Joel’s POV

“What are you doing Joel?” The guys ask me in disbelief as I stand up to speak. “You do know that speeches are extremely uncool. This will ruin your image!” The last uttered words have me whipping around to face them.

“You know what? I don’t care about my image anymore because popularity has been nothing but trouble for me!” They are shocked into silence as I walk out into the middle of the circle. I look around for a minute searching for Jemma’s face but I don’t see it. This has to be said, Jemma or no Jemma. I look down nervously before starting.

“You all know me. I am Joel Riley, the skateboarder, the punk, the bad boy, and the troublemaker.” Everyone except Zack and Kay cheer, “But I don’t think that you really know me. All I have seen myself as lately is a Jerk.” The crowd quiets as I continue, “I took the kindness and acceptance of the best girl in the world and I betrayed it. All I cared about was my popularity and I was going to protect it at any cost. Do you know what that cost was? It was the friendship of an amazing girl who did not deserve to be treated like she was.” I pause for minute and look at each face in the crowd. “A wise person once said ‘Nothing is worth getting if you have to hurt someone else to get it.’ I hurt someone to maintain my popularity, and to you Jemma I am sorry.” As I’m turning around to sit back down I make my way over to a lone stump. I am not going back to Jimmy, Drew, and the guys. Before I reach the stump I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn around to see Zack and Kay staring at me. I smile and follow them over to where they are sitting and feel truly accepted for the first time ever. The only thing that would make this perfect is if Jemma was here. Little did I know that she was standing in the shadows listening to every word I said, thoughts warring in her head.

“Joel?” I look up from the chair I am folding at the softly spoken utterance of my name. I turn around to see Jemma standing there looking unsure. I feel uncomfortable as I look down at the ground.

“I heard your speech in front of everyone.” She says as I blush, “I’m proud of you for standing up for who you really are.” I look into her eyes after she says this.

“I am so sorry Jemma. I was such a jerk to you and I deserve for you to never speak to me again.” She shakes her head and is silent for a minute.

“I forgave you a long time ago Joel, even when the sadness lingered.” I feel sad and guilty when she says this.

“I was a complete idiot, I blew it with you, and I understand if you say no, but will you give me a second chance?” I plead. She looks into my eyes and seems to think for a minute. Wrapping me into a hug she says,

“Yeah, I’ll give you a second chance. But it’s going to take a lot to earn my complete trust back.” I hug her, thankful beyond belief that I get another chance to treat this amazing friend, this amazing girl, like she deserves. Music starts to play and the two of us look towards where it is coming from. A sheepish looking Zack, Kay, and Miss Taylor are standing there watching us. We all smile at one another, feeling wanted and loved. Miss Taylor smiles from the side as Zack and Kay walk out to where we are standing.

The moonlight reveals two young couples dancing happily under the stars next to a beautiful lake. The spunky rule follower and the school’s artistic punk twirl around the pine needle covered floor while the supportive sister and the overprotective best friend laugh and dance under a tree. As the trees rustle in the wind and the birds sing their songs the first couple stares in each other’s eyes. A shooting star falls as the girl receives her first kiss in the magical setting of the mountains. I guess happily ever after does exist after all.

The End