AJ went back in to the dance a few minutes after Nick did. He never even looked at Nick and Cassie. He went straight back to the corner with his friends and tried to enjoy himself, but deep down he knew he was doing the wrong thing. Finally he decided it was his duty to continue to look out for Nick even though he didn't want him to.

He eventually forced himself to pull away from the group and find Nick. He glanced over in the direction where they had been dancing earlier in the evening. Not there. He quickly scanned the room for Nick's blond hair. Nowere. He looked around again, this time much more slowly, and saw Cassie. She looked "out of it" and was dancing way too close to some guy. He peered closer and saw Nick slumped over with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall. Knowing Nick, he could tell he was trying to look happy when he really wasn't. Then another guy came up to Cassie and she kissed him right in front of Nick. AJ watched in disgust as he saw Nick's eyes grow wide and a little watery.

AJ began to make his way over to the other side of the floor so he could get to Nick. It was slow going due to the large number of students in the comparitively small gym. The whole way over, his eyes never left Cassie. By the time he reached Nick, AJ had counted three other guys that Cassie had flirted with in the short span of time.

AJ walked up beside Nick and laid his hand on his shoulder. "Nick I'm sorry it had to happen this way."

"I am, too, but I should have listened to you."

"Yeah," AJ laughed, "but you didn't have any reason why you should have believed me."

"Yes, I did. You're my friend and I should have trusted you and your opinion since we're tight like that."

"Let me tell you something, little man, everyone gets caught up in beauty but real beauty is inside, not physical appearance."

"Yeah, that would have been good to know beforehand. Let's just go home."

"Hold on! I have one more thing to do, and Nick, I think you'll want to see this."

AJ walked over to Cassie and her flock of guys.

"Excuse me, Cassie," he said.

"Yes?" she said slowly as she turned to face him.

"I just wanted to tell you that I hate you and so does Nick. We're leaving now. I just wanted to warn you now so you, being the little slut that you are, could decide which guy you wanted to fuck to get yourself a ride home."

She gasped at what he said and stood speechless just long enough for AJ and Nick to get away.

"Thanks, Alex," Nick said.

"Anytime, Nicky, anytime..."