A knock came to Mr. Dewit’s door. Mr. Dewit opened the door for a young man to walk in. Most of the girls looked up and smiled. Tristen had short blonde with brown natural high lights hair that he spiked and green/gray eyes that had blue stripes in them. "Hello my name is Tristen O’Reily. Is this Mr. Dewit’s Social Studies?" Tristen asked his voice thick with an Irish accent.

"Yes it is. Hello I’m Mr. Dewit. And we were just taking some notes. Let’s see we only have one seat left. You can sit by Briana, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind," Mr. Dewit explained. Tristen walked back to the only empty seat and sat down, he glanced at the girl beside him. Briana had long brown hair that came to the bottom of her back. As he looked at her Tristen thought he was looking at a china doll.

"Hi my name is Tristen," Tristen said holding out his hand. Tristen waited for her to respond and when she finally looked up he was meet by the saddest pair of blue eyes he had ever seen.

"Briana," She replied in a quiet voice.

"That’s a lovely name. It’s Irish I think," Tristen said. Briana blushed and smiled.

"You sound nice. Are you really from Ireland? That is so cool if you are. I’ve always wanted to go there," Briana explained.

"Well I was born here in the US but moved to Ireland when I was 11. Now we’ve moved back. How old are you?" Tristen asked.

"17, I’ll be turning 18 in 2 months," Briana replied.

"Cool. Do I have any other classes with you? You’re the first nice person I’ve met," Tristen stated. Briana smiled and looked at his schedule.

"You have drama class with me next. You know our drama class is the best class in school. We raised 600 dollars when we put on Dracula. The class is getting ready to perform Romeo & Juliet," Briana explained.

"Wow. My school was getting ready to do the same when we moved. My teacher told me that I was the best choice for Romeo," Tristen said laughing.

"I dance…" Briana started but Eric walked up.

"Yo! Tristen my man! I was just listening and thought you should know that I’m Tybalt. So don’t even try his place," Eric warned.

"Briana, would you let Tristen copy your notes so he can get caught up?" Mr. Dewit asked.

"Sure. Don’t worry about Eric, he’s always bullying people around. And you can just follow me to drama class," Briana told him as the bell rang. Tristen followed her and didn’t understand why so many guys gave her bad looks. When they walked into drama class Briana pointed out the teacher and ran to get changed.

Tristen sat in a chair and watched the others get ready. Two other guys came to hang with him. He found out their names were Daniel & Drew, they both had major parts in the up coming play. Daniel would play Mercutio and Drew would play Benvolio. Suddenly he stopped talking when he heard Irish step dancing music. They all looked to the stage were Briana was step dancing. Tristen watched in awe, she had a great figure and strong legs needed in step dancing and maybe ballet. "Excuse me," Tristen said to Daniel and Drew. He set his backpack down and jumped up on stage. He started dancing as well. He stood beside her and their steps matched exactly. Briana started laughing and soon the music stopped.

"That was great! What did you say your name was young man?" Miss. Shore asked.

"Tristen O’ Reily. I lived in Ireland for 5 years and learned how to step dance from my grand da," Tristen explained.

"I’m impressed. Well let’s start the auditions for Romeo, Prince, both Friars and Balthasar. We’ll start with the Friars," Miss. Shore told the class. The auditions went well and soon it was Tristen’s turn to try out for Romeo. Briana had already been chosen to play Juliet and stood ready to quote with Tristen. She didn’t even need her script cause she had read the play so many times. "Okay! Why don’t we do to the balcony scene? Sound good?" Miss. Shore suggested.

"Cool," They both replied at the same time.

"Okay, start with Juliet’s declaration," Miss. Shore told them. They took their places Briana stood high on some stairs.

"Oh Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love And I’ll no longer be a Capulet," Briana quoted.

"Shall I hear more or shall I speak at this?" Tristen whispered.

" ‘Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself not a Montague. What’s Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to man. O, be some other name! What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, Retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name, And for that name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself," Briana pledged.

"I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be Romeo," Tristan claimed. Briana was about to speak but Miss. Shore cut her off.

"Okay I’ve heard enough. Students we have our Juliet and Romeo!" Miss. Shore announced.

"Yes!" They cheered. The auditions finished and everyone in class had a part. This is what Miss. Shore’s cast list looked like.

"Tristen? Could you talk without the Irish accent?" Miss. Shore asked.

