Chapter Twenty-One - It's Friday!, Part I

I know it's kinda stupid, but I really wanted to write it. I tried to do a single chapter, but when I wrote it, it got really, really big, so I decided to split it in two.

There was a large package on her bed that afternoon. Diana walked a few steps, and opened that box. To her surprise, a beautiful dress, richly decorated, rested in. Raising it, an envelope went to the floor. Diana bent to pick it up and opened it. Not surprisingly, the sender of that short but significant message.

"Wear it tonight. Batman. "

The Amazon princess read and reread those few words to the point of decorating them. So simple, but still significant. She set the envelope and lifted the dress. It was white at the height of her knees, and seemed to be the perfect size for her. It had sleeves, but the backs were exposed.

She could not wait to use it and see what Batman had in store for them. She knew it would be something special.

"Hum, you look good." Shayera commented as Wally stepped into her field of vision.

The redhead smiled and turned on his heel. He wore jeans, a navy blue shirt, and sneakers. There was a coat over his shoulder. As simple as he always dressed, however, she felt something different about him. Maybe it was her eyes, she thought.

Wally looked her up and down. Shayera was without her wings again, and she looked like a normal human. Not that he did not like her wings, she was beautiful anyway. The redhead wore an all-colored dress in blue, purple, and green. Her hair was loose and she wore high heels. She was still beautiful as she always was, yet she looked much younger.

"You're not bad either, Shay. I'm going to become Zatanna's slave, but she did a good job."

"I must admit I still feel strange without wings. It's like missing some of my essence..." She paused. "But, finally, explain to me again why the birthday girl doesn't go with us."

The redhead shrugged. He also did not understand the reasons for the daughter, only knew that he liked to go alone with Shayera. He extended his arm to her, and she rolled her eyes but accepted. They both went to the elevator. Wally leaned toward Shayera and smiled.

"I have not said it before, but you look like a Barbie."

Shayera shook her head and laughed.

"Idiot ..."

Wally's house became the meeting point. The bell rang and Martha ran to answer. When she opened the door, she came upon Rex. She let the boy through and he came in. Without the Green Lantern uniform, he wore a camouflaged jacket over his black T-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers. He was late, but luckily, there was someone who took longer than him to get dressed, so his friends had not left.

He smiled at Martha as he passed. The heiress Wayne had her dark hair hanging loose on her shoulders. She wore a purple dress glued to her body and high heels. Rex never had an interest in Martha, yet he admitted to himself that the girl was very pretty. John was an idiot for letting someone like her escape.

Closing the door again, Martha went to join Kira and Honey. Honey, as usual, had her blue hair tied in a side braid, and wore a black hat. Dressed all in black, in black trousers and black top.

Kira was already in a red skirt and striped blouse. As she always did when she walked in the human world, she had her favorite Asian appearance, with long, straight, dark hair and the typical drawn eyes. Rex entered the house further, approaching his friends.

"I thought you were away a long time ago." He said. Looked around. "This place is too small for so many people."

"We're waiting for the princess to finish." Terry said.

The future Batman was lying on the couch next to Jason. The leather jacket and coturno gave a rocky style to his look, supplemented by his jeans and white shirt. Jason already wore a plain T-shirt and jeans. He laughed a lot at Terry's comment.

His girlfriend, and also a birthday girl, knocked on the door, already desperate to leave. If she had not been tidied up, she would have knocked the door behind her brother. She wore a flashy yellow dress in A, 60's and white sneakers. Her long red hair was loose and contrasted with the color of her dress.

"Come on, John!" She hit the door again. "I'm going to blame you if ..."

"Calm dowm, Kiwi." The door swung open and John stepped inside. "I'm ready."

John's hair was loose, falling on his shoulders. He wore a white shirt under a gray waistcoat, tie, jeans, and shoes. Lily looked up and down at her brother. She did not understand how anyone could take so long to get ready.

"Really, John? Everyone is waiting for you!"

"I'm ready, aren't I?"

Lily walked quickly to the living room, where the others waited, and John followed after her.

"Dude, how slow you are!" Terry said standing up.

"A pity that John is slow for other things, too, right?"

Martha laughed at the expression the redhead boy made, as Lily tossed them all away. She was the birthday girl and she was already late. That night, she just wanted to have fun with her family and friends.

It played a very loud pop song when they arrived. Shayera and Wally were the first to arrive, even taking a while to get out of the tower. No sign of the boys, so they looked for a table. Wally glanced at Shayera. The redhead already had a drink in her hands, and even after a few sips she was still bored. She did not like the songs they played, they all looked the same. Bad beat, bad lyrics. At least she could get a drink.

"You ok, Shay?"

The redhead turned her attention from the glass to her friend.

"Or I'm not drunk yet, or these songs are very bad. Can I still give up and walk away?"

"You're already here and you can't go. But you're right, today's songs are bad. That's why I prefer the classics."

He smiled at her, receiving a sigh of boredom in return. Wally's gaze was a mixture of astonishment and amusement as Shayera turned all the drink left in her glass at once, only to make a face then.

"Better?"

"Not really.

"We can sort this out."

Wally smiled enigmatically at her. Shayera knew her friend would make some noise as he stood, and holding her hand, helped her to her feet. He pulled her onto the dance floor, even under protestations of not wanting to dance to that "bad music."

"Wait here." He winked at her and walked away.

