Chapter 38: Next Year's Seating Chart

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC.

It was the last night of the gala. Lauren was wearing a dark purple, tight fitting dress that extended to her waist with a pair of black high heels. She'd made her hair wavy for the evening. They were sitting at their table when Pitch stood up and addressed the somber mood. He cleared his throat before saying "My fellow monsters. Tonight we celebrate the last night of the gathering. But we also celebrate our victory against the rebel insurgents who attempted to sabotage our progress. Many of you came out of the fight worse for wear, but because of the contribution and sacrifice made by each and every monster in this room, we won. Now, I know that if even one of you had decided to hide instead of fight, we may not even be having this meeting right now, but there are a few people who I believe need to be acknowledged. First, I'd like to thank Cassandra. If it hadn't been for you, we would have never figured out who had been behind it." Pitch paused to let the applause die down before continuing "And I would also like to thank my daughter." Lauren froze before looking up at him. "If it hadn't been for her quick thinking, and convenient power to heal people, several of us wouldn't be here, and many more would be severely injured in various degrees and forms. Not to mention the fact that she is the main reason we were able to catch the culprits apart from Cassandra. So I'd like to propose a toast. To Cassandra and Lauren! May your names never be forgotten!" Pitch thrust his glass in the air before gulping it down, everyone else in the room doing the same. Everyone that is, except Lauren, who was blushing profusely. She hadn't expected to be acknowledged like that in front of everyone else.

Sibella patted her on the back, saying "He's right, you know. If it hadn't of been for you protecting us, we'd be missing a few fingers."

Lauren shuddered at the mere thought of her friends having their fingers bitten off before replying "Faced with the alternative of having any of you maimed or injured, I was more than glad to help. Besides, I can't be harmed."

Leon looked up curiously before asking "And what do you mean by that?"

"Oh, that I'm just so tough." Lauren replied, sending Sibella a look that said 'Don't say anything.' Sibella shrugged her suspicions off, knowing Lauren knew what she was doing.

Marina propped her arms on the table, extended her hands, and said "We all must find a way to keep in touch! It's been so nice, getting to know all of you."

"Yeah. You guys are really cool." Eno added.

"I think you mean really hot!" Blaze corrected.

"Didn't see that one coming." Billy commented before smiling good naturedly and saying "All puns aside, Marina's right. You guys are some of the best friends I've ever had. Not many people would've stayed by my side during a fight like that."

Elsa clapped Billy on the back, unintentionally causing him to let out a grunt of pain, and said "That's what friends are for. They help each other."

"I'll howl to that." Winnie said before letting one out.

Tanis rolled her eyes before saying "That's a laugh and a half."

Lauren grinned before pulling out her cell phone and saying "This is basically the community phone for me and my ghouls. If you guys want to stay in touch electronically, this is the way to do it." They all exchanged numbers and social media information before putting their electronics away. The food was being served and the drinks were being served and with all that they'd been through, several toasts were required.

In the morning, the ghouls all reluctantly dragged themselves out of bed. They would be leaving any time soon. Lauren pulled on a baggy mint sweater with lace, black leggings, and a pair of tan combat boots. She straightened her hair before teleporting the ghouls downstairs to share one last goodbye with their friends. She'd just hugged Reef and Marina when Leon grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her aside. "Hey, man, what's up?" she asked him in a friendly tone.

"I wanted to know if you wanted to go out with me? I'm leaving for Paris and I'd love nothing more than you to accompany me." He asked, his eyes earnestly looking into hers.

"Look, Leon, you're a great guy, but I already have a boyfriend and I'm not giving him up." Lauren replied patiently enough, given that she had already told Leon this.

Leon's face fell before he retorted "But he's just a human. What can he offer you that I can't?"

Lauren shook her head sympathetically before replying "It's not about what I gain. It's about me loving him, and him me."

"But I love you!" Leon angrily sputtered.

"Leon, you barely know me. We haven't even spent a week together. Tug and I have known each other for years. I'm not giving that up. I'm sorry. But I hope we can still be friends?" Lauren asked him hopefully.

Leon stayed frozen for several long seconds before smiling his crooked smile and pulling her for a hug. "Of course we can."

Lauren hugged him back. She pulled back after a second and was face to face with her father who pulled her into a hug. "Thanks again for saving the day."

"No problem." Lauren replied.

"I also wanted to apologize for not letting you and the rest of your school mates to sit with me and their parents." Pitch said apologetically.

"Don't worry about it. We actually had a wonderful time at our table." Lauren truthfully told him.

Pitch was taken aback. "You did?"

"Yeah! In fact, we want it to be just like that next year! Or maybe you could sit us with every monster our age! I mean, we're super tight with the ones we were with this year and we barely spent a week with them." Lauren babbled, truly willing to sit with the other monsters her age rather than her father and his friends.

Pitch beamed down at Lauren before saying "You can help me with the seating chart for next year if you want."

"Heck yes I do!" Lauren eagerly replied.

"I suppose this is good bye for now." Pitch told her after a moment.

"I suppose it is." Lauren agreed.

Pitch smiled softly. "Goodbye, Lauren. I love you."

"Not as much as I love you, father. See you soon." Lauren kissed him on the cheek before walking over to the ghouls, gathering their hands, and teleporting them back to Miss Grimwood's.

The ghouls had unpacked and readjusted to life at Grimwood. They were currently hanging out in Lauren's room, Lauren playing with the fire she had set up earlier, enlarging and shrinking the flames as she pleased. "So did you guys have fun?" Lauren asked.

"Yes! It was awesome!" Winnie replied.

"Fangtastic!" Sibella agreed.

"I loved meeting the new people! We haven't met many other monsters before so it was wonderful." Phantasma confessed with a sigh.

"Yeah, it was a blast." Elsa added.

"I hope next year will be exactly the same as this one!" Tanis told them.

"Except maybe without the horrible attack?" Lauren asked teasingly.

Sibella nudged her in the ribs before saying "You're the reason it ended so quickly, Lauren. If you hadn't been there, a lot of people would have gotten hurt, ourselves included."

"Please." Lauren quipped, but smiled nonetheless.

Tanis stood up, held her hot chocolate mug high in the air, and cheered "To Lauren!" The other ghouls mimicked this and went "To Lauren!" as well. Lauren laughed as they all downed their drinks before she took a dreg of hers too.