"So Kari what did you and AJ do after you guys left?" I asked as Kari and I were talking in our room that night.
”Nothing much. We just talked. So like, what happened with you and Nick? I want details, spill!"
"Nothing happened Kari. I told you, Nick doesn't like me, he's just lying to make me feel better."
"You know that's like, not true Aim. Not every guy is like Alex you know," Kari said gently.
"How dare you bring him into this!" I yelled angrily. "Alex has nothing to do with anything!"
"Amy please listen to me!"
"No, you listen to me! I'm glad Alex turned me down! It made me realize what a horrible, ugly person I am!" I got up and ran out of the room, blinded by tears. I only stopped when I crashed into someone. "Sorry," I mumbled.
"Amy?" Nick asked, his voice filled with concern. "What's wrong?"
"Leave me alone," I sobbed as I tried to push past him. Nick grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the kitchenette. He sat me down on a stool and handed me a tissue.
"Hey, what's going on?" AJ asked as he walked in. "Amy why are you crying? What happened?"
"What the hell is this, 20 questions?! I don't have to answer to you people!"
"Whoa, no need to get bitchy. Is it that time of month or something?" AJ asked as he sat down next to me.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" I asked grumpily. "I do not have PMS!"
"Just tell me what's wrong Amy," Nick said softly, giving my arm a gentle squeeze. "We'll help you."
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe I don't your help?! Or that maybe it's none of your business?!"
"But Amy-"
"But nothing! Why don't you two just go on with your pop star lives and leave the rest of us commoners alone?!" I started to get up, but AJ pushed me back down.
"Look Amy, this is important. I talked to Kari before I came in here and she's really upset."
I sighed. "Fine, I'll tell you the story. But you better not laugh. A couple of months ago, I had a crush on this guy named Alex. He was athletic, smart, and and really cute. One day, I got the courage to ask him out on a date, so at lunch I went up to his table and asked him. He laughed in my face and screamed out for the whole cafeteria to hear that I was the ugliest girl he had ever seen in his life and he would never go out with me." I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. "Everyone was laughing at me. I was so embarrassed that I ran out of the room crying. I didn't got to school for a week after that, I just stayed in my room and cried. Ever since then I've been afraid of liking another guy because I know I’ll be turned down like that again."
"Oh wow," AJ said after a few moments of silence. "I'm really sorry Amy. But you shouldn't think about it like that. Obviously, that Alex guy is a real jerk because I think you're very pretty."
"And I think you're beautiful," Nick added shyly. "Amy will you go out with me?"
I looked at Nick skeptically. “You’re kidding right?”
“I mean it Amy. Will you go out with me?”
“Of course I will!” Nick smiled and pulled me into a hug.
AJ laughed. "I'd better go find Kari. Bye, congrats guys!"
"Don't worry Amy,” Nick said softly in my ear.”I'll never let anyone hurt you like that again. I promise."