I took a spoonful of my Cornflakes and shoved it into my mouth. I was having breakfast and it was the morning after the bitch came to Dewey's house.

"Marta," my Mom said. I looked up at her.

"Saturday night, we're having a dinner party. I hope you don't have plans, honey," she smiled at me, "We invited a few of your friends. We invited Katie, Zack, Eleni and Freddy. Oh yes, and Mrs. Jones said that Freddy has a new girlfriend that she'd love for you to meet. She's coming too. What's her name? Gloria, Georgia, Gwendolyn, Galadriel..."

"Gwen, Mom," I said grimly.

"Sweetie, aren't you happy that your friends are coming?" Mom asked.

"Yeah, I guess," I shrugged.

"Come on Marta," Jordan said, "We have to leave for school. If you want a lift, you have to come now." He walked out the door. I mentally thanked Jordan for sparing me from one of Mom's pep talks as I kissed my parents good-bye, grabbed my school bag (which was very heavy) and ran out the door.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, AT THE MALL

I was shopping with Eleni. She had already found a dress for the junior prom. She chose a white mid-calf length dress. It has spaghetti straps and waist up, there are tiny blue flowers stitched on it. She's wearing blue kitten heels with it. The skirt is fluttery and silky. She says she's going to curl her hair and wear it down with barrettes holding it away from her face.

Finally, we walked into Barney's and I saw "it". I knew from the moment I saw the outfit on the mannequin that I had to have it! I ran to the mannequin, and sure enough, it was all in my size, the shoes and the dress! I tried it on and I knew it looked amazing. Eleni and the sales woman agreed. As soon as I changed back into my beige pants, beige and white striped tube top and jean jacket, I ran to the counter and paid for the dress, the shoes and the hair accessories. Then, we caught a bus. We both went home to change for the party that evening.

It was strange though that Eleni was finished before I was. Usually, when the girls in the band go shopping together, she's the last one out of everyone to choose her outfit. I remember that once, she got a $300 gift card to Bloomingdales (courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa Jones, who spoil Freddy and Eleni rotten) and insisted on spending it in one shot. We spent at least a half an hour waiting for her to pick between a pink knit sweater and a blue one. Finally, she decided to take both, plus a yellow one. The entire day was spent listening to Eleni wondering about things like whether baby blue or ocean blue looked better with her eyes and if she should buy a pleated mini or not. I think that Eleni wants to try to drive us all insane with her shopping endeavors!

It took me about 15 minutes to choose what I was wearing. Finally, I decided to wear a pale pink top with white lace straps and paired it with a fluttery knee-length skirt. The skirt is pink with white flowers printed on it. I chose pink sandals with ribbons tying around my ankles. I wore my hair down so the curls spilled down my back. After I changed, I stayed in my room and read a book, which is strange for me. At 5:30, Mom called me down from my room and said that the guest would arrive at any minute. Ten minutes later, the doorbell started ringing and either Jordan or I usher them to the backyard (where all the food is). At 5:53, none of my friends had arrived yet, but the bell rang. I ran to open the door, hoping it was Katie. When I opened it, it was the Joneses plus evil Gwen. I shrieked and slammed the door. I took a deep breath and opened it again.

"Sorry about that," I apologized while they came in.

"Don't worry," Gwen said, "We'll forgive you, especially since you're so simple-minded, Marta." She whispered the part after "we'll forgive you," so that only I could hear her.

"Umm, well, let's go outside so you can meet the other guests," I told them and I faked a smile.

"Here, Marta, I'll take Mr. and Mrs. Jones outside and you can take your friends," Jordan said. Freddy's parents followed him as he led them to our backyard.

"Lead the way, Blondie," Freddy grinned at me once Jordan was gone. I smiled back at him. That time, it was a real smile. Gwen moved closer to Freddy. She was wearing a short black tube dress, mulberry stilettos and a ruffled mulberry jacket over the dress that she left unbuttoned. She did her hair in a ponytail and wore giant black hoop earrings. Eleni rolled her eyes when Gwen rested her head on Freddy's shoulder.

"What's wrong Gwen?" she asked, "Is your big head getting too heavy for your body?"

"Eleni," Freddy scolded, "Be nice to her."

"I should have stayed home Freddy," Gwen told him in that syrupy voice she uses when she talks to him, "The people here obviously don't like me.

"Don't say that! Of course they like you, you'll see," he smiled at her as he put an arm around her waist.

I can't believe he's falling for her nice girl act! She's a total fake and I can't understand how Freddy isn't aware of that! I thought. I mean, I've been jealous of Freddy's girlfriends before, but I haven't hated even one of them before Gwen. Freddy usually dates girls that are nice to the rest of us.

"Well then, let's go," I walked to the patio door in my kitchen that led to the patio (duh!). Freddy and Gwen walked off to get some punch, but I saw them stop in a place that definitely wasn't punch (more like sushi, actually) and start kissing. Well, actually, she started kissing him and he kissed her back.

