Spinelli walked into the computer lab where Gretchen was sat in front of a computer screen with her fellow geeks.
Two of them were good friends of Gretchen's. Taylissa and Calum had been friends with Gretchen since middle school.
But Spinelli knew the two personally and knew that Gretchen was lucky to have them as friends.
"Hey Gretch can we talk?" asked Spinelli.
Gretchen looked from the computer screen to Spinelli.
Spinelli had changed more than Gretchen had realised, she wore designer clothes that she got from swooping sessions with her fellow Ashleys and her fellow Ashleys had pushed her into make up and having manicures every Friday afternoon.
"Um sure Spin. Taylissa, Calum will you guys be OK while me and Spinelli talk?" asked Gretchen looking at her two friends.
"Of course you two go ahead." smiled Calum.
Gretchen got out her chair and linked Spinelli's arm through hers.
"Let's find the closest girls room Spin." smiled Gretchen leading her friend out the door.
"I saw Ashley A eyeing you up in Geometry." said Vince with a grin, nudging TJ in the ribs.
"I don't want Ashley A. I want Ashley S," sighed TJ.
Vince saw his attempt to cheer his friend up had failed and he smiled at TJ reassuringly.
"Come on Teej. You and spin haven't talked in weeks or months. You need to either make an effort or move on," said Vince.
"I want to man but it's hard. I've felt this way for spin since third grade. I can't just turn off what I've felt for her like that." said TJ snapping his fingers.
"Obviously it will be hard Teej." said Vince.
"You have no..." began TJ when he spotted Spinelli with Gretchen walking on the opposite side of the corridor obviously searching for the nearest bathroom.
The two parties paused in the corridor, TJ and Spinelli looking at each other.
"Come on Spin." said Gretchen pulling her friend away from the two guys.
"Yeah come on Teej," said Vince leading TJ away n the opposite direction to where the girls were going.
Spinelli looked at TJ's retreating back over her shoulder and bit her lip.
"Come on Spin. Let's get to the toilets," said Gretchen pulling Spinelli through the door to the girl's toilets.
Gretchen closed the door after Spinelli and watched her friend sit down on the tiled floor, not caring if she got the designer outfit dirty.
"So Spin what's wrong?" asked Gretchen sitting down beside her.
"I don't know if getting involved with the Ashleys was the right way to try and get TJ's attention," sighed Spinelli.
"Come on Spin. You seemed pretty sure six months ago," said Gretchen.
"I know I know. But Teej hasn't been treating me any different to when I wasn't part of the snooty club." said Spinelli.
"I'm sure he's noticed. But he's a jock. Jocks can be oblivious to even the simplest thing. Even when one of their friends is trying to get their attention," said Gretchen sitting down beside her.
"I suppose your right," sighed Spinelli.