The gym looked great. There were hearts and cupids everywhere. Streamers were hung up and balloons completed the stereotypical 'dance in a gym' look. After looking around I found several tables occupied by the families. We headed over to sit with them. Gavin pulled Laura towards the group of seniors and their dates. Miri and Danny were already out on the dance floor. Nina, Annie, and Landon were at a table with their dates. Well, Annie and Landon had dates. Nina looked like she was flying solo and not happy about it. I noticed that she was staring daggers over at Declan's table. Declan and Jensen were standing next to James, Reese and Ryan.

I headed towards them. Jensen was wearing a sparkling white mini dress and white sneakers. I was happy that someone else joined me on that trend. James smiled when he saw me walk up with Tyler. Tyler's hand rested softly on my lower back. I leaned back into him, resting my weight against his chest. We stood there talking until Jensen pulled me away to go and say hi to other people. I was nervous since I still had not become more than acquaintances with anyone on the team other than Jensen.

There were two girls standing in a corner talking. Both were slim and tan like Jensen. I wondered how they managed that in the middle of February. One girl had long auburn hair and wore a light red dress; the other had chin length black hair and wore a white dress that just barely covered her butt.

"White dress and black bob is Cassie Lancaster. She is in grade ten with us. Auburn and red dress is Darcy Blake. She's in grade nine."

Bless you.

Having a friend who knows you don't socialize helps a lot.

They both shrieked when they saw us coming over. Bothe went to hug Jensen and then surprisingly me.

Darcy smiled, "You look great Alex! I love that dress. You too Jensen."

I think I had spoken 5 words to her. How did she know my name?

Jensen and I both smiled and returned compliments.

Darcy smiled wide at Jensen, "You and Declan look so cute together."

I nodded, "Don't they?"

Cassie spoke finally, "I love your accent. Where are you from again?"

"Texas. I moved here right as school was starting."

"So you're James Harrison's cousin right?"

Jensen gave her a little playful shove. "Cass, could you be a little less obvious?" Jensen looked at me. "Cassie has had a crush on James since we were in grade eight."

"Seriously, you like my cousin?"

She blushed and nodded. "He doesn't even know I exist."

Darcy had a tight smile on her lips, "So are you and Tyler together now?"

I almost choked on my own spit. "No. We're just here as friends."

"Really? So you aren't dating?" Darcy replied.

"Nope, just friends."

Jensen rolled her eyes, "He's not into you Darcy. And he's way too old for you."

Darcy rolled her eyes back, "Hey a girl can dream. He's only like the hottest guy on campus and in a rock band. Who wouldn't want that?"

I felt a very territorial knot forming in my stomach. Cassie elbowed Darcy in the ribs, "Dude, she's still his date tonight."

"Sorry." Darcy still looked pouty.

"You're fine. We were just about to head back over there if y'all wanted to join."

Their eyes lit up and a few minutes later I led them over to our side of the gym. Tyler and James were sitting at our table talking to Declan. Elle and Aaron were on the dance floor so that left almost enough seats for all of us. I started looking at where I could pull a chair from when Tyler casually pulled me onto his lap.

Jensen sat next to Declan. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. She blushed. Cassie and Darcy sat across from the other boys. I figured now would be the best time for introductions.

"This is Darcy and Cassie. They are on the Cross Country team with Jensen and me."

James nodded, "I know who Cassie is." He looked at her and smiled, "You're in my Spanish class. You're in grade ten right?"

"Yep and Darcy here is grade nine."

Tyler looked at Darcy then. "Did you do a class project or something with my little sister? I swear I saw you at my house once."

Her eyes lit up. "Yep. Miri and I were in the same English group last semester. She took me to one of your shows too. I loved it."

Gag me.

He smirked, "Thanks."

"When do you play again?"

"Well we are actually playing tonight. First we are going to be here at the dance then we are packing up and going to The Garage to play a special midnight set."

James smiled at Cassie then looked at me, "Bring your friends Lex. It'll be fun."

It was like watching a flirtatious tennis match.

Tyler tapped me on the hip as a signal that he needed to get up. He smiled down at me and kissed the top of my forehead, "I've got to go set up. Save a dance for me when I get done."

It didn't take long for people to crowd around the front of the portable stage when the band got started.

They started off with playing Only You.

I hummed along as Brenna started.

"Sick of the voices in my head, think I'll listen to myself instead. It feels like we're playing a game, nothing has ever been the same."

I loved the chorus. While Brenna sang, "Since we were sitting in the park, alone, hours after dark. I turned to you and said anyone but you. I could not do this with anyone but you. I could not love anyone but you, no not anyone but you."

Tyler came in 'after turned to you and said' and sang, "I want only you, I need only you, I love only you. Yes only you."

Then he took the lead and started to sing, "I feel you building up a wall I watch and wait for it to fall. You think this is just a game? Well darlin' that's just insane."

