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"Are you guys going to come or not?"

Before Emma got a chance to speak again, Olivia thrust a hand over her mouth, a clear gesture for the other girl to shut up, ignoring the disapproving looks she got. She then smiled sweetly at Elle and Tancred, blinking in a mock-sweet manner that made Elle want to gag, it was so fake. "Yes, yes, we'll be coming in a little bit. I'm just admiring…admiring…Charlie's tie!"

"What?" Charlie asked, obviously confused.

"Yeah! It's such a marvelous shade of brown don't you think? It's deep and shines and almost chocolately looking. And it's highlighted with a tinge of blue at certain places, isn't that just amazing? It's just like my dress." She managed to spit out, looking a bit too observant to be serious.

Tancred rolled his eyes, sighing in disappointment. "It is supposed to. You literally made us all spend a whole half an hour to find the 'perfect shade to match our dates' dress' or whatever. This tie here," he held up his, ",yeah, it wasn't cheap. And I found it under a pile of red ones. What sense does that make? It's blue!"

"Liv, don't lie. You may be an actress, but you suck at it right now. You weren't even looking at Charlie right now. You were staring at how Gabriel was attempting to stare at Emma without it being too obvious, and saying random nonsense about how adorable they look." Elle pointed out. "You've got something up your sleeve don't you?"

"I resent that." Gabe scoffed. "And I was most certainly not doing that!" He added hurriedly, blushing as Emma just gave him an amused smile.

"I'm not wearing sleeves, silly. Are you sure you can see right, right now? Maybe Tancred and you should gallop off to some place like the nurses where you two will be alone and-"

"No, we have nothing planned, or at least, no plans involving you two. So you should just go into the dance now, before you miss anything too interesting. We'll be in soon, after we straighten out a few mishaps, don't worry." Lysander interrupted smoothly, giving Olivia a clear look that said 'shut up before you give it away.'

"But Sander, what about that thing we're gonna do, you know that-"

"Shut up Charlie." The said boy hissed, trying to be secretive.

Tancred and Elle glanced at each other, sharing a look before nodding and turning around to face a different direction. He gestured for her to some closer, and pulled her so that they huddled together and no one could see what they were saying. "That was a horrible act. If I were them I wouldn't have told Charlie," Tancred muttered in a hushed voice, in case one of their friends thought of eavesdropping.

Elle laughed, a twinkle toughing her eyes. "I know, that was a stupid play on their part. So what do you think we should do?"

He considered this for a moment, taking a breath to calm his nerves, and shrugged. "I don't really know. What do you think so far?"

"Well," Elle started, "it's obvious that they're up to something, though as for what I only have the idea that those two are trying to get us alone."

"That sounds rather reasonable."

"How so?"

"Because."

Elle rolled her eyes. "Would you care to explain?"

"Well, if you haven't noticed yet, which would be rather odd cause you'd have to be stupid not to, Lysander loves to butt into my 'nonexistent love life,' or so he phrases it. Well, now that I do have a 'semi-existent love life,' and I'm not joking he actually called it that, he'll try and get you and me even closer so that I would actually have a 'love life' , mind the air quotes, and I'd act like Emma and Gabriel over there, who can't seem to take their eyes off each other and they hold hands and all that lovey-dovey stuff or whatever. I don't know. That guy's rather loony if you ask me. Just touched a tad bit up there."

Elle smiled. "Aww, that's kind of sweet. I mean, it's probably annoying, and I know that firsthand with Olivia, but if you phrase it like that it sounds like he cares and stuff. That's pretty cool." After a moment, she grinned mischievously, and said, "Do you think you have a nonexistent love life?"

Tancred flushed. "Uh…yes. Wait, what?"

She smothered a smirk, then brushed her lips softly across his cheek, making him go even redder. "How about now?"

"Er…" He coughed. "What are talking about again?" He asked dumbly.

Elle couldn't help it after that, and clutched her sides as she began laughing. She knew full well that people were probably looking at her confused, but she couldn't care less right then. It was too funny!

He grumbled, trying to make himself look a normal skin color, and frowned. "Elle, quit it! We still have to figure out what we're going to do! All we know is that they're trying to get us away from them. Whoop-di-doo, big help there. I'm still lost."

After calming own a bit, she wiped a tear from her eye. "Alright…alright. So what do we do?"

"Well, since we know that they're trying to get us together, that means none of them will go in. I'm not entirely sure if Gabe's in on the plan, but if Emma is, which it seems like it, and she's not going in, then he'll stay out here with her. Since that's the case, then we have two options. We can either a, turn around and ask them what's going on right now, but I doubt that we could manage a straight answer unless we ask Charlie and they probably won't let him answer anyways, or b, we can just humor them and follow through with their plan and waltz into the dance/ball thing without them. That doesn't sound like a half bad idea, and we'd probably end up doing it anyways, so we might as well go with b, but I'm not a big fan of it."

"Well storm boy, that actually sounded like some pretty good logic. I'm surprised it came from you."

"Shut up," He growled mockingly, before letting her go and turning around.

Lysander grinned at them before raising an eyebrow. "So you've come up with a plan then, have you? I wouldn't put it past Elle to make one."

