Author's Note: New format-ish. So, have fun with this chapter. I'm on vacation. So it kind of stinks. Thanks for the reviews. Love x 10. [:

Sorry for mistakes in the last chapter x] It's Nadia RIVERA. Not Callas :p & in this story will be Mosh; Cassie; & Massington. Other pairings are; Wadia (William/Nadia) Wendra (William/Kendra) Halicia (Harrington/Alicia) And more suprises. It won't just focus on Massie.

OH, and warning: The ending is sad but it's realistic/happy-ish. I have it planned out.

Let Me Understand You

[-Let's turn this world around then upside down-]

;;

The first mistake Cam Fisher made of the night – was trying to understand Massie Block.

"For the record, white-tie events aren't a favorite of mine." He muttered as he held onto her thin waist and swayed to the orchestra music. She looked radiant in the lights and he couldn't resist but want to hold her closer. But he decides he's not interested and tries to stir up small talk instead.

"Same. But perhaps it's for a good cause but I still disagree with the moral. Cancer is something that should be mourned not celebrated." She nodded and looked to the marble ballroom floor.

"But it is for a good cause and charities are meant to be celebrated." He countered. "Though I have to somewhat agree because I haven't seen one cancer survivors or patient yet. You know?"

She got some strange gleam in her amber eyes and for a moment it was like she was testing him. Her hold on his shoulders somewhat released and she seemed to be stepping back from him. But instead she pulled closer. "Yeah, I know." She mumbled back.

His second mistake? Was deciding he needed to understand Massie Block. He wanted to.

She was a puzzle with a missing piece. He was single and so was she, he presumed. "You're not dating someone, right?" He questioned then added a stammering: "Just wondering."

The strange gleam crossed her face again and she sighed. "Sort of. Well, no. But still, I don't think," She tried. "No, I'm not dating anyone." Then she pulled her gaze from his attractive face and thought to Josh Hotz. Cam Fisher was beautiful. A bit too beautiful for her taste. No one could top Josh Hotz. No one.

"Tough break-up." She added. "He ended it. Not me."

The third mistake Cam Fisher made of the night – was smiling at her sad face. "It's time to pick up those broken pieces, Fisher." He whispered to himself. Cam Fisher is an expert at picking up broken pieces.

But who said Massie Block was broken?

;;

Jane Hotz looked through the racks and racks of magazines and books. "Sports Illustrated. Soccer Incorporated." She stopped at one thick pale manila folder with papers exploding from the folds and messy handwriting scribbled all over. "Job Applications?"

Full Name (Printed): Joshua Emmet Hotz

Age/Date of Birth: 16; December 24th

Parents' Full Name: Janice Maria Hotz
Javier Emmet Hotz

Previous Work Positions: McDonalds Cashier – The Foot Locker Co-Manager

Preferences / Recommendation Statements:
"Joshua Emmet Hotz has served a great deal of volunteer work at the General Hospital Cancer division without a payment. He is a responsible young man with a story and a journey coming his way."
- Dr. Quinton.

"Josh is a classy young man with dreams and he'll be perfect for whatever job comes across his path. He's very persistent and social and has interacted with customers from all over. At the Foot Locker we appointed him as the youngest co-manager ever and he has sent our sales sky-rocketing."
– Al Milson, Manager of the Foot Locker.

Home Phone: N/A Not Available

Cell Phone: 555-830-3413

Medical Contact:
Father Work Phone: 555-657-3324

Applicant Statement: I believe working at The Trust Firm would increase all social abilities and help me understand more about life. I heard about the firm from a past girlfriend due to her cancerous condition, The Trust Firm has assisted with family problems, and medical bills which I think is a true life saver for those with similar issues. From my understand, the firm is a company that takes hospital patients under a specific age and assures that they do whatever they can to assist if they cannot pay hospital bills or need home nurses. I am applying to be a SOCIAL ASSISTANT meaning I shall converse with the patients and make sure they are comfortable with their condition. Thank you.

Jane couldn't read further, she dropped the papers all over her son's old room and let out a low scream. How dare her son contact their father? After what he did to them Josh still trusted him. She gulped down and knew she couldn't contain her food down.

But she stayed strong and plucked up another thick envelope that was creased and ripped. She turned it upside down and out poured at least what seemed like one thousand dollars. "What in the world?" She whispered then read the scribbled words on the envelope:

MONEY FOR COLLEGE TUITION & MASSIE'S HOSPITAL BILLS

Jane then proceeded to throw up her Alfredo Pasta all over the floor. Love made her sick.

;;

"Hi. You're Cam's date, right?"

Massie turned around to see the friend of Cam Fisher who was with them earlier. He had a wine spill splattered on his white v-neck that showed a shadow of his built abs. "Sort-of. I guess."

"Wow. One of the female species isn't sure if Cam Fisher is her date. Oh, gosh," He acted mock-surprised slash confused. "I'm kidding, though. It's just Cam goes through chicks like money flying right out his hands." He bit back his tongue.

"Oh. He works fast." She muttered. "That's fine with me. Life's too slow to be a turtle."

"That makes sense," He stammered and began to walk from the beverage and food table before she grabbed his arm and smiled weakly. "Yeah?" He questioned.

"I kind of just want to talk," She paused. "Cam's talking to William. Something about a scholarship. I told them I was going to get some air. Want to come?" She looked to see a drunken Alicia Rivera stumbling towards them and calling Derrick's name. "Or should you stay?"

