Ugh, being sick sucks.

Please don't get mad at me at the end of this chapter (looking at you, bear2710 !), there will be one more part to this story after this!

Week 10 – Saturday

Saturday evening

"Would you like to dance?" Jay asks.

We are sitting at the small table we are sharing with my brother and my best friend, but those two have disappeared quite a while ago already, to 'quickly get us something to drink from the bar'.

"Sure." I smile at him. "I don't think Kai and Sky will be back anytime soon. And even if they were, I don't think they'd mind us not being around."

My brother and his girlfriend have ignored us for most of the evening so far anyway.

Jay stands up and takes off his jacket. He is wearing a similar suit – or maybe even the same one – to the one last week. Of course, it is perfectly fine for guys to have the same outfit over and over again, maybe only varying the shirt or the tie. On the other hand, us women are expected to get a new dress every time.

Although I don't mind the one I am currently wearing.

Edna has done a marvellous job with 'my' dress, it fits absolutely perfectly. And she has even turned the leftover fabric into the matching bow tie Jay is wearing right now.

Because I was working on Wednesday, I went to the Gordons' place for another fitting (and to spend a very nice afternoon with my boyfriend) on Thursday. And Jay brought me the final dress this evening.

Because we don't live far from the school, Skylor and Jay both came to Kai and I's house earlier tonight for a small dinner, before Sky and I helped get each other ready and the four of us then walked the short way to the Graduation Party together.

When we arrive at the dance floor, I am not surprised to find our missing tablemates already there. During the slow dance, they are holding each other very tight, and Sky is resting her head on Kai's shoulders, her long red hair flowing along his back. Both of them have their eyes closed and are wearing a serene smile on their faces.

They are very cute to watch. I would have never expected my short-tempered, hot-headed brother to fall so madly in love with someone, but I am happy for him. And even more so because it is with my best friend.

Jay places his hands on my waist and pulls me closer. I happily oblige and wrap my arms around him, resting my head against his chest – I am too short to imitate the other couple's position.

"Mmh, you smell nice." I mumble into his chest, inhaling his warm scent of milk and honey.

"Me or the shirt?" Jay laughs, making me blush in embarrassment.

"You were not supposed to hear that." I say, pulling away. "But next time I'll be over, I'm going to ask Edna about her laundry detergent."

"Only if you tell me your shampoo." Jay plays with a loose strand of my short, black hair. Skylor had insisted on curling it. "It smells of coconut."

"And do you like coconut?" I enquire.

"I do." He replies, pressing his lips onto mine.

"This is a dance floor, not a chat room." My brother's voice – of course, who else could it be?! – interrupts us once again.

"Watching the two of you, it looks more like you should get your own private room..." I retort, more than just slightly.

"Sis..." – "Toni..." Kai and Skylor gasp simultaneously.

But before this discussion can continue, Jay interrupts us. "You want to show them how dancing is done properly?" He winks at me.

"I'm in your hands." I say.

-----

"Wow, where did you learn to dance like this?" I want to know, when we are catching a break from dancing and are finally getting our long-promised drinks. Even if we have to get them from the bar ourselves.

"Ed and Edna showed me." He explains, taking a sip from his coke. "You'd be amazed if you saw them dance."

"Awww, that's so cute." I state, picturing the lovely elderly couple together. "And they did a great job teaching you."

Whereas I am slightly out of breath and definitely glad that I went with the low-heels, Jay doesn't look exhausted at all. He smiles fondly.

"Yes, they did. Admit it, you were expecting some fancy dance classes for spoiled rich kids." He smirks.

"I was." I admit. "But you never cease to surprise me, Mr Spoiled Rich Kid."

I put my glass on the table next to us and wrap my arms around his neck. But unfortunately, being a spoiled rich kid and son of a famous movie star, Jay has attracted quite a bit of attention tonight. And not only of the good kind.

"Jay Gordon. It is a pleasure to meet you." I groan inwardly when I hear the voice of one of my least favourite classmates chirp into my ear, just as I am about to kiss said person.

We pull away and indeed, there she is.

Tosca – another spoiled rich child, tall, slim, pretty well endowed, with long platinum blonde hair (is is definitely bleached as it looks slightly green-ish in this light) and green eyes – is grinning at us with her perfect teeth. But her admittedly very beautiful appearance does not match her personality. Due to her poisonous attitude, Sky and I secretly call her Tox.

Outright ignoring me, Tox focuses exclusively on my boyfriend. "I am Tosca."

"Nice to meet you, Tosca. I am Jason." He replies politely, using his full name. "Are you a friend of Nya's?"

"Nya?" She looks confused for a moment, before her gaze finally falls onto me. "Oh, of course I am."

Since when? I wonder. I have never been one of the really popular girls and I've never cared too much about them either. I've got a small group of close friends, including the same best friend since kindergarten. And I wish she would be here right now to support me. But she isn't.

"We've been classmates since seventh grade." Tox states.

"Eighth." I correct her.

"Ah, one year more or less." She brushes it off. "But it feels like we've known each other forever, right?"

I can't help but nod in agreement. Definitely too long. I think.

"Well, that's really great for you." Jay says less than enthusiastically, putting his arm around my shoulder. "We have only met recently, so unfortunately, Nya hasn't gotten around to mention you as yet."

"Well, why don't we sit down and I tell you a bit myself?" She runs her hand along his free arm.

That's it. I have kept up with her attitude for the last five years, but after tonight I won't have to see her ever again anyway.

