"Hey Eden," someones voice called from inside the gym on their way out. My heart pounded in my chest while I tired to avoid looking at the entrance. I couldn't stand the thought of just staring at the door waiting.

"I'm sorry Eden," Jordan put her hand on my shoulder.

"Seriously, what is going on?" Zack shouted but I didn't have time to explain everything that has happened over the course of this weekend. Although, he had been present for most there was such an underlining to this that I wasn't willing to dicuss. Not with him. I'd ruin everything if I told him.

I ignored Zack for the most part.

He spoke softly thing time, "Eden can you tell me what's going on?"

"I can't," I stared at him for a long while. Taking in what I'd be losing once this was done, "Not right now." By tomorrow Zack would never want to speak to me again.

I remembered our first meeting when he assumed I was so naive and vain. Now all I was doing was proving he was right. I felt as if I had no option. Everyone was counting on me, assuming that knocking Stella off her totem pole was worth it to me.

In some ways it was when I considered the amount of black mail she had and how tired of her shit I was; and then I look at Zack and know that I can't have both.

"How about I see you tomorrow?" I insisted while a figure came into my peripheral.

"You could talk to me now. Since I'm here, you're here. It seems like it's already been arranged," I rolled my eyes at how cynical he was.

"Now it not a good time," I told him watching his eyes roll, "and I assume their why it's not a good time." He half laughed but it was more of a snort.

I looked towards the direction he was gesturing his snarling hackle to. It was Carter and Adam how had strolled up beside all of us. Three girls and three boys had a stare down ensure of why we were all gathered here.

"Well I wouldn't mind either of those too," Mimi snickered on my left.

I gave her a quick glance, "What I mean like it's not going to be a bad thing," she smiled.

"Mimi," Jordan swattered her arm for me.

"I'm glad you can make light of the situation," I hissed.

"What situation?" Carter asked.

We all replied in unison, "Nothing".

The boys must have just chalked it up to typical girl behavior.

"Well it won't be all bad. Doesn't even matter which one. Look at them," Mimi whispered in my ear, "One's a college hottie and the other is your ex who may be an ass but still good looking. This is the easiest take one for the team you'll ever get," she continued to whisper speaking quickly.

"I'll apologize for your friend. She's a little inconsiderate and a bitch," Jordan spat from my other side.

By the time I was able to get a word in they were screaming at each other with my poor sensitive ears caught in the middle of their spat, "quiet," I groaned getting tired of their petty arguments.

What they were saying was almost too distant for me to hear. I was too preoccupied with my thoughts to worry what they were saying. From behind Carter and Adam I saw Sandra rush passed them and off into the hallway. My body didn't hesitate although my mind did.

I followed Sandra. I had questions for her that I needed answered before I "took one for the team". I'm sure someone called after me while I walked away but I wouldn't turn back. I wasn't ready to know how this night was going to end.

My options were simple and very limited 1) Sleep with my ex or Adam, loose Zack and have extremely complicated relationships with everyone or 2) risk Stella's bluff, risk getting into college but yet keep my stellar; yet misguided nickname.

"Sandra," I called out following her to her locker. We've had the same lockers since junior high. They were right across from each other, on opposite sides of the hallway.

I've spent more time in this school then I ever wanted too. I tutored after hours but this was ridiculous. It was almost Monday and my parents would start asking questions if I didn't show up.

"I highly doubt that you are getting that homework you forgot about," I laughed leaning against the row of lockers near by.

She swung it opened letting it swing back banging mental against metal. She smiled peering into her locker. Her hand reached in her elbow deep rifling through loose papers and notebooks, "You'd be right with that one," she laughed, "I, like you most likely did finished my homework before this shit started." Although Sandra ran with the "it" crowd she was never stupid and refused to act so.

"True," I smiled.

"So, why are you here?" She asked.

"I have a couple questions I need to ask you before the night is over." There was so many from the very beginning that I opened my mouth but did't know where to start.

"I figured you would." She looked at me with a look of wisdom like she was prepared to answer my never ending questions.

"Why did you freak out so much when I told you Zack had the camera?" I thought might as well start with what I remember.

"If Nancy knew that I was re leaved that Zack had it then it would only confirm that Zack was on my side. She always had her suspicions but putting that seed of doubt in her makes her confidence shift and that's what I needed to get her off my back." She explained so nonchalantly it was impossible to doubt her.