Derrick suppressed a laugh and beckoned to the balcony. "Let's chill over there. I don't want her puking on me or anything. And I doubt you want to talk business with Cam. He's a serious kid once you get to know him."

"Well, I'm a serious girl." She countered.

"I wouldn't have guessed."

"You're more of a multi-choice person, right?"

"Right."

"You scare me a bit."

"Get a restraining order then."

"I think I will."

"You don't even know me."

"Then let's change that."

Massie Block looked up at Derrick Harrington and smiled. His wispy blond-ish hair was dancing in the wind and his eyes were shining. He shook with laughter and let out a loose sigh. "It's beautiful here at Westchester sometimes," He commented. "Sometimes it's nice to just look out at the stars."

The stars were a true beautiful sight and Massie sighed in response. She closed her eyes and just thought how great it'd be to sit out here and watch the stars, without the cancer and with Josh Hotz sitting right beside her. "Derrick," She whispered. "It's Derrick, right?"

He nodded, his hands resting on the railings.

"The meaning of the name, Derrick," She racked her brain of the millions of 'name meaning' books she'd read. "Your name means: Ruler of people. Derrick. I like that name."

"Ruler of people, huh?" He echoed. "That's somewhat right." He joked.

"I'd hope not," Massie smiled, and then looked back up the night sky. After a few pauses, she fished out her iPod out of the pocket – she had personally made against her fathers' will – she handed Derrick an Apple earphone. "Music?"

"Music is my personal drug."

"It's a medication for me, you could say." Massie said as he inserted the earphones and she inserted hers, pulling them a bit closer to each other. "What song?"

"Um, I'm more of an obscure-vintage music dude."

"Elaborate, please?"

"Linkin Park, Metric, old 80's music. The list goes on." He counted down band names and singers.

"Metric is a beautiful group, huh? The music is deep and one of my favorites by them happens to be Help, I'm Alive. The words are so interesting and skin deep." Massie scrolled down the music list on her iPod.

"What's that song?"

"Oh, Rocketship 2010," She explained. "It was performed by Shiny Toy Guns. They're this amazing band of musical artists and their music is so upbeat and electric. Almost robotic,"

"Let me hear,"

She pressed the song and let it start out. With a sigh, she looked up at the stars and let the music fill her ears. Josh Emmet Hotz loved the stars. She almost remembered when Josh had sent her a letter stating he had bought her a star. He named it after her at least. She was sure it cost him a lot of cash, but he refused to announce the amount and told her to enjoy the stars while she could.

It made her cry but he held her until the night was over. It was the night he told her he loved her. She enveloped out of arms and in a brave voice she didn't regret. She asked a question that made him wonder. "Joshua Emmet Hotz. What is love?"

;;

"Gosh, Massie. I haven't seen you all night. Where have you been?" Cam grabbed Massie's hand and turned her to face him in a gentle gesture that made her blush. "I missed you," He teased.

She pulled a strand of hair behind her ear and shrugged. "I met Derrick. Your friend. He's nice. Hilarious as well." She paused. "He told me much about you too. You sound real interesting."

"Thanks," Cam smiled and straightened his posture. "So. You and Derrick were talking? About what?"

She looked at him and returned a smile. Her amber orbs seemed to glaze into the distance as she watched Derrick attempt to tame a drunk Nadia and Alicia Rivera pulling him into a bear hug. The Masquerade House was swinging with happiness and joy. It was almost ten o' clock but the night was young.

She thought back to when Derrick and her were at the balcony laughing and listening to music.

He asked her: "So, a beautiful person like you must have an old flame or two?"

She felt distant from Derrick but so close. She settled for a simple nod but he wanted more. He wanted her story. So, there he sat like a child and she sat like a teacher, and told him her stories. Stories from the abandoned father – not mentioning William's name of course – to Josh. Minus the death.

"What was so amazing about this Josh?"

"He was nice, and obnoxious. He was so loveable that people hated him. He was Romeo and I was Juliet. We came from two families and two schools. But when we went to the Hotz Café we just clicked. It was magic to tell the truth. He liked the sun, and I liked the rain. He liked smiles, and I didn't even crack one until our relationship got further. He was the golden boy, and I was the fly on the wall. He read sports books, and I read love books. But now I'm a full-fledged fan of soccer and he's a fan of a bit of Shakespeare. He was the other half of me. I was his. He didn't have to be amazing. He was amazing because I loved him."

Derrick had taken that as answer, but brought another question that broke her heart.

"You left," He stammered. "You loved the man and then: You left. What the hell kind of ending is that? There must be more? Or are you that girl who falls in love with any dude?"

She should've been mad. But she understood him perfectly. "I had to leave, Derrick." She replied and sighed. "Plus, I was going to come back, but he wasn't there. He left too. We both left."

"You both left the greatest relationship of your young lives, huh?"

"Oh, me and Derrick?" Massie Block sighed. "We didn't talk about much. Just looked at the stars."

Cam surrendered and didn't go farther. Instead he smiled at her as the music became louder. "Let's dance. You seem tense, loosen up." He bent down to her size – which wasn't a long trip – and pecked her on the cheek. She tensed up more and Cam laughed.

Cam Fisher decided that Massie Block was a mix of tears, laughter and confusion. "I'm going to figure Massie Block out. No matter how long it takes." He thought to himself.

Massie Block looked at Derrick then back to Cam and to her mother dancing with some random salesman who was holding on to her a bit too tight. One thought crossed her mind. Just one.

More like one wish. "Josh? Wherever you are, help me?"