A/N: Wow, when I said 10 reviews, I thought I'd be lucky to get like 12. But no, you guys really delivered. 23 reviews. 23! Thank you soooo much people! Really it nearly brought tears to my eyes! I'm sooo glad you all like this! So sorry it took this long to post. I've been really busy lately. And unfortunetly, I'm moving soon. Like in a week. So no updates until I get settled! I know, I'm really upset. But I'll try to get out as many as I can before than!

Dedicated to anyone who reviewed chapter 10!

"Tess, it sounds like the only thing left to do is to forgive him. I mean he obviously cares about you." Preston interrupted Lily by scoffing.

"Though I haven't the fainest clue why." He was silenced by Lily's glare.

"He did run up six flights of stairs for you." She said, turning back to her younger sister, her face softening. Tess absentmindedly twisted her straw around in her drink before taking another long sip. They were siting in one of Lily's favorite coffee houses, and Tess had just revealed all the drama with Nate to them. She was glad to finally tell someone about it, but would have been happier if Preston wasn't there.

"No, the only thing left for her to do is to kick this Alexis girl's ass." The two sisters giggled at Preston's comment.

"There's that smile of yours." Lily said lightly. Tess looked up at her older sister with large eyes, like she used to when they were little. Before everything went wrong. Preston watched this little display of sisterly love with a scowl on his fake-tanned face.

"Listen girlfriend," Preston interrupted before the two girls started crying. "If you want to win this guy's heart over, you have to do it from the inside. And that means becoming friends with him again."

"What are you talking about?" Tess asked, tearing her eyes away from her sister.

"You can't just sit here pathetically like this. It's weird. I don't like it, it's causing me to pity you. Now, you don't want me to pity you do you?"

"No, I guess not." Tess said stiffly, switching her crossed legs over to the other one.

"Good, than listen up. You've got to make this guy realize what he's missing. And you've got to make him realize what a little bitch this Alexis girl is."

"How do you suppose I do that?" Preston sighed over-dramatically and moved his eyes up to the sky.

"Haven't you been listening to anything I say? Cause if you were, then you'd already know the answer to that!"

"All you said was . . ." Tess trailed off as that malevolent smile of hers returned.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the bitch is back!" Preston shouted, throwing his fists in the air.

--

"I don't know what to say to her! What if she doesn't like me!" Jason squirmed and tried to get out of Shane's hold on him.

"Everyone likes you Jason." Nate cooed, hoping to convince him.

"Nuh huh. Remember that squirrel at the park last spring. He didn't like anyone . . ." But Nate stopped listening there. His mind drifted off to thoughts of Tess.

Although they'd only know one another for about four months, he still felt closer to her then most people. He'd told her secrets no one else knew. And he was sure that she'd reciprocated the favor. In all honesty, he didn't know what he'd do if Tess refused to be his friend.

His thoughts were interrupted by Tess's entrance, though. She walked in like she owned the place, a mystic self-confidence surrounding her. A light breeze followed her into the room, catching her hair and blowing it around her face.

"Go," He heard Shane hiss from somewhere behind him. In a few seconds, Jason was in Nate's line of view, and slowly making his way towards Tess.

Nate watched Jason work his charm on Tess, unknowingly crossing his fingers. At first she seemed cold towards his company, a strained smile on her thin lips. Then Jason said something that caused Tess to look over and met his eyes. Shit, she knows I'm watching her. He mentally swore.

A shiver went through his spine at the coldness in her eyes. Just as he expected their plan to have failed miserably, she tore her eyes away from his and back to Jason's face. He must of said something pretty spectacular, because she seemed to relax in his presence. When Jason was done saying whatever he wanted to say, Tess did something Nate thought he'd never see her do again. She laughed. It was one of those laughs that make you throw your head back, and laugh long, loud, and hard. Normally, when people did that, it annoyed him. But when Tess did that, it only made her seem even more beautiful.

--

Once Tess had finished laughing, she wiped the tears from her eyes, and boldly did what most girls would be too afraid to do. She walked right over to Nate.

"If you keep hiding in the bushs, people'll get the wrong idea." Was the first thing out of her mouth. Nate looked a little unsure, as he stood up to his full height.

"You're not mad?" His voice was small, and she realized then how sorry he actually was. She shrugged nonchalantly, acting like the whole fight was over nothing.

"It depends." A secretive smile crossed her lips.

"On what?" Another voice spoke. She turned quickly to see whom this voice belonged to. Her smile quickly disappeared, and was replaced with a deep frown, when she saw it was Shane. She ignored his statement and turned back to Nate, her shoulder sticking out sharply in Shane's direction. She wasn't ready to forgive him.

"It depends," She continued like Shane had never spoken. "On if you can forgive me for being such a bitch." She tried to speak sincerely, but even she never her voice was unconvincing. Ugh, that's so corny. He's never going to buy that. Tess thought as she resisted the urge to wince. Nate seemed surprised by her words.

"Um, yeah. I think I can." He scratched his head and an uncomfortablesilence settled over them. Tess fiddled with her braclet, Nate tapped his hand against his thigh, and Shane was busy looking around the large marble room.

"Guys!" Jason yelled, running over and saving any of them from saying anything. He stopped just short of hitting Shane. A large, goofy smile was spread across his face, and he was breathing heavily. "There's someone here to see you."

"I guess I should go." Tess mumbled, secretly thankful for the outsider's intrusion.

"No," Jason shook his head wildly. "You know her too. Come on!" He urged, grabbing both Shane and Tess's arms, and dragging them forward. Nate had no other choice but to follow closely behind.

"Can we talk later?" Shane whispered to Tess, making sure neither Nate nor Jason heard him. Tess ignored his words and kept her gaze ahead of her. "Please?" Tess rolled her eyes. He sounds so pathetic.

"Fine." She hissed. Shane grinned at her, and she was about to comment on his action, when Jason suddenly stopped. A loud scream echoed in the lobby, and a brunette ran forward and threw her arms around Shane's neck. Shane laughed and spun her around. Tess wasn't able to get a good look at her face, as she hugged Nate. But the second she spoke, Tess knew who it was.

"It's so good to see you guys again! I can't wait to spend Christmas with you." The girl laughed, but her laughter was stopped short when she looked up and met Tess's icy blue eyes, both the girl's eyes holding shock.

"H- Hi, Tess." She stuttered.

"Hello, Mitchie."

A/N: Haha, this is such a great chapter! I'm so happy. See, my long absence paid off! I was able to write this great chapter. I'm not going to demand reviews, since I was a little mean last time, but if I only get like...4 or 5 reviews than I won't update until after I move. Okay, so I am kind of demanding, but whatever. Since I know what you guys are capable of, I'm going to be expecting a lot more reviews. But anyway, chapter 12 is also up, so go read that.

Peace.Love.Jonas.