“You really called him that?” Christina was having lunch with Joey. He just finished telling her about the words he had said about Justin. “I got to say that he deserved it,” she said.

Joey thought she would be mad that he called her boyfriend a bad name. But Christina looked very thrilled about it. That made him wonder.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be dating him,” Joey said.

“I’m not,” she said quietly. She raised her eyes to meet his. “I broke up with him.” He just doesn’t know it yet.

“What ended your relationship with him?” Joey asked.

The last few days made Christina realize that she enjoyed Joey’s company. When he was around his friends he was funny and tried to act as smart as his friend’s were. But Christina thought he was smart. He wasn’t very good in English, but he was amazing at science. He had the top grade in the whole school.

And earlier, Joey had let her listen to his demo tape. She thought he had a beautiful, soothing voice.

“I'm just not the same girl I used to be, and we don't want the same things anymore,” she said finally.

Joey leaned closer to her. “And what do you want, Christina?”

“I want a real relationship, not just sex. That's all Justin wanted out of our relationship.” Partly that was true. Justin had only wanted sex in their relationship, which she didn't give him. Christina was fine with the way things were until now. She wanted more.

She wanted love. Why, with Justin, did that feel like too much to ask for?

“That’s what some people want in a relationship. But not all guys are like Justin ,you know. Like me for example. I'd like a girl who liked music, theatre. You know stuff that I like. Trust me you're not the only one that feels this way.”

Joey hoped he didn’t come on too strong. He didn’t want to be too forward, and scare her away.

Christina smiled. She didn't know he could make her feel better, but somehow he managed to.

“You can say no if you want, but I was wondering if you wanted to go with me and my friends to the movies tonight,” Joey said. 
“Sure, I don't have any plans,” she replied. Though she didn’t know Joey’s friends very well, they seemed very nice. She needed to get out and meet new people, anyway. The only people she was used to hanging out were people that were popular. She needed a change of pace.

Joey smiled and went back to eating his lunch. She did too, but they ate in silence. He always found a subject to bring up that she was interested in, such as his music.

Joey never showed up for his meeting with Justin. He knew he'd be in trouble with Justin but he didn't care. He knew Christina would help him out now that she thought Justin was a jerk.

---Later That Night---

Lance, Lila, JC, Chris and Joey drove to Christina's house. They had taken Joey's new car. He worked at the local diner as well as sang there and received quite a lot of attention and money for it.

He had gone out with some of his friends last week and had bought a new car.

Christina was all ready to go when Joey knocked on the front door. Her parents were at some party, where they were most every night. When she opened the door, she noticed how handsome Joey really was. He wasn't dressed up, he was just wearing blue jeans and a black shirt.

Christina felt guilty for never noticing him before this.

Joey handed her a single red rose. “You ready to go?”

“Wow. Thank you Joey, you didn't have to,” Christina said then paused for a moment. “How did you know this was my favorite flower?”

“It must be because of your red binder, your red pen and your other red stuff you own. So I just figured,” he said with a smile.

She didn't know why, but she loved his smile. She never really looked at anyone's smile but she couldn't seem to get his out of her mind.

“I appreciate that a lot. You have no idea how much I would have liked for Justin to do something this sweet.” She trailed off. “I'm sorry, I guess I just keep thinking abut him because we were together for so long. I am so sorry Joey.”

“Why are you sorry? There is no need for you to be. I can't know what you're going through but honestly, you're better off without him,” Joey said taking her hand helping her down the steps after she locked the door.

They saw a comedy romance that was about a girl from the other side of the tracks that fell head over heels in love with a man that was her complete opposite. Her family and friends refused to let her see him, but she found a way to anyway. But the sad thing was, it ended the two lovers committing suicide because no one let them be together.

Christina had a great time. She and Lila had more in common, she realized, when the two girls talked and talked before the movie began. She always found something to talk about with JC, Chris, and Lance.

But it was Joey that made the night a good time for her. He let her lay her head on his shoulder during the movie. And they even shared a bowl of popcorn.

After the movie on the way home, however, Christina went back to thinking about Justin. But it wasn't the same as it used to be. She was able to forget that her heart was broken.

---