This is my first story here on fictionpress, but my 21 posted one overall. Reviews are nice, there will be two or three chapters, I don't remember.

Disclaimer: I do own this, and all the characters!

"So do you have a date yet?"

Terra Chandler slammed shut the door of her blue-green locker, and stared into the face of her ditzy best friend and follower. She gave a long, dramatic sigh and replied,"Missy, you know I'm only going to settle for the best."

Missy giggled," I know, but prom's next week! Time's running out. I know five guys who want to go with you; why not pick one of them?"

Terra's groan echoed through the near-empty hallway," Are they the best?"

"No."

"Then that's my answer."

Another giggle, and then Missy squealed excitedly, "Oh look, there's Emma!" Another girl, this one with strawberry blonde hair and a sky blue miniskirt, had entered the hallway and was waving frantically. She gave Missy an off target air kiss and tried to get Terra with one- it was dodged with practiced skill; Emma said,"Oh my God, guess what! I got a date!!!" Missy squealed with delight, and Terra gave an exaggerated roll of her brown eyes. They were so shallow and superficial; it was annoying. But she couldn't dump them now; they were all part of her plan. The plan that would keep everyone thinking that she was normal.

Everyone knew that Terra was different that she was an atheist. Her asexuality, however was a different matter. Terra had known since she was a little girl that she did not like guys or girls, and that no one ever was going to find out about it. She had it all planned out, her entire life. She was going to graduate from her elitist high school as valedictorian and top cross country and track runner, go to Harvard, get a PhD, have her brief career as a runner, become a lawyer, marry some trophy husband, and maybe grunt out one or two kids, all to keep up her normalcy charade.

Terra gave a small smile, and tuned back into the conversation.

Missy was jumping up and down while saying, " Tell me! Give us the dirt!"

Emma smiled knowingly, then said, "Well, it happened like this. I come in, and I see Cap. You know, the cute football player. With the red hair. Anyways, I was walking by, and he was like 'So you got a date for prom?' and I was like 'No, do you?' and he says 'Wanna go with me?' and I was all 'Oh my God, yes!' and then.."Her high pitched monologue was cut off by the dull tone of the bell, signaling that it was time to report to class.

Missy checked her lip gloss, and then said to Terra, "See you at lunch, Terra!" Then she and Emma pranced away, chatting happily. Terra reopened her locker, pulled out her Advanced Spanish textbook, and headed down the hallway to her classroom.

She froze, though, when she saw her target waiting in line to get a drink. Tall, with black hair and almost-black eyes that were paired with pale skin and all black clothes. Pete Turner was the guy all the Gothic girls wanted. Actually, most girls in the school-and some guys-had had a crush on him at some point or another. Even Terra couldn't deny that the guy was hot. Terra had selected him to be her prom date. There was only one problem; he didn't like her. As far as Terra knew, he didn't even know her name. When she had first discovered this, she had choked on her Red Bull so hard that it came out her nose, making for both a painful and humiliating scene. Who didn't know about the famous Terra Chandler?

But his rejection had only fueled the flames of Terra's determination, and she had decided that this guy would be her prom date, whether he wanted to or not. Failure was not an option for her. Putting on a fake grin, she power-walked over to the drinking fountain and got in line behind him. There was a brief silence as Terra waited for him to notice her, then she said perkily, "Hi."

He turned, and seemed to have just noticed her presence as he replied, "Hi…… Terra, isn't it?"

"Yep. So, do you have a date for the prom yet?"

"No."

"Did no one ask you?"

"No, about five people did. I just don't want to go. I think prom's stupid."

"Do you wanna go with me?" inquired Terra.

"Thanks for the offer, but no. I've got other plans."
Terra's hands clenched into tight fists, and it took all her self control to keep from pummeling him. How dare he refuse a date from her, Terra Chandler? Any other guy in the school would kill for the opportunity. Breathe, Terra. Collect yourself, and try again. You can do it, Terra. She put on another fake smile and hissed through clenched teeth, " You must not have heard me, so I'll ask you again. Will you go to the prom with me?"

The good natured smile that had graced his handsome features only seconds before had vanished, and he whispered angrily, " I told you, no. It's nothing personal; I just don't want to go. Sorry!"

Trust me, buddy, it's personal. No one refuses me. No one.

Her voice could barely be heard through her gritted teeth," One last chance. Will… You… Go…. To…. Prom… With…. Me?"

"My answer hasn't changed in the last ten seconds, no! Look, I'm sorry but I'm just not interested in prom right now."

Terra's eyes were starting to mist over with tears, not because of sadness, but because of pure frustration. Her voice was extremely high pitched, as it was apt to do when she was angry, as she screeched at Pete, " How could you not want to go to prom with me? Even the gay guys want to go with me! And I know you're not gay, and you don't have a girlfriend, so what's the catch?" He glanced over his shoulder nervously, grabbed Terra's arm, and dragged her over to a janitor's closet. Looking around to make sure the coast was clear, he shoved her in and slammed the door behind him.

It was dark, and Terra had her foot stuck in a bucket and a mop poking her in the back- it was not pleasant. Pete blended in so perfectly with the dark room, only his pale face was visible. He whispered, " Look, I don't want to go to the prom with you because I'm asexual. I told everyone that I have a girlfriend back east that I visit every summer, and that's why I don't date. I just don't like guys or girls. I came out to my family, and I plan on telling the guys on prom night. It's nothing personal, and you're a nice enough person that I would go with you if I didn't have to keep up the charade. So, sorry, but I'm not going."

He turned to leave the closet, but Terra grabbed his wrist and said in a softer voice," Wait! I'm asexual too, and the only reason why I want to go with you is so everyone will think I'm straight. I've told the girls that I'll only go with you, and at this point we're the only upper classmen without dates. And unless you want to doom me to a date with some freshman geek….."

He laughed, and replied, "Tell you what, I'll go with you if you agree to come out to your family that night. It'll make it easier for both of us if we can do it together."

Terra froze like a rabbit staring down the barrel of a hunter's gun. Come out to her family? If she really wanted to end her life, she would just jump in front of a moving vehicle, not make it prolonged and painful. If her friends found out……

Terra, he said your family. Nothing about your friends was mentioned. Your family loves you, it wouldn't be that bad. They would keep it a secret if you told them to. I mean, why not? Your plan would come to a perfect finale, and you would never have to date some mindless creep again.

With a soft groan, Terra whispered," Fine, we'll do it. Pick me up at seven, okay?"

O.G.