Syrus's POV

"Syrus, can you watch the food for the night and make sure none of it gets spilled or anything?" Crowler asked me earlier before the party.

"Um sure," I said nervously. When people put me in charge of things I always get the suspicion that something wrong is going to happen.

Tonight, the Academy was hosting a school dance for everyone. It was one of those events where people didn't care whether you were a Slifer Red, Ra Yellow, or Obelisk Blue. Everyone just wanted to have fun like the night was their own. It's also a fundraiser for the Academy so they can buy some more cards, uniforms, and equipment. Crowler has been tense about the situation and wanted everything to go perfect but he didn't have that many chaperones or teachers on staff that night.

That's how I ended up with food duty and it ruined my plans. I only accepted because it meant I might get into a higher ranking than what I am now; yet I'm regretting it already. But I didn't want to let anyone down tonight so I was standing near the food table instead of dancing.

"C'mon Syrus," Mindy shouted over the music. "This is fun! Move your arms to the music at least! Act like you're enjoying yourself! Loosen up!"

"I'm sorry Mindy." I replied. "I'm just worried about something. You go dance."

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked me.

"Not tonight."

"Well I don't really want to leave you alone here by yourself. You are my date after all."

True. I was her date for tonight. I was worried about going alone because everyone else had a date; even Jaden. So when I found out she didn't have a date either, I asked her out and luckily didn't get shot down. Then Crowler gave me this assignment to keep an eye for the food and it ruined my evening. I longed to dance with her but I have my duty to do.

"You're welcome to dance with whomever you want to." I said simply. "I'm not the best dancer and maybe you deserve better."

"But I want to dance with you!"

Crap! This was getting harder to avoid. I was about to say yes and forget about the food when Tyranno Hassleberry came up to Mindy. "Mind if I take this dance?"

Mindy glanced at me and I nodded. I still wanted her to have a good time tonight even if it was with my rival. She understood and said yes to him reluctantly. I turned to the food table because I didn't want to see her being taken away by Tyranno. He was the last person I'd want to see dancing with Mindy tonight. But as she and Tyranno left she shouted to me, "I want to dance with you sometime tonight Syrus."

I smiled and turned my head to see her murky black hair one last time but she was gone. Just my luck, I thought.

Chazz's POV

"This party blows!" I complained. "Why did I agree to be you're date?"

Blair gazed at me for the first time tonight. "Okay yes, this party blows a little. But we're both waiting for the designated couple to break up. You want her and I want him so be patient. We have to stay a little while."

By 'designated couple' she meant Jaden and Alexis. Blair and I didn't officially hook up. She's still in love with Jaden and, let's face it, I still love Alexis. We both decided we had that as a common interest and we agreed to be each other's date. Only we were here because we wanted them to break up so we could swoop in. I don't really see anything special in Blair; she's nice and brave for someone her age but not my type. Besides, she prefers Zane over me for reasons I don't understand.

We were sitting at a table the Academy provided watching them from a distance. Jaden and Alexis were sitting across the room talking to each other.

"Oh wonderful," Blair muttered, "She's smiling at him. And see that look in his eyes? There's no question that it means he has love for her and probably not me."

"How do you know?"

"I see it when he duels." Blair replied. "It looks like their having a good time."

I see it when he duels. I remember the look in Alexis's eyes when I dueled her personally. She still says that she is more committed to dueling than loving me, but I don't buy it. Otherwise she wouldn't be out with Jaden. I think the truth is right there. She loves Jaden Yuki more than Chazz Princeton. What she sees in him I have no idea.

Blair snorted. "Now they're getting up and heading to the dance floor? Jaden would be better off dancing with me."

"So what's the plan?"

Blair turned back to me sheepishly. "The plan is, um, well….ok I don't really have a plan right now but I'm working on it. I honestly thought you had a plan."

I sighed. "You're useless."

"And you're impossible." Blair added. She then turned to her right and let out a gasp. I looked to in her direction and spotted Zane. He was standing alone next to the food table.

"Do you think he remembers me!? Is he here all alone with no date!? Wow he looks hotter than usual which is a surprise but…" Blair kept on rambling about Zane while I groaned.

"I thought you knew he was single." I said finally. "He didn't want a date to bring this year."

"I've been too busy trying to get Jaden's attention that I didn't even realize he was available." Blair explained. "Oh my gosh! He's looking straight at me! How does my hair look?"

"Just go kiss him or whatever okay? It's not like we're a couple or anything." I said wearily. She looked at me and surprise then gave me a quick, unexpected, hug.

"Thanks Chazz. You're the best!" She ran off to go confess her undesirable love to Zane.

I glanced at Alexis and Jaden. Jaden isn't really the best dancer but he's trying hard. I saw her smile at him and kiss him. They then went towards the concessions. Jaden went over there and Alexis waited alone. She saw me looking at her and I immediately turned my attention to Blair and Zane.

