1AN: Hello everyone!!! Man, I finally finished this chappie. Actually, I planned to have a lot more in this chappie, but I liked my ending and I didn't want to add more. Plus I'm sure you guys want to read this chappie, and it would've taken me so long to come out with it if I wrote what I had planned. But I'll just use that stuff for the next chappie. So, this fic will probably be longer than I planned (which is a good thing for you guys)!

Mr. Moogle: aliasfan doesn't own DDR. In her other fic I made fun of her for not having anything to say, so this time I'll be quiet. -sshhh-

Chapter 11:A Day Without Rain

Morning came quickly and the sun spread its rays over the buildings of downtown Chicago. All of the DDR contestants woke up to a day free of worries. Today was another relaxation day. Well, relaxation for most of the people...

Kaeli rifled through her drawers and luggage, throwing clothes and other objects left and right. She was her usual messy self, always scrambling to find something. But the conversation Kaeli had with Shawn was also on her mind. Could it be true what Shawn said? I mean, why would Jake do that? But then why would Shawn lie to me if it wasn't true? He's still my best friend...Well, I'll find out soon enough. Kaeli quickly stood up, suddenly not caring if she found what she was looking for. In fact, she didn't even remember what she was looking for.

Quiko emerged into the room. "C'mon Kaeli, you gotta hurry up! The bus is going to leave without you!"

Bus? Kaeli thought. Oh yes, we're going to the park today. An inexpensive but great way to have fun. "I'm almost ready!"

Kaeli searched for her hair scrunchie, but eventually just borrowed one of Quiko's. Almost all of the contestants were boarded on the bus by the time Kaeli and Quiko got on.

"Hey Kaeli! I saved a seat especially for you!" Shawn said, patting the seat next to him as Kaeli walked down the row. Kaeli looked around. She spotted Jake sitting in the back. He motioned to her, pointing at the empty seat by him.

Kaeli thought for a moment. "I'd be glad to sit next to you Shawn." Kaeli smiled as she took a seat. "Hey Quiko, there's a seat in the back by Jake if you want."

"Oh thanks!" Quiko said, heading further down the row.

"I...wanted to talk to you some more, Shawn. I mean, lately we've been kind of distant from each other...and I don't like the way the feels." Kaeli said, looking back at Shawn with a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Shawn looked kind of shocked to hear her say that. "R-really? Me, too! I-I guess I've felt sorta left out ever since you and Jake started-"

"Hey Kae!" Jake exclaimed, walking up to where they were sitting. He sounded upset. "I thought you were gonna sit by me!"

Kaeli's face turned a little stern. "Well, Shawn asked me first. We can hang out together later when we get to the park. Besides, I have to talk to you about something."

"Uh, okay. Guess I'll see you later..." Jake said, not used to being rejected for 'shorty'.

"So, I guess that means you haven't talked to him about it yet." Shawn said.

"No, not yet. But I will today."

"Kaeli...I don't want to sound like your father or anything, but I just want what's best for you. I just hope you'll make the right decision." Shawn said.

"I know, I will." Kaeli responded, though her voice didn't sound so reassuring.

"So, Kaeli, about what you were saying before..." Shawn said, a little hesitant to get back on the topic. "We have been distant a lot. I think we need to change that." Yah, this competition was a way for us to spend more time together. We were supposed to get closer, not farther away!

Kaeli perked up a bit. "We definitely need to. Okay, how about we spend all our time at the park together? I just need some time to talk to Jake, but after that, I devote all of my time to you. How does that sound?"

Shawn's smile couldn't get any bigger. "Sounds great!" he said with much enthusiasm. "Hey, Kaeli..."

"Yes?" she asked.

Shawn took Kaeli's hand and held it in his. "Thanks." Oh my goodness, why did I do that? I'm holding her hand!! Should I pull away? What if Jake sees? I mean, she's still going out with him, so Jake would have a reason to beat me up!

Kaeli was a little surprised by Shawn's small showcase of affection. "Uh, no problem." A part of Kaeli wanted to pull her hand away, but something made her stay. She had this weird feeling inside. A good weird feeling.

Shawn slowly settled down, resting in the comfort of her warmth. He slowly turned and looked out the bus window. The sun was shining brightly, and the clouds that were out were white and puffy. I get to spend this beautiful day with Kaeli. Today is a going to be a great day. Today will be a day without rain.

They sat in silence, still holding hands until the bus finally pulled to a stop. Everyone scrambled off the bus. At the park were swings, a play set, basketball courts, a field, and more.

Once everyone was outside, Joe spoke. "Okay guys, here's what's going to happen. You're all free to do whatever you want. At noon, we'll hold a basketball tournament. Do not leave the park premises, and everyone must meet back here at 1:30, okay? Alright, have fun!"

Fun? Sure, Kaeli thought to herself. I'm gonna have to confront Jake now. Yah, that'll be real fun! Kaeli looked around, trying to find him in the crowd. Kaeli didn't know why, but whenever she started thinking about Jake, Shawn just pushed his way into her thoughts. Why am I thinking more of Shawn than I am of Jake right now? And why did I have that weird feeling inside when I held Shawn's hand. Well, it wasn't a weird feeling, it actually felt kinda...good. Wait, I can't be thinking like that, I mean, he's just my friend. And anyways, I still have a boyfriend, at least for now...

"There you are!!" Jake said, running over to Kaeli. "Man, I hated not being able to sit next to you on the bus." He leaned in and kissed Kaeli on the cheek.

"Oh." That was all Kaeli could say. "Well, um, I'm gonna be spending my whole time at the park with Shawn."

