Chapter 1

I stood peering across the field looking for the thing I hoped I would never have to see. Out in the distance I saw a figure coming towards me rapidly. I knew this was my time to fight; for anything I have ever believed in.

"Whoa! Déjà vu." I whispered to myself.

"Cait!" My best friend Sorcia called as she ran to my side. "Zane is getting beat up by girls again! Well… not exactly beat up by girls but, well, just look!"

I looked across the field once again, and spotted Zane in the middle of a circle made of the most popular girls in the 12th grade.

"Oh my gosh. Why can't they just leave him alone?" I said as I started to jog over to the circle. My other best friend Zane was your typical nerd, other than the fact that he was drop dead gorgeous. Because he had turned down all the eligible girls at school, he was the center of their taunting. I guess you could say I have a huge crush on him, so obviously secretly somewhere deep down inside of me, I hope that sometime or another he would ask me out, but it's Zane we're talking about, so I don't exactly have a chance.

By the time I got over to the little "ring" the teasing was at its worst. I sighed as I pushed the circle apart.

"Why can't you just leave him alone?" I asked

"Cait hon. I think you know why." Faine, the apparent leader of the group replied back. I always think that it's strange how her name rhymes with pain, but her name means joy, all at the same time.

"Actually I don't know. Why don't you tell me so we can all understand why you're such a jerk" I smirked at my reply. That's one of my best comebacks yet.

Faine stood there, pretty much dumbfounded by my words. She glared at me and snapped her fingers at her clique.

"Come on girls. Obviously Cait doesn't know what she's talking about. Let's bounce."

I laughed to myself. I mean seriously 'let's bounce'? No one says that anymore. I look towards Zane's direction and smiled. He looked confused.

"I don't see why you're so happy. You just got dissed by the most popular girl in the whole school." He said in a matter-o-fact tone.

"Oh really? I didn't notice." I was serious. We started walking towards home. "Why do you think they are so scared of me? I haven't ever done anything to them."

"Maybe they are just scared that you will end up winning them in a beauty contest. I mean seriously have you looked in the mirror lately? You are one of the most beautiful people I know." Zane replied back.

"Aw! Thank you Zane!" I said with a big smile on my face.

I guess you could say I'm pretty. I have big blue eyes, clear skin, blonde hair, little nose, and I'm pretty toned. I don't see why anyone would be jealous of me though. I'm not that pretty. Zane seemed to read my thoughts.

"You are too that pretty. And don't you ever think otherwise." I don't think I've ever heard his voice so firm.

"Wow Zane. Do you like me or something?" I said as I nudged him with my elbow.

"No! I don't like you! You're my best friend! That would be weird, liking your best friend." I thought back to my secret crush.

"I don't think it would be that weird to like your best friend. Come on. Admit it. You like me." I said in a mocking tone.

"I don't like you ok! All I said was that you are pretty! Is that a crime?"

Sorcia cut into our conversation.

"Guys! Seriously! You can't be fighting already. We're not even halfway home. I hate it when you guys fight it makes me feel really uncomfortable. I always get stuck in the middle because you're both my best friends! Why can't you go one day without having a huge argument? I mean, you guys are best friends for heaven sakes, you could at least get along for ten minutes…"

We listened to her speech until we got to her house, she didn't realize we weren't following her and kept talking to herself. Boy, can that girl talk when she gets going. I don't think she has gone one minute without talking somehow.

"I love you Sorcia! See you tomorrow!" I called. I don't think she heard me. She walked into her house and shut the door.

Zane and I walked in silence until we got to my house. I started walking up the walkway when Zane grabbed my arm. He spun me around so I was facing him.

"I never thanked you for helping me out today with Faine. So thank you." He said quietly.

"No problem. You know I would do it any time. Why wouldn't I help my best frien…" He cut me off by pressing his fingers to my lips.

"Cait, um, do you want to go out to dinner with me tomorrow?" He asked hesitantly.

I widened my eyes and my mouth dropped open.

"I- you- wha- huh?" I stammered.

"Will you go out to dinner with me on tomorrow?" He asked with more confidence in his voice.

"OH MY GOSH!" I screamed "YES YES YES YES YES! OH MY GOSH! YES!" It felt like I was being proposed to. I threw my arms around him.

"Wow Cait. I didn't think you'd be this excited." Zane said smiling.

"Are you kidding me?" I stepped away from him. "I have had a crush on you ever since I met you!" I clamped my hand over my mouth.

Zane smiled. "To tell you the truth, I've had a crush on you for a while too. So I guess I'll pick you up at 5:30?" He said

I nodded, hugged him, ran inside, and screamed with joy. I couldn't believe it! Zane, my best friend, and the hottest guy in the state, had just asked me out! Then it hit me. It was TOMORROW. I screamed again, and stomped up the stairs and into my room.

I needed to find something to wear.