"What about me?!" Tancred asked.

"Yes, in fact, we have." Elle announced, ignoring him. "We have decided to go with plan b, or basically we'll just go with the flow or whatever ad get into the ball before we put a damper in your plans."

"I decided that you know. Made the plans and came up with a logical answer and everything!" Tancred huffed indignantly.

"Good choice." Olivia chimed, smiling brightly. "I guess that means we'll be seeing you later then."

"Indeed it does."

"Is anyone listening to me?" Tancred muttered, sniffing at his lack of attention.

"Yes, I'm just choosing to ignore you." Elle said, grabbing his hand. "Anywho let's go."

Tancred sighed, but complied to her, or actually his, brilliant plan. After getting past the entrance, where they were greeted by a rather…interesting…Mr. Weedon in autumn orange, puke green, and shockingly bright red, and entering the hall, he noticed Elle had taken to frowning. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Didn't you notice that someone rather important was missing?"

"Like?"

"Lauren?"

Tancred thought about that for a moment, but as he racked through his brain, that did pop up. He shrugged it off. "Maybe she was just in the restroom fixing her hair or something of the like. It might seem out of character, but it is the big ball."

"No, I don't think so. You think she's part of the plan too?"

"Maybe." Tancred smiled, breaking through the gloom. "But let's get your mind off this, shall we? Care for a dance, Madam Newburt?"

"Of course, Mister Torsson."


"Is everything set?"

Lysander gave a curt nod, staring longingly at a door to their left. "Yes, I think so. Is it about time we call Lauren out yet?"

Olivia chewed her lower lip in thought, then nodded. "I think the coast is clear. She should have been able to slip him the cd, and she should be able to come back now. And if you want, we can just head in now, since nothing's going to happen out here anymore."

"Good. I'll go get her and see the rest of you guys later," Lysander volunteered, swiftly leaving before anyone could object.

Olivia turned to look at Charlie, who wasn't actually a big part of the plan, so he stood there looking bored. Even today, his notoriously messy hair refused to stay low, sticking up at edges she couldn't dare to fathom, and she gazed at it, wondering how he had even gotten it. Even his father didn't have that much of a hassle on his head! When he noticed she was staring at him, he perked up though, and smiled lazily. "We're all set and ready to go right?"

"Yeah." She whispered, moving closer to him. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Emma roll her eyes, but didn't say anything. Oh, shut up Emma. You and Gabe are worse. "Now we just wait until it plays."

"You know," Charlie said casually, holding out a hand. Olivia looked at it questioningly, her eyebrows elegantly rose into her hair, before taking it. "That's a brilliant plan you cooked up. Great job." He smiled brightly, making a shiver run through her.

"You know Gabe, I think we should follow Sander and Lauren. The nights still on full swing, and we've got plenty of time to waste." Emma suggested quietly, though with an amused smile could be heard laced through her voice. "I think these two are the ones who want to be alone."

"Yeah, that sounds great!" Gabriel agreed, taking her hand. Before he walked away though, he offered his friend a quick wink and a sly smirk.

Charlie rolled his eyes, but mouthed a 'thanks' when he was sure Olivia wasn't looking. Afterwards, he looked back to his girlfriend, stopping himself from gasping again. She was…striking…

"So," Olivia droned, not really knowing what to say. Well, that's a first. I guess I'm still a bit out of it around him. Thank god he's not a mind reader. I would've died if he'd have heard that.

"So." He stated nervously. "Would you, uh, like to get inside yet?"

"No, unless you'd like to. Just staying out here's rather relaxing."

"Alright." He shrugged, then thought again, his eyes flicking back to Olivia for a second.

The hall leading into the ballroom was pretty much empty, save the few stragglers that were slipping into the bathrooms or the chaperone (a very funnily dressed, and probably grumpy Mr. Weedon), since it was well over an hour into the ball, and not many people would arrive this late. The red roses that were strewn around still had a vibrant tone, especially since lights from the slightly opened ball doors bounced off the walls everywhere. Music was being played, not the regular pop/hip/rock stuff that they, kids, normally listened to, but the softer classical stuff. People could be seen dancing, smiling, and just waltzing around the floor even from where he was.

He should be doing that.

But…would he?

He glanced back at Olivia, who fidgeted a little, before settling comfortably against the wall, staring out a window. He felt a sudden lurch in his chest and grimaced, though not from pain. It was just odd.

C'mon Charlie. A little voice said in the back of his mind. It can't be that hard. Just do it, dammit, before you get scared out witless and back out, stuttering like a blubbering mess. It's not like you haven't done anything worse. I mean, even Skarpo was scarier than this, right?

No, he retaliated, he was a helluva lot easier.

But he swallowed anyways, and released a breath, trying to gather enough courage for what he was about to do.


"I thought you said you could dance," Elle laughed, then winced as a quick stab of pain jolted through her toes, biting back a hiss.

Tancred had the decency to blush. "I'm really sorry. But I don't know who told you that, and whoever did you should sue or something, since they're not a very reliable source of information if you ask me."

