"Wanna come to a party tonight?" Huck asked one Friday afternoon in April. We were officially dating again.

"Um, maybe. I kind of promised the guys I'd hang out with them after the show," I replied, picking at my food.

"Oh. Um, okay. Then tomorrow night."

"Definitely," I said kissing him softly on the cheek.

"Hey love birds," Tina said excitedly. "Guess what, Mia."

"I gotta go, babe," Huck said, kissing my cheek. "Melissa and Kelly are waiting at our usual table. Talk to you later."

Melissa and Kelly are his best friends here at AEHS. "Okay. Later."

"Miiiiia," Tina whined.

"What?" I asked, staring at the odd shape of my tater tot. Then I popped it in my mouth. The oddly shaped foods are always the best.

"I asked Michael to the prom."

I nearly choked on my tatter tot. "You what?"

"He said yes. I didn't say anything right away to you cuz well….who knows with him, right? I had to be sure."

"He what?" I asked. He hates prom. What the hell….

"Yeah. Isn't that great? Can we go in your guy's limo?"

I looked sideways at Lilly who had sat next to Tina. She had a smug look on. I hate that look. It's the I know something but won't tell you look.

"Um, yeah, I guess. Sure. What about you Lilly?"

"I don't believe in the prom. Neither did Michael. If I do recall correctly, he didn't even go to his own. I wonder why he wanted to go to this one so badly?" she asked, staring at me.

"Well, 'cuz he clearly wants me," Tina said excitedly. "I could just die of happiness!"

I stared at my tray. "Yeah. Totally." Let her live her deluded dreams.

Or maybe he really did like her. I hadn't been paying much mind to him lately. I didn't know what he was into now. Maybe he liked it when girls chased after him pathetically. Which is why we would never work out. Ever.

MICHAEL:

We were almost there. We had been kissing on a semi-regular basis (much to the dismay of our livers). But then she went out and got herself a fucking boyfriend. I can play that game though.

When she left with that guy from school I was left with none other than Tina. At first it was a bit awkward, but then she told me a really funny joke about Boris Pelkowski. Apparently he's the hottest new thing at AEHS. And her ex-boyfriend.

And she wouldn't leave us. Mia started going out with Huck after shows and ditching us. I guess when you have a boyfriend you can forget about your friends, right?

But luckily (note the sarcasm please), Tina never left our side. She kind of became a groupie…one that none of us truly appreciated. It's not that she's not a great girl, she's very sweet. She just…doesn't get it. You know what I mean? She's almost putting on a show at every moment. She never just…chills. And she never really added to the conversation. She didn't even tease us at all.

"Maybe that's what it is like to be famous," Manny joked in the bathroom. We'd gone in there to avoid Tina after the show. She wouldn't follow us in there.

"How so?" I asked, checking out my hair. I had a cowlick that wouldn't go away. "Think I should shave my head?"

"Like, we're totally acting normal, like people. And she just looks at us in amazement that we talk about such normal things. She…she I dunno. It's hard to explain. She's almost nervous to be around us. Around you. And don't shave your head."

I laughed, "That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" he said with a raised eyebrow.


We went back into the bar to see Tina sitting at a table with Orlando and Kevin. She was telling some story and Kevin looked like he wanted to stab his eyes out. As we got closer she was telling them about some book she'd read about a musician and how he fell in love with a fan but didn't know what to do about it.

"Tina, what are you still doing here?" I asked, "Mia left with Huck a half hour ago."

"I know."

Manny and I shared a glance and sat down. I noticed Tina was drinking a little. I gave Kevin a look. Why'd he buy for her?

"Michael, would you take me home?" she asked around midnight. She was rubbing my leg.

I looked at her strangely. I was actually quite smashed. Trying to get Mia out of my mind. I kept wondering what she was doing with a guy named Huck. Hoping he wasn't touching her like I had. But at the sametime knowing how hard it woudl be for a guy to keep his hands off of her. Lars likes me though, maybe he'llput the kibosh on that behavior"Suuuure," I slurred.


