Tim parked the car and followed Sean and Lucas into the school through the front doors. He hadn't dropped Lucas off to an event in years but the grad dance was a little different and parents had to sign in and sign out their children. As the entered the main hall Krista and her wing man Tina fell upon the boys. Tina pointing out Krista's new dress, her makeup done by her elder sister, and how pretty she was, hoping to get a reaction out of Luc. Sean tried in vain to stand in between his buddy and the girls to no avail. Tim watched somewhat surprised at the intensity of Tina's display and Krista's strutting. But unfortunately Tim couldn't say anything because he was holding in gales of laughter. So instead of helping his son and his friend Tim filled out the form to allow Sean's father to take Luc home.
Waving quietly to the 2 boys, Tim backed out of the gym and headed to the car. He felt badly for leaving his child in the lurch, however he was sure that if he had said something it would have been more embarrassing to his son than helpful.
Abby, was not impressed when Tim relayed the drop off story. "How could you have left him like that?" she demanded. "What? I… I thought" Tim stammered. "You left him, to the wolves, with no support?" Abby scowled. "No…No…NO…I left him with Sean… who knows the girls better… and Sean had his six… I'm sure of it.." Tim tried to explain to his very upset wife. Abby stalked towards her carefully retreating partner. "Abs…I promise he was fine when I left him… he'll be fine" Tim's voice squeaking slightly as he continued to move towards the home office.
Meanwhile Sam was waiting in the living room with his game console remotes. "Tim! Tim! Can we play now?" he yelled when he saw both his parents retreating down the hallway. Seeing an out Tim quickly answered "Ya, Monkeyshine, I'm on my way" pointing over Abby's shoulder Tim whispered "I need to go to Sam now…I promised that we could play war worlds 2 all night…" Abby glared after her partner as he slipped past her sliding across the wall with his arms raised above his head keeping a close eye on her in case she pounced. When he was far enough away he turned to head towards the living room, and Abby punched him in the shoulder as she had in many other instances of disagreement. "Ow" Tim groused rubbing his arm as he continued into the living room.
XXXXXXXNCISXXXXXXXXX
Lucas and Sean were able to slide out from under Krista and Tina as soon as a few of the other guys from the class arrived. Seeing that Lucas was having trouble getting away the guys protected him. The problem was Lucas did want to dance with Natalie. He was sure she wanted to as well but he didn't have the courage to ask her and every time his crew of guy friends him alone Krista was stuck to his side. He didn't want to hurt Krista's feelings but he just wanted to be left alone. So instead of dancing the guys stood stereotypically along the west wall staring at the girls all dancing together in the middle of the gym floor.
Sean had gotten them both drinks, punch with fancy little umbrella's in it. Twirling the little umbrella in between his fingers Luc stood staring out into the dancing throng. Slightly frustrated and slightly bored Lucas had an idea of giving himself something to do. Taking Sean's umbrella and his own he tucked them into the string of lights that were hung along the wall to decorate the hall. It changed the hue of the light and so Luc walked past the refreshment table and snagged a bunch of umbrella's not yet used. Opening them up he, along with Sean's help, tucked each one on top of a light. Each little white light now emitted a shaded colour, giving the gym a darker ambiance. Lucas stood watching Natalie as she grooved to the music. Sean not as interested in the girls on the floor was watching the umbrella colours and noticed that a couple of them were sort of melting onto the lights. Elbowing Luc so he could get his friend's attention, Sean pointed to the first umbrella; a tiny plume of smoke was rising from the surface of the now attached umbrella. "Hey Luc, go get that off, quick" Sean said in a stage whisper. Smiling more mischievously then Sean had seen in quite some time. "Nah, let's see if we can get one of the teachers to use a fire extinguisher" Luc whispered back. Sean who generally was far more likely to pull a prank or cause a disturbance really was unsure of Luc's suggestion and decided that he would "knock" the umbrella loose, walking past the string of lights he 'bumped' into it knocking the small paper decorations to the floor. Luc was about to open his mouth to complain when he felt someone over his right shoulder and he turned to see who was standing there. From the corner of his eye he saw Principal Harper looming in his personal space. "I don't think arson is a great way to end your elementary school career, do you Mr. Scuito-McGee?" the principal whispered authoritatively in Lucas' ear so he was the only one to hear.
