The house was silent. All the lights were off, expect the one above the stove.

What time was it? I pulled out my cell phone, and the fluorescent light illuminated my face. 5:34. Mom would be home in about thirty minutes. I should make dinner. I opened the fridge door, and peered inside. Week old chicken, potato salad, some apple juice...how did I survive? I guess we're having wheat noodles again. As I walked to the pantry, I felt my pocket start vibrating. "Oh my goodness, I'm vibrating." I placed my hand over my heart, to stop it's fast beating. Little stuff always shocked me. Like opening up anything makes noises, like pop! I get small little heart attacks. I got out the phone, and the name Jason in bold letters blinked back at me. A small smile came to my face. "Hello?" I answered. "Hey." I loved hearing his voice. What a way to get a certain someone off my mind. "Well, I haven't heard from you in awhile. How's it been mister?" I asked. "Oh, you know. Same old same old. Work. I had some free time though, so I thought I would call you up. I hope you're not busy." "Me? Busy? Jason, I barely have a life outside of school." I heard him chuckle, and I gave a small laugh. I felt my heart speed up. "Then how is school?" "The same. I'm still making straight A's, and haven't had a spot on my record yet. Oh, and the annul school play has come around! First round of auditions were today." "Did you try out for a role?" "Jason, I never try out and you know that." "And I don't understand why." I sighed. Every time I told him about some play we were doing, he always had to bring this up. Why did I never try out? Why why why! I filled the pan with water half way and put it over the stove. "Because. I just don't. It's not like I'd get a part or anything. I can barely act." "Star, you know you can act! What was the whole reason for last summer?" When he said Star, it made me remember earlier, in Trey's car. I shook my head. "That was last summer. And you know the only reason I was even on that stage was because Sam dropped out, and they needed someone who could remember lines ASAP."

"And you blew them all away with how good you were. And you know that." I groaned. He was never going to leave this alone. I leaned against the counter, and folded my arm over my chest. So, I may be alittle good. Doesn't change the fact that being on stage would scare me shitless. "Jason, just let it be please? Can we talk about something else?" "Actually, I have to go. Sam's on her way home. But are you free Friday night?" My breath caught in my throat. He wanted to see me! "The Quarry?" "Six?" "See you then." And he hung up. I couldn't help the rising butterflies in my stomach. I was seeing Jason tomorrow night! I hadn't seen him since th summer, at our drama course. Okay, here's the deal. Last summer, I went to this course for theatre, because that's pretty much my whole life. While I was there, we were putting on a production of The Phantom of the Opera, and the lead, Christine, was this girl, or more so woman, since she was about 20, named Sam. And surprise, surprise the Phantom happened to be her boyfriend, Jason. But due to some family problem or what not, Sam had to quit, and I was the only available person for the role, so I took it on. During this whole time though, Jason and I become very good friends, and he wanted to keep in touch with me even after the course was over. As you can tell by now, yes, I do have a major crush on Jason, but he's totally in love with Sam. Has been for about two years now. He's the only boy I like, and plan on liking for awhile. At least until I'm out of school. He's safe. Since he has a girlfriend, I know nothing will happen, and I don't have to worry about my grades going down. Since, besides theatre, grades are my whole life. I look over to the stove, and I see the steam rising above the pan of boiling water. I place my phone down on the counter, and grab the noodles, and pour them into the water. Mom should be here any moment. I run down the hallway, and open the door to my room. My eyes have to adjust to the darkness, but as quickly as they do I flip the switch, and the lights pour through the room, making me squint. What did I need to do in here? Oh, yes. I quickly fill a bag with clothes. Mom would never let me go out by myself, so I'm telling her I'm spending the night with Karly. She works really late on Fridays anyways. She'll never know. I hear the front door open, and I walk out into the hallway to meet my mom. "Hey." She looks up from the mail in her hand and smiles. "How was school?" She says, as she walks to the kitchen. I follow behind her, grabbing the mail she dropped on the table.

"Same. Auditions were today." She opens the fridge, and takes out the apple juice. "And?" She says, while unbuttoning the top of her shirt. I shrugged. "I'm apart of the tech. crew. Annie is obviously going to get the lead. And Trey Shelly is going to get the male lead." She could hear the irritation in my voice and looked over to me. "Trey Shelly? That guy you don't like?" I nodded. I frowned as she took a sip of the apple juice, right of the bottle. "Mom, other people drink that! Eww." I said, and grabbed the bottle out of her hand. She laughed, and moved to the stove. "We have the same germs, Star. You are my flesh and blood. I birthed you-" "Yes, yes! I know. I've heard it so many times before." I wish she would turn around to see the disgusted look on my face. "Wheat noodles again? Remind me we need to go shopping this weekend." "Yes, but I was wondering if I could spend the night with Karly tomorrow?" "No." "But why not? Come on! I'm just going over to her house and it's not like we have anything planned." As she stirred the noodles, I could hear her sigh. "Fine." I smiled, and did a little dance of joy. I hugged her, and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you muchos. Now, the noodles should be done soon. I have homework." She nodded, and I ran back to my room. Tomorrow, I shan't worry about Trey at all. Because I'll be seeing the best guy in the world that night. Who's way better than Trey will ever be. And I have got to stop thinking about Trey every five seconds.