I walked her to my house and expected her to go into Lilly's room. "I can't make it to your place," I mumbled. Then I continued on to my room. I fell onto my bed, only to be joined by a figure about three hours later.

"Babe?" I mumbled, rolling over so she could take residence on my bed. I'd never called Mia babe, but whatever. It fit her.

She didn't respond.

"How was Huck?" I said sarcastically.

She answered by kissing me. I'm kind of used to her kisses by now, and it was quite different. She was careful at first, and then as I welcomed her advances she melded more into me. Maybe it was because she was sober and wasn't sure if I liked her enough to make out with soberly.

She was more careful with her movements though. Unsure almost. Surprised at my welcoming her kissing me. Maybe she felt guilty for leaving us for Huck.

"Baby, we shouldn't do anything," I argued.

But she just went on kissing me. Who am I to argue with that? I'll admit she's being weird, but we weren't ones for words ya know?

"I don't have anything," I said kissing her skin. Something was different, the smell maybe?

She once again seemingly didn't hear my arguments. She just kept kissing me. "Okay, we'll just make out," I said, weakening.


I woke up the next morning with the worst hangover ever. I rolled over and expected to see Mia nuzzled into my pillow. I was surprised to see that Tina was in fact lying there sleeping.

I closed my eyes God, if you are there let Mia be sleeping next to me or make me wake up from a terrible, horrible dream. Then I opened them again and saw Tina, still there.

Shit.

What had we done?

I looked at myself and saw every piece of clothing from last night still on me. She had a sweatshirt on still. Thank you, God.

I got up and padded into the kitchen. Maya didn't work on weekends so I made my morning after a drinking escapade breakfast. French toast with whipped cream. I had to tell Tina that it was a mistake, whatever it was that we'd done.

She came into the kitchen, "You made breakfast?" she asked with a smile.

She sat on a stool by the island and started eating.

I stared at the granite counter and bit my lip. What the hell had we done? "Look, last night, whatever it was, it was a mistake. I was really drunk. I think it would be really inappropriate for us to do anything."

She stared at me blankly.

"You understand?" I asked. "I wasn't in the right frame of mind. It's….see, I get like that when I'm drunk. That's why I like to be alone." Great. Now she'll think I go home alone and wack off because I'm a horny drunk. It's quite the opposite actually. I liked going home with Mia and doing stuff with her. Stuff that no one else knew about.

I saw her blink back some tears, "Yeah. I get it."

"I mean, you are Lilly's friend," I said, trying to soften this blow. "She'd get really mad and let's face it, no one wants that. And it'd be just….I'm not good enough, ya know?"

"It's not like I like you like that," she mumbled. "I just…."

"I don't like being in relationships anyways. I am better off being alone, ya know? Nothing against you or anything…I just….I've never done well with women."

She blushed when I called her a woman. "I can understand I suppose. Um…"

"What?" I asked, relieved that she seemed to be taking this well. And that I'd been able to hide my disappointment that she wasn't Mia.

"Well, I went in last night to ask you if you'd go to the junior prom with me."

Oh. "Uh, sure. I guess," I replied, surprised. I couldn't say no to someone I just made out with, right? Plus, I can try to get rid of this Huck character while I'm there.


That's why I agreed to go to the dance with Tina. No other reason. But I never said anything to Mia. She didn't seem too upset about my going. She was too stuck on her new boyfriend whom I was out to destroy.

I wore a tux on that late day in April. "You look like a dork," Lilly said coming into my room.

"Yeah? I think that is the purpose of these sorts of things," I replied. "That and seeing your teachers totally smashed."

"Uh huh."

"I mean, what twenty year old man wouldn't want to go to a high school-"

She laughed. "Are you using Tina?"

"Huh?" I asked, looking back at her through the mirror.

"To get back at Mia?"

