Hey everyone! It's BETA!

There's not much to say here except that I'm posting a new chapter of Happy Crush Day (like you couldn't tell...)

I am expecting about two to four chapters after this one, depending on how I divide it all up. After that the story will most likely be over.

So...yeah. Hope you enjoy! :) (I'm sorry. I feel really tired right now).

Gabe's POV

"Hey Gabe," Hot Heather says walking up to me. "Where's your girlfriend?"

I check my watch and shrug. Juliette was supposed to meet here a while ago. She's the reason I came to school this early in the first place. If I'd known she was going to be this late then I wouldn't have bothered begging my dad to drive me here earlier in the first place ("sudden liking to school", my butt). "I have no idea."

Heather adjusts her scarf. She obviously doesn't really care where Juliette is. "Whatever. Braid my hair. Please?"

I groan. "Can't you do it?"

"I let you use my locker," She points out.

I roll my eyes and take her blonde hair out of its perfect ponytail to French braid it. Ever since Jo forced me to braid her hair that time our class went swimming I've been getting that request a lot. Not like I care. I guess having two sisters does come with its perks.

"So, how are things with Juliette going?"

"Great," I lie.

"She seems nice, you know, despite her threatening to chop off my locks if I ever "flirt" with you again."

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about that."

"It's cool. Just keep her away from my hair...and scissors."

We both laugh. It's so weird that I used to have a crush on her, especially since we managed to remain pretty good friends despite her hanging out with Kit who—although she denies it—still doesn't like me very much.

"Gabe," Heather asks, "Can I be honest with you?"

"Would you rather lie to me?"

"I'm being serious, Gabe."

"Fine then," I shrug. "Go for it."

"You should break up with Juliette."

My whole body freezes. I did not expect her to say that.

"...Why?"

"You two don't really...seem right for each other. Juliette's just a dark haired, less organized, crazier version of me and you're you."

Not exactly the answer I was looking for. "What happened to opposites attract?"

"Opposites are Zander and Violet. They're full of love and hate. You and Juliette are not opposites. Besides, you're the type of guy who needs a girl similar to you in terms of personality."

I don't like where this conversation is going but I know exactly where it's going to end up. It's going to end up the same way the conversations I've had with pretty much every other girl in my grade ended up. "Like who?" I ask anyway.

"Like Jo."

I knew it. I don't get why does everyone thinks I should get together with Jo. Are we really that alike? I mean, Heather doesn't even like Jo that much. More importantly, I don't like her that way. I hardly like her in a friend sort of way (you can blame the black eyes she used to give me).

"You're kidding me, right?" I ask, finishing the braid and tying it off, "I do not like Jo."

Heather turns to face me and rolls her eyes. "Sure you don't, Gabe."

"I'm serious, Heather! If I liked Jo then why would I be dating Juliette?"

Heather shrugs and pulls a stick of gum out of her sweater pocket. "You should be asking yourself that question, Gabe. Not me." She rips the gum in half, "Want some?"

I shake my head. "Does everyone think that I like Jo?"

"Why do you care? It shouldn't matter what other people think. You don't really like her—or so you claim—so that's that. End of discussion, right?"

"Yeah but... let's say in an alternate universe where I do like her—"

Heather's eyes light up the way Charlie's do whenever she gets a new doll. "I could find out for you!"

"I'd rather not. If you've forgotten, I have a girlfriend who could pop up any second and cut your pretty blonde hair. Besides—" I pause and put hand on her shoulder, "—Jo doesn't like you."

"No, really? I had no idea—"

"You should leave before Juliette comes," I interrupt, "I'm serious about her showing up any moment now. She was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago." A bit of an over exaggeration but it's not like Heather's going to know.

"Get rid of me, much? I get how it is now, Gabe. You can no longer be seen with me anymore even though I'm way more popular than you'll ever be. I'll see you at my funeral." Heather winks at me and walks off.

As if on cue, I spot Juliette walking towards me. She, as usual, doesn't look too happy. I really hope she didn't see me chatting with Heather. I'd hate to see my awesome braiding skills go to waste.

Jo's POV

"Hey Jo," 'Hot' Heather says, walking up to me. I slam my locker shut.

"What do you want, Blondie?"

"I just had a really interesting conversation with Gabe and—"

"Sorry Heather but I really don't care what you and Gabe were talking about. If you haven't heard, Gabe and I are no longer speaking to each other." At least, I don't think we are. Our relationship is complicated.

Heather takes a step back from me and tosses her braid, which has "Gabe" written all over it, over her shoulder. "O-kay? Look, I was just wondering if you, by any chance, have a small crush on Gabe."

"For your information Hot Heather, he has a girlfriend and I have a date to the dance that's twice a cute as Gabe will ever be."

