It was lunchtime at the high school, and Kyle was sitting under a shade tree waiting for his 'friends' to show up. It was Friday and Kyle was looking forward to just going home and just relaxing. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt that said 'Are you talking, 'cause all I hear is blah, blah, blah' and dark colored jeans. He was still waiting for his 'friends' when he started thinking.

"Maybe they all moved away and I'm finally free of them." The thought made him smile. Then he felt someone tap his shoulder. "Guess not," he thought, reluctantly turning his head. To his surprise, it wasn't Jenny or her league of loyal followers, it was Rachel.

"Can I sit here or are you just gonna stare at me?" she asked. Kyle was shocked at first, but motioned her with his hand in reply telling her to sit down. "So, what are you doing over here by yourself? Where's Jenny?" she asked, spitting the last word out. Kyle shrugged. He noticed she was wearing a navy blue jacket, a black chocker, a black shirt with the words 'They say love is blind, I say people are' and light blue jeans.

"Hmm so he really doesn't talk much does he?" Rachel thought. She noticed that his behavior seemed to be quiet and reserved, almost guarded. "You know you can come and sit with us if you like, I'm pretty sure the others won't mind," she offered. Kyle stared at her, a somewhat confused look on his face. "Come on we don't bite, well at least I don't." Kyle smiled and signaled for her to lead the way.

"This is an interesting turn out," he thought happily to himself.

***** Rachel, in a weird way, was kind of glad that he had decided to come over and sit with her and her friends. When they got to the table Garfield was finishing the story of his date with Tara. "Yeah dude, best night ever!" he said finishing his story. Victor heard Rachel approach.

"Well what took you so long Ra…" he stopped noticing Rachel was walking with Kyle one step behind her. "Umm Rachel, what the heck is he doing here?" asked Vic calmly. Rachel sat down, either not hearing Victor's question or choosing not to answer; Kyle sat down right beside her.

"Uh hello, Earth to Rachel you going to answer Vic's question?" asked a curious Richard. Rachel finally looked up, her eyes giving nothing away.

"I noticed he was by himself so I invited him over here," she replied nonchalantly. Richard, Vic, and Garfield said nothing else and continued eating. Kori was excited. She loved making new friends and she was literally jumping up and down in her seat.

"See I told you they wouldn't mind," whispered Rachel to Kyle sarcastically.

*****"Hmm that was awkward," thought Kyle. It was now sixth period History class and he was sitting diagonally behind Rachel with the slightest trace of a smirk on his face. Mr. Roy was giving a lecture on the attack at Pearl Harbor when the intercom came on.

"Attention students, I'm pleased to inform you that we will be having a school dance next Friday so lets get ready to party!" There was no mistaking Mrs. Wink's voice; she was the most enthusiastic principal anyone had ever met. The students went wild except for Rachel and Kyle who were trying to figure a way out of it. They knew their friends would force them to go. "Oh and one more thing," said the intercom. "The girls must ask the guys to this dance. That is all." The girls liked the idea, but the boys groaned.

"Hmm, this is a very interesting change of pace. I wonder who Rachel's going to ask," thought Kyle curiously. Rachel looked at Kyle to see his reaction to the girls asking guys. He seemed indifferent to the fact and it didn't even seem like it fazed him that it was only a week from now.

***** The rest of the day went by without much else happening. Kyle was about to start walking home when he felt someone watching him. He turned and noticed Rachel walking towards him. "Well some day, huh?" she asked in her monotone. But Kyle noticed something in her voice. Something that was barely present.

"Is she nervous, that's weird. I didn't think she got nervous." Kyle nodded in response to Rachel's question.

"Well I was wondering since my friends and your 'friends' are going to probably make us go, I thought I'd ask you to go with me to the dance." Kyle was surprised, and he looked it too. "You don't have to go if you don't want to I just thought you might not want to go alone with 'them'." Kyle knew exactly who she meant. "And hey, you got a whole week to find a better offer. I just thought I'd give you a week notice. Well see ya," she said nonchalantly over her sholder as she started walking home. She didn't feel like going to Vic's tonight.

As she walked away Kyle thought to himself, "Well that was sweet, she practically asked me to the dance. Why didn't I say yes or nod or something? Ugh idiot!" Kyle walked home and threw himself on the couch once inside. He got his laptop and decided to e-mail the wicked witch of the west. He knew she was always on the computer and would answer him immediately.

"Wher were u 2day Jenny?"

"Mom made me go on trip w/her & told me 2 bring my frends if I wntd. Girls only tho."

"Wel tats 2bad cuz ther was an anouncmnt bout a skwl dnce nxt Friday."

"Y didn't u say so? We'll b bak Thursday so we'll do our shopin thn. Until we get bak I hav a job 4 u. I wnt u 2 tak Rachel 2 th dnce & well I'll tak it frm ther," typed Jenny mischievously.

"Dnt evn tink bout it Jen."

"Watevr u say Romeo."

Kyle has logged off.