When Christina pulled her car into the school parking lot the next day at school, she saw Missy standing beside Justin by the front doors, running her hands through his curls. Christina didn't think it would affect her, but it did. There were knots in her stomach and she felt a bit of hatred for Justin.

She wouldn't let it bug her now. She got out of her car and walked to the front of the school wanting to get inside as soon as possible. When she got inside, Joey spotted her and walked over to her.

She didn’t want him to know that she was upset, but he already knew. “What happened?” he asked, very concerned.

“Oh nothing. I just saw Justin and Missy outside. I wish I never had to see him ever again.”

“I know a few others who wish the same thing,” he muttered.

“Where are all your friends?” she asked looking around. Whenever they met, all his friends were usually around him.

“Oh, they have basketball practice this morning. Lila doesn't but she loves to watch Lance play.” Joey smirked a little. That girl followed Lance pretty much everywhere.

“They play and you don't? I'm a little surprised there, Joey. You look like the athletic type,” she commented.

Joey smiled, but shook his head. “Nope, not my kind of thing. My legs are really slow.”

Christina laughed.

“I hate to tell you this but here they come,” Joey said.

She turned her head and saw what Joey was talking about. There was Justin and Missy walking through the front door talking.

“I just don't get why they won't admit that they're....you know.…” Joey said. He didn’t want to say the words, he didn’t want to make Christina feel any worse then she already did.

“Together?” She didn’t really care anymore. She didn’t want to even be Justin’s friend anymore. “That's not really true that they are. I mean they kiss and all that stuff, but I don't think he wants to get into a relationship with her. You know so he won't have to lie to her when he cheats on her.”

Isn’t that what he did with her? But then again, she had been in a relationship with Justin for two years.

“He probably will. That's the kind of guy he's always been I guess, but I don't understand why he could that to you,” Joey said turning back to Christina. She had turned around not wanting to look at either Justin or Missy as they passed her.

Christina knew they were staring at her when she wasn’t looking. “I just want to punch her where it hurts,” she muttered.

“Try to calm down. She may have him now, but you're much better off without him.”

He loved to tell her that, she thought. He‘d told her that about three times already. She knew he was right. She was far better off with Justin.

“Thanks Joey,” she said.

“Anyways, have you gotten yourself a date for the dance yet?” he asked.

“What dance?” she asked. Joey pointed to a flyer on the school board wall. There would be a dance in the school gym five days from now. “I didn't know about it. But I don't think I'm going to go, I'm sick of dances....and men.”

“I'm not going either. I never have and never will. I'm not very attractive, that's why I'm never asked,” Joey said. He didn't sound sad about it. It sounded like he didn't want any girl to notice him.

“Joey, that isn't true. I think you are very attractive.”

Oh God, did she just say that? Her face turned bright red.

“I’m serious,” she said. “You should ask a girl. I’m sure she’d say yes.”

“But the girl I want to ask doesn't want to go,” Joey said quietly.

“I better have a talk with her,” Christina said. “Who is she?”

He touched her shoulder in a light touch. “You,” he said quietly. “Sorry I didn't mean to scare you.” He felt her shoulder tense up.

“No, it's okay, Joey. I was just stunned you said that, that's all,” Christina said. She couldn't figure out why but when Joey got this close, she couldn't think. She didn't know if she liked that feeling or not.

“I know you don't want to go and the only person you would go with anyways would be Justin.” He sounded disappointed, but understanding.

“That's not true,” she stated. “It used to be, but not anymore. I just don't want to go.” She moved away feeling calmer when she was away from Joey. “I hope you understand.”

“Yeah I do,” Joey said. “I'm not going either, I was just saying if I was, you're the person I would like to go with, you know as friends. Your the first girl that has been nice to me, well besides Lila, but she's obligated to be nice to me because of Lance.”

“I'm sure once she got to know you, she knew why Lance was such good friends with you.”

There was a laugh behind them. A female laugh. “Maybe, maybe not.”

Behind them was JC, Lance, Chris, and Lila. The four of them cracked up laughing.

“Oh, you know you love me,” Joey said to Lila, who was still laughing.

“I like you, I don't love you,” she corrected putting her arms around Lance. “I love him, and I don't think he'd like the idea of me loving you.”

“I wouldn’t mind,” Lance said. If it was anyone else but Joey, then maybe he’d mind. He knew Joey would never and try and take Lila or anyone away from him.

“You guys are too funny,” Christina said after she finally stopped laughing. “Seriously, I have never met friends that seem so close and have a good time like you guys do, it's amazing.”

“Well without Justin you will learn a lot of things,” Chris said. Joey punched him lightly in the stomach. Chris moved away in pain grabbing his chest. “JOEY!!!!!! I'm going to get you for that!”

“What?” Joey asked innocently. “You deserved it, didn't he, guys?”

Everyone but Chris agreed. Chris shot them all a mean look and pretended to walk off mad but turned back and laughed as if nothing had happened.

“You know I love you guys!” Chris hugged them all, one by one, including Christina.

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