My alarm went off at six, but I couldn't bring myself to get out of bed. I fell asleep late. I fell back asleep and woke up again at six forty-five.

The shower was scorching. I ate breakfast very slowly and reading the dull comic strips.

Aaron walked into the dining room. "G'morin," he yawned.

I looked up from my soggy cereal and smiled. "Your up early," I said.

"I wanted to see you."

I still had wet hair and was wearing my bath robe. "I don't really look like much."

Aaron sat down next to me. "You always look like something."

I smiled and took another bite of breakfast.

"Did you get your dress last night," Aaron asked, setting his arms down on the table.

"Yeah, I did. It looks really cool."

"I can't wait to see it."

"Well, I have to wear this outfit for my performance, so you'll see it later." I looked at the clock. I had to catch the bus in about a half hour. "Wow, I need to get going!" I Picked up my bowl and blew a kiss toward him. He blushed.

Aaron sat in my room while I applied make-up. "Are you going to wear that crap at to dance?"

I ginned. "I promise only a little."

He smiled and picked up one of my teen magazines. He turned it sideways and looked at it weird.

"I wouldn't read that," I said, looking at him in the mirror. "It could be dangerous."

He grinned and put the magazine down. He stood up and walked over to me. "I talked to Mike last night. He said that he was going to take me over to Blondine's house then come to pick you up."

"Sounds good." Aaron and I heard some people talking in the dinning room.

"I'll go see what they are up to." Aaron kissed my cheek and left my room.

I got dressed and started for the door.

Our dads and Aaron were sitting at the table laughing. My mom came from the hallway and yawned. Her hair was a mess.

"See you tonight" I said.

There was a crowd of goodbyes as I left the house.

In cooking, we prepared food for the dance tonight.

"Wow, the food is going to be the best thing at the dance!" said Blondine, inhaling the sweet scent.

"Well, besides are dates," I said icing a cake.

She laughed.

We heard some yelling across the room. Mrs. Bunt was getting frustrated with Josh. Josh was not helping the situation by yelling back.

"I wonder what is going on with them?" asked Blondine looking over the counter.

"I don't know, you tell me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Something has been going on with Josh that you haven't told me."

"Wow, Holly that cake looks awesome," said Blondine changing that subject.

I wasn't going to put it off this time; I was dying to know what was going on with Josh and why she couldn't tell me.

"Blondine, I'm tired of you keeping this from me! Just tell me what is going on with Josh and I'll leave you alone!"

She stared at me for a few seconds. "Sorry Holly, I just can't."

"Why I won't tell!" I set down the icing tube and put my hands on my hips.

"I was sworn to secrecy."

"Blondine I've never spilled a secret in my life, please this is driving my crazy!"

Blondine looked at me with a slight amount of pity. She sighed. "As much as you want to know, you would wish you've never heard it."

"I knew it! It's about me!" I slapped my hand on the counter were the icing tube was.

Icing squirted on the bake of the cake. Blondine and I gasped. The cake was ruined.

"We'll talk later," I said. "But now we have to get this cake fixed."

Blondine and I re-frosted the cake so it had two layers of icing. We managed some flowers before we had to clean up.

Blondine tried to avoid me until lunch. During lunch she tried not to make eye contact with me and talked to Josh's friends mostly.

I leaned over to Charlotte. "Do you know what's bothering Josh?" I asked.

"Oh Hun, it's nothing you need to know," Charlotte said.

I huffed. "Charlotte its has something to do with me doesn't it?"

"It just might," said Luci.

Charlotte got up to take her tray away when she crashed right into someone.

Dishes fell to the ground and two people laid on the ground.

Luci and I turned around to see what had happened.

Charlotte sat up with James by her side. They stared at each other awkwardly.

"Whoa," said James. "You have black hair."

"I do," said Charlotte smiling.

"Do you like, wanna do to the dance with me tonight?"

"Sure."

"I'll pick you up at seven."

"Ok."

They got up and walked their trays to the washroom.

Luci and I looked at each other. "That was random," she said, confused.

"Well, Charlotte did say that she had everything under control."

I shrugged still confused. "So now you can tell me, what has been going on with Josh?"

"I'm not telling, I'm not even supposed to know."

"So does the entire world know this big thing going on with Josh except me?"

"Well, Blondine told the band last night. She couldn't keep it inside her anymore."

"Well, I need to know. I can't function properly if I don't know."

Luci laughed. "No, you're better off not knowing."

