Oh my… it took me a long long time to write this. Blame my school! They give me all those back breaking assignments. And I was in a play, and trying out for school Basketball. So yeah I was pretty busy. I'm hoping to write these faster now though. I have so many stories out them I'm gonna have to type all night to finish… my own fault I guess… Darn the idea's that float around in my empty head!

Rated: PG-13… to be safe

Disclaimer: Yeah right! Like I have the time to play the game anymore… but I have no time to make it either!

Chapter 2: An Invitation, a dog house, and THE DANCE

The next morning Joe had gotten up bright and early as usual. With a yawn he grabbed his fishing pole and hurried out to the lake. Even though he wasn't good at it… he still really loved to fish. As he sat down by the shore of the lake, he seemed to awaken more.

I still can't believe this… Katie and Kurt?!? That's insane! He's way older then her! Joe was thinking, though in reality… that wasn't true. I mean… Katie was sixteen and able to make her own decisions right? Even if Joe didn't like what she choose.

He couldn't believe that Kurt didn't tell him. They were almost always around each other. They worked at the same place, and lived in the same house. I mean how in the world do you forget something like this dance? Everyone has plans! Except… for him. And Lyla.

I should ask her. He thought to himself as he leaned back deep in thought. As he thought the things he was thinking. Like if he should ask her or not, why didn't Kurt tell him. Did he really even know Kurt? The end of his pull was tugged on. As the pole was pulled closed and closed to the ground, Joe's thoughts were becoming deeper and deeper and deeper.

He had no idea what his pole was doing, and that it was most likely a fish. A great beautiful once in a life time opportunity catch. By the time he raised his head of the ground a 'thang' could be heard through out the forest.

"Nooo!" Joe moaned as he saw the monstrous fish swim away. He feel back to the ground with his eyes closed. Could this day be any worse? "Joe?" A voice called from near by forcing him to look up. I guess so…

There before him stood Katie still in her bright pink night gown. "Joe what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!" She exclaimed. His face had truly gone pail by now. First he lost the fish, and then he ran into her. She was stealing his Kurt… I did not just think that! No way. There is no way this is happening to me! He thought to himself, his eyes growing wide.

"Joe…" Katie mumbled quietly. "Umm… you don't well… you know… like Kurt or anything." "Of course I like him, he's my friend." Joe told her with a glare. Even if your trying to steal him away from me. Joe thought venom filling him.

"No… I mean… well…" She said blushing trying to tell him something or another. Get to the point! Joe was yelling at her in his mind. His anger for her not only being based on the fact she was ruining his friendship with Kurt. "well… I mean do you like him. You know as in… love him?"

Joe was taken back by that question. His eyes slowly widened. Do I like him… do I love him… Love is a pretty big word you know. Joe was by now panicking. What do I do… tell her yes so she'll leave him alone. Umm… well err…but then she'll think I'm gay! But then again I might be… and… as all these thoughts wiped through his head, someone was coming by.

"Well… I really want to know because I asked him to the dance and he said sure." Katie said with a small frown. "He did?!?" Joe exclaimed looking at her shocked. No no no! Why does she have to be his object of affection? Oh my god! I did not just say that!

"Well, I umm… Of course I don't love Kurt! What are you insane?" He asked her with a fake laugh. In reality he wanted to tell her to stay the hell away from him. But Joe controlled himself long enough to hear her yell something. "Hey! Hey Kurt!"

Kurt had been going for his usual walk before work. He liked to go visit the Goddesses little spring in the forest. Most called it a lake but it wasn't. Not at all. More like a spring, it was small, where as the lake was huge. At least it seemed like it to all the townsfolk.

Kurt had been going the usual way, when he saw Joe. And he heard what Joe had to say. Kurt took off in the other direction. He tried to keep it to a walk as he hurried down the path. He didn't want it to seem to obvious that he had just been destroyed.

Wet tears began to hit the sides of his face. He hurried with his walking until he came to Ronald's chicken coop. He was sure Ronald wouldn't mind, him using it until he felt better. Not going to happen anytime soon.

"Kurt! Wait!" He recognized the voice immediately. It was Joe. Kurt ran up to the chicken coop and hid within it. "Kurt." The voice yelled as it continued running up the path. He could hear the rhythm of footsteps fading away in the distance. He had never felt this bad in his life. The words kept ringing in his ears.

Kurt went to the corner of the chicken coop and rolled himself up into a ball. He didn't want to feel this kind of pain. Never. He knew he would never be loved in return. But couldn't he be given the right to dream about it? After hearing that… no. He laid his head upon his knees. How was he going to survive?

"Of course I don't love Kurt!" he never did… why did I always dream then. Did I really need to hear that from him. I knew it. I'm not good enough. I'll never be good enough. He doesn't care about me. He never will. I am nothing to him. Nothing… nothing at all.