I don't want to see this! I don't want to see this! I don't want to see this! The sentence pounded through my head as if someone was screaming it at the top of their lungs. No, no, no! Freddy, don't fall for her stupid tricks! Get away from her!

"Umm, Marta, is something wrong?" Eleni asked me. I looked at her.

"No," I shook my head. I think she knew perfectly well that I was lying to her but she didn't want to press the subject. I think she figured that I'd come out and tell her when I was ready too. The doorbell rang again.

"Wanna come get it with me?" I asked her.

"Sure," she nodded and we walked off to answer the door. We opened it to see Katie, Zack and their parents in the doorway.

"Come on in," I smiled at them, "The party is outside."

"Follow us," Eleni said. I heard their footsteps following us outside. As soon as the adults encountered other adults, they immediately started babbling away. Zack put his arm around Katie's shoulders and gave her a quick kiss on the neck once his parents weren't paying attention to us anymore.

"Where's Freddy?" Zack asked.

"Oh, he's outside," I answered.

"Is that Gwen with him?" Katie asked. I nodded. Katie and Zack exchanged looks and rolled their eyes. Katie tugged at the suede belt she was wearing loosely over her tailored beige pants.

"I take it you don't like her either," Eleni commented. Zack nodded.

"I can't believe Freddy would ever sink this low. I mean, he's always had his pick of the girls, but he chose her. It just doesn't make sense. I hate her. She's rude to all of us, especially you, Marta," Zack said.

"I know she's going to hurt him. Freddy's my brother and I never want anything bad to happen to him. If this Gwen person sticks around much longer, I think that she'll do some permanent damage on my brother. I mean, he follows her like a sick puppy...and it's not as if she treats him as though he's anything other than that, her dog. I mean, Freddy used to be confident, assertive, talkative and funny, even if it was in a weird, guy way. Now, he's submissive, stupid, quiet and dull. I mean, every time he makes a joke or something, she scolds him or makes a mean comment. I hate her! She doesn't care about him. I'm positive she's with him just to say she's dating Freddy Jones!" Eleni cried.

"We know Eleni, we know, but I'm sure they'll break up soon enough. I mean, how much more of this can Freddy take before he gets fed up of her treating him like an idiot?" Katie said soothingly. We nodded.

"Hey, I think I'm going to go talk to him. You know, just guy talk, not about the bitch or anything," Zack said. He started walking away.

"Oh, and Marta," he said as he stopped in his tracks.

"Yeah," I answered.

"The music is really bad!" he told me and walked away. Well, he was right about the music. I mean, who in the hell wants to hear Enya?

Katie, Eleni and I talked for another while, not about Gwen, just girl talk. It was nice to forget about that evil whore for a while.

"You guys," I said, "I'm hungry. I'm gonna go get something to eat." I said. They nodded and I walked away. While I was walking to one of the tables with food on it, I saw Freddy and Zack talking. They looked like they were up to something. It must have been my imagination.

At least he's not with Gwen. I thought. While I was choosing something to eat, I felt someone tapping my shoulder. I turned around. It was Gwen.

"What do you want?" I asked coldly.

"I want you to stay away from my boyfriend," she said.

"What?" I asked.

"I know you like him," she continued, "But he's mine now." She put her hands on her hips.

"At least I'm not a whore," I said.

"At least I'm not a goody-goody," she answered back.

"At least I have friends," I retorted.

"At least I have Freddy," she replied.

"Do you even care about him?" I asked.

"No," she shrugged, "He's just a guy. I mean, come on, have you only just realized that I'm dating him to make the other girls jealous? I mean, who the hell could care about him? He's an idiot!"

"What?" I said, my eyes widening.

"You heard me. I don't love Freddy; I don't even like him. The only reason I'm going out with him is that everyone else wants him. He's a fucking loser," she said. I did the only thing that seemed right. I grabbed her and punched her in the face. I hit her so hard that her nose started bleeding.

"You little, grr," she growled, "I'm gonna make you pay!" She stomped off. I crossed my arms. I couldn't believe what she had just told me! I knew she was mean, but I didn't think that she was that horrible! I thought about the awful things she had said for another few minutes. Then...

"Marta!" Katie cried. She and Eleni were running over to me.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Gwen," Eleni said, "She went inside with a bloody nose and she was talking to Freddy. She was angry. She said something about you hitting her. Freddy's super upset. He's, like furious!"

"Yeah," Katie continued, "They just finishing cleaning her face and they're coming over here."

"You're joking, aren't you?" I asked.

"Nope," Katie said, "They're 5 feet away from us!" I gasped.

