A/N: Sorry for the wait guys! I went on spring break, had cheerleading tryouts, went to Colorado, and AP exams are coming up, so I've been super busy. But I hope this makes up for it!

"You're kidding, right?"

My eyes were wide and full of surprise. How could Shane, of all people, ask the girl who single-handedly ruined my life to prom? I mean, I could care less if he asked me. Okay, that's a lie. But Tess Tyler? It makes me sick.

He couldn't look me in the eyes. It's a good thing because they were kind of watery. "No, Mitch, it's not a joke."

I was still in a state of disbelief. In tenth grade, I pretty much had no friends besides Shane and his brothers. So when I got nominated for homecoming court, I knew it had to be a joke. I wasn't going to tell people that, though. At the homecoming assembly, when we had to dress up nice, Tess was painting the set and spilled red paint all over my dress. She told everybody I had an "accident". I still hear people talking about it sometimes. I had never been so embarrassed in my entire life. I didn't even show up to homecoming the next day. Shane brought ice cream to my house and watched movies with me. So to think that he would ask her to prom is ludicrous to me.

"Shane, don't know remember what she did to me? What she put me through?"

He tried to grab my hand, but I flinched it away. "Mitch, she's different now. She's really sorry about what happened. She's over childish things like that."

"How did she 'change'? Did she get a freaking personality transplant? Let's be realistic here, Shane. She nominated me for homecoming court just to embarrass me in front of the entire school. She tells people rumors about me all the time. She hates my guts."

"Please be nice, Mitchie. I wouldn't let her say mean things about you."

Now I was angry. "That's because I never did anything to her! I never ruined her life!"

I'd never been this upset before. Shane, my best friend who, once upon a time, told me that Tess Tyler was evil and didn't deserve friends, was asking this original Wicked Witch of the West to prom. But I guess I didn't just feel betrayed- I was disappointed too.

"Mitch, I didn't want to tell you, but I really want you to accept this. Our friendship is really, really important to me, okay?"

I studied his face. As much as I wanted to get over it, I just couldn't. Tess didn't deserve Shane. And to think that he had fallen under her spell was tragic.

I plastered a fake smile on my face. "Okay, Shane. I'll try. I'm sure you're right."

Shane's face lit up. "Really? Mitchie, you don't even know what that means to me!"

He's right, I didn't. I tried my best to keep the smile on. "Shane, I have to go. It's a school night, and my mom will freak if I'm out past eight."

The grin on his face started to fade. I think he knew I was lying. "Oh, okay. I'll see you tomorrow. Do you want me to give you a ride to school? I can pick you up on my way to get Tess."

I tried my best to keep from throwing up. "Um, no thanks. I'll just drive myself. I'll see you in first period."

Before he could respond, I walked out of his room, leaving a very disappointed Shane behind.

S&M

As soon as I got home and into my room, the phone rang. I raced to pick it up.

"Hello?" I answered with a chipper voice.

"Mitchie?"

Oh, no. The voice on the other end was definitely not Shane. It was a male voice, one that I would know anywhere.

"Nate?"

"Yeah, it's me. You looked upset when you left tonight. Are you okay?"

That was the thing about Nate. He was one of the sweetest guys you would ever meet. He could always put a smile on my face when I'm down. He was like my brother. But I was pretty sure he knew about my crush on Shane, and that's probably why he called.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Don't lie, Mitchie. I know you're angry about Tess and Shane."

I sighed heavily. "I'm not angry. Just a little hurt, I guess."

"I know. When he told me he liked her, I was kind of shocked myself. I remember what she did to you, and how mad he was about it. But you know he loves you, Mitch."

"I know. And he's my best friend. I don't want to lose that over Tess Tyler."

"Mitchie, can I ask you something without you getting upset with me?"

I was leery about answering. "Sure, I guess."

"You like my brother, don't you?" Nate asked like he already knew the answer,

"What do you mean? He's my best friend."

He chuckled quietly. "Mitch, I think you know what I mean."

