4.
    "I can't believe it rained tonight..."
    Brittany peered over the banister, down into the living room and heard Brian talking to her aunt. Tonight was the night, it was going to happen rain or shine. She was all prettied up in a long, gold, backless dress, hair pulled up in a French twist. The folks at the MAC counter had gotten a little over dramatic with her makeup but that was okay, it almost made up for the fact that she had no date. Tonight she would get to find out if she was Homecoming Queen or not. Either way, it did not matter. There was really only one thing on her mind. One thing had been on her mind the entire week. AJ's kiss.
    She felt he had taken something from her when they had pulled away. Never before had Brittany ever felt so completely drained of all life and energy. Even when she smiled it hurt.
    "Britt, you ready?" Leighanne hollered up to her, "me and Brian wanna take pictures!"
    "I'm coming, I'm coming," she held on to the banister and walked carefully down the stairs, seeing as thought she wasn’t exactly the high-heel professional or anything.
    "Oh, Brittany, you look gorgeous," Leighanne breathed, a hand against her heart and this dreamy look in her eyes.
    Brian nodded. "There ain't no way they wont name you homecoming queen."
    "Thank you," Britt sighed, knowing that there were millions upon millions of girls who dreamed to hear Brian Littrell say something like that to them. "I just wish I had someone to go with."
    Leighanne shook her head, motioning for Brittany to step back a little, "It's more fun by yourself, believe me. Smile!"
    Brittany flashed a quick smile just as the doorbell rang. "That's probably Asia."
She hurried over to the door and opened it. Asia's dress matched her lips, a hedonistic red. Her dark hair was twisted in the front and flowing beautifully in the back. "You ready?"
    "Yup. Aunt Leighanne, Brian this is Asia," she didn’t sound too enthused. "Asia, my aunt and uncle. Let's go."
    "Bye, drive safe, you two, have fun!" Brian called after them. Leighanne blew a kiss. Brittany blew one back, winked and flashed a final smile before she shut the door. When she turned to go down the stairs. Asia's mouth was half open. "Ohmigod... that was-- your uncle?"
    "Yeah," Brittany shrugged casually as she opened Asia's big, black umbrella and held it above their heads.
    "He's--"
    "C'mon!" Brittany grabbed Asia’s wrist and led her down the stairs.
    "But he's--" stuttered Asia, suddenly short of breath.
    "Really nice, I know! It’s crazy!"


    Most of the night, in between dances and trips to the punch bowl, Asia had not stopped rambling on about Brittany's uncle. To anyone who came within six feet of them. It got so embarrassing that Brittany, inevitably told her to shut up and she would get over it. For God’s sake, she had! Just as Brittany was tossing her cup into a nearby garbage can, and turning to start conversation with a tall blonde that Asia had introduced as Charlize Peterson, a short brown-haired girl in a short blue dress stepped up on stage.
    "That's Folette Lopez. She's Puerto Rican. She's gonna play ball with us this year," Asia informed her.
    "It's time to announce Homecoming court as well as Homecoming King and Queen for 2001 here at MSHS!" There was an uproar of cheers and screaming. Brittany grabbed Asia’s hand. She was very excited and did not know why. The previous weeks she had loathed the entire idea. But it was all a matter of getting her there for Brittany to become completely elated. She wanted to win!
    From the corner of her eye she spotted a tall boy with long dirty blonde hair step up beside her. Asia whispered to her, "That’s Logan Miller."
    Logan winked at Brittany. She smiled and turned her head. "Nice," she said, being absolutely sincere. He was cute in that Matt Camden, 7th Heaven sort of way. He had dimples. By now, the entire Homecoming court was positioned up onstage, four boys and four girls, two from each grade level.
    "This years Homecoming King is...." people pounded a makeshift drum-roll on tables balled fists. "....Logan Miller!" More cheers and screamed. Logan looked directly at Brittany and smiled. She clapped and smiled politely for him. Logan took the stage where a blonde girl awarded him a sash with KING 2001 across the front as well as a crown.
    "And our Homecoming Queen for 2001 is.... Brittany Angel!" she sounded almost relieved that it was her and not someone else. People were standing on chairs, whooping, hollering, screaming and whistling. And Brittany had no idea who any of them were. She looked over to Asia who was gesturing her to get her booty up on that stage. Brittany took a breath and started through the crowd. All the way, people were steady whispering things about her. “She is so pretty,” “I know her, she’s really nice,” “Ohmigod, her hair is so better than Shawna’s.” Even the occassional “Yow!” from boys she would pass by. The blonde handed her a bouquet of red roses, a sash similar to the one given to Logan and placed a diamond tiara gingerly on her head. No one had let up on the screaming. Everybody was trippin! Brittany was so flattered and her face was turning red.
    "Congratulations to both of you," acclaimed the smiling, dimpled brunette.

    "And now the king and queen will dance the first slow song of the night."
    Brittany handed her flowers back to the blonde and Logan took Brittany's hand, all the while Brittany was desperately searching for Asia's face in the crowd. She needed to smile right now.


    After Logan and Brittany had their dance another slow song played. Logan told Brittany, in his adorable Australian accent, that she looked really pretty tonight. She thanked him and then he asked if she would do him the 'honor' and dance with him one more time. Seeing as though she had nothing better to do, she agreed and remained in Logan's arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and listen to the song playing. "When you love someone so deeply they become your life.... its easy to succumb to overwhelming fears inside.... blindly I imagined I could keep you under glass.... now I understand to hold you I must open up my hands and watch you fly...." Even though Mariah was a big ol’ hoochie momma her songs, whether they be slow or fast, had the power to provoke strong emotions. As Brittany danced with Logan that one particular thing crossed her mind once more and she found that she was about to cry. It had been an entire week since she and AJ had shared that amazing, that forbidden kiss. It still tingled on her lips like it had happened just a second ago. She missed him. And as bad as she wanted to see him again her heart bled fear. What would happen if they laid eyes on one another again? Something inside, deep down inside told her she would never know unless she went to him.
    "Logan, I have to go," she said softly, pressing herself from his arms. His green eyes bore into hers and it was easy to see the tears. She wished she hadn't started crying in front of him.
    "What's the matter, Brittany?" he reached up and wiped a single fallen tear from her cheek. That only led to the forthcoming of others.
    "I just need to get out of here..." she whispered with her head bowed.
    "You're not gonna run out on me now are you? Whatever is bothering you, you can tell me. I'm really a good listener."
    Although Brittany was intrigued by Logan's tender words and manners, she knew she had to get out.
    "I just need to step outside for some air," she smiled halfheartedly up at him.
    Logan nodded. "You know, you look really beautiful, Brittany.... even with tears in your eyes. I hope you feel better. And come find me if you want to talk."
    Brittany nodded this time and walked off through the double doors and kept on walking.....

5