"Dude, I can talk any way you want," Tristen replied perfectly in English. Miss. Shore had to laugh. Tristen walked out of drama class with Daniel and Drew. He had lost track of Briana after their auditions and wished he knew where she was. "Do you guys know why Briana is given bad looks in the hall by other guys?" Tristen asked at lunch. They were quiet for a minute and weren’t quick to answer him.

"When she was a freshman Bree fell in love with a junior. He found out and acted like he loved her but all he really wanted was her body. Bree was and still is the prettiest girl in school. But when he didn’t get what he wanted from her that guy started spreading rumors that she was easy. Not many kids here like girls who are like that and so she was rejected. But she has accepted it and doesn’t bother anyone," Drew explained.

"You guys sound close to her," Tristen said.

"Known her since 3rd grade and would do anything for her. But she never asks," Daniel replied.

"She seems so sad," Tristen claimed.

"You would be to if everyone ignored you but that’s not the reason. Her mom was just diagnosed with diabetes. It’s taken a toll on their family. Her dad left them not wanting to be bothered with it," Drew told him. Tristen nodded and left for his next class. After school he waited by the door until he saw Briana.

"Briana! Wait up!" Tristen yelled running up behind her. She looked shocked that he was chasing after her.

"Hi. You didn’t make any other friends to hang out with? I mean usually new kids find some other friends besides me and run off with them," Briana told him.

"Hey I like you okay. I’m not the kind of guy to make new friends and leave old ones behind. And I did make new friends Daniel and Drew from theater class. So my Juliet want to meet up and practice. Not that you need it but I could use a refresher," Tristen explained.

"Maybe a little later tonight. I have to make sure mom’s okay first. If she isn’t feeling well then no. But if she feels up to it then yes. Call me later. Here’s my number," Briana told him as she quickly handed him a piece of paper and took off running down a small road. Tristen waited a hour after he got home to call. "Hello?" Briana’s voice asked.

"Hey it’s Tristen," Tristen replied.

"Tristen! You called!" Briana exclaimed.

"Yeah. I never go back on my word. So how’s your mom? Can we practice?" Tristen asked.

"She’s fine. Let me ask her real quick," Briana said as she put the phone down and yelled to her mom.

"Sure! Tell him to come over and come with an empty stomach! We’re ordering pizza!" Her mom yelled.

"She says it’s fine. And come hungry we’re ordering pizza. I’ll meet you at the end of the road where I left you this afternoon in 30 minutes. Bye," Briana said as she hung up. Tristen sat there for a minute just listening to the dial tone. His heart thumped in his chest.

"What is this feeling I have?" Tristen wondered as he hung up the phone. 30 minutes later Tristen meet Briana at the end of the road where she had given him her phone number. "Hey. Uh… what’s the blind fold for?" Tristen asked walking up to her.

"Where we live is a secret. It was my mom’s childhood home. No body can see it from the road and only my mom and I know how to get to it," Briana explained as she put the blindfold over his eyes. Before long she was laughing her head off, it was pretty hard to lead him. But finally they got to the house and slowly she took the blindfold off. Tristen’s breath caught as he saw the house before him. It was a two-story house with vines crawling up the sides. Flowers and trees all around, a small creek ran about 3 feet from the left side of the house and created a small waterfall just a few feet from where he was standing. It was breath taking.

"You… live… here! In this palace!" Tristen exclaimed.

"I would hardly call it a palace but we like it," Briana answered. Briana led him into the house and introduced Tristen to her mom.

"It’s so nice to meet you. It’s been a long time since Briana has had some friends over. Whatever happened to those two boys? Daniel and Drew? They were so nice," Mom questioned. Briana was quiet and her mom understood.

"Come on Tristen, I’ll show you our two dogs and then we’ll practice before I have to go get the pizza," Briana told him walking out the back door. Tristen loved Brian’s two dogs. "Their both German Shepherds. Both are pure breeds and we breed them to make some money. Trunks is the boy and Angel is the girl. Trunks has always been mom’s dog. And she got Angel just after I was born to be my guardian," Briana explained.

"So she’s like your guardian angel?" Tristen asked.

"Yep. She always protected me," Briana replied petting Angel. After that they walked back inside and picked up their scripts. "Oh Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore out thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or if thou wilt not but be sworn my love and I shall no longer be a Capulet," Briana said.

"Shall I here more or shall I speak at this?" Tristen whispered. They went through the whole play and when they were done her mother clapped.

"No wonder you two got picked for those parts. You have just the right chemistry going on to perform the parts. Bree the pizza should be here in a few minutes do go meet them won’t you?" Mom asked.

