Today was it. The Valentine's Day dance. That's what everyone talked about at school. Who was going with who, what dress they got, and why the school should have hired a better DJ. Lance couldn't care less.

He avoided everyone today. Ilana, Baron, every teacher, every cheerleader, and even Kristin, who just accepted it. He however, didn't ignore Newton. Newton just thought this was normal behavior for Lance.

So at lunch he asked him a question. "So, are excited for tonight?"

Lance looked up from his chicken nuggets. He looked at Newton for a long time before saying with no expression. "No."

"W-why not? It's Baron's first school dance on Earth. And Ilana's excited because-"

"Newton, I could care less." He took a chug from the milk carton.

Newton just kept staring at him. "So...you're not going to go then?"

Lance sighed and was about to answer, but then his eyes flickered toward the entry to the cafeteria. Newton looked that direction too. Ilana and Baron were just coming in, holding hands and laughing.

Lance gobbled up the rest of his food in three seconds and then got up and left. "Lance!" Newton called out to him, but he had already left the room.

"Hey, Newton!" Ilana said, sitting down across from him and setting her tray of food on the table. "Where's Lance?"

"He...left." Answered Newton. He was so confused.

Baron sat next to Ilana as he placed his tray on the table. "He probably had something to do." He told her.

She shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you're right." She then took a bit into her chicken nuggets. "Hey, these aren't cold!"

Newton turned as she and Baron talked to each other. He scanned the outside of the cafeteria, looking for where Lance had gone. He saw that he was heading to the other side of the school, as if he was trying to get as far away as possible...

"Hey Newton! Guess what?" Baron said. The robot quickly turned off the scanners and turned toward the blonde boy. "I found out that the DJ is famous for picking out the perfect songs for slow-dancing! You could still find a date, since you're going..."

"That's okay, Baron." Newton said, "I don't mind going solo..." His eyes traveled toward the cheerleader's table, where he saw Kimmy, his ex-girlfriend, sitting by her friends. And that one guy, Brandon, was sitting next to her. Newton had heard they were going to the dance together, but she looked miserable sitting there.

"Oh, okay then." Baron said. He bit into his peanut butter cookie.

Newton stayed silent, listening to their conversations. He would respond occasionally, but his thoughts were on Lance. What was bugging him? Baron? But why? Was it because he was going to the dance with Ilana?

Newton gasped loudly. The two teenagers looked at him. The robot stood up. "I'm finished with my food." He said. He took his tray and quickly went out of the room, dumping his tray on the way. Ilana and Baron looked at him with bewilderment, but soon returned to talking again.

They were home now, and the dance was about to start. Ilana had been getting ready in her room for a couple hours now. She had brushed her blonde hair and hairsprayed it. She had put on her pink lipstick and mascara. And now it was time to slip into her new dress.

It had been hanging up on her closet door since yesterday. She was eager to put it on. When she did, she examined herself in the full-body mirror that hung on the wall. It was beautiful, no doubt about that. It was magenta with a pale pink sash across her waist with a matching flower on her hip. It went down all the way to her feet and had spaghetti straps. Her high heels were also pale pink, and she wore a necklace with a faux diamond around her neck.

"Ilana! Are you ready?" Octus called from downstairs. He was coming, too. But not Lance. He went straight to his bedroom when he came home, and even told Octus that he planned to stay there all night.

"Coming!" She called back. Ilana grabbed her small purse (That was also pale pink) and rushed to open her door. She walked out and stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at her date and the robot in a tux. She smiled down at them.

"Woah..." Baron said, looking up at her. He had on his tuxedo and his hair was combed back. Octus was in his Newton body and had his tux on as well. They both smiled at her as Baron said, "You look amazing!"

"Thanks. You do to." Ilana told him as she walked down the stairs to him.

Newton held up a digital camera. "I bought this to capture the moment." He looked at the couple, "So, maybe you should stand together."

"Oh. Okay." They both said. Baron put his arm around Ilana's waist and she put hers around his. Newton held the camera up and snapped the picture. After he was done, he held out the camera so they could see the photo. Ilana noticed that Baron had dark circles under his already too-dark eyes. She shrugged, maybe it was the lighting.

"We better get going." Newton said, looking at the clock. Ilana grabbed her wrap and Baron took her hand and escorted her to the car.

Ilana had a good feeling that this was going to be a great night.

She still couldn't help looking back at the house, hoping a familiar figure would follow.

A/N: Thanks so much for reading! The dance is going to be in the next chapter! So excited! Please review (I love to read them!) And thanks again!