"If I can't find something nice to wear, I'm not going!" Madison huffed as she stepped out of the changing room.

"Oh, for Pete's sake!" Sophie cried. "Just pick something already!"

I glanced at Casey and she rolled her eyes. "Just ignore them," she said. I tried to do just that but it was easier said than done.

We were in the mall helping Madison and Sophie pick out their outfits for the party and after almost two hours Madison wasn't close to finding one and Sophie still had to find the 'perfect shoes' to match hers. "Is this what happens every time you guys have a party to attend?" I asked Casey. Just thinking about it gave me a headache.

"Unfortunately," she muttered, as we made our way to the food court. I'd had just about enough shopping for now.

We paid for our food and found an empty table. "Can you believe our luck?" Casey asked as we took our seats.

I grinned at her and shook my head. "Are you excited?" I asked, smacking her hand that was about to steal my fries. I know I was. A few months ago I'd have killed for an invite to a party. Any party. Even one of those fantasy parties that the underdog groups would throw.

"It's just a party," she said, reaching for my fries once more. I raised my brow and she smiled, taking a handful.

"Why did you buy a salad if you wanted fries?"

She shrugged. "I didn't know I wanted it?"

I picked up my burger and took a bite. "This is really good," I mumbled. "Totally unhealthy, but it's good." I looked up and saw her expression change. She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. "Casey?"

She wasn't even looking at me anymore, she was staring at something behind me. I turned and tried to get a look at whatever it was. I saw a group of kids from school standing on the other side, but nothing looked out of the ordinary. I turned back to Casey and something flashed in her eyes, confusion clear on her face.

She looked away and picked at her salad. I didn't say anything, the air suddenly thick with tension. I stared at the burger on my plate and picked it up. Instead of taking a bite, I glanced at her. She sighed and leaned back in her seat. "It hurts more than it should," she whispered as a lone tear rolled down her cheek.

"What does?" I asked softly.

She wiped her eyes and forced a smile. "Not here."

I nodded and pushed my burger away, no longer hungry. I wiped my hands on a napkin and reached out and taking her hands in mine. She gave me a wobbly smile and squeezed it. "Let's find the others," she offered.

I nodded.

We left shortly after that and soon enough it was almost time for the party and I was pacing my room. I played with the hem of my t-shirt as I paced. Casey was on her way over to help me get ready and my excitement had faded into worry coupled with nausea. I still didn't know what had caused her sudden mood change and I wasn't sure if I should ask Madison and Sophie about it.

I ran my fingers through my hair and went to the closet. I pulled out the skirt and top that I had picked out and lay it on the bed. I was nervous and kept going back and forth with myself about what to wear. I bit my lip and sighed, wishing April was there. I took my phone out of my jeans pocket and called her. "I'm nervous," I blurted out when she answered.

"Don't be," she said, not missing a beat. "It's just a party, Chameleon and if you don't like it you can always leave."

"Any chance you'd want to fly out here and join me?"

"You're gonna have fun doll, you don't need me there."

I sighed and glanced at my watch, I had just about enough time for a bath before Casey arrived. "I should go," I told her.

"Call me later."

"I will," I promised and hung up.

***

"Stop fidgeting!" Casey scolded.

"You're gonna poke me in the eye with that thing," I said, pointing to the eye liner in her hand.

"I will if you don't stop moving," she warned.

"Fine. Let's just get this over with."

When she was done I walked slowly to the mirror to check myself out. "Wow," I whispered, touching my face with one hand and gently patting my hair with the other.

"Do you like it?" she asked cautiously.

"I love it."

I got dressed while she did her own hair and makeup. "Not bad," she commented, surveying my outfit.

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself."

There was a knock on the door and Tori poked her head in. "You girls look beautiful," she said, stepping fully into the room.

"Thanks, Mrs. P!" Casey grinned.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

She came over to me and took my face in her hands. "You're stunning," she said softly. "The makeup wasn't even necessary."

"You're embarrassing me," I whispered. She laughed and hugged me. I hesitated before hugging her back.

We called a taxi since Sophie was already taking her car. "Curfew is at 11," Blaine said as were heading out the door.

"Got it," I said, accepting a hug from him. "Bye."

"It's so nice of you guys to finally show up," Madison said as we exited the car. "You're over an hour late!"

"Why are you out here?" Casey asked.

"I lost Sophie, so I was waiting on you two," she replied, taking us by the arm. She led us up the driveway to the open door.

"Whoa," I said when we entered the house.

"It reeks of booze and bad decisions in here," Madison supplied. "Steer clear of the drinks and you'll be fine."

"Booze and bad decisions," I repeated. "Interesting."

"You're such a buzzkill, Maddie," Casey said, tugging me through the crowd.

"I'm just saying," I heard her mutter.

