“Thanks,” I said, for what must have been the eight-hundredth time that night. Most of the artiste’s were leaving, and 99.9% of them were congratulating us on their way out. Can’t they stop for once? I mean, I’ve got something to do, too! I thought. I was determined to talk to Sophie; to see what went wrong; how we could fix it; how she felt; and how I felt. I honestly didn’t know how to feel anymore. One year ago, she ditched me just like that, and now she thought I was a jerk? What went wrong there? I wondered thoughtfully as Lance clapped me on the back.

            “J, Justin. Earth to Justin!” He laughed, as I suddenly looked up into a pair of gorgeous aqua eyes. Sophie’s aqua eyes.

            “Umm...hi,” I stammered. Sophie looked tense, but slowly she was starting to relax.

            “Hey,” She barely said. It came out more as a croak. I let out a dry, choked laugh. “So...” She began. I nodded my head, and said,

            “Do you want to go somewhere? The patio, maybe? I think if one more person congratulates me, I’ll be tongue-tied of saying “Thanks,” for the rest of my life!” I chuckled. Sophie laughed.

            Outside, in the patio, I lept behind Sophie and pulled out the chair for her. She sat down and I pushed the chair in.

            “Thank you,” She said timidly. I cleared my throat.

            “I...uh..I mean...no problem!” I said, embarassed. Sophie laughed, and her eyes twinkled. Just the way I like them. Normally, it should’ve been a romantic evening. The stars were glowing perfectly into the pitch black cloudless night, and the moon was almost full, casting a glow on the earth below.

            There should’ve been love—or atleast friendship in the air, but all I could sense was the uneasiness of both of us.

            I rattled in my chair, as did Sophie. “Well...how are you?” I asked shyly, almost afraid to say anything.

            “I’m good. The last year was hectic for me though,” She pointed out.

            “Yeah, I can imagine. How’d you get the gig for Jive?” I asked. When Sophie and I were going out, I knew she could sing, but she never sang seriously. Softball had always been her passion.

            “Well, um, about two months after...uh...you know,” she stammered. My heart felt like it was about to break—all over again. I nodded, as if a signal for her to continue. “And...well, Britney I don’t know, came to her senses, and asked me to sing. So I did. She thought I was good, and I thought she was kidding until she took me to Johnny and Larry. So I got the gig, I guess,” She shrugged.

            “Well, that’s great. What about an album? Oh, and I liked your song. It reminded me of a situation I was in before...kinda a coincidence.” I stuttered, hoping she wouldn’t get what I meant. She laughed a fake laugh, and smiled. My heart melted. Now if only there was a way to get back to normal—friendship or love, one of the two.

            Sophie cleared her throat, startling me out of my thoughts. She was waving her hands in front of my eyes. I laughed and smiled.

            “There you are! I was just going to ask you what you’ve been up to,” She laughed.

            “Oh. Me? Nothing much, I mean, I had some flings but nothing as serious as...uh..—us..” I whispered. She looked crestfallen, but quickly put on a smile.

            “I didn’t mean love-wise, I meant career wise, boofhead!” She laughed uneasily. Just as she said that, JC and Chris ran onto the patio.

            “Yo, Justin! We’ve gotta go get clubbin’! Is Laura coming with ya tonight?” Chris said with a wink. JC looked mad, and nudged Chris in the elbow. “Oh...hi, Sophie,” Chris stammered, realizing his mistake. I sighed and rubbed my temples.

            “Sorry, Sophie, I’ve got to run,” I said quietly.

            “That’s okay. I need to go too,” She said, just as Laura came up behind me.

            “Hey!” She said in her usual chirpy tone.

            “Hey Laulie!” I cheered, using my nickname, almost forgetting Sophie was there.

            “So, we’re gonna go or what?” she said, and suddenly noticed Sophie. “Hi!” She said. Sophie smiled.

            “Hi...Laura. How are you?” She asked politely. Laura smiled.

            “I’m fine, how about you?” She asked warmly.

            “I’m great!” Sophie answered enthusiastically back. Laura hugged me from behind, and said, “Sophie, if your not doing anything, why don’t you join us all in the club?” I inwardly groaned. Sophie looked nervous.

            “Umm...I don’t think...that’s...I can’t!” She sputtered.

            “Why not? Have a hot date?” JC smirked. I glared at him.

            “Whatever, JC, get over yourself!” Laura laughed. JC laughed.

            “Well, will you go?” I asked.

            “I, um, have things to do,” She stammered.

            “Uh-huh. Yeah. Right. Come on, I need you there! Justin can get boring after awhile. I need a girlfriend over there!” She said with an evil grin. Sophie laughed at the look on my face.

            “Well, okay, I suppose.” Sophie answered timidly. I mumbled to myself, “This is gonna be one loong night.”