"No. No. No!" Mr. R said as he slammed the script down onto a desk. "Where is that raw passion. The feelings. You're in love not divorced."

I turned to look at him. "I'm really sorry," I stated. We were doing a short play in Drama. Dylan and I were supposed to be newlyweds but, as you could guess, it wasn't working.

"I can't work with her," Dylan demanded. "I need a new wife."

Mr. R buried his hands in his face. "Look, I really thought you two could be the next leads in the school play but if you're going to act like this. Well, then you can get out of my class."

I held my hand up. "No," I said, frantically, "we got this."

"Okay," Mr. R said slowly as he sat back down. "Let's go from the scene where Dylan finds out you cheated on him. Action."

"How could you?" Dylan asked, his voice was raw. Like he was honestly hurting.

I looked away from him. I made my eyes glassy. "I didn't know I loved you then."

"So that's a reason to cheat on me."

I walked forward and reached for his hands. He pulled them away. "I never meant to hurt you. I was drunk. I'd never do it now."

Dylan shook his head. "But you still did it. And you can't erase the past."

"But you can leave it in the past and build a better future."

"I'm not sure we can." He then turned and walked away. Mr. R stood up and clapped.

"That's it you two."

"Thank you," I responded.

Mr. R cocked his head. "But we still need to work on the romance part. I want my maid. Iris come here." A small girl with dark hair came forward. "We're going from when you two first arrive in your honeymoon house. Action."

"And this is the living room," Iris said, turning as if she was showing us around.

"It's lovely," I responded, trying to be polite and courteous.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'd like a moment alone with my wife," Dylan said.

"Of course," Iris responded, pretending to pick up bags. "I'll just take these to your room." She walked off stage.

I turned to Dylan. "You know," I said in a seductive voice, "I love that you can call me that."

Mr. R shouted directions. "Now pull her close."

Dylan awkwardly pulled me close. He wrapped his arms around me and I played with his hair. I saw his eyes flicker to my lips.

Suddenly he stepped away. "I'm sorry, I can't do this."

Mr. R groaned. "Gabe, step in as Brett."

A boy walked up to me and moved me close. I played with his blond curls like I did with Dylan. "I love that you can call me that," I repeated.

Gabe looked at me. His face blank. "Line," he called.

"'I love that I can do this.' Then kiss her." I glanced at Dylan. He was trying to focus on anything but what was going on.

"I like that I can... What was it again?"

Mr. R let his head fall onto the table. "Dylan I don't care what's going on between you two. Get up there. Piper sit down. Sophie your turn."

"And I love that I can do this," Dylan said before leaning in. Instead of kissing him Sophie reared back.

"What the hell are you doing?" Mr. R stood up.

"I thought it would be better if Riley and Brett weren't really in love. It was all for money," she stated happily.

"Piper," the teacher turned to me. I walked up and let Dylan wrap his arms around me. "Do it right this time."

"And I love that I can do this." Dylan leaned in and kissed me. Even though it had only been one day, I missed his lips so bad. I couldn't help but sigh.

Dylan stepped away. "Well, we have the rest of our lives to enjoy being married. Let's hope we use it wisely," I stated while acting love stuck.

"Perfection," Mr. R blurted.

***

"Okay I'm not stupid," Dylan said. He had walked up to me after class.

"I never said you were," I responded, trying to brush past him.

"Why did you honestly break up with me?"

"Dylan stop."

I started to leave but he grabbed my arm. "Piper..."

"Piper!" Sam said as she walked into the class. "Oh hi, Dylan. I heard you're newly single."

Dylan looked at me, his right eyebrow was raised. "You dumped me because of her?"

Sam walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Dylan brushed her hands away. "Piper please."

I gave him a puppy dog look, silently begging him to understand. "I can't."

"I'm comin' over tonight and we're talking this over."

***

I sat in front of my music stand trying to once again memorize a song for marching band. I accidentally slammed the flute down because I was so frustrated. Why did this have to be so hard? I could glance over a script and almost memorize the whole thing, but with music, I had to sit for hours.

I heard a knock at the door.

I sighed as I stood up, knowing who it was. Once I opened the door and I spotted Dylan. Without even saying a thing, he walked into my house.

"Come in, why don't ya," I said.

"You dumped me because of your so-called best friend," he accused.

I sat down on the stairs next to the door. I folded my hands together and looked at them as I said, "Getting right down to business, I see." Dylan sat down next to me and copied my pose.

"You know I don't get you."

I looked up at him. "What do you mean?"

He turned his gaze on me. His eyes flickered to my lips. "I really like you and you go pick a girl who treats you like shit over me. I've treated you well so has Kim and Alana. So why do you need Sam?"

"She's my best friend."

"You keep saying that but have you ever realized that you are always the one holding onto the friendship. You give me up and she doesn't even think twice about putting you in that position. You make plans and she bails. I just don't get it."

I looked away. He made a point. He grabbed my face and turned it towards me. He then moved his face towards mine. I felt sparks as our lips touched.

A throat cleared making me pull away and I saw my dad pass. "Subtle," I called after him.

"I didn't punch him. I think we're good."

I laughed. "So...we're good?" Dylan asked, his voice rising in hope.

"Why do you even care so much? You're one of the most popular guys in school. You could have any girl in the school."

"I know but, not only do I really like you, I want you to realize that Sam is no good."

I sighed. "So I'm a charity case?"

"I'd never waste so much time on a charity case, but I am gonna kill Sam."

I leaned in and kissed him again. This one was a little slower than the last. I focused on it, taking him all in, just in case I wouldn't experience it again.

I pulled away.

"I don't want to give up on Sam."

Dylan sighed but kissed me again.