"Briiinng!!" The school bell at Beaverton elementary school had rung, signaling the end of first period. Brooke Fernsby was the last student to exit the classroom. Brooke was known to be rather shy and she didn't really talk to anyone at school except for her twin sister, Belinda.

Brooke walked to her locker and saw someone standing nearby. It was Corey Bennett. Corey is the middle school's most popular boy. He was smart, strong, skilled, and cool. Brooke had always had a crush on him. Corey was telling his friends about the Sadie Hawkins dance that was coming up in a few days. "So you gonna ask anyone?" Asked his friend. "I have someone in mind. But I'm waiting to see if she asks me. If she hasn't by the end of the day, I'll try to be brave and ask her myself. I'll see you guys later."

Brooke had heard everything. "Someone in mind?" She thought aloud. "I wonder who he's talking about?" "Definitely not you." Said a voice.

Brooke turned to the left and saw a dark brown haired girl with a white windbreaker, a mauve shirt, blue designer pants, and red slip on shoes.

It was Amelia Evans. The most popular girl in school due to her family's fashion designing business. Amelia loved bragging to people saying she was the best. Especially to Brooke. Brooke, unfortunately, is Amelia's favorite target. Her timid and shy personality makes Amelia laugh and insult her at every opportunity. She had heard Corey's conversation and was hoping he'd ask her to go with him in front of everybody.

Amelia smirked at Brooke's nervous expression. "You really think Corey, the cutest and most popular boy in school would go to the dance with you? That's rich. Even he knows you're the baby who always screams for her mommy every day when the even the slightest thing happens. I'm still surprised you're not still in kindergarten because of how much you act like one. Corey's going to be asking ME to the dance while YOU sit at home in your crib sucking your thumb. Isn't that right, Baby Brooke?" A few kids who had heard her started laughing.

Brooke turned red in the face and shuffled nervously away. She always felt awful when Amelia called her that. She reached her next class, which thankfully, Amelia wasn't in. Brooke sat at her desk and pulled out her notebooks. As class started, she started taking notes for their test tomorrow. But all the while Brooke was still hurting from Amelia's words.

After second period, Brooke walked out to find Belinda at the water fountain. "Hey! Brooke! Over here!" She called, waving her hand around. Brooke came over to her. "How's the day goin'?" She asked. Brooke didn't answer. Belinda sighed. She knew what this expression meant. She had seen it a lot of times. "What'd she do this time?" Belinda asked. After hearing it from Brooke, Belinda scowled. Belinda wasn't usually one to get angry, but anyone picking on Brooke definitely lights a spark.

"We can't tell the principal because he'll never believe us. Neither will a teacher. So I guess we're on our own here unfortunately. But she doesn't matter. If you really feel this way about Corey, you should ask him! It'll be SO romantic!" Sighed Belinda. "But Amelia's right. Why would Corey go to the dance with me when she's the obvious choice." Replied Brooke, not at all convinced. But Belinda wasn't going to let her sister give up. "Don't say that. He'd be stupid not to go with you." But all the same, Brooke still wasn't sure.

Soon, recess rolled around and all the kids were out playing. Except Brooke. Brooke always sat against a tree in the far corner of the schoolyard, away from everyone. Suddenly, she heard a voice. "Brooke! Over here!" She looked at the chain link fence that surrounded the blacktop and saw Brenda and Bethany on the other side on the middle school grounds. The elementary and middle school are right next to each other, with a fence in between them.

"We heard about the Sadie Hawkins dance. Did you ask Corey yet?" Asked Brenda. Brook shook her head and told them what happened earlier. Like Belinda, Brenda and Bethany were not pleased. Brenda remembered in her last year of elementary school, she was there to protect Brooke from Amelia. But now with her in middle school, Amelia now bullied Brooke with ease.

"Don't listen to her. She's just trying to make you feel bad for being yourself. Just remember what Lana said, being different is what makes you special." Said Brenda kindly. That made Brooke feel a little better. She remembered the words her cousin had said to her a few weeks ago during a family visit. "I'll try." She said.

Later that day, Brooke was throwing away her trash at lunch when she accidentally bumped into a boy. "Sorry!" She cried nervously. Then she realized something, the boy she bumped into was Corey! "C-C-Corey! I-I didn't mean to!" She stammered. "It's ok Brooke. It was an accident." He said kindly. Brooke smiled a little. "Oh, that's good to know." She said, nervously rubbing her arm. Corey smiled. "You wanna sit? I was just about to sit and do some homework while waiting for next period to start. Amelia and I are partners for this assignment in Language Arts." Brooke got nervous when she heard that name. In honesty, Corey never knew about Amelia's behavior towards others. She had always kept it well hidden from him. "Is something wrong?" Asked Corey. Brooke looked over and suddenly saw Amelia walking over towards them. "Uh, nothing! Nothing at all! I gotta go!" And she ran away around the corner. Corey was confused as Amelia walked up.

"Was that Brooke I just saw talking to you?" She asked as she sat down next to him. "Yeah, she accidentally bumped into me on the way out of the cafeteria. She seemed really worried. I hope she's ok. She always seems worried about something. Maybe I should check on her?" Said Corey. "Oh, don't worry about her. She's just some got some freaky phobia that makes her terrified of everything she sees." Amelia was struggling to contain her laughter. Something that Corey noticed. This troubled him a little. "You know, I think I just remembered, I think I forgot something in my locker, I'll catch you later." And he left. Amelia was furious. "I'm gonna get that little wimpy brat." She said through gritted teeth.

