Fast update! Gotta love this! My writing inspiration is here, so all my stories are speeding up currently!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot. I don't even watch the show anymore.

Chapter 7

Macy only stared at Stella in disbelief. So it was true? Her interpretation wasn't completely insane and ridiculous? It was actually possible that Nick Lucas liked her back? Her head didn't want to wrap around the idea.

"Oh, my goodness, this is perfect!" Stella went on excitedly, grabbing something from her pocket, "I'm gonna call Joe!" The blond was already in the process of listening to the ringing when Macy came to her sense.

"No!" she yelped, lunging at Stella desperately, only one thought on her mind at the moment. Stop Stella!!! The girls both landed on the ground with a thump and it only took a moment for the smaller girl to grab Stella's phone and throw it across the room.

"Macy Misa, what is your problem? Jumping on me and making my outfit get wrinkled?!" Stella demanded, standing up and brushing herself off with a stern look.

"You can't tell anyone!" Macy ordered, standing up also but not caring to even cast her casual jeans and sweatshirt a glance, "You can't tell even Joe!"

"Even Joe?" Stella looked agape, hands automatically straightening her still perfect hair, "Even Joe? Macy, do you know what that would mean? I would be telling Nick's brother! I would never do that to you!"

"Glad you came to you senses." She muttered to her friend, sitting heavily onto the bed, mind veering to the possibilities of what would happen if Joe of all people knew. He'd spread the word and everyone would know.

"But! This requires some serious planning!" Stella announced, the broad grin back on her face as she made her way to the closet, "We're gonna make you look gorgeous for school on Monday!"

"But Stell-" Macy began, but her friend was already retreating from the closet, an armful of different items of clothing.

"What am I thinking?" Stella exclaimed jubilantly, dropping the clothes onto the bed next to Macy and setting a hand on her friend's shoulder, "I should-"

"Please, Stella, I don't want to get all dressed up or-"

"I was just going to say- I should know that you don't have to impress Nick. He already likes you for you. Nothing to change. You'll be yourself."

Macy couldn't help but sigh in relief as she smiled at Stella, appreciating the words more than could be spoken. Standing from her spot on the bed, she pulled her friend into a hug that Stella willingly returned.

"I'm so excited for you to tell him, though!" her friend squealed into Macy's ear, suddenly turning the touching friend moment into a humorous one.

Macy felt queasy at the thought and swallowed carefully.

Stella was a flurry of planning and chatter when she decided that Macy should tell Nick that she'd figured out the whole "love story" thing at the Lucas' party that coming weekend. It was a Christmas party and "the perfect time" to let him know.

Macy, on the other hand, was terrified. No other word for it. Every time she just thought about it her hands would shake slightly and she'd feel cold. Wasn't he supposed to be the one to make the first move? Or had his little riddle counted? She wasn't sure. She only knew she was incredibly nervous.

"So I'm almost done with your dress." Stella announced proudly, coming up to Macy between classes that Tuesday. Nick had missed school the day before-something about having a couple of doctors appointments.

"What? You started on Sunday!" Macy stopped in her tracks, spinning to look at her friend in disbelief. That was two days. Stella had almost finished making a custom dress in two days.

"I know." Stella beamed proudly, "Isn't my skill awesome?"

"Very." Joe popped out of nowhere, falling into step with Stella, "Now what are we talking about here?"

"Stella's self proclaimed awesome skill." Macy replied, glancing around for any sign of, well, Nick, of course. Instead, she only saw various other boring students before turning to the conversation at hand.

"What'd you do this time?" Joe rolled his eyes, earning himself a smack on the arm from Stella, despite her wide smile.

"I almost completed a masterpiece in only two days." She informed him proudly, glancing at Macy for her input.

"I can't wait to see it." She piped up on cue, internally not caring much when she remembered what occasion the "masterpiece" was for. If Stella hadn't insisted on making the dress, Macy would have nothing to wear, wouldn't have to go, wouldn't have to look like an idiot in front of Nick…

"It's her Christmas dress that I'm making for the party." Stella told Joe, who didn't look nearly as interested in the conversation anymore, "It's green-I think green looks better with her skin tone then red-and knee length," Joe appeared to have tuned Stella out at this point, "Has black lace on the sleeves and around the waist-"

"Don't think he cares, Stell," Macy commented, gesturing Joe who was now texting, but Stella was on a roll.

"-it fits her form perfectly, is shimmery, it looks gorgeous on her-Oh, Mace, I was thinking that those black stilettos would look best with it." She beamed at Macy, causing the flat out refusal at such shoes to fail to be spoken.

"Whatever you say, Stella." She murmured, groaning inwardly. The dress was definitely to her liking. The stilettos…not so much. She'd try them before refusing Stella's wish, though.

"Oh, hi, Nick!" Stella's cheerful voice said as she inconspicuously nudged Macy. As if Macy couldn't see him standing right there suddenly, "I was just telling Joe about Macy's magnificent dress for your guys' Christmas party!"

"Oh, really?" Nick looked amused as he glanced at the oblivious Joe before speaking again, "Why isn't he paying attention, then?"

"Joseph!" Stella snapped, grabbing his cell phone at the one word and throwing it in her book bag, "You shouldn't text when people are talking to you."

"But I-"

"Who were you texting, anyways?" Stella demanded, "That was clearly more important then me?" Macy refrained from rolling her eyes at the expression change in Joe's face. Her bossy tone didn't quite cover the hint of hurt in her tone and he looked a little guilty at her words.

"Sorry, Stell, won't happen again." He huffed and rolled his eyes, but Macy noticed that he didn't really look annoyed and Stella smiled slightly at his words, which made him smile to himself.

"When do I get to see this 'magnificent' dress?" Nick asked in a low tone to Macy since the other two were bickering again. The half smile on his face at the way he looked down at her made Macy blush.

"I doubt Stella will reveal her work until it's finished and satisfies her. That will more than likely take until the hour before the party-not a minute sooner." Macy replied, avoiding Nick's eyes uncomfortably.

"I guess I just have to wait in wonder, then." Nick replied cheerfully, but Macy glanced up at him and saw his frown before quickly looking away. Had she said something wrong?

"I'm sure it will look beautiful on you. It'll be just your tempo." He commented, and Macy waited a moment before smiling up at him. Feeling her eyes on him, Nick looked at her and smiled back.

"It will fit me just right-my rhythm-my pace." She murmured in response, knowing that she had pleased him with her answer by the way his eyes brightened considerably.

"Now you just have that first one." He muttered, looking away as Kevin loudly joined the group, but not before Macy saw the disappointed look before Nick covered it up with his usual nonchalant expression.

I loved making Macy tackle Stella! Lol!

Please review! I love seeing people's thoughts!

Any suggestions for "music language" are greatly appreciated!