Hello- sorry for a later reply. I am sad to say, this will be my LAST chapter. I really hope that you like it. Thank you for sticking with me through the entire story, and sorry I didn't update as often as I should have. Life is truly crazy! I never planned to have the story come this far, but it has, thanks to all of you!

Stay tuned for a possible epilogue.

Enjoy-VioletHorizon

Chapter 34

I sat in my room and stared at the mirror that hung on the wall above the desk that had all my makeup spread over the top. Tonight was homecoming and I felt a knot in my stomach as I thought about who I was going to be going with. My heart sank when it wasn't the person I was hoping it would be. My eyes were glued to my reflection. Blue eye-shadow to go with my blue dress, my eyeliner was perfect and my lashes had been curled. The last thing to do was straighten my hair.

I turned on the iron and started to drift through my memories of high school. There were so many memorable moments. A couple times I had won homecoming queen, I had been offered the head cheerleader position my sophomore year, but declined. Cheerleading was interesting, but I was more focused on the more important things, like my friends. I didn't want to be that stuck up girl who lost all her friends because she had a "reputation" to uphold. Forget that.

I stared at the body length mirror a few minutes later and admired myself. I thought I looked pretty good. And when the homecoming crown was on my head-

My train of thought stopped.

"Do you love him," my voice echoed in my head.

"Yes, I do. He makes me very happy," I could hear the smile on Kevin's face

If Kevin won homecoming King, I would have to stand up on stage beside him and even dance to a slow song with him, not that I would mind. But my heart still ached at the fact that I had lost Kevin to someone else, to a friend—a male friend. I had spent time with them at the beach and seen firsthand how well they interacted together. To be honest, it made me rather jealous.

The doorbell rang and I could hear my mom calling for me that my date had arrived. I took another glance at the mirror. I really did look very pretty. But my heart sank, knowing that it would not be Kevin who shined beside me. My palms were sweaty and I was beginning to have second thoughts as to whether or not I should be going to the dance at all. Would my heart be able to handle seeing Kevin dance with Double D? My mom called up the stairs to me again. I guess either way, I was going to find out just how much Kevin's new relationship truly bothered me. Even when they were at the beach, I didn't feel as annoyed as I do now. Why?

The gym was already alive when Rolf and I arrived. He was quite the gentleman. Dressed up in a tux, his hair was slicked back, and he hadn't made any references about being the "son of a shepherd". We quickly found Nat near the punch bowl and he said that we looked good together. I would have thought so too, had it not been for the pit in my stomach from my nerves.

"Have you seen Kevin," I asked Nat, who sipped punch from his cup.

"Nah. He isn't here yet," Nat replied, looking around the room. "He should be here soon."

And he was. Not long after Nat mentioned Kevin's soon arrival, Kevin was making his way through the main set of doors, Double D's hand in his. If it wasn't for the music that continued to play, the entire gymnasium would have been silent as all eyes darted in that direction. Double D was shaking, he must have been worried about what everyone was thinking. But, Kevin being Kevin, he ignored them all and made his way over towards the snack table, and us.

Whispers and mumbles could be heard just above the music as everyone started to turn from one another and towards Kevin and Double D. Double D shifted to stand just behind Kevin, but not completely out of my view. He looked rather nice. He wore a nice suit and light blue shirt. The only piece that wasn't dressy was the beanie he never removed from his head. Kevin on the other hand, looked stunning. He, too, wore just a regular suit with just a plain white button up shirt underneath. The white shirt was untucked from his pants, making him look sloppy. But at the same time, he looked incredible, in the way only Kevin could. It made my heart stop.

"Hey guys," Kevin said, tugging gently on Double D's hand to try and get him to move from behind him.

"Do Rolf's eyes fool Rolf's brain," Rolf asked as he looked at the two.

"What? You know that we are together."

"I think what he is implying," Nat slipped from beside me to wrap and arm around Kevin's shoulder. "That we weren't expecting you to both come in holding hands and looking all lovey-dovey."

Double D made a squeaking sound, as if he were shocked that they looked like that. Kevin rolled his eyes and nudged Nat away from him, making a snide comment towards his friend who only chuckled. He shifted, turning his gaze towards Double D who immediately stopped shaking. Kevin really had this effect on Double D? Did he give him some sort of courage?

"You look pretty, Nazz," Kevin said without me realizing he had directed his attention towards me.

