A week off from school was a godsend to Dillon High student population. The boys still had practice but it didn't stop them. Brandi and Jess met at Fran's Hamburgers on Tuesday afternoon for lunch.

"So, double oh special, what's with this secretive meeting?"

"I have a plan," Jess smiled. "Do you know what's coming up?"

"Um, no idea, what?"

"Erin's birthday is coming up and we need to plan a party."

"I thought she didn't want one."

"I don't care; we are going to plan an amazing birthday bash."

"Fine okay, where is this bash going to be?"

"I still have to find a place, but it has to amazing. So let's keep our eyes open."

Jess got up and headed to the counter, refilling her drink. Making her way back to the table, she made a face at Brandi.

"How 'bout we head outta here, I'll bring you home and we figure it out from there?"

"Okay if you insist."

Making their way to the door, they ran into Tyra. They chatted; discussing their weeks off and how they were going, and they mentioned Erin's secret party.

"Well, if you want to make bank on this, we can pull a homecoming party."

"What do you mean Tyra?" asked Brandi.

"Well, sophomore year Tim's Brother Billy and I found this place off the highway and we charged money to park. We made a hell of a lot of money."

Jess turned to Brandi, "Brandi this could work! We could pull this off, we do it next Friday night, and it's perfect!"

"Well okay, tell people it's a party, but not Erin's birthday, then we'll surprise her with a cake."

"Fantastic."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Next week at school, Jess was stoked. She couldn't contain the fact that she was going to throw the biggest rager of a party and Erin was clueless that it was for her. She made her way to the auditorium for independent study to work on her latest assignment; writing a song, and to perform for a grade.

She placed her bag in the front row and made her way to the wings of the stage; turning the lights on illuminating the stage. Jess sat at the bench in front of the piano, taking a deep breath and playing:

You are my sweetest downfall

I loved you first, I loved you first

Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth

I have to go, I have to go

Your hair was long when we first met

Samson went back to bed

Not much hair left on his head

He ate a slice of wonder bread and went right back to bed

And history books forgot about us and the bible didn't mention us

And the bible didn't mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall

I loved you first, I loved you first

Beneath the stars came fallin' on our heads

But they're just old light, they're just old light

Your hair was long when we first met

Samson came to my bed

Told me that my hair was red

Told me I was beautiful and came into my bed

Oh I cut his hair myself one night

A pair of dull scissors in the yellow light

And he told me that I'd done alright

And kissed me 'til the mornin' light, the mornin' light

And he kissed me 'til the mornin' light

Samson went back to bed

Not much hair left on his head

Ate a slice of wonderbread and went right back to bed

Oh, we couldn't bring the columns down

Yeah we couldn't destroy a single one

And history books forgot about us

And the bible didn't mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall

I loved you first

She made her way off the bench, and made her way to her next class.

Settling into American Literature, the teacher dropped an in class assignment; complete with partners.

"Daniels, Garriety, you're partners."

The girls rolled their eyes and agreed. They took out their respective supplies and got to work, but not without some evil banter.

"So how is Tim Jess?"

"I wouldn't know Lyla; this evil priss of a girlfriend has his balls in a vice."

"What would you know about his ball's Jess?"

"Oh you have no idea..."

The bell rang, releasing Jess from her own version of hell. She plastered the fakest smile ever towards Lyla and made her way into the hallway, exchanging books into her locker. By the time she had situated herself, the hallway was empty; and the doorway called her name.

She checked in the opposite direction that she was heading and made her to the doorway, as she reached for the door, she was close-lined by a much toned bicep.

"Damnit," she looked up from her spot on the floor.

"Now where do you think you're goin' Daniels?"

"None of your business thirty three," Jess sighed, picking her up off the floor and adjusting herself.

"Come on Daniels..."

"If you REALLY want to know, I'm going for a drive, gotta clear my head."

"Let me come with."

"Bad idea Tim, what will your girlfriend think?"

"This will be our little secret." Tim winked, opening the door letting Jess walk ahead of him.

"If you insist, let me drive my truck home, meet you there?"

"Sure."

Jess drove home, parking her truck in her spot, then proceeded to hop into Tim's black Silverado truck.

"Where are we going Tim?"

"I have an idea."

Driving through Dillon they made it to a hill, Tim's hill, and he hopped out of the truck and reached into the bed. He pulled out a plastic bag and a club and walked to the edge of the cliff side.

"Are you serious?" Jess asked, sitting on top of the hood of the car, curled up with her knees against her chest.

"Once in a while I like to unwind and whack some cans off a cliff, care to join?"

"I think I'll pass, I'm just trying to get that annoyed feeling off me."

"Why you annoyed?" Tim asked; whacking an empty beer can over the edge.

"Oh there's this girl in my class, you might have heard of her, her name's Lyla,"

"Daniels, you just need to cool your jets."

"Don't you parent me Tim Riggins."

"Fine," he drawled, smiling and turning back to look over the cliffside.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Tim finished off his bag of empty cans and turned back towards his truck. Jess was still curled up on the hood off the truck, but had managed to curl up into a nap. Her hair had fallen in front of her face and hand dangled off the hood. He walked over, gently placing the club in the bed of the truck and made his way back to the hood. He stared at her for a moment, taking his hand and moving the hair from her face, waking her.

" How long was I out for?"

" Long enough for me to have my way with you..."

" TIM..."

" Kidding! I was kidding."

He made his way to the driver's side as Jess hopped down and entered on the opposite side. Tim started the truck and they headed towards home, driving in silence. Jess leaned over and turned the radio dial to kill the silence in the cab.

" So," Tim spoke, turning the song down, " who was it about?"

" What do you mean?"

" Who were you singin' about in the auditorium?"

" None of you business, " Jess scoffed, looking out the window

" Fine, I'm not gonna drop it, but whatever, what are you up to this weekend?"

" What's it to you Riggins?"

" Just wondering, tryin' to make conversation..."

" Well, if you must know, we're planning a party where I guess you had a homecoming party 2 years ago, Tyra's helpin' out, only we're telling everyone it's a normal party, but it's actually a birthday for Erin, but SHHHHH!"

" Okay, am I invited?"

" No, but I'm not going to turn you away if you show up." Jess smirked.

" Sounds like a plan.." Tim laughed.

He pulled his truck up to her driveway. She slid out and turned, waving and made her way into her house. Tim drove down the road slowly, staring in his rear view mirror.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

" Okay-" Erin eyed Jess as she entered her truck, " where were you for lunch?"

" I went for a joy ride, needed to clear my head, why?"

" Oh nothing, just wondering where my best friend went, 'cause you know that's what best friends DO!"

" Sorry, I was paired up with Lyla Garriety in American Literature for an in class assignment.."

" I feel your pain, " Erin laughed, rolling the window down, " still, why didn't I see Tim Riggin's truck in the parking lot?"

" He must have not been in today."

" Jess... come on, I wasn't born yesterday."

" We went for a ride out to the cliffs, that's it, MOM."

" Okay, I am not your mom, but I'm sure as hell feeling like it."

" Don't go there Erin."

" Sorry, it's just, I hate being motherly."

" I'm sorry I put you in that position."

" Just watch yourself with Tim, I don't want you being all sad and mopey."

" Gotcha."

The girls proceeded to drive thru town, making their way home. Erin hopped out of the truck.

" I'm going to the store, you want anything?" Jess asked, turning and running a hand through her hair.

" I'll have what you're having."

Jess drove down to the convenient store, grabbing a six pack. She then picked up her phone and dialed Brandi's cell. She picked up on the third ring.

" Hey good lookin', how's it lookin' for Friday?" Jess asked, turning down her street.

" We're pretty much all set. I've talked to Tyra and we're gonna get the booze in the afternoon, right after school and then go set up. Tyra and I have spread the word, sound good?"

" Brandi, you are a godsend."

" I try."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Friday night came with swift wings.. Erin only knew it was party, but nonetheless, all of the girls got gussied up. Erin dressed up in a cute argil t-shirt and ripped shorts and her converse sneakers. Jess dressed in a navy blue sundress and her aunt's cowboy boots Tyra and Brandi agreed to get there early before everyone else and had been working since getting out of school. Jess' job was to keep Erin in the dark until the last possible second. As Jess pulled up Tyra was standing at the entrance area, shoving her hand forward.

