Midnight approached. Tuxedo moved off with ball-gown to the darker recesses of the hall.

Allison stood by the alcove and scanned the dance floor. She could see Andy, sipping slowly at his 'Coke', enhanced by too much bourbon. She spotted Brian, shyly dancing with the pretty blonde from science class. She heard John, outside the door with the deadbeats and dropouts. But where was….

Suddenly a hand rested on her shoulder and pulled her gently back behind the drapes. Allison turned, and looked straight into Claire's beautiful eyes.

"I saw you watching me" she whispered, pulling Allison closer. "And it's too public out there for this"

With one final, confirming look into Allison's dark eyes, Claire closed the gap between their bodies and moved in for that first, wonderful kiss.