Is what true? she cautiously asked back before giving a concrete answers.

Marie sighed, You know that shes yours and all that *****.

She looked towards her nightstand and saw a picture of Tab that she took of her, No. No shes not.

Well, theres been a rumor that she has. Oh well. Marie silenced herself for a bit, Hey, lets have a party at your place tonight”

No, cant. Parents are coming back from their vacation. Speaking of which, they just pulled in. Got to go. See you in a few. She hung up quickly, and jumped out of bed. In the middle of getting dressed she heard her parents enter the house, calling her name. She finished up and ran down the stairs. She gave her mother a kiss on the cheek and her dad a quick hug before busting out through the front door. The parents just looked at each other, confused at their daughters haste, but shrugged it off.

***

-Guitar Shop-

Rick watched Tab get out of her car. A smile grew on his face, Jesus, Tab, been burning the midnight oil?

Tab sarcastically smiled, Im here to quit.

A look of surprise appeared, actually no. It lacked surprise, but Tab couldnt figure him out. What? Why?

Im not going to ***** put my life”MY FRIENDS“which they arent anymore”on the line. My ***** dignity has been torn, burned, abused, trashed”its not ***** worth it.

Rick nodded, Right well. Gee, I was going to hand the shop over to you”

Oh and here you go trying bribes, Tab shook her head in disgust, Bye.

His head snapped up, his hand reached out, TabTab!

She stepped back, No.

***

-Jenny/Shane Residence: Noon-

Shanes hip leaned against the edge of the sink, as she looked at her reflection and fondled her hair, trying to get that perfect messy look. Then she thought, ***** itno reason, if I get lucky tonight then THATS when itll be perfect somehow. She shrugged and buttoned the rest of her shirt. I feel refreshedhipI got this vibe going on No really. I feel something. She then looked down at her pants, Oh, no *****. Duh. Her hand slipped into her pocket to fetch her cell. Hello. she mechanically said.

Hey Shane, its Carmen.

Shane beamed slightly, Heywhats up. Im just getting ready

Really? Its so early, she laughed, resulting in Shanes cheek to turn a slight crimson color.

She looked to the side and scratched the back of her ear, ***** you. I just want to look good in front of your family.

Good luck with that, she teased.

Shanes hand hung at the neap of her neck, taking it way too seriously, *****, you think theyll think Im weird?

Shane.

Her hand fell to her side, What.

I was kidding.

She sighed with relief, but spoke rather timidly, *****, Carmen. Dont. Do. That.

Why are you being so uptight, Shane she said with a tone of worry.

I just Shane looked down at her clothes, I dont want to give off a bad impression of myself.

Ah, being cautious of yourselfhow ambitious, she assumed. Seriously Shane, whats going on?

Shane paced around a bit, her hand slipping into her back pocket, Nothing, I really dont want to look bad in front of your family

Oh okay. Well hey, if youre that stressed about it, you dont have to go”

No no no! Ill be fine.

Sure?

Im sure.

Good. Itll be fun. Dont be afraid.

Shane raised her eyebrow, Hey, I never said I was afraid.

You never had to, she channeled her words with a little melody, she giggled, Ah, well, Ill pick you up in an hour or sok?

Okay. Bye. Shane sighed and took the phone away from her ear. Im not afraid she thought slowly, doubt loomed over her. As well as many other things.