Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, except for the ones I made up. They all belong to Disney (if they decide to keep it) and any other company that owns 'In a Heartbeat.' This is the final chapter of this story.
The Odd Man Out
On the dance floor
As Tyler parked the car, they noticed a bunch of people already present, as well as people who were just coming in.
"I guess we came just in time," Tyler said as he got out of the door. "Stay there."
Tyler walked over to the passenger side and opened the door for Val.
"Tyler, that really wasn't necessary," she said as she smiled at him and took his hand.
"I know, but I wanted to do it so there," he said as he pushed the button to lock the doors.
"Shall we?" he said as he offered his arm.
"Lead the way."
After a minute or two or circling the parking lot, Jamie finally found an available slot.
"I guess we should have come earlier," he said as he parked the car.
"Oh well, it's not like we're missing much," Caitie told him as she got out of the car.
"You have a point there," Jamie smiled at her as he locked the car.
Caitie and Jamie walked and headed towards the entrance.
"So, are you ready to go in?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"No, not really," Jamie said and smiled at her. "Besides, it would be a waste if I couldn't show you off and make all the guys in there jealous."
"Oh, so you're just using me?" Caitie said in disgust.
Jamie had a hurt look on his face.
"Of course not. I was just…"
"I'm just kidding, Jamie."
"Oh, thank goodness," he smiled at her. "Shall we go in now?"
Caitie linked her arm through his.
"Now I am," she said as the two walked in.
Marianne searched the lot until she found a spot to park her car.
"We're here," she said as she proceeded to get out of the car.
"No, I'll get it for you," Hank said.
"Oh, there's no need for that. In fact, I'll open the door for you. This is a turn around dance after all."
"There's no way I'm letting you do that."
"Suit yourself," Marianne said as she got out of the car.
Hank tried to open his side of the door but was unsuccessful. He tried to open it once again but to no avail. He looked outside his window when he realized Marianne was standing there with a mischievous grin on her face. She then opened the door for him.
"Did you turn on the child-protection lock?" Hank asked as he got out.
"You guessed it," she said.
"Why?"
"I knew you wouldn't let me open the door for you, so I set it up before you arrived at my house."
"You are evil," Hank said while smiling at the same.
"It's not that I'm evil," she told him with a grin. "It's just that I'm smart."
Hank smiled at her as offered his arm and she gladly took it.
"Shall we?" Marianne asked beating Hank from saying the exact same words.
"Did you plan this?" Hank asked.
"No," she said innocently as she dragged him in.
"Hey look!" Val called out as he pointed towards Hank. "There's Hank and Marianne."
"It looks like he's being woman-handled," Jamie stated as he saw Marianne dragging him inside, causing the group to erupt in laughter.
"And he said we were whipped," Tyler whispered to Jamie.
Marianne spotted the guys and led Hank to the group.
"Hey!" she greeted. "When did you guys arrive?"
"Not that long ago," said Caitie.
"What was all that laughter about?" Hank asked them as he grabbed a seat for him and Marianne.
Tyler did the "whipping gesture" with his hand towards Hank as Jamie made the sound effects.
"Very funny guys," Hank said, half-annoyed and half-amused.
As the group complimented on each other's attire, someone came over and tapped Jamie from behind.
"Do you mind if I take a picture for the school paper?"
"Well, I don't know," Jamie said as he asked his friends. "Do you guys mind?"
"No/Not at all/Go right ahead," said the rest of the gang in unison.
Tyler and Val stood together, Caitie and Jamie were in the middle, and Hank and Marianne stood at the other side.
"On the count of three, say 'COBRAS'…1…2…3!"
"COBRAS!" said the group in unison.
"Great!" he said before leaving.
"I have to go to the restroom," Marianne said. "Can any of you two come with me?"
"I'll come with you," Val said. "Caitie?"
"Sure," she said before leaving with the two.
Tyler, Hank, and Jamie exchanged glances before Jamie started to speak.
"There goes one of mankind's unsolved mysteries."
"What's that?" asked Hank.
"Why women go to the restroom in groups?" answered Tyler.
"Good one," Hank said as he chuckled a bit.
To their luck, the restroom was unoccupied. The trio came in as Val and Marianne carried on fixing their hair and so forth. Caitie, despite her liking, found herself doing the same thing.
"How are things with you and Hank?" asked Val.
"Fine," said Marianne.
"Are you sure?" asked Caitie. "And why were you the one dragging him earlier?"
"I wasn't dragging him. I was just pulling him."
"Sure," Caitie said. "What took you guys so long anyway? Did he pick you up late?"
"No. Actually, I was the one who picked him up."
"Why…oh, it's a turn around dance," Val said. "I bet Hank's having fun."
"I think it annoys him a little," Marianne said with a smile. "He looks so cute when he's annoyed."
"You better not over do it," advised Caitie. "You know how guys get."
"Tell me about it," agreed Val.
