Stevie Nick's POV

I try so hard to hold in the tears; it's nearly impossible, though. I thought for certain that I actually loved Jimmy, but now as I look back, I realize that I simply could not. My heart belonged to another...

Tom is the reason I can't really be with Jimmy, yet at the same time I feel like Jimmy has absolutely fallen for me. That is why I cry: I'm with someone who loves me, but I could never love them.

Ugh, and I'm only fourteen! Why does life have to be so dramatic?

"Hey, Stevie!" Joni beams. Ah, Joni Mitchell is always such a sweetheart to me, I genuinely appreciate it.

I force a smile and say, "Oh, hey Joni!" Damn, my face must be so red...

"Oh, my God, Stevie!" Joni slams her locker shut and throws her arms around me, "You're upset, what's wrong, honey? You know you can tell me anything."

I hug Joni back and then just let the tears flow, "Ugh, I think I'm in love with Tom, but I'm just stuck with Jimmy right now and I don't know how to break up with him! He loves me..."

As I keep crying, she responds, "My dear, Jimmy isn't the one for you. First, he's too old for you-,"

"Oh come on!" I snap, "He's only two years older then me!"

She looks at me intently and says, "Come on, you are fourteen, and he's nearly seventeen. At your age it's somewhat questionable. Besides, if not for the age matter, there's also the fact that he'll be with a girl for a while and screw her, but once she gets tired of his possessive crap, he'll throw her to the corner! Get away from him fast, he's never loved anyone."

I whip the tears from my face and say, "Okay, then. But how?"

"It's simple, just say, 'hey Jimmy, I don't want to go out with you anymore!' and then be done with him! It's not that hard! However, don't go kissing Tom in front of Jimmy for a few weeks, as Jimmy might try to kill Tom for that," Joni laughs at her last little comment, and then gives me another sweet hug, "I really hope for best for you two." She pats me on the shoulder, and I get headed to my class.

I sit down in my biology class, which fortunately I don't have to deal with Jimmy, but Tom is still there. Ugh, I couldn't bear to sit next to him, though. I know it's hurting him, though. A substitute teacher comes in- oh, wait... it's Mr. Holly! Perfect, I love that guy.

Mr. Holly says, "Well, being that your normal teacher isn't here, you guys would have done an experiment today, but in light of his absence you have a-," and then everyone goes wild as he mumbles, "Study hall....." I pull out a book and start to read, and for most of class that's all I have to do. However, towards the end Tom comes over to me.

"Stevie?" he asks quietly, "Can I talk to you?"

Again, I feel my eyes well up with tears, "Tom, please stop torturing me like this..."

Tom sits down and says, "Stevie, I wouldn't dare try to hurt you! Please just tell me why you wouldn't sit with me anymore? Heck, you never even talk to me!"

Oh, crap... Here come the tears again! "Tom, I love you! Can't you see? I can't be with you though, and that hurts me. Seeing you makes me want to cry, like I am right now."

Tom puts his arms around me so naturally, "That's it. I'm going to find Princess Jimmy and go kick him in the freaking nuts. He keeps hurting my best friend- the girl I care about the most. I simply won't have it."

I smile a bit and say, "I wish you could break up with Jimmy for me..."

"I wish I could too, dear," and he smiles. "That is something for you and you alone to do."

Having Tom's encouragement gives me a whole new sense of freedom- I actually feel ready to break up with Jimmy now. However, before I can say anything, Roger comes over the PA and neighs, "GOOOD MOOORRNNING MY FELLOW CLASSMATES!!!" I hear principal Presley snapping at Roger, and then Roger continues, "Okay, then. Because apparently I can't have a little fun with announcements, I'll just continue the old boring way. Let's all congratulate our football team for making it to nationals. Also, we are going to be starting chess club, so if any of you nerds would be into that, go ahead and join. Also, hot lunch is going to be closed for the next week, so if any of you guys are still eating that slop I guess you'll be disappointed. Finally, I just want to make it clear to you, Mason, that yes those oysters we got last week were, in fact, fake. And that's all, folks!"

Tom and I laugh at Roger and his highly amusing announcements. I finally say, "Thank you, Tom. Care to go to lunch together?"

Tom shakes his head and smiles, "I would love to, my dear."