"BUT HOW WAS IT!?" Cass beamed beside me as I stood at my locker and hung my head.

"Cass I told you!" I dragged beginning to spin my combination before the lock would pop open, "I'm not talking about this with you!"

"JASEY!" She whined dramatically as I began to pull books from my bag.

"You're dating my brother!" I exclaimed, "Be happy I've told you anything about our relationship!"

"Ugh I hate Rian!" She moaned kicking herself to rest against the bank of lockers. I shot her pout a glance before shaking my head and returning back to my locker.

"You could tell me!" Andrea chimed in from the other side of me with a sly grin pulling at her lips, "I'm not, nor will I ever date any of the boys!"

"Hey!" Cass and I snapped back in unison as Andrea began to laugh at us.

"Oh come on Jasey, tell us a little something!" She whined pulling on my arm before she stopped all together causing me to look over at the auburn haired teen, "OR A BIG SOMETHING OH MY GOD WAIT IS HE-"

"ANDREA!" I shouted causing her and almost the entire junior connector to stop and glance in our direction. "Stop it!" I spat in a low whisper as she jumped to Cass and the two began to hop and giggle like giddy teens allowing me to literally hide my crimson face inside my locker. "I hate you guys SO MUCH!" I muttered as my words echoed out from off the metal walls.

"Speaking of the devil though... Here he comes!" Cass giggled still as she poked my side and I pulled my head out of my locker enough to see Alex walking this way, a huge goofy grin on his face that I knew wouldn't be present if he had just heard the two goons who stood by me.

"Hate to leave you guys, but I'd rather my relationship not be terminated by utter awkwardness, I’ll be right back!" I smiled only causing them to continue to cripple themselves in laughter as I pulled my backpack off the floor and threw both straps over the proper shoulders.

"Use protection!" Cass whisper yelled in my ear as she followed me a few steps and smacked my ass before my speed walk turned into a jog and I grabbed Alex's arm to spin him back to the end of the hall he had just come from.

"What was that about?" He laughed clearly taking note of my visibly steaming face as I ducked my head.

"Nothing..." I muttered weakly as he looked over his shoulder to see Cass standing with a satisfied smirk on her face, and Andrea standing just a few feet behind her still by my locker dramatically humping the air, clearly oblivious to the looks she was getting as she laughed.

Alex looked down on me as we came to a halt by his locked and shook his head with a soft chuckle before prying his wrist from my hand to calmly tangle our finger together. "They know don't they?" He chuckled as my blush grew hotter, presumably because my face could not humanly turn a deeper shade of red!

"Oh of course they know!" I hissed dramatically rolling my eyes. Groaning as I glanced back down the hall to see the two of them still giggling like mad. "I didn't even tell them! It's like Cass has this weird sixth sense!"

"Well at least then I might not have to break it to Rian!" He laughed as I snapped my head back and shot him a glare. "Oh lighten up will you!" He chuckled lightly punching my shoulder with his free hand, "I didn't tell any of the guys, and it’s not really something we talk about when it’s a legit thing!"

I looked up at Alex with a light smile as I dropped his hand and let him open his locker, I wasn't really sure what he meant by that, but in all honesty I got that he was talking about it like it was a "guy thing" so I didn't think I had to and simply responded with a, "Oh, okay."

"Well I mean don't take offense that I didn't tell them!" He said and I shook my head to tell him I didn't, which was the truth, if anything I was relieved, "It’s like, with guys we don't sit around and talk about shit like that, it’s like gossip only you girls enjoy that, it’s only ever if one of the guys nailed someone we told them would never even look that them, and even then it’s just bragging..." He said and I nodded again pretending to understand this whole boy logic as I painted a thoughtful look onto my face. "Well actually, I guess if you weren't Rian's sister it'd be a noteworthy event to brag about but it’d just be uncomfortable now!"

"Alex!" I gasped with a pressed laugh as I smacked his chest while he chuckled. Shrugging as he shoved a few books into his bag.

"So what are your plans for today anyway?" He asked as he zippered his bag and tossed a single strap over his shoulder.

I let out a sigh as I looked back at Cass and Andrea who were now heading this way. With Duncan in tow. "I have to go prom dress shopping..." I told him with a grumbled expression as he let out a bubbly laugh. Leaning forward to kiss my cheek.

"Don't say it like that." He laughed as I rolled my eyes. Thinking of something to say back when an arm was snapped around my shoulders.

"Don't say what like that?" Andrea's voice sounded beside me as the other two popped up as well bringing an amused grin to Alex's lips. I stood by pulling at the sleeve of my hoodie as Andrea looked between Alex and me. I was nervous that one of them would open their mouths and aim to make this awkward. I was nervous that now people knew that something would go wrong.

Alex smiled slyly at me before reaching out and softly wrapping his hand around my fingers as if he knew something was bothering me. "Someone's being a little grumpy about buying a dress..." Alex smirked as he gently swung our hands between us.

"Well they shouldn't!" Duncan gasped as I looked to him with a dusting blush. Duncan had a hand pressed to his chest with his jaw ajar. I found it funny that since his party he had gone out of his way to make a presence in our group, because to be honest. Until he started picking small chat in the halls and coming around in the morning, I didn't even know he went to Dulaney. "They are going to prom and they should be excited!" He continued with bugged eyes as he looked at me and stressed his tone making those few around us laugh, including myself.

"I am excited... I'm just tired." I murmured as I looked down at my feet. The group finding my comment amusing as I rolled my eyes. Not truly sure if I should be joining in on their laughter.

"Hey, hear that Gaskarth?" Cass nudged Alex's side. "You tuckered her out."

"Oh shut up you..." I said playfully even though I narrowed my eyes telling her to drop it. Something she ignored as she giggled and poked Alex once again. Said boy rolling his eyes as he wiggled his hand to have a true grip and pulled me across the small space. Kissing my temple as he wrapped me in a hug and everything seemed to melt away.

I used to hate when Alex did things like this in school before we got together. But things were different now, even before we slept together. Now we were an actual couple and things are different, a good different. I wasn't annoyed by hugs and pecks, if anything they soothed me. Alex soothed me. He always knew just what was needed and never did anything less, sometimes more though because we all know at heart he's a mushy, soft, hopeless romantic.

"Oh my gosh!" Duncan squealed as he pitched his voice like never before. "You guys are so fucking cute!"

"Cool it Duncan..." Andrea smirked as Alex and I pulled our heads away, his arms still around my waist as mine his neck. "Your gay-dar is at an all-time high."

"Shut up, I give myself one freak out and one gay-day a month and the rest of the time you people would think I was straight!" The boy half hissed in response before looking back at Alex and me as we smiled at one another. "Let me have this."

"Well freak out over..." Cass grinned in excitement before snapping her fingers to claim my attention and batting her eyes. "Hate to break this up, really, but we need to go, the shops not open forever!" She grinned as Alex quickly kissed my cheek and released his grip.

"I'll text you later." Alex grinned as I was practically pulled away. My boyfriend laughing as Cass and Duncan yanked me down the hall and towards the student parking. Leaving him to shake his head and turn in the other direction in pursuit of his friends.

"Hey, Jasey." Cass cooed as she nudged my side. Her lips holding a victorious grin as I spun in my heals and willed my feet to move forward in step with my friend's pace.

"What?"

"Those were some nice hickeys Alex had on his neck!" She snickered with a wink as my eyes practically bulged out of my head.

"WHAT?" I snapped. She could see his hickeys? Had his mom seen then too then? Or would she? Had he been walking around with them showing the entire day? Alex hadn't covered them up? I mean it's not like he knew how but he could have done something. I didn't even notice. I was too fixated on his eyes to see any bruises on his neck. Goddamn it, those big ass eyes will be the death of me.

"Yeah Jase, good job!" Andrea laughed as she went for a high five. A notion I promptly refused by glaring at her extended tan hand and shoving it away by her wrist.

"I don't know what you’re talking about!"

"Oh shut up!" Duncan laughed, his usual voice returning as reached behind the two girls on either side of me and attempt to shove my shoulder. "If you don't own up to them, I'll start claiming them as my own!"

"DUNCAN!" The three of us girls groaned as he simply let out a laugh and ran ahead. Darting for the red double doors that would lead us out into the student parking lot.

* * * * * *

"What about this one?" Cass asked as she held up a dress, gaining the attention of the rest of us as we leaned over racks and turned our heads. She was holding up yet another light green dress that draped to the floor as we all just shrugged. Knowing Duncan of all people would be the one to give any helpful thoughts.