"What?!" Jake exclaimed. "You'd rather spend time with shorty than with me? I mean, who could resist this face?" Kaeli turned to look at Jake to see him making an ugly, distorted face.

Kaeli laughed. "Trust me, I could resist! Compared to that face you just made, I'd rather date Quasimodo!" Wait a minute, I'm not supposed me to be having a jolly ole time with Jake! We've got some serious matters to discuss!

Jake began walking around like he had a hump on his back. "Yah, but what if-"

"Um, Jake. We really need to talk about something. Sorry to interrupt, but it's really important." Kaeli said abruptly.

Jake cocked his head. "Okay..."

"Let's go under that tree." Kaeli said, pointing to a huge tree more on the left side of the large park.

"Sure." Jake said. He grabbed Kaeli's hand and they walked to the tree.

Kaeli suddenly thought of something as she walked there. I don't get the same feeling when I hold Jake's hand then what I did when I held Shawn's. This is confusing...Which is the best feeling? I feel something totally different when I'm with each of them. They reached the tree and both sat down, glad to be under the tree's shade and protecting branches.

"So..." Jake said. "What's up?"

I wonder if he knows what's coming? "Well, Shawn and I are best friends, as you know. And I trust everything he says. I've known him since I was a little girl. If Shawn tells me something that he hears or...sees...then no matter how hard I try not to, I believe him." Kaeli looked up to see Jake focused intently on her so she continued, though her gaze continued to look upon the dirty ground. "Well, S-shawn, he saw you...w-well, you were..." Oh c'mon Kaeli, just get your words out! "He saw you smoking...right before the competition."

Jake's eyes grew a little wide then settled back down to a kind of squint, as if he was thinking about something. "You...have a problem with that?"

Kaeli didn't want to offend Jake or anything, but she was concerned. And his question seemed to confirm that what Shawn saw was the truth. "Well, I just...want to make sure that you're not hurting yourself. I...don't think it's right...to smoke. It's unhealthy."

Jake sighed. "Listen Kae, people have put such a stereotype on cigarettes these days. I know that if you smoke a pack a day, you're gonna die from it." Jake stood up and leaned against the tree. "I mean, I'm not that stupid! I only smoke one or two cigs a week! I need it once in a while to calm my nerves. It's just once or twice. Don't tell me that's bad!!"

Kaeli thought a moment. "Well, it's not that bad...but still...I wouldn't want to smell it on you. And...what would my parents think? It's just that, I don't think I could go out with-"

"Kaeli, you're thinking too hard!" Jake exclaimed. He pulled Kaeli up and made her look him in the eyes. "Listen, I can't believe you would want to end this relationship. I want this to work out. And I care about you so much, that I'm willing to quit...just for you."

Kaeli's mouth dropped. "Are you serious? I mean, I thought that maybe it would be too hard for you..."

"I told you, I barely smoke. Obviously I don't or else there's no way I could be in this competition. So it wouldn't be hard for me to quit if I hardly smoke in the first place, right?" Jake explained.

"I guess you're right." Kaeli responded. "I...didn't think you would do that for me. And, I didn't really know the whole situation. I mean, that's why I wanted to talk to you."

"Kaeli, I care about you. Cigarettes shouldn't come between us, and it won't. I like you a lot." Jake smiled. "And there's no way I'm going to turn up the most beautiful girl in the world."

Kaeli blushed. "Aww, you're just saying that..."

"No, I really mean it. Ever since I first met you Kae, I knew that you were different than most girls. You're really special." Jake pulled Kaeli in and held her tightly. "Kaeli, I only want to be with you..." Jake leaned in for a kiss.

Oh my goodness, he's gonna kiss me on the lips for the first time! Should I kiss him back? Well, I have no doubt in my mind that he'll keep his promise. He truly cares for me...Kaeli leaned in too, and passionately returned his affection.

A small distance away, behind another tree, stood a saddened soul: Shawn. I guess my second chance was a bust. I guess Kaeli really does care for this jerk... Shawn stared at the two teens, but he turned away, too hurt to see Kaeli kissing another guy. But as soon as he did he looked back. Shawn was a desperate soul, looking for love, not looking for heartbreak.

He turned his attention from Kaeli to Jake. There he is, holding her close to him, making out with her... Shawn pictured what he himself looked liked in his mind, then brought the image of himself down to where Jake stood. He saw it like it was him standing there, holding Kaeli, kissing her, and all he could do was imagine how it would feel. He imagined what it would be like to finally know that you're loved.

"What I have shown you is reality. What you remember...is illusion."

That is a quote from FF7. Sephiroth (shudder) said it. I haven't played the game, but I saw the quote and liked it. I have many other quotes that I might use later on, along with some songs and poems.

Reviews:

Zanisha: Kaeli did stay with Jake, but she could've dumped him. I know that there was 5 more chappies left, but there's still the competition that I need to write about! Hmmm...a slow and painful death for Jake? Sounds like a plan...

HisLight: Mr. Moogle will not be getting a Mrs. Moogle in the near future. He still needs to live up to his duties as the disclaimer king. Uh yah, someone's a little too hyper when they review! -points to you-

Pencil3: Jerky Jake...hey, I like that nickname (lol).

Lyphe: Hey, I'm slow. I just realized that you changed your name back. Yay!!!

ZimXGir: Glad you liked that chappie. Could it be your favorite 'cause it was the longest one? (lol)Yes, well I tried to add a little more fluff to this chappie, but it's hard when Shawn and Kaeli aren't going out. But hopefully I did a good job.

Mr. Moogle: Good job? That holding hands scene was so cheap!

aliasfan: HEY! You said you were gonna shut up!!

Mr. Moogle: "..." -uses sign language to spell out 'Please review'-

aliasfan: Does that count? o.O