"I found the perfect solution to your question," I said to Sean after we sat down at the student's lounge, which had quickly become a popular hangout for us. It wasn't exactly doing wonders for my image as a cool kid, but I was willing to let it pass. At least I was seen with another cool kid.

"Which question is that?"

"How to keep this a secret with a hundred people involved," I replied. "By the way, I narrowed it down to 75, but that's it."

I clicked on the laptop he brought over and typed in a link. "This is a private link which logs on to this amazing webpage. I sent this link via e-mail to the people I invited, and only they can see the website."

I explained as I demonstrated. "Look, at first a terms of agreement will pop up, and by clicking on the box below, you've agreed to keep this party a total secret and swear not to bring anything forbidden, or else Sandra Jenkins will personally haunt you down and do what is necessary to you." I laughed proudly.

"You did this yourself?" The amazement was transparent in his voice. At that moment I wished wholeheartedly that the answer was yes so he would be proud of me.

"No, of course not," I said. "Do you know Randy Muller from the computer club? He's really brilliant. Look at how fancy this is!" I scrolled down the page and showed him what Randy had created. There was a home page telling people what the party was for, lists of volunteer jobs and items we needed, spaces for messages and for picture upload. "When this party is over I'll show this to Linda so she can see all the photos and birthday wishes. Anyway, this party really opens my mind and forces me to interact with people. I never thought I'd say this before, but guys who are good with computers are kind of hot. He's so smart the way he types away with just a few clicks, and voila!"

"This is really amazing, but I know how to build a webpage too," he said quietly. "I wish you had asked me instead."

Of course he knew how, I realized, although it had completely escaped my mind earlier. There was nothing remotely nerdy Sean couldn't do.

I nudged him playfully. "Did I just sense a little bit of jealousy there? You don't like me saying some other guy is smart?"

"No, I'm just saying I can help out more. I feel like you're doing all the work."

"You did most of the work in our history project too." I laughed. "I just write all the unnecessary corny lines. It's okay."

"And you're being a really good sport about it too," he said. "You include me in everything although I'm of no help. Makes me ashamed about the way I treated you for the presentation. I want to apologize if I ever made you feel like you're inferior or anything because you're a great partner." He stared at me straight as he said it, his wonderful blue eyes slowly drilling a hole in me.

"Oh, you're just mocking me." I waved him off giggling. My cheeks were starting to burn. He always knew how to make me shy! "I didn't do all that much either. I just know how to boss people around. Besides, you're the coordinator. There will be a lot to double check on the day of the party, and you're the only one I can trust, so don't even start thinking there's no job for you."

"Of course. Just let me know if I can help with anything."

"I'm going to need you Saturday afternoon, but other than that, I've got pretty much everything under control," I said. "You'd be shocked at how willing people are to help out. Every time I post something on the webpage, someone eagerly grabs it. People are bringing food and lots of free supplies. It's like one big project which everyone's participating in, and they love to contribute, you know?" I had come to know a lot of great people, and if I weren't already the most popular girl at school, now I definitely was. Party planning was so much fun!

"I know you're doing this so we can save money. I don't know how to thank you," Sean said. His face was all grateful, and I was sure he liked the words help, free, and contribute. The key to a man's heart is through guarding his wallet, I guess.

"Oh, come on. These days you're all about thanking me and apologizing," I said. "To tell you the truth, I'm glad you asked me for help. I feel like for once in my life I'm actually not completely useless."

"You feel useless?" He looked utterly shocked. I felt utterly stupid.

"Well, not useless," I corrected. It was too strong a word to describe what I felt. "It's just sometimes I feel really...empty compared to my friends. Sort of...unaccomplished. I'm all fluff. I'm like a cloud of pink candy floss which looks good to eat but without any real substance. I mean Janet is a small celebrity with her band, Sandy may be a meanie on the outside but she is actually deep, and Carmen. I don't even need to tell you about how well-read Carmen is. And of course I always feel super inadequate in front of you." And your ex-girlfriend Leslie who played at Carnegie Hall and ate grilled Paganini sandwiches on a daily basis did not help matters much, either.

Sean looked at me with an unreadable expression, and I suddenly felt sillier than I already did. He was the last person I should be admitting my insecurities to.

I put on my sweetest candy-floss-adorned smile. "Not that I don't think I'm fabulous the way I am, of course. Forget my stupid rambling."

I turned to the laptop, avoiding his gaze of possible sympathy. I didn't want to make Sean feel sorry for me or force him to come up with something nice to say. I was never the type of girl to have people worrying over. I was always the entertainment provider, the class clown in designer jeans and perfect hair.

"Flora," Sean said softly, and he lay his hand over mine gently.

I looked at him in embarrassment, hating myself for having such a big mouth. I didn't hate the warmth of his hand, though. I felt less bad about dumping all that on him immediately.

"I never knew," he said. "I can't believe you think like that about yourself. I guess self-doubt happens to even the most fabulous of us." His tone was kind and sincere, without any trace of mockery. "You have something very valuable about you, Flora. You were born with it and it can't be taught. You have-"

"Money?"

He smiled. "You have people skills."

"You mean I use people as tools."

"No, you have the power to make people help you willingly. You have a natural-born talent of smoothing every conversation and handling every awkward social situation."

"I thought I'm the creator of awkward social situations."

He ignored me. "You may let Sandra boss you around but I know you're a leader. You have charisma and creativity. You're going to make a difference in the world."

"You sound like a lousy public service ad, Sean," I scolded, trying to hide how flustered I felt. Sean always had the power to make me weak in the knees with his mouth. But this time it was actually not because of his kisses.

"Flora, you need to learn how to take a compliment, especially when I'm much better at giving one than you are."

I giggled. I had no idea Sean saw so much in me.

Was that even possible? How could it be that the cutest guy at school was also the only one that could see past my brainless cheerleader façade?

I felt the attack of an old, familiar feeling, the feeling of something warm and fuzzy expanding in me, like the first time he told me I was witty and my sense of humor was sexy.

Not cool, Flora. You were supposed to make him fall in love with you, not the other way around.

"Well, thank you, Sean," I said, bowing my head. "But don't think for a second that just because you're saying nice things to me, you can get out of doing your payment. I told you I'm not doing this party thing pro bono. Just don't whine about it when I come to collect my wishes."

"I don't dare forget I'm your fairy godmother." He rolled his eyes.

I flashed him an evil grin, making him sweat a little. The truth was I had no idea what I was going to ask of him yet, but I knew I didn't want to disappoint him and I wanted this to work because it was his party.

I couldn't let people say Sean Foster threw lame parties, although he didn't even care himself. I was honestly planning this wholeheartedly with the sole purpose of making him happy.

Oh, and Linda too. Mustn't forget this was about Linda.

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