Valerie applied her lipstick, giving her hair and make-up the finishing touches. She was wearing a flowing, strapless baby blue dress, reaching ankle length. Her hair had been crimped and held in place with a headband, matching the color of her dress.

She heard a knock at her front door. Her mom answered the door. She called for Valerie, informing her of Nikki and Amy's arrival. Valerie grabbed her purse and keys, making her way into the living room.

Nikki greeted her with a smile, complimenting her, "Someone looks sex-ay!"

"Well, ya know, I try," Valerie joked.

Nikki and Amy were both wearing knee length dresses. Nikki's was a cream colour with a slit down her chest. The sleeveless dress accented her figure perfectly, showing off her curves. Amy's dress a more modest numer. The lavender flower printed dress, had straps that crossed in the back. Her dress, too, showed off her figure and bronzed skin.

"Ya ready to get yo' groove on, sista?" Amy asked jokingly.

"Always am," Valerie replied.

"Life and souls of the party," Nikki added.

"Ya know it!" Valerie and Amy chorused.

Valerie had been looking forward to this night since the semester. She was determined to have a good night. Nothing was going to ruin her last night as a freshmen with her best friends.

Valerie sat with Amy, Lance, and Jared at a table in their school gym. The decorations were set for a romantic mood. Roses, hearts, and the colours of red and pink were most of the decorations portraying the theme of "high school sweethearts."

The crowded dance floor of happy couples made Valerie feel even lonelier. At the begging of the year, the theme seemed perfect. Now it was a taunting. How she wanted to be out on the dance floor with Lance, her head resting against his shoulder. A vision of Lauren with Lance flashed across her mind. She shook her head to get rid of the picture. The feeling she had had just before faded away, replacing itself with anger.

A familiar voice brightened her mood, "Val, what's up girl?"

A tall blonde freshman in a black tuxedo made his way to the table. The small group greeted him as he sat in the empty chair next to Valerie.

"Hey, Brandon! I thought we had lost our seventh wheel there for a while," Valerie said with a smile.

"Naw, just gotta be true to the sport," Brandon said returning her smile.

"And the cheerleaders," Jared added.

"They'll steal your heart away and never give it back."

"Speaking of cheerleaders, how's Jamie?" Amy asked.

"I got dumped for the quarterback, but I'll survive," Brandon answered.

"But you're like such a place kicker, we like need someone whose like even ditsier than us. Like, duh!" Valerie teased, mocking the head cheerleader, Jamie Pence.

"Yeah, just like all 5 of them; can't stick to just one guy for longer than an hour," Jared said.

"Past expirience?" Brandon asked.

"Missy Elliot last year. She left me for a basketball player once soccer was over. Broke my heart good," Jared said.

"I think we all know how it feels, and it's not just from cheerleaders," Lance chimed in.

Valerie bit her lip. She knew Lance's comment was directed to her. His bitter tongue cut into her. She opened her mouth to reply, but Amy cut in.

"Depressing convo, let's talk about something else," she said.

"I agree. Hey, Val," Brandon turned to face Valerie, "Wanna dance?"

"And why should I agree to this?" Valerie asked with a smirk.

"'Cause I'm bored and dateless and just seeing you in that dress is killing me."

Valerie groaned dramatically, 'Only since you twisted my arm by the use of flattery."

Brandon laughed, dragging her out of her seat and onto the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist. She returned his gesture, wrapping hers around his neck.

"You owe me big. Nikki returned from the dance floor with Drew. She sat down next to Lance, studying his sorrowful expression.

"Somebody doesn't look like a happy bunny," she said pouting her bottom lip.

Lance shook his head, "Just delightful."

She frowned, "Aw, come on, sweety. It can't be that bad, can it?"

Lance looked up at her, pain depicted in his eyes.

"Okay, I'm backing off," she said, throwing her hands up in the air.

"We dancing here?" Brandon asked the vacant Valerie.

" Oh, yeah, sorry. It's just weird," she said distantly.

"The fight?"

She nodded her head, "We barely ever have fights and nothing this serious. I just-"