Even though I haven't updated this in a couple months, I'm still getting reviews asking me to update, so here you go...

Why am I here? Meg wondered as she looked around the party. The straight up answer was Thomas. Having a boyfriend connected to the "popular" crowd definitely had its drawbacks. But, more specifically, Meg questioned why she kept going with him to all of these events. Especially since he was always preoccupied by Rapunzel when they came. For someone as popular as Rapunzel, she still felt uncomfortable around everyone and needed Thomas for moral support.

Meg went back inside and made her way to the living room. Since it was May and the weather was getting warmer, most of the people at the party were outside, so the living room was almost completely deserted. She sat down on the sectional sofa and looked around. It was a big living room full of family photos and abstract paintings. It always seemed strange to Meg how the richer you were, the more ugly paintings you had. If Meg was rich, she definitely wouldn't waste her money on paintings that look like they were done by a toddler in their preschool class. To each their own, though, she supposed.

As she looked around, she noticed an acoustic guitar hanging on the wall. She slowly stood up and walked over to it. She carefully took it down, then brought it back over to the couch. She strummed it once and winced at how badly out of tune it was. Whoever owned it probably hasn't played it in a while. As Meg tuned the guitar she wondered if it was just another object Philip's parents bought just because they had the money and could.

Meg played a couple scales and just messed around on the guitar for a while, trying to keep herself busy. But, then Vanessa came in and plopped down on the couch next to her.

"Play I Love Rock n Roll," Vanessa whispered to her. Meg raised an eyebrow at her. "Just do it, Meg."

Meg shrugged and started playing "I Love Rock n Roll" by Joan Jett. A couple people looked over at her and she felt a little self concious. But when Vanessa started singing, everyone turned their attention to her. It wasn't long before Vanessa's singing attracted more people and a small group had gathered in the living room to watch them. They performed one song after another together and after the third song a much larger group had formed in the living room around them. Vanessa was loving the attention, but Meg felt really uncomfortable. After a couple more songs, they wrapped it up and the crowd slowly dispersed.

"That was awesome!" Rapunzel exclaimed, sitting down beside Meg. "You guys sound really good together."

"Thanks," Meg muttered.

"Have you ever thought about starting a band?" Thomas asked.

"We have actually," Vanessa told him as she repositioned herself so she was sitting on Gaston's lap, who had joined them during the last song.

"Ya know, Rapunzel plays keyboard," Thomas mentioned.

Vanessa looked thoughtful for a moment. "We could probably use a keyboard player. We're going to hold auditions for the band."

"We are?" Meg asked.

Vanessa nodded. "We'll keep you updated, Punzie."

Rapunzel made a face at Vanessa's nickname. "It's Rapunzel. And thanks, but I don't really have time to be in a band."

"Thomas, can I talk to you for a sec?" Meg asked, putting the guitar back on the wall.

Thomas followed Meg to a vacated part of the living room. "What is it, babe?"

"Look, I know you want Rapunzel and me to be friends, but I wish you would have talked to me before inviting her to join our band."

"I didn't invite her, I just mentioned that-"

Meg waved her hand dismissively. "The point is, I just don't think she and I are going to ever be friends. We're very different people and I just don't like her.

XXX

Esmeralda had ditched Jasmine to hang out with Phoebus a while ago and she hadn't seen her since. Aladdin had some things to work out with his dad, so he couldn't go to the party. Jasmine talked with a couple people for a while, but now she found herself sitting alone at the bonfire, missing Aladdin. She had no idea how she was going to handle not being with Aladdin when he moved when she could barely get through one night without him.

Jasmine couldn't help wondering if Aladdin would be the first to break and end things with her because he couldn't do it, or if she would beat him to it. It was becoming quite obvious that she wasn't going to make it that long without him. She pulled out her phone and sent a text to Aladdin.

I miss you.

It took Aladdin a few minutes to respond, but Jasmine couldn't help getting a little excited when her phone went off.

Miss u 2 babe.

How are things going with your dad?

I'll talk 2 u later about it. Ok, baby. I love you.

Luv u 2.

Jasmine slipped her phone back in her pocket and sighed. Something was wrong. She didn't know what it was, but if Aladdin had to talk to her later about what was going on with his dad, it couldn't be good. Jasmine tried not to think about how she only had a few weeks left with Aladdin, but the thought was constantly creeping into her head.

"Hey, Jaz."

Jasmine looked up to see Esmeralda's older brother, Clopin, standing over her. Before she could say anything, he sat down next to her.

"Hi, Clopin."

"What are you doing sitting here all by yourself?"

"Just thinking."

Clopin nodded. "Where's your boyfriend tonight?"

"He couldn't make it."

Clopin moved a little closer to her. "So you're alone tonight?"

"Can I help you with something, Clopin? I mean, we haven't talked to each other in a long time and now all of a sudden you're being all friendly with me?"

"I was just thinking about our date to prom last year. I regret how things ended."

Jasmine rolled her eyes. "You mean not being able to sleep with me?"

"I regret letting it end at all," Clopin said. "But, I heard you're into college boys now and I'm gonna be in college soon..."

"I know what you're getting at and the answer is no. I have a boyfriend."

"Right. That twerpy little high school boy."

"You're still in high school, too."

"But not for long," Clopin interjected. "Come on, Jasmine. You know we were good together."

"No we weren't. I love my boyfriend and I have no interest in ever being with you again."

"You're just playing hard to get." Clopin grabbed Jasmine and pulled her into a kiss.

Jasmine quickly pulled away and slapped Clopin.