"So, are you spending the night at my house tonight?" Karly asked. We sat outside in the kiosk area, lunch just about over. "No, well, yes, I am, but after I get back from The Quarry with Jason. I'll be there around ten." She nodded, and picked up a frie. "How many calories do you think is in this one frie?" she asked, inspecting it closely. Here we go again.

"Probably about 300, and your going to gain a pound by just eating it, so I wouldn't." She looked up at me, her eyes wide with worry. "But I just ate three! Oh my gosh! This is horrible." I sighed and shook my head. Women and their weight problems. I did not understand. I mean, personally, girls with curves are way more beautiful than stick thin model types. Like, in the old days, and by old days, I mean the 1800's or the 1700's, when women were beautiful because of their curves. If you had curves, you had money. It was a status thing. I gathered my binder and books together, throwing my bag over my shoulder. "I have to run to class early, to get some notes done. I'll talk to you tonight. Don't lock the door!" She nodded and I saw her get out her Weight Watcher's Guide to Food. Oh my god. The sun was bright up in the clear blue sky. As I looked up to see, I had to place a hand out in front of my face to block the sun from hurting my eyes. I squinted, and smiled. Today was going to be great. As I looked back down, I had a spilt second to see someone in front of me, before plowing right into them. My binder and books dropped to the ground, and I fell backwards, landing on my ass with an umph! "Shit! What the hell," I said, as I gathered my stuff back up. I first saw the shoes, those roughed up, black boots, and my eyes traveled up his body, to see, none other than Trey, standing before me. "Oh, it's you." I said, as I stood up. "Here, let me get those for you," He said, as he bent over to pick up my binder. "No! I've got it," I said, and bent over at the same time. Our heads collided, and we both fell to the ground, my hands going straight to my forehead, to put pressure on it. "Trey! I got it! Geesh. I don't need your help." Irritation and anger in my voice. I shook my head, and looked over to him. The look on his face almost made me want to take back what I said. Almost. He looked hurt, sincerely hurt. And irritated. Like me. "Fine." He said, as he got up and walked off. I sat there a few more moments, watching him walk away, feeling bad for hurting him. Wait, what? No, no no! I don't care that I hurt him. He deserves every word. I remembered I was sitting on the ground, with my stuff everywhere. I looked around and saw people staring at me, whispering stuff to their friends, and laughing. High school. Like I care. But I could feel the heat rising up my neck and covering my cheeks. I quickly gathered my stuff and ran to class.

Fucking Trey. What was his deal? Why was it, that now, this time in my life, he had to pop up almost everywhere. Was he through with every girl in school besides me? Was I the only one that wasn't on his list? I've survived almost two years of school without so much as a look from him, and now this! He's everywhere! Even at my sacred place! The drama room! Ugh!

I opened the classroom door, and saw a few students scattered everywhere. At tables, eating, taking notes, playing on the computer. sat at the front desk, watching everyone. had to be my favorite teacher this year. He taught my favorite subject, world history. was a short, almost bald, fat man. He was a really laid back kind of guy though. He wasn't married, and always joked about having a secret past, and if we found out about it, we would have to be put in the witness protection program. I always looked forward to his class everyday, so I came in during the last half of lunch, since I had him the period after. I set my stuff down at the table next to his. He looked up and smiled. "It's Starlett! How are you today?" He asked. I smiled, and walked over to his table. "Good. What are we doing today?" He looked behind him, to the white board. I looked also, and groaned. "Chapter 17.1 quiz it seems. Did you do your notes?" "Yeppers. And I even read tomorrows section." Yes, I am probably the biggest suck up to him. But it's not all for nothing. At the end of the year they hand out awards, for best student. And I plan on getting that award. It will be mine. "Ah! Good girl." I smiled, and sat down at my desk. Only about four more hours until The Quarry.

