and she said, "Let's just save this moment."

Derrick nodded and the two just danced there for a while.

Then all of a sudden, Massie gripped his shoulders tighter as she felt a stab of pain in her stomach. She felt the blood rushing towards her head and she held onto Derrick's shoulders even tighter.

What's happening to me?

Derrick looked at her with sheer horror, "What's wrong Massie?"

Massie's bony shoulders were shivering and she had an urge to throw up.

Her face turned as white as paper. She could feel herself losing control of her own body.

She leaned in close to get a whiff of his welcoming smell, scared that it would be her last time doing so. His familiar clean laundry and peppermint scent almost brought tears to her eyes.

And with her last ounce of strength she whispered, "I love you."

And just like that, her grip became lose and her powerless knees gave in. She tumbled to the floor and everyone around the two gasped.

And Derrick watched in slow motion as the only girl that had ever liked him for him, and not his money, the only girl that had ever talked back to him, the only girl that made his heart race every time she was near coughed on the floor gasping for air.

Something at that very moment in him died as he watched the love of his life lay there and more than ever, he just wanted to lay there with her too to die, hoping that he would go first so that he wouldn't have to watch her leave.

wow, most dramatic thing you guys seen so far in this story, huh?

im srry it had to be so sad :( but that was just part of the story

KEEP REVIEWING AND I KEEP WRITING :D

(btw: olivias probably not gunna take part of anything anymore, im sorry olivia fans because she really doesnt actually belong in this story but some of u guys wanted her to appear so i let her come in hahahahahah)

LOTSA LOVE :)