Swallowing hard Lucas tried to gulp a breath of air. But the room felt small, the air over heated and completely lacking in oxygen. He was frozen on the spot and unable to move, speak or breathe and was starting to feel light headed. Mr. Harper still standing dangerously close to Luc whispered again "Due to your otherwise good reputation young man, I will allow you to continue with the evening if you promise you will behave and come to my office first thing on Monday morning".
Nodding so deliberately and slowly that it was imperceptible to anyone but Mr. Harper Lucas agreed to the conditions he was given. His prolonged paralysis went unnoticed until Sean returned from his umbrella collection job. "Hey man, you ok?" Sean asked seeing his best friend stuck to the floor with a look of terror on his face. Misinterpreting what may have happened Sean asked "Did Natalie come by? Krista?" His face contorted in a helpful questioning look. "No" Luc breathed deeply for the first time in minutes, "No" that's not it… "Never mind I'm fine" Luc said pulling himself together enough to keep his friend in the dark about his predicament, at least until they got home.
Sean noticed his buddy was in a fog and tried to bring him around. Sean turned to his silliness and goofy behavior to bring Luc around. Instead Luc seemed to stiffen instead of loosen and was surprised when Luc stormed out of the gym when Sean began shaking all the soda cans in the ice filled buckets. Lucas stormed passed a gaggle of girls and Natalie noticed the look on his face. Their budding relationship was a secret to those their age at school; several of the staff had noticed their 'closeness'. Natalie politely excused herself.
Natalie found Lucas leaning against the wall in the small passageway that leads to backstage. It ran along the side of the gym and was generally regarded as off limits. Lucas' head was tipped back against the wall his arms hanging limply at his sides. She stopped smiling at how cute he looked even in his moment of despair. "You gotta problem" she asked with a smile
Despite his state of mind and feeling of panic Luc smiled; a goofy teenaged smitten smile. Natalie approached her friend and leaned against the wall next to him. Without looking down Natalie slowly moved her hand along the wall until she felt the sleeve of Luc's shirt and then followed it with her fingers gently enough that she hoped he didn't notice what she was doing. Natalie's fingers made it to flesh and quickly wrapped them around Luc's hand. The boy's head snapped up, looking towards his companions face. A stupid grin spread across both of their faces. Natalie still holding Luc's hand pivoted towards him placing a foot on their side of his two feet their knees touching, now facing each other. Their hands still linked Natalie leaned in, her second hand flat on the wall beside Luc's face.
Luc's heart was pounding. He couldn't stop grinning stupidly. He was in territory he had only been in once before and that had been so awkward that he was unsure of how to proceed. Not having time to make a decision Luc just let the situation play out. Natalie leaned in closer both kids' closed their eyes, their worlds slowed to a snail's pace.
"Uhrr Hum" someone cleared their throat, someone with a very deep voice. Jumping back from the wall Natalie stood staring at Luc not sure where to go or what to say. Lucas looked out sideways for the second time that evening. 'Jesus Christ' he breathed through clenched teeth. "Mr. Scuito-McGee I believe we had a deal that you would spend the rest of your time this evening following the rules" Mr. Harper asked.
"Yes sir" Luc replied still looking at Natalie rather than the man he was talking to. Shaking his head and pursing his lips he took a deep breath before turning towards the end of the hall, taking Natalie's hand and walking past Mr. Harper who turned to follow the two kids. There was only 30 minutes left before the end of the dance and so Mr. Harper kept Luc in his sights for the rest of the night, thinking he would speak to which ever parent picked him up. Luc, Natalie, Sean and a group from the class danced together as the night came to a close.
Kids continued to dance as parents arrived. Each signed out their child and in many cases their friends as well. Mr. Harper watched as Sean's father arrived and signed out both his own child and Lucas. Deciding that things could all be covered on Monday, he said nothing and but noticed the Scuito-McGee boy was eyeing him as followed his buddy out of the school.