I woke up, got ready for school, and went downstairs. Tomorrow was my birthday. My sixteenth, birthday. I would be excited, but my parents have ruled my past fifteen birthdays. I didn't want them ruling this one, too. This was supposed to be my most important birthday of my life. But I was pretty sure they'd find someway to microscop it into a small party at a fancy little restaraunt.

"Good morning, Alexis!" Mom hugged me.

"Morning, baby girl," Dad joined in.

"Morning, guys," I chuckled.

"You excited for tomorrow?" Mom looked at me.

I smiled. "Yeah. I mean, why wouldn't I be?"

They shrugged and smiled.

"So, can I invite Nicole tomorrow? I mean, if we're doing anything," I asked.

"Even if we weren't, you could still invite her over," Mom smiled.

"Cool, thanks," I said walking to my bus stop.

I waited and occasionally glanced at Mom and Dad watching me. My foot tapped anxiously, as I waited for the bus to arrive. When it finally came, I got on, and sat in seat 22. I brought my knees up to the back of the seat and waited for Nicole to get on. I let my eyes rest as I waited.

Nicole was so much fun to be around. She was sixteen, looked like Mary-Kate Olson, and had a fun life. See, her parents weren't overprotective like mine. She had freedom to do whatever she wanted--as long as it was safe. She's been mu friend since freshman year. When I told her about my life, she completely understood and stuck by me ever since.

"Hi!" Nicole yelled in my ear.

My eyes snapped open and I looked at her. Yep. She's always been this way.

"You're loud," I said rubbing my eyes.

"Yep. So, I have your present at my place. And I heard there's a new kid at school!" she smiled.

"Who?" I asked.

"I dunno his name. I just know he's new."

"And that it's a he," I laughed.

"I want you to date him," she said.

The bus pulled up to the school and we got off the bus.

"I don't even know who the new kid is," I told her.

"I think that's him!" she yipped.

I looked over my shoulder to where she was pointing, and saw him. He was walking to the entrance of the school, with a bag slung over his shoulder. He had spiky blonde hair, and blue eyes--as far as I could see. He was actually...hot. Like, all the girls in school were drooling over him hot. I bit my lip. There was no way a guy like him would even consider a girl like me.

I mean, guys like him always ended up with the cheerleader. Guys like him overlooked us regular girls who are clearly much better for him than the cheerleader. I guess I should try out for cheerleading. But then that would make me a fake. I didn't want to be fake. I have been and always will be real. I just wish I could date a guy.

He looked at me and I looked back at Nicole. "Let's go."

"You totally like him," Nicole giggled.

"I don't even know him," I said as we entered the school.

"Yes, but you were totally checking him out," Nicole smirked.

I sighed. "It's not like he'd date me anyway."

"Oh, come on. Maybe," she shrugged.

"Yeah, that's what you said last time," I reminded her.

"Hey, I seriously thought he liked you," she held her hands up.

"It was the star of the football team, Nicky," I laughed. "Why would the star of the football team like me? A nobody."

"You really need a higher self-esteem," she said, patting my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes and we went to class. We sat down and I was sketching clothes--I've always loved the idea of fashion designing--when Nicole faked coughed. I looked at her and shook my head. "You okay there?"

"Ten o'clock," she whispered.

I looked over my left shoulder and the new guy was sitting there. I smiled, and returned to my sketching.

"Don't go gettin' any ideas, Nicky," I shook my head.

"Be right back," she stood.

"What part of 'don't go gettin' any ideas, Nicky' do you not understand?" I laughed as she walked to him.

"The 'don't' part," she giggled and went up to him.

I continued sketching while trying to easvdrop on their conversation. I couldn't hear anything. So I just focused on my sketches until the teacher came to the front of the classroom.

"Nicole, sit down," he said.

She sat next to me and Mr. Varner began teaching. He introduced the new guy as Chase Jackson. Chase didn't seem shy. He actually seemed to enjoy the attention. I laughed mentally. I couldn't believe how quickly obsessed girls got nowadays. I looked at Nicole and she rolled her eyes. We both thought the same thing--as always. Great minds think alike.