I looked from afar and saw Blair approach him eagerly. He looked annoyed and I could barely hear him say 'go away.' Blair walked away disappointed but stopped to go get some drinks. She has guts but is weak when it comes to love. When she returned she walked kind of weirdly. She stumbled into the chair next to me and gulped down her drink. When she was finished, she turned to me and her voice was a little slurred. "No luck. He hates me. I'm too tired to argue."

She laid her head on my shoulder as we watched the people around us twirl around us and dance. I won't admit it to her but I found her gesture very comforting considering my broken heart over Alexis.

Alexis's POV

"Where did you learn to dance?" Jaden asked me.

"I'm just naturally a good dancer. I've had a lot of practice though." I said. I then started to laugh. "Should I ask you if you're…?"

"No need. I know I'm a bad dancer." Jaden laughed. "I've never learned how and I regret it now. I'll have to look it up online."

"You'd be a great dancer if you had more experience!" I protested playfully. "Up next is the waltz. You're a pretty flexible guy and I think I can teach you the rest."

"Alright then, Miss Rhodes." Jaden smirked. "Here goes something."

We started going through the steps and I helped him by counting out loud. "1…2…3…1…2…3." He started to get the hang of it and by the end we were dancing as if we didn't just go over the steps a minute ago. He even spun me around a little and the walls began to form into a dazzling blur before my eyes. It was as if magic was happening tonight.

"You're doing it!" I whispered.

"I have a good teacher." He then leaned in and kissed me. I was surprised but awestruck. He sure knows how to make a woman happy. I immediately kissed him back as the song ended. We pulled apart and walked off the dance floor.

"Wow. I don't know about you but that made me thirsty. Want to go get a drink?" He asked.

"I'm not really thirsty but you look like you need one."

Jaden smiled and went over to the concessions and I let out a sigh that I didn't even realize I was holding back. I guess he literally did take my breath away this evening.

I gazed around the room and spotted Chazz sitting with an empty chair. I heard rumors that he was taking a date but I didn't really care at the time. His eyes found mine and we stared at each other until he turned his attention away from me sheepishly. I suppose he might still be in love with me; but then again, I'm here with Jaden.

Jaden. What's taking him so long? He should be back by now. I ran after him towards the concessions area to make sure he was okay.

Bastion's POV

"OMG! That's terrible." Jasmine said to Mindy. "How could he be okay with you dancing with another guy? Syrus is so weird."

"But he's cute and I wanted to give him a chance. Tyranno is the complete opposite and he totally turns me off. I decided to dump him." Mindy replied. "Have you and Bastion danced tonight?"

"We have." I answered for Jasmine. "But apparently Syrus not with you dancing is causing us to stop and listen to your story. Psychology would probably suggest that he's too shy but…"

"Oh crap! I'm the third wheel here, aren't I?" Mindy apologized. "I'm sorry. Hey! Jasmine, do you want to get a drink? I think Syrus was over there when I last saw him but I'm too scared to go over there alone. Want to come?"

"I don't see why not." Jasmine agreed. She turned to me and said, "Be right back."

"Okay." When they were out of hearing range I muttered to myself. "Maybe I'm the third wheel here."

"Bastion? Is that you?" A voice to my right said. I turned my head to see Syrus pushing his way through the crowd. When we were finally face to face he asked. "Have you seen Mindy lately?"

"Yeah, she and Jasmine went to go get some drinks." I replied. "She was complaining about how she didn't get a chance to dance with you tonight so she kind of stole Jasmine away from me. "

"I'm sorry about that." Syrus explained. "I was in charge of the drinks so I didn't want to let anything happen. Then I realized I let Mindy down and came out here searching for her. You said she went to go get a drink, right?"

"Yep," I repeated. "You have time to go find her and dance with her tonight before the party ends. Your chances don't look too well."

"What?"

"You blew her off but she still thinks you're cute." I said simply. "I'm guessing she's gonna take some pity on you."

"Do you have to calculate everything?" Syrus started to walk away from me.

"It helps!" I called to him. I then started to follow him since our dates were in the same place and we both wanted them back.

When we arrived at the concessions table, Mindy and Jasmine were passed out on the floor. I ran up to Jasmine and checked her pulse. "She's still alive."

"So is Mindy." Syrus stated. "But why are they passed out?"

"Have you guys seen Jaden?" Alexis was walking over here when she saw Jaden on the other side of the table. "Oh my gosh! How did this happen? Is he asleep?"

"I don't know. I don't think you'll be able to dance with Mindy tonight, Syrus." I leaned down to pick her up but smelled alcohol on her lips. "Hey Syrus! What kind of drink was being served for this evening?"

"Fruit punch. Why do you ask?"

Oh no! I thought. "There can only be one explanation. Someone spiked the drinks."