As I went backstage and saw all the other people, I
became more and more nervous.

I saw Ashley waiting for me next to the nerd magician,
I yelled for her.

"Hey Jess! Wow you look good girl!" She said
hugging me lightly.

"Thanks, um, did you get my information packet? They
told me you did," I said quietly.

"Yeah, here! You're on before Nick boy," she said
handing me my paper.

"Oh God," I said closing my eyes.

"What?" She asked concerned.

"I think I like him Ash, and it's all your fault!" I said
sitting in a chair.

"You do? See I told you! Wait! How is it
my fault?" She asked upset.

"Well if you hadn't put the idea in my head none of this
would have happened!" I said rubbing my temples.

"Well excuse me! I'm just going to go sit next to Vicki and
my mom, good luck, you're 4th," she said walking off.

Great, I just pissed off my best friend because she
was right.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The first act was that nerd magician who screwed up
God knows how many times.

The second was a gymnastics tumbling thing that was so
funny, she fell on her head about 8 zillion times.

The third act was a tap dancing girl, who was actually
good. But as soon as I started clapping for her it was
my turn to start.

I sighed and stood behind the main curtain.

"Good luck," Nick said to me. He was standing grinning
a cute grin that I almost died over.

I nodded and walked out as people started clapping.

I took the microphone off the stand as the music
started.

I was going to sing Monica's 'Just one of them days.'
As I started to sing I noticed Vicki, dad,
and Ashley smiling wide and waving.

I grinned and kept on, hoping my voice wouldn't
scratch or anything would ruin it.

As I finished the last word, the audience cheered
and the spotlight came off me.

I smiled and put the mic back on the stand.

"Good job," people told me left and right. I took a coke
from the water cooler and sat down.

I looked at Nick's nervous face and smiled.

"Good luck," I said as he smiled.

Behind the curtain he was a scared little boy,
but when he was on stage he was a pro.

He was singing Babyface, I couldn't recognize the
title but his singing was perfect, he was great.

I knew he was going to win, but this time,
this one time…I didn't care.

As everyone finished, and we got up on stage for the
winner, I saw Nick and the worried look on his face.

I grinned and looked out into the audience with sheer
happiness.

"Well we've had a lot of people up on this stage, all very
talented. But only 3 will be chosen. 3 outstanding people.
3rd place is Jack Holbrook with his tap dancing," the judge
said. I clapped as he got off the stage with his tiny trophy.

"2nd place is Jessica Logan for her outstanding
voice," she said as I smiled.

I shook her hand and took the trophy and envelope.
I got off the stage and stood next to Jack.

"And the 1st place winner is…Nickolas Carter for his
remarkable voice, congratulations to all of you!" The judge
said as Nick got his enormous trophy and envelope.

I was the loudest yeller for him,
I was happy for him…he actually deserved to win.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After the show, we all went home and had a
big party to celebrate Nick and I winning.

All of our friends were at Nick's house, partying to death.
My parents, Nick's parents and siblings were at
my house for the night, to leave us our freedom.

I had found Eddie sitting on the steps of the house.
I sat down next to him as he took my hand.

"Congratulations," he said kissing my hand. I don't know,
when he did that, I didn't feel any tingles, any butterflies.

"Thanks, I didn't see you there," I said as he got up.

"Yeah I know, I was at football practice."

"At 8?"

"Um…yeah. Look I gotta go, I just wanted to tell you okay?"
He said as I got up to his level.

"Okay. Call me or something," I said nodding.

"Yeah, you know I will," he said smiling lightly. For
the first time he kissed me. As he put his tongue in my mouth
I backed away and smiled.

"I'll see you later," I said waving. He nodded and got into
his car.

I felt this weird aftertaste of disgust in my mouth and
walked back inside, wiping my lips.

I bumped right into Nick, which made butterflies poke
around in my stomach.

"Hey, congratulations!" I yelled over the music smiling.

"Thanks, you too!" For the first time, he didn't insult me about
losing to him, it felt good that he could let it go.

"Thanks!" I said as Cindy pulled me away to one side and
Brian pulled Nick to the other.

"Jess, why did you brush Eddie off like that?" She asked
taking a sip of her beer.

"Because Cindy!" I said taking her beer out of
her hands and drinking some of it.

I looked at Nick as he looked at me,
wait…he was checking me out! I looked with the side of
my eye and watched as Brian talked to him and
Cindy talked to me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When the party was over, there were only a few of us
left.

Nick and the 4 guys, Cindy, Ashley, and me.

We were just talking in our own sections of the house.

I was picking up all the beer cans and trash with a big
black trash bag.

"So Ash, why did she blow off Eddie like that?" Cindy
asked.

"She's in love with Nick!" Ashley said with a hiccup.
They were both drunk, it was funny to see them
drunk too.

"I am NOT in love with Nick!" I said
throwing a beer can at them.

Cindy threw it back as we all laughed.

"Well you like him at least, you told me tonight before I got
pissed and walked off, remember?" She yelled.

If she said it any louder Nick could have probably
heard.

"I like Eddie, you're too drunk," I said shaking my head
at their stupidity. They laughed and rolled on the floor
as Nick came in.

"Do you want me to help take them home?" He asked
politely. I shook my head.

"Their parents think they're at my house, so I'll just
take them over there," I said continuing to pick up cans.

"Thanks for helping, but it's not needed."

"But it was my party too, I'm halfway responsible," I said
looking into his ocean blue eyes.

"I know, it's okay though, just go on home and take
those…girls with you," he said as I smiled.

"Thanks Nick," I said handing him the trash bag.
I helped Cindy and Ashley to their feet and walked out
the door.

When we got home, I dropped them from my support
as they fell off the bed laughing. "God you guys,"
I said shaking my head.

I looked out my window and saw someone else
looking in on me. I closed the blinds
immediately and sighed in relief that the day
was finally over.