I sat in the dark room, waiting for everyone to show up for the call-backs. On the door it had said Annie and Trey had made call-backs. But I doubt Trey will be showing up again. He never follows through with anything. I feel bad for , because I saw the way she looked at Trey when he was reciting his lines. Like he was heaven sent, the answer to all her hopes and wishes. The secret weapon that was going to help her win the UIL competition. We still had Tim though. I'm sure he could pull through. I heard the door open, and saw the light come pouring in. A few girls walked through, with Tim trailing behind. I felt so sorry for Tim sometimes. He was such a good guy, and it was horrible how in high school, being a good guy was never enough. You had to have the smile, the look, the charm, the right words. Everything Trey had, and Tim had nothing of. But Tim had a heart, like I had said before, and Trey had nothing close to a heart inside that waste of a perfectly good man.

In the next ten minutes or so people came pouring through the doors. But Trey never showed up. It made me want to go and find him and then hit him a couple of times. Hard. Or grab his head and pound it against a brick wall. A jagged brick wall. So there would be alot of blood. Wow. That is alot of hate. I silently laughed to myself, and I saw the same people as yesterday staring at me. Did they think I was going to do something stupid all the time? I gave them a huge smile and they turned away. Bitches. But I shouldn't be mean like that, so I took it back. gave her same speech as yesterday, about how happy she was that everyone was here and how the auditions were going to be the same as yesterday. I could see her searching through the faces for his. Auditions continued, with Josh and Annie. I thought Josh just wanted to work backstage, like last year, but obviously that wasn't the case. "Boo!" I heard, hot breath on my ear. I did a little squeal, and my hand flew to my heart. I looked up and saw Trey pulling out the chair next to me. I smiled, so happy he was there. I mean, not for me, but for . Her wishes had come true! He looked at me, confusion on his face. I didn't care that I was probably freaking him out right now. I could hug him, I was so happy. And that would involve touching him! Something I dreaded in my worst nightmares. "What are you doing?" He whispered. I shook my head. He wouldn't understand, and if I told him, he most likely wouldn't show up Monday, just to spite me. He studied my face a few more moments before finally, turning to the front of the room. Even though I was generally happy he was there, I also found out I had freaked him out just by doing the opposite of what he expected. I knew one of the reasons he was even talking to me was because of the chase. But there was no chase right now, was there? The auditions were exactly like yesterday. Girls swooning over the sight of Trey, Annie making every other girl look bad, and Tim just embarrassing himself while trying to impress Annie. I couldn't be happier when announced call-backs were over. I looked down at my phone, and it read 4:54. Almost an hour until I was to meet Jason.

I hurried outside, and started running to the nearest restroom. I never liked using public bathrooms, espically at school, but I just needed to change, and fix myself up. Not actually put any of my body parts on those nasty toilets. I was almost to the bathroom when I heard someone calling my name. I stopped and turned to see Trey jogging to catch me. Oh my god, what did he want? I continued running, and was inside the girls bathroom before he could say another word.

Quickly, I pulled off my old, drabby shirt, and put on one of my rare, nice shirts. I could describe it, but that would take forever. I took off my jeans, replacing them with a short, but not to short blue jean skirt, with black leggings on underneath. I was always a modest person, and never liked showing to much skin. I slipped on my flats, and looked in the mirror. When I looked in the mirror most days, I didn't like what I saw. But on rare days, like this, when I was actually trying to look good, I liked what I saw. After some eye liner and volumizing of the hair, I was ready to leave. I could feel myself getting more nervous by the second. I was almost sick. I gathered my stuff together, and opened the bathroom door. To see Trey standing before me. He was slouching against a tree, and when he saw me, he stood upright, shock on his face. Why was he looking at me like that? What was wrong with me? With him! Why was he standing there? "What do you want?" I asked, as I walked past him. He followed, keeping in step with me. "Why did you change?" "None of your business." I could hear him sigh from frustration. I smiled, knowing I had gotten to him. Actually, I think I was getting to him more and more these past days, since this chase was taking longer than he liked. We past by a girl, and Trey stopped to talk. Or more so, the girl placed her hands on his arm, stopping him. Oh geesh. I kept walking, happy someone had taken him away from me. But that was short lived when I saw Trey next to me again. What does a girl have to do around here to get a guy to leave her alone? "Hot date tonight?" My cheeks got warm, and I looked down, watching my feet as they moved. "No." "A meeting with a friend?" "Yes." "And then more?" "What?" I looked up to Trey's face, and he was smiling. Truely smiling. No smirk. Or hint of one. I didn't know what to do, but I could feel a smile slipping onto my face. I quickly looked away, but he had already seen. "No, just seeing a friend." "Why were you acting so weird at auditions today?" "What is this? Twenty questions?" I asked, irritation seeping into my voice. "It can be if you want."

