But I was a popular guy, too, right? I mean, I was a star athlete. So eventually, the little Stephie circle would go its way, and my little jock circl... would come around my way, and things would settle down to normal. As I looked around the cafeteria, though, I had the distinct feeling that that was going to take a little longer than I thought.I spent the rest of the day in study hall, trying to figure out the retrograde motion of Venus, something that Mr. Carruthers had started lecturing on. Here was a man who had done well for himself.It took Miley a minute to realize who it was, and when she did, she didn't know what to say. He had gone off to college right after graduation, but she knew that he must come home for holidays and such. She had often thought about seeing him on the street, just strolling along, or perhaps at the movies or the grocery store. She had long ago stopped expecting this, however."Do you remember me?" Nick asked, as if they were old friends or something.. That evening several vehicles arrived and well dressed men and women got out and were greeted by the general. Seats had been set out for everyone, one by one we were all paraded through the group as if in some sort of show or market, hands poked and prodded us all over, I recall a man and woman both stand either side of me run their hands up and down my body feeling my muscles, look into my mouth checking my teeth, then bend me over part my butt cheeks, I was then spun around while they still. "You know Andi," Chloe whispered as we walked through the mall, "we'vebeen given the ability to do more than just cause a little pain, if youdon't improve your attitude and show a little gratitude." What the fuck is that supposed to mean," I demanded. I found out theanswer moments later I found myself singing "I'm the prettiest girl inthe whole wide world", dancing a pirouette and rushing up to a teenageboy that was passing, kissing him hard on the lips and asking "Do youthink I'm cute?" . All.