AJ sat her down at a table. "You've beaten me at everything, woman!"

Sophia grinned madly. "And I'll beat you all over again." She grabbed his and placed it in hers. She sobered down. "AJ, I'd like it a lot if we could get together again." Sophia looked up, urgently. "As friends, of course," she added, quickly.

"Yeah, sure." He was hit by her words painfully. She wanted friends. He wrote down the number on her hand. "I really should go," he said.

"Alright. I'll call you, right?" she asked, hopefully.

"Of course."

She surprised him again that night. She kissed his cheek. Her eyes were jumbled with intense feeling. Excitement, anticipation, temptation. Even though she would deny them all in an instant.

"'Bye," he spoke coolly before leaving her.

Nick ruffled his blond hair. He put on the headphones and warmed up his voice. Tracee pushed the speaker button from the outside of the glass recording box which Nick stood, secluded. Tracee was reminded of one of those labs where they cloned sheep. Tracee giggled, then put a stern look on her face. "Ready?"

Nick nodded and listened to the instrument start up and then sang:

"Time passed us by,
No time to cry,
All big lies,
No more broken ties.

But I can't seem to let go,
I just wanted you to know.

I'm scared, I'm stoked,
I'm free, I'm choked,
On memories,
And I'm all alone.

No contact,
No way,
No clue,
What's say.

But I can't seem to let go,
Just wanted you to know.

I'm scared, I'm stoked,
I'm free, I'm choked,
On memories,
And I'm all alone."

Tracee watched in amazement. This boy --- correction: man, was full of sorrow and soul. He'd written that song, it was called "Alone." He put so many pent up emotions in it, she was moved.

The song ended, his voice cracked, he threw the headphones down. He leaned against one of the glass walls and slid down to a crouched position on the icy floor. He started crying, which was so out of character. Especially from Tracee's point of view.

Knowing she was the only one who was going to do something, even though she was surrounded by thousands of people, she got angry. "Well, what the fuck are you going to do? Just watch him?" she howled at the whole group. She only got blank stares. "Assholes."

Tracee rushed in the room and Nick immediately got up and hugged her. "I miss them."

Tracee nodded slightly. Her voice was low, soft and hushed. "Sugar, I know it's hard, but you have to keep your chin up. It wasn't your fault, so don't rag on yourself." She stretched up and kissed his forehead.

That's what she thinks, he thought, gloomily.