But to our surprise the boy simply rolled his eyes and waved her off to run at the dressing rooms. Duncan probably knew just as well as Andrea and I that she would not give up on the color till she saw what Duncan kept insisting for herself. "Jasey over here!" Andrea called as I quickly ditched the blue dress I had in my hand to the rack and made my way to her.

I let my hands trickle over the layered skirts of ball gowns and silk dresses left and right as I moved through the isle. Turning the corner I saw her holding up an over blown peach ball gown. The sight making me physically cringe as I shook my head. "God no," I said as Andrea sighed and slumped her shoulders. "Dre, we don't even go to this school, I'd rather not draw any more attention to myself then necessary."

"Well everything we suggest to you, you turn down!" She groaned before tossing it back with the rest. Letting the metal of the hook clang against the bar. I rolled my eyes as I shoved my hands into the pockets of my skinny jeans, half regretting wearing them in the growing heat outside. I pursed my lips into a tight line as I pulled through a patch of dresses. I wasn't trying to be difficult; it was just none of the dresses struck me as the dress I was searching for. Even though not even I had a clue on what that dress looked like.

"Here!" Duncan said as he swung around the side of a rack and appeared at the end of the isle as he snatched our attention. "Try this on, don't argue just do it!" He said as he shoved a blob of navy and gold into my hands and shoved me backwards. Letting the fabric bunch in my grasp as he placed his hands in my shoulders and guided me backwards through the small boutique till I was in a hall off purple and white. Wide wooden stalls with purple painted doors lining the hall. Chalk ovals on each one where a name could be scribbled if one so desired. His hand reached behind me as he popped the silver handle on the door and shoved me and the dress inside. "Now go!"

I groaned as the lock clicked behind him and I was left alone with the stupid dress. I hung it up on a hook and let the cloth drape to its full floor length glory before I untucked my tee from the front of my jeans and popped the button on my pants. "DUNCAN, I HATE YOU!" I yelled as I kicked off my worn shoes and slid out of my jeans. I heard his amused laugh as I tugged my shirt over my head and blessed God that I had worn a strapless bra, just knowing Cass would be the prepared one to organize something like this.

"Put the dress on and shut up!" He said back as I rolled my eyes and grabbed the dress. I couldn't help the sigh that fell past my lips as I dropped the zipper on the side of the dress and stepped into it. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't HATE dress shopping, I just don't necessarily like it as much as eating, napping and well, anything else. Dress shopping is just one of those things that just a being a girl, I find fun in concept then turns into a pesky annoyance when it comes to actually doing it.

I heard a squeal and the patter of shoes on hardwood floors as I hiked the strapless dress up to my chest and sighed once again as it fit enough to zip and stay on my body. "Well I'll be damned..." I mumbled as I ran my hands over the navy fabric of the dress's skirt. "It fits..." I half smiled as I looked down over myself. I couldn't get a good look thanks to the lack of mirrors hanging from the walls of this changing room which made me cringe.

The dress was a navy blue hue, and fell past my feet enough that I knew I would still trip with the highest of heels on. The skirt fell from a tighter chest piece. The navy fabric clinging from my chest to the base of my ribs, gold beads and threading creating an intricate design of swirls and dots over my chest. "JASEY COME OUT AND LET US SEE!" Cass called with a grin in her voice as I ran the tips of my fingers over the sweetheart neckline and pouted.

"This isn't the dress." I said simply and could practically see Duncan already rolling his eyes.

"Just get your fine little ass out here!" He shouted as I rolled my eyes and reached for the silver knob on the door. Pulling the door open right away knowing the sooner I got this over with the sooner I was out of this dress and looking for the one I actually wanted.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!” I half groaned as I kicked my feet under the dress, trying to figure out how I should walk. "And my ass is not fine, and little, don't talk about my ass." I muttered, still loud enough I knew he had heard before I stuck my head out into the small hall.

Cass was down the "runway" twirling in her dress with an unreadable expression as the other two stood beside her. I hated these changing rooms; I glared at the mirror-less walls behind me for a moment before looking back at my friend when Duncan laughed. How come in every dressing room in every mall EVER, the mirrors are inside. If I had it that way I could have just said anything along the lines of, 'no guys the dress doesn't fit, its two small I'm practically falling out of it!' Or, 'Nope, don't like it, doesn't even fit, it's falling off!'. I could have said any variation of those things, take off the dress and be done with. But no, I had to hike up the skirt of this dress I did not like and walk to the mirrors and strike a pose for all to see.

