After Mark and Alexa left, John slowly ascended up the stairs, and knocked on his niece's closed door. From inside, Megan called, "Come in Uncle John. The door's unlocked." Opening the door, the older man stepped in and went over to where Megan sat on her bed holding and staring at a picture of Artemis, her, and Zee smiling happily at the beach, wearing cute bikini swimsuits. After a few moments of silence, John said, "What happened, Meg? I don't think I've ever seen you mad before. Just tell me, if something did happen." The ginger haired girl cried, "It wasn't anything you did, Uncle John. It-it's just that Alexa is the person that Con- I mean, the guy I like, is going to the dance with. She has been all over me, and has been teasing me about my looks and who I am. She told me he wouldn't want me, and she embarrassed me at school yesterday, calling me ugly. What do I do to that? How do I react to hatred from someone like her? I'm not strong enough. I'm not like Artemis or Zee. Both of them can talk to their guys without getting flustered, but me? I start to say something, and I feel like my heart is going to explode." John thought for a moment, then put his arms around Megan, and said calmly, "Why are you lying to yourself, Megan? You know you're not anything Alexa says you are. You're stronger than you know and you know how I know that? I've seen it every day since you moved in with me. You were strong enough to forget what people in the past did to you, and you moved on. Sometimes, strength is not measured by a person's physical body, but by who they are and what they overcome on a mental basis." Megan sniffed, and wiped away her tears, saying, "You really think that's true, Uncle John? No matter what I do, I feel like a failure." John smiled warmly, and replied, "I really think it's very true, Meg. And you are no failure. You are beautiful inside and out. You are a rainbow of sunlight after a rainfall. You shine and even if no one else or you can see that, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. You just have to stay the positive, happy girl I've always known since I met you, when you were six. Do you remember the day?" The ginger nodded, and said, "It was for Thanksgiving. All of us had gotten together, and we told what we were thankful for. You mentioned that you were grateful to have such smart nieces and nephews, and afterwards, I went to ask you if you meant me included. You told me that I was your favorite, because I was positive. I've never told anyone about that, because of what my siblings would say." John laughed, and responded, "I was certainly not lying on that day, Meg. Why do you think I called your parents every week, waiting until you were old enough ask them for you to spend a summer or two with me alone? I love you, Megan, and nothing will ever change that. Now get to sleep. I heard you have a big day tomorrow, with your school dance and all, and I want my niece dressed to impress and to show Alexa Harper that you are better than she is, because of your amazing personality. Also, just remember to be brave. Tell the guy you like how you feel, even if you're nervous. We all get nervous, but what matters is if we push through hard." Megan nodded again, then leaned over and gave her uncle a hug. She asked, "Is it alright if I call Artemis, and tell her to pick me up tomorrow? She, Zee, and I were all planning on going together, so we wouldn't waste tons of gas or money, but I never truly told her I was going." John grinned, and replied, with a hint of humor in his tone, "Of course, but don't stay up talking too late, okay?" For the third time, Megan gave a nod. John stood up, turned, and left the room, leaving his niece alone. Once the door was shut, the ginger slid her phone out of her back pocket, and entered in her pin, before going to her contacts, and tapping on the one that had Artemis' number on it. The phone started to ring, as Megan put it up to her ear. Within about three rings, she heard the blonde pick up, and ask urgently, "Oh my gosh, Megan! Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you all day, since you sent that text to me! Are you okay? Do you need me to bring ice cream over? What about Zee? What about..." "ARTEMIS, CALM DOWN!", Megan yelled, not trying to be rude, but trying to get a chance to say something. Artemis replied, "Oh...sorry. I guess I got a bit carried away. What is it?" Megan took a deep breath, and said, "Can you pick me up tomorrow evening? I think I can do it. Go to the dance, I mean." Artemis answered, "Oh sure, but I thought you weren't sure yet." Megan explained, "Well, I changed my mind, or my uncle helped me change it. He told me I should be brave, and to try it. I want to go and I want to try to tell Conner how I really feel. I want to kiss him in public, to make him know that I care about him. He-he told me that he isn't close with his dad. I want him to know that we can be close, because we are alike. And he has a dog, Artemis. A really cute, huge dog that sleeps all day and protects those he loves! I want to protect him too, from people like Alexa that use him for his handsome and charming looks. I want Conner to know who I am, and that I'm not afraid to show my true self, even if I've been shattered many times by people I thought I could trust." Artemis replied, "I guess you're heading in the right direction, Meg. Glad you came to your senses, and are going to be joining Zee and I tomorrow night at the dance. I know it'll be much more fun for us to go together. I'll pick you up about five tomorrow night. That sound good?" Megan said, "Yeah, that sounds good. And Artemis?" The blonde answered, "Yeah?" "Thank you for showing me that whatever happens, I will always have you and Zee to be around. You guys are the greatest friends a girl like me could ask for.", Megan quickly and happily said. Artemis said, "You're welcome, Meg. Good night." Telling Artemis goodnight, Megan pulled the phone away, and plugged it into its charger, before getting into her pj's and climbing under the covers, after she flipped out the light. Looking out her window at the starry night sky, she said, sitting up and seeing a gorgeous falling star, "I wish tomorrow would be the best day yet, and that I won't get flustered around Conner. He's the only one who really understands me. I wish that I would be comfortable and be able to dance around him, and show the world who I really am." Sliding under the covers even more till they covered her shoulders, Megan closed her eyes, and fell asleep, thinking all about how she hoped things would go. She slept on through the night, dreaming vibrantly about her kissing Conner, and proving to Alexa that she was worth more than gold.