"You do? I thought that was just a rumour."

"Well you thought wrong!"

Heather glares at me. I glare back. She's starting to make me feel a bit uncomfortable but I manage to stand my ground. There's no way I'm letting freakin' Hot Heather take me down. No matter how awkward she's starting to make me feel.

Finally she speaks. "You're bluffing."

"I'm what?"

"Puh-lease, Jo. You're so easy to read. You might as well have written 'I'm a big fat liar' on your forehead with a permanent red marker."

What the heck is she talking about?

"You don't really have a date, do you?" she continues, "You just made it up to get Gabe jealous."

I snort. "That is so not true." This technically isn't a lie. I actually said that to get Juliette to shut up but, like every other kid in the school, Heather probably still thinks that I like Gabe even though I obviously don't. I mean, I did in, like, elementary school. Back when I was stupid and didn't realize that most boys are idiots. No, wait. It was in elementary school when I thought most boys were idiots. Now I just think Gabe's an idiot.

Wait—what was I even talking about?

"You don't have to lie to me, Jo. I know that you like him."

Oh yeah.

"No I don't," I snap. I storm off but she follows me.

"Look, I was just going to say that—since you're obviously lying—I can help you get a fake date. I know a few guys desperate enough to want to date you!"

She hands me a giant pink folder that I never realized was in her hand.

"Well, I arranged them in alphabetical order by last name—'cause first name is so unorganized—and then I colour coordinated their personalities and cliques and other stuff. If there's a blue dot in the corner then their sporty, orange means nerdy, etc, etc, pink is obviously popular... just be careful not to mix it up with red 'cause," Heather lowers her voice, "they're the pervs."

"Wait, you keep a folder specifically for girls looking for dates?"

Heather shrugs. "I keep folders on all the kids at this school."

"But that's, like, a gazillion kids!"

Heather rolls her eyes. "That's why I also organize them by grade," She says as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Now, keep in mind that if they have a green sticky note then it means that they're taken." She flips to the purple section. Desperate.

I'm literally speechless, which is a surprising first. I'm not even sure why I have nothing to say; it could just as much be the fact that Hot Heather keeps better track of the students than the school does as it could simply be the fact that she bothering to help me in the first me.

Heather doesn't seem to notice my silence as she continues to blab away. "...Keep in mind that the desperate section can be a bit intense so if you prefer bad boys... do you prefer bad boys? Cause if you do—"

"Go away."

"—they have black dots. Sheesh, Jo. I was just wondering."

"Wonder somewhere else then. Your face is killing my mood."

Heather pursues her lips but walks off. It's when I really realize how rudely I treated her. I mean, she did help me, kind of. I almost feel like apologize but, to be completely honest, I'm not that sorry. Heather may seem sweet now but the moment she gains a role of authority or any power over someone else she goes from Hot Heather to Crazy-Psycho-Don't-Tell-Me-What-To-Do-Because-I'm- Gonna-Tell-You-What-To-Do Heather.

Plus she's semi-friends with Brittney and Brittney makes me want to strangle a puppy.

"Guess what, what, what!" I yell as I run to Ashley's locker the next morning.

"What, what, what?" she replies, adjusting her green headband.

I pause for dramatic effect. "I...have a date, date, date!"

Ashley gasps. "Really? Who, who, who?"

"Some private school nerd," I shrug.

The best part about it; I didn't even need Heather's stalker book! Yes, he was in the stalker book, but that's obviously no surprise. I just walked right up to him and said hi. Okay, fine. I told him to beat it when he was sitting in my usual seat at Kwikki Chikki, but that's not the point!

"So...what's his name?"

What?

"Um..." I bite my lip. "Don't know. I think his name is Austin or something."

Ashley furrows her brows. "What's he like?"

I shrug. "He's all awkward—more so than Stella's friends—and speaks dork fluently."

"Is he cute?"

"...Meh. I can look at his face without throwing up. Does that count?"

"How did you ask him out?"

Finally a question I can actually answer. "I didn't. He asked me!" I ignore the fact that asking me to the school dance when he doesn't even go to our school makes absolutely no sense since I think he mentioned having a brother or a cousin or something that goes to this school.

Ashley grins. "The fact that you know nothing about him scares me a little but the dance is going to be so much fun!"

For the first time, I actually agree. About the dance part, I mean. At first I thought the whole thing was stupid, but maybe it won't be so bad after all. Forget Juliette and Gabe and my secret admirer. Forget the stupid purple dress I bought (when things can't get any worse—it's strapless) and the fact that the dance has the absolute worst theme known to mankind; masquerade French Halloween Valentine with a balcony.

Maybe this dance will be fun.