The sun was bright as they walked out the studio doors. It beamed down on them, sparkling the sidewalk under their feet. And it was silent. Tammy and IQ walked at least half way home in silence. Tammy had no idea why they weren't speaking. So about half way home, she opened her mouth to say something.

"So IQ, are you excited for the Miss. Hairspray pageant this year?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. It wasn't even close to the pageant, but she though she would make conversation.

All she got from her friend was a shrug. Bitting her lip, she thought again. "Read any good books lately?" she asked. Again, she got a shrug. Tammy realized that it was going any where. A pout turning her ever smiling lips upside down, she gave up.

That's when IQ spoke. He had too. Seeing Tammy frown wasn't an easy thing to see. Anybody on the Corny Councils show would agree. The girl hardly ever frowned, being the optimistic person she was. But the only thing on IQ's mind was Fender and Tammy. It was the last thing he wanted to speak to her about, but it just kind of flew out.

"How's your routine with Fender going?" he asked quietly, sticking his hands into his pockets as they started walking up the hill.

Tammy looked up at him with surprised eyes. She had been trying to make conversation, and he avoided it. Now he was talking? Instead of saying anything about it, she just replied to the question. Dancing was something she always enjoyed talking about.

"It's swell! We've got the first half memorized and it's fab!" she smiled cheerfully, looking straight ahead as she walked and talked.

The two were up the small hill now, and on IQ's street. "That's groovy," he told her, trying to sound enthusiastic. "I'll see you tomorrow," he added, before heading down the street towards his house. IQ went inside his house and closed the door. Things seemed to only get harder by the day. He loved Tammy. He would do anything for her, but she didn't know that. She would never know that. How could she love someone who wasn't him? IQ was certain that Tammy loved Fender. The way her eyes sparkled when she spoke about him, the way they laughed when they were together. Why couldn't it be him?

A/N: please R&R to let me know how you feel about it. :)

xoxo

madi rose