You’re my dream come true.

I smiled as I pocketed the blue piece of paper, smiling at the red rose in my hand.

It’s been two weeks since I first received a red rose, and I’ve been getting them almost every day with a note attached. Sean really did have a way with girls. We’ve gone out the past two Friday nights. Nothing too fancy, just movies and dinners. But it was fun all the same, and I thought me and Sean were really getting to know each other.

And yes, in the past two weeks, me and Nate have shown no signs of reconciling any time soon. He kind of just glances at me when he sees me and then slouches away with that depressed look on his face. I feel a little bad about him looking sad and all cause I’m pretty sure it has something to do with us, but then it’s not like he’s giving Sarah up either you know.

By the way, Sarah has this preconceived notion that she and Nate are going to last through college. That’s what she’s been telling everyone anyway, that she and Nate have plans to go to Princeton together after high school. And speaking of the she-devil, there she came strutting down the hallway in her four-inch heels, flipping her hair behind her head. She glanced at me and smirked. I narrowed my eyes at her as she walked away.

“Whoa girl, you look ready to gorge the eyes out of that empty head of Stinky Sarah,” said Courtney. Brenda was surprisingly nowhere in sight. I smiled at her and turned to place the rose back into my locker.

“Another token of affection from your not so secret admirer?” Courtney raised her eyebrows.

“What admirer?” I replied, pretending to be busy looking for my textbooks.

“So are you two like, officially dating?” asked Courtney. She was frowning at the rose in my locker. I knew she and Brenda didn’t really like it that me and Sean were going on dates after I’ve admitted that I like Nate, but come on, I couldn’t be expected to wait around for Nate to suddenly realize he likes me and come running back to apologize right? Cause evidently it isn’t going to happen soon.

“No we aren’t Courtney,” I replied, shutting the door to my locker and walking to my next class. Courtney fell in step beside me. “Where’s Brenda anyway?”

“Probably somewhere off making out with Eddie,” said Courtney with a wave of her hand.

“Wait, Brenda and Eddie? Since when?” I laughed.

“Since last week AJ,” she sighed. “Look, you’ve been too preoccupied on the whole revenge on Nate thing that –“

“What? I’m not taking revenge on Nate. I really like Sean!”

“As a friend you do. You enjoy hanging out with him, but only as friends, and you know that. You’re just trying to prove a point to Nate with Sean, and I think deep down you know it,” Courtney was frowning again. I looked away from her, refusing to meet her eye.

We turned the corner and saw Sean waiting outside my classroom. He smiled and waved when he saw the both of us.

“Well, there’s your knight in shining armour,” Courtney murmured. “I’ll see you later AJ.”

“Hey,” I grinned at him.

“Hey,” he kissed me on the cheek, “listen, my mum’s wants to know if you’d like to come over for dinner this Friday.”

“Wow...dinner at your place? This is kind of sudden, I mean we haven’t really talked about the whole meet the parents thing yet. I thought we agreed we were taking things slow?” I said.

“Yeah I know, it’s just that everyone at home have really been wanting to meet this amazingly beautiful girl that I can’t stop talking about,” he replied. I laughed at his comment. God, how in the world did I land such a sweet guy?

“Alright, I guess dinner at your place sounds good.”

“Great! Pick you up at 7?” he smiled, squeezing my hand before leaving.

“Ok now I’m really concerned. You’re meeting his parents? AJ I thought this was just some fling to help you pass time while you and Nate figure things out!” said Courtney. I had to hold the phone away from my ear because she was practically shrieking.

“Come on Courtney, I really like Sean. Plus, looking at how things are with Nate right now, I highly doubt we’ll have a ‘happily ever after’ ending to our story. Don’t you think it’s time I moved on from being clingy and lovesick?” I said, raking through my dresser to find something to wear for dinner at Sean’s.

“You’re not being clingy and lovesick, you’re just being patient,” Courtney tried to reason. I laughed at that.

“You’ve got to be kidding me Court, how long must I sit around and wait? Nate may be royalty in school, but not in my life ok. Right now...he just doesn’t seem worth waiting for.”

“Urgh. Brenda, talk some sense into her will you!” Courtney said.

“Huh? Oh right. Um...what were we talking about again?” said Brenda, sounding very distracted.

“Are you IM-ing with Eddie again?” I laughed. Brenda gave a sheepish sort of giggle.

“We’re talking about AJ’s messed up love life?” Courtney reminded her.

“Oh of course. Well AJ you should just go with whoever makes you happy,” Brenda said.

“Thank you!” I said, amidst Courtney’s cries of protest. “Court Sean makes me happy and I really want to give us a shot. So please be supportive?”

Courtney sighed and deliberated for a long time. “Fine...I guess...if you really want to...”

“Thanks Court, now I really gotta go. Tell you guys about it in school on Monday. Bye!”

I picked out a nice floral dress that Mum had insisted on getting me last Christmas. She said I needed more of a feminine touch. Well I guess this dress would do, especially if I have to impress parents.

I laid it down on the bed, just as Mum poked her head into my room.

“Mum! Ever heard of knocking?” I exclaimed.

“Sorry honey, I forgot. But I just wanted to tell you that you have to spend the night at Nate’s tomorrow night. Your grandma is ill and I have to fly in to check on her. I won’t be back till the night after.”

“Mum! You know me and Nate aren’t speaking!” I said. “Can’t I stay at Courtney’s or Brenda’s instead?”

“I know honey, but I was talking to Nate’s mother about it and she very kindly offered. It would be rude to change our plans when I’ve already accepted. Besides, don’t you think it’s time you and Nate got over your childish quarrel?”

“We are not having a childish quarrel,” I insisted.

“Alright, whatever you say...” she said, leaving my room.

Great, I have to spend the night at Nate’s place. This totally killed my mood. How am I supposed to enjoy dinner with Sean’s family when I have to think about this?

Well too late for that now. I heard the doorbell ring and quickly threw on the dress to meet Sean.

Please God let this night go without a hitch!

Downstairs, I find Sean waiting for me patiently by the door. He smiled when he saw me and kissed my cheek.

“Hey, you look great,” he said.

“Thanks,” I murmured.

He grabbed my hand and we headed out to his car. It was then Nate’s car pulled up behind Sean’s. I held my breath, wondering if Sarah would emerge from it, but no, it was only Nate. He came out of his car and saw us, holding hands. He gave a weak sort of smile to Sean before heading back to his house.

And for some reason, my heart ached at seeing him like that.

Sean tugged at my hand, “Come on.”

I let him lead me to his car and I got in. And Sean started driving.

We both didn’t say anything during the ride. I think he could tell I was thinking, but I don’t know if he knew it was about Nate. So many thoughts ran through my head, until the cruel truth hit me. I closed my eyes, knowing what would happen next.

“Sean, please stop the car,” I said in a soft voice. He stopped immediately.

“What is it? Is something wrong?”

I licked my lips nervously.

“I need to tell you something.”

A/N: another update after a million years! i'm sorry if the story seems a little fast paced. like things are happening really fast. i admit i'm trying to get the story finished soon. frankly i don't have much time to update, so i just want to get the entire basic plot out to you guys cause it would be really mean if i just abandoned the story half way. but do continue to support me! i will try my best to develop the plot properly and write longer chapters! thanks a bunch for the great reviews you guys! :)