" $20 dollars m'am."

"Sure thing," Jess laughed, pulling out her twenty. She found a spot and parked her truck.

The party raged on, beverages running through bodies like fire. The music blared. Jess made her way around the makeshift bar and ran into Erin. She hugged her, laughing.

" Stay here!" Jess shouted over the bedlam.

Jess made her way to find Brandi, who was chatting with Julie in the trailer.

" Get the cake!"

The girls grabbed the cake and made their way towards Erin, singing obnoxiously.

" You say it's your birthday. It's my birthday too--yeah! They say it's your birthday! We're gonna have a good time! I'm glad it's your birthday! Happy birthday to you!!!!"

The rest of the party joined in, making Erin turning a lovely shade of pink.

Jess looked around, looking at all the smiling faces. Her eyes met her familiar hazel eyes. Tim walked towards her, leaning in and speaking in her ear.

" That was awesome. Look at her face."

They both looked over at Erin being congratulated, and smiled.

" You have got to be kidding me!"

Their moment was interrupted by an annoying twang of a priss.

" Tim, what is this?!"

" Well what does it look like Lyla?"

" I can't believe you, I mean, Jess Daniels?!"

" Yes, Lyla, Jess Daniels."

" I can't believe you would stoop so low."

Jess was sick of being on the sidelines of this conversation.

" Um, Lyla, I don't know about you but YOU weren't invited, YOU aren't God's gift, YOU need to get the fuck out of here, NOW."

" Make me Daniels." Lyla stood with her hands on her hips.

" You know what, I'm not going to get into this with you. I'm leaving."

By now the party had caught on to what was going on and everyone was focused on the almost cat fight. Jess looked over the crowd and met Erin's eyes and shouted.

" Hey sweet cheeks, I'm gonna peace, I don't want to ruin your party more than SOMEONE already has...see you at home?!"

" Yeah, sure, whatever you say...," shrugged Erin with a half smile.

Jess made her way to her truck in a zig zag formation, the party goers had resumed partying when Tim grabbed her hand.

" Let me drive you home."

" Tim, I'm fine..." Jess slurred a bit. " Besides...." and she trailed off.

" Just come with me..." Tim grabbed her wrist and dragged her to his truck.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Tim drove to the convenient store, per request of Jess, she wanted a midnight snack and hangover remedies for the next day; which included another 6 pack. She exited the truck and shuffled into the store. Tim rested his arm on the open window and peered into the store, watching Jess with a smirk.

Jess purchased her groceries and headed out the door and her stomach sank. A familiar truck pulled right in front of her, cutting her off to Tim's truck.

" Well hey there pretty lady, whatcha' doin' out so late?"

Guy Raston rounded his truck followed by two of his friends.

" Umm, just heading home, you boys have a good night," her eyes darted from the men to Tim's truck, hoping that Tim would notice what was going on. She started to walk towards Tim's truck but was blocked off by Guy's two cronies. Jess peered over the addict's friend's shoulder with relief as Tim walked over.

" What seems to be the problem Guy?" Tim studied Guy.

" None of you business Timmy, this is between me and your girl here."

" I'm NOT his girl," Jess' voiced cracked.

" Well if you're not his girl, then I bet he wouldn't mind if you cam on a little ride with us."

Jess's eyes grew huge, staring at Tim, her eyes begging for him to do something. Tim stepped forward.

" I can't let you do that Guy."

" Whatcha' gonna do pretty boy?" Guy stepped forward, smacking the side of Tim's head with a half full bottle of beer. Tim fell to the ground, only to be kicked by Guy and one of his friends, whilst the other grabbed Jess, dragging her to the truck.

" SHIT! TIM! GODAMNIT PUT ME DOWN!"

She kicked and screamed as the rest of the men squeezed into the truck, leaving Tim face down on the concrete.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Song(s) of the Day: Samson- Regina Spektor & Birthday- The Beatles

DUH DUH DUH!!! Let me know what you think, open bar on me!