Somewhere Between 1st and 32nd street, 8:29 P.M.

The trip was made in silence. Archie drummed his fingers on the window pane and Atlanta stared at her feet as the yellow cab they were in skidded around corners and drove down winding streets that were to lead them to the mall.

Rain beat down on the vehicle as Archie continued to drum his fingers to the beat. The silence was finally broken by Atlanta. She didn't like the rain, and the idea that she might be on a date with one of her closest friends was making her edgy.

"Do you have to do that?" She asked, as Archie changed the rhythm so that he was now playing the base line to one of the former 'DJ Panic's' many songs.

"What I do is out of your control." He muttered.

"Whatever." Atlanta turned to stare out of her own window. Archie stopped.

"You okay?" He asked. For once, he seemed genuinely concerned. Atlanta met his gaze with a steely glare.

"I'm fine." She grunted, making it obvious that she wasn't.

The taxi pulled to a stop.

Archie got out first. He went to open the door for Atlanta, but she immediately slammed it in his face.

What am I doing? She asked herself. Why am I being so mean?

Archie looked taken aback, but regained his composure almost immediately. He set up a large, brown umbrella as not to get hit by the rain. The mall wall still a block away, so he offered it to Atlanta as well. She went to refuse, but thought better of it.

"Thanks." Archie's heart skipped a beat as she stepped under the umbrella beside him. Atlanta's arm brushed against his own as they walked. Archie wished that he had brought a smaller umbrella.

They arrived at the mall almost too soon. Archie set down the umbrella as the two walked inside, only to be greeted by the sound of thunderous applause and clapping coming from the center of the building.

"Want to check it out?" Atlanta asked. Archie nodded.

Pushing their way through countless pedestrians, Archie and Atlanta soon found themselves standing in front of a wooden platform that had been set up right in the middle of the mall. Upon it sat three girls.

The first was sitting behind a large drum set. She had long black hair that was streaked with blue and pale skin. She wore a tight black top and a number of necklaces adorned with various symbols.

The second was standing in the left corner of the stage and strumming away at an electric guitar. She looked almost identical to the first, only her hair had red streaks.

The third girl was certainly the most eye catching. She stood at the front of the stage, signing a beautiful melody into the microphone in front of her, her long brown hair swaying back and forth as she danced to the music. She wore jeans and a faded T-shirt that looked as if it had been autographed by a hundred of her closest friends. A banner above her head stated the band name in bold letters. (TAP Water) Underneath were the names of the three girls. (Tiffany, Agatha and Penelope).

Atlanta wasn't impressed. There music was sickly sweet, despite the heavy metal instruments that were involved. Archie, on the other hand, was swaying to the music as if it was the last thing he ever wanted to hear. But his attention was focused on the lead singer, Penelope. Atlanta rolled her eyes.

"Is she hot, or what?" Archie asked, as his eyes glazed over. Atlanta rolled her eyes.

"Or what." She said, under her breath. Archie heard her.

"You're just jealous." He said.

"What?"

"You heard me. You're jealous because she's hot and you're ugly."

Atlanta couldn't believe her ears. Tears filled her eyes for the first time since she was two.

"Well if I'm so ugly," She breathed, "Why did you even agree to come here with me?" With that, she tore through the crowds and made her way to the mall doors, pushing aside everyone who got in her way.

Archie was left standing alone, dumbfounded.

Oh, gods. He thought. What have I done? And with that, he tore himself away from the music and began to chase after Atlanta, calling her name.

Calling;

"I'm sorry."