"You really think so? Alright then. Tancred Timothy Torsson, I am hereby filing a lawsuit against you for brutally murdering my feet and lying to get me to dance with yo- OW!" Elle swore. "Okay, this is too hard. Tanc, we should really just go sit down or something. If we keep this up, you'll smash my toes into oblivion! And it doesn't help with our stupidly fancy and rather pointy shoes."

Tancred grabbed her arm, pulling her back. "NO! Wait. Okay, lemme try this again okay. If I er….step on your toes again we'll go sit down alright?" He pleaded, giving her such a pathetic look that she couldn't resist.

"Fine." Elle sighed, consenting.

"…Okay, you know we should go sit now." Tancred said awkwardly.

Elle winced. "Yeah, you think?"


"Is everything set?"

"Uh h-huh. We just ha-ave to get the girl." Dagbert responded.

That's strange. Manfred thought, looking at his fellow comrade curiously. He was standing stiffly, no longer slouching, and looking about wildly, making his greenish hair whip around him. "Are you…alright?" He questioned carefully, not exactly sure of what to make of this. The boy was normally relaxed, almost lazy looking, so his behavior was oddly…disturbing.

Dagbert, looked at him for a second, before nodding curtly. "Yes."

He knew he was treading on deadly waters, but he couldn't resist. "Are you sure? Because you look a little…shaken up. Are you looking for someone, perhaps?"

"No! Now butt out!" Dagbert replied, a little too quickly.

That was it! Here he was, Manfred Bloor, trying to be nice to the little cretin, and he just blew him off! What happened to respect and all those morals? Not that most of them actually mattered, but respect was important! "Okay brat," He snarled, reverting back to his old ways. "What's going on? And don't you dare lie to me, Endless, or you will regret it."

Dagbert stiffened further, thinking about arguing, but bit his tongue, slumping back into his chair. "Where's your date?"

"What?" The Bloor blinked, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you were the-" crazy idiotic stupid brute, Dagbert thought to himself bitterly,"-one who said we're required to bring a date! Who's yours?"

"I am a teacher's assistant. I do not have to abide by such rules. But how is this relevant to anything?"

"Ariel Simmons."

Manfred had to keep himself from retching. "Ugh, what about that girl? Isn't she the one who always smells like old people perfume and smiles way too much? Drama department, if I remember correctly."

"Actually, she's in music, but she sucks at the violin. I don't see how she ever got in."

"What does she matter?"

"She's my…date."

Manfred didn't show much emotion, except when he was angered, but he couldn't help but grin evilly for a second. "You went with her? Why?"

"She was the only one who I figured would leave me alone if I asked her. I was sure she would just ditch me after and go chat with her friends. That didn't work out too well though. She's- oh crap."

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Manfred hissed as the other boy dived, literally, under the table. "These tables are not cheap! What if you had broken them? Do-"

"Sir, do you know where Dagbert is?" Ariel asked sweetly, though as Manfred turned to look at her, a scary glint in her eyes made him feel like crawling in a hole. A deep one where mankind would be shielded for ages, or at least until that glint was gone. "I heard you two are friends and I figured you might know where my darling was. I'd like to dance with him. Now. And Show him a lovely time at the ball."

Crap, this girl's crazy! Manfred opened his mouth to answer, but a sharp tug on his trousers stopped him. "Wait." He dropped his head down under the tablecloth. "What do you want?" He hissed.

"Don't tell her!" Dagbert pleaded, which Manfred would have taken as pathetically hilarious if the situation wasn't so scary. "Please, Bloor, don't tell her!"

"Why not? She's your date. Go face the music!"

"NO! That….she's scary. Just don't."

For once, Manfred decided to listen. He reluctantly pulled his head out, and took a deep breath before turning back to her. "Shoelace, sorry. No. I haven't the slightest clue where Endless could be. Now scram."

Ariel frowned. "Shucks. Thanks sir." She turned to walk away, muttering under her breath. "I don't know what's wrong with him! He just ran away as soon as we got to the door. Why when I get my hands on that boy..."

As Dagbert chanced crawling out from below the table, Manfred asked, stunned, "Did you really? That's rude. And I'm telling you that."

"She was hanging off my arm like an extra shirt and I'm sure she would've jumped me if she got me in a corner with her alone. I don't want to be attacked by her. I think she's a tad…uh…touched in the attic. Whatever. You know what I mean."

"Yes, I do."

"Hey, look, they're leaving the dance floor!"

"What!?" Manfred scrambled in his chair, looking for them. Dagbert didn't lie, the two were moving off towards the tables, the girl wincing in pain. "Brilliant." He sighed contently, letting a forbidden smile to graze his features before he hardened them, an evil flicker in his eyes. One that didn't scare Dagbert out of his senses.

"Should I get the others sir?"

"What are you waiting for?"


Okay, so after this should be the last installment of the ball. I'm like, 99.12345% positive of that. Though, remember, there's still that 0.87654% chance that it's not!

I don't have much to say here, just to please (pleasepleasepleaseplease!) go vote on my profile! It's crucial!

Also, happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans, and for my non-American readers, um…I don't know. But happy something!

R&R!

~tubs.

Word Count:3108