Part 2 of 3. I love getting feedback, but please go easy. I'm still new at this.


Nancy woke up bright and early Friday morning. She jumped out of bed and looked out the window. During the night, it had snowed and left a nice blanket behind. Hours from then, Nancy would be dancing with her crush and having a blast with her friends. Just as she started getting ready for the day, Nancy's phone went off. It was George.

"Nancy, I don't think I can come tonight. I don't feel well. Sorry."

"Don't feel well?" Nancy thought. Ever since Burt asked her to the dance, George was a great deal more excited about going. What changed her mind? She decided to text Bess and see what was going on.

"Hey have you heard about George? She says she doesn't feel well."

Bess texted back almost immediately, "just saw her and she looked fine. Something must be wrong. Let's go over soon and see what's up."

"Meet outside her house in 30 minutes."

With that, Nancy flew through her morning routine and ran out the door to meet Bess. Bess was already waiting outside the Fayne residence when Nancy arrived.

"Hey, Bess. Any word from George? I'm starting to get worried."

"Nope, but we'll figure out what's going on. Maybe she really is sick."

"Could be. We won't know until we go in there and find out."

"Let's go then."

Nancy and Bess made their way up to the front door. Bess knocked loudly and they waited. After a few minutes, George answered the door. She was shocked to see Bess and Nancy. "Hi, girls."

"Hey, George. We thought we'd come see how you're doing." Nancy said cheerfully.

"You look pretty good, cousin dear." Bess added.

George blushed. "I wasn't entirely honest. I'm not sick."

"What's up? How come you told us you weren't feeling good if you're not?" asked Nancy.

"I received a text message this morning." George handed Nancy her phone with the message up.

"If u go 2 the dance w/ Burt u will regret it. He asked bc of a dare ne ways."

Bess read the text and her mouth fell open. "That's not true at all. Who would send something like that?"

"I don't know. I was already nervous about going, but now I'm even more nervous. I should just ignore it, I know, but still. No one wants to feel like they were asked out because of a dare."

Nancy and Bess both hugged George. "George, you have a couple options. You could skip the dance and mope. You could ask Burt what's going on or you could come with us and the guys and try to ignore that text."

George thought for a moment. "You're right. I can't give in. But, I don't want to know if it was really a dare that got Burt to ask me. Let's just have fun!"

"Atta girl, George!" Bess said. "Don't let them get you down! Now all three of us have some work to do before the boys come."

"Alright. Let's go." said George, still looking gloomy.

The next several hours were spent hanging out and getting ready for the dance. They did their nails and got their hair done for the dance. The trio talked about what they thought the decorations at the dance would look like and how the night would go. Finally, it was time for the boys to come pick the girls up. Each girl had butterflies as they heard the doorbell ring. Hannah went to the door and opened it for Ned, Dave, and Burt.

"Girls, the boys are here! Come on down." Hannah called.

Bess was the first down the staircase. She and Dave both had giant smiles on their faces as their eyes met. Nancy was next down the stairs and joined Ned at his side. He bent down and as he put Nancy's corsage on her arm, he whispered, "you look incredible, Nancy."

Nancy smiled brightly and whispered, "you look amazing too!"

George was the last one to come down. As she descending the stairs, Burt's jaw dropped. As George joined him, he stuttered, "y-y-you look a-a-amazing."

Hannah jumped in. "Okay picture time! You all look so wonderful! Get together."

The couples moved in close and smiled for a series of photos. Eventually, Hannah had enough pictures. "Thanks, kids. Have a great time!"

"Thanks, Hannah!" Nancy said. "Well, let's get going!"

Ned said, "We decided that you ladies might like to ride in style, so we rented a limo for tonight."

"Wow, you guys really know how to go all out!" Bess exclaimed.

"Glad you like it." said Dave.

The couples climbed in the limo and made their way to the dance.