"No. Why would I get back at Mia? For what?"

"You are in love with her. And she's dating some guy that isn't you…. Michael, he's a good guy. He really does like her. He always has. Give him a shot."


Mia and the guy came by our apartment to get me so we could pick up Tina and Shameeka and her date. "Hey," I said looking at her. God she looked….perfect. The date was waiting down in the limo.

She had a blueish dress. But I can't describe anything else. I can just say it was blue. Hey, I'm a guy. I don't describe very well. All I know is if something is pretty, which this was." You look beautiful."

She smiled shyly, "Thanks. You too. Tina will flip out. I mean, she already is since you agreed to go with her."

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the hallway, away from Lilly and the others. Tina was admiring the coursage my mom had picked up for her (again, I'm a guy, I don't do these things well)."Um, you know I don't like Tina like that, right?"

"Of course…why are you telling me though?" she replied, looking somewhat relieved.

"You are her friend. Make sure she realizes that this is a favor, okay?"

She nodded "You are a good guy, Michael. Always helping us girls out. There should be more of you out there."

I stared at her and started to lean down a little bit as she started leaning up. Oh Good God. Don't let anyone-

"Ready to go?" Shameeka asked, coming into the hallway.

Mia smiled weakly. "Yeah."

"What were you two doing out here?" Tina asked, looking at how close we were standing. Mia up against a wall and me leaning against the wall with one hand. I couldn't look at anything but the wall behind Mia. Why the hell did they choose that moment? Why not five minutes from now when we'd be donefeverishly kissing?

"Talking about the band," Mia lied automatically. "We have a show coming up. Talent scouts might be there."

Shameeka stared at Mia knowingly. She must have a clue about something going on. SHe wouldn't look at Mia like that otherwise.

"Really?" Tina asked as she pressed the elevator button. "Where? I'd love to-"

"It's in Jersey," I lied. Hey, Mia made up the gig and a talent scout. I can make up where the show is.

"Oh. My parents would never let me go to a show in Jersey."

"That's too bad," I said, trying to sound let down. The elevator doors opened and we piled in.

I managed to getbetween Mia and the wall. We let our fingers brush past one another. I kept thinking how it felt to touch her. I hated acting so cold to her. Like I had been ever since March when that guy came around. But hey, now that we had a 'gig' in Jersey maybe we'd really go out there. Get away from everyone.

"We're going to Tina's parent's house in Jersey after," Mia said carefully. "You coming?"

"That's why I have a bag," I replied. It was almost like we were just on our own. Everyone else was engrossed in a conversation about some new show on the WB.

"Oh, right. Of course," she said, turning red. "This doesn't look bad, does it? My dress I mean."

"No, Why would it?"

"Just making sure."


Her boyfriend turned out to be pretty decent. He was into surfing and parasailing. He was from Florida, but moved to New York a year and a half ago. "Doesn't she look gorgeous?" he asked me, looking at Mia from across the room.

I looked over. She was talking to Boris Pelkowski. "Yeah, I guess," I said, looking away.

"Look…. I know."

"You know what?" I asked.

"How you look at her. And I'm sorry. But I really do love her. And I can take care of her too."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my desire to punch him rising.

"You look at her like I do. She never notices so don't worry. I can totally relate."

I wanted to punch him. Really bad. But then I remember I don't believe in violence.

But he didn't know that and he looked terrified that I was actually going to punch him. I guess I have that look about me. Maybe it's the scar on my chin from when I was ten and got a huge cut from a sea shell that Lilly threw at me (but I tell people it's actually from a fight, gotta have street cred, ya know?)


"Mind if I have this dance?" I asked her while he was in the bathroom. She looked at me like I was crazy. It was a slow song, The Way You Look Tonight. I pretended it didn't matter. I just wanted to be close to her.

"The beach will be fun," she said, breaking our silence.

"I guess." I was more interested in the fact that she hadn't moved my hand from her lower back.

"Yeah."

