Over the next week, I had one date with Kevin planned for tonight, thirty-six random text messages from Joe, which I tried to ignore as much as I could, and three disappointed stares from Alessa. She didn't approve of my indecisiveness. Riley, on the other hand, encouraged it.

"You only live once." Riley said repeatedly.

Which is when Alessa would come in and say, "You shouldn't play with emotions. You out of all people should get that."

I liked the sound of Riley's better, even though Alessa's was obviously the right one.

I stared at the last text message I got from Joe. Riley tried to work with my hair and Alessa tried to keep her opinions to herself. Both of them had insisted on helping me out, even though I didn't need it.

The glowing text became glued to my mind as I re-read it over and over again: I miss you.

Three stupid little words and they were having a profound reaction on me. Course, it might have something to do with the fact that his text messages usually said something like 'I am Zortar, King of Planet Xylorglargh' or 'How do you feel about cheese?'.

Now you see why those words affected me so much.

Alessa kept shaking her head at me. Riley kept shooting Alessa warning glances. I kept rolling my eyes.

"There." Riley said. "Perfection." She smiled proudly as she handed me the mirror.

I raised my eyebrows. "Riley, my hair is the way it always is." I pointed out.

"No it isn't. I changed your part." She still smiled proudly.

"Oh, my mistake." I said so I wouldn't hurt her feelings. "It's amazing Riley. You are a miracle worker." There was sarcasm etched in my voice, but I'm not sure she detected it.

"I know." was all she said.

Alessa came over to sit next to me on my bed. "So," she started. "Are you excited for tonight?" She glanced down at my phone.

"Yep." I said, not so enthusiastically. She didn't believe it. "Really, I'm totally excited."

"Uh-huh." she said, as she raised her blonde eyebrow. "Just choose one, Makenzie. You can't do this."

"I'm not doing anything." I defended. "I'm with Kevin. Not Joe."

"Really? Who's the text from?"

I sighed, defeated. "Joe." I said meekly. "But I'm not doing anything with him. Honestly." And I wasn't lying. Nothing had happened between Joe and me. At least, he hadn't done anything. Yet.

"They must be almost done their tour break, huh?" Riley asked curiously as she tried to find something in my barren closet. "I can't wait to see them in concert!"

I laughed at her excitement and how I always forgot they were famous. How could I forget though? Their faces were everywhere and they were always getting asked for random autographs all the time whenever we all went out.

"They get off break August First." I said glumly. I couldn't imagine not having any of them around all the time.

"Wow. You've only got another week left." she said sympathetically.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Alessa asked. "I know how you can be when people-"

"I'll be fine." I pressed. "Stop bringing my past into this. If I knew you were all just gonna use it against me, I wouldn't have said anything."

Alessa looked down guiltily. "I just want to make sure you're okay."

"Don't worry about me. I always manage."

Just then, Riley's phone started ringing, breaking the silence.

"It's Jake." she said.

"Go." Alessa and I said in unison. She smiled widely as she practically skipped out of my room.

"I don't see why she does things with other people when she obviously just likes Jacob." I said.

"Yeah, doesn't make much sense does it?" Alessa accused.

"You should probably go." I told her. She obeyed and started walking away, but not before she said this:
"Choose." Then she left.

I fell onto my bed and looked up at my ceiling with the fake stars that glowed in the dark.

Alessa was right. I needed to choose.

But how could I choose?
Kevin was so sweet and he was exactly what I was looking for; and what I needed...

...but Joe was so charming and exactly what I was trying to avoid; and exactly what I needed.

A knock on the door startled me and I made my way to the door. Opening it slowly, I saw Kevin's smile.

"Hello there, beautiful." he said with a huge genuine smile. Inside, it felt like I was being jabbed by a knife.

"Hey." I said as friendly as I could without it sounding phony. "Could you hang out here for a second? I'm not exactly done getting ready yet." I realized I was wearing my robe and pajamas.

"Sure thing."

"Thanks. Make yourself at home." I said gesturing to the small kitchen/living room arrangement.

I went off into my room and scrambled to find something to wear. When I finally chose, I went out to where Kevin was. He sat on the couch patiently.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yep." He didn't need to know about the twisting knots in my stomach. Another knock came on the door.

I ran over to the door, my eyes widening when I saw who it was. "Oh my God."