"Okay, run this by me again. Jamie's a guy? You told me he was a girl. And you and David are only friends?"

Dawn growned and rolled her eyes. "Yes Zac. David and I are only friends."

Zac frowned. "So, why did you tell me Jamie was a girl? Is he gay or something?"

She laughed. "No. He's not gay. He likes Ash..." she stopped herself when she realized what she was saying.

Zac looked at her, shocked. "Excuse me? Say that again please?"

Dawn sighed. "He likes Ashley."

"And does my brother know this?" Zac pushed on. "Because if he doesn't, I think he should."

She sighed again as he rambeled on. She wanted him to drop the whole subject. So, she did the only thing she knew the would shut him up. She moved closer to him on the couch and put his arms around his neck. She pressed her lips against his.

That shut him up.

Ashley stared up at her ceiling blankly. I can't believe this. What am I going to do?

Jamie had asked her out on a date yesterday, for that night. And like a fool, she accepted. She was too scared to say no. She jumpped as her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing phone. "Hello?"

"Hey baby girl."

Her heart sank. It was Taylor. Her sweet Taylor. How could I do this to him? All I ever do is lie to him. "Hey Taybear."

Taylor laughed. "I love it when you call me that, baby."

Ashley felt as if she was about to burst into tears at any moment. I love him so much, but I can't say no to Jamie. "Well I love it when you call me baby." she whispered.

"Well, baby, I need to go. We're going to my aunt's house today and I have to get ready. I just called to tell you I loved you."

She chocked back a sob. "I love you, too, Taybear."

Taylor smiled. "Good. Bye honey."

"Bye,"

As soon as she set the phone down, she broke down in tears.

"So, you're taking Ashley out tonight, huh?" David asked Jamie after he took a long sip from his beer can.

Jamie nodded as he took swollowed his Bud Light and tossed the can down, then picking up another one. "Yup. Gonna take her out. Maybe to a movie, then maybe come back here for a little...getting to know each other better, if you catch my drift." he nudged his friend in the ribs.

David snored. "Yeah right. She's like her sister, who by the way, just told me she has a boyfriend after all this time. Pissed me off too,"

"For real? Damn, sucks to be you." Jamie gulped another large mouthful of beer. "Besides, Ashley loves me. She'll do whatever I tell her to."

"Where are you going?" Dawn asked her sister as she watched her apply small amounts of make-up on her face. "Got a date with Taylor or something?"

Ashley felt a lump rise in her throat. "No. Jamie wants to take me to a movie tonight." she replied flatly.

Dawn's eyes widened. "You haven't told Jamie about Taylor have you?"

She bit her lip. Hot tears sprang to the cornors of her eyes but she quickly blinked them away. She slowly shook her head. "I've tried. I really have. But everytime I bring him, or Hanson up, he hi...interrupts me."

Dawn stared at her sister sympathetically. She started to respond when she spotted a large bruise on her right thigh, which was half covered by her skirt. "Damn! Where'd you get that bruise from?"

"Oh...I...uh...hit it on my door the other day. I was in a rush to get to cheerleading practice and I hit it. Clumsy me." Ashley smoothed down her short pleated skirt.

Dawn had a feeling her sister wasn't telling her the truth. She was slightly hurt. After what had happened between them three years ago, they had promised not to keep anymore secrets and to be totally honest with each other. It had worked, until now. She shrugged it off and rolled her eyes. "And thet call me the clumsy one."

Ashley smiled half-heartedly. She felt terrible for lying to her sister, but what else could she do?

A car horn blared from outside, causing them both to jump.

She walked over and gently kissed her sister on the cheek. "Bye. I'll talk to you later." She turned and left the room quietly and hopped into Jamie's car.