Shayera saw Wally walk over to the DJ and say something. The boy bent down and when he got up he had a disc in his hands. He changed the discs and a new beat started. It was "Thriller." Wally nodded to her, and Shayera found herself responding, not sure what was going on. If she was sober, she would be far away, however, the alcohol was beginning to take effect and she just waited for what was to follow.

The redhead saw her friend move his head and right shoulder, as if he were in an epileptic fit. But then he began to sway in the rhythm of the song and Shayera wanted to be wrong, but she knew what the redhead was doing.

It's close to midnight

Something evil's lurkin 'in the dark

Under the moonlight

You see a sight that almost stops your heart ...

She put her hand to her face, just to make sure she was not in a nightmare, then realized she was still wide awake. Wally was coming toward her, dancing, and the onlookers around him opened the way. She wanted to hide at that moment, how people stare at the redhead, and at her as well.

"They're looking at us!"

"Come on, Shay! It's a thriller!"

"No way." She crossed her arms.

Shayera felt her cheeks burn while Wally did not seem to care at all for the attention she received.

You try to scream

But terror takes the sound before you make it

You start to freeze

The horror looks you right between your eyes

You're paralyzed ...

Wally began to sing, and maybe it was the alcohol acting in her body, but she found herself laughing. She certainly would not be the one to laugh at the boy dancing alone. But until the darn was good, she had to admit. Some of the people around seemed to like it, and it was easy to see some women admiring him.

She barely had time to think, and felt someone holding her hand. She realized when it was too late that Wally was dragging her along with him. The redhead ignored her protests, and dragged her to where he had been before.

'Cause this is thriller
Thriller night
And no one's gonna save you
From the beast about to strike
You know it's thriller
Thriller night
You're fighting for your life
Inside a killer thriller tonight, yeah
Ahahahahahahahaha
I'm gonna bring it tonight…

She stepped aside, and opened her arms, still shy, trying to imitate her friend's choreography. They heard shouts and whistles of encouragement from the crowd. Someone yelled, "Go on, girl." She might as well run away, but a greater force prevented her from getting close to her friend.

They took a few steps forward, wiggling their arms as if swimming, and saw some people moving away, giving them more room. Wally jumped, turning to the other side, and she mimicked him, rocking her body as he did. They jumped back, swaying. Shayera liked the sound of her heels on the floor, at least she could imagine the touch of the shoes as they danced.

She swung her arm, still mirroring herself in Wally's footsteps. Shayera laughed, in a mixture of fun and shame, while some joined them, imitating the choreography, or at least trying. At least she was not the only one.

Together, they took a few steps forward. Then they put their arms over their heads, clapping their hands together. She did not quite understand the meaning of that choreography, although it was apparently well known. She also did not understand why she did that. She was not drunk, she just could not get away.

You hear the door slam ...

See any of them?" John Stewart asked, looking around. Mari laughed shortly afterward, and pointed.

"Ah, I do. Look there."

John looked in the direction his girlfriend was pointing, and saw a group doing the well-known Thriller choreography. In front of the group he saw two red heads. She saw Shayera stop, and the redhead laughed a lot. Then he saw Wally trying a "moonwalk". He paused beside her, and they both danced again, imitating the others.

John Stewart had to blink a few times to understand that this peculiar scene really happened, and right in front of his eyes. He imagined perhaps that of Wally, not of Shayera. The redhead changed a lot in those weeks, and maybe Wally really did her good.

They spent some time watching, and they were not the only ones. Shortly after, Lily came dragging Jason along with the other kids behind her. They saw their Uncle John standing in the doorway and went to him. She touched his shoulder, and the couple turned.

"Why are you standing here?" She gestured.

"We're seeing that." Mari pointed to a crowd.

The group crowded to see what was happening and soon discovered the heroes dancing with the others. They laughed, but Lily squeezed Jason's hand more and began to pull him onto the floor. The boy soon realized what the girlfriend wanted to do.

"No, Li! I won't do it!"

"Come on, Jason. Don't you know me?"

"I know you, that's the point."

However, as if a deity listened to Jason's prayers, the song ended before they joined the others. As fast as it began, the people were dispersing, leaving only the two redheads in the end. Shayera laughed a lot, as did her friend. Wally kissed her hands.

"I've always wanted to join a flash mob, Shay. Thank you."

"You have nothing to thank for, Wally. I loved it."

Lily folded her arms and pouting, next to a Jason very happy to have gotten away.

"Ah, I wanted to dance too!"

Both Wally and Shayera stared at the redheaded girl and laughed, finally noticing her presence beside them. Shayera ruffled her hair, and she laughed and hugged her mother.

"Been here a long time?"

"We've just arrived." She pointed the friends. "The others are there."

The redhead nodded, calling the others. Lily and Jason went to join their friends, and Wally followed them when Shayera took his hand. He stopped and stared at her.

"Don't you want to continue?"

He frowned, confused.

"I thought you didn't like those songs."

"And I don't like it. But we're already here."

Shayera stared at him with an expression he did not quite understand. Or rather, he did not know. It was the first time he'd ever seen her so receptive to him, no matter what they did. He agreed then. He squeezed her hand in his, and it took him a few seconds to notice the music he was playing.

He played a more alternative rock, and he found himself laughing as the DJ played "The Killers", rather, he listened to "Mr Brightside." Shayera also did not seem to want to run away from him, so it was his lucky night. He did not know how it would end, but the night just started for them.