"Sure. Tristen you stay here. I’ll be back in a few," Briana told him as she ran out the door.

"Briana is lucky," Tristen said quietly.

"And why is that?" Mom asked.

"She has you. I never knew my mother or my father; both died before I was one. My aunt who had been taking care of me died when I was 11 and then I was sent to live with my grand da in Ireland," Tristen explained.

"I’m sorry to here that. I always try to be the best to Briana. When that boy did those horrible things to her, I wanted to kill him. But there was nothing I could do. Briana promised me that everything was okay but I knew she was lying. She didn’t bring friends home like she used to, but of course that was before her father left. Sometimes I do wish I could change things just so she could be happy," Mom explained.

"I understand. Someday I hope to do the best I can with my family," Tristen said. Just then Briana came back with the pizza.

"Okay! You guys didn’t talk about me behind my back did you?" Briana asked.

"Oh shoot! You came back just before I got to show him the baby pictures," Mom complained. They all laughed. After the pizza and some more practicing the play Briana lead Tristen through the dark forest and back to the road.

"Thanks Tristen. This is the nicest anyone has been to me in a long time. It feels really good to know that someone likes me again," Briana explained quietly.

"I like only to believe what the person who something has happened to says. That way you know it is almost always true. I heard about that guy from Daniel and Drew. But I think you had the right idea, if it had happened to me I would have done the same," Tristen replied.

"Thanks," Briana said a tear slowing fell down her cheek. Tristen wiped it away and kissed her cheek.

"See you tomorrow," Tristen told her and he ran into the darkness. Briana stood there in shock for a few minutes.

"Tristen just kissed me! I don’t believe it!" Briana thought. She walked home in a daze and as she walked in her mom saw her smile.

"Finally some happiness for her," Mom thought as she went to bed.

Over the next 2 months Tristen and Briana became closer and closer. Then on Wednesday the 26th Briana turned 18. In Mr. Dewit’s 3rd period she was called to the office. When she got there were 18 different flowers tied together and a card. The card read,

Dear Juliet,

But soft what light through yonder window breaks it is the east and Juliet is the sun! Briana you are my Juliet not just in the play but in life. Before I meet you my life was a sad one. But now all I see is you. These flowers are for your birthday and I have something else for you. Come back to the room with the flowers so I can give it to you.

Love,

Tristen

Briana grabbed the flowers and ran back to Mr. Dewit’s room. She walked in and everyone looked at her and the flowers. A few whispers went around as she walked back to Tristen. And when she set the flowers in front of him he looked up.

"Glad to see you got them on time," Tristen said.

"What are you doing?" Briana whispered. Tristen stood and pulled a small black box out of his pocket. He opened it and held it out to her.

"Briana over the past 2 months you have put light into my life. You have shown me what true friendship is. I hope you will take this ring as my thanks and as the answer to my question. Will you be my girlfriend?" Tristen asked. Tears sprang to her eyes and she was speechless. Finally after a few minutes she found her voice.

"Tristen I… yes," Briana said quietly. Tristen smiled and dipped her back into a long kiss. Drew sat watching them his mouth open wide. Daniel stood watching them in disbelief and let out a long whistle. Briana looked happier than she had ever been when Tristen finally brought her back up.

That Sunday afternoon Tristen took Briana to Central Park. He packed a picnic lunch and found them a small place by the pond. "Tristen? I have to ask you why do you want to go out with me when you could have so many others?" Briana asked.

"You caught my eye the first day of school. All the other girls looked up and smiled flirty smiles; you on the other hand didn’t even look up. And then as I got to know you I liked you even more," Tristen explained. Briana blushed.

"You know I have to admit at first I thought you would turn out to be just another prep. But you’ve shown me kindness that no one else has. Thank you," Briana told him.

"Briana… I’ll always be here for you," Tristen whispered and then he kissed her cheek. Briana blushed and hugged her knees to her chest as she watched some swans swim on the lake. Suddenly Briana leaned over and kissed Tristen full on the lips.

"Promise me that you’ll always be there for me… always. I’ll give you my heart and soul but only if they won’t get broken," Briana told him quietly.

"I’m yours forever," Tristen replied. Briana kissed him again and this time she gave him a real thrill.

