Pastor Mike noticed his son dancing with me. He didn't know what to think.
The song ended, and the lead singer said that the band would be back after a ten-minute break. Annette, Natally, and Jes walked onto the stage. Annette said her thanks and blessings, then said, "I don't mean to ruin this, but the students who were responsible for the attack on our school, have infiltrated our prom. Uh, Pastor Mike? Mari Kelly and DragonRose Maddoxx have crashed our prom. Could you please come up here, Pastor Mike?"
I thought that I should leave, but Tony held my hand and followed Justin and DC closer to the stage.
She saw that we were moving toward her. "Justin, where have you been? I've been very worried about you."
"It looks like you survived." Justin replied.
Pastor Mike walked on stage. "Okay, everyone, calm down. I don't think these students are here to do us any harm."
"Are you kidding?" Annette gave him a look of offense.
"No, I'm not kidding. I think that Christian thing to do is to let them stay."
"The Christian thing to do? I've been doing the Christian thing my entire life. I did not have sex with a gay and try to blame it on Jesus."
"Oh, cool it, Nette." I was getting annoyed by her.
"Oh shut up, you fornicator. And I did not hack the school computers, or spray paint the outside of the school."
"You planted that paint on DC and Mari to get them kicked out of school." Justin said, as he held up the papers.
"That's such a lie." Annette snatched the papers. "Oh, please. This only proves that you stole my credit card to charge the paint… and the clothes from Maternity Girl."
Pastor Mike looked over the papers. "She's right; anyone could have made these charges."
"You swear to God that you didn't frame us, Annette?" DC insisted.
"Yeah, Annette. Swear it to God and everyone else." I insisted as well.
"No, I won't swear." she looked a bit nervous.
"You can't swear, can you?" Justin pushed the fact of her guiltiness.
"Alright, I'll swear. I swear to God, I did not graffiti our school. You happy, now?" she began to walk offstage.
"Oh, yes, you did, Annette." Natalie said. She took the receipt out of her purse, "I found this crammed up under your seat." Annette just stood frozen.
"It's your signature, Annette." Pastor Mike read the paper.
"Come on, Nat." Annette turned and grabbed Natalie's arm.
"Let me go." She threw the pin on the floor, "You're nothing but a big fake." Then Natalie walked to me and hugged me as she said an apology.
"I think you should leave, Annette." Pastor Mike had people move to make a path for her.
I grabbed her arm gently, "Nette,"
"Get off of me! I designed this, and my father donated the refreshments. I got Godflight on the stage. You all go! … And I only did it because Jesus told me to. He did!" she stayed there for a few seconds, then rushed off. Justin, DC, Tony, me, and Caci ran after her.
She pushed the doors open hard, nearly hitting Alex and Matt. "Out of my way, you freaks!" she pushed her way through the Mercy House students. Justin and DC went past them, too, not noticing them really. Annette was fast. DC said that she'd get Tony and me; "Then we'd take care of your sister after getting the limo."
The Mercy House students entered the building. And as soon as I saw Alex, I paused. Why, and how were they here?
Tony was jerked to a stop. He turned and saw me standing there, looking at Alex. "Mari what's the matter?"
"Alex," Alex walked toward us. "What are you doing here? Did Mercy House let you borrow the van, or something?"
Alex looked down, just now noticing my stomach. "Not exactly. We sort of led a rebellion and took it… you're pregnant?"
"I wanted to tell you, but," I was nervous. How would he react to this amazing news, this sudden?
"Our first time?" I nodded. "That's so awesome." He smiled.
DC was at the door and heard the conversation and smiled to herself. Natally was kind of behind Tony and I, smiling as well.
Matt nudged Alex a bit. "Oh," Alex held Matt's hand, "There's something I'd like to tell you, too."
"He's your life-partner?"
"No, my prom date." He laughed.
I gave him a hug, "It's nice to see you." I held Tony's hand and introduced the two, "Alex, this is Tony. Tony, this is Alex"
Pastor Mike rushed in, interrupting Alex's and Tony's handshake. "Hey, excuse me. Listen, son, I suggest you and your friends get back in the van, and back to Mercy House as quick as you can before you all are arrested. We had enough excitement for this evening."
"We're not leaving." Alex replied.
"What you and your friends have done is not cool in the eyes of God." Pastor Mike said.
"Dad, stop it." Tony groaned.
"Anthony, this is not a gray area."
"Dad, it's all a gray area."