He ain't gonna kiss the girl

Awhile later Kate was back inside the gymnasium. Matt and Josh had ventured out to the student parking lot with a group of fellow seniors, and while they hadn't actually said it (or anything remotely close to it) – Kate knew that she wasn't welcome on their little excursion. So that's why she was suffering through another set of slow songs. This time she was dancing with a boy named Ian who lived on Aaron and Bordy's floor. Ian was passable as a dance partner. He didn't make any attempt at conversation, answering both questions Kate asked with a wave by his ear and mouthing "band's too loud". There was nothing else to do except watch everyone else. Bordy and Melanie Higgins were absolutely disgusting in their eternal PDA. Aaron and Kira were whisper/shouting into each other's ears. For some reason Ryan was dancing with one of the stupid inflatable hammers.

Across the dance floor a space had cleared. Caleb was twirling Ashley around like were Hollywood elite starring in a 1920's era movie. Beside them Kate saw Tyler and April dancing together. Kaylee was no where in sight. Neither was Reid. But Hannah was there snuggled in the arms of…. Randy? Kate couldn't help thinking that Hannah was the girl who got "passed" around.

Kate turned her attention to the band. The guy singing was sort of cute with his jet black hair hanging down over his eyes. But he didn't hold Kate's interest. There was really only one boy she was interested in watching. And he wasn't here. Kate looked away from the band and back at Ian while trying to get HIM out of her mind. It wasn't like if she thought about him enough he'd suddenly appear. It wasn't like he could read her mind.

Ian was staring blankly across the gym, as though he couldn't wait for the song to end. Quite frankly, neither could Kate. All around them the space was filled with couples dancing together while small groups of students watched from the sidelines. Everyone was talking, laughing – having a good time. Overhead lights twinkled, their glimmer reflecting off the decorations spreading a warm glow over everyone. But Kate wasn't feeling it.

"Thanks for the dance," Ian said politely as the song ended. Kate opened her mouth to reply, but he'd already turned away. Her arms flopped against her sides with the same lack-luster enthusiasm that was slowly over-taking her normally cheerful demeanor.

The tempo picked up and now much of the dance floor was filled with groups of girls dancing together while all the boys migrated toward a corner. Typical. There were only a few guys who dared to express any fast-paced rhythm. Chopper was front and center, leading some kind of country line dance. Kate could hear him shouting out instructions as probably half the girls in attendance joined him. As she looked back toward her own little entourage, she saw that Kira and Melanie had taken off in the direction of the bathroom. Thus leaving Kate alone with Aaron, Bordy and Ryan.

The boys were talking and laughing and making no attempt to include her in their conversation. Aaron was making fun of Bordy – whose lips were now tainted with a reddish-hue – compliments of Melanie's lipstick. Ew. Ew. Ew. She looked back in the direction of the dance floor and was about to take a step in that direction when something made her turn back around. Andie Bradway in her flowing white gown was headed directly toward them.

Even from the distance she could see clenched fists at the ends of thin arms that hung by her sides. With each deliberate step, she could see Andie forcibly exhale as if trying to calm her nerves. As space between them decreased, Kate realized Andie was looking directly at Bordy – who was busily wiping his mouth with the heel of his hand, then checking for lipstick residue.

Andie stepped right up to Bordy, leaving all of two inches between them. Beside her Aaron and Ryan cringed. "Hey there," she greeted Bordy with a mix of apprehension and reservation. "Can we talk?" Bordy turned and started to walk away, but Andie reached out and grabbed a handful of his jacket. Bordy looked back over his shoulder at Aaron and Ryan – clearly pleading for help. But Aaron, ever the dick, just smirked and walked toward the dance floor with Ryan right behind him. Kate felt a tug at her arm. It was Ryan trying to get her to go with them.

"Trust me," Ryan told Kate. "You don't want to stand too close."

But Kate wanted to hear what was going on. She hated to admit it but this was probably the most interesting conversation she'd heard all night.

"Can we talk?" Andie repeated, almost pleadingly.

"There's nothing to talk about," Bordy crossed his arms over his chest.

"You were making out with Melanie Higgins in front of the entire school," Andie told him. "I think we do have something to talk about."

"Who I'm with is none of your business."

"Oh, I get it. So we're not even friends now?"

Bordy's voice raised; loud enough that Kate could hear his anger. "No. We're not friends. We're not anything."

"But I thought that..."

"Just leave me alone."

"Bordy, please," Andie grabbed both his forearms, forcing him to face her. But Bordy lowered his head to his shoulder not meeting her gaze. "I miss you," Andie proclaimed, burying her forehead against his chest. What happened next was so unexpected, Kate was fairly certain her jaw dropped to the floor right then and there.

Melanie Higgins came up behind Andie and dumped an entire cup of red punch down her back.

I know. I know. It took forever and it was so short. I'm working on it though. -Gemma