"Eh, you’re right..." Duncan said as he fiddled with the fabric hanging from Cassadee's figure, shaking his head as it didn't look just right. I giggled to myself as I made my way over to them and Andrea looked up to grin at me. Duncan hummed, "You have a donk for an ass anyway!"

"HEY!" I snapped as he laughed and stood to his full height. Patting Cass's shoulder and telling her to go change and he'll pick a dress before looking to me with a growing grin.

"Jasey!" He gasped as I rolled my eyes. "Who knew you had boobs!"

"I hate you..." I muttered, turning around until his hand wrapped around the bend of my elbow and I was tugged back around. "Duncan..." I groaned as he pulled me towards the spot Cass had just stepped down from. "I don't like this dress and I feel fucking stupid so can we not..."

"Stop!" Duncan smiled as he helped me step up onto the small circular platform. "You know I didn't mean it like that, just with the t-shirts you always wear I would never have guessed you had an actual bod!"

"Gee, thanks!" I remarked sarcastically as Andrea laughed and stepped up beside me and began fiddling with my hair that was down in its natural waves over my shoulders. Duncan scoffed and rolled his eyes again.

"I mean, you have one of the best butts in school, why don't you show your body off more?" He asked rather genuinely as he crouched down to straighten the long skirt. I shrugged with a pout making Andrea laugh from behind me.

"She doesn't believe in shit like that..." Andrea said as she grinned at me. "It actually makes me mad how she doesn't even see how hot she is!"

"CAN WE STOP TALKING ABOUT ME LIKE I'M NOT STANDING RIGHT HERE?" I finally snapped in frustration as they both flinched to look at me. I groaned a partial sigh and looked at myself in the mirror, my crumpled features of my agitated face. I hated when people talked about me like I wasn't there, most people knew this and avoided doing it at all costs and I normally never snapped like that. But not only were they pissing me off, but also making me feel fairly uncomfortable. Everyone has their faults and their insecurities. Mine just happens to be attention, and not wanting any of it. No matter how fit it may look I don't want people staring at me like a slab of meat, it’s not even that I dislike my body, I just don't like having attention drawn to it. "Sorry..."

"I'm going to find a better dress for Cass..." Duncan said softly as he stood up and I sighed once again.

"I'm sorry-"

"Its fine, I get it, honestly, but Cass needs a dress!" He said before disappearing around the corner leaving me to groan.

"I didn't mean to make you mad..." Andrea whispered as I shook my head and ran my hands down the dress.

"You didn't, it's just a pet peeve is all." I muttered as Andrea seemed to take it well and smiled her usual cheery grin at me. I rolled my eyes and crooked my lips as I looked at the dress draping my body as Cass came out of a stall behind us with a frown on her face and a red dress chosen by Duncan earlier on her body.

"Jasey...?" Andrea cooed from behind me as she fluffed my hair over my shoulders. Still standing in her normal cloths herself as Cass stepped up beside us in yet another dress she didn't seem too fond of. "Remember when you denied that you gave Alex hickeys?" She smirked as I cringed slightly at her suggestive tone.

"What about it?" I grumbled as I watched Cass pulled up the dress draping her body to avoid her chest practically falling out and crumpled her nose. The sight pulling a smile to my face none the less.

"Well now I know you’re a fucking liar!" She laughed. Clutching my shoulders and snapping my body to the side so I could see what she was viewing from beside me in the mirror. She smirked as she pulled my hair to the side and exposed prominent teeth marks sunk into my left should. "You gave Alex those hickeys and he fucking bit you!" She gasped, practically squealing as Duncan popped his head around the wall with a raised brow and a series of dresses tossed over his arm. "For two virgins you guys are fucking rough, like damn!"

"Shut up..." I muttered as I brushed off her hand and pulled my hair over my shoulder. Cass was next to jump to attention as she laughed loudly and leaned backwards.

"Okay I can't take this anymore!" Duncan announced as he came the rest if the was into the dressing room. Plopping down on the padded bench beside the mirrored wall. Tossing the dresses to the side before clasping his hands. "It’s Q and A time!" He sang as I rolled my eyes and groaned.

"Come on Jase, you knew this would happen!" Cass laughed as she nudged my arm and made me roll my eyes once again. "Please, just let us talk about it, for just a little whiles!"

