God did not love Spike. He knew this because, well for one thing he was evil. But other than that, he knew because if God loved him, Spike would not be sitting in the living room with three eighteen year old boys, waiting to go to the *prom*. The bloody *prom*. But, he had promised Dawn, and that was like a contract in blood around here.

"Spike's nervous." Card teased, looking uncomfortable in his own tux.

Spike growled at him, "Am not."

"Sure."

At that moment, a female voice called down, "I'm coming down there. IAN SHUT YOUR EYES."

Ian sighed and put a hand over his eyes. Mia tip toed down the stairs, glancing at her date to make sure he couldn't see her in her dress. Then she turned to Spike, "You're not wearing your tie."

"Nope."

"You have to wear the tie."

"Why?"

"It looks weird without it."

"I don't wear ties."

Mia sighed and tugged at one over her curls as she thought, then smiled, "OK...fine. No tie." She reached out and unbuttoned the top three buttons on Spike's white shirt, leaving it open slightly at the top, "There. You look great. Bye, now."

As the girl ran up the stairs, Ian lowered his hand, "How come we have to wear *our* ties but you don't?"

"I'm special." Spike muttered, leaning back in his seat and wishing for the apocalypse.

Upstairs, Dawn, Mia and their friends Darcy and Angela were almost dressed. Darcy and Angela were Card and Jag's dates. Darcy was a cheerleader, not really in Dawn and Mia's circle but she was nice enough, and pretty with straight blond hair and green eyes. Angela had been Jag's next door neighbor for years, and Dawn and Mia had teased him for years about his crush on her. She had a light brown complexion and wide brown eyes, with sleek brown hair that was now twisted into an intricate bun, tendrils hanging down around her face.

"This is so exciting!" Darcy was saying as she struggled to zip up the back of her dress. Dawn smiled and helped her with the zipper, her own hands shaking with nerves. Darcy's dress was strapless and formfitting, a bright turquoise color that brought out her eyes. Her hair hung straight down her back, jeweled bobby pins holding the hair back at her temples.

Mia came back from the bathroom half dressed, "I can't find my panty hose."

Angela threw them at her and Mia caught them, perching herself on the edge of the bed to put them on. Her dress was short, with a dark blue satin underneath, black lace decorated with black beads over top. The spaghetti straps were decorated with beading, and the hem had spangle fringe. She looked up at Dawn and winked, "Your date's nervous as all hell."

Dawn gave a slight laugh, "He's not the only one." She turned to the full length mirror, studying her reflection, "Do I look OK?"

"Gorgeous." Angela assured her, rolling her eyes over Dawn's shoulder and sharing a conspiratorial look with Mia. Dawn's hair fell in curls around her face, and she wore the key necklace Spike had given her. Her dress was sleeveless with a low V-neck. It was silvery blue and formfitting, leaving her back bare tot he base of her spine, the fabric draping down from her shoulders.

Angela was in purple, her own dress strapless with a tight bodice and a full skirt, decorated with silver threads and rhinestones.

"Are we ready?" Mia asked, slipping her heels on, "Cause I think the boys are going crazy downstairs."

While the other two girls affirmed their readiness Dawn closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "Yeah, I'm good to go."