As soon as they arrived, the boys climbed out to help their dates. As they entered the high school gym, they were met by a winter wonderland. White lights lined every wall and panels of tulle created a kind of canopy in the gym. Christmas trees sparkled around the room. The air of the room even smelled like peppermint.

"Oh my goodness! This is better than I imagined!" said Bess.

"They really outdid themselves this year." Dave said.

"Let's wander for a while and look at everything." George suggested. "Then we can find a table and get something to eat."

The group agreed to meet up after about 20 minutes. The couples quickly broke off on their own. Nancy and Ned made their way outside to the sports fields. They were lit up by thousands of more lights which sparkled against the freshly fallen snow and the trickling sound of a fountain added a bit of contrast to the loud music coming from the gym. Ned and Nancy went over to a secluded bench. Nancy looked at Ned, who had a worried look on his face.

"What's up, Ned?" Nancy asked.

Ned turned and smiled at her. 'Why would something be wrong?"

"Well a second ago, you had a worried look on your face."

"Oh, it's nothing. Just thinking."

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Ned sighed. "Well, someone said something to me that's kind of eating at me. I shouldn't let it bother me, but I can't seem to shake what they said."

"Can I help?"

"If I ask you a question, will you give me an honest answer?"

Nancy chuckled. "Of course, Ned!"

"Why did you say yes to come with me tonight?"

That caught Nancy off guard. She could feel her face turning red. "Well…uh…you did ask…and I had been really hoping that you would."

"Really?" Ned looked a combination of skeptical and hopeful. "You could've gone with any other guys, many of which are more interesting than me…but you wanted to go with me."

"Yeah. Just you."

Ned paused to think, then smiled and looked her right in the eyes. "Nancy? I really like you a lot."

It felt like a swarm of butterflies had been released in Nancy's stomach. She grinned and said, "I really like you too! That's why I was hoping you would ask me."

"Even though I'm not the most interesting guy? I don't go on exciting adventures or do amazing things to help people. I'm just me. Plain, old, vanilla Ned. But…you like me. I'm confused."

"Ned, I go solve cases all over the world. I meet all sorts of people, who do all sorts of insane things. I get into life-threatening situations all the time. My life is crazy and unpredictable. What I want…what I need…is dependable. I need reliable. I like you because you're sweet and kind. I can tell you anything. You're always there for me, even when I call at 3:00 in the morning for advice on a case. Ned, you understand me. We're the same in the best ways and different in the best ways too. I really like you, for you Ned." Nancy sighed and looked at Ned to try and read what he was thinking after her monologue.

Nancy's eyes met Ned's and the look he was giving her made her swoon a little inside. "Thanks, Nancy. Sorry for worrying about it. Some jerk got mad because I asked you and said some things that bugged me."

"Who?"

"I shouldn't say."

Nancy put her hands on her hips. "Nickerson, if you don't tell me, you know I'll find out anyways. International teen sleuth here. It'll save me time if you just say."

"Good point." He paused. "It was Frank Hardy."

"What? Frank?"

"Yeah. I think he might like you."

Nancy winced and gagged. "Ew, Frank? He and Joe are handy for investigation advice, but he's more like a brother. Yuck."

Ned laughed. "Good to know for future reference. Should we go inside? The others might be ready to eat and I have to admit, I'm starving."

"Me too! Let's eat."

The pair walked in and quickly found the rest of their party. George looked like she was going to throw up and Bess looked worried. Nancy whispered to Ned, "Something's up. Can you guys get us a table? I'll see what's up."

Ned nodded. Nancy said as they got closer, "Hey, girls. Do you mind coming with me to use the restroom?"

"Yeah I could use a visit." Bess said quickly. "Let's go!" Both Nancy and Bess guided George to the bathroom. As they entered, they were briefly blinded by the sudden bright lights. Unfortunately, the bathroom was already occupied by Deirdre and her lackeys.

"Oh my gosh! What is that awful smell!" Deirdre turned away from the bathroom mirror. "Oh, the trash just walked in." The girls with her snickered.

"Hi, Deirdre." Nancy said.