"Huh," I shook my head a bit and looked at him. He was smiling, his cool reassuring smile. "Thanks." I managed to smile back.

The music changed and the dance floor was once again alive with dancing students. A few students still stared in our direction. My guess that they were trying to understand if Kevin was pulling some sort of prank, or if he was serious. I had to roll my eyes at the couple of girls who were glaring towards Double D. 'How can he get so close to Kevin' probably ran through their heads.

"Come on," Kevin said as he tugged on Double D's hand. "Let's dance."

"W-what," Double D jerked his attention from Kevin to the dance floor and back. "I kindly refuse. There's no way I can do something like that. In front of all those people. I politely decline, thank you."

Kevin seemed to be pouting, "please?"

"I-I don't even know how to dance. Take Nazz."

I smiled and put a hand on Kevin's shoulder. "May I?"

Kevin looked at me and shrugged. He let go of Double D's hand and offered me his. As much as I wanted to take it, there was something else I had to do. I reached past Kevin's hand and took Double D's. He stared at our hands for a moment in shock, making it easy to pull him away from Kevin and towards the dance floor.

"Come on, Double D," I said, taking him to the middle of the dance floor. "Dance with me, dude."

He stood on the dance floor while I danced in front of him. He truly looked terrified and I wondered if I had done the right thing in dragging him out here with me. When I looked back at Kevin he seemed to be smiling. Happy that Double D and I were getting along? Or maybe at the fact that Double D looked cute to him while he was scared on the floor.

"You can relax, dude," I put a hand on his shoulder. "Everything will be okay."

He looked at me and he looked like he was going to cry. "But these people are judging me now. I don't want to be here."

I stopped dancing and looked at him. He really was fragile for a guy. He was so worried about what other people thought of him. It was true though, the people around us had moved away to leave a small circle around us and people looked like they were judging him; all staring at him with a look of disgust in their eyes.

"Double D," I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Who cares what these kids think. Do you know any of them?"

He shook his head. "Not really."

"Then who cares what they think, dude? You love Kevin, yeah? Kevin will be there for you if someone says something they shouldn't. And I'm here for you too."

He looked at me for a moment. "Nazz, why are you so nice to me?"

"Huh," I looked at him. "Why wouldn't I be?"

He looked around, "can we talk in private?"

I looked at the people around us. They were getting closer, as if they were interested in what we were talking about. I had a feeling that we really should talk in private. Who knew what Double D and I would actually wind up talking about.

"Want to go outside for a couple minutes?"

Double D nodded and followed me out the side door to the gym. Kevin was quick to follow us.

"What's going on," Kevin asked, sliding his hands into his pocket and taking his place next to Double D.

"We just wanted to talk in private away from ears of judging people," I said, looking towards Double D.

He nodded, "I just wanted to ask Nazz something. You don't have to worry. We'll be back inside soon."

Kevin eyed Double D for a moment. "Not too long, okay? I haven't see Justin in a while so I don't know if he will show up tonight or not. Who knows what he will do."

Double D nodded as I replied, "I will keep an eye out Kevin. You don't have to worry. We really won't be that long."

Kevin nodded and seemed reluctant to leave. As the door closed behind him Double D didn't look at me. He stared at the ground for a minute, his hands in fists in front of his chest as if he were nervous to ask his question.

"Inside you asked why I was so nice to you. Haven't I always been nice to you?"

He jumped a bit at the question but he finally looked at me. "It's just that, you like Kevin, don't you? And I'm your friend, who's a guy. But, Kevin likes me. Aren't you upset?"

I wasn't expecting that. I looked away from him. It was true I liked Kevin, but if Kevin was happy so was I. And it wasn't right for me to stand between him and who he truly had feelings for, even if he was a guy. And Double D seemed to love him just as much.

"I'm sorry," Double D wasn't looking at me when I managed to gain the courage to look at him. "I shouldn't have asked. I don't want you to hate me, Nazz. But I was really happy, when I heard you and Kevin talk over the phone after the game."

I couldn't help but smile. "You really love him a lot, huh?"

"I don't know when it all started. But yes, I love him a lot."

I felt a ping in my heart, the ping of jealousy. But I still smiled, "I'm happy if you two are happy. You are my friends after all."

Double D looked at me, a genuine smile on his face. "Thanks, Nazz."

