Music blared from all ends of the school gymnasium, which was decorated most prettily for the holidays, as Faye and Grace made their way into the crowded room full of students. People were already dancing and Faye smirked at this. How typical. She looked over at her best friend and grimaced. Grace shouldn't have come, she thought dryly. Obviously she was still hurt over the breakup and Gordie was going to be coming, Faye was sure of it. Chris had said he would meet the two of them there, and he was bringing Gordie.

"Grace," Faye said kindly, when she noticed her friend's sad eyes skimming the room frantically. "Are you okay?"

"What?-Oh, I'm fine," Grace said distractedly. She was looking to see if Gordie was there yet. Secretly, she hoped he wouldn't show so he wouldn't have to deal with it. She hated dealing with things. But she still loved Gordie and she probably always would, he was her first, her one and only. But that was over, it was gone, he was too busy frolicking with the school harlot.

"Look," Faye said, sounding cautious, as if Grace would breakdown any second. "You can leave if you want, you shouldn't have come if you weren't ready."

Grace scowled as the two girls stood by the concession table. "I'm fine, really! Stop worrying-don't let your night be ruined by me and my dumb pity parties."

Faye sighed but didn't say anything. She knew her friend would breakdown when Gordie came-who wouldn't? But honestly, how would everything work out? Would there be this weird awkwardness? A part of Faye-a very small, tiny part-was angry at her two best friends. She knew she was being selfish and bitter, but seriously, she couldn't help it. They had had this perfect thing, Chris and Faye, Grace and Gordie, that was how it was and Faye wasn't expecting it to end so soon. Now there would always be this tension...this anger.

"Hello ladies."

Faye grinned as Chris came up to the girls and smiled shyly. But he was alone. Grace seemed to notice this also and she looked around, trying to find Gordie. Faye frowned at Chris. He understood and said quietly, "Not now."

Faye nodded and smiled, trying to cover up the weird silence. Chris took notice and leaned down quickly and kissed her, trying to act as naturally as possible.

"Music sucks, huh?" Chris asked, arching an eyebrow and looking around. Grace still seemed disconnected and she muttered a soft,

"Yeah."

Chris looked questionably at Faye but she shook her head and took his hand. "Uh-Grace we'll be right back. You okay for a few minutes?"

Grace shrugged and smiled brightly. "Don't worry about me! I'm fine."

Faye wasn't convinced and Grace sounded oddly phony. Raising his eyebrows, Chris tugged on Faye's hand and the couple made their way into the cool hallway.

"Where's Gordie?" Faye asked immediately. Chris stuck one hand in his pocket and ran the other through his untamed hair.

"He's coming," Chris said. "Well, he's here. But as soon as we got in the gym he said he had to go. I knew it was because I was going to come to you and you were with Grace. Faye, I don't think this was such a good idea..."

Faye frowned and leaned against the wall, whimpering. "I know," she cried. "I'm so stupid. I should have never made Grace come..."

"Well, you did," Chris said and he stood in front of Faye, smirking. "But it's okay. Gordie will probably just be with Halle all night, anyways."

"Oh, that's just perfect! Now Grace will want to kill herself!" Faye actually had tears of aggravation in her eyes and her face was bright pink.

"Awwe, you look so cute when you're irritated," Chris said playfully, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes.

"Shut up," she growled.

"I didn't even get to tell you how beautiful you look tonight," Chris said, grinning innocently.

Faye immediately looked up and smiled. "Well here's your chance."

"You look beautiful," Chris said, laughing when Faye twirled around in her dress.

"'Course I do."

~*~*~*~

Halle stood sulkily against the wall, watching her fellow peers prance happily about, not a care in the world. Why did she even come to this stupid dance? It was pointless; she was just setting herself up for some heartbreak. But she wasn't naive, she knew Gordie and Grace were broken up, and that was what disturbed her and made her feel so guilty. She knew it was because of her they had broken up, it had to be. She was so stupid, why did she have to follow her stupid feelings?

Just then Gordie passed her and she couldn't take it; she had to talk to him. She needed to talk to him. Quickly getting herself together, she gently put her hand to his arm and he turned around. When he saw it was her, he frowned.

"Not now, Halle," he said coldly.

Not showing how distantly hurt she was, Halle scowled. "Gordie, we need to talk."

The usual innocence and humor that was in Gordie's eyes was now gone and replaced by a cold, hard stare, so unreadable, so unemotional it made Halle stir.

"Halle," he began, coldly. "I said, not now."

Halle was now pissed beyond relief. "Why not?"

