~*~*~ The idle chatter of Sarah McCue got on Anne's nerves so bad it was almost all she

could do to keep from screaming at the top of her lungs and running out of the Blue Pointe

Diner right then and there. She honestly could not stand the girl, but being that Sarah was a

cheerleader and one of the popular girls at Castle Rock, Anne put up with her so her status

wouldn't go down.

"I swear, if that girl over there laughs like that one more time," Sarah went on, pointing over

Sasha Lone's shoulder. "I will go over there and knock her one."

Sasha, Bonnie Timmons, and Taylor Smith all laughed appreciatively, but Anne merely

smirked. What a boring night. It was incredibly dull, and if she had to sit through any more of

it, she thought she would explode.

"Anne," Bonnie asked her green eyes skeptical. "What's wrong with you sweets? You've barely

talked or touched your food all night."

Anne looked up and shrugged. "Oh, I'm fine."

The group went back to talking and Anne leaned her head against the diner booth. Sometimes

she would pretend she was someone else, just for one moment. Pretend she wasn't the girl

who got every guy she wanted or had most of the male population fawning on her. Anne knew

she was lucky to be in her position; most girls at Castle Rock would die to be here, she knew

that. But she couldn't help but feel bored with her life style.

Just then as Anne was throwing herself a pity-party, the little bell tinkled above the diner

entrance and the guy who had just walked in caught her eye. It was Vern Tessio. He was by

himself, and walked past their booth to the counter. She watched him. He was tall, very tall

and thin. His brown hair was combed and nice and his eyes were quite captivating. She looked

at her table mates and frowned, finally getting fed up with the constant gossip.

"Uh-guys," Anne started. "I'll be right back. Bathroom break."

The others just nodded, and Anne slid out from behind the booth. She walked coolly over to

the counter and stood beside Vern. She felt him tense up at her presence and smirked to

herself. This was going to be fun.

She looked over at him and smiled sweetly. "Hey there."

Vern looked over at her and his eyes were full of surprise. Was it really true that Anne

Donahue was standing next to him?

"Hi," he squeaked out, immediately blushing.

"What are you doing here by yourself, on a Friday night?" Anne questioned, scooting closer to

him.

He swallowed hard and his eyes traveled over her and back to the counter. He was nervous,

no doubt, and she knew just how to play him.

"I'm just-um-getting something to drink," Vern replied.

Anne smiled again and nodded. "Cool. Hey-there's this wild party up on Millers Hill. Dan

Quaintan's parents are in Europe. Should be pretty crazy. Up for it?"

Vern could have died and been okay with it, right then and there. This was insane. Just today

Anne didn't know who the hell he was, and now she was inviting him to some 'wild' party. He

loved parties, he really did, and he wanted to go, but it was just too good to be true. What

was this? Some kind of sick joke. But as Anne's eyes looked deeply into his and her blonde

hair gently laid on her shoulders, Vern couldn't help but feel his knees go weak.

"Sure."

**

The feeling of Tilly's body on Teddy's was enough to send him off the edge. Both fully

intoxicated with alcohol, the two were busy making out on the couch in the middle of the crazy

party. Only for lack of oxygen did the two pull away.

"Teddy," Tilly gasped. She dove in for more, but Teddy pulled away. He didn't like to be with

one girl for too long, and he was boring of Tilly's company.

She looked at him confused.

"I'm going to go get us some drinks, okay?" Teddy said, forcing a smile. "Be right back."

Tilly nodded and smiled. She laid back down on the couch. "I'll be waiting for you."

"Great," Teddy grumbled as he got up. The party was seriously crazy. Booze was floating

around freely and the air hung thickly of smoke. 'Busy' couples could be found in most of the

corners and music blared from all ends of the house. It was one of the main line houses too,

so there was room enough for a circus.

Teddy made his way into the kitchen where it was much quieter and empty. He sat down on a

stool and put his head in his hands. What was he doing? Teddy had given up drinking almost

six months ago, and just this night he was completely wasted. He thought he was better than

this. He didn't want to keep being the man-whore; he was done with those ways. Shaking his

head, he ran his hands through his hair. He needed something cool to drink- alcohol free.

Grabbing a glass from the counter top, he poured himself a glass of water and let the cool

liquid flow down his throat.