The tears began flowing faster and freer now. His knees beginning to feel wet and his clothes already turning soggy. The thoughts in his mind kept wiping about. He didn't want to lose his only love that way. He didn't want to find a new love… he already found the perfect one…

"Are you insane?" He even thinks that people who like me are crazy for doing so. Maybe we never were friends. I always thought we were friends… best friends actually. Why didn't you tell him about the dance then? A voice in his head asked him, needing to know the answer.

I was selfish. I wanted him all to myself. I needed him. I still do. Why…? Why would he do this to me? I hate him… no I don't. I hate me! I'm the one who's not good enough. I shouldn't have even tried. Why did I do this to him? He never hurt me. I only did this to myself! I don't deserve even a moments peace for what I've done.

Well Kurt, destroyed himself over what he thought was all his fault Joe went out searching for him. It was 8 by the time he finally gave up. He had started this thing around six. And the only reason he was stuck giving up right now was because work started soon. And he knew Woody would kill him if he was late again.

Joe noticed he was near the flower shop when Lyla came out to greet him. "Hello Joe. How are you?" Joe smiled at her. "I'm fine, you?" "I'm great thanks for asking." Maybe I should ask her to the dance. I could get my mind off of Kurt and maybe…

"What's wrong Joe? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Lyla said to him. Why does everyone keep saying that to me?!? Joe yelled in his mind. "Well uh… Lyla do you… wanna go to the dance with me?" Joe asked her already feeling that it wasn't a good idea.

"I'd love to Joe, thank you so much for asking me." She told him with a smile. Joe smiled. "Okay then, I'll uh, see you at the dance tonight." "Yes till then." Lyla said as she walked back into the flower shop.

Joe ran the rest of the way to work hoping to make it in time. I hope Kurt's okay. Joe thought. He didn't even know why Kurt had run away. It didn't make sense to him. Unless… he heard… Joe's face became pail as he remembered what was said done by the lake earlier that day.

"Of course I don't love Kurt! Are you insane?" The words would come back to him haunt him. Why did I even say that? He questioned himself now walking. Could it be that Kurt is in love with me?

"Your late again kid!" Woody yelled at him. Kurt was already there tying some boards together. "Of course it's the day we get work!" Woody yelled as he pushed him out toward Kurt. "What were you doing?" Woody raged on and on. "I went to ask Lyla to the dance." Joe finally told them. "Good for you boy." Woody said slapping him on the back. Joe turned to Kurt wondering what the one he thought may love him might have to say.

Kurt said nothing as usual. He began tying the wood together a little faster and a little harder. The strong rope making red marks on his light skin. Kurt refused to say anything. Much to Joe's disappointment.

Perfect. My Joe has a date to the dance. I can't wait to watch him. This is my punishment. Is it not? It was my fault…all my fault. He deserves a good time… even though it should be with me. No there I go being jealous. I must stop that… he'll keep punishing me if I act jealous.

Joe looked at him with… disappointment? Did I see disappointment in his eyes? No no. Quite you punishment… my love… please stop.

"Let's go." Was all Kurt said. His eyes looking as they normally did. Not one emotion. Others would read his eyes as anger or something. But usually it's just the normal, glazed over expression. It was hard, even for Joe or Katie, to know what he was thinking. And at that moment not many people would want to know.

Joe followed behind Kurt, wondering if he was right about Kurt's possible love. "What's the job?" Joe asked as he caught up to Kurt and walked beside him. Kurt was carrying a bundle of wood over one shoulder. "Doghouse." Kurt said to him in as little words as possible. "Come on Kurt. Talk to me. We're friends aren't we?" Joe asked him with a slight smile appearing on his face.

"Yeah, but there's nothing to talk about." Kurt told him, still refusing to look at him. "What about not telling me about the dance?" Joe commented stopping dead and looking or at least trying to look straight in to Kurt's eye.

Kurt's eyes dodged him at ever turn, hoping not to run into each other. "I forgot that's all." Kurt said as he walked up the hill to George's house. Joe ran up to him and stopped him. "Well, then who are you taking?" Joe challenged him.

"Katie." Was all Kurt said as he walked by Joe. He's never done that to me before! Why is he starting now? Does he really like Katie? Even love? Has he forgotten me completely? Joe thought to himself desperately thinking.

Soon after they had finished the dogs house, they had to hurry back to work. It was time to pick up the girls they had invited to the big dance. Each of them walked their different ways. Neither says a word to each other, for a rift had begun to accure between the two.

Joe's way to pick up Lyla:

Joe walked along the dirt roads he had known all of his life. For some reason, he really felt the need to just run out into the woods like her and Kurt used to do together. Once upon a time Kurt was really open. And then suddenly he closed again. Joe and Kurt had been best friends since they were children, it wasn't odd that they… sort of were still best friends.