Gordie didn't want to look at her-not now when she looked so beautiful with her dark hair pulled back into a crazy twisty thing, not now when her eyes were so blue, not now when he was so vulnerable, not now when Grace was only across the room.

"I-I can't Halle, don't you understand?" he asked, almost pleading in his gentle voice. "Halle, I know you're sorry about what you did and everything, but I lost Grace because of it. I don't think I can talk to you anymore."

"Excuse me? Why 'I did'? Gordie, you're the one who kissed me!" Halle was almost yelling now, and several people turned to stare.

Looking around frantically and hushing her at the same time, Gordie grabbed her by the arm and drug her over to a corner beside the vending machine.

"Halle. Listen, I-you're an amazing person. But I need time before I can talk to anyone, not just you. I can't even talk to Chris right now."

Halle's eyes were so big and full of sorrow and guilt, Gordie had to look away, afraid he might melt at any moment. Was it truly possible to love two people at the same time?

"Gordie," she began softly. "I'm sorry I ever talked to you. You and Grace would have been together."

Gordie shook his head, and put his hand softly on his shoulder. "This isn't your problem, it's mine. I-I care very much about you and I don't want to lose you as a friend. But Halle, right now, I need to be alone."

Halle nodded and watched Gordie walk away. As soon as he turned amongst a dancing group of teens, Halle rolled her eyes. Damn fool, if he wanted to be alone he shouldn't have come to a huge social event.

~*~*~*~

Grace didn't have any idea as to why she came to this stupid dance. It was pointless. Stupid. Disturbing. Why had she agreed? She had no idea. Leaning against the concession table where she had been situated for the whole night, ever since Faye had left her, her favorite song came on and immediately she melted. It was 'Yesterday' by the Beatles. [sorry, I had to use that song, I know I've used it like a bagillion times already]. How appropriate, she thought dryly as she listened to the lyrics.

Gordie always knew this was her favorite song. Tears threatened to invade her eyes as the smooth voice sang the soft, broken hearted words of the melody. Shaking her head, she told herself to knock it off. She wasn't going to fall apart over some guy. She wasn't weak. No, Grace Hanlon was not weak. Never.

"Hey Gracie."

Faye was standing next to her, alone and looking sympathetically at her friend. Grace grinned somewhat estranged.

"Hey Faye."

Faye leaned beside Grace. "How's it going?"

Grace shrugged, not really knowing what to say. "It's going."

"Grace, let Chris take you home. It's getting late, this was a mistake, and you obviously don't want to be here. I'm sorry I made you come. Chris is taking me home in an hour anyway, this dance is totally lame."

Grace shrugged. "I should have never even thought of coming. It was too soon...Faye, I've never been so hurt before in my life." Tears were gathering in her eyes and her voice was shaky. But she wasn't going to cry, she couldn't cry, she had her pride. But as the song continued and memories of her and Gordie came into her head, her barriers began to fall and the tears slowly trickled down her cheek.

"Come here," whispered Faye, and she pulled Grace to her. Grace laid her head on her friend's shoulder and let the tears fall for the first time. Suddenly all the anguish, the pain, the hurt came flooding all at once and it was just too much-not even Grace Hanlon could put barriers up. She let herself fall apart and although she hated herself for every damn tear she shed, she felt as if a weight was being let off of her shoulders.

"It's okay," Faye soothed. "It's okay. Let it out."

Grace cried silently and hugged her friend, not caring if anyone saw. She looked up, her face tear streaked and blotchy. "Faye, I miss him already. I- I-Faye I hate this," she choked out between small sobs. How could this be? Why was she feeling so helpless?

"Grace, look at me," Faye said, holding her best friend by the shoulders. "You're a beautiful person, don't ever doubt that. If Gordie's too blind to see that, some other lucky, amazing guy will. Gordie doesn't deserve your beauty. But someday, this person will see how beautiful you are, and it will blow him completely away."

Grace laughed and wiped her eyes. "I love you, Faye."

Faye grinned and hugged her friend one more time, thanking the heavens she had a best friend. "I love you too, Grace."

~*~*~

[I believe maybe two or three more chapters left. I don't know. Maybe one! Alright, some shouts are in order. As usual to StormShadow21 for her very interesting and funny reviews, Starlight Kisses, Danihum and SleepIsFun for always reviewing!! All of you rule!! :) Thanks for making me feel like my writing is actually worth something. :) Strawberries for all of you. Okay. Well...Love & Strawberries, The Good Girl. PS-StormShadow21, if you still want to co-write something I'm up for it! I know you're busy with your Christine Sixteen, so whenever you want to have a go, just drop me a line!]