"Uh…" Sarah's heart was beating fast. If word got out that Jareth wasn't what he seemed… She shuddered at the mere thought.

Lindsay looked at her with scared curiosity. "Did I just see that new guy, Jareth, disappear?"

Sarah decided to play dumb. "I dunno. Did you? I wasn't paying attention."

"Yes you were," Lindsay objected. "You were staring at him like you couldn't tear your eyes away."

Strike one, Sarah thought. "Well…"

"Is there something you know that I don't?"

Man this girl is dense. "No." She fidgeted as if she wanted to get away.

"Sarah, I'm not stupid. You knew him from somewhere, and you know why he disappeared." Lindsay got right up in her face. "Tell me how you know him."

Maybe she isn't. Sarah sighed. "Lindsay, if I told you, you wouldn't believe me. And also, to be frank, you're the biggest loudmouth in the school. If ANY of this were to get out, I'd be labeled a freak for the rest of my life."

"What if I promise not to tell anyone?"

"But the question is, can I TRUST you?" Sarah didn't plan on letting ANY of her story out, but she just had to see this cheerleader bimbo's reaction.

"Let's just say if you don't, the whole school will hear about your friend's little disappearing act."

Sarah laughed. "What proof have you got?"

Lindsay pulled out a video camera. Sarah remembered with a sinking heart that Lindsay was in charge of the video yearbook.

"I was filming the grounds for the yearbook when I saw you two talking. I thought it would be an excellent example for the "teen love" section." She smirked. "I caught the whole thing on tape."

Sarah clenched her fists. "You know I have a boyfriend!"

Lindsay shrugged. "I was looking for a way to piss you off. You STOLE him from me."

"Bryan never liked you!" Sarah exploded. "You blackmailed him into dating you before he met me!"

The blond girl waved this away. "What's done is done. Getting back to the point, you have one of two choices. You can tell me everything you know about Jareth, and this tape will never see the light of day. Either that or you can ignore my offer, and this tape is shown to everyone in the school."

Sarah was trapped. She lost both ways. If she told Lindsay, the girl would have something on her for the rest of her life. If she refused…well, it wouldn't be pretty. Her only chance was to take her adversary up on her offer…for her sake and for Jareth's.

Why I'm considering his feelings, I'll never know…

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you. But you'd better sit down; you're in for it."

About a half an hour later, Sarah finished. She took a deep breath and smirked at the look of shock and wonder on Lindsay's face.

"What did you think?" Sarah asked.

"That's…that's amazing!" She exclaimed. "When did all this happen?!"

"Two nights ago," Sarah mumbled. NOT the reaction she expected.

"And you say he's the Goblin King?! That is so cool! And he's so hot too!" Lindsay got a dreamy look in her eyes. "Do you think he'd ever consider taking ME to his Labyrinth?"

"NO!"

Lindsay gave her a surprised and slightly hurt look. Sarah clamped her hand over her mouth. Why did I react so strongly to that? She screamed silently to herself. It would be a GOOD thing if he fell in love with her. Maybe then he'd leave ME alone! But somehow she couldn't bring herself to believe this wholeheartedly.

"Well, whatever. Do you want to come over? Maybe we can figure this out together." Lindsay got up and dusted herself off. "And maybe HE'LL show up," she added with a smile.

Sarah tried to think of something she had to do that afternoon, but nothing came. So she resigned and let herself be dragged down the street.

The image slowly faded from the crystal ball Jareth was watching through. "Intriguing," he breathed. He once again resided in his throne room, feet propped up on the table beside him. He had shed his human disguise for the moment. Stretching, he stood up and checked the time. "They should be there by now. I think it's time to pay them a little visit." The Goblin King strode towards the portal.

"Um, your majesty!" Hoggle came running up to his side. "Doncha think yous should puts on your disguise?" The goblin looked up at his mentor expectantly.

"That Lindsay girl still has doubts, Hogsbrain," he replied. "I plan to erase them." And with that, Jareth stepped through the portal and was gone.