Ashley woke up with mixed feelings. Today she would see her old friends again at Mikey's party. She always enjoyed seeing them. Even though they grew apart, when they saw each other it was just like old times. The only person she didn't want to see was TJ. She hadn't really spoken to him since her birthday five months ago, he had broken her heart that day. So every time he tried to contact her, she had ignored him or responded curtly. She knew he didn't understand, but she couldn't bring herself to explain it to him, or even to forget it just like he did.
As she was getting ready for school, she saw the photo's hanging above her bed. She sighed when she noticed that most of the pictures were turned, so she wouldn't have to face TJ every day. After staring at the flipped pictures for a minute, she took the frames of the wall and opened all of them. Carefully she took a photo out of a frame and saw a picture of the old gang. The photo was taken at the start of sixth grade by TJ's dad. In the back you could see Old Rusty and the gang was laughing happily. Ashley smiled watching this picture and decided to put them all back the right way. After hanging them all back at the wall she looked at them. Every last one of these photographs was a joyful reminder of the good times she had with her friends. And with TJ. She frowned looking at a picture of her and TJ they took at her last birthday. It was taken at the best moment in her life, only to have it crushed a few hours later. Her anger came as quickly as it went. No matter what he did that day, she missed him a lot. Maybe the time has come to start over, maybe he deserved a second chance. With that in mind she looked at her clock and was shocked at the time. Grabbing her stuff she quickly ran downstairs, hoping she wouldn't be late for school.
School went by quickly and soon Ashley and Stephanie were walking to the mall so Ash could find a birthday present. "So what does he like?" questioned Steph as they walked into a book store. "Well he likes to write poetry and dancing. And he is a great singer." "Well you could buy a poetry book, but he probably gets those a lot already. Oh I know what you should get!" she cheered excited. "What?" questioned Ash, looking skeptical. "You should buy him a blank note book and then draw something on every other page. He could write a poem to every picture." Ashley looked surprised and happy, but her face fell quickly. "That is a great idea, but I don't have time for that. The party is tonight. But I will remember it and give it next year." She promised.
They walked to the poetry isle and saw TJ and Vince both holding a book, looking at it questionably. This made Ash and Steph laugh, knowing that the boys didn't have a clue about poetry. They looked up and saw the girls. "Hey Ash, you know this stuff right? Could you help us out?" asked Vince. Ash looked at the boys and thought about this morning. She sighed and decided that this moment was as good as any to start over with the boy who haunted her dreams so often. "Sure, what did you guys find?" Ashley answered, surprising Steph and TJ. Vince and TJ both handed the books to Spin and she laughed and told the boys: "Vince, you are the one that needs this book" and she held up Poetry for dummies, "and TJ, Edgar Allan Poe is to dark for Mikey, it's more my style." TJ blushed and replied: "That's why I picked it. You have good taste in poetry and I knew you like it." Ashley turned to look at Stephanie, who was doubtfully watching the boy who broke her best friends heart. When she noticed Ash looking at her she sighed and nodded, knowing that this was Ashley's way of asking if she should give TJ a second chance. In the meantime TJ and Vince shared a confused look as they watched the girls communicate. "It's sweet that you remember TJ" Spin answered, "and forget about poetry, I got a better idea." She then turned around and walked out of the store. Steph followed immediately and the boys caught up quickly.
Spin texted while walking to the theatre and stopped to look at the program. As she looked at the plays, she got a text back and smiled. "Mikey just texted me, saying it is okay if I bring a date. So with four people looking for a present, we can afford to buy two musical tickets for Mikey" Ashley announced happily. "That's a great idea Ash! Let me look, I love musicals" Stephanie said while gently pushing Ashley out of the way. "You have a date?" TJ tried to ask careless. Spin looked at him and saw the sadness in his eyes. She succeeded in holding her laugh and responded seriously: "I always have a date." And with that she left TJ confused and helped Stephanie pick a musical.
"So, I guess I am going to a party tonight?" Steph asked Ash after they picked Snow White and said goodbye to the two boys. "Yes, Mikey was very excited to see you again. He really likes you." "Well hurry up, I need to get us both dressed" "I can dress myself you know?" "No, you can't. I maybe agree to give TJ a second chance as a friend. But he should know what he missed out on after breaking your heart." Steph responded, dragging Ashley to her house. Ash just smiled at her best friend and soon they were trying on different outfits.