Soooo... Ummm... How are you...? *Dodges rotten fruit* Ack! I know, I know, I've been a terrible authoress, not updating in over a year or so... But honestly, it's not my fau- okay, okay, it is sort of my fault. I have so many stories I lose track from time to time, as well as some in-house cleaning I did which resulted in me wanting to get rid of some work... Not to mention senior year at high school, mental breakdowns and the like...

Anyway, this chapter is mainly to get you guys back in the swing of things, as well as myself for writing this. I don't know right now what the update schedule is going to look like, but it will probably be really sketchy until mid-October or so. I'll try and update when I can and write, but it will be difficult, so bear with me, okay? Bug me for updates through PMs if you need to.

As I said, this chapter is mainly a refresher and a prep for upcoming plot. Once upon a time, this was meant to be more action packed, but, eh, that'll come when we hit double digits, 'kay?

This chapter is dedicated to AspieWriter, which, without her, you guys probably would've gone another century without me updating, but because of her wonderfully inspiring (and wake-up slap inducing) words, inspired me to get at least a portion of this chapter finished as a bit of a teaser for you guys as I recollect my bearings and get my things together.

And now, enjoy the wonderfully short welcome-back chapter for The Crash.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh GX

"Well?" Blaire asked me, causing me to look at her confused. "Who's your escort?" I gave a small oh, and skimmed my invite, looking for who my escort was. My eyes locked onto it quickly, and I glared at the paper.

Escort:You Know Who.

"You don't mean…?" A smile was creeping up on her face. I nodded glumly subconsciously. I could not believe he did that to me!

"Why such a sad face girl?" Blaire asked me. "You should be happy!"

"Come on Alexis, cheer up!" Blaire pestered me. "You're going to the dance with Jaden!"

And yet, that didn't make me happy.

Instead, it only left a sense of foreboding in the pit of my stomach.

Chapter 9: The Halloween Ball (Preparations)

"Hey Lexi, Blaire," Atty's voice echoed from the door to my room. We turned simultaneously to look at my brother, and laughed in spite of ourselves.

Tonight was the night of Jaden and Jesse's Ball and it was much to my surprise that Atty had been invited as well. But, then again, I should've been expecting it, as Jaden apparently knew Zane, and Zane knew my brother…

"Hey Atty," I responded from my vanity table. I was currently trying to do Blaire's make-up. We had decided that we would stay at my house, and come here after the Ball for a sleepover. My parents' had agreed to it, and we had also decided that we would just get dressed for the ball here, at my house.

So, here I was, currently trying to do my new best friends make-up without getting any on her 'borrowed' white button up (it was my dad's, and let's just say… he's currently off with a client right now.) And, while doing that, I was trying to hold a conversation with my brother. Multitask much?

"Hey Atticus," Blaire called, not moving her head as I lined her eyes with the eye liner. "Who're you escorting tonight?" I saw Atty shrug out of the corner of my eye, as he casual replied to Blaire's question.

"A girl named Mindy," Atty answered. "She's in my fourth period class; she seems alright."

"That's good," Blaire said, blinking and turning towards the mirror, smiling in it. "Thanks Alexis. You did an awesome job with my make-up." I smiled.

"It was no problem," I replied, nudging Blaire off the seat to do my own makeup. I picked up my sparkly gold eye shadow and started rubbing it on my eyes. "Is there something you wanted Atty?" I had spied him still standing in my doorway from my vanity.

"What?" He asked. "Am I not allowed to check up on my lil' sis?" I laughed.

"Not when we're about to get changed." I told him, lining my eyes with black eye liner. "Now scat." Atty laughed, raising his hands in defeat.

"Alright, alright, I can tell when I'm not wanted." He conceded his defeat. "I guess I'll see you there, then. I need to go pick up Mindy."

"Alright, we'll see you then," I waved bye to Atty, Blaire following the suit.

After that, it didn't take long for us to finish getting ready. All was left was getting into our dresses.

Blaire's dress was beautiful; a deep purple that went with her eyes with spaghetti straps. The dress stopped just below her knees. She had silver heels with her that completed the outfit.

As for me…

"Alexis, that is gorgeous!" Blaire crooned over my dress as I was adjusting it. It was a pretty dress; the only fallback was the fact that the back was like a corset so it needed to be laced up.

My dress had a gold bodice, and the skirt part was black. It was pleated though, so whenever I spun or lifted a side of it up (which I unfortunately had to do as the dress was a little too long for me) it had gold as well. All in all it looked like…

"It looks like something Kitsune would wear!" Blaire giggled as she laced my dress up. "You know, the female gang leader on the Duel Circuit?" I nodded, and spun around as Blaire tied the top of the dress.

The dress ruffled, fluffing out, and I couldn't help but smile. It was a gorgeous dress, like I had said before. I glanced towards my closet where my mask, deck and disk were. I longed to get it out and see how it actually worked with the mask and duel disk, but I couldn't. Not without telling Blaire; and I didn't really want to tell her yet.

"It's almost seven…" Blaire said, looking at the clock. I gave a small laugh and sat on the chair by my vanity, pulling up my skirt enough so I could strap on my black heels.

"C'mon," I hooked my arm through hers; standing once my heels were strapped. "Jaden and Jesse should be here any…"

The doorbell rang.

And though I didn't know it at the time, it was the start of a long night.

A very long night.

Of the Halloween Dance, on Friday, the 31st of October, on the Harvest Moon.

X.x.X.x.X

I really can't say too much after this so I don't give away any plot ideas, but I can say that the last line(s) hold(s) some important information.

Until next time, read and review! ^_^

~~Paw-Chan Signing Out~~