A/N: I'm really glad that you guys liked that last chapter! Getting the French translations for the last part was tough though, especially because I don't even speak French! I tried my best, what can I say? So give me feedback on that. Just a reminder, my responses to everyone's reviews are now posted at the link that says homepage, on my author profile. So here's the next chapter everyone! Sorry it took so long! I was on Spring Break! Enjoy everyone! Please review. I hope you guys like it.

At that, I made a mad-dash for the phone. Why was Syd crying?

I grabbed the phone out of Lana's hands.

"Hello? Sydney?" I asked into the phone.

"Michael?"

"Yeah Syd, I'm here."

I could hear her sniffling out a cry on the other side of the line. "Will you take me to Homecoming?"

I hesitated at first, apparently a mistake.

"It's okay, you don't have to," she said with worry in her voice. She thought that I didn't want to take her after all we've been through.

"But I want to," I answered rather abruptly. I did want to, but I thought Kevin was taking her to Homecoming. "What happened to your date?"

"He dumped me," she stated flatly. I could tell she was disappointed. I could tell that she was hurt.

"I'll be right over," I said, in hopes of temporarily saving her the grief of telling me what happened-even though I wanted to know just as bad.

"Thank you so much Michael," she sweetly. I could tell she was about to cry again, from the tone in her voice. I could tell a lot of things about Sydney Bristow's actions and emotions, even if she wasn't in the room. "I owe you."

"Don't worry about it," I said in a hopeful voice. "I'll see you in a bit."

"Bye."

After hanging up with Sydney, I resumed my seat on the couch to think about what had just happened. Kevin, the designated asshole, had dumped Sydney. She was all excited for Homecoming too. He left her dateless for Homecoming-and that's where I come in. I agreed in taking her to Homecoming. Was it a good idea in saying yes? I do not know. But I do know that since Kevin was out of the picture (and would hopefully stay out), I would be able to tell Sydney the whole truth about my feelings for her, and on our former relationship. But I didn't have time to think about that. I had to take her to Homecoming.

When I finally decided that it was time that I started getting ready for the dance, I walked up the stairs to my room. Did Sydney think this arrangement over? Was she sure that this was what she wanted? I know it was my chance to finally act for the sake of my feelings, but Sydney's happiness meant the world to me. I didn't want her to get hurt more than she already had. Kevin dumped her. But I know that if I hadn't come back, they'd still be together. And that tears my heart.

As I searched through my closet for my father's old tux that I wore to the most special, formal events, I stumbled upon my eighth grade yearbook. The yearbook must have fallen out of the remaining boxes, that I had yet to unpack since we had gotten back from France. It had been a long time since I looked at it last.

I took the yearbook, and sat on my bed to flip through the pages of my eighth grade memories. I passed through pictures of old friends, classmates, and teachers. But the part of the yearbook that meant the most to me were the signatures from my classmates and friends.

Mike
Thanks for always being there buddy. Too bad you have Sydney, so we can't go looking for hot babes this summer at the beach...not that I could anyways with Nadia and everything. This year was wild. Dude, we better get some more classes together next year, or someone WILL pay! I'm shaking my fist right now, but you can't tell 'cause I'm writing with my other hand. Have a great summer man!
Weiss (Eric in case you forgot my real name)
PS: Don't worry, I won't be gone too long in Florida, so we can still hang out man.

Little did everyone know, I was leaving that summer for France, so I wouldn't have any classes with Weiss. He was going to Florida, and that would be the last time I saw him for two years.

Vaughn
Psh...whatever! Jackass...
Alice

Alice, still pissed because I didn't call her back after that one time we went to the movies...I didn't honestly think she would write that in my yearbook.

Michael
I hope you have a great summer Michael! Spend lots, and lots of time with Syd. If you hurt her, I know where you live! I'm so glad that you're the one she's chosen. It's been so great getting to know you these past years. But now we're leaving middle school, and onto high school and bigger dreams! Have a great summer, I'll miss you! Don't worry, I'll bring you back something from Mexico!
See you next year, Francie

But I did end up hurting Syd. By leaving. And Francie never did bring me back something from Mexico...

Dearest Michael Vaughn
I hope you have a super hot summer. Just like you! If you ever need me, just call. I'd be more than happy to help you out in some ways more than others, and I think you know what I mean. Have a slippery summer, use sunblock, and stay sexy!
Yours Truly, Lauren Reed
(657-8734) CALL ME!

Lauren Reed...that bitch,annoying, even today. She still hasn't gotten the hint across that I still don't like her...

Vaughn
I am not signing your yearbook...
Will

Okay, Will was a bit of a weirdo in middle school.

Vaughn
"I question not if thrushes sing, if roses load the air; Beyond my heart I will not reach, when all is summer there,"- John Vance Cheney. Just words of wisdom preparing you for your high school journey with the rest of us next year! I hope you have a terrific summer.
Nadia

Nadia was the girl in middle school, with all the intelligent expressions.

I glanced at the clock sitting on my wall. 6:45. The dance started at seven, and I wasn't even dressed yet.

I tossed the yearbook on my bed, and I quickly changed into my father's old tux. I liked his suit. It was vintage, and simple. My dad was a simple man, but he had pride. So I was proud to be wearing his tux to Homecoming. The only thing that was not so simple was the bow tie. Me and bow ties never got along before, and I didn't expect a bow tie to give in tonight. I tried my best to tie it, just settling with it as if I was tying my shoe.