The final bell rang and Brooke left her final class. Suddenly, a kid ran up to her. "Hey! Corey's going to do his dance proposal! Everyone's coming!" Brooke figured this would happen. With Corey being so popular, everyone wanted to see who he was asking out. Brooke arrived at the blacktop to find Corey standing on a bench. Brooke made her way to the front of the group. Belinda was already there. "I can't wait! I love seeing romance blossom!" Brooke didn't say anything. Suddenly, she was suddenly shoved to the side. It was Amelia. "I'll deal with you later." She threatened.

Then, Corey spoke up. "Well, here goes. I'm still kinda nervous, but, seeing she's here, I'm as ready as I'll ever be." He got down off the bench and made his way towards the crowd. The middle schoolers were also watching from the fence.

"He's gonna ask me! He's gonna ask me!" Squealed Amelia. Corey soon arrived at the front of the crowd. But as he was about to say something, Amelia jumped in front of him. "Yes! Yes, my answer is yes! I'll go to the dance with you Corey! I knew we were meant for ea-!" "Amelia?" Interrupted Corey. "What?" She asked, confused. "I'm not asking you to the dance. I never was." Everyone gasped. Even Brooke. Amelia's face fell in a nanosecond. "W-What?" "Can you please move, the girl if like to ask is standing behind you." Amelia turned around and gasped. Brooke's eyes went wide in shock.

"M-Me?" Asked Brooke. Corey nodded. "Will you go to Sadie Hawkins with me?" He asked. Brooke was still in disbelief. "But, wouldn't you want to go with someone pretty and popular?" She asked. Corey was surprised. "Brooke, you are beautiful. And as for popularity, that doesn't matter. I've been wanting to get to know you more for a while, but I was always to nervous to ask you." Brooke then took Corey's hand. "Yes." She said. Everyone cheered as Corey and Brooke hugged each other. "WHAT?!" Everyone turned and looked at Amelia.

"Are you kidding me?! Why are you going to the dance with her?! She's a baby!! She's a complete freak who's afraid of everything!! Why would you ruin your popularity and date her!?" After a few deep breath's, Amelia then noticed that everyone was glaring at her. "I knew it." Said Corey. "I knew something was going on. Now I know why Brooke was so nervous when I mentioned your name." Amelia knew there was no point in denying it. So she decided to own it.

"Oh, big deal! So I love making this little baby's life miserable. What are you gonna do about it huh? What are you going to do about it?" She mocked. "Ahem." Amelia turned and saw two very angry adults looking at her. It was Amelia's parents. They had arrived to pick her up. "Mom, Dad, how's it going?" She asked in a nervous tone, immediately realizing she was in DEEP trouble. "I am so sorry. I had no idea this was happening." Said Amelia's mom. "It's ok." Said Brooke. Then, dragging her daughter by the ear, they left, leaving Brooke and Corey. "Hey, uh, I was wondering if you wanted to get a milkshake?" Asked Brooke. "Yeah! sure! I'm buying." Brooke smiled and the two left holding hands. Bethany, Belinda, and Brenda watched in happiness. "That's our sister." They said in unison.

The next night:

It was Friday night, the night of the Sadie Hawkins Dance. The doorbell rang at the Fernsby house. Luke opened the door and found Corey standing there in a new suit. "Hi Mr. Fernsby." "Oh, you must be Corey! Brooke's told me all about you. Come in, come in." Corey sat down on the couch and found Belinda standing in the living room. She was all dressed up too.

Luke then went down the hall to find Brooke. "He knocked on her bedroom door. "Sweetie! Corey's here!" He called. "We'll be right there!" Called Max. She was helping Brooke get ready. Two minutes later, Max came into the living room. "Hi Corey. Brooke will be out in a minute. I still can't believe my little baby's going to her first dance!" She cried.

Max then noticed that Brooke hadn't come. "Brooke, is everything ok?" "I-I-I don't know. I don't think I look good enough." Said Brooke nervously. Max then went back down the hall and gently took Brooke's hand. "It's ok honey. Corey's going to love your outfit." She assured. Brooke looked at her mom and nodded.

Corey was still waiting when he heard footsteps. He looked at the edge of the hallway and there, was Brooke. She was still wearing her usual ponytail, but there was now a big purple bow clipped to her hair. She was also wearing a teal short sleeve dress that dragged a little behind her with a daisy belt around her waist. Corey looked at her in wonder. "You look beautiful." He said. Brooke blushed and looked down at her feet. "You ready?" He asked. Brooke nodded and took his hand. Max was waiting to drive them. Before they left, pictures were taken and Luke gave Corey a quick message. "Please be good for her." Corey promised he would. With Belinda following, they headed to the car.

At the dance, Brooke was nervous when she saw the amount of people there. "It'll be ok. We'll do this together." Said Corey as he offered his hand. Brooke accepted and they headed inside. A slow song was about to start and they both looked at each other. "Would you like dance?" Asked Corey nervously. "I'd like that." Said Brooke quietly. They found an empty area and began to slow dance. Brooke looked at Corey and smiled. "I've never met anyone here as nice as you." She said. "And I've never met anyone here as nice as you." Said Corey with a smile. Belinda watched from the side trying to contain her glee so she wouldn't make a scene.

As they danced, Brooke's feelings of loneliness melted away and were replaced by the feeling of love and acceptance. She looked at Corey. "Thank you Corey. This is the best night ever." She said. "Of course Brooke. I'm sorry I didn't notice Amelia's true colors till now." Said Corey. "That's ok. I think I won't have any trouble with her now. You're a great friend Corey." Corey looked at Brooke and smiled. "And you're a great friend too, and I'll always be there fo you." And as the moon shone high in the night sky over the gymnasium, Brooke and Corey danced happily together knowing they had each gained something amazing.

THE END

Hope you all enjoyed this new story.