The rest of the weekend passed uneventfully. I drove to school that Monday morning, apprehensive about what would happen with Ronnie. I was still baffled about Saturday night's events. I never thought in a million years that I would have feelings for Sunshine but that was before we almost.no. I couldn't say it. I almost kissed my best friend, practically my brother. I pulled into my parking space, took a deep breath and walked towards the school.

As I walked, someone stopped me by putting their hands over my eyes. "Guess who?" Ray's voice rang out behind me.

"Hey." I forced a smile on to my lips. "Where were you all weekend?" He asked. "Around." I said quickly. "I called you know." He seemed upset. "Oh? I didn't get any messages. My dad is really bad about not telling me who called." I smiled. He didn't. "What's going on with us Ash? I mean.I know you know about Friday night."

"Yes." I said quietly.

"Are you mad?" He looked into my eyes. "Yes."

"I didn't want to hurt you."

"I know.but what you did was horrible. Rev isn't just some random colored boy that you like to make fun of, he's my friend, and your teammate. Why did you do it?" I asked. "I'm sorry.I don't know what I can say to make it better." Ray sighed. "Go apologize to Rev."

"I cant do that." He shook his head.

"Do it. Please, Ray if you care about me at all you will. He's my friend and you might have just ruined any chance of him getting a football scholarship."

Ray's glance softened. "I will.if you make me a promise."

"What's that?"

"That you'll go to homecoming with me."

My heart stopped. Homecoming? I hadn't given it much thought.but I didn't imagine myself going with Ray. Part of me wanted to go with him.he was always so sweet to me. But another, larger part kept telling me that Gerry and the guys would never forgive me.

"God Ray, um can I think about it a little?"

He nodded. "I'll call you later and you can tell me." I smiled and walked to my locker where Gerry was standing. "Heya Ash. Heard you and Sunshine had a little tryst this weekend."

"And where did we hear that?" I asked rolling my eyes. "Sunshine. So what's the story?"

"There is no story. We almost kissed that's all."

Gerry's eyes widened. "You did? All I heard was that you hung out at his house."

"Ummmm well it was kind of unintentional. We were playing football, he tackled me and we were just caught up in the moment." I shrugged and opened my locker. Gerry nodded. "Do you like him?"

"He's my friend.of course I like him."

Gerry rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean."

"I dunno.I mean I think I could but I don't really right now-you know what I mean?"

He nodded. "So what are you doing about homecoming?"

I bit my lip. I had to tell him.I couldn't just make it a surprise. But how could I say it? Yeah Gerry, I might be going with Ray Budds-you know the racist kid who you just kicked off the team. Gerry looked down at me. "Earth to Ashley? It wasn't supposed to be a stumper."

"Oh sorry." I said. "Well?"

I took a deep breath. "You have to promise you won't be mad."

Gerry looked confused for a moment then an understanding look came across his face. "You're going with Ray aren't you?"

I didn't say anything.

Gerry swore. "Ash what is wrong with you? Do you not understand what a jerk he is? Why would you go out with him after what he did to Rev?"

"Gerry he can be real sweet when he wants. And he's gonna apologize to Rev, I told him I wouldn't go if he didn't."

He swore again. "I cant believe this."

"Gerry I didn't say yes yet! I was worried that you were gonna react like this and you guys are more important to me than stupid homecoming!"

I slammed my locker and walked to my class.

I spent the rest of my day avoiding the guys, which wasn't exactly easy to do considering they had formed the habit of waiting for me between classes. When lunch rolled around, I stayed in the bathroom and ate there. I couldn't face Gerry; after the fight and god knows I couldn't look at Sunshine after Saturday night. And once the other guys got wind of me and Ray, they probably would want to scream at me too. After lunch I successfully avoided the guys until the end of school. It was hard, I mean they were my best friends, but I couldn't face them. I was walking to my car that afternoon when I saw Ronnie walking towards me. I pretended I hadn't seen him and booked it to my car but he intercepted me.

"Ashley! What's going on?" He said as he ran up along side me. "Nothing." I said as I continued the path to my car. "Well something is up? Where have you been all day? You weren't at lunch and no one has seen you at all. Except Gerry.but he wouldn't say anything? What's going on?" He put his hand on my shoulder and turned me to face him. "Nothing." I repeated. "You're lying. Is it about what happened on Saturday night? Are you just avoiding me because of that?"

"No! Ronnie that's not it at all." I said.

"Well then what?"

I bit my lip. "It's about homecoming."

"Oh? Well um what exactly? Because I actually needed to talk to you about that."

"Ray asked me." I said, cutting him off. Ronnie stopped. He looked at me open mouthed. "You didn't say yes?"

"I didn't say no."

"What?"

"I told him I'd think about it.then Gerry found out and he was pissed and started yelling at me so I got mad at him and I really didn't want to have a confrontation about it at lunch in front of everyone so."

"So you avoided us?" Ronnie finished.

"Well.yeah. I expected you to know.I thought Gerry would tell you guys."

Ronnie sighed. He was obviously displeased. I stood there, trapped in the unpleasant stillness. I wanted to say something.but what? Nothing seemed right. Finally Ronnie opened his mouth. "Ash.why Ray? I'm not even going to bring up what he did to Rev and how he treats everyone.but what do you see in him?"

"I know it looks bad.but you don't know him like I do. He's real sweet to me and he promised that he'd apologize to Rev. I know that he has the potential to be a really nice guy."

Ronnie ran his fingers through his hair. "It's just.just that you could do so much better. He isn't good enough for you.you need someone that would be there for you. Someone that would respect you, love you for who you are-not what you look like."

I looked up at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Look Ash, you're beautiful. You must know that and I'm worried Ray only wants one thing." "Ronnie I really appreciate the concern but I'm a big girl and I can make my own decisions. I don't know about Ray yet. I need some time."

Sunshine rolled his eyes. "Okay.but Ash can I just say one thing before you go?"

"Yeah sure."

"Don't just say yes to Ray because you think that no one else will ask you. There are a dozen guys who would kill to go with you."

I smiled weakly. "Thanks Ron. I'll see you later." I got into my car and sped away.