As the day drug on, Nicole texted her mom, asking if she could stay the weekend at my place. Her mom didn't care. What's funny is we were the friends that still had each other's clothes, so when one of us went to the other's house, we wouldn't have to pack anything. We'd just ask for our clothes, or just take more clothes. We were practically sisters.

When we got home, Mom and Dad were greeting us at the front door. I smiled at them and hugged them. Though the weekend hadn't officially started, tomorrow was my birthday and Nicky always wanted to be first to tell me happy birthday. We sat on the couch in the living room and Mom was all happy. So was Dad. Before I could ask what the deal was, Nicole's phone vibrated.

"Oh, it's a text from Chase," she said.

"You have his number already?" I asked.

"Who is Chase?" Dad asked.

"New kid, and yes," Nicky smiled. "You want it?"

I shook my head. "He doesn't really know me."

"Get to know him," she said putting the phone to her ear. "Chase? Hi. There's someone who wants to talk to you."

I sighed as I took the phone from her. I put it to my ear and shrunk mentally. "Hi."

"Who is this?" Chase asked.

His voice made me want to melt on the inside. "Um... Nicole's friend. Er, Alexis."

"Oh, doodle girl," he said.

"Huh?" I asked.

"You were doodling in your little sketchbook in first period today, right?" he asked.

"Oh, um. yeah. I can't believe you noticed that," I chuckled to myself.

All eyes were fixed on me.

"Well, hey, you should give me your number so I can text you," he chuckled.

I pressed my lips into a line, to hide the blush. I told him my number and gave the phone to Nicole. I looked at the time and Mom drove me and Nicole to my work. Nicole and I walked in, Mom drove off, and I took my place behind the counter. Nicole was texting away as my boss walked up to me.

"Hi, Alexis," he smiled.

"Hey, Mr. Smith," I nodded.

"Have you met my nephew?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Who's your nephew?"

"Chase Jackson," he said.

"Oh, yeah, he goes to my school," I nodded.

"Well, will you be his friend? He needs friends," he said.

I nodded. "Nicole and I are his friends."

"That's nice," he nodded and walked off.

"Chase wants to know why you're not texting him back," Nicole mutterd.

"Because I'm working," I said.

"Okay," Nicole muttered as she typed. Once Nicole started texting, she didn't stop until someone said "gtg" or "ttyl." A girl with blonde curls came up to me and put a book on the counter. I scanned it and handed it to her. She paid and walked off. As I got more customers, I was getting tired. The store was about to close, when the bell rang, indicating someone was here.

I looked up to find Chase.

I looked at Nicole who had the "I-Didn't-Do-It" look on her face, but she totally did it. He came up to the counter and smirked.

"Well, well, well," he chuckled. "Looks like you're Book Girl, too."

I nodded.

"What's good here?" he asked.

"Um... The fiction books are good," I suggested.

He leaned closer to me and I looked at Nicole, who was gawking at him. She stood next to me and leaned in close to Chase. I cleared my throat and acted like I was picking something off the floor. Sure Nicole said she wanted me to date him, but I knew she'd go for it. And I was gonna let her. She deserved to be happy, and she wouldn't be able to do that if I was in the way.

Chase never did buy a book. When Mom picked me and Nicole up, we went home and Nicole and I went to my room. She continued to text Chase. I pulled out some schoolwork and worked on that while she giggled to herself at his replies. It was nice seeing Nicole this happy about a guy. Her last relationship sucked! He was cheating on her the entire time.

My phone buzzed and I looked at it. A text from a number saying: Hey, its Chase. Would u help me wit sumthing?

I texted: Sure

Gr8! Thnxs! I kinda like Nicole and wanna impress her. I know I just met her, but shes FINE and funny.

I sighed softly and texted: Just give it time and ask her out. I'm sure she likes you, but, like you said, you just met her, so give it a weekish or something. Then just ask her out. You don't need my help to do that.

I didn't get a response back. Nicole went into the bathroom to change clothes and I changed clothes in my room. I laid in my bed and Nicole laid her head where my feet were, and put her feet by my head. I could only imagine what would happen tomorrow.