A/N: Once Bitten universe fics can now be found as their own separate story with all future updates in the OB-verse being added there. Previous parts have been removed from this random series. FYI: Once Bitten has been updated.

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Save the Last Dance

((AU - pre-relationship Drake/Mindy, Josh/Mindy, Drake/OFC - Rating: T; Words: 1000))

"Oh I know that the music's fine

like sparkling wine, go and have your fun

Laugh and sing, but while we're apart

Don't give your heart to anyone

'Cause don't forget who's taking you home

And in whose arms you're gonna be

So, darling, save the last dance for me"

- "Save the Last Dance For Me" by The Drifters

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The day of the senior prom arrives and Josh wakes with a fever, a sore throat, and sick to his stomach. He can hear the disappointment in Mindy's voice over the phone but he promises that he's going to find a way to make tonight special for her. His solution is to beg Drake to take Mindy to the prom for him.

"I already have a date."

"What's her name?"

It takes Drake several seconds to remember his date's name, some girl he asked earlier in the week because he really doesn't care but it's senior prom. Whatever.

Josh knows that he should feel bad for Drake's date but it's not like Drake actually gives a damn about the poor girl in the first place; Josh really cares for Mindy and that's all he needs to justify his argument.

"Come on, Drake! I've already paid for the limo, I picked up Mindy's corsage last night — it's in the fridge — she had her shoes and purse dyed to match her dress. We have dinner reservations—I'll still pay! Please, I am begging you!"

"Fine, Josh, I'll take your girlfriend to the prom," Drake huffs.

Drake's date—former date—takes him breaking their date better than he expected once he explains why. It's really sweet of him to do such a huge favor for his brother; she even suggests that they get together next weekend so that she can find out just how sweet he is for herself. Score!

He promises Josh that he'll be nice to Mindy and to dance with her at least once; to pull the chair out for her at the restaurant and to offer her his jacket if she gets chilly.

Drake does not pin the corsage on Mindy's dress and she can barely force herself to smile for any pictures. He can't tell who looks more upset that he's escorting her to the prom, Mindy or her parents. Her father reminds her that her curfew has changed from two to midnight as he eyes the hunting rifle above the fireplace. Drake does hold open the limo door for her. The entire ride she looks like she would rather have spent the night crying in her room. At the restaurant, she orders a salad and water; she barely eats. When she spends ten minutes in the bathroom, he's pretty sure that she's in there crying.

"It's not the night that I had planned either," Drake says bitterly as they're getting back in the limo. If she's going to act so miserable, she should've just told Josh thanks but no thanks and stayed home. At least his night could have been salvaged.

Mindy starts to tear up again. "You're not exactly hiding the fact that you'd rather be taking anyone but me to the prom, Drake, so you'll have to excuse me if I'm finding it difficult to pretend that this is the best night of my life."

When they arrive at the hotel ballroom, they go their separate ways. Girls, including his former date, surround Drake and he dances with many of them. Mindy tries to make the best of things by dancing with friends; Eric steps on her toes and Craig has no idea where to put his hands, if anywhere.

Drake's intended date whispers in his ear some of the things they can do on their make-up date and he's considering sneaking away so that he can get a preview of what exactly she has in mind when he sees Mindy seated at a table by herself, staring at the cup of punch in her hands. Dammit. Damn his promises to Josh and damn Mindy for looking so wretched. Drake reluctantly tears himself away and heads over to where Mindy's sitting. He sucks in a deep breath and finally asks her to dance because that's what you're supposed to do at the prom, with your pseudo-date. It's the happiest look she's ever given him, the first time she's smiled all evening, when he offers her his hand. She really is a girl.

There's an awkward hesitation when the music segues into a song with a much slower pace. They watch couples around them move closer to one another, bodies swaying to the music. Mindy shuffles a little.

"If we've survived tonight so far, one slow dance won't kill us, will it?"

She looks at him, slightly surprised. "No, I suppose it won't."

It's the most physical contact they've ever had with one another, his hands on her waist, her hands on his shoulders. Their centers of gravity pull them closer together. They can't look at each other but they also can't not look at each other. Mindy settles for staring at the boutonniere on Drake's lapel and he alternates between looking at tendrils of her loosely curled hair and the other dancing couples.

They dance to a few more songs, with groups and together. The night is not a total bust since Mindy is no longer determined that this is the worst night of her life.

At the end of the night, he walks her to her door. "I just wanted to say that you actually look really pretty tonight. I probably should have told you that earlier."

Mindy looks like she's expecting to be Punk'd any minute before she realizes Drake is possibly being sincere. She clears her throat, trying not to blush. "No, you shouldn't have. I know the only reason you did any of this was that Josh asked you to. But, thank you. I'm sorry I was such a bad date."

Drake shrugs it off. "I wasn't the best date either."

"No, but…" She swallows and forces the compliment out, "You look very handsome as well. Thank you. Again. Goodnight."

She gives him a quick kiss on the cheek, because these things are supposed to end with a kiss.

Josh smiles through his germs and misery when Drake returns home. "She said she had a good time."

"It wasn't so bad."

*** Finis ***