Paige let out a cry of delight upon receiving her test paper back in Spanish class later that day. She spun around quickly in her chair. "Spin, I actually got a 95!"
Spinner was frowning at his own paper. "I got a 65 and detention this afternoon."
"What?" Paige snatched the paper from his hands then rolled her eyes. "Well maybe if you would refrain from drawing obscene pictures on the paper..."
Spinner laughed, taking the paper back. "I got distracted."
Paige just shook her head.
"How did you manage to get a 95 anyway?" he asked.
"Gee thanks."
"No, I didn't mean it that way. This stuff is hard. How does she expect me to remember the past tense for all these words?"
"Maybe you should try studying," Paige said testily before turning back around. She heard Spinner mumble something under his breath and sighed. A few months ago she would have found his antics funny, even cute. Now they were starting to annoy her. Still, she did care for him. He was actually funny at times and had done a lot for her last year when she had been dealing with her rape. But she was pretty sure she wasn't in love with him. She felt guilty every time he tried to bring up their relationship but did her best to ignore his attempts to tell her that he loved her.
Am I totally evil and crazy? she thought. He really loves me and he's been really good to me. But why don't I feel the same way?

+++

That Saturday, the sky was overcast, promising rain. Puffy dark clouds hung low in the sky and most lawns were already glistening with dew.
Paige hurried as quickly as she could to Hazel's house, clutching an overstuffed duffel bag tightly. They had both told their parents that they would be sleeping over each other's house after the party that night, planning on staying out as late as they wanted.
By the time Paige reached her friend's doorstep, a light mist had already begun to fall. She bounced impatiently until the door opened then quickly stepped inside.
"This weather sucks," Paige said as they headed upstairs. "My hair is going to frizz like crazy tonight." She dumped the contents of her bag onto Hazel's bed.
Hazel sat down next to the pile, sifting through it. "Cute outfit." She held up the black pants and lacy red top.
"Yeah I decided to go for a little more subtle after my last big party," Paige replied. "Not that I'm going to be looking for that kind of thing anyway." She opened Hazel's jewelry box and began holding up earrings against her ears in the mirror.
"Yeah you've already found your soulmate," Hazel said with a smile. "But I gotta find an outfit that's gonna help me find mine." She began to look through her closet, taking out articles of clothing and throwing them on the bed.
"Yeah, soulmate," Paige said, not realizing how sarcastic her voice was.
Hazel paused and turned to the other girl. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Paige slipped a pair of silver hoops on. "What are you talking about?" She turned her head to admire how they looked.
"Are you and Spinner having problems or something?" Hazel pulled out a pair of red shoes and tossed them onto the bed.
Paige shook her head as she picked them up and sat down to try them on. "Not at all." She buckled the straps then stood up carefully, wobbly on the high heels. "No problems."
"Well, then why didn't you sound thrilled when I said that he was your soulmate?" Hazel replied.
"Well, soulmate is such a strong word," Paige said slowly. "He's just my boyfriend."
"But you guys are in love...aren't you?" Hazel sat on the bed.
Paige came over to sit beside her and looked down at her hands folded in her lap. "Yeah, well one of us is."
Hazel looked at her for a second then nodded knowingly. "Ohh. I see."
Paige felt instantly relieved. "You do?"
"Yes, I completely understand. And don't worry about it. Spinner will definitely come around."
"Huh?"
"Guys have a hard time saying I love you. I especially would expect that with Spinner. But he really does care about you a lot. I'm sure he'll say it soon." Hazel smiled and patted Paige's hand.
Paige forced a smile on her face. "Thanks," she replied, not wanting to correct the other girl. In a way, she almost wished the situation was what Hazel thought it to be. It seemed so much harder to be on the receiving end of unrequited love, having someone else's feelings resting in your hands. The pressure was starting to get to her.
They got ready and in a few hours were dressed up, ready to leave. Hazel tugged at the short denim skirt she wore and asked for the thousandth time if she looked okay.
"Yes!" Paige replied exasperated. "You ready?"
Hazel applied another coat of lipgloss, tucked the tube into her purse and nodded. "Let's go." She and Paige headed downstairs straight through the front door, as Hazel's parents weren't going to be home until late that evening.
"This is so exciting," Hazel said as they hurried along, their shoes tapping loudly on the ground. "We could so get seriously busted if your parents call my house or mine call your house."
"Well that's what makes it fun," Paige replied, grinning. She glanced around. "It's kinda creepy walking here alone at night—"
"BOO!"

Both girls screamed, jumping back as two figures leapt at them from the hedge next to them.
Jimmy and Marco were doubled over with laugher, even as Hazel and Paige began smacking them with their purses.
"You guys are such jerks!" Paige cried. "I thought you were murders or muggers or something!" She paused, trying to get her heart to stop beating so quickly.
"You both jumped like a foot in the air," said Jimmy who finally managed to catch his breath but was still smiling. Marco was still chuckling.
The four of them began to walk along.
"Where's your honey bunch?" Marco asked Paige.
"Oh he had tickets to a hockey game or something," Paige replied as casually as she could, trying not to sound too disappointed or happy. She knew Hazel was listening closely.
"Oh too bad," said Jimmy. "Poor Paige is going solo."
Paige rolled her eyes. "Well it was supposed to be a girls night, until you two showed up."
"Actually, it can still be considered a girls night," said Hazel with an innocent grin. Both boys smirked at her.
They reached Sean's house still bickering good-naturedly. They all stopped short upon seeing the front yard.
The small house was blazing with lights. Couples sat in lawn chairs, staring up at the sky or making out. There were beer cans and cups littering the lawn while a group of boys were rolling a keg up the front walkway. The four of them could hear the music blaring from where they stood.
Paige and Hazel exchanged excited looks. This party looked crazier than any other party they had attended before.
"Well it should be interesting at least," Marco murmured as they walked towards the house, pointing to a broken window. "Looks like we missed some of the festivities."
Paige walked through the door and as she looked around the room, she spotted someone who made her heart jump even more than when Jimmy and Marco had scared her before. She took a step back, knocking into Hazel.
"Paige, ow! What—"
"Dean," whispered Paige.