Just then, he looked up as he heard a girl crying. Some brunette had come into the kitchen,

her face buried in her hands, positively sobbing. She didn't seem to notice his presence, so

Teddy just sat there.

The girl finally stopped sobbing and began a wheezing noise, removing her hands to reveal a

very pretty girl. Her eyes were red from crying and her cheeks damp with tears. She noticed

Teddy and gasped.

"Oh, I didn't know anyone was in here," she said suddenly. "I'm sorry."

Teddy watched her and even through his drunken, fog ridden mind he noticed how upset and

sad she seemed.

"It's okay," he responded, unable to say anything else.

The girl walked over to the counter. "Is that seat taken?" She asked, motioning to the stool

beside him. Teddy shook his head and watched her sit down. "Thanks."

"Why you crying?" Teddy didn't know what else to say.

The girl grinned nervously and shook her head. "Because guys just don't know the meaning of

the word 'no.'"

Teddy put his chin in his hands and looked at her. "Guys can be dicks. Was he your

boyfriend?"

The girl shook her head. "No. I don't have a boyfriend. He was just a fling."

Teddy smiled. "What's a pretty girl like you doing without a boyfriend?" his words were a bit

slurred from drinking, but the alcohol was beginning to wear off and after so many years of

drinking, it was easier for him to hold drinks.

"No guy wants a girl with brains," she began. "They all just want to get laid. Guess that's why

I'm boyfriend-less."

Teddy shrugged. "I think it's kind of cool if you can stand up to a guy."

The girl laughed softly. "I'm Janey."

Teddy grinned. "I'm Teddy. Nice to meet you Janey."

Janey smiled in return. "Nice to meet you too, Teddy."

**

Vern and Anne entered the party at around ten-thirty; the high point. At first, Vern had to

hold back a cough from the smoke and his eyes watered. The place reeked of alcohol which

also added to the factor that made Vern want to turn around and leave.

"Great party, huh?" Anne yelled above the music. Vern could barely here her.

"What?!"

"I said-GREAT PARTY, HUH?"

Vern nodded. "Oh-yeah!"

Anne smiled and took his hand, which made Vern jump. Anne smiled at this. She didn't really

like Vern-she didn't know him. But she was having a boring night and wanted some fun. She

didn't care if he cared about her or not, she just wanted to get some.

"Come on, let's get some drinks!" Anne yelled and led Vern through the crowd. The duo was

stopped midway to the bar area by Dan Quantan himself. The boy was a tough kid, with black

hair and grey stormy eyes. He grinned at the two.

"Yo, Verno!" he shook hands with Vern. The two were friends and Vern himself had actually

been invited to the party a few weeks ago but had forgotten. "Anne, glad you could come!"

Anne grinned. "Sure!"

"Well, you two crazy kids enjoy yourselves," Dan hollered, making himself heard over the

music. "Free beer, next room over!"

Anne and Vern bid goodbye and made their way to the beers, filling up on them. Once they

got their drinks, the both of them sat down on a sofa and began drinking.

"So, you having fun?" Anne asked.

Vern nodded. "Sure."

She grinned. "Good." She didn't know why, but the sweet look in Vern's eyes made her want

to know everything about him.

"So Anne," Vern began. "Who's your favorite band?"

Anne almost choked on her drink in surprise. She hadn't expected this. A guy actually wanted

to know something about her. She wasn't used to people caring about what she had to say or

what she liked. Usually she just slept with the guys and that was it-she never saw them

again. She was nervous-what was she supposed to say? She never really had a real, decent

conversation before, save for Chris.

"Definitely the Beatles," she replied after a pause, and grinned. Vern smiled.

"That's boss," he replied

To Anne's surprise, she enjoyed Vern's company. He was down to earth and a genuinely sweet

guy. She found herself wanting to spend the whole night-just talking to him. She didn't need

to have sex with him in order to feel something. She liked talking to him. They sat there for

the rest of the night-just talking.

And to Vern's surprise, and Anne's...

They liked it.

~*~*~ oh no, more fluff! What's happening to me?? Guah!! So, please review! I need

feedback. Yes, I do.

Oh and - Chris is supposed to look like how River did in Running On Empty/A Night In The Life Of Jimmy Reardon. Longish hair, but not too long, he's supposed to be seventeen. He supposed to look the way River Phoenix looked at 17. You know, very sexy. Sorry, just had to clear that up! Thanks to all my reviewers! :)