It was 2 months before the play. Tristen and Briana were closer than ever. But then the bad thing happened. One day after Briana ran in from school she yelled for her mom. "Mom! I’m home! Is it okay if Tristen comes to dinner?" Briana yelled. No answer. "Mom!" Still no answer. Briana walked up the stairs to her mother’s room. "Mom?" Briana questioned pushing the door open. Her mom lay on the floor not moving. "Mom! Are you okay!" Briana screamed kneeling by her mother. No response. "No mom. Answer me! You can’t leave me now! I need you!" When her mom didn’t wake up the truth suddenly hit her. Her mom was dead; she had no other family. Her dad had left because he didn’t want her, why should this event make things different? She started crying and rocked back and forth. Finally she got up the courage to go down stairs and call someone, she called Tristen.

"Hello?" Tristen asked.

"Tristen… I don’t think you can come over for dinner tonight," Briana said.

"Why? Is your mom feeling alright?" Tristen questioned.

"She is so well that she will never be ill again," Briana replied.

"Okay… I didn’t get that. Run it by me again in English," Tristen told her.

"I found her… Tristen she’s gone. My mom is… is…" Briana said but then got choked up.

"Oh God! I’ll be there in 2 minutes!" Tristen told her and he hung up the phone. Briana had shown him the way and he had memorized it. He was there in 2 minutes flat and as soon as he walked in Briana fell to his arms. "Shh… it’ll be okay. Come on let’s sit down and I’ll call some people," Tristen explained sitting her down on the couch. An hour later Briana’s only real friends, paramedics and Miss. Shore were there. The paramedics moved her mother’s body to the funeral home the burial preparation. Daniel and Drew tried to comfort Briana but she only wanted to be with Tristen.

"Since you have no family to stay with I would be most happy to offer my home to be yours," Miss. Shore whispered sitting by her.

"Thank you, I might just have to take you up on your offer. And Miss. Shore I don’t think I’ll be able to be Juliet. I’m sorry," Briana whispered leaning on Tristen’s chest. Miss. Shore understood and didn’t push her.

"Fine we’ll see if you feel the same after a while but if you still feel the same then Carol will have to take your place," Miss. Shore told her. Briana could feel Tristen cringe, Carol didn’t have a lick of talent when it came to acting. That’s why she got stuck with being the announcer in the first place.

"I’m sorry Tristen. But I just don’t think I could handle the play right now. Mom promised she would come and see us in it but now she can’t…" Briana cried.

"Shh… it’s okay. It’ll be okay," Tristen whispered as he stroked her hair. That night Briana stayed with Miss. Shore. For the next month she didn’t come to school. Miss. Shore told Tristen that she only came out of her room only to use the bathroom and to get something to eat.

"I’m really starting to worry about her. If she doesn’t come back soon then we will have to use Carol a our Juliet," Miss. Shore explained to Tristen.

"It’s a terrible pain for me not to know my parents. But Briana knew her mother well enough that when she died a piece of Briana died with her," Tristen replied.

"Class! We will be having a dress rehearsal in 2 weeks at 7. Please be here, we really need to do this for the play," Miss. Shore told the class. Everyone nodded and left for their next class.

2 weeks later every student in the play was there to rehearse. "Okay… Carol let’s start with…" Miss. Shore started.

"Wait! Wait! I’m here!" Briana yelled running into the room.

"Briana!" Tristen said relieved.

"Glad to see you decided to come," Miss. Shore told her.

"Sorry I had to figure a few things out. But now I’m ready to perform. Let’s do it people," Briana cheered.

"Thank You Briana! I really didn’t feel comfortable being Juliet with your boyfriend," Carol whispered as she ran to change custumes with Briana.

"I know. And I’m sorry to make you go through this in the first place," Briana whispered back. As soon as Carol and Briana were in their outfits they started dress rehearsal. Miss. Shore loved how well the dress rehearsal went.

"Briana! You and Tristen just have the most perfect chemistry I have ever seen. The play will be wonderful because of you two. And Briana don’t worry, your mother will be right here in the front row watching you," Miss. Shore explained with a smile.

"Thank You Miss. Shore. You have been the best to me. I will try my best to please you in the play. Is what I’ve heard true?" Briana questioned smiling.

"I don’t know. What have you heard?" Miss Shore asked.

"I heard that the play is sold out. And has raised 1,500 dollars for the drama class," Briana replied.

"Oh! I had wanted it to be a secret until the play but now that it’s out…" Miss. Shore started.

"That’s great!" Tristen cheered putting a arm around Briana.

"You guys could perform this play on broad way if the crowd likes it. I have a scouted coming looking for new talent. He’s a friend of mine and I’ve just been going on and on about how great you guys are," Miss. Shore explained.

