"Omigod, it's beautiful." Breathed Sydney. She walked with Vaughn's arm around her waist into the Hall where the prom was being held.
It was a winter wonderland frosted with fairy lights and fake snow. All around the group couples laughed, danced and had a great time. When they had all gotten over the beauty, Vaughn smiled at Sydney.
"Mademoiselle?" He held out his hand and Sydney giggled as she placed her hand in his. He grinned and led her over to the dance floor. They wrapped their arms around each other and started to sway together.
"Sure, cheat and use the French." Miffed Will.
"It's okay honey." Francie whirled in front of him and pulled him out to the dance floor. "I don't understand French anyway." The two laughed and headed out to join Syd and Vaughn.
"Well I can't speak French, I can speak English, but I can crack binary codes in two fifths of a second." Carrie and Marshall danced away, chattering about technology and the summer.
"They call that dancing." Weiss laughed and clutched his chest in mock pain. "Come on Kerry, let's go cut a rug."
"Anything you say grandpa." Kerry laughