I hum cheerfully to myself, swaying my hips to the mental Latin beat as the doorbell rings. It's a bright Saturday morning – the sun is shining, birds are chirping in the trees, and all the adorable little squirrels are scampering along the tree branches. It's the perfect day for me to turn my current ex-boyfriend back into my boyfriend . . .

I glance around while I wait for Dash to answer the door. He's moved out of that cute apartment we used to share – this apartment complex is a lot classier, and much more stylish! It also looks more expensive. Wonder what he's been up to? Last I knew, he was still a simple football jock trying to make it in the professional leagues.

Just when I'm about to leave, the door is flung open by a tall, handsome blonde.

Oh, my.

Dash has grown since we broke up. That blonde hair used to be slicked back, but now it's simply left natural. It's cropped short in a stylish cut as well, one that actually suits his face and makes him look a little bit more mature. He's lost some more baby fat, too, and his skin is a warmer tan. The muscles aren't so overly huge anymore, so he must be off the steroids. He's dressing better, too – designer jeans, as usual, but these aren't nearly as tight as he used to wear them, fitting his legs better. Instead of that annoying tight black shirt, he's in a white tank-top with a blue button-down thrown on top. It's not buttoned, and the sleeves are rolled up, but he looks good in it. Bare feet, and a rag in his hand.

As well, his whole demeanor is different. He's got this light in his eyes, and the remnants of a smile on his lips. He seems to glow slightly with happiness, and he's got a more honest confident set to his shoulders. Everything about him seems brighter, happier, complete.

"Paulina?" He asks slowly, his voice a little bit deeper than I remember.

"Hi, Dash!" I give him my best smile. "Can I come in? You know, for a visit?"

His smile seems a little tense. ". . . um, hang on a sec." He closes the door a little bit, and I hear his voice fade as he walks away, calling for someone. Another, slightly higher voice answers in a conversation, and then he comes back and opens the door. "Sure, c'mon in."

I step inside, and it's amazing. All the furniture is classy but functional, and the couch looks comfortable. A flat-screen TV of course, but it's not hooked up to the cable box. The entire back wall of the living room is glass, and a few chairs and tables are set up near it.

Dash leads me into the room. "Sorry about the mess – we're just adding a few finishing touches to the place, and we're still moving in too." Sure enough, there are boxes in neat piles marring the image, but it somehow makes it seem a little more cheerful.

"We?" I ask, surprised. "You have a roommate?"

For some reason he laughs at this. "You could say that. Go ahead and sit while I get drinks, okay?"

He disappears into another room, and I catch a brief glimpse of a warm soft yellow kitchen with dark brown accents before the door swings shut. He isn't gone long, and returns moments later with a glass of water for me. He sets it down next to me (surprisingly, he even paused to put down a coaster!) and then retreats to the kitchen. When he next reappears, he's smiling and carrying a plate. There's cherries sitting in a small pile, as well as half a sandwich and a glass of water. He ambles away down a hall, and I hear a door open and close.

Voices float out – his, and the other from earlier – and there's a bit of bright laughter. Moments later, Dash returns, trailed by a slim brunet.

It's a boy, I can tell that much, but he's really very pretty. Pale skin against Dash's tan and that dark hair to his blonde makes a startling contrast. Sapphire eyes glitter above high cheekbones, framed by dark eyelashes that should belong to a girl. A slender, effeminate frame with lithe muscles makes him more wiry and lean than Dash. He's also a little shorter than my jock, though not by too much.

"Hi, Paulina." He says before sticking a cherry into his mouth – he's got the plate now. He sucks on it for a moment, grinning at the confusion on my face.

"How did you know who I am?" I ask slowly.

"Simple, I went to high school with you, too." He shrugs, and chooses another cherry as he sits down on the couch. I'm seated on the loveseat, waiting for Dash to sit next to me.

Instead, the blonde retreats to the kitchen and returns with a beer. The brunet eyes it, giving him a pointed look, and he chuckles before tipping it upside down to show it's empty.

"Just pulling your leg, Dan." Dash teases. "You know I gave up drinking."

I stare at him, startled. Dash? Give up steroids and drinking?

"Well, it's not funny then." 'Dan' retorts, but he's smiling. "And haven't I told you not to call me that?"

"Yeah, yeah." Again Dash leaves, and comes back with a soda. "Better?"

"Much." The brunet laughs, popping another cherry and leaning back on the couch.

I smile at Dash, inviting him to sit next to me, but instead he . . . drops onto the couch next to the brunet? There's more than enough room on the couch, but he's sitting so close to the brunet that their sides are touching.

"So, Paulina, how've you been?" Dash asks after stealing a cherry from the brunet's plate.

"Oh, not so well." I sigh, crossing my legs (and letting my miniskirt slip a little higher; Dan notices, but he doesn't seem to be approving and Dash doesn't notice at all!). "It's been rough, you know?"

Dash nods sympathetically, then turns back to Dan. "Paulina left to go become a model."

"Ah. That's a good choice for you." Dan nods as well, but it's tighter, more nervous.

"Well, no one's hiring." I shrug with one shoulder, letting the strap of my tank-top slip down my arm. I daintily pull it back up, but Dash didn't even so much as glance at the bit of bared chest I offered him.

He's acting so weird.

"So now you're back in town, huh? Gone to see Kwan or Star yet?" Dash continues to lead the awkward conversation. "I'm sure they'd love to say hi!"

"Actually, I'm back to stay. See, while I was gone . . ." I bite my lip, playing up the hurt young woman. "Dash, I . . . I never realized how much I missed you."

". . . oh." Dash says slowly. "That's what this is about."

Now I'm confused. "Huh?"

"You want me to take you back, right?"

I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand for effect and to hide my victorious smile. "Oh, Dash! Is that an offer?"

"No."

"I'll just go pack, and – wait, what?" I pause, confused. He did not just say-

"No. Paulina, I'm not going to date you again."

I frown. "Why?"

"Because . . ." He glances down at Dan, who is staring back at him. ". . . I'm already in a relationship. And, as hard as you may find it to believe, I like my significant other better than you."

"You've . . . you're dating?" I'm furious – he was supposed to pine after and wait for me! ME!

"Yep." He grins, and he's still looking at Dan! "And I'm happier than I've ever been." Dan blushes, strangely enough.

I whirl to him. "Who's the hussy? Who's the whore who took my man?"

Dan raises an eyebrow, finally turning to face me. He looks so strangely familiar . . .

"Don't take this out on Danny." Dash suddenly growls, looking eerily dangerous. Even Dan looks startled. The brunet's hand comes up, touching Dash's chest lightly.

Immediately, he pauses, and looks down to Dan. They stare at each other for a long moment, and then Dash sighs. "Paulina."

I brighten. "Yes? You want me to be your wife after all?"

"NO!" He all but roars, but quickly calms himself. He groans, running a hand through his hair. "Paulina, just shut up for a minute, okay?" He gestured at Dan. "You remember Danny Fenton . . . he's my boyfriend."

His what?