I crossed my arms over my chest as I thought. My eyes sliding to my book bag by Duncan's side bringing a grin to my face, a small hardly noticeable grin. "Fine." I muttered before I dropped my arms and sighed. "You guys get six questions, two each, and I'm changing before I answer anything!" I stated as Duncan jumped to his feet instead of cheering like the two girls.

"No! Don't take the dress off!" He argued as I shot him a pointed look.

"I'm not getting this dress anyway; I told you this isn't the one from the start."

"But it makes your eyes look so pretty!" Duncan groaned as I knit my brows together and skewed up my nose. I mouthed a 'no' whilst shaking my head. "Yes it does, they look so blue!"

"My eyes are gray, dumbass..." I muttered making Andrea laugh as I pressed him aside and reached for my backpack. I had packed some spandex shorts I usually wore when working out and an oversized shirt that belonged to Alex with the intention of sleeping over his house that night but found them comfy enough to change into now. I tucked the cloths under my arm before grabbing my phone real quick and rushing as fast as I could in the dress back to the changing room my other cloths were in.

I changed out of the dress real quick and hung it back up the way it should have been before I finally grabbed my phone once again. I had a missed call from my dad which I wasn't too worried about and a few texts. One being from my dad telling me the rest of the family's plans for dinner, which I instantly concluded to be the reasoning for his call. I had a text from Jack and another from Rian which I ignored ever so politely and opened Alex's as expected. Smiling like mad as I opened it. 'This band practice sucks... I wanted to be cuddling with u!' I giggled and shook my head as I hit the button to reply.

'i'll see you later tho, keep your bed warm when you head home. its friday :)'

I laughed softly to myself as I put my phone down and reached for Alex's shirt, my phone buzzing before I could even clutch the article and my attention was redirected. I snatched the device to see Alex had already replied and smiled. They were probably making him write some more or simply just taking one of many brakes leaving Lex bored.

'Pick a dress yet so we can watch a movie when practice is over? u should send a pic, u know so i know what color tie to get :)'

I could practically sense the smirk in his text as I chuckled to myself and decide there would be no harm in a little torment.

'no cloths.. no pic.'

His reply came almost as fast as my own text sent. The message reading a simple, 'i hate u' followed quickly with a, 'u shouldnt be nakie unless im there to see it! :( what kind of girlfriend are you'

I laughed audibly as I shook my head. Grabbing Alex's shirt, I tugged it over my head and snagged my shorts before opening a new text. 'Shut up, i wasn't fully naked and you know that. and if im such a terrible girlfriend you can watch movies by yourself tonight!'

I smiled at my text and finally slid my shorts on and tucked the shirt in at the very front so it bunched loosely around my hips. I threw open the door as my phone buzzed twice and I flipped it open before stepping out into the hall.

'noooo! i want my snuggles :'('

'i love you!'

I giggled as looked up to see Andrea smirking at me. I held my phone in one hand and swiftly flipped her off with the other. 'love you too asshole' I typed before flicking my phone shut and simply focused on trying not to grin as I saw three luminescent smiles radiating from the mirrored section of the hall. Cass began to giggle when I tossed my phone on top of my bag and released a sigh. "Okay, let me have it!" I groaned as I plopped down beside Cass on the platform, the girl who had slid into some sort of robe while I was away changing so she no longer sat in a dress far too large for her frame. I leaned backwards, resting my wait in my palms as they pressed against the platform behind me. My three friends around me sat in silence as they seemed to ponder their two individual questions carefully to themselves.

Cass was the first to meet my eyes as she looked to me. Her lower lip was caught nervously between her teeth as she twiddled her thumbs, her large eyes looking at me like she had something to say, which I knew of course she did. But I raised my brows none the less just to pull it out of her... And it did. She bit her lip once more as she blinked at me. Her breath catching for a moment, "did it hurt?" She gushed quickly with a curious spark igniting in her eyes.

It was my turn to bite my lip as I clasped my hands in my lap. I couldn’t explain why I suddenly felt embarrassed, but the thought of talking about the status of my virginity made me feel nauseous. I wasn't sure exactly how much I wanted them to know just yet, or ever really. I loved my friends, truly, but I didn't know how involved I wanted them in that patch of my personal life. I looked to Cass with a growing blush and quickly shook my head. "Not really," I said softly as I tucked strands of fallen hair behind my ear, "It didn't much, he was really sweet about it."

