"So John, do you have a homecoming date yet?" Mr. Lucas had been joking around with the class after we went over homework. He had asked pretty much everyone if they had a date to homecoming yet. For the most part, people said that they didn't have one yet, but the few that did had girlfriends or boyfriends already.

"Have you been asked yet?" I turned around to Jenny, who was sitting quietly doing her work.

"No, I don't think anyone is going to ask me actually," she smiled lightly. "I'm probably going to just go with a group of friends."

"Mr. Lucas, can I go to my locker?" John asked, as he began to stand up.

"Sure," Mr. Lucas said. He turned towards the clock seeing that we only had about five minutes of class left.

John walked into the classroom holding a single rose, and started walking towards my row. I didn't think it would be me, since we only had English class and this together, and we haven't really spoken much. I was proved right when he walked over to Jenny and pulled the rose from behind his back.

"Jenny, will you go to homecoming with me?" he asked, making Jenny blush ferociously.

"Yes! Aw, that's so sweet!" She took the rose from his out stretched hand and got up to hug him. Both of their faces were raspberry red when they pulled away. John went back to his desk, and turned to Mr. Lucas.

"I have a date now," he smiled, and Mr. Lucas laughed.

…

"I'm Nick. I'm so cool, I want to date myself, but I can't figure out how! You want to date me instead? You're so lucky!"

I couldn't contain my laughter as I listened to these two girls in front of me talking. They have been talking about Nick this entire time in between classes, and it sounds like he has rejected them quite a lot, based on the altitude of their disliking.

According to them, many girls liked Nicholas, and supposedly they all thought they saw signs of him liking them too. But he hasn't showed enough interest, because whenever they bring up homecoming or a date, he says no. It sounds like my signs are fake, and I've been imagining this. He doesn't like me, and it's been a waste of time. I tried to look away when I walked into the classroom, and I avoided all contact from him that class. At least, that would be my plan.

…

"Why are you so quiet?"

"Why does it concern you? Maybe I'm tired, ever thought of that?" I growled back.

"No, just you're always so perky and happy," I laughed. That was funny; probably because it's the farthest thing from true I've heard all day.

"See, I knew you couldn't stay mad! Oh, and you did great in the game yesterday!" Nate smiled, taking out his phone and opening the app to facebook.

"ALRIGHT! Everyone did very well on his or her tests, and I will be passing it back now. So, we will be going over it now. When I call you up, please grab a test along with your scantron," she picked up our tests and began to call out names.

"I probably did better than you," Nate smiled confidently.

"Nah, I'm a boss at Latin, I thought you learned that already?"

"Nick!" the teacher called, and Nick got up to go to the front.

"Miley!" She called next, just making me sigh. What a waste of thoughts to actually believe and hope for no moment of awkwardness.

We both walked up, and the whole time we were looking at each other. I could sense that even the teacher could feel the tension in the area as we both reached for a test. We went for one at the same time and ended up grabbing the same one. I pulled my hand back quickly, as did he. Mrs. Cunningham almost laughed, but she continued to call names while adding a "Hurry up you two," before continuing.

I let him grab one first, but it took him awhile since he was waiting for me to do so too. I finally grabbed one after he left and then almost ran back to my seat, facing the window. Luckily, Nate didn't say anything.

"What'd you get?" Sophia asked from behind me. I showed her my test, which read a 97%.

"Sweet!" She said, handing me hers, which was of course a 100%.

"You too," I smiled and grabbed my test back. Going against myself, I turned to look over at Nick. He had his head on the desk, and Kasey was poking his back. I felt my fists ball up. I've never gotten to freely touch him, and she can do whatever she wants. He even cheers for her at games! But why does he constantly look at me the way he does? And why is our encounters always so awkward and tension filled? And what about yesterday – did that mean nothing to him? And his promise… We didn't even speak during lunch today.

Nick looked back and answers Kasey's question; She looks unhappy by the answer, and Nick looked kind of angry that she asked. He turned back around and began to listen to our teacher.

"Can I see your test?" I handed Nate my test, and he typed something into his phone.

"Well, you did do better than me," he said.

"I'm the best. Get over it," I took my test back from his outstretched arm, and placed it in my folder. I sighed deeply, finally realizing what was happening to me. I was sad. I'm never sad. Nick had been my point of interest for a long time – almost a month, and it was really affecting me that he hasn't asked me to homecoming. Nobody has. If I was at my public school, I would have been asked already. Now, I have to take Dylan to homecoming.

"I can't believe that homecoming is next weekend!" I almost yelled. I meant to say it in my head, but it came out instead.

Nick's friend RJ looked over at me.

"This years theme is much lamer than last years," RJ said to me. I felt Nick's eyes burning a hole through mine, but I held back my gaze.

"Oh really, that sucks. I just hope we win the game, since the team is pretty bad this year," I looked down at my books so I wouldn't need to try to contain myself from staring at Nick's eyes. Those alluring brown beauties that I just could not get enough of. I knew I had a problem. Falling for an older guy has its issues. What if he's not actually a good guy? Like those girls had said, he's a player. That's what worries me, and is probably the only thing stopping me from not moving in on him like I normally would. I don't want to get hurt.

"Yeah," RJ agreed, and I watched him sneak a wink at Nick before turning back to his work.