"Come one," I said, walking past him and opening the door, "we should get back inside before Kevin starts to worry."

He nodded, the smile still on his face as he walk towards me and put his hand on the door. He held it open for me as I walked through. He followed behind me as we made our way to our small group.

"What's going on," I asked, looking around. "The music stopped."

"They are going to announce King and Queen," Nat said, his arms crossed over his chest. "No surprise who it will be though." He glanced in Kevin's direction.

Kevin wrapped an arm around Double D's shoulder. Double D tucked himself under it, a smile on his face. He looked like he belonged there. He looked quite happy. I couldn't help but smile. They really were cute.

"Hello everyone, I'm glad that you all made it here tonight," the principal stood on the stage. Beside her was a podium with a crown and tiara. They were beautiful this year, too. "I hope everyone is having a good time. But if you are all ready, it is time to announce this year's Homecoming King and Queen."

The students cheered and the principal held up her hand quieting them all. "All right I understand. This year's Homecoming King is," she opened and envelope she held in her hands. "Kevin Dames."

Everyone cheered and looked around the room for Kevin. He smiled to himself and looked at Double D, whispering something inaudible over the screaming crowd. They started chanting his name as he walked through the group and to the stage. He shook hands with the principal and let her place the crown on top of his head before turning and waving to the crowd. They eventually quieted down as she principal came to the mic once again.

"And now or your Homecoming Queen. This year's Queen is," she opened the new envelope in her hands. "Nazz Carter."

The screaming erupted again and I felt a small sigh of relief. Senior year Homecoming Queen. I felt really good. I made my way through the crowd and shook hands with the principal before getting the tiara placed on my head. I smiled and took my spot beside Kevin and waved to everyone on the dance floor. I was overjoyed. I thought I would surely be beat out by the head cheerleader, Alice. I caught a glimpse of her in the crowd. She was glaring at me.

"Glare all you want," I thought. "I get to dance with Kevin."

"Now," the principal spoke out, calming the cheering crowd. "It is time for the King and Queen to have their spot light dance."

I was suddenly nervous. I was going to dance with Kevin in front of everyone. But how would Double D feel? I quickly glanced at him and was amazed to see him smiling. Maybe everything would be okay.

Kevin held out his hand for me and it took me a minute to put my hand in his. My heart was racing. It wasn't the first time we had gotten to dance together in front of everyone. But this time it felt different. Why? Probably because he was actually dating someone this time.

He led me to the dance floor and place a hand on my waist as the music started to play. We swayed back and forth and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He really was handsome. He was smart and charming, and really dependable. I could see why every girl in the school had fallen for him. Even Double D. For as long as I could remember, even though he was always around Eddy, Kevin was always trying to protect Double D. It wasn't a mystery how Double D had managed to fall for him.

"Well, well," someone called over the music.

Everyone turned to look in that direction. Shock. Complete and utter shock came over everyone. What was he doing here?

"So, let me guess," he said. "You finally showed everyone that you are sleeping with the nerd."

The whole room erupted in murmurs and whispers. Kevin was glaring at the guy by the door. When my eyes darted to Double D, he was shaking. I couldn't blame him. Now everyone knew for sure that he and Kevin were a couple.

"Justin, what the hell are you doing here," Kevin asked.

"I go to school here too. I think I'm allowed to come to the dance aren't I?"

"After the shit you did? You think you can just walk back up onto campus? I still owe you for last time."

The principal came over the mic and tried to calm everyone down. But it was no use. Kevin and Justin we glaring at each other, screaming at each other. My eyes flicked to Nat and Rolf who had moved from the side of the room to stand beside Kevin.

"Aw, why did you two move," Justin asked, lifting his right hand in Double D's direction.

The whole room went silent.

A gun.

Justin held a gun in his hand, aiming it straight at Double D.

"It just makes it easier to shoot the nerd."

"W-what are you doing," Nat shouted. "I thought you liked "the nerd" just as much!"

Justin laughed. He sounded like he had completely lost his mind. "If I can't have him no one can."

"No," Kevin shouted. He wasn't standing beside us anymore. He was running towards Double D. My heart was racing, why had things turned out this way?

-BANG-

Screams. Deafening Screams.

-BANG-

People ran to every exit in the building.

Blood was everywhere.

Again- this will be my LAST chapter.

Look for a POSSIBLE epilogue.

-VioletHorizon