She was so forthcoming with information I assumed it was because she felt safe.

Sandra must have known that I would give it to Zack to secure it, "You knew I'd give it to Zack. You planned this?" I question and her smile grew larger.

She closed the locker leaning and looking towards me, "You were always smart." I laughed.

"You are a better puppeteer then I remember," we joked like it was old times.

"I've been rolling with a tougher crowd then you think," she half smiled.

"Can I give you any more Q's to your A's?" even she laughed at her corny remark.

"You've planned as much as this as Stella has haven't you?" this was a rhetorical question but she sighed anyways and replied, "She thinks shes the smartest one if you let her believe she's the smartest one." I wondered how long she had been living this lie and more particularly what happened to make her stop.

"So about tonight." This was one of the more pertinent topics, "I just," I started but Sandra cut me off.

She gave me a saddened look, "I want to apologize for me black mailing you earlier and I'm sorry for pressuring you and making you do this but Stella has dirt on all of us and I need my ticket out of this place and so do you." she was being sincere.

"So tell me why Stella has never seen her own blackmail before?" I asked and Sandra almost went into hysterical laughter.

"You caught onto that did you." Sandra put her hand up to cover her mouth but even I had to laugh with her.

"She thinks she so smart."

"Stella isn't the one behind the camera because she's in it and she has no idea whats on it," I felt like for the first time I was figuring out what was happening, "So who is behind the camera?" I asked.

Sandra shook she head, "See I can't tell you that. There are still some things that you need to figure out on your own like how will the sum total of this weekend stop Stella. Just trust me when I say it will and it will all come together after tonight." This was the one question I needed answered to feel comfortable with the situation.

"Now come on because we have some work to do. You've been dodging everyone all night and you can't just waltz up to someone tell them to take you home and there ya go. Hate to say it but it doesn't work like that." Sandra bridged the gap between us putting her arm around my waist and walked towards the gym.

"I'm sure I know more then you," I laughed.

"Depends what subject," she pulled me in closer as we walked are hips bumping into each other.

"So do you know who it it yet?" she questioned.

It seemed like everyone was excited except for myself.

"Nope," I replied.

"Well then let's see where the night takes us and I'll let you know at the end of the night. Sound like a plan?" Sandra and I had reached the entrance of the gym the music blasting in our ears.

"I guess. Better then anything I could think of." With that said we both entered the gym.

The party was in full swing. It was chaotic. All the teenagers reserved enough to want to get a decent amount of sleep before school tomorrow had left. The only people still here were the ones used to being hungover on Monday's or didn't plan on showing up at all.

The night seemed to meld together. All of us drank a little; all of us within the hour had grown tipsy or even a little bit more. With alcohol Mimi and Jordan's rivalry wasn't so obnoxious. Zack was still spiteful towards Adam and Carter but eventually he left.

No one seemed to care about the time.

"Hey, Eden," Sandra sauntered up; surprisingly enough her hand empty.

"Hi." we sounded like typically drunk girls.

"So," she smiled, "I bet that they are both debating on who is going to take you home tonight." Both of us looked across the way.

Adam and Carter were talking not far from where we were having our little chat, "Not funny," I countered.

"Do you wanna know?" She asked weaving her head to the music or she was just that unsteady of her feet.

"Might as well," I sighed.

Sandra leaned over and whispered in my ear the name of who I'd spend tonight with. I thought that it would click. Exactly how this made sense I didn't know. All I knew was that I needed to flirt enough to get an invitation but not enough seem like a slut.

"Are you ready to lose your virginity?" she sounded more serious, yet again Sandra did play the drunken teenager well.

"You say that like you know I'm not going to do it," I questioned giving her a curious look.

"Just meet up at Stella's house and it will all be over," she directed.

"I don't have my car remember?" I interjected.

"Call me and I'll pick you up. I'll drive you to Stella's then drop you off at home in the morning . Enjoy your night." she started to walk past me until she stopped.

Sandra looked me dead in the eyes as sober as she could ever be, "Take some of your own advice for once." With those unseen words of wisdom she continued on her path.

She opened one of the exit doors and left as if it was her cue to go. I looked over at the two boys looking at me from across the way. I waltzed up to them both looking between one and the other.

"Adam, let's go for a swim." I smiled at him and he returned it.