Wow, I'm really sorry updates are taking forever, but this summer is a lot more stressful than I thought it would ever be. I started the summer doing nothing, then I got a job, and now I have two jobs. I work long hours like every day, and when I'm not working I'm trying to get some sleep. So, really sorry that it's taking forever for this story to get updates but I just don't think I'll be able to get them out any faster. So, as of now, I'm just going to say that it looks like I'll be able to update at least once a month at best. I'm really sorry to have to say that, but until I get more time, it doesn't look like I'll be able to get chapters out any faster.

Thank you everyone who is reading this story, and thanks for putting up with my crappy ability with updating. Oh, and a very special thanks to everyone who has been reviewing. Hearing from everyone makes me so happy, and gets me trying to update faster!

I stood in front of my mirror, looking my outfit over for about the hundredth time. Knee length jean skirt, cute little top, matching flats. Nothing crazy but stylish still the same. I didn't really want to dress to impress, but at the same time I wasn't about to go on a date looking a mess. Yes, I, Roxanne Parker, am going on a date with the mysterious Justin. Why? Beats me. Nothing better to do. Maybe I was doing it to try and forget Warren, hell if I know.

With one more look at the mirror, I grabbed my purse and headed out of my bed room.

"Going out tonight?" I heard my mom asked. She was sitting in the living room watching some TV. Berko was sitting next to her. His head was in her lap.

"Yeah, I, um, have a date."

"Oh, is it that nice Warren boy? The one who is your partner?" Nice? Good one mom. There are many things I would call Warren Peace, but nice was not one of them.

"No. It's Justin."

"Justin? Do I know a Justin?"

"Yeah, he is that boy who brought me home from that party that night."

"Oh, him. Yes, I remember. Well, you have fun and make sure not to stay out too late."

"Thanks mom." I heard Justin's car's horn honk and I ran out of the house before my mom could yell about how nice boys come collect their date at the door. I really didn't care. Like I said, I really didn't even know what I was doing going on a date with Justin in the first place. I opened the car door and got in, already wishing for the night to be over.

"Hey beautiful. Ready to go have some fun." Ok, so he wasn't bad looking. He was even a step higher than cute. Not as attractive as Warren but he was worth a second glace. Did that sound shallow? Damn. I knew it did.

"Yeah, sure. Where are we going anyway," I asked.

"I don't know I thought I would take you out to eat and then maybe we could go catch a movie or something. That sound alright?"

"Yeah, that sounds fine."

I didn't care what we were doing. As long as I wasn't hanging out with Warren or the others tonight, I was fine. I didn't think I could face him, or anyone else. Layla and Magenta would want to know what was the matter with me, and Warren, well, I really don't know what he would think. There was no way I could tell him what I heard though. Knowing him he would just turn the whole thing on me, and say that everything was my fault for listening in on his conversation.

As I started feeling the car come to a stop, I came out of my daze and looked around where we were. The Paper Lantern. Just great. I just remembered what day today was, and remembered that it was one of Warren's working days. There was no way I wanted to go into that place.

"Um, do you think we could go somewhere else?" I asked.

"Why? I heard this place has great food," Justin said.

"Yeah, but I don't really like this place," I said. "They have horrible service."

"Really? I heard they were wonderful. Very fast and friendly."

"You heard wrong. Everyone is mean and it takes forever to get anything. Even water."

"I don't mind a wait. Gives me more time to spend with you," said Justin. He really just didn't get it did he. Did I have to come out and say that I was trying to avoid Warren? Well I wasn't about to tell another guy that I was avoiding a boy that I hadn't even been dating. That would make me sound kind of weird.

"I'm not going in there," I said, as calmly as I could. Justin's face turned to look at me, and he didn't look happy at all. His eyes seemed darker and his face just seemed angry.

"Yes, you are." And then any thought of leaving The Paper Lantern was gone from my mind completely. I have no idea why, but suddenly I had the greatest desire to enter the place. "You ready to go in?" Justin then asked, with a sly smile. I was finding it hard to speak. I was finding it hard to do anything really. It was like I was trying to run. My mind knew I was in danger, but my body just wouldn't listen.

"Yes," I found myself saying. I didn't mean it though. I wanted to leave, but my body was moving by itself and getting out of the car to follow Justin. He took hold of my hand and led me inside.

"How many?" asked the hostess.

"Two," said Justin.

"This way please." We followed her to our table and I took a seat across from Justin. "You're waitress will be with you in a moment." As she walked away, Justin grabbed hold of my hand from across the table.