….

Dylan was always successful in life because he wasn't afraid to ask. When something was off, he would approach whoever was to blame, and make sure it got fixed, or that they understand he was unhappy with the current situation.

Mike – Hayley's boyfriend, reminded me of Dylan in a way. He was very tall and muscular, and he was the type of person to stand up when there was an issue. They are both leaders, in a way. Hayley is on the soccer team with me, and well, she's really good. But anyway, Mike is just a really good boyfriend. We just drove to an away game about 45 minutes away from our school, and he came along.

"GO HAYLEY! Knock 'em out girl!" He yelled as we took the field. I felt myself smiling. See, with their relationship, you couldn't help but feel happy seeing them. They both were so happy with each other, and they acted as if nothing anyone said or did could change that.

It was about ten minutes into halftime, and Hayley was probably the only girl out there other than me who actually looked interested to play on our team. Most of them just were lackadaisical out there, jogging to ever ball. I didn't think that it would be homecoming, since that isn't very far away, but I honestly had no other excuse for their bullshit. And it really bothered me that the coaches would yell at the whole team for this. I hate getting blamed for something I didn't do, and especially when it also happens to my friends.

….

"That game sucked," I moaned as I walked beside Hayley and Sydney. Even though we won the game 3-0, I was still disappointed with how everyone played, and that the coaches were so bland about it.

"Yeah, it did. Everyone was half asleep out there! I swear, I had to cover Monica's ass like fifty times!" Sydney groaned as she swung her soccer bag quickly over her shoulder.

"I agree, something was definitely off today. It's probably homecoming," Hayley added as we walked closer towards Mike and his friends.

"Hey baby! You did amazing," he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. Hayley blushed while Sydney and I just laughed. We both knew that Hayley felt bad and insecure about him doing that, especially since we just played a game and she probably thought we looked like crap. I mean, I always look like crap after a game so I understand where she's coming from. It's clear though, that Mike loves her and doesn't care about stuff like that. He looks over it all, just to see her.

"Oh hey Drew," Hayley nudged the guy who was standing next to Mike silently.

"Guys, this is my brother, Drew," Mike pointed to his brother while introducing us. "Drew, this is Miley and Sydney."

"Hey," we all said at the same time.

"Awkward!" Sydney mumbled, being the usual awkward person.

"Well, it was great to meet you, and maybe we'll see you around. We got to get back to the buses though, so bye! Bye Mike, bye Hales," Sid and I waved before taking off towards the parking lot where our coaches were beside the bus waiting.

"Nice of you two to join us. May we leave now?" We nodded before quickly climbing on the bus. Mr. Lucas looked annoyed as he climbed into the driver seat.

"I really need a homecoming date," I mumbled.

"Ask Drew," Sydney grinned.

"Um, no thanks. I meant someone my own age," I pulled out my phone and texted Dylan hoping that he'd be there for me. Of course, he always is.

D –

I need your help. I'm so confused. Boys have serious mental issues.

He replied right away of course.

"Gimme your headphones, I'll listen to your ipod for you," Sydney grinned.

"Yeah, whatever," I handed her my ipod just as my phone buzzed.

Mi –

I'm a boy. Thanks girlfriend. So sweet. And aiight, what's it u need?

D –

I like this guy, and he acts like he likes me bak! But I honestly cannot tell. He kind of hasa rep at the school s a player, so idk what to think bout it. I mean, he totally stares at me all the TIME!

Mi –

Hmm.. seems like you've gota predicamen here girl. Um, well my best advice would be to talk to the guy. Find out what hes really about, don't take it second hand from some bitchy girls. Most guys get a rep without doing anything at all – like me, remember? In like 6th grade all da gurlz thought I was some cocky asshole player, who only dated girls for abit then dumped em!

D –

Um, hate to break it to ya, but YOU WERE!

Mi –

My point, you need to talk to him.

D –

Thanks. That helped a bit.

Mi –

Love you.

I paused before replying for the last time. Dylan was the one constant in my life, and I was glad he was always there. He was like a big brother to me, always there for advice and wisdom. But when it came to things he wasn't good at, I was glad he would come to me first. It wasn't just a one-sided thing. We both knew the same, just on different things. It was the same everywhere I go. The boys all take the extra time to turn their heads and look at me, while the girls took the time to stare me down and begin to form hatred. I never quite had the number of girlfriends I had hoped for, and I wasn't always excited about the constant guys looking at me like they do. I just wanted some friends, I wasn't looking for a relationship right now. But it seems that everyone else thinks I am. Except the one person who I'm actually interested in being involved with. Of course that would happen to me...

Okay. So yeah, i probably slacked a little bit on the updating..but i was pleased to see the reviews! KEEP 'EM COMING! I WILL RESPOND. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOU WHO POSTED. ESPECIALLY NILEYFAN1, & ALL THE NEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMENTED (Miamlove,nienlovesjonas,xxnileyfanxx). ILOVEYOU. thanks. :) anywho, i'm just really happy with how this story is going. i have tons of ideas for it, and you have NO IDEA how i could just write this forevverr. its so much fun, and i really relate well so i like knowing whats going to happen just as much as you guys do! ;D haha.

please review and tell me what you thought.

Emily. Whisper hello, i miss you quite terribly.