"Marta, what the hell did you do?" Freddy roared once he was standing less than a foot away from me, "Tell me, why the fuck did you punch her?" My lower lip quivered and I tried to blink back my tears, but I couldn't. They came streaming out and were flowing down my face at an incredible rate. I opened my mouth, but the words couldn't come out.

"Tell me Marta! Tell me now!" he yelled.

"Because she doesn't care about you!" I screamed.

"Marta, what the hell are you saying? Don't get all bitchy on me! Of course she cares!" Freddy cried.

"No she doesn't," I said as I hung my head sadly, "Freddy, I don't want to hurt you, but I have to tell you this. She is only with you because she knows that every other girl wants you. She doesn't even like you. I'm sorry Freddy."

"Don't believe her!" Gwen shouted.

"Why shouldn't I?" he asked.

"Can't you tell she's just making this all up?" she asked, "Come on Freddy-Weddy, who are you going to believe, me or her?" Gwen crossed her arms. Freddy stood silently for a moment.

"Her," he pointed to me.

"WHAT?" she screamed.

"Marta's been my friend for years. I trust her. There's no reason that she would lie to me like this. She only wants what's best for me," Freddy explained, "Gwen, it's over!" My heart leaped with joy!

"Fine!" Gwen turned around and left.

"You guys," Freddy said to Katie and Eleni, "Can I have a minute with Marta?" They nodded and left.

"I'm so sorry about that Marta," he apologized, "I can't believe I reacted like that."

"Don't be sorry Freddy. She's gone now, that's what matters," I smiled at him.

"Yeah," he grinned. Everything was quiet for a moment. Freddy ran his fingers through his hair.

"Marta," he said.

"Yeah," I replied.

"Well, I know you don't have a date for the junior prom and that you were planning on going with some of the band as a group, and, well, I don't have a date anymore," he paused, "So do you want to, umm, go with me...as, like, friends?"

"Sure," I grinned.

"Great," he smiled, "I'll pick you up at 6:30 that night then?" I nodded.

Just then, we heard the opening notes from "Highway to Hell" instead of Enya.

"Guess who is responsible?" I asked.

"Zack," I laughed.

I started singing, "Living easy, living free, season ticket on a one-way ride, ask me nothing, leave me..." Freddy started to drum along to the beat on the table. When I got to my favorite four lines, I sang louder, "Hey Satan, paying my dues, playing in a rocking band, Hey Mama! I'm on my way to the promised land!"

"Hey Marta," Freddy said once the song finished. I nodded.

"Your singing is never bad," he said. I didn't have to think twice about what he was talking about. I immediately remembered the comment he had made that day when Gwen came to band practice. I smiled at him.

"Freddy, you don't really hate 'Hells Bells' do you?" I asked.

"Hell no!" he cried. I giggled.

That night, I went to bed with a light heart and a smile on my face! It had been one of the best days of my life! I got a gorgeous new outfit, spent quality time with some friends, Freddy had dumped Gwen and he asked me to the junior prom! Wow!

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Disclaimer: Nope, I still haven't gotten School of Rock as a late birthday present.

Thank-you's:

Stepoff: I didn't even think of giving Gwen a crush on Jordan! That's a good idea though! Apparently, Gwen watches TV when her bf's band is practicing! I don't like her.

Xobadrhymer03: The name Gwen gets on my nerves too. I don't know why, it's just so... short. I dunno I just don't like it. Thanks for the answers, by the way.

Sweetcaroline3313: Yeah, I felt bad for Marta too. I always feel bad when things like that happen! Well, things are looking up for Marta. She has a date with Freddy! Yay!

Sandy-Pandy: Yes, I know Gwen is very stupid! I don't like her either! She's gone now though. Woo hoo!

YellowcardGirl: Well then, I guess you got your wish; Gwen was punched. Well, you said slapped, but I wanted her to have a bloody nose!

Strokes: I knew it was a human's name 'cause I tried (emphasis on 'tried) to read "King Arthur" in 2nd grade. I also watched a retarded show called "Princess Guinevere and the Jewel Riders". Don't ask. Well, I also know 'cause of the singer, Gwen Stefani. I love her voice (though I don't know why). You really liked the lollypop thing, didn't you?

Random Comments: I'm so happy to have gotten that bitch out of the picture! I don't know why though, but I don't like this chapter. Either next chapter or the one after is the junior prom.

I am sooooooo tired! I went to bed at 10:30 and woke up at 1:45. I couldn't fall asleep. As I am up-dating, I find myself half-asleep and puffy-eyed. It's 5:16 am.

Oh, and does anyone know how to mute the sound on the computer game of "Candyland"? My sister left it on last night on another computer and nobody can exit it (she's in the middle of a game) and I keep hearing Queen Frostine (if that's even her name) talking about ice-cream!

Now then, last thing, read and review, read and review, read and review, read and review. If anyone is wondering what I'm doing, I am hoping that I get more reviews with every time I type it. I doubt it works!