On the way he found a wonderful blue flower. A flower was a little bit odd to give to someone on your first time out. Especially the owner of the flower shop. But Joe thought that he might as well.

When he got to the flower shop, he knocked on the door to her home. "Oh Joe it's you!" Se exclaimed like it was a big surprise even though, everyone knew they were going together. "Um… yeah, well, let's go." He said to her. As they turned to walk away from the flower shop Joe put the flower into one of his pockets hiding it from view.

He didn't want to give it to her. Not anymore any way. The walked down the dirt roads on the way to the café. He slowly kicked the dirt small dust clouds appeared at their feet. "You know I'm surprised you came." Lyla said to him with a deep smile. "Why was that?" Joe asked completely uninterested. His mind had better things to do. Like wonder back to an orange spiky haired person who…

"Because I'm in love with you. I have been since we were younger, I just never wanted to say anything." Lyla told him with a blush. "I'm glad you feel the same way." She told him as she grabbed his arm and snuggled into him. "um…" Joe murmured.

He didn't feel the same way about her. Not at all, I mean she's a great girl and every thing but hey it's the wrong… gender? No… it can't be the wrong… gender. I'm not gay. I like girls just not anyone around here. Especially not her. She's like a sister! At least Kurt's going to have fun… Joe thought about this becoming more and more jealous.

Payback… was the first thing that came to mind. Maybe Kurt was trying to get him back for something he did wrong. Like not realizing his… lov… he couldn't even bring himself to think it!

Kurt! Some how some way, I'm going to know if you care about me. And this dance is gonna help me do it. Joe thought. Knowing he wouldn't be able to truly be mean to Kurt. They were best friends after all!

Kurt's way to pick up Katie:

Kurt walked away from Joe with a frown on his face. He hated having to be mean to the guy, but that was his only chose. If his love, really wanted to be with Lyla then he would let him. Even if it meant true suffering for Kurt. But still that was his own fault. He wasn't near good enough for Joe. Not good enough at all.

He walked down to the shore with a sigh. He'd never be good enough and he knew it. But he could always dream, couldn't he? Katie rushed out to greet him. "Kurt!" She exclaimed as she hugged him to her so close that he could hardly breathe. "Would you help me and Grandpa to get ready for the dance?" Katie asked with that cute little smile. "Sure."

It didn't take long for them to finish cleaning up the area. Then Kurt set up a table built by him and Joe. Though, Katie kept giving him al the credit. All he did was cut the wood. Joe attached the wood to one another, and sanded it.

He put some different kinds of foods on the table like Saluted Tomatoes, different kinds of wine, and his own fish dish for his one and only. Though no will know who made it. Or who it was made for. That's okay though. At least Kurt knew. And Kurt would be sure to see the wonderful look on his face. If he even likes it that is.

Katie rushed over to him wearing all pink. Her dress looked normal except brighter. Must be new. Kurt thought to himself as he looked toward the path. And then many different couples began arriving.

"Ronald what are you doing here?" Bob yelled as he looked at him. "I thought I might bake a cake while over at your house. Turns out Tim loves the stuff." Ronald said with a laugh. "Don't give him to much, last time he was bouncing off the walls for a week!" Bob said with a large roar of laughter.

At that moment Joe and Lyla walked in. Joe and Kurt's eyes met and the frission in the air became almost undeniable.

End of Chapter 2

Next time in Chapter 3: The party has really begun now. With couples all around the room who would be able to stop from falling in love with someone. But what happens when Joe leaves without Lyla. And Kurt's sent after him? What will happen, or will nothing happen at all?

Mini-Story: Ok now this might seem dumb but hey I'm doing it anyway. It's just a little knock off of this story. It'll be right after the chapter next time, and if you like it, I'll probably make more. What's the story behind Ronald and Louis not wanting to go. And didn't Bob say to not let Tim eat that much cake?

Thanx for reading and please review guys! I was about to quit writing this story when I got that review. I made my heart fill with work. Although I didn't get to actually typing this till today. And you have to admit, it's pretty good. And my hands are officially cramped! I have a bunch of other stories I need to post onto and one of my stories was deleted . knocked me out when that happened. So I have to post on all of my other stories and get my old story back up.

Wow, I really do talk a lot. Any way reviews make me happy and if I'm happy I'll type more. Promise this time!

But my most special thanks is to the lone reviewer!!! I'd be happy to write a story just for you so if Doublemint comes up with any story idea's that they want me to type I'll be happy to! As long as I've at least heard of the main thing for it. The story will of course be dedicated to you and a fun challenge for me!

Love,

Reioko

PS: Please read my other stories if you get the chance!