Everybody looked up. "What is wrong TJ?" Gus asked confused. Spinelli and Stephanie rolled on the ground laughing. "You should have seen your face Teej!" Ashley hiccupped. "You don't have to worry loverboy, I won't claim your little Spin." Stephanie said. She stopped laughing and continued more seriously: "Although I think you ruined your change to make her your little Spin, huh." She sighed and shook her heads. TJ heard her mumble "idiot" and then she helped Spin to her feet. " Come on girl, I think we need some fresh air." Spin followed Steph outside, avoiding TJ's gaze all the time.
"What was that all about?" Vince questioned. "Well, apparently TJ messed his chance with Ashley up. But I don't understand Mikey, I thought you said they were practically a couple, they just didn't admit it yet." Nathan said confused. "Well yes Nathaniel, that is indeed what I thought. It seems I am not the only one who has been holding information from us about his love-life." Mikey said accusingly to TJ. "What? I don't have a love-life." TJ exclaimed blushing. "Oh come on TJ, you and Ash have been a thing since sixth grade." Vince told the group. "Vince is right TJ. Although you guys never made it official, you have been treating each other as boy and girlfriend for a long time. No matter what you claim, sneaking in a girls room in the middle in the night to chat and watch a movie, is not normal friend behavior." Gretchen explained. "But, but..." TJ stuttered. "No, she has been dating other guys." "Oh TJ, do I really need to explain everything? Ashley is a tough girl, she doesn't like to show emotions other than anger. At first she used her fists to let out her frustration and confusion. But as she grew older she learned that she couldn't fix this with violence. So instead she looked for another kind of distraction: her previous boyfriends." The smart girl continued. "Why would she be frustrated and confused?" TJ asked. Gretchen let out another sigh and answered: "Because you never told her you also liked her. You have so many girls hanging around you, she assumed she is just one of them. Or worse, as she doesn't look like the other Ashley's or cheerleader who hang on your arms, she probably thought that she was 'one of the guys'."
TJ stayed silent, trying to understand what Gretchen had just told him. "Why didn't anyone tell me this? Are you even sure this is true?" TJ angry yelled. "We never told you, because we thought you knew. I mean everybody saw it." Gus answered quietly. "Yeah TJ, you are the only one she ever listened to when she got wild and threatening. You are also the only one who could touch without her getting angry. One time I put my arm around her and she almost broke it before she realized it was just me." Vince mentioned. Nathan laughed: "You're joking right. I know Ash is though, but a little girl like her, can't take a jock like you down. Right?" Vince let out a chuckle. "I wouldn't get on her bad side Nathan."
Outside Steph was apologizing to Ashley. "Hey, sorry for that. I think I crossed a line back there." "No, it's fine. He probably didn't get it anyway." "So, what is bothering you then?" "I want it to be normal between me and Teej again, you know. And I think that's gonna happen. But what then? Stay just friends? Nothing more? I don't know if I can do that. It is just so frustrating you know. He is so sweet, kind, handsome and funny. I should be happy to get a change with him. But he hurt me. He hurt me so bad Steph. I don't know what to do." Spin started sniffing, trying to hold back her tears. Steph hugged her and calmed her down. "Ssh, you guys will be fine. Just take it one step at a time okay?" "Okay." "Good. Now take your time and calm down. Then we will go back inside and party." Steph cheered.
Inside the house, everybody was still discussing the relationship between TJ and Spinelli, worrying what went wrong. "TJ I think it is time to tell her your feelings. Only then you will see your love blossom." "But Stephanie said I already missed my chance. I just don't get why." "I think Mikey is right TJ. If you tell Ashley you will see that the love is mutual. And if what Stephanie said is true, you at least tried and you can ask why you missed it." Gretchen mentioned. "Okay, okay. I will tell her okay? But not tonight. I gotta do this the right way. I need to think about this." Everybody agreed and went back to what they were doing before the discussion.
After a few minutes Stephanie returned with Ashley. TJ was shocked to see Spin had cried, but decided not to say anything about it. Soon he would fix everything. "So who is ready for a little karaoke?" Nathan asked. Mikey eagerly took the microphone. It didn't take long before everybody was singing their favorites songs and enjoying the night.