"I don't want to talk to you that much." "You already have." I sighed. He was not going to leave. We had reached the front of school, when I remembered I had no way of getting to The Quarry. Worry filled me. I wasn't going to see Jason! Then it hit me. I turned to Trey and gave him my best smile. "How about this. I'll answer your questions, if you drive me to The Quarry." He studied my face, then smirked. "Okay. I can play that game. Twenty questions for a ride. Deal." I could jump up and down I was so happy. When we got in the car, Trey wasted no time in asking the questions. "First-" "No, more like five." "Those first don't count since we weren't even playing!" "Five or nothing." I looked over to Trey and saw him glaring at me. "Fine. 5th question. No, four since it's the same as four." Before I could interrupt, he continued. "Why were you acting so weird at auditions?" How do I explain this to him? "I was happy you showed up, because really wants you as Romeo. She thinks she has a shot at winning with you." "Man, I knew I was good. I told you so." I groaned. This for a full twenty minutes. "Why don't you like me?" I laughed. He looked at me with confusion. "Trey, why would I like you? You've never even talked to me before. And the only reason you do now is because I'm the only girl not on your list. Your a womanizer! You don't care anything for girls, other than their bodies." He was smiling the whole time. "My list?" I forgot that was only me and Karly's thing. "Trey Shelly's List of Girl's He's Done. Supposedly you have a list of every single girl in school you've had relations with." He laughed. And I glared his way, but after I repeated in my head what I had said, I started laughing also. I sounded five, with the relations thing. Silence filled the car, as the sound of our laughs died away. Did I just have a moment with Trey? And he didn't ruin it? This was getting deep. I looked out the window, at the passing scenery. It had started raining again. The drops hit the window, and splattered everywhere. One, then two, then six. It started small, but grew, until it was pouring rain. I got nervous. I hadn't driven long

ways with Trey before, and driving in the rain was always dangerous. I grabbed the handle, and held on tight. Trey looked over, and he laughed. "Am I bad a driver?" "I don't know, and you just used up a question." "What? I did not!" "Yes and earlier too, when you asked, 'My list'." "That's not fair! Those aren't even real questions!" I smiled. "Are you proving the English language wrong?" This was fun, getting Trey mad. Until he pulled his own trick. He pulled over to the side road, and put the car in park. "What are you doing?" My voice rose in panic, and I looked to the clock. 5:43. We still had ten minutes before we got there! I was going to be late! "Trey! Keep driving!" "You can play your games, and I'll play mine." He took the keys out of the ignition, and slipped them into his pocket. "Trey! No! Please, keep going. I'm sorry. Those don't have to be questions!" "Too bad. You already started the game, now we have to finish." Trey was almost getting better. And then this! No, no no! I frantically unbuckled my seat belt, and started to open the door, when, just like yesterday, he grabbed my wrist. "Let me go! I can't waste time!" I tried pulling my wrist away, but he just held tighter. The pressure against my veins started to hurt. I could feel the tears of frustration start to come. But I was not going to cry in front him. "Starlett, what's wrong?" I looked him straight in the eyes. I could see he was serious. No hint of sarcasm or anything. I could feel my eyes glazed over with tears. With my one free hand, I wiped away at my eyes, and then remembered my eye liner. I silently cursed. Slowly, he lifted his hand to my face, and I feircly turned away. What was he doing? "Star, trust me." He silently said. What? Trust him? I didn't even like him. But slowly, I turned my head towards him. He gently wiped the eye liner off of my cheek. But something happened. Something terrible, that was never ever meant to happen. I looked up into his eyes, and he looked into mine. And that was that. His hand traveled to the back of my neck, and he pulled me forward. My hands flew to his chest, and I tried to resist. No! This wasn't happening. But it was like my will wasn't strong enough at the moment. I couldn't resist. I don't know what it was. Maybe it was because we had a moment

earlier. Maybe this was how he got all his girls. Sympathizing with them, and then bam! He goes in for the kill. "Do you know how long I have wanted this?" He feircly whispered. "Two days? Oh wow, Trey! That was such a long wait." But it was to much. His lips were on mine in a split second. I was pushing and punching at his chest, but his grip on my neck was to strong. And then, I stopped fighting it. And my hands went to his face. His lips were so soft. The heat between us grew. His hands slid down my body, and I was feeling so many emotions at once. There was not only heat between us, but inside me. Growing. And then it hit me. I was making out with Trey Shelly in his car on the side of the road. I pulled back, violently ripping his hands away from my body. I felt so disgusted and dirty. "Take me to the fucking Quarry right now! Now!" He looked at me a moment longer, before finally starting the car up, and driving off. How could I have let something like that happen? How could I have let my amour down? I pulled down his mirror, and looked at myself. My eye liner was everywhere, my lips were bruised and red. I looked like a whore. I felt like one. And I don't mean, whore as in sleeping with alot of guys, I just felt dirty because it was him. How was I going to explain this to Jason? How was I going to explain this to myself?