"Oh look, girls. It's the magnificent Nancy Drew who couldn't get a date, so she had to bribe mine!"

"What? That's not true!" Bess snapped.

"Deirdre said you'd say that." one of the lackeys, Emily, chimed in.

"You're just jealous." George added weakly.

"Jealous? Of that! As if!"

Nancy smirked. "Well I have an idea. How about you girls go out and ask Ned what really happened? He'll tell it like it is."

"Okay!" the lackeys said together.

Deirdre looked worried. "Why bother? Let's go, girls!" The trio stormed out of the bathroom.

"I can't stand her!" Bess said once the door closed.

Nancy turned to George. "Okay, now that that's over, it's your turn. What's wrong?"

George sighed. "Things are awful. He's just so nice and cute and I'm just so awkward!"

"I told her she needs to relax." Bess said.

"Bess has a point." said Nancy. "Stick with what you're comfortable with. Talk tech or movies or books. Then see where it leads."

"I know, I know. I can do this. Eating will probably help…Let's go back."

"Are you sure? Do you need a few more minutes?" Nancy asked.

"No. I can do this."

"If it helps, I'm nervous too." Bess said while opening the door.

"Really?"

"Me too, actually." Nancy added. "But we've got each other. We can do this!" Nancy chimed in.

"Thanks, girls." George said smiling.

The girls walked out arm in arm looking much happier than when they had gone in. They found the boys waiting at a table close to the food. Each girl rejoined her date. Ned looked at Nancy with a puzzled look. She answered by mouthing that she'd catch him up later. The group got their food and started to eat. Conversation seemed to flow much easier during dinner. Their table was the loudest and cheeriest. Soon, a slow dance came on.

Burt leaned over to George and whispered something. She looked at him and nodded. Burt took her by the hand and led her toward the dance floor. George peaked at Nancy and Bess, who were both waving happily at her. She smiled back and turned to Burt. Soon, they were talking closely as they danced to the music.

"Well, Ned. I think we better follow suit now that Burt broke the ice." Dave said. "What do you say, Bess? Want to dance?"

"I thought you'd never ask! Let's go!" Dave took Bess's hand and led her out to the dance floor.

Ned turned to Nancy and said dramatically, "Alone at last!"

Nancy giggled. "You aren't going to ask me to dance?"

"What if I don't and we just sit here all night?"

"Then I'll be very disappointed that I didn't get to experience your dancing skills."

"That would be a tragedy." Ned said with mock seriousness. "Well then, Miss Drew would you like to dance with me." Ned held out his hand.

Nancy took the outstretched hand. "I would love to!" Nancy's heart leaped and seemed to beat faster.

She looked over to her friends, who both looked ecstatic. Nancy and Ned came together and their eyes met. Ned was smiling so wide that Nancy wondered if it hurt. She smiled back at Ned as he began to lead her through the slow dance. The feel of his hand on her hip made her heart race.

The time seemed to fly by. Finally, the DJ announced that the last dance would be a fast one. Nancy and Ned found Burt and George sitting at a table, talking excitedly. Bess and Dave came over soon after.

"Well, ladies. Since the dance is nearly over, it's probably time to take you all to phase 2 of the evening." Dave said with an official tone.

It was tradition that after the dance, the couples went to various after parties. "What's phase 2?" Bess asked.

"Mainly, a surprise." Burt said. "But, since we didn't tell you girls, we're going to have to take you home quickly so you can change and pack."

"But how will we know what to pack for?" asked Nancy.

The boys looked at each other. "Well, we better tell you then." said Ned. "Burt's parents and aunt and uncle share a large cabin in the mountains. We're going to stay there until tomorrow night."

Burt jumped in. "The cabin is 3 floors. You gals will be staying on the first and we'll be on the third. My parents and aunt and uncle will be on the second. Besides that, it's top secret. Just dress very warm. It's cold out."

"We better get going. We'll need all the time we can get!" Bess said enthusiastically.