"You're no fun," I said as Charlotte said "see you tonight" to James.

"Well, that was easy," she said.

I looked over at Charlotte. "So, Charlotte you're going to tell me what up with Josh, right?"

"Oh, it's kind of obvious."

"What's obvious?'

"That he likes you."

Josh looked up sharply.

Blondine looked like she was going to cry.

Luci and Dominique sighed.

I didn't think Josh was mad at Blondine for telling the secret, he had to let it out too.

I felt horrible and stupid. I had been ignoring him ever since Aaron came. He was all I ever talked about.

The table was still silent.

I stood up and walked out of the cafeteria.

The halls were peaceful and no one was in sight. I didn't know if I wanted to cry or not.

"Holly?" said a voice coming through the front door.

I looked up to see Mike and Aaron walking through the door.

"W-what are you doing here?"

"Well, I told your mom that I would pick you up early and take you to the salon," said Mike.

"And we figured we could just pick you up early and go downtown. We have a few hours."

I stared helplessly at them. It seemed that everything had be thrown on me all at once.

"Is something wrong?" Mike asked.

"No, lets go."

We walked out of the door into the sunlight.

Josh came running to the door but didn't follow me outside. He watched.

"So tell us what's going on," said Aaron with his arm around my waist.

"Well one of my friends likes this guy, she thinks he's the most amazing person she has ever met and suddenly she just found out that her best guy friend likes her and is jealous of the guy she loves. She has no idea what to do."

Aaron hugged me. He had on his sweatshirt, that cradled me.

Mike put his hand on my shoulder. "Sorry Holly, but what does this have to do with you?"

I lifted my head from Aaron's chest. I though for a moment. "I don't know."

"Let's walk over to the car, we can talk there," said Aaron.

Josh walked away violently.

Aaron and I slid in the back seat.

"So," said Mike. "You friend has put you in the middle of two guys liking her?"

"Yeah," lied.

"Well, I guess if the guy who your friend isn't in love with loved her enough, then he would let her be happy with the person he loved."

"I suppose," I said.

"Feel better?" asked Aaron.

"Yeah, actually I do."

Mike smiled and turned around. "Where to now?" asked Mike starting up the engine.

"Let's go to the batting cage." I said.

"Awesome, lets go," said Aaron.

We spent the rest of the day downtown. This was the first time I had ever skipped school, but it was worth it.

Mike pulled up to the salon.

"I'll see you back at the house," said Aaron.

"Next time you see me, I'll be beautiful" I said.

"Your already beautiful," he said.

We both smiled and Mike drove away.

The boys came home for dinner and to get ready.

My mom was clearing the dishes when she whispered something into my fathers ear.

"I'll go pick Holly up in a few minutes, I believe the men would like to talk to you two boys."

Our fathers sat up strait in a serious way.

"Now, we are allowing you to drive yourself to the dance but under no circumstances are you to kiss," said Mr. Marshall.

"Aw dad, that's no fun," said Mike.

"I don't care," said my father harshly. "My daughter is not ready for that yet!"

"Come on this is so lame!" said Aaron. "How are we suppose to 'rap the night up'?"

"With a hand shake!" said Mr. Marshall.

"What! We aren't gay!" said Mike.

"Can we just kiss a little?" asked Aaron

"No!" said our fathers in unison.

"This totally suc-" began Aaron

"Ok dad we promise not to get to intimate with our dates," interrupted Mike.

"We what?" asked Aaron.

"Aaron if they don't want us to, you know, then we won't."

Aaron stood up. "This sucks."

"Common Aaron we need to go get Blondine."

I sat in the waiting room reading a magazine. My hair was done up all twisted and funky like. I wanted to see Aaron so much.

I hadn't thought about Josh much, but I figure that we can settle stuff when I get back from Montana. That will let things sink in and calm down.

My mom came into the salon.

"Well doesn't your hair look cool?"

I set down the magazine. "Where are the guys?"

"They just left to pick up Blondine; we have about a half hour."

When I arrived back at my house, I finished getting ready and put on my costume. I waited by the front door for Aaron, Mike, and Blondine to show up.

Mikes mustang pulled up to my house. Everyone looked great. Blondine and I looked like twins, and being accompanied by Mike she was indescribable. Mike and Blondine waited by the car while Aaron came to get me.

Aarons hair was gelled slightly and had on a black slacks with a dark green satin shirt. Mike was wearing (you name it Holly).

I rushed to the door. He was just about ready to knock on the door when I opened it.

He stopped. "Wow, Holly you look…amazing!"

"Thanks, you look great yourself."

He held out his arm. I linked with mine and walked to the car. I put my instrument in the trunk.

"Oh, let me get your pictures before you leave!' my mother said.

"Yes, before you never come back and we have to search every hotel for you!" said Mrs. Marshall.

"Mom!" said Mike and Aaron together.

Everyone posed in front of the car as our mothers took photo's.

Finally our mothers let us go.

As we entered the gym the band was setting up the equipment.

"Hey you guys, have you seen Josh?" asked Dominique, with Bryan by her side.

"No we haven't" said Blondine.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"We have no idea," said Luci, walking up to us.

"He's not answering his phone," said Bryan.

"It's kind of obvious why," said Charlotte sitting on the edge of the stage with James.

We all turned to her.

"Josh just doesn't want to see Holly."

"That's not true!" I snapped.

Charlotte stood up with James in hand. "Then where do you suppose he is?"

"Uh, he could…he could still be getting ready, I mean, this is a pretty big night."

"This is my friend Josh we're talking about," said Bryan.

"Yeah, Bryan does have a point," said Luci. "It wouldn't have taken him that long to get ready."

Well, he still has a half hour to get here," said Blondine. "Josh could just be running late."

"Well, let's get set up and hope that's true," I said.

"Are you all ready to go?" asked Mrs. Ball, the dance coordinator.

"I suppose," sighed Charlotte.

"Ok, girls lets give a sound check."

We sounded horrible without the bass.

"Hey maybe Bryan can play bass for us," said Dominique. "His band is playing after us."

"Are you kidding me?" screamed Charlotte. "We can't just have another bass from another band come and play for us!"

"Plus he doesn't know our songs," said Blondine.

"Ok," said Dominique backing down.

"You guys, we really need Josh," I said.

"Yeah, we suck," said Charlotte.

"Hey Holly," yelled Aaron from across the gym. "We'll be right back." Mike and Bryan left with him.

"Wonder were they are going?" I asked.

"Probably to get us flowers." said Blondine.

"Yeah, probably," I said.

"Well girls," said Mrs. Ball. "Are you all ready? Everyone is let in five minutes."

"Ready as we'll ever be," I said.

"There is no way Josh can get here in five minutes," said Luci. She heaved a sigh.

"Yeah, all because of me," I said. I set my guitar down and walked over to the edge of the stage.

"Oh Holly, it's not because of that," said Luci.

I turned around. "Yes it is! If Aaron never came into my life Josh would be here."

"Holly don't say that! If Aaron never came, you wouldn't have had the most happiest week of you life."

"Then how come I feel rotten?"

"Because Josh thinks you hot," said Charlotte. "Oh, and because you are one of his best friends and have that great personality and all that other stuff that's suppose to matter." She quickly added.

I grinned.

"Well at least there are only two more months left of school," said Luci.

"Yeah, two months of torture from all of our classmates," said Blondine.

The band stood together in a few moments of silence.

Soon the doors burst open and hundreds of eager teenagers came onto the dance floor.

The band dashed back stage and I took the floor.

"Ok guys, lets just be positive. Just pretend Josh is here. We all know the beat. We may not be as good as we really are, but we are here to make music and no one can take that away from us," I said.

"Yeah, Holly's right," said Blondine.

We gave each other a group hug.

Mrs. Ball came on stage to give the announcements. All the rules and were everything was. Then she announced our band. I heard Blondine gulp as Mrs. Ball gave the floor to us.

We headed out on the stage slowly. Charlotte walked up to the microphone.

The crowd cheered as Charlotte said hello. "It's great to be here tonight…"

Then she was supposed to turn around and give us are cue to start playing, but she went on.

"Now I'm sure you have seen us around, but just to give and introduction, I'm Charlotte the lead singer…"

The crowd clapped.

She turned around to me. "…and Holly and Blondine are our electric guitarists…"

The crowd clapped again, with a few whistles along the side of the stage. Mike, Aaron and, Bryan were back.

"…on keyboard we have Luci…" Luci played a few notes as the crowd applauded.

"…on drums we have the ever so suave Dominique…"

Bryan whistled for her along with the crowds clapping.

"…and or bassist who is-"

A person and a lime green suit jacket came up to my microphone.

"-here tonight."

The band turned and looked, shocked.

