A/N: AngelxCollins pointed out to me that almost every review for Chapter 10 started out with "Aw! Poor Joanne!". We both find that really amusing. Check it out if you don't believe me. Those three words start out almost every review. LMAO! Thanks for the reviews!

I OWN NOTHING.

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MIMI'S POV:

"What did you get for Christmas, Joanne?" Mimi asked happily. The group had gathered on that cold January morning after the holiday vacation at the schoolyard. They were asking one another what presents they had received.

Joanne shrugged. "A bunch of new records and stuff."

"You don't seem too excited," Maureen chimed in, "I was excited when I got the fluffy pink pillow I wanted for my room! And this cute little stuffed animal cow."

Mark shook his head, and Roger laughed. "A cow?"

"What? I like cows!"

Tom smirked. Mimi watched as he glanced over at Joanne, who immediately looked away.

Mimi could tell that there was something wrong with Joanne. She looked extremely saddened and Mimi had a feeling she knew the reason why. Joanne had been acting just fine until Tom had showed up in the schoolyard. What she needed, Mimi decided, was someone to talk to.

"Hey, Joanne, you wanna see my new keychain on my backpack that I got for Christmas?" Mimi's eyes shifted to where she had thrown her backpack, a little farther away from the group—a perfect place to talk without anyone listening in. Joanne took the hint and started to walk towards Mimi.

"Keychain? Really? Is it sparkly?" Angel piped up.

Mimi glared at Angel, who, after a while, realized what was going on and nodded.

"Ooooooooh! Okay, you can show me later!"

Mimi grabbed Joanne's arm and lead her away.

"What happened, Jo?"

Joanne shook her head. "Nothing."

"Don't gimme that crap. What did he say to you?" Mimi asked firmly.

"He says he's not interested in girls." Joanne said flatly. "Stupid excuse. It's just me he's not interested in. He doesn't like me and he just doesn't wanna say it."

Mimi shook her head and put an arm around her friend's shoulders. "Boys. They're such idiots. Someday, we're gonna be in middle school, and then high school, and we'll get the best boyfriends ever, who aren't stupid and cruddy like the ones we're stuck with!"

"Amen." They both turned around to see Maureen standing there.

"Maureen! This was a private conversation," Mimi scolded.

Maureen shrugged. "I heard it all anyway. I won't tell."

"I'm really glad I have you guys to talk to," said Joanne. "It means a lot."

"You can always talk to us! We'll give you advice on anything. I'm loud but I know what I'm talking about," Maureen replied, hugging Joanne.

Mimi smirked. "Somehow I find that hard to believe."

"HEY!"

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TOM'S POV:

After lunchtime, Tom and Joanne still hadn't said much to each other.

"Next year in middle school, you will be learning a lot more about Area and Perimeter. These are simply the basics. Copy these notes into your Math notebooks, please," Mrs. Wright said, glaring each and every student in the eye.

Tom hadn't been paying attention to his teacher. He had been doodling on his notebook page. He watched absentmindedly as Mrs. Wright took her seat at her desk.

Stupid old bat...

Tom hated Mrs. Wright. At the moment, he hated everything. Especially the things that were annoying him at the moment. Like the fact that he'd hurt Joanne's feelings, the fact that Roger had just received an awesome bike for Christmas and Tom himself had gotten an itchy, fuzzy sweater instead—not to mention that his family was going to have leftover ham from Christmas for dinner that night. Tom didn't like ham. Not one little bit.

"Tom, I'm already almost finished with my notes, and you haven't even started yet!" came Angel's squeaky whisper in his ear.

"Yeah, whatever..." Tom muttered. "It ain't a race. Either way, you'll finish writing before me."

Angel blinked. "Somebody didn't take their happy pills today!"

"What the heck!"

"My mom says that a lot. I think it's funny, don't you?" Angel was smiling—that certain smile that always managed to make Tom smile back. But not that day. No. Tom had no intention of smiling at anyone.

"...Tom? You should just talk to Joanne, okay? Then you can—"

Tom's head shot up from jotting down his notes. "Angel, stop telling me what to do, okay? I know what I'm doin'. You act like you know how to solve every single problem. You don't."

Angel looked slightly hurt for a moment, but the look faded quickly. "Yeah. Um, okay. I get it...Sorry..."

Tom knew he'd hurt Angel's feelings. But for once, he wanted to worry about his own feelings instead of Angel's.

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JOANNE'S POV:

Joanne ran over to Tom as he was grabbing his backpack.

"Hey! Tom! Hold on a sec!" Joanne grabbed his arm.

Tom looked at her sheepishly. "Uh...Hi, Joanne...um...I know I...kinda...got you sad...and I guess that wasn't a very good Christmas present, huh? I'm sorry."

"It's really, okay, Tom. I understand. I talked to Mimi and Maureen this morning and I feel a lot better," Joanne replied, smiling. Her smile faded and she looked down at her shoes. "I still like you, though...but you don't have to feel bad."

Tom shook his head. "It's not that I don't like you, Joanne, I really do...it's just..."

"Girls aren't your thing right now," Joanne finished, smirking.

"What's that supposed to mean? Why're you smiling?" Tom asked.

Joanne shrugged. "No reason...Anyway, my dad won't let me have a boyfriend till I'm sixteen anyway. Do you believe that? I mean, I have to wait six whole years! That is a total crime, Tom!"

Tom laughed. "I guess it is, huh? Well I gotta go, see you tomorrow, okay?"

"See you, Tom!"

Joanne felt really happy about the fact that she'd gotten her emotions off her chest. She grabbed her backpack and happily skipped away.

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MARK'S POV:

Mark swung his backpack over his shoulders and watched as Angel reluctantly grabbed his and started to walk into the hallway. Something wasn't right. Angel had been just fine the last time Mark had talked to him.

Mark ran over to him. "Hey, Angel, you okay?" he asked, a tone of concern in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He paused. "Mark, do you think I'm annoying?"

Mark shook his head quickly. "No, no you're not annoying! Why you askin'?"

"'Cause I'm always in everyone else's business. It stinks to know that people get annoyed when I'm around. Well, I'll see you tomorrow...Bye." And with that, Angel disappeared.

Mark sighed. If it isn't one person in our group with tons of drama, it's another.