Cass's worried look quickly washed into a grin as she clasped her hands under her chin and awed at me. My blush only deepened as I buried my face into my hands and groaned loudly. Andrea laughed as Duncan did the same and I tried to hide my face. I was embarrassed beyond belief, but still held a vast smile on my face.

"Where did you do it?" Andrea suddenly asked as she plucked her first question and placed it in the palm of my hands. I looked to her with a funny face as I held my hands out.

"In his room?" I laughed as my face continued to grow hotter, and hotter. "Where else would we have done it?" I gasped as everyone broke out into fits of giggles and laughs and Dre just shrugged. "Oh my God, I hate you!" I laughed as I hid my face once again. I collapsed into Cass's side as we all giggled and laughed.

Duncan reached out and slapped my knee to claim my attention as we all came down from our fits rather quickly. He swallowed the last if his laughter as he cleared his throat and looked at me. "Was it like, awkward?" He asked, a small smile ghosting over his lips as he raised his eyebrows.

I bit my lip again looking between the three of them and sighed. "Inevitably." I said, thinking about the whole experience again as I smiled and blushed. "But, surprisingly..." I started with a growing grin as I giggled. "It wasn't as awkward as you might think... I thought it would be way more uncomfortable, but it wasn't!" I said as I looked to Duncan. His face held a thoughtful expression that told me he wanted a little more information, one that showed his lack of motive to speak again anytime soon. And seeing it, I blew a breath through my nose and grinned again. "Guys, I mean it, he was so sweet and thoughtful and just... perfect!" I laughed into my feeding smile. "I don't think I would have done it had it been with anyone else..." I grinned. Listening to the bubble and crackle of my voice as the sincerity of my words seeped through the cracks of my now raspy tone.

The giddy feel of the room seemed to bloom into something more after my comment. It didn't seem like the joking manner like it was a moment ago, even just for a short window of time. It was almost as if for that brief pause, they all understood. They all saw it and felt the feelings Alex and I shared, and they understood. Andrea smiled at me with the kind of happy grin you only saw at weddings, when the same sort of feelings I was giving off were shared and I blushed again. But soon, Cass was off her ass giggling.

"YOU GUYS ARE TOO FUCKING CUTE!" She all but screamed as she grabbed my shoulder and gave my entire upper body a shake as I groaned. "JASEY WHY ARE YOU GUYS SO ADORABLE!"

"Shut up, you're dating my brother!" I groaned yet again as I tossed my head back. Cass giggled again as she poked my side.

"Let me guess..." She giggled again as I rolled my eyes and tried to fight her hands away from my sides. "Did you guys cuddle afterwards?" She cooed, dragging out the word like its own little song as I stopped my movements all together. Everyone seeing my stall began to freak out.

"OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS ARE FUCKING CUTE!"

"What else were we going to do?" I gasped, feeling my blush crawl up my neck from the ball of heat in my stomach till it took a grasp on the apples of my cheeks just when I thought I was freed from the heat. I bit my lip as Cass squealed again and smacked my arms. I yelped in embarrassment and hid my face in my hands as they all freaked out. "Oh my God you guys will be the death of me!"

"Is that his shirt?" Duncan asked now with a devilish smirk on his lips as he leaned out and tugged a bit on the sleeve of the oversized tee draping my body. Seeing this from the space between my fingers I pouted, pulling my hands away entirely.

"That counts as your second question!" I exclaimed as I tugged my shoulder away. "But yes," I said, "it's his shirt." Those few little words sent Cass screaming again. I could have sworn she would have torn her vocal cords right there had she been able to yell louder than she was. I also could have sworn I was seconds from having a heat stroke with the rising internal temperature of my body in that very room. Everything Alex did or said made me blush when thinking about it. But talking about it and everyone freaking out about it was something brand new. And though my smile never left my face, I was beyond embarrassed. Andrea poked my side just as I tossed my hands in the air, exclaiming, "Alright, I'm done!"

"No, No, No!" Andrea fought as we both got to our feet. Me standing up fist as Andrea followed, her hands clinging to my arm, dragging her to a standing position. "I still have one more question!" She said as her pleading look quickly morphed into a smirk and my eyes widened. I knew her dirty mind, and I knew what she was going to ask. Her eyebrows began to wiggle and I shook my head.