"Thanks for the reminder," said Marianne. "And I know what you mean. They seem to have this 'ME MAN…ME TOUGH…ME DO STUFF…YOU WATCH' mentality."
"I certainly can't argue with that," Caitie said as the three shared a small laugh before leaving.
As the guys were waiting for their dates, they started their own chat session at the table.
"How are things with Marianne holding up?" Tyler asked.
"Did she pull the 'whip' on you?" asked Jamie playfully.
"Things are going well so far."
"Why was she dragging you earlier?" Jamie inquired.
"You saw that?"
"With eyes wide open," said Tyler.
"I don't know. She seems to be taking this turn around dance thing literally."
"Wait…don't tell me she was the one who picked you up?" asked Tyler.
"No way," added Jamie.
"Way."
"Harsh," Tyler exclaimed.
"Did she open the door for you too?" joked Jamie.
Hank gave Jamie an unpleasant look that could only mean a yes.
"She did!?!" said Jamie in disbelief. "Did you let her?"
"She turned the child-protection lock on."
Tyler couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"I'm sorry man," Tyler said. "And I'm speaking in behalf of all the guys that exist."
"You better not wait when it's time for a dance," advised Jamie. "At least don't let her beat you to it."
"That's the least you could do," said Tyler.
"I don't mind if she'll be the one asking me."
"Then do it in behalf of all the guys in the world," Jamie said a little bit too loudly, causing him to draw weird and baffled stares.
"For the guys," continued Tyler.
"It's really not necessary, but if you insist, I'll try."
"Don't try," Jamie said in a coach-like tone. "Do!"
"Will!" added Tyler in his colonel-like voice.
"You guys make it sound like this is some vital mission. Fine. I'll do it. I will."
The girls finally came back from their little trip.
"Did we interrupt something?" asked Val.
"Any guy gossip?" said Caitie.
"No," answered Tyler.
"And we guys don't gossip," retorted Jamie.
"And what exactly do you do?" asked Marianne.
"We discuss," stated Hank.
"Gossip…" started Val.
"…Discuss…" continued Caitie.
"Tomato tomato," finished Marianne.
The three males made distasteful faces causing satisfied grins to form on the three females' lips. As the female trio took their seats, a slow song came on.
"Would you like to dance?" Jamie and Tyler said simultaneously to their partners.
"I'd love to/Of course," Val and Caitie replied respectively as each took their date's hand.
As the two couples headed to the dance floor, Jamie and Tyler gave Hank a knowing salute before turning their attention back to the girls. Hank answered with a little salute, setting off a confused and curious look from Marianne.
"What was that all about?" asked Val to Tyler.
"Yea," chimed in Caitie who was right behind her. "What was with that dorky salute."
"First of all, it wasn't dorky," remarked Jamie. "And second, it was none of you two's business."
Val gave Tyler a look that only meant she wanted an explanation.
"It was a guy thing," he started to explain. "It was part of our discussion earlier."
"I knew they were gossiping," Caitie whispered to Val with a smile.
Hank kept taking quick glances towards Marianne. 'Is she going to ask me or not?' Beside Hank, Marianne was also doing the same thing. 'Is he going to ask me or not?' Hank remembered what Jamie and Tyler said. 'I know their motivation was out of the picture, but what have I got to lose? I don't care about the stupid turn around issue. All I want is a dance!' Hank turned his gaze towards Marianne and began to speak.
"Look. All I want is a dance. So would you care enough to join me? And before you start protesting, I don't care…"
"I thought you'd never ask," Marianne said with a amused smile on her face.
"That's it? No 'turn around dance' protest?"
"No."
"I already had a whole speech prepared and…"
"Hank, just cut to the chase."
"OK. So will you?"
"With pleasure," she said as she gladly took his hand.
As the dance continued, it was more of a nightmare than a dream.
"Ow!" Marianne said for the fifth time.
"I'm sorry," Hank apologized once again. "I'm not really good at this."
"It's OK," Marianne said with an assuring smile. "You just need practice, that's all."
"That's one way to put it kindly."
"Just relax. You're so tense."
"OK. I'll try. I'll do it. I will."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Hank, can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Did I really bother you that much tonight?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Well, a tiny bit. I understand that it is a turn around dance, but you know."
"Yea. Is that how it is with guys?"
"Pretty much," he said as he smiled down at her.
"You're all right, Hank Beecham."
"Thank you. And you seem to be all right as well, Marianne McLemore."
"You're welcome, and of course I am."
Hank gave a small chuckle as Marianne laid her head on his shoulder. The night seemed to pass by endlessly as the stars started to peek from the sky. Like all things good, it had come to an end. And now there were six. Not five. Not three. And there was certainly no odd man out.
That was all *bows down* I hope you liked it J Even though this story has come to an end, the "NOEbY Series" is far from over. I'm sorry if it took a while, but my spring break just started so I might be able to post the next story before I leave for New Orleans. I'll be back! ~ Scarlet182