-1"Well Stace? What do you think?" asked Claudia nervously as she watched her friend look at her from every angle. Stacey gave Claudia a worried expression as she circled around once again. "You hate it don't you?"

Stacey shook her head vehemently. "Claud, it's not that I hate it, I just think it's so… different than what I'd picture you in for Prom." Claudia had chosen a hot pink strapless iridescent dress that just touched the floor. As she twirled around the dress flashed a softer pink color throughout the A-line skirt. Stacey couldn't deny that her friend looked gorgeous in the vibrant colored dress however she couldn't believe how ordinary the style was. She thought back to last year when Claudia was frantically putting the finishing touches on her hand sewn dress. The dress had been the hit of the Prom, people had been talking about for weeks.

"Look Stacey," began Claudia as she began changing back into her jeans and T-shirt. "I'm just at a point in my life where I just want to blend in with everyone else. I remember in grade school whenever we would study World War II the whole Pearl Harbor incident? Did you think I didn't notice everyone glancing at me out of the corner of their eyes? As if I personally was responsible for the bombings? Jesus, I've never even been to Japan. Then when my grades were shitty, all I heard was how I didn't apply myself, Janine is smart Claudia, you should get good grades too. Then when I went out with Brantley Erickson when I was a Freshman and he was a junior and he told everyone that I w as a sure thing? All because I wouldn't let him feel me up in the movies? Now do you think I don't notice how Susan and Shawna and that whole group stares at me like I'm some sort of frickin' bag lady?"

Stacey quickly interrupted. "Claudia, who cares what those catty bitches think?"

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT"S LIKE STACEY!" screamed Claudia as she wiped tears of frustration from her eyes. She took a deep breath to calm herself down. "Look, for the first time, I really am head over heels for a guy. When I'm around AJ I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world. I never felt this way with any other boyfriend. Everybody changes a little bit when they are in a relationship, I am just changing my clothes. I just want to dress like everyone else."

Stacey grabbed Claudia and gave her a big hug. "I'm so sorry Claudia, I never knew you felt that way. I was always so jealous of you because you were always so unique and interesting, everyone always noticed you. I felt like such a carbon copy." She grabbed a tissue and began dabbing at her eyes. She looked at Claudia's tear streaked face and began to giggle. "Oh my God Claud, we sound like we are guests on the Dr. Phil Show." Claudia began to laugh as the two of them sank to the floor dissolving in laughter.

Stacey wiped her eyes then looked seriously at Claudia. "I need to tell you something, but you have to SWEAR that you will never tell anyone." She waited for Claudia to nod in agreement. "Ok, something happened last night, I kind of got drunk and ended up making out with Troy."

"Oh my God Stacey! He took advantage of you! I thought something wasn't right about him.."

"No, no, no. He didn't take advantage of me! I was the one who was all over him. I made such an ass of myself and then threw myself at him." Stacey buried her face in her hands. "To make matters even worse, I totally stood up Austin. He has to hate me now. I just don't know what to do."

Claudia wrapped her arms around Stacey as her friend cried on her shoulder. "Ok, Stace, I may not be Dr. Phil but I have an idea. Why don't you just apologize to Austin and give him a good reason why you weren't there. Then set up a definite time to go out. You know like a planned event. Like a concert or play or something…"

"That's it! I'll have him go to Anna's concert with me!" exclaimed Stacey her blue eyes shining with excitement. "Claudia you're a genius!"

"Anastasia, you know I hate that word!" replied Claudia grinning.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"So, um, Mary Anne, how was your visit with Alex?" asked Dawn as she shyly hesitated at her stepsister's doorway.

Mary Anne rolled over on her bed and motioned for Dawn to come in. She sat up and patted the seat beside her. "It was amazing. I really care about him. I mean I know it's been a short time since we started hanging out but I feel like I've known him forever. Is that weird?"

"I don't think so.' Said Dawn in reply. "I think some people just have that connection."

"Speaking of connection. I heard you are going to Prom with Pete?" exclaimed Mary Anne. "Sharon showed me the picture of the dress you want to get. It's gorgeous!"

Dawn looked at Mary Anne her eyes shining. "Do you really like it? I love the color and Mom said it would match my eyes. I am so grateful Pete asked me. I think it's going to be a great time."

"I do too. So far you, me, Claudia, and Shannon are going. I think Abby and Anna are going too. We just need Stacey and Kristy to decide on dates." Mary Anne leaned back on her bed. "Can you keep a secret Dawn? Alex and I sorta, um, well we had sex."

She sat up quickly as she saw Dawn stiffen up. "Dawn? what's wrong?"

"Did he force you Mary Anne? Why didn't someone help you?" Asked Dawn as she began pacing the room.

"Dawn, it wasn't like that. I wanted to…."

"Why didn't anyone help? Why did that have to happen?" cried Dawn.

Mary Anne jumped up and threw her arms around Dawn. "Dawn, it's ok, I wanted to. Its ok! What is wrong honey? Talk to me!"

Dawn shook her head and glanced at Mary Anne's concerned face. Without saying a word she turned and ran out of the room.