"Nope!" I said, popping the 'p' for good measure as she dared to glare at me jokingly. "I'm not answering that!"

"Answering what?"

"Jasey won’t say if Alex had a b-"

"DON'T!" I cut Andrea off with a single raised brow and a pointed look. "Don't say it," I said as she simply shifted on her feet and smirked once again. But I did the same. "Why do you want to know anyway, huh?"

"Shut up..." She smirked as I flicked my brows. Untangling my arm from her grip in order to cross my arms over my chest. "Just tell us if he-"

'WHAT YOU GOT NOW GOTTA, GOTTA GIVE IT UP!'

Andrea's words were swallowed by the strikingly loud song blaring from my phone. A sigh of relief washed over my smile and I looked to my bag. Andrea attempting to speak to me again as her words morphed into a string of blurred and misheard sounds when I stepped around her and grabbed my phone. Something I normally wouldn't have done seeing it could have easily come off as rude had it not been for her wanting to discuss my boyfriend's genitals so to say. I grabbed my phone only to scrunch my nose at Zack's name flashing across the screen.

"Zack?" I clarified after flipping my phone open and allowing the line to click on. But soon many voices were shot down the line. All the boys yelling along with some others I could identify as Vinny, Matt and even more. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, one at a time!" I spilled quickly as I held the phone away from my ear and spoke a little louder. There was rustling on their end of the line as the mass of boys probably fought over the phone until Rian's voice broke through.

"JASEY, GUESS WHAT!" He exclaimed loudly as I cringed and held the phone away once again. I told him to hold on as I sat back down and put him on speaker phone, mostly in attempts to save my hearing and partly because whatever it must have been was big.

"Okay, were all listening, now what is it?" I laughed as the four of us hunched over my single shitty phone as I twirled it in my hand and heard the soft bickering of the band in the foreground of the call. They all seemed excited from what we could tell.

"Well do you remember when I told you about that guy, Paul Leavitt, a couple of nights ago at dinner?" Rian asked excitedly as I bit my lip. Thinking back to our previous earnings seeing as everything had been sort of a blur in my life recently.

"Yeah!" I said when the conversation came flooding back, "that producer guy?"

"Yeah, him!"

Cass clutched my arm now as we all exchanged excited grins but I tried to keep my cool asking, "What about him?" Even though I was screaming in my head. Almost every week or weekend the boys had been playing shows when they could at local bars and venues and were starting to grasp a local following just outside the students of Dulaney High and it was all almost overwhelming how exciting it was. Between everything in our personal lives that had been going on, the boys still played shows, and good ones from what I've heard when I wasn't their myself.

It almost seemed like their music was their escape, and only good was blooming from their outlet thus far. Every show Matt would hand out their EP, with assistance from me and even Vinny when we were around to lend the hand and Matt had almost taken power with the boys as a handler role, well in the band would he'd be viewed as a manger. A very young, inexperienced, unpaid manager, who had no clue what he was doing unless it was keeping the boys from acting dumb to the point they would get licked out of venues. Even though he was only one year older, that year seemed to make all the difference in the world and Matt was beginning to help the boys get their name out to labels near and far as best he could.

"Well Paul called Matt," Rian chimed back in, "and they want to set a meeting up for us to go in and talk with the people from Emerald Moon Records and maybe sign us!"

We all began to freak out then as we squealed and laughed. "RIAN THAT’S FUCKING CRAZY OH MY GOD!" I exclaimed as Duncan grabbed my wrist and shouted a congratulations into the phone followed by a hoot from Dre and a very mushy 'I'm so proud of you!' From a miss, Cassadee.

"Are you guys still dress shopping?" Rian asked now. All the boys seeming to pick up conversations of their own now that the news was out and everyone was on Cloud 9. I released a sigh before telling him that we were, and were having zip luck in finding a dress to in which he replied with laughter. Chuckling loudly before saying, "You're all fucking pansies!"

"Can it Dawson!" Andrea smirked as she snipped her comment making us all laugh before she reached out and took the phone from my hand. Rocking it back and forth in front of her mouth for just a brief moment before she smirked once again. "And if you don't mind we have dresses to choose so goodbye!" And she hung up.

