Chapter 5

"Claire, it's time," Aleesha stated.
   "Jess ain't here yet," Catherine said.
   "We can't wait for her," Aleesha stated.  "Claire, you gotta do it now."
   "So I get to choose the guy?" Claire asked.
   "Yeah, that's the deal," Aleesha replied.
   Claire got up and walked to the other side of the cafeteria very slowly.
   "Did you want something?" AJ asked as she stood by their table.
   "Uh, Nick," Claire said quietly.
   "What?" Nick asked as he turned to face her.
   Claire knelt down on one knee and took Nick's hand.  "Nick, will you go out with me?" Claire asked
 sincerely.
   "This is a joke, right?"
   "No way," Claire said quietly.  "So what do you say?"
   "I say yes," Nick replied.
   Suddenly Claire stood up and kissed him passionately.
   "She looked like she was serious," Aleesha commented.
   "Nah, she couldn't be," Catherine stated.  "Could she?"

   "Brian, I really should get back to the others," Jess stated.
   "Just stay a few more minutes," Brian said, taking her hand.
   "Okay, just for you."

   "Donna, Donna, Donna," Aleesha sighed.  "Can we count on you to go through with your part?"
   "I don't know," Donna replied quietly.
   "C'mon, you HAVE to do it," Aleesha stated.  "You never know, you might even have fun, we
 did...well Jess kinda didn't coz she made Brian cry...but me and Claire did."
   "Yeah, Donna, you gotta do it," Catherine agreed.
   "Alright," Donna said reluctantly.  "I will."
 
   "I can't do it," Donna stated as they stood in the door of the cafeteria.
   "Why not?" Catherine asked.
   "Coz Brad's YOUR boyfriend," Donna stated.
   "Donna, he's not gonna care," Catherine stated.  "And I don't care, so come on."
   "Are you guys coming?" Donna asked as she and Catherine started walking through the cafeteria.
   "We're gonna sit down and watch," Aleesha stated as she, Jess and Claire headed to their table.
   "Hey, babe, where ya been?" Brad asked as Catherine and Donna walked up to him.
   "Hi honey," Catherine said as she gave him a hu and a kiss on the cheek.
   "You're looking good today, girl," Brad stated as he gave her a kiss on the neck.
   "As always," Catherine smiled as she pulled away from him and put her arm around his shoulder.
   "So what are you lovely ladies up to?" Brad asked.
   "Actually, Donna has something to tell you," Catherine stated, giving Donna a knowing look.
   "Yeah, what?" Brad asked.
   "Go on, Donna, you need to tell Brad the truth about how you feel about him," Catherine stated.
   Donna took a deep breath and stepped towards Brad.  "Brad," she said quietly as she placed both
 hands on his chest.
   "Yeah..." Brad said, looking at Catherine with a confused expression.
   "I love you," Donna whispered shyly.
   Brad leaned towards her to whisper in her ear.  "I know they put you up to this," he stated quietly.
 "So you along with it, okay?"  He pulled away and winked at her and gave her a subtle smile.
 "Donna, I love you too," he stated as he threw his arms around her neck.  "I knew we were meant to
 be together!"
   "What??" Catherine asked in total shock.  Aleesha and the others had burst out laughing.
   "Babe, I'm kidding," Brad admitted, giving her a kiss.  "Sorry, Donna, but Catherine's the oly lady
 for me."
   "That was harsh," Catherine said, hitting Brad in the chest.
   "I'm sorry, babe," he apologised as he kissed her again.