The next day, I tried not to look at Adam in Health class, but I kept thinking about what he'd said. I'd known that he was smart, but I'd never thought of him as an artist. And I'd never expected to feel so flattered by his praise. Before, Adam had been just another dorky boy whom Gabe and his buddies tormented during lunch last year. Now, he seemed different. New.

So we had a...moment. Big deal, I thought to myself.

But later that day in art class, Adam spoke to me again, and it felt a little like a big deal.

"How is the self-portrait assignment coming for you?" he asked.

"Tricky," I said. "It's hard to see yourself objectively..."

Over the next week, Adam and I kept talking in art.

"I have this idea for a project that combines photography with physics," Adam told me.

I giggled. "That sounds crazy--but fascinating!"

But we didn't talk in Health, so Mackenzie and the girls didn't know we were becoming friends.

On Halloween, my friends and I gathered in Isabel's bedroom to prepare for our big night out. After dinner, we'd be going to the Treble Clef to see Kyle's band.

"This is so fun!" cried Erika, dressed up as a witch--complete with a tall, pointed black hat. "How long has it been since we've all gone out like this?"

"I know!" laughed Isabel--in a cowgirl get-up. "Fashion High has been tough on us this year. I feel like I'm never not in dance practice."

"Art class has essentially taken over my life," I put in, wearing a tribal-indian outfit.

Erika blushed. "I guess I've been seeing Kyle alot lately."

"And I'm the only one who doesn't have some pathetic excuse!" laughed Mackenzie--in a devil outfit that seemed to fit her rather nicely...both physique- and personality-wise.

"Well," I said. "you have been hanging out with Nicola a bunch. What were you guys talking about in Health this morning?"

"Whatever!" Mackenzie mumbled. "I haven't been seeing her that often Chlo."

Isabel then took my hands, pulling me to my feet as I sat on the bed. "Blah, blah, blah," she laughed. "My parents are waiting to feed us."

Soon, we were at Lima, the trendy Peruvian restaurant owned by Isabel's parents. Going to Lima was a special treat--eating out alone made us feel like we were in college or something. And Mr. and Mrs. Marquez were always nice enough to foot the bill.

"Happy Halloween, girls!" Mrs. Marquez cried. "We saved the back table for you."

"Isabel," Mr. Marquez said. "are you planning to go out with your friends after this?"

"You can't just go traipsing all over town late into the night," Mrs. Marquez added. "Especially on Halloween."

"God, Mom," Isabel frowned. "Could you please get off my back for once?"

Sitting at the table with Erika and Mackenzie, I frowned. "It's funny," I said. "Isabel's parents are generous in so many ways, but then they're stingy when it comes to her freedom."

My mom has no friggin' clue what I'm even doing tonight," Mackenzie said.

When Isabel came to the table, we all knew by the expression on her face that bad news was going to be told.

"Surprise, surprise...I can't go to the Treble Clef," Isabel said somberly.

Erika placed a hand over Isabel's. "Oh, honey..."

"This calls for a drink," Mackenzie stated. "Isa, would your parents notice and-or care if I snuck a rum and Coke from the bar?"

"Um, yes," Isabel said. "they'd care." She sighed. "But, go ahead, you little devil. I know I can't stop you."

"Isa, that really sucks," I said. "I'm sorry."

"If it makes you feel better, I need to catch the midnight train home, so I can't stay out late," Erika pointed out.

"You guys are looking way too somber," Mackenzie said, coming back with a drink in hand. "so I'm hereby changing the subject. Who else is psyched to see Kyle play tonight?"

"Not me," came Erika's suddenly bitter reply.

Both Mackenie and I gasped. "What?!"

Erika sighed. "Okay. You guys? I'm having this major problem and I need--"

"Good evening, Ms. Marquez," said a waiter as he approached our table. "What would you and your friends like tonight?"

After ordering, we got down to business with Erika.

"Here's the thing," Erika said. "Kyle wants us to, you know, sleep together. I-I don't think I'm ready yet, but he keeps hinting that if we don't...he'll...he'll break up with me."

"Darling," Mackenzie said. "you definately need this more than I do."

Isabel placed an arm around Erika's shoulders. "'Rika, you and Kyle have been together for over a year. It shouldn't come as a shock to you that he's expecting this next step."

"I know!" Erika wailed, clutching a napkin. "And I feel like a freak for not wanting it to happen. Is something wrong with me?"

I added my voice to the conversation. "You are most definately not a freak."

"Let's not be so hasty," Mackenzie smiled. "I mean, why on Earth don't you want to have sex with Kyle? He's totally cute, in, like, a scruffy rocker way."

"I am attracted to him," Erika sighed. "And I love fooling around with him. But sex feels so huge to me--really serious and intense. I'm not sure he should be the one. And he doesn't get that."

"Sweetie," Isabel said. "if there's anything I always regret, it's not taking more risks in my life. You should be more adventurous--for the both of us."

"No," I said rather sternly. "If Erika's not comfortable, she shouldn't bend to Kyle's pressure. The end."

"Chloe, you're such a buzzkill," Mackenzie remarked. "Everyone's nervous their first time. You just need to plunge in."

"No pun intended, huh?" I asked, picturing Mackenzie at the pool at camp with the lifeguard she gave her innocence away to.

"I think you're letting fear make your decision, Erika," Isabel said.

"Isa!" Erika gasped. "I thought you of all people would back me up on this! I'm glad Chlo understands!"

"You know how much I adore you, Chloe, but you absolutely cannot take boy advice from her," Mackenzie said to Erika. "She doesn't even have any friends who are guys!"

"That's not true," I blushed. "I'm friends with--with--well, Adam Stevenson for one."

"You are?!" the others gasped in shocked unison.

"Whatever. I don't mean friends-friends," I flushed nervously. "We've talked a couple times in art class. He's not that dorky."

"Yes. He. Is. Oh my god! How could you stoop so low?" Mackenzie frowned.

"Whatever--I take it back. Forget it," I muttered, taking a drink.

"If Nicola knew my best friend was friends with Adam Stevenson--" Mackenzie panicked.

"But come on, Mac," I said. "Haven't we always said we were, like, beyond all that social division stuff? I mean, why should there be so many labels?"

"Honey," Isabel said. "that's a very nice fantasy world you've got going there. You sound even more naive than Erika."

"Excuse me?" Erika growled, glaring at Isabel.

"We still love you, though!" Mackenzie stated, leaning toward me with a smile and a small giggle.

Later, at the Treble Clef. Without Isabel...

"It smells rank in here," Mackenzie protested, standing with Erika and I in the massive crowd.

"Mac," I giggled. "your snob is showing."

Erika's squeal caught our attention. "There's Kyle!"

On-stage, Kyle was holding the mikestand. "I dedicate this next song to my girlfriend, Erika Connelly, the hottest, witchiest with out there."

We all squealed excitedly, giddy with happiness.

"Okay, okay," I laughed. "maybe he's not that bad after all."

"I wish some guy would say that about me!" Mackenzie gushed.

"Yeah, but," Erika frowned. "I still keep thinking about you-know-what. I'm so confused."

"Ooh, I have a brilliant idea!" I said. "Why don't you ask Ms. Lamour about it on Monday? I'm sure she'll be really helpful."

Erika began laughing.

"See?" Mackenzie laughed. "I told you never to take boy advice from Chloe."