The school homecoming dance was just about coming to a close, and I was having so much fun. I was wearing the dress Stephanie got me, with a pair of sneakers. I was ten years old, why did I need to wear heels to a dance already? I'm too young for that! My hair was twisted and held in place with a simple pink hairclip.

"How does it feel being treated like a high schooler?" Luna asked me, sucking on a Capri-Sun straw. "I'm on a sugar high!"

"Luna, Capri-Suns are notorious for making kids throw up on gymnasium floors." I laughed, spinning Luna around. Luna giggled and said, "Says the girl who's spinning me around!" I laughed, then someone tapped me on the shoulder.

"Hey, are you Luna's friend?" a girl asked. I nodded and Luna said, "Oh my God! Avery! I didn't know you were coming! Okay, Avery, this is my best friend Valerie. Val, this is my sister Avery. She's the sophomore student council president. She's super cool."

"Okay, Luna, calm down." Avery said. I shook her hand and she said, "Avery Nelson. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Valerie Salazar." I said shyly. I then stepped back. No older kid dared to talk to me at my old school. I was always called a "freak" or a "goody-two-shoes." But I had to get in the mindset that things were going to change. I didn't have my old last name anymore, I was Valerie Adalasia Salazar. Not Valerie Elizabeth Rafferty.

The school dance ended and the lights came on. "Gotta go. Gerard's picking me up. He's gonna take me out for ice cream!" I said excitedly, running out of the gym and getting in the front seat of Gerard's car.

"Hey, Val! How was the dance?" Gerard asked. I said, "A sophomore said hi to me!" Gerard laughed and said, "Are they a good person?" I nodded and said, "She's Luna's sister. Now, you promised me ice cream. Let's go."

_______

Gerard got me a massive ice cream sundae, with cherries and bananas and a mountain of chocolate sauce. I was sitting at a picnic table with ice cream dripping down my chin and spilling on my dress. I caught glimpses of Gerard taking pictures of me.

"Stop!" I yelled, throwing a banana slice at him. Gerard caught it and popped it in his mouth. "Mmm...can I steal some of your ice cream?" he asked. I tried to block it from him but he dug his spoon in my ice cream and shoveled it in his mouth.

Then, Gerard's phone rang. "Hang on, it's Will. I have to take this. Gerard stepped out into the empty street to take the call.

I was watching some cars zoom by, ignoring them. Every so often, I took a little glance at the car color, the make, or the license plate.

Suddenly, a white minivan started speeding down the street, the driver on his phone. I tried to motion for Gerard to step out of the way, but it was too late.

The car hit Gerard head-on. Gerard fell over and started screaming. The car drove off, and I started crying.

"I need to call George...I need to call George..." I said. I grabbed my phone and dialed George's number.

"George...do you mind calling 911?" I said when he answered. I heard a bang on the other line then George said, "What's wrong? What happened? Are you okay?"

"Gerard got hit by a car...he's unconscious and bleeding..." I said, crying. George sighed and said, "Do you know the car that hit him?"

"It was a white minivan..." I said. That was all I knew.

"Okay, hang on. I'm calling 911. Stay strong, sweet pea. I love you." George said. Then he hung up.

Who would take me home?

I then called Stephanie, she was all I could think of right now.

"Stephanie?" I asked once she picked up. Stephanie softly said, "Valerie? Are you okay?" into the phone.

"No...do you mind taking me home? G-Gerard got hit by a car and George just called 911...I don't have a ride." I said.

"Oh my God...Valerie...I'm so sorry. Okay, where are you? I'll be right there." Stephanie said.

"It's the ice cream store across the street from Eisenhower High School." I said, about to break down into tears. "Please hurry...I think Gerard might not have much time left..."

"Don't think like that. Valerie Salazar, don't you dare think like that. Gerard will be fine." Stephanie said. Right on cue, an ambulance zoomed down the street, followed by about five police cars. I stepped back on the grass and then Stephanie's car came down the street. She got out and talked to one of the police officers.

When she was done talking, a paramedic took Gerard away, and Stephanie put her arm around me.

"I feel like this is my fault." I said.

"Valerie Adalasia Salazar, how is this your fault?" Stephanie asked. I sighed and said, "I tried to motion for Gerard to step back. He didn't notice me or listen. I feel like I could've saved him if I had just did something..." I started crying into Stephanie's shoulder.

"It's not your fault at all. I know how hard this must be for you. Now come on, let's go home."

I looked back at the ambulance, which was speeding down the road.

"Bye, Gerard." I said, holding my hand out.

AN: This was the evil plan I was talking about. And I am so sorry. Hope you enjoyed! Catch ya later!