The second chorus began with Tyler singing, "I remember sitting in the park, hours after dark. When I turned to you and said only you. I could do this with only you I can love only you know it's only you."

When he got to, 'said', Brenna came back with "Anyone but you. I could not do this with anyone but you. I could not love anyone but you no not anyone but you."

They closed it with both singing their taglines, either, 'only or anyone but you'.

They finished and Tyler spoke into the microphone, "How is everyone tonight?" The crowd started cheering. "Good to hear. This next one is called Daze."

Everyone cheered and the band started their next song. Towards the end of their set Tyler went back to the mic. "So I feel pretty bad that I'm having to let my date go solo while we play. Harrison, grab some friends and come sit on the stage for this one."

I looked at the stage and noticed Brenna was already off of it talking to Nixon. That meant only one song could be coming up, Falling.

I felt an arm intertwine with mine, Elle.

Oh thank God.

She grabbed Jensen's hand who grabbed Cassie's and Darcy followed suit. We all sat up on the stage together. I noticed Laura had joined us too.

Tyler smiled, "Perfect. This one is called Falling."

He knew I wasn't into the limelight and made it more comfortable for me. I smiled shyly as he sang the now familiar tune.

We made eye contact and didn't stop until the song ended.

The crowd started roaring in applause when he finished. I smiled before hopping off the stage with the other girls.

Tyler finished his set and then walked over to me at our group table. He was covered in sweat from playing and I didn't mind the look at all. The DJ started playing again and he held out a hand to me, "Dance with me?"

I grabbed his hand and he led me out to the dance floor. It had been a long time since I just got to dance and have fun. I had not felt this carefree and light since I moved here from Dallas. Tyler was dancing around and felt like a ball of energy next to me.

Tyler needed to leave early from the dance so that he could go and get set up at the Garage. The rest of our party was planning to catch a ride with Dylan. I wasn't sure what I should do until Tyler asked James if he was coming with us to help set up.

Us. So he was expecting me to come with him? I could handle that.

Brenna kept her distance and made sure Nixon did too when we made it to the club. I texted my dad telling him I would be spending the night at Laura's. There was no way that I was dealing with a curfew tonight. Mike the bouncer let us by easily.

Tyler pulled me aside a few minutes before he had to go on stage.

He smiled down at me wrapping his hands around my waist. I wasn't uncomfortable with the move. "You having fun tonight, Alex?"

I smiled, "I am. I wasn't expecting to have this much fun. But I like it.

"Good, I want you to have fun and just relax. You deserve it."

"Thanks Tyler." He pulled me closer for a hug. I embraced him back for a moment. He let me go when Brenna called that it was time to play. I watched backstage with James for a while. It felt like Déjà vu. This time though I was latched on to the guitarist on stage instead of a mysterious boy in the crowd. For the first time since Ari dumped me, I felt okay with it.

Running With Scissors finished their set and were sharing the night with a band called The Station. I had seen them play the first night I met Ari. They were the band we'd danced to. I wasn't too keen on going down memory lane all night so I hoped that Tyler wouldn't want to stay for their set.

We all filed out so that The Station groupies could go backstage for their performance. I was the last one out and accidently bumped into a guy. I looked up and saw a smiling face. He had tattoos all over his body and jet black hair to his collarbone. Emerald eyes locked onto mine. I smiled back, said excuse me and went to find Tyler.

He was waiting for me about thirty feet away. I hugged him and said, "Great job! Hey, isn't that the lead singer of The Station?"

I pointed to the guy I'd bumped into. He was currently talking to a big boob blonde.

"Jace Dempsey. He and Mark Brashares are the leads."

"Oh. Cool. Are we staying for them or are you ready to go?"

"I am more than ready to go but I think some of the others are staying." A small grimace came across his face.

"What's up?"

I followed his gaze and saw why he was frowning. Ari was a couple yards away talking to Aaron and Elle.

"I guess he decided to come see them play."

I nodded and tried to avoid being seen as I found Jensen and Darcy. James and Cassie had disappeared. I filled them in on what was going on.

"Let him see you happy girl. You shouldn't have to hide from him."

"True. But I also don't want to be here with Tyler and throw that in his face."

Darcy smiled, "I could go distract him? Give you and Tyler a chance to leave?"

I tried not to outwardly roll my eyes. This girl annoyed me. She was ready to pounce on anything with a heartbeat.

I saw Tyler walking over to me and tried to smile like I was perfectly at ease instead of overly anxious.

"You ready Lex?"

I nodded and started following him out of the crowded club. I felt his hand wrap into mine to keep me close. We were almost out the door when I met eyes with Ari. He was laughing at a joke it seemed, talking with Reece and Ryan. I liked seeing him so relaxed. His smile broke for half a beat when he realized what he was seeing. I smiled meekly. He broke eye contact and kept up with the conversation he was having like he hadn't seen me. That hurt. I understood it, but it still hurt.