-1Author's Note: Reviews are always appreciated. Please let me know what you think. This chapter is another sappy one; perhaps a bit bitter sweet. I hope you enjoy it.

If one were to close their eyes, to let the music wash over them, they could almost imagine they were someplace other than a high school dining hall decorated to look like a garden. They could let their body sway gently from side to side, letting thoughts of everything, of everyone, slip away. At least that was the nonsensical idea floating through Izzie's head as Alex held her body close. It didn't matter that the song was one of those eighties love ballads, or that the song before it had been the cliché Celine Dion. All that mattered was the boy smiling at her, his dimples flashing and his light brown eyes sparkling.

He drew her a bit closer, close enough that she can feel the beating of his heart. It was pounding almost as fast as her own. A small smile flitters across her lips. It was hard to believe that she had almost past this up. It had been Meredith and Cristina who had made it possible. Meredith with her lie about a salon trip for a birthday present. Cristina had used the same excuse for the dress. Pale pink, strapless, with black Swiss dots and thin black ribbon beneath her breasts. It was by far the nicest dress she had ever worn, and when Cristina had left it on her bed with a note she had almost cried.

"So, Hall is planning this stupid Fall Into Autumn thing. It's where we decorate the place for Autumn and then have a dinner. We're, like, allowed to invite someone…kinda to show off the place, you know?" There was a slight flush to Alex's face. She wasn't sure if it was embarassment or the flickering lights that hung over head. "Anyways, I was wondering if maybe, you know, you would want to come. You'd have to help hang up all these tacky leaves and stuff, but the food is kinda good. Our house mother cooks it. Last year it was pot roast."

Izzie's lips part, the word yes on the tip of her tongue. Before she can speak another voice cuts in. "Alex, can I talk to you?" They both turn to find Rebecca standing less than a foot away. Looking at the smaller girl left Izzie with a twisting in her gut. There was nothing to thin or flat about Rebecca. A dainty package of curves that were showcased in a beautiful rose colored gown. "Please."

Letting his hand go, Izzie steps back slightly. "It's okay." It wasn't. It was anything but okay, but she could see the hesitancy in his eyes. He gives her one last hesitant look before allowing Rebecca lead him off the dance floor.

"That prick." Cristina sneered, coming to stand next to her. A comforting arm is wound around her waist. "You're to good for him."

"She just wants to talk," Izzie whispers. Even as she says the words she doesn't believe them. Rebecca wanted Alex back, and anyone who knew him knew he would go. "He'll be right back."

"Not likely." Cristina shook her head, a lock of black hair falling from the smooth chignon at the nape of her neck. "I'm sorry, Iz. I know how much you like him and all, but she…well…" She trails off when she notices the tears glittering in the taller girl's eyes. "Oh hell, I'm sorry. He'll be right back, just like you said. If he's not, he's a fool."

Shaking her head, Izzie wipes a tear off her cheek, checking her finger to be sure none of the eye make up Addison had worked so hard on had washed away. "No. You're right. Why should he come back? I'm not going sleep him. I wouldn't even have let him kiss me good night. And she…well I know that they've…" Her lips start trembling. She mutters a curse, hating herself for being so miserable on what should be a happy night. This was her birthday, damn it. This was suppose to be her night.

"Come on," Cristina grabbed her hand, dragging her out to the middle of the dance floor. It was now packed with a sea of bodies, most dancing in rhythm to some annoy Britney Spears song that would have sucked beyond reason if not for the pulsating beat. "I hate these things, you know?" Izzie nods. She knew. Cristina had done little more than complain about her dislike of school dances.

"Yeah. I know." Giving into impulse, she engulfs her friend into hug. Almost instantly Cristina protested, shoving Izzie off her. "Sorry. I'm a hugger. I blame my mom. She's always hugging my sister and me."

"Yes, well save the hugs for your mum and sis." Cristina smoothed her dressed, then glanced around. She grabbed the shoulder of a nearby boy. He was tall, a good five inches taller than Izzie, with dark hair and warm dark eyes. "What's your name, love?"

The boy stares at her in surprise for a moment then answers. "Dennison Duquette the third. I prefer Denny though."

"Well, Denny tonight is your lucky night. This," she tugs Izzie forward, "is my amazing friend Izzie, and she's the girl of your dreams." A gentle shove in the middle of Izzie's back has her stumbling closer to the kind eyed boy. She smiles at him weakly, then turns to shoot Cristina a murderous look. Her friend is no longer there.

"I'm sorry. Cristina can be…well…" Izzie shrugs, her smile wavering a bit. Could this night get anymore humiliating? Dumped by her date, forced on a strange boy by a friend. Happy Birthday to Izzie.

"It's fine. Would you like to dance?" She looks at the hand he held out, then nods. Another sappy song had started, the light dimming again. It wasn't the same as dancing with Alex, yet it was still nice. And, she had a feeling Denny Duquette would not leave her standing alone on a dance floor. Whatever feelings might have been budding for Alex had been squelched the moment he walked off with Rebecca.