Charlotte turned back to her microphone. "Josh!"The crowds clapped as Charlotte turned around and finally gave us our cue.

I looked over at Aaron. He winked at me and I finally realized what he had done.

The performance was incredible. We didn't suck. Personally, I don't think it could have gone any better than we planned.

When the last note was played, our school went wild.

We ran off stage so the next band could get ready.

"Hey Holly," said someone from behind me.

I turned to see it was Josh.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Yeah, but let me change first."

"Ok."

I went back into the locker room to change into my red dress. It came up to my knee and it had a halter neck. Scattered over it were clear crystals that sparkled in the lights.

I went over to the mirror to put on my jewelry.

"Aaron's really lucky to have you as his date," said Charlotte, behind me.

I grinned. "Thanks, you'll have lots of fun with James."

"Yeah, he said he usually dates brunettes, but he thought he'd give black haired girls a try."

"I better not keep Josh and Aaron waiting."

"Josh and Aaron?"

"Yeah, Josh wanted to talk to me."

"Well, good luck."

The girls followed me out of the dressing room and into the gym.

All of our dates were waiting for us.

"Ok everyone!" said Charlotte. "I would like to introduce Luci to her date."

"Ok Greg, you can come on out."

Greg came out in a bright orange sequin tux with lime green stripes. Topped with an orange hat and lime green platforms.

The look on Luci's face was a cross between "oh my gosh" and "awesome".

"Now you two love birds go and dance," Charlotte said.

Greg held out his arm and Luci took it. They walked away in the dancing mob.

Dominique, Charlotte, and Blondine found their dates and left for the dance floor.

I was left standing there with Aaron and Josh.

"I'll give you a minute," said Aaron. "Come and find me when your done."

Josh turned to he. His chocolate brown hair was spiked and his brown eyes sparkled in the strobe lights.

"Look, Josh I'm really sorry-"

"You don't need to be sorry," Josh said, softly. "You were fair game for any guy. Aaron just got to you first."

"I suppose. So what made you change you mind?"

"Well a wise guy told me; If you love the girl enough, you can let her go to someone else."

"Mike said that didn't he?"

"Yeah, he did. And he made me see what an idiot I had been. Especially if I didn't come tonight."

I smiled. "Just to set things strait, to me, friends are stronger than boyfriends. Even if the friend is a guy. And you Josh, you will always be my friend."

He smiled.

"So everything's ok now?"

A slow song started to play from the stage.

"Not unless you dance with me, just once."

I smiled and went out onto the dance floor.

About half way into the song, Aaron came up to us. Josh looked at me. "You go dance with Aaron," he said.

"Thanks," I whispered.

I joined hands with Aaron.

"You were great up there," he said.

"Thanks. And thank you for going to get Josh, even after he had be so mean to you."

"Hey it was the least I could do."

"So in two days, we'll be in Montana."

"Yeah, I can't wait."

"It's absolutely amazing out there."

"Well you'll be out there."

He laughed. "You will have a lot of fun in school."

"That will be fun."

"I must say, you look great tonight."

"You look awesome too."

The music stopped and then started to play another song.

"But your not wearing a necklace," Aaron said.

"Uh, no…" I said confused.

Aaron led me outside. The night was cool. Aaron gave me his suit jacket.

We sat down on the bench as Aaron took out a velvet box.

He opened it. Inside, there was the ruby necklace from the jewelry store.

"Oh Aaron! You didn't have to!"

"Oh but I did!" He took the necklace from the box and out it on me. "You're the only one that would look beautiful in it."

"Fancy meeting you here," said Blondine, standing with Mike.

"Yes very fancy," I said, smiling, even though they kind of killed the moment.

"Well we're about to leave," said Mike, giving his jacket to Blondine.

"I guess we're ready," said Aaron standing up.

Instead of putting his arm around my shoulder he put it around my waist.

Before Mike reached Blondine's house, he stopped at a near by park.

"How about a midnight stroll?" Mike asked Blondine.

They both got out of the car and walked along the path.

"Let's just stay here," I said.

"In the back seat of my brothers car? No problem."

I turned toward him. I don't know what Mike and Blondine did that night. But I vowed to never forget Aarons soft lips and soothing touch. It felt like we had kissed for hours, when Mike and Blondine came back.

"And to think we were sworn not to kiss," said Aaron.

"I'm not surprised," I said.

"We got the talk from our parents before we left," Mike said, starting up the engine.

"But we both knew that wasn't going to happen," Aaron said.