"Would you mind stop touching my boyfriend?" I hiss.

"Well, your boyfriend doesn't seem to mind me touching him."

"I don't want to appear rude, but I prefer to choose for myself who I like to touch me. And I'm afraid that is indeed reserved for the most beautiful girl in this room, who happens to be my girlfriend. So would you please excuse us now." Jay tells her and I can briefly see Tox's pretty face fall, just before pulls me into a deep kiss right in front of her.

And this time, we don't let anyone interrupt us.

When we eventually break apart, Tox is nowhere to be seen.

My best friend, however, is standing right behind Jay; over his shoulder I see her grinning widely and giving me two thumbs-up.

I immediately feel my face heat up and quickly bury it in Jay's chest.

But Skylor just comes over and gives me a pat on the back.

"Nice show. Maybe you should get a private room..." She smirks and walks away.

"Why did you do that?" I ask Jay.

"What?" He shrugs. "I had the impression that like me kissing you."

"Of course I do." I say. "I meant what you said to Tox- I mean Tosca."

He puts his hand under my chin and tilts my head up until our eyes meet. "I was merely telling the truth." He says. "You are way more beautiful than her, or anyone else here. Did I ever tell you that blue suits you?"

"Thank you." I smile. "You're looking not too bad yourself. I especially like the bow tie."

We take our drinks and make our way to our table. Kai and Skylor are also back, and guessing from the look on his face, my brother has also watched our little display of affection. But he doesn't say anything. At least not directly.

He turns to Jay. "Are you enjoying the night so far?" He asks.

I mentally face palm but Jay remains surprisingly cool.

"I am. Definitely much better company than at my own graduation." He takes my hand. "I was third-wheeling with my best friend and his girlfriend. Wouldn't recommend it."

"Oh, I know what that feels like." I giggle. "I've done that more than enough times with my best friend and her boyfriend."

We keep chatting, until Sky and I excuse ourselves to go to the bathroom.

"Hurry up. We've got the two most handsome guys waiting for us out there." Skylor urges me, as I check my reflection in the mirror and re-apply my red lipstick.

"Yeah, don't want to leave them alone for too long." I agree. "I still can't believe that bitch Tox was hitting on Jay earlier? Did you see her? And right in front of me?"

"Ah, forget about her." Sky tries to calm me down. "She was just furious that you got to go to that movie première, meet all those famous actors, and even had your picture in the papers. But I wouldn't worry, everyone has seen how Jay has blown her off. He must like you a lot."

"I hope so." I blush. "I really like him too." Maybe even more than that.

When we return to our table, we are still relieved to find our boyfriends alone.

Kai and Sky immediately go back to dancing, but Jay shows no interest in hitting the dance floor.

"Shall we join them?" I suggest.

"No, thanks." Jay replies coldly. "I think I am going to head home now."

He stands up and puts his jacket on.

"Is everything alright?" I ask. "Are you not feeling well?"

"Can we talk outside?" He says.

Trying to keep up with his pace, I am starting to get really worried. After what he did earlier right in front of everyone, what can be so bad that he now wants to talk in private?

"Jay?" I say, trying to take his hand, but he moves it away.

"While you and Skylor were away, I was looking through your yearbook." He finally says when we are outside, just at the gate where he was waiting for me a couple of days ago.

Oh, the stupid yearbook. Gayle has put copies on every table. She wants us to sign them, in case somebody from our class will get famous. There's even a little picture and questionnaire about everyone from our class, just like in those friendship books we used to have in primary school. But I can't recall anything – photos or comments – that could have upset him.

"And?" I want to know.

"My name is: Antonia Smith." He cites. "My friends call me: Toni."

He looks me in the eyes as asks: "What does that make us, Nya?"

I begin to understand. "You are upset about my nickname?"

He nods. "You've never told me about it."

"Oh, c'mon. You've heard Sky use it so many times."

"Yes, I have heard your best friend and also your brother call you Toni, but this here... is your whole school. Probably everyone calls you that, except for me."

I can't deny that he is right, therefore I don't say anything.

"Where does this leave us, Antonia? What am I to you?" He wants to know.

"You are my boyfriend." I tell him. What kind of question is this?

"But all those weeks that we were just hanging out together at the comic book store, you never came to think of me as your friend?"

"Of course, I did." I state. "Jay, I..."

"You see? I told you my nickname straight away when we met, even though we didn't like each other too much back then. And at some point you changed from calling me Jason to Jay, and it made me happy when you did."

"I noticed that." I agree.

"But still, you've never asked me to call you Toni?"

"Well, you had already started calling me Nya, and by then Lloyd had joined in as well."

"Don't blame it on the kid. Although I bet that he knew both names and he chose to use Nya instead of Toni."

"He did." I admit. "And sure, I was annoyed by it at first, but then I got used to it and..."

"Hold on, Antonia." Jay interrupts me. "I am sorry, but... you shouldn't be with someone you got used to. You deserve better than that, and so do I."

I can see tears glistening in his eyes now. "You know, I've never felt this strong for anyone ever before, I thought you were special, Nya." He shrugs. "I guess I was wrong." He turns away from me. "Goodbye, Antonia."

"Jay, wait." I call after him. "I didn't mean it that way... I-I..."

He stops and turns his head to look at me. "You can keep the dress if you want." He says. "It was a present, and it suits you. Blue really is your colour."

And with this, he walks away, leaving me on my own in this warm summer night.