Later that night, Tyler and Dave headed to a club. They walked right through the door leaving at least thirty people waiting on line outside. Tyler entered 'OASIS' and was immediately taken. Haunting techno music sent vibrations up and down his body. Dave and Tyler headed towards the back of the club, to a more secluded area.

Tyler looked around and noticed the crowded bars, the black and white checkered dance floor . . . and a really hot girl. He followed his cousin over to her direction. She was wearing a black shirt and had on tight black pants. She seemed very involved in a discussion and seemed quite excited about it. Every so often her hands would be thrown up in the air to emphasize a point. As he approached the sofa with all of the commotion about some dead philosopher, Tyler came to a realization.

"Hey guys. This is my cousin Ty." Dave introduced. Tyler waved nervously as he scanned the occupants of the couch. He exchanged glances with a certain girl in particular.

"Tyler?" Caitie's eyes grew wide with shock.

"Caitie?" he responded in a confused manner.

A guy seated next to Caitie cut the uncomfortable moment short. "Hey Caitie, want to dance?" Brett asked as he slightly pulled Caitie by her hand.

It was evident that Caitie felt awkward that Tyler was there. She wasn't exactly sure why. After despising him for a while, she learned that he wasn't such a bad guy. Val's goal was to brainwash her into believing he was a good fellow had worked. She just didn't want to share her place with someone else she knew . . . from a different world. Caitie and Brett headed to the dance floor.

She looked at him. 'Wow . . . he's good looking . . . and he could dance . . .'she thought to herself. They both followed the beat and danced for a while.

Dave and Tyler took the empty seats on the couch.

"Hey. You know Caitie?" Dave asked after witnessing the awkward acknowledgments.

"Yea . . . I go to school with her. She's a friend. How do you know her?" Tyler questioned suspiciously.

"Brett met her here with Andrea," Dave replied. The name quickly produced a mental picture of a girl with bright fuchsia hair. Tyler recalled Andrea, one of Caitie's friends.

"Oh. I didn't think you guys were in the same group . . . you guys and Caitie I mean."

"Ty, you don't understand. High School is about being the golden child and whatnot . . . but college is different man! It's about being who you are, and doing that as best as you can." Dave's attention was focused on Caitie.

"She has every guy in here mesmerized. She has so many thoughts and philosophies on life; she's way beyond her age."

"So she doesn't come here to get wasted?" Tyler blurted out. As soon as those words stumbled out of his mouth a pang of guilt ran through his body. He was retreating to his old habits of passing unfair and incorrect judgments about her. Ever since Jamie joined the squad, she has become one of his closer friends.

Dave responded to Tyler's question with a look of disbelief. "Are you kidding? She's our resident designated driver. Some shit about her body being a temple . . . wouldn't mind worshiping that temple."

Dave and Tyler watched Caitie and Brett dance to techno music. After the song was over they decided to go sit down. Caitie returned to the couch.

"You want some madness?" Brett asked.

"Better than chaos," Caitie responded with a grin.

Tyler appeared confused and the look did not go unnoticed by Caitie.

A small smile approached her lips. "Relax Tyler. it's a drink. They have a great juice bar here. You should go check it out."

"So. . . you come here often?"

Tyler's question caught Caitie off guard. She looked down at the floor. "Yea, actually. Tyler? Um. . . listen, can you not mention it to Jamie and Val? I kind of like having a different world I can escape too. . ."

"Yeah, sure, no problem" he quickly answered with a smile. Tyler quietly commended himself for solving the mystery. He had found out where the location of Caitie's shell was. She fits in here . . . and is recognized and credited for her uniqueness. No harsh judgments here as he once passed on her. It took awhile to find out that she was actually a really driven and individualistic person, not just some 'Goth sloth'.



Brett made his way though the crowd and arrived at the juice bar. He asked for mango pineapple madness. He took out a small baggie and slipped something into the tall glass. With the drink in his hand, he made his way back to Caitie.

"Here you go. Hey, since Dave's cousin is here, how about we have a party at my apartment!" Brett announced.

"Oh we are so there! Right Ty?"

Tyler looked at his cousin and then Caitie. Tyler felt like he didn't really belong but knew his cousin would probably want to attend. "Sure, I guess. . . " he replied quietly.