"See, this is a lovely place. I have no idea why you thought otherwise." I just looked at him with what I was sure to be a blank expression. Still wanting to run, but not being able to. "I'm going to go use the bathroom. Don't move beautiful." Justin let go of my hand and got out of his seat. I knew this would be the right time to make a run for it, but I couldn't. His words kept ringing through my mind. "Don't move." It was almost like he had me in a trance.

"Roxie?" I heard a familiar voice, but I couldn't even move to see where it came from. "Roxie, where have you been? Everyone has been looking for you all day." Warren sat down in Justin's seat. I wanted to scream for him to help me. To get me out of here. To get me as far away from Justin as possible, but I couldn't bring myself to even say hello.

"What are you doing here?" Warren then asked, his voice full of concern. "Why didn't you answer any of my calls or texts?" I still didn't answer him. I just kept looking at him with my unblinking eyes. Stupid Warren. Can't you tell something isn't right? Get me the hell out of here! Warren took a hold of my shoulders and gave me a shake.

"Are you even listening to me?" He sounded like he was starting to get angry. "Why are you just sitting there?"

"He said don't move." I managed to get out.

"Who? Who said don't move?"

"I did," came Justin's voice from behind Warren. "And I believe you are in my seat."

"Who the hell are you?" Warren's angry voice asked.

"Her date," Justin answered.

"What?"

"We are on a date. I think you should move along and get back to your job."

"I'm not going anywhere. There is clearly something wrong with Roxie. Look at her, she isn't even blinking her eyes." Finally he notices. Maybe I'll get out of this alive after all. If only I could bring myself to speak.

"Ah, she's fine. Aren't you beautiful? Tell him Roxanne. We are here on a date."

"We are here on a date," I found myself saying. The words just seemed to come out of my mouth. He told me what to do and I found myself not being able to refuse him.

"Roxie, you never said anything about a date before," said Warren. He sounded almost desperate now. "Why haven't any of us ever met this guy?"

"Oh, sorry for being rude," Justin said with a smile. "My name is Justin." He held out his hand to shake Warren's, but my hero didn't put his hand out in return.

"Justin? You're that guy that was causing her problems before. Now I know for sure something is wrong. What the hell have you done to her?" Justin just ignored Warren and turned to me. He held out his hand and I couldn't resist putting my hand into his.

"You know what babe? You were right. This place isn't that friendly. I think we should go somewhere else," Justin said. He pulled me up from my seat and started leading me toward the door.

"No, you aren't going anywhere," Warren said, grabbing onto my other hand.

"Is there a problem sir?" asked the hostess coming over to us. I'm sure other people were watching us as well, but I was having a hard time concentrating on anything other than Justin.

"Yes," said Justin. "This boy is bothering my date and me. He was rude and I find it hard to believe that he is an employee. What kind of restaurant is this?" The lady started yelling at Warren in a different language. Warren wasn't listening. I had no idea what he was doing until I felt water being splashed in my face. Warren must have grabbed a pitcher of the liquid and decided to throw it on myself and my date.

"What the hell Warren?" I yelled.

"Oh, thank God," Warren said. He pulled harder on my hand and it forced Justin to let go. I found myself being pulled into Warren's arms, and it was only then that I realized that I was out of whatever trance he had had me in. I looked over at my date and said the first thing that came to my mind.

"Holy crap! You're hair isn't dark at all! It really is blond!" Justin took off running. He was pushing everyone and everything out of his way until he was out of the Paper Lantern. Warren and I followed after him but once we were out of the place, Justin was no where to be seen.

"He's gone," I said.

"We'll find him. We'll go to the teachers and tell them everything tomorrow. Maybe Will's parents will help look for him too. They are the best supers in town," said Warren.

"I don't know," I said. I knew finding Justin was going to be very hard but something just told me that even if we had the teachers and the Strongholds looking for him, we wouldn't find him anywhere. "Something just doesn't feel right."

"Well, yeah. You are all wet," said Warren.

"Yeah that's right! Why the hell did you toss that water on me?" I asked.

"Well I could tell you were in some kind of trance. It was between that and kissing you."

"Why would it be between tossing water at me and kissing me?" I asked in shock. Kissing me? Didn't I just hear him tell those guys I was just his sidekick? Why would he want to be kissing me?

"Roxie, can you do something for me?" Warren then asked.

"What?"

"Shut up." In the next second, I found myself in Warren's strong arms, with his warm lips pressed against mine.

Ok, I know that it's short, but I just wanted to get some kind of update out. I hate not being able to put chapters up faster, but this is better than nothing I guess. I'll try to get the next chapter up as fast as I can.