"Oh! How dare you go behind our backs and talk about us! That’s awful!" Briana squealed laughing.

"Hey I got tickets to go see Brian McKnight, Shaggy, Afroman, and R. Kelly in concert for tomorrow night. Want to go with me?" Tristen asked.

"I would but I just have so much work to do, catching up and all…" Briana stated.

"I’ll talk to your teachers I’m sure they’ll give you some time. And I’m sure Tristen would be glad to help. Go have some fun!" Miss. Shore told her.

"Thank You Miss. Shore! Okay Tristen I’ll meet you at 5:30. Be ready to party," Briana said as she kissed him on the cheek. Tristen blushed.

"Remember everyone! The play is in 2 weeks! We’ve worked hard so don’t go and blow it!" Miss. Shore yelled. Everyone laughed as the bell rang and they ran out the door. The next night at 5:30 Tristen showed up in a car.

"Where’d you get the ride?" Briana asked climbing in.

"I’ve been saving up for a while, and my parents left me some money along with my Aunt. Let’s go we don’t want to be late," Tristen explained and he drove off. At the concert Shaggy sang, Dance And Shout. Then R. Kelly sang his newest song. Then Afroman came out singing, Because I got High. And finally the one Briana had waited all night to see came out. Brian McKnight walked out on stage.

"Good evening! I’ve had a special request from a big fan. He would like me to sing the song his girlfriend says is theirs. Because this song explains how they feel about each other I will sing it! This song just happens to be one of my favorites so here it is, Love Of My Life. Dedicated to Briana! Love Tristen!" Brian yelled and then he sang.

First…

First time I looked into your eyes

I saw heaven oh… heaven in your eyes

Everything I did before you wasn’t worth my while

It should’ve been you all the time

I’ll do anything and every thing to please you

You know how much I need you

You’re always, always on my mind

You’re more than wonderful, more than amazing,

The irreplaceable love of my life

You’re so incredible, here in these arms tonight

The irreplaceable love of my life

Always, seems like a reality

Forever don’t seem so far away

All I wanna do, all I wanna think, all I wanna be… is close to you

Every day is my lucky day

All I wanna do is love you

I place no one above you

I tell you why

You’re more than wonderful, more than amazing

The irreplaceable love, love of my life

You’re so incredible, here in these arms of mine

The irreplaceable love of my life

Baby you know, you know you’re my one and only

All I wanna do is be together

Sugar you know, I’ll never leave you lonely

In your eyes, in your eyes I see forever

Ooh…Ooh…

You’re more than wonderful, more than amazing

The irreplaceable love of my life

You’re so incredible, here in these arms tonight

The irreplaceable love of my life.

Brian ended his song and the crowd broke out in applause. Everyone around them cheered but Tristen and Briana just stood looking at each other. Briana had tears streaming down her face and her eyes shook.

"Tristen… how?" Briana whispered. Tristen took her in his arms and held her close.

"Because I love you. Anything is possible with love," Tristen answered and he kissed her.

"Thank you," Briana said quietly.

"Now come on, we have a date with someone backstage," Tristen told her as he led her through the crazy crowd. Security guards blocked their way.

"Passes!" One demanded. Tristen pulled out the passes for two and let the guard see them.

"Go on, Brian’s waiting," He said stepping aside. They found Brian smiling, happy to see everyone had loved the song.

"Brian!’ Tristen yelled.

"Hey! Tristen! So is this the lucky lady you were telling me about?" Brain asked shaking his hand.

"Yep. Brian this is Briana, the love of my life," Tristen said.

"Nice to meet you. Hope this guy didn’t shock you to much with his request," Brain told her smiling.

"Not… at… all," Briana stammered. Brian smiled.

"Let me treat you two to supper. I would like to talk about a play I have heard a lot about," Brain told them.

"You! You heard about our play!" Briana asked. They were sitting in a Pizza Hut eating a pepperoni pizza.

"Yes, I believe Tristen mentioned it to me and I got my aide to buy us a ticket each. I can’t wait, Romeo & Juliet was always one of my favorite books," Brian explained.

"The play is in 2 weeks. I do hope you can make it," Tristen added.

"Oh I will, don’t worry about that. Well it’s getting late. And I’m sure you guys need to get home. I will see you at the play. Goodnight," Brian told them as he paid the tab, and left.

"What a night! Oh Tristen you could not have made me happier! Thank you!" Briana sighed as Tristen drove.

