From the moment the four of them stepped onto the red carpet, Kasey could feel the nervousness coming from all four of them hit. Adrienne immediately grabbed on to Joey, and they all turned to the array of cameras that were anticipating their arrival.

"Sparare" Adrienne's small Italian accent grew thicker as they made their way through the crowd to where they had to stand for the first photos. Kasey eyed the rings on the necklace chain once, and then turned to Morgan, who looked like she was on the prowl for anyone who was going to say anything to their baby sister.

"Sto prendendo scommesse su chi sta per fare la mossa sbagliata prima." Morgan said nonchalantly.

"Calm your asses down." Joey snapped. They began to pose for some of their press photos.

"We should do this more often." Kasey remarked, feeling a little more comfortable. "Not take interviews."

"Thats a good idea." Adrienne shrugged, turning her head down the red carpet. "You've got incoming, Kase."

Kasey turned her head and squealed as she saw Diana coming towards her. "Congratulations my dear!"

"Oh it's so good to see you!" Diana cheered, motioning to the other end of the carpet. "More of us are down this way."

"I'm going to go have a word with Chris, guys. I'll see y'all inside!" Adrienne called out, making her way gracefully, Joey following suit.

"She looks well." Diana remarked before Morgan caught up with the two of them.

"Shall we?" Morgan laced an arm with Diana and another with Kasey.

"Let's go."

"I spy your man, sissy." Morgan shadily nudged Kasey into Diana and Diana did so back into Morgan.

"I'm not blind, you guys." Kasey rolled her eyes. "I haven't seen him since the funeral. He's not going to-"

"Bet." Diana whispered in her ear.

Karl's eye left the group of people he was talking to, and Kasey stopped right in her tracks.

"I'm going to kill you guys." Kasey snapped one more time before smiling at Karl and meeting him in the middle.

"You made it!" Karl opened his arms to Kasey and she immediately ran into them, welcoming the feeling of being with him again.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Kasey said, returning the hug. Karl pulled away, not letting go of her, taking it all in for a a second.

"You look beautiful tonight."

Kasey could feel her cheeks heating up because of the compliment. Not knowing how to take it, she just smiled and answered back, "You don't too bad yourself."

"I can't shake him Joey. He's a great friend and all but-"

"But he has a crush on you." Joey interrupted Kasey's moscato fueled rant. "I love you Kasey, but you're so fucking oblivious to the fact that he has a massive crush on you."

Kasey rolled her eyes. "That is not what I came here for tonight."

"Adrienne for sure didn't come here to get drunk with some girlfriends. And look." Joey pointed to a crowd of girls on the dance floor. "Lighten up for a bit. I condone it." Joey kissed his sister on the cheek one more time before going to see Chris.

As if on cue, the music changed to something slower, and Karl weaved his way out of the crowds of people to Kasey downing her third glass of wine. She set the glass down daintily and rested her chin on her fist, staring the man down.

"Having fun tonight?" She asked Karl, who shrugged.

"I'd be having a lot more fun if we danced." Karl reached out his hand.

"Ha!" Kasey laughed. "Knew it."

Kasey took Karl's hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. As they arrived, Karl instinctively wrapped an arm around Kasey's waist and she wrapped her free arm around his shoulder. They locked eyes as the song began to play.

And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full
I've traveled each and every highway
But more, much more than this
I did it my way

"Now I have to ask, are YOU having fun tonight?" Karl prodded.

Kasey raised an eyebrow and looked back at him playfully. "I think I am. I'm still worried about Adrienne, but I'm having a great night."

"I talked to her earlier. I think she's feeling a little better." Karl squeezed her hand lightly.

"I can't help it."

Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

Kasey rested her head on his chest, feeling more content as the song played on. She want sure how she felt at that moment. Everything was so convoluted that she had to calm herself down by looking away.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall
And did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill my share of losing
And now, as tears subside
I find it all so amusing

Something about all of this felt forced. Of course Kasey enjoyed being with him, but she didn't know how to act on it. She didn't feel sure of herself.

To think I did all that
And may I say - not in a shy way
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way

Karl let go of Kasey's hand to lift her chin so they were looking at each other again. He pressed his forehead to hers, his look more concerning this time.

"Honey, you're shaking."

Kasey opened her mouth to say something, but she heard a whistle that only she could recognize. She whipped her head around to see Morgan beckoning her over and mouthing "We have to go. Now."

Kasey turned back around to Karl, taking pity on him. "I'm really sorry."

"Don't worry about it." Karl pursed his lips and shook his head.

Kasey sighed heavily and without thinking, kissed him. Karl was taken aback, but still kissed her back with the same fervor and energy as he would have had Morgan not called her over.

She pulled away almost soon as she had initiated. Kasey smiled weakly at Karl before turning and heading over to Morgan. She mentally kicked herself in the ass over and over again. "I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready for this."

"What the hell was that?" Morgan asked, clearly frazzled and annoyed.

"I don't know."

Yes. It was my way

—

My first semester of college is officially over!! Yay! That means more periodical updates!!

I also see Star Wars on Monday!! Yay!

I need to rewrite Going Under!! Shit.