My whole body was shaking with anger. Tears sprung to my eyes but I quickly wiped them away and exhaled. I closed my eyes and felt my body sliding against the door. What did I just do?

The night of the party arrived, and I found myself blankly staring at my reflection in the mirror. I had just gotten out of the shower. No makeup on, nothing. Just a bare, natural face in the mirror. That's all I ever would be, anyways. And if Chad didn't like me for that, then fine. Because I did not want to change myself for him. I needed to find somebody who would want me for…me. I hated that I tried so hard around Chad.

So I ditched all my makeup and went in what I was wearing—an old vintage T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans with Converse. A simple, comfortable outfit. I probably should have worn a dress, seeing as everyone else did, but I didn't care anymore. This was definitely not my week.

I drove to the party with my radio on, but instead of listening to all that overplayed mainstream crap, I turned back to my old style—alternative rock. Nickelback, Daughtry, stuff like that. It was probably the most peaceful I'd been the whole week.

I stopped at the under-21 club we were holding the party at and just sat in my car for ten minutes in silence. My keys jingled from the ignition and I heard an engine rumbling from behind me. I glanced in my rearview mirror but couldn't make out the face of who it was. Oh, well. Probably someone who worked at the network.

I leaned my seat back and stared through the sunroof at the moon. It was a gorgeous night out in Hollywood. Who would have thought, four months back, that I would be here today? In Hollywood, on a TV show, in a car with a freaking sunroof?

Someone was tapping at my tinted windows. My head snapped and there he was: Chad. He'd gotten a haircut and his honey-colored hair no longer reached his ears. His eyes sparkled in the moonlight. He was smiling and waving at me.

Chad? Smiling and waving? Chad was definitely not a waver. Yet with this one smoldering look my heart fluttered again. I guess the sparks were still there.

He pointed down towards the lock. He wanted to come in! Why on earth would he want to come into my car? I still obliged and flipped the lock open. Chad opened the door and sat in the passenger seat.

"Um…hey," he said awkwardly, brushing his hair back. I said nothing. "What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be inside?"

"I don't want to go inside," I said coldly. I stared straight into his eyes with the sternest look possible. It seemed to do the trick. He quickly switched his gaze to the floor.

"Nice…jeans?" he tried again.

"Okay, this is ridiculous," I said finally. "I don't know what you're trying to do, but this small talk isn't helping."

"Didn't think so," said Chad. "I'm trying to apologize. I was a jerk, and I know it. I am a jerk, but I was an even bigger one to you." He turned to me with a hopeful smile. My expression was emotionless. Finally, after five minutes in silence, I spoke.

"Why didn't you come?"

Chad looked down at the gearshift between us. "I-I don't really know. Honestly. I was…scared, I guess."

"Of what? Am I scary or something?" I asked angrily.

Chad sighed as he struggled to find his words. "I'm not scared of you, necessarily…I'm just scared of what I'm feeling." I felt his hand on mine. It was warm. He brought it to his chest and gripped it with both his hands. He looked straight into my eyes. I'm sure the look on my face was incredulous. "I really, really like you, Sonny. I've always liked you, and no matter how many girls you've seen me with, none of them can compare to you."

My mouth opened partially. Was this really happening? I could feel my adrenaline pumping.

"You're funny, nice, smart, and pretty. You're everything I wish I could be." Chad faltered. "Except for the pretty part, but you know what I'm saying."

"I—Is this serious, Chad? Am I on hidden cameras or something?" I started glancing frantically around my car. Chad laughed.

"No, I'm one hundred percent serious. I really like you, Sonny, and I hope you still like me." His hands were still wrapped around mine. He leaned in closer, closer. His face was so close to mine. If only I had some dramatic music for this moment! His lips finally touched mine. We kissed for what seemed like days. When he finally let go, I lingered to his nose, eyes still closed.

"I hate you, Chad."