Author's Note! What's this? Two chapter updates in one day? What is this, Armageddon? Maybe, or maybe I just realized how much I did love writing this story. Whoever left that anonymous review, I owe you my career as a writer. Thank you so much for being that spark of inspiration that I desperately needed to continue with this story. If you're out there and you have a pen-name, please let me know who you are. I sincerely need to properly thank you.
"Okay, so this is what we need to do." Tess said, dragging Mitchie out of her comfortable position in the chair. Tess tapped her finger to her chin thoughtfully. "First, we need to find you a killer dress."
"For what?" Mitchie asked, confusion shining in her brown eyes. Tess sighed, her eyes rolling skyward.
"For the part tonight. Honestly, Mitchie, if you're going make this work, then you have to keep up." With that said, Tess flipped her hair over her shoulder and turned on her heel. Mitchie stared at her retreating back for a second before rushing after her.
"Tess, I really appricate you helping me, but I don't really feel up to going to this party tonight."
"Like I said, Mitchie, if you want to get Shane back, then you have to do exactly what I say." Mitchie stopped short and gulped loudly.
"Back? What do you mean 'back'? I thought you said he cared about me too much to cheat!" Mitchie was starting to sound more than just a little hysterical. Tess winced at the high-pitched volume. She spun back around and grabbed Mitchie's shoulders, giving her a good shake.
"Relax okay? I'm not saying he's gone anywhere. But, we need to make sure he doesn't start thinking about straying. Got it?" Mitchie nodded her head. Frankly, she was little shocked by the strength that Tess was holding her shoulders with. Tess dropped her arms and cleared her throat. "Okay, good. Now that that's settled, follow me."
Mitchie scrambled to keep up with Tess's long strides. Then, just as abruptly as Tess had started walking, she stopped and Mitchie nearly ran right into her.
"I can't believe I'm about to do this for you." Tess grumbled to herself. She disappeared into a large closest, and when Mitchie tried to follow her in, Tess shouted at her to stay where she was. There was some rustling noises inside the closet, and when Tess emerged, she was carrying an article of clothing in her arms and a grimace on her face. Before Mitchie could say anything, Tess was already talking.
"This dress looked amazing on me, and it complemented my curves wonderfully. It's basically every girl's dream dress. But, the even I can't denie that the color would suit your dark hair better. So, here." Tess held out the dress to Mitchie. Mitchie's mouth fell open and her eyes widen as she realized what Tess was trying to do.
"Tess, I can't take your dress. Besides, I already have a dress. Don't-"
"Didn't you hear a word I said? It would look better on you than me." Tess paused as her eyes travel up and down Mitchie's body. "Plus, you it more than I do tonight." Mitchie frowned at Tess. The kindness could only last for so long with that girl. "So, would you just take it before I change my mind?" Tess shook the dress impatiently.
"Thanks Tess." Mitchie smiled warmly at Tess as she took the dress. Tess shrugged.
"Don't mention it." The two smiled at each other for a second longer, and it almost felt like they were . . . friends. "Now, we have to do something about that hair." And whatever feeling of friendship that was there was immediately gone.
"What about my hair?"
---
"Jason, what do I do?" Shane was once again pacing around his room. A permanent scowl was on his face as he tried to do his tie. Jason sat on Shane's bed, a white horse propped up on his crossed legs. The older boys' head followed Shane in his perpetual pacing, his head going from side to side with Shane's body.
"Do about what?" He asked, his face staring blankly back at Shane.
"About Alexis!" Shane shouted as he paused in his endless pace to glare at Jason. Jason grimaced at the name.
"I don't like her." He whispered. Shane sighed loudly. He really didn't have any idea why he thought Jason would be able to help. The boy actually thought that his stuffed horse could talk.
"What about Alexis?" The last member of their band, and part of Shane's problem, asked as he waltzed into the room. He held a green apple loosely in his left hand and Shane could see where he'd already taken bites out of it.
"What about her?" Shane responded coyly. Nate gave him a confused look as he joined Jason on the bed.
"What's up with you? You've been locked in here for most of the day." Nate brought the apple back to his mouth and he took a large bite.
"Nothing's up . . . I was just enjoying the quiet."
"Shane, you hate when things are quiet." Nate pointed out. He narrowed his eyes at him.
"What were you guys talking about?" Both Shane and Jason avoided meeting Nate's eyes. Shane distracted himself by trying to comb his thick hair, while Jason merely hummed to himself as his gaze jumped around the room. "Jason?" Nate asked slowly. Jason kept his head turned away from Nate. "Jason?" Nate asked again, this time getting up from his spot on the bed. He moved and sat on the other side of Jason. Jason gasped and squeezed his eyes shut to keep from looking at Nate. Over in the corner, Shane chuckled while he watched the exchange through the mirror.
"Guys, seriously, what's going on?"
"We don't like Alexis." Jason suddenly blurted out. Shane winced as Jason hid behind his stuffed animal.
"You . . ." Nate blinked once. "Don't like Alexis?" Shane sighed as he walked over to the bed. He sat down on the other side of Nate and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Nate flinched away from the touch, his apple falling to ground with a soft thunk.
"I'm sorry, Nate." Shane said, letting his hand fall back to his side.
"So, what," Nate shouted, jumping up from the bed. "You guys have just been sitting here talking about how much you can't stand my girlfriend?"
"No! Nate, it's not like that." Shane cried, also jumping up.
"Really? 'Cause it sounds like that's exactly what it's like." Nate hissed, shoving Shane in the chest.
"Hey!" Shane yelled, slapping Nate's hands away. "Calm down, alright. We weren't talking about not liking her."
"What were you talking about then?" Nate shouted, taking a step toward Shane.
"We were talking about how you girlfriend is a lying cheat."
"Watch it, Gray." Nate warned, his voice dangerously low. Even Jason could see that things were get heated. Nate looked like he was about ready to punch Shane.
"Alexis kissed Shane." Jason said simply, his soft voice sounding wildly out of place compared to the shouts of the other two boys.
"What?" Nate rounded on Jason, his dark eyes flashing. Jason frowned sympathetically at Nate.
"They were talking in the other room, and Alexis just pounced on him." Shane swore under his breath as he resumed his nervous pacing. Nate glanced back and forth between Shane and Jason.
"Oh, God." He mumbled, stumbling over to the bed. Shane paused in his pacing. He eyed Nate warily.
"You okay, buddy?" Nate chuckled; emotionless.
"Yea, why wouldn't I be? I just found out that my girlfriend kissed my best friend. Everything's just peachy." He snapped sarcastically. Silence washed over the room. Shane sighed as he once again took a seat on his bed. The bed groaned from the added weight.
"Why are you with her?" Shane asked. Nate was soundless for a moment as he stared at the wall before him.
"I'm not sure." Nate's voice was soft, and his eyes had that glazed look that people get when they're lost in their own head. "I mean, she's pretty and she liked me. So, I went out with her. And, I guess it was just easier to keep going out with her then being alone and wishing that I wasn't."
"You need to break up with her." Shane's voice brought Nate back from wherever his mind had drifted.
"I know. I will."
Author's Note! Ooh, so Nate's already decided that he's going to break up with her. What does this mean for a pretty little blonde who has a thing for him? Does this mean they can finally be together? Read and review to find out!