Chapter 20: The Dance (Ivy's POV)

"You're sure you want us to leave?" Patricia asked, standing by my door.

"Yeah, I guess." I said, "I'll probably just take a nap and then get ready for the dance. It's been a long day"

"Yeah." Eddie said, "I have to get back to the school. I'll see you." He said as he waved and left.

"Bye!" I said.

"Did you have fun?" Patricia said, "I mean, at lunch, not the possession." The three of us had gone to Piper's that afternoon, and caught up.

"Yeah." I said, "Thanks Patri- I mean, Mom." We both smiled.

"I think that will take some getting used to." Patricia said.

"It's weird, but in a good way." I said.

"Exactly." Patricia said, "Well, if you need anything, I'll be right downstairs."

"Thank you." I said. "For everything."

"All part of the job." She said.

"Ivy! Ivy! Arise! Arise!" Sarah said, shaking me awake.

"I'm up, I'm up," I said, crawling out of bed. I never enjoy waking up, even if it's only after a half hour nap in the middle of the day.

"Come on, Ivy! There's only three hours until the dance!" Bella said.

"Three hours?!" I said, "I think we have enough time."

We put on our dresses and Bella did our hair and makeup. It actually took two hours and forty-five minutes. We all looked amazing though, and we were all so excited.

"Come on!" Bella said, grabbing my wrist and running to the stairs, Sarah quickly following us.

"Okay, we need to walk down the staircase really slowly, with our hands on the banister. Like in Titanic." Sarah said. We did as she said, with me first, then Sarah, then Bella. Robbie, Emmett, and James were standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking especially handsome in rental suits. We got down to the floor and they took our hands. I zoned out Sarah and Emmett, and James and Bella's conversations as I gazed into Robbie's eyes.

"You look amazing." He said.

"You too." I said. I leaned in to kissed him. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. Our lips were about to touch when-

"Okay guys!" Nina said, walking in from the kitchen, "Time for a photo!" she was wearing a cutsie yellow lacy shirt and black jeans. "Where are Terrence and Ella?" she asked.

"Right here!" Ella said, walking out of Terrence's room.

"Nice tux, bro." James said. Terrence's suit was maroon and had a bright blue bow tie.

"Thank you." Terrence said. "Ella picked it out."

Patricia came out of the kitchen. She was wearing a short lack black dress and a silver leather jacket. "Hi." She mouthed to me. I waved back. She turned to the others. "Okay guys, you all look great." She said. "Nina's is going to take a few pictures, then we'll walk over to the school for the dance, stay there until it ends, then come back here for pizza. Okay?" We all agreed.

"Say cheese!" Nina said as she took a picture. "Okay guys!" she said, "Please walk to the school in an orderly fashion."

"Allons-y!" Robbie said, taking my hand as we walked to the dance.

The music played as we danced. James, Emmett, Bella, Sarah, Robbie, and I were standing in a circle goofily busting moves. Terrence and Ella were awkwardly slow dancing, Terrence refusing make eye contact with Ella. Nina, Fabian, Eddie, and Patircia were sitting at on of the tables, chaperoning. The dance itself was close to ending.

"Ooooo." Bella said, "I have to go announce the king and queen. Be right back!"

Bella made her way up to the stage and grabbed the mic.

"Hello everybody!" She said, "My name is Bella Reed, and I sort of put together this whole thing. Now, throughout the night, you guys have been voting for a king and queen. So without further a due The FSA's awesome headmaster and his really awesome wife, Eddie and Patricia Sweet!"

We all turned to them and started cheering. Patrica shook her head and mouthed "no" to just about everyone. Eddie smiled at her as he grabbed her hand and she reluctantly accepted her paper crown. Bella put on a slow song and my parents were supposed to slow dance in front of the entire school, which I found really embarrassing. Bella and James, Sarah and Emmett, and Terrence and Ella slow danced as well. Robbie went to go get some punch as I eavesdropped on Terrence and Ella.

"I cannot believe those annoying old people won." Ella said. "We totally should of."

Terrence semi-rolled his eyes at her ridiculousness. "Look, Ella. This isn't working out."

"That's what I just said!" Ella said.

"No no, you and me. I don't want to be your boyfriend anymore." Terrence said.

"WHY!" Ella said.

"I'm gay." Terrence said. "I called my dad and told him yesterday."

"You know what?" Ella said, "That's fine. I think I'm going to go back to the house early. Bye." She walked out of the school rather quickly, her eyes glistening.

I walked towards Terrence as Ella left. "That's great, you know." I said, "About your dad."

"Yeah." Terrence said. "Yeah it is."

"Are you ready for everyone to know?" I asked.

"I think so." He said, "I mean, you know Ella. Everyone in the country will know my sexual orientation by september. But, I think that's good. And if she doesn't tell anyone, I will. Thanks for not telling anyone so far."

"You're very welcome." I said.

Robbie walked up to us and handed me my punch. "Hey Terrence." He said, "What happened with Ella?"

"We broke up." Terrence said.

"That sucks." Robbie said.

"I think it's for the best." Terrence said.

"Yeah." Robbie said, "Why did you break up?"

"I'll tell everyone later." Terrence said, "For now, I'll just leave you two alone." He walked away form us and started to dance with some guy from Isis house.

"Happy birthday, Poison." Robbie said.

"Thanks." I said.

He pulled a silver key out of his pocket. "I collect keys, as you know, and I made this one for you."

"Oh, wow." I said, "Thank you." He handed the key to me and took a closer look at it. It had green ivy painted around it, and my name engraved in small script on the handle. It was beautiful. "Wow." I said. "Does it open anything?"

"I have no idea. It was originally just a silver key I found on the street." Robbie said, "I painted and engraved the ivy on. But uhI love you." I realized that's what it was. What I felt for Robbie, for my parents. for Sarah, for Bella, for Emmett, for James, for Terrence, for Nina, and even for Ella. It was something I had never had before. It was love.

"I love you too." Robbie said. We kissed.

The music played on. We continued to dance, and talk. I talked to everyone I loved. The night was the noisiest in a while. But somehow, it was silent. For the first time I could remember, there was no voice in my head, questioning my choices and making me feel bad about myself. It was silent, but noisy, and absolutely wonderful.

AN: Thus ends this story. I hope you all enjoyed reading it just as much as I loved writing it. Please leave reviews! Thank you for reading!