I didn't answer immediately. I knew Nate was going to find out sooner or later, but it was still embarrassing. I thought I had done a good job of hiding it.

"Yes, I do. And yeah, Nate, I do like your brother."

"I knew it. But don't worry, Shane doesn't have a clue." He said in a matter-of-fact voice.

I wasn't sure whether to be happy or sad about that. "Oh, well that's…good."

"If it's any consolation Mitchie, I think you're way better for him. And I'll keep it a secret, I swear."

"Um, thanks."

Nate cleared his throat. "Shane's kind of disappointed that you weren't happy for him."

I scoffed. "What was I supposed to do? Say 'Oh, Shane I am so happy that you're taking the girl who ruined my high school career to prom with you! I'm just ecstatic!' Yeah, no thanks." I said flatly.

"He's gonna be pissed if he finds out I'm talking to you. He wants to give you time to cool off before lunch tomorrow."

I was a little bit confused. "Um, what's going on at lunch?"

"She is sitting at our table."

"Oh," I countered, "Great."

"Yeah I'm just so excited. Listen, Mitchie, I have to go, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks for calling Nate.."

"Yup. Bye."

After I hung up, I stared at the ceiling. Life shouldn't ever be this complicated.

S&M

I was dreading lunch the next day. Not just seeing Tess, but Shane and Tess. Together.

I sat down with my salad and waited. Thankfully, Nate got there first.

"You ready?" He asked teasingly.

"Ha. No."

He tried to hide a laugh when Tess and Shane arrived together, his arm around her shoulder. I swallowed hard.

"Hi, Mitchie! Feeling better?" He grinned at me, looking hopeful.

I wanted to say no, but with that smile, I just couldn't. "Loads." I smiled wide.

"Good. So, Mitchie, Tess; Tess, Mitchie."

Tess threw him a smile. "Silly, we already know each other."

"Oh, right." His cheeks turned red, like he was embarrassed. Even though he knew fully well that we already knew each other.

"Mitchie, I just adore your top."

I looked down at it in surprise. Why was she complimenting me? "Um, thanks,"

"Yeah. I saw a knock-off of it at Ross. Can you imagine?"

Well, yes, I wanted to say, because I did get it at Ross. But I wanted to play nice, for Shane's sake.

"Never." I put a forkful of salad in my mouth before I could say anymore.

"So are you excited for prom, Mitchie?"

I almost choked on my food. "Actually, I don't even know if I'm going."

Tess gasped in surprise. "But you have to! It's senior prom!"

"Well," I said curtly, "I wanted to go with this one guy, but he asked someone else."

Nate laughed. "Wow, what a douche."

I giggled, and Shane looked confused. "Mitchie, who wouldn't want to go to prom with you?"

My heart sank, but I kept my game face on. "You don't know him. He goes to a different school."

"You want me to TALK to him for you, Mitch?" He said playfully.

"No thanks. He's pretty into the girl he's with right now."

His face fell. "I was only kidding, Mitchie. He's doesn't know what he's missing."

I smiled. "Don't I know it."

Tess pretended to be shocked. "Oh my goodness! I forgot to do my English homework. Shane, will you come to the library with me and help?"

Shane looked a little irritated, but he hid it well. "Yeah. I'll see you later, Mitch. Are we still on for the movies tonight?"

"Sure. Just you and me, right?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. I'll see you then."

After he walked away, Nate looked at me. "You're a great actress, Mitchie."

I sighed and returned with a scowl. "Thanks."

The bell rang and I got up to go to class. Above everything, I was positive Tess was up to something. But I had to figure what it was.

A/N: Yeah, sorry the ending wasn't so great. But I tried to make this longer for you guys! I developed Nate and Mitchie's friendship a little more, but don't worry. Nate and Mitchie will only be friends in this fic. Jason won't be in this story all that much since he's older than them, but I will have a chapter or two with him in it. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this. Please review! :)

-Caitlin