We made our way to the kitchen and Casey helped herself to some punch while I looked around. I ventured back outside and leaned against a wall. It wasn't as scary as I'd thought it would've been. People were drinking, some were dancing and like me, some were just standing around holding up the wall. I saw Caitlyn with her friends a few feet away from me and I looked away. Nothing ruins your night like an encounter with Caitlyn.

"I'll be right back," Casey said. "Don't move."

"She always does this," Madison grumbled, now standing beside me.

"What?"

"Leave. You're lucky if you see her again before the next hour."

I was about to respond when someone tapped me on the shoulder. "Hey," Aiden said.

"Hi, Aiden," Madison chirped.

He smiled at her before turning back to me. "What's up?"

"I'll go find Sophie," Madison said.

I nodded and returned my attention to Aiden. "Oh, you know, just standing around."

He laughed and I couldn't help laughing too.

"Hey, Aiden," a familiar voice called.

I bit my tongue and turned to Caitlyn.

"Hi, Camille," she said with a sweet smile. I nodded and she addressed Aiden. "A bunch of us are going to the park tomorrow, sort of a picnic, you should come."

"I'd love to," he said. "But I've already made plans."

"That's too bad," she pouted. "We could've had so much fun."

I narrowed my eyes at her. I had no doubt that the only reason that she came over was because Aiden was talking to me and I'd be willing to bet her left nut that she didn't even like him— not that I did either. When she leaned over and touched his arm I took that as my cue to leave.

I didn't know where I was going but I needed to get away from the scene that was unfolding. I found myself wandering the hallway, avoiding the couples making out like there was no tomorrow. "Hey, watch it!" a familiar voice yelled when I bumped into her.

"Sophie?"

"Sorry, Camille, I didn't know it was you," she said with an apologetic smile.

"Its okay," I said, laughing now. "Have you seen the girls?"

She shook her head and then giggled. "I was just about to get something to drink, can I get you anything?"

"No thanks. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she said waving me away. "I'll see you later, Camille."

I nodded and watched her as she walked away. She stumbled a little before she disappeared into the crowd. Something wasn't right but before I could figure out what it was, someone enveloped me in a hug. "What the..." I gasped.

I pushed away and looked up. "Logan," I breathed out. "Of course it's you."

"The one and only," he winked.

"Smooth, real smooth," I teased. "Where's Carter?"

"He left a few minutes ago, said something about needing to clear his head." He drained his cup and raised his brow at my annoyed expression. "What?"

"You let him go alone?"

"He's a big boy," he said defensively. "He doesn't need me smothering him."

"He doesn't need to be alone either," I said a little harsher than I intended.

"He'll be fine, cupcake," Logan reassured me. "He's gotten through worse than a breakup. Don't let it ruin your night."

"I hope you're right."

"I'm always right, cupcake. Remember that."

One of the girls that I'd seen with Caitlyn earlier came over to us and began chatting with Logan. I slipped away unnoticed and made my way to the kitchen. I observed that it had more inhabitants than it did a few minutes ago, much to my annoyance.

I grabbed a can of coke from the fridge before making my way to the backyard— at least I hoped that there was a backyard. I pushed past the kids blocking the door and breathed in the fresh air, it felt good to be out in the open. I walked toward n oak tree and took a seat under it, pulling my knees up and resting my head on it. I placed my coke beside me on the ground and stared up at the sky.

"What are you doing out here?" a voice asked from somewhere above me. I turned and saw Aiden standing there.

"Waiting," I responded.

"On what?"

"I'm not sure."

"Is it okay if I join you?"

I nodded slowly and he sat beside me, neither of us saying anything for a full two minutes. It was Aiden who broke the silence. "What's your story?" he asked.

"My story?" I repeated. "Um, I don't think I have one."

"Everyone has a story," he said looking at me.

"Well, what's yours?"

"I asked you first," he said with a smile.

"I asked you second," I said, returning his smile.

He chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair, before switching positions so that he was now facing me.

My breath hitched and I took two slow ones to even it out. "What are you doing?"

He shrugged and gave me a warm smile. Even in the dim light he was still extremely good-looking and I felt myself blush as I looked away (which was hard to do considering our new seating arrangement).

"So, are you going to tell me your story?"

I cocked my head to the side and studied him. "I already told you, I don't have one."

He really was beautiful to look at. Nobody should look that perfect.

"So, you're Carter's sister..." he began.

"I guess," I said, shrugging slightly.

"You guess?"

I shrugged again, shifting uncomfortably. I didn't want to talk about our little slice of complicated. The truth is, I didn't know how to answer that question. I felt like I'd landed in an episode of One Tree Hill except that instead of Dan abandoning his kid, it was Tori and as an added bonus Carter and his sisters got thrown into the mix.

"What do you like to do for fun?" Aiden asked.

"Does trying to close the elevator door before anyone else can get on, count?"

He laughed and then said, "Sure, why not?"

"What about you?" I asked.

"Talking to pretty girls under oak trees at night would have to be number one," he said with a huge grin.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him. "Are you flirting with me?" I asked instead.

"And if I am?"

"You suck at it."

