The next few days were as if planned. Everything happened in the same order. Frank never made it to the bus again, and I sat with Jack every time. Jack wasn't as unpleasant as I had thought. He always asked me out, and didn't even get nervous about it. I never accepted, and Frankie always got angry about his asking.

Friday morning, I ate Martha's breakfast as usual. I headed for the bus, and sat next to Jack. He wasn't very merry this day. He seemed solemn, for some reason. I didn't dare to talk to him, just in case he bit my head off.

He sighed. "Celeste" he whispered. I looked up at him nervously. He seemed to be struggling with something in his head. I wanted to clear it so badly.

"Yes?"

"Why won't you go out with me?" He had never sounded more vulnerable than in that moment. He looked like a child, and I wanted to hug him. He was incredibly innocent for that small and yet meaningful moment.

I moved my hand to his instinctively. "Do you want me to?"

"Of course." He seemed electrified by my touch. I smiled halfheartedly.

"Then, I will" I murmured. Jack straightened up, and hugged me tightly. He hugged me too tightly. I tapped his shoulder. "Can't breathe," I muttered. He loosened his grip instantly.

The moment the bus stopped I was in complete anguish. I knew the moment I had to tell Frank about my date with Jack was soon. I wasn't expecting to have to accept. I thought Jack would eventually give up, and ask someone else out.

I stepped out of the bus slowly, and cautiously. The first thing I noticed was Frank . . . not there. My heart stopped beating for that second. I was relieved. I didn't have to explain to Frankie so soon. I hopped out, and changed my books. I waited for Frankie at my locker, but he never went. When the bell rang I entered my first class.

Frankie never showed up in between classes. I was hopeful that I would see him at lunch. I didn't want to dread the moment longer than I had by then. More time would've been excruciating. When I walked outside to where Frankie sat, I knew he wouldn't be there. To my surprise, he was. I hurried to sit next to him, rehearsing my lines in my head.

I noticed his expression was glum, which made it impossible to speak. My voice was caught in my throat and I couldn't clear it. He looked up at me, and his eyes were fierce. He was hiding something behind them. It was devastating to watch. I tried to not meet his gaze.

"I heard" he huffed under his breath, as he drew his sandwich to his mouth. Frankie had lost his cute voice, at least to me he had. The words pierced me.

"Heard what?"

He swallowed the piece of sandwich he had bitten. "You know what. I'm happy for you." His voice was completely sarcastic. He took another bite, and watched me with glaring eyes.
I glowered. "What's wrong with you? Who cares if I go out with Jack?"

He swallowed difficultly now. "I do. You're turning into one of them. I thought that would never happen to you. You act all bad, but you want to be like them." My mouth hung open from the irate words that escaped Frankie's mouth.

"How dare you say that? I defended you, I still do. And I, Celeste Carmichael, would never want to be one of them." I pointed over at the cheerleading table as I stood up. My hand was trembling from the anger that fueled me.

He grimaced. "But you hated Jack. Now you want to date him?" His voice had begun heated but ended calm.

"He's asked me out a billion times Frankie. It's about time I said yes. Besides he isn't whom he acts out to be. He's really sweet with me."

Frankie took a deep breath. "Just don't turn into one of them, okay?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Duh."

It was the night of the stupid date. I wasn't looking forward to it. I decided to just be myself, and if he liked it good for him. I really didn't like Jack in the least, at least not like that. But he was the first guy to ever ask me out. That had to count for something.

Before I headed out I looked once more in the mirror. I wore a velvet satin v-neck dress, and black boots. My hair was down, and I wore only eyeliner and mascara. I didn't like the way blush looked on me. I had to recognize I looked beautiful. Somehow, I looked so different than anyone from this Hell. The doorbell rang, and I rushed downstairs before the Tormentors could answer. I took my house keys, and stepped out.

Jack was wearing a silky light blue button down shirt, and black pants. His shoes were shined, the way every Pleasantvillian should've had them. He stared me up and down taking me in. I knew he was shocked by how different I looked. His blue eyes filled with yearning, and I took a step back. He gave me a crooked smile, and led me to his car. He had a red Camry. It was a nice car.

The moment we entered the car, he put his hand on my thigh. I shook it off, and glared at him. "Do you want me to leave already?"

He shook his head. "Sorry. You look beautiful." I half smiled looking out the window. He headed out, and I just admired the moon out the window. Tonight it was a new moon. It was lovely.

A/N

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