Before I left my room to go pick up Syd, I noticed a picture poking out of the yearbook that was thrown lazily on my bed. It was a picture of me and Sydney in sixth grade. I was teaching her how to skate at the local hockey rink, and the photograph was of her flat on her butt on the ice, while I was slipping to try and help her up. It was a candid shot. Probably one of the oldest pictures I had of me and Sydney. After looking at the picture, I glanced at the page that the picture was sticking out of. It was the special page in my yearbook, that I secretly reserved just for her. She only filled up half of the page, and taped the picture on the other half. But the picture and the yearbook itself was getting old, so the tape must have started to lose it's stick, pulling the page and picture apart.

Figuring I had a little bit of time before I picked Sydney up, I wanted to see what she had written on her special page of my yearbook...

Vaughn/Michael/Mikey/Mike
It feels so weird signing your yearbook right before summer break. It seems like it was just yesterday that you were bribing me with a date so that I would score the winning goal of that soccer tournament. It must have been some eight months ago. Well hey Mikey, it worked! Moutain Dew, he he he! Spending more and more time with you this past school year has meant a lot to me. Your comfort and constant support were what kept me going. I really appreciate it. We even improved our "skills" at Spin the Bottle. Ha ha ha! Don't worry, it will be our little secret. I hope you kept the secret from this year, when I pulled the fire alarm so you wouldn't have to take that math placement test. Well you still had to, but the second time you actually got to prepare for it. You owe me Vaughn! Oh the things I do for you...I remember when we first met in second grade, and you put paste in my hair. So I got you back by lining your cubby with mashed potatoes. You were such a loser and ate the mashed potatoes! Just kidding Vaughn, you're not I loser, I love you. You've always been there for me (well not in second grade. I know you wanted to pull my pig tails, don't deny it!). You mean more to me than you could possibly imagine. I hope you have a great summer! Of course you will be spending a majority of it with me, so how could you not have a great summer? Ha! I need to start hanging around Eric less...I hope we get some more classes together next year in high school. I don't think I could make it without you!
LOVE, Syd
XOXOXOXO Syd hearts Vaughn
PS: Sorry I didn't fill up the whole page, so I taped a picture of us beneath this!

Sydney's tribute to my yearbook was the most painful for me to read. We were really close when we were in middle school, and it broke my heart to know that after reading what she wrote, I wouldn't be there for her in the beginning of highschool-when she needed me most.

And she needed me now.

As I approached the front door of her house, I wondered what the next five minutes had in store for me. Would she cry? Would she be relieved?

I could only find out for myself.

I slowly brought my hand to ring the doorbell. I waited for what seemed like an eternity, until Ms. Bristow finally answered the door.

"Why hello Michael. Come on in, Sydney should be right down," she welcomed me into the foyer of their home. Sydney's house seemed bigger than I had originally remembered. "You look very nice this evening."

"Thanks," I said, slightly embarrassed. This sad excuse of a conversation was awkward. Surely Sydney had talked to her mother about me being back from France. But what she might have said about me, I do not know.

"This really means a lot to my daughter, that you take her to Homecoming tonight," Irina said to me, as we waited for Sydney.

"Yeah, well I was surprised that she'd ask me to take her," I answered. I was surprised that Sydney would ask me.

"She may not show it, but Michael, she cares deeply for you."

I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say. I looked at Irina who had a smile on her face. She seemed pleased with herself by telling me Sydney's feelings about me.

Before I could respond to her comment, Sydney coughed at the top of the stairs. Irina turned her full attention to her daughter, as if she had just seen an angel.

Sydney did look like an angel. She looked beautiful. Her body was clad in a strappy, muted green dress. I felt as if I was falling in love with her all over again. As she walked down the slightly curved staircase, I could feel my heart beat faster with every step she took. Of course I was nervous.

"Hey," she said when she reached the bottom of the stairs. She smiled up at me, and tried to cover the apparent hurt that I could see in her eyes. She couldn't hide anything from me.

"Are you ready to go?" I asked her. She nodded in response and I placed my hand on the small of her back to guide her out the door to my car. She smiled to Irina before we turned to leave the house. I nodded my goodbye over my shoulder, when Irina winked at me.

The beginning of the car ride to the school was filled with a chilling silence. I would occasionally glance over at Sydney, to see if I could read her expression. She had her elbow propped up against the tiny ledge, and was gazing intently out the window. I would kill to know what she was thinking at that moment.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked her. I could feel the worry lines making yet another appearance on my forehead.

No response.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I tried again.

Still nothing.

"You know you're going to have to say something some tim-" I started again.

"He took them," she cut me off. She talked for the first time since we had left her house. Who and what did they take? I had a feeling that she was talking about Kevin, but I just didn't know what about.

"He took what?" I asked curiously, now that she had finally said something.

She didn't respond to me. Again.

I waited a minute for her to say something, and when she didn't, I turned my attention back to the road ahead if me.

I pulled the car into the school parking lot, put it in park, and turned off the engine.

Re-positioning my body so that I could look at Sydney, I noticed that she was still staring out the window.

"So I guess we should go inside then," I stated awkwardly.

She nodded keeping her focus on whatever was outside the window, only blinking when necessary.

She was still beautiful.

"Okay," I murmured under my breath, swiveling around in the driver's seat to open the door and get out. I was about to open the latch of the car door, when I felt her warm hand over my cold one. A sitch of electricity went up my spine. I looked into her eyes. Big and brown with innocence.

She cupped her warm hands around mine, and squeezed.

"The letters," she finally answered.

A/N: How was that? Did you like it? Just a reminder, my responses to everyone's reviews are now posted at the link that says homepage, on my author profile. Go ahead, you know you want to click that little purple "Go" button to review. How could you even THINK about not reviewing? He he he... COME ON PEOPLE! Don't you want the next chapter? That's right, review! NEXT STOP! PROM! MU WAH! The next chapter will be promising, I promise!