"I play guitar, I don't need to be good at flirting," he said smoothly.

I shook my head and looked away. When I turned back to him, he was still looking at me.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're enchanting, there's no lighter term for it," he said with the smallest of smiles.

This time I did roll my eyes. "You've got a way with words."

"I try my best," he grinned.

I chuckled and stared at the sky, it was an inky canopy of darkness freckled only by the fewest of stars. I smiled when I saw them and a flicker of sadness passed through me. In that instant I missed my dad and I missed my home more than ever.

"What's wrong?" Aiden asked.

For a moment I had forgotten that he was even there. "There's just not enough stars to light up an entire night," I said softly.

"But it's amazing that they still try."

I glanced at him and I couldn't help smiling. "Yeah, it is."

We sat there a little longer before Casey showed up with Madison in tow. "I've gotta go take Sophie home, she had a little too much fun tonight," Casey said with a hint of annoyance.

"She's drunk," Madison whispered in my ear.

"Of course she is," I replied. It had just dawned on me that that's why she was acting so weird when I saw her. "I'll come with you," I told Casey. Turning to Aiden, I said, "See you around?"

"You bet," he replied with another noteworthy smile.

As I followed the girls to the car where Sophie was sprawled out in the backseat, I couldn't help but notice how much I liked seeing him smile.

***

The next day as I was putting away my laundry, Caitlyn barged into the room. I glanced at her and picked up another shirt to fold.

"It wouldn't kill you to say good morning, you know."

"What do you want?" I asked. "It's way too early for this crap."

"Carter wants to know if you're joining us in the park today," she stated flatly.

"No," I said, putting away the last of my things. I brushed past her and made my way down the stairs. She followed me into the kitchen and took a seat.

"Why not?"

"Go away."

A long silence ensued and I turned around to see that I was alone. "Finally," I muttered.

I poured myself a glass of milk and almost spilled it when I turned around and saw Caitlyn standing there with her arms crossed. "I thought you left," I groaned, gently placing the glass on the counter and closing the fridge door.

"I did but I need to ask you one last time to come with us."

Ignoring her, I sipped my milk and purposely stared past her. It wasn't that I didn't want to go for Carter's sake but I was in desperate need of some alone time, so that I could just sit and cry and miss my dad in peace.

"Okay, fine. At least I tried," she sang as she left the room.

"Okay, fine," I mimicked her as I rinsed my glass.

I went to Carter's room and knocked on the door. It had been at least a few days since we last spoke and a conversation was long overdue.

He was lying face down on his bed with a pillow over his head, music blaring when I entered his room. I turned the stereo down and pulled the pillow away. "Carter?" I said cautiously. "You okay?"

He rolled over but didn't say anything for a few seconds. I took a seat on the edge of the bed and waited. He glanced at me and then sighed. "She walked away from me," he said quietly. "I let her go. I couldn't bring myself to grab her hand and pull her back, so I let her walk away."

"I... This," I began. I didn't even know what I was going to say. What do you say to that?

"You don't have to say anything," he said as though reading my mind. "I just need to let this out."

I nodded and gave him a small smile of encouragement.

"She wanted more, more than I can give her. I'm not anyone's Prince Charming, can't she see that?"

I shrugged and he made a noise that sounded like laughter but I couldn't be sure.

"What?"

"Aren't girls supposed to be good at giving advice about this sort of thing?" he asked, sitting up.

"You told me not to say anything," I defended.

He put his arm around me and sighed. "I just wanted things to be simple for once. None of this falling in love stuff."

"Why not? What's so wrong with love?"

He got up and walked to the window, and then he turned around to face me. "It just gets messy okay? I've seen what happens when you fall too hard. It's not like it is in books and those cheesy romance movies that you like so much, someone always gets hurt."

"That's no reason to run from it. You're hurting either way," I reasoned. "And who says it has to be a tragic kind of love, it can be an inspiring kind of love."

"Or a train wreck kind of love," he retorted.

"You do have a good point there," I conceded.

He laughed and then came over to the bed once more. "You're the worst," he said as he sat next to me.

"Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game," I told him, quoting a line from a movie I barely recalled watching.

"What does that even mean?"

"Don't let this irrational fear of maybe getting hurt keep you from the love that you deserve," I said.

"That's easy for you to say."

"You'll never know if you don't even try."

"I'll think about it," he promised.

"You should get dressed," I said, heading to the door.

He gave me a confused look. "Are we going somewhere?"

"Caitlyn said you were going to the park."

"Oh that," he said with a small smile. "I told her that if she could get you to go, then I'd go too."

"Why would..." I began but then it hit me. "You knew that I wouldn't go!"

"Bingo," he said and reclined onto the bed.

"Will you be okay?" I asked.

"I'll be fine kid, now go away," he said and tossed a pillow in my direction.

I couldn't help chuckling and with a final glance in his direction I retreated to my room for some much needed rest.

Photo: The outfits the girls wore to the party.