"Yeah….so that guy seems nice."

"He is. I really like him. He's going back to Florida for school and is really excited."

"So are you guys gonna stay together?"

"Probably not. But we'll always be friends."

Just what she said to me. "Right. That's good." Ha! I'll get her back in the fall you loser! "That stinks that he'll be gone."

"Yeah. Well, who knows?"

At that moment he came out of the bathroom, "I'm not feeling good," he said softly.

"Okay," she said pulling away from me and going to him. I hate you bastard. I'll punch you before the end of the night. "I'll stay home with you."


"Come anyways," Tina said later that night. She linked her arm with mine. "We won't have fun there if you don't come with us."

I did not like how she talked like we were a couple. "Yeah, you'd have a terrible time at home. You'd just sit around sulking about how great the beach is. Plus, you get to see me in a bathing suit tomorrow," I added. "I mean, Lilly is even going. Come on."

She looked at me. "I'd feel terrible-"

"He'll understand, Mia. It's your prom."

It was a bit weird. There were only the two guys, and the four girls (Mia, Tina, Ling-Su, Lilly and Shameeka). I sat myself between my sister and Mia. Tina had been hinting to me about kissing all night. Once was more than enough with her.

We got toTina's and I have to admit, it was great. Not a Genovian Palace, but great in American standards. I set my stuff down and joined everyone in the kitchen where everyone was eating the pizza that the Taylor's had left for us. I also noticed that there was some alcohol. "What's this about?" I asked Mia.

"Shameeka's boyfriend brought it," she explained. "Want one?"

We shared an eye locked moment. It was our cover up. "Yeah. Thanks. You having some?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I think so."

I sat at the table and Tina sat on my lap. "Um, there is a seat right over there," I said pointing to a seat next to me.

"Yeah, but we'll be closer this way," she explained.

I looked at my pizza. "Look, I don't think you get this. I'm not here as a date per se, more like a friend. That's it. I don't mean to make you feel bad, but I'm still reeling from my last girlfriend," I lied. Hadn't she listened a few weeks ago?

"Oh," she said turning red. "I see. God, have I been making a fool of myself?

I shook my head. "Nah. It's not a big deal. I'm gonna go for a walk though," I said noticing that Mia had walked by and gone into the front hall.. "Mind if I take a few cans?" I asked, walking up to Shameeka's boyfriend, LeBron.

"No, knock yourself out. There's more in the limo."

"Okay, thanks. You need any money?"
"No. My Dad works for the company."

"That's a pretty nice deal."

"No kidding. Nice deal we got here, no parents or anything."

"Just two bodyguards. But they let the girls do whatever as long as they don't over do it."

"Nice. What's going on with you and Tina? Anything?"

"No. She's a friend. Nothing more," I replied, gazing over at Mia, who was slowly making her way out toward the front hall.

"I see," he said, catching my gaze, "Well, take what you want. I'll distract everyone. See ya later."

I met up with Mia at the front door. She was still wearing her dress from the prom. "Wanna go for a walk?" she asked.

"Good idea," I replied.


Author's Note: What is this? At the END of a chapter? Maybe I'm going crazy, or it's backwards day. Who knows? And what will happen on their moonlit stroll?

Ashtonhott: I fear I cannot tell you how long this story is without making you all hate me. But it is long. I can't say too much more, sorry.

Thetrouble…:No flirting, it's explained in this chapter.

Don'taskme…: I didn't write this in three days. I'm not that talented. But I see how you would think three days. I started posting this story in early January but it got deleted by mistake. I re-posted all at once. Thanks for reading.

Liss: I can't make new friends. It's impossible. No, actually, usually I end up talking to her when I write. I added the Queiro Ser Mujer reference to see if anyone was paying attention. I didn't intentionally write all those people in the same chapter, it just happened. And I'm so glad that I can be the highlight of you day, at least my story.

Poison…:You'll find out in this chapter if they are just friends.