Duncan blew out a whistle as he slapped the tops of his thighs and stood to his feet. "Well, I'm going to get y'all your dresses!" He announced with a knowing grin before pointing to Cass, his eyes soon sweeping to follow his pointed finger and saying, "For you I'm going to find something in a nice deep purple because honey, your tan is not dark enough for those pastel colors!" He giggled before looking to Andrea. His eyes rolling over her naturally dark bronze skin and grinned. "But you my dear," he smiled, "Rhinestones and light colors for sure!"

Andrea grinned, flashing her pearly teeth to show her obvious approval of the idea before looking to me. "What about Jase?" She asked. My head snapping up at the coo of my name. Glancing to Duncan with a slightly worried look painted on my face.

I still had zero idea of what I wanted exactly, the boys distracting me every turn of the head leaving my mind on them the entirety of our time being here. But as I watched Duncan's lips pinch tight and twist he seemed equally as confused as to what to do with my mildly dark hair and pale skin. "Jasey, do you have an idea in mind?" He asked, placing his hands on his hips. I bit my lip just as it hit me.

'I sighed taking in Alex's mumbled words as we swayed from side to side. One hand holding mine off to the side as his other sat at the base of my spine, guiding my body to move with his. "I never knew you could dance..." I whispered softly as I smiled.'

'"I wanted to know how to slow dance for the eighth grade dance..." He told me, opening his eyes as he sighed in time to see my confused set brow. "I wanted to ask you to the dance..."'

'"How could I forget the first time I ever really let you down..." He muttered honestly as I dropped my head. "It still bugs me from time to time, I just wish you can put on that red dress again and do it all over..."'

"JASEY!" Duncan snapped as I shot back to reality. Flinching as I blinked my eyes and looked up at a shifty Duncan who looked rather uncomfortable in his place and position. He crooked a brow at me with a questionable look as I bit my lip. "The hell... Do you just space out like that often?"

"What?" I asked suddenly as I fully found my way back to earth. Shaking my head. "No, sorry, I was just thinking is all..."

"Yeah well, I hope you were thinking about what color dress you want!" He said. Seeming to sound sarcastically as I smiled to myself knowing that was exactly what I was doing. He crossed his arms across his chest and lofted a brow to set an almost challenging gap between us, which was of course shattered by my grin.

'I just wish you can put on that red dress again and do it all over...'

"Red" I said. My sudden production of an actual answer that would be useful seemed to shock Duncan as his eyes widened. "But a dark red..." I quickly followed up. "Almost like a maroon color!" The boy took in my request for a moment as he thought to himself.

"Strapless?"

"Yes!" Andrea jumped in for me, despite the fact that I agreed with her, a strapless dress was my wish. "Put her in something with a sweetheart neckline!"

"I HAVE JUST THE DRESS!" He exclaimed. Not giving any of us girls a moment to presses his thought before he took off running back into the main attraction of the boutique and began searching the racks. I shared a confused look with Cass before we all got up and followed after him. Seeing the top of his head as he shoved dress by dress to the side.

"What is he doing?" Cassadee laughed as I simply shrugged and made my way across the back wall to get to where he was. I was hoping that the dress he had in mind was along the lines of what I now knew I had my heart set on from the start. This was our do over. This was my chance, my small apology for everything bad I forced between me and Alex, that red dress would be our clean start to something new, something better than the past.

"AH! THIS IS IT!" He exclaimed and my walk quickly flipped into a run. I ran past three more rows before I skidded to a halt, nearly falling on my ass before I looked up at a deep red dress in his hands. He held it up high as my eyes trailed from the diamond embezzled sweetheart neckline to the simple fabric that draped from the synched chest, to the floor. The color a near perfect match to my dress back home that was elegant those years ago, like it had come back in a new life, for a new purpose.

"That’s it!"

Notes

GUYS I AM SO SORRY I TOOK THIS LONG TO UPDATE

but im not dead or anything so thats cool.. but i had two weeks off from cheer and that actually threw me into a slump but im back!

i have camp this weekend and stuff but this is a supper long ass 7,508 word chapter for y'all and i hope you liked it!


THIS! was what i had in mind for the first dress Jasey tried on.. and it made me laugh because it looks kind of like a modern version of what Lisa wore to prom with Alex.. haha, whupps!


but THIS is the actual dress :) i have others picked out for the other two as well..


LEAVE ME SOME COMMENTS PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE I MISSED YOU GUYS!!

-Sarah