"Your welcome. Whatever makes you happy my love," Tristen replied. The next time he looked over she was asleep, he didn’t have the heart to wake her or Miss. Shore so he just carried her into his house and gave her his bed. He kissed her cheek and she smiled in her sleep. Tristen took the couch, he wished he could have been in Briana’s arms but was waiting until she was ready. The next morning when he woke up Tristen smelled eggs and bacon. He looked up over the couch to see Briana in the kitchen cooking. He quietly walked into the kitchen and put his arms around her waist. Briana jumped a little and then smiled. She rubbed her silk hands up his arms and he kissed her neck.

"Good morning to you to," Briana said smiling.

"A very good morning, waking up to something this beautiful," Tristen replied.

"Go sit down, breakfast is almost done. I’ve already called Miss. Shore to let her know where I am. And we have to go to school; Miss. Shore called a last minute practice. The play is in 2 days," Briana told him as she gave him a plate. She put 3 eggs and 5 strips of bacon on his plate. Then she put 1 egg and 2 strips of bacon on hers.

"That’s not all your going to eat is it?" Tristen asked.

"Yes, I rarely eat breakfast. And this looks like a lot to me," Briana told him.

"If you say so," Tristen said. About an hour later they climbed in the car and Tristen drove to school. Miss. Shore was already in the drama room setting up props.

"Hey guys! Glad you came. I could use some help getting everything ready," Miss. Shore told them as they walked in.

"Cool, what do you need us to do?" Tristen asked.

"Could you set up the balcony, it hooks somehow but I can’t get it to hook," Miss. Shore explained.

"Tristen, you handle the balcony and I’m going to make last adjustments on the costumes," Briana explained running behind the curtains. She had dummies for all main people in the play. She took her own costume in her dressing room and put her costume on. She came out 15 minutes later to find Miss. Shore.

"How should I wear this head thing?" Briana asked.

"Like this," Miss. Shore replied. Turning the veil to the back. Then the rest of the gang and cast showed up. They went over the play again in their costumes. "That was perfect guys! Do it the same in 2 weeks and we’ll be a hit!" Miss. Shore cheered. Two weeks later the curtains opened and the play started. Briana peeked out from behind the curtain and saw two things she hadn’t noticed before the play. One seat was empty and someone was in the seat beside it that she noticed but something was different. Miss. Shore saw this and came to stand beside her.

"Who and what’s that for?" Briana questioned.

"The empty chair is for your mom. And that man said he was a friend of you and Tristen’s. Said he meet you two weeks ago," Miss. Shore explained. Briana gasped she knew who it was, it was Brian McKnight of course if he wasn’t different people would go crazy. Suddenly it was her cue and she went on. The play went great and at the end some threw roses on the stage. It honored them all for this gesture. And then they went walked among the people excepting praises. Tristen went to get a present from his car for Briana when he heard voices laughing.

"That laugh sounds like Eric," Tristen thought as he walked back into school.

"Yep. Man! Briana was looking good tonight," Another voice said.

"You got that right! Maybe I should take her back to my place congratulate her properly," Eric told them.

"What about that guy… Tristen?" The voice asked.

"Tristen, Shitsten. I don’t care what that guy thinks. I can kick his ass anytime anywhere," Eric replied.

"I doubt that," Tristen called. He’d been walking behind them this whole time listening to every word. Eric spun around to face him.

"Oh yeah smart ass! I bet if we were both new Briana would chose me over you!" Eric yelled.

"I doubt that again. Briana is more than just a pretty face she has a great mind to," Tristen stated pushing Eric up against some lockers. Just then Briana came looking for Tristen she heard Eric yelling.

"Come on Tristen! You know you love Briana’s body." Eric yelled.

"You’re right Eric I do love Briana’s body but…" Tristen was cut off by Briana.

"That’s enough Tristen!" Briana screamed. Both Tristen and Eric looked her way.

"Briana…" Tristen started.

"Shut up Tristen! I hate you! I thought you were different but you turn out to be just like the others! I never want to see you ever again!" Briana yelled tears running down her cheeks. She turned then and ran away.

"Briana!" Tristen called after her but she didn’t turn back or even gave him a second glance. Tristen turned back to Eric his eyes raging, his grip got tighter on Eric’s collar and then he brought one hand back. He punched Eric so hard that he fell and didn’t get up. "Fucker," Tristen whispered. And then he stalked off. That night spring break started and would last for three weeks. The first two days Briana didn’t call him and he didn’t call her. Tristen wanted to get away, away from his feelings so he left the next day to go to the apartment his Aunt had left him. Two weeks passed and they both moped around until…