"So, I walked home... Alone... In the rain. And when I got home, I went to my room and thought about my life....... So my weekend was great! How about you guys?!" I spread the largest fake grin I could muster up across my face as Blake and Melody stared at me in shock. Melody put her head in her hands, "Oh my God, Peni. I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. I should've never left you there." I shook my head, "No, Mel. It wasn't your fault. If it was anyone's, it was my own for thinking a guy like Adam would ever have feelings for me." Blake grabbed my hand and held it in his, "Peni, this is awful. Do you want us to beat him up for you? I may be gay, but I can throw a punch."

Blake never failed to make me laugh. "No, no, no. It's not his fault he doesn't like me. I mean, c'mon. What did I think would happen? I'd go up to him and just be like 'Ha ha, didgeridoo, I kinda like you?' No, I knew something had to go wrong, I just didn't know what it was gonna be. You know?" I smiled at My two best friends who had gotten to school early specifically to talk to me about what had happened the day before. I spared them the details of how my mother came home and found me crying on the couch with Sarah, eating all of our ice cream. That was for another day. "What do we know?" Dean popped up beside me as I finished my sentence, making me jump. And we know, that with one... "Hey Jonas... Adam." Blake growled at Adam and smiled at Jonas. No, Blake. Please, be a little more obvious.

"Nothing Dean, we were just talking about... A show we used to watch together! It was great, don't you miss it guys?" Both Melody and Blake nodded in agreement about the non-existent show. "Okay, then. Well, um. How was everyone's weekend?" I paused, avoiding all eye contact with anyone, especially Adam. "Terrible." Mel and Blake responded in unison. I could tell they were both giving Adam the evil eye. That's just who they were. They couldn't help it. I would do the same, if not worse, if either of their boyfriends broke their hearts... Not that Adam broke my heart! No way! It's not like I was that into him, it was just a little crush. That's all... A little crush.

"Adam, baby!" The silence was interrupted by a high-pitched squeal entering the group. Oh God. I recognized that voice. A bubbly, tall, brunette showed up at Adam's side and kissed his cheek. My mouth dropped open. No wonder Adam was with her and not me, she was beautiful. She was perfectly skinny and her hair was long and straight. Her teeth were blindingly white with a perfect little button nose. "Oh dear Lord." I heard Dean's not-so-subtle mumble. I secretly laughed at him, because he wasn't oogling over her. He was nothing short of scoffing at her. "So this is your little group of friends you like to talk about? Aren't they all just adorable?" I actually wanted to barf. I wanted to straight up shoot chunks all over this girl. First: She was so fake, the 'Made in China' tag was basically plastered on her forehead. And second: She was sleeping with the guy I thought I had feelings for. Notice the wording I chose there. THOUGHT. Yep, that's right. I'm totally over Adam. His charming smile, gorgeous eyes, and perfect body don't effect me in any way. Nope. Not one bit. I mean, I wasn't even jealous of his little lady friend.

"Yeah, this is them Charlotte." He seemed almost annoyed. Charlotte, huh?  I displayed the sweetest smile possible and extended my hand. "Hey Charlotte. I'm Penelope. It's so nice to meet you." Come on Peni, stop being fake. Don't stoop down to her level.  She flashed her pearly whites not-so-warmly and shook my hand. "You too, Pelolope." I raised an eyebrow. Was it even possible to forget someone's name that quickly? Because up until now I didn't think it was. Adam gave her a questioning look and put his arm around her waist.  "Well, uh. I'm glad you got to meet everyone but... Don't you have somewhere to be or someone to talk to? I know how busy you can be." Adam asked Charlotte, as lovingly as possible. I didn't buy it. She was attached, he wasn't. But for some reason, he wasn't dumping this girl on her butt just like every other girl he's ever had a fling with. That was the only thing in this situation that I didn't understand. I was going to find out, too.

"Baby, I don't have anywhere else to be but right here with you." The kissed him right on the lips this time, tongue and all. Could the PDA police please arrive right now? "Well. I think Tim Idler said something about interviewing you for the school newspaper about all of the pageants you've won. Why don't you go find him?" Adam was such a liar. That wasn't true at all, even I could see that but little miss "I can't remember anyone's name for two seconds" couldn't. I WONDER WHY. She squealed and clapped her hands together. I was just now noticing that no one else had spoken besides Dean that one time. I wonder what they're all thinking. "Oh really?! I probably should go then. Alright babe. I'll see you soon." Another kiss. A wave. And praise the Lord almighty she was gone.

"Sooooo, what do you guys think of her?" Adam grinned at all of us, hopeful. "Honey, she is awful." Thank you Blake. "Yeah, she's not the greatest. Plus did you see how she "forgot" Peni's name within two seconds? Not cool, man." Jonas was the one to speak up now. No matter how much I hated to admit it, he wasn't the one to change Melody. If anything, she changed him. And it was definitely for the better. "What? No way, you just haven't gotten to know her yet. That's it. You'll love her once you really meet her." I rolled my eyes. "Yeah. if "really meet her" means have sex with her... I'm sure." The bitterness in Melody's tone was not sarcasm at all but something more along the lines of anger or frustration. She was angry for me and I couldn't be more touched. "Well I'm sure Peni likes her. Right Peni?" Adam looked at me with hope in his eyes. I couldn't tell him the truth. That would come out terribly. I looked him in his beautiful green eyes, the same kind of green that was his favorite color.

"Yeah! I think she seems really sweet!" Melody scoffed at me and gave me a look that meant, 'C'mon Peni. No you don't.' Which was basically the same exact thing I was telling myself. Adam grinned at me. "Thanks PeniPie. See? If Peni can pretend to like her, so can you guys." Well crap. He realized I was faking. But he acted as if it was the most casual thing in the world that I lied to him. I mean it wasn't a big lie or anything, but it certainly wasn't the truth. I guess I wasn't the only one that had learned to be able to tell when the other was lying. I felt as though Adam and I had grown so close to each other in such a short amount of time. We pretty much knew everything about each other. Or I knew most everything about him. I almost was surprised that he could tell I was lying because I didn't think he ever cared enough to really get to know me at all. Heck. I never thought he cared enough about anything.

Enough. He doesn't. He. Doesn't. Care. Get over it Peni. I shook my head in frustration. "So, guys. Who's going to the homecoming dance? Aka, who's going to the after party so we can get waisted?" Adam flipped the subject quickly and I cringed at the word 'waisted.' I didn't know that Adam drank. I mean, I had never seen him drink before and it was odd to hear him say that. I don't know why it surprised me though. He is, after all, Adam Clifton. "Mel and I are going. Hey Dean, why don't you and Peni go together? That way you can both have a date." Blake scoffed, "Well thanks so much, Jonas, for thinking of me." I laughed and patted Blake on the back. We all knew Blake would not be attending homecoming. He despised school dances. For what reason? The world shall never know. "That's actually not that bad of an idea, bro. Plus, I might get lucky." Dean winked at me. I laughed at him.

I could feel Adam's awkward stare. Disapproval practically seeped through his pores. I ignored him. "I don't know, Dean. I honestly don't even know if I'm going." Melody narrowed her eyes at me. "Nope. You're not allowed to have that thought. You're going to homecoming no matter what." She pointed her finger sternly at me and I sighed. "Okay, maybe I will then." Dean pumped his fist in the air, grinning wildly, "Does this mean you're gonna be my date, Peni?" He wiggled his eyebrows at me and I giggled like a little girl. "Sure, Dean. I'll be your date."