DISCLAIMER: I don't own the movie, David, or anything to do with jim henson.
AN: so another chapter is here. Tell me what you think.
Sarah smiled, putting her hand in her fathers. He guided her out of her room, but not before Sarah could glance back at the mirror just one more time. Sad thoughts churned threw her mind. She had to go back at some point, and receive Jareth's "training"
~*~
little eyes watched Sarah leave her room. From under her bead, light laughter drifted out. Laughter that was trying to be hidden. Laughter that was laced with evil.
~*~
the drive to the dance took a long half hour, seeing as it was in a large hall in the city. Her father and Karen were going all out on sarah's graduation. Both parents had invited people from her family, and from their work places, many of whom, Sarah didn't know. But like the star of the show, Sarah played her part. She smiled, greeted, gave hugs, and accepted congratulations from all who gave them. In the corner, a large pile of presents piled high and Sarah's curiosity was getting the best of her.
Sarah held her dress up in two hands, leaning over the table to look at the beautifully wrapped boxes. There was a small one that was a light silver, with dark silver balloons. It looked like jewelry. Another small one that was a shiny blue paper topped with a purple bow and purple ribbons around it. That was about the size of a gift card. There was another, about a foot tall and wide, and a few inches deep, wrapped in pink paper with pink bows. It looked like baby wrapping paper, but Sarah still smiled slightly at it's cuteness. The present itself looked like some sort of shirt, or another piece of clothing.
There were many other gifts, all of them having some sort of card, or tag saying from who gave them. But, one in the back made Sarah curious most of all. It was a medium sized box, wrapped in black paper, and topped with a white bow. Sarah wanted to know what this thing was, wrapped so ominously. Sarah reached for it.
"now Sarah, you're not thinking about opening your presents yet, are you?" Came a voice behind her.
Sarah stopped, looking over her shoulder. She smiled innocently at her father, "no daddy. I just wanted to look at it."
"later Sarah. Come, follow me, I have someone I'd like you to meet." Sarah followed her dad, less then hopeful knowing what was going to come of her life. But still, she had 2 years to live her life, might as well live a little. "sarah, this is Jeremy Peterson the third, he's the son of my boss. He started working at our company just recently, and I think you two have a lot in comon."
Sarah looked at the man before her, dark, almost black eyes, short jet black hair, wide shoulders, and a strong body. The opposite of Jareth. Before Sarah's mind went in that direction, she focused back on the man before her. She could tell he'd been an athlete, but something felt off about him. He was dressed in a black tux, with a cape and white mask covering half his face. Still, she smiled and held out her hand. "hello Jeremy. Or should I say eric?" she asked.
"ah a lover of the arts, pleased to meet you lady Sarah," he said. Instead of shaking her hand, he turned her wrist so he could bend over and kiss the back. Sarah blushed deeply, no man had ever treated her so regally.
"i'll just leave you two in peace, I can tell you'll both have a lot to talk about," Sarah's dad said, but she didn't hear, her attention on this man.
"so my dear Sarah, you have graduated high school today? What are your plans after this?" Jeremy asked.
"well i-" Sarah stopped thinking about what she would have done. She could lie, but that didn't feel right. He seemed like a nice man, and she shouldn't lie to a stranger. But still, she couldn't tell him the truth, "i don't-"
Sarah was stopped again when the look on Jeremy's face went from high class interest, to fright. Suddenly, he was falling backwards landing with a heavy thump on his backside. Looking down, Sarah saw anger cross his face. But as he saw hers, the anger disappeared, melting to confusion. Looking over, Sarah saw a banana peel on the ground. Over the din of mixed laughter and concern, Sarah could hear small footsteps, and mangled giggling. From the corner of her eye, a dark creature scurried away. Sarah looked back to jeremy, helping him up. "where did that come from," he asked.
"i, uh, don't know. I'll get someone to clean it up though," she said rushing away. Sarah ran to a hall, and into a empty room. Making sure the door was locked behind her, she stood in the middle of the room, hands on her hips. "alright, come on you guys. I saw you in there."
for a moment, there was silence. But then, from little cracks and corners, several goblins came out. "sorry queenie," said one.
Sarah rolled her eyes, at both their new name for her, and their antics. "you guys could have hurt him, what were you thinking?"
"Him making move on queen. Goblins all know what he want. Not want him near queen, queen to important. King say protect queen," answered another goblin.
Sarah sighed. "he's just being nice, so leave it alone. I'm going to go back to the party, and I don't want to find anyone of you have done any more mean tricks tonight. And tell Jareth I can protect myself." Sarah turned, leaving the room.
Back at the party, Sarah found Jeremy talking to a bunch of men, people she didn't know, who were probably from her father's company. "Hey there, sorry about that. Are you alright," she asked.
The men around him glanced at Sarah, then left. Jeremy smiled, "yes I'm fine. A little injured pride never killed anyone."
"well if you're alright," Sarah said smiling.
"now, miss Sarah, I was wondering if you could grace me with a dance?" he asked, holding out his hand.
"a- a dance? I can't dance," Sarah said blushing.
"oh, I'm sure you can. You just need a good partner, come, trust me," he said, hand still out.
Sarah hesitated, then put her hand in his. He lead her out to the dance floor as a pop song ended and a more classic waltz started. She put her hand on his shoulder, her other still in his hand, as he guided her threw the dance. Closing her eyes, she let herself be taken away by the song, her feet no longer her own, but slaves to the music. Her partner lead her around like a pro, and Sarah couldn't deny it felt good to be in his arms. Briefly, she remembered what it was like to dance with Jareth. That had felt better, much better, and she wished it was him she was dancing with. Her eyes snapped open.
She did wish that. She couldn't deny it, she wanted to be with Jareth. And she couldn't deny that she had been hiding the feeling from herself for so long.
The song ended and she stepped away from Jeremy. "thank you for the dance, Jeremy. I didn't realize I could do that."
"my pleasure. I can only hope that I am graced with another," he asked.
Sarah shook her head, "thanks but I have something to do. It was nice meeting you Jeremy." she turned away, once again going to the hall. There was something she had to do, but how was going to be a problem.
~*~
dark eyes watched Sarah, evil eyes with dark intent. "all I have to do is wait. Wait and pounce when the time is right. The power of the labyrinth, and it's ruler, shall be mine to wield. I will rule over all," a dark voice said from the corner of the room.
AN: so what you think? What's up with Jeremy? And what's this evil thing I'm hinting at? Are they one in the same? And I'm sorry if my attempt at comedy wasn't really funny. But someone said they were waiting for it. Please, if you have any jokes that are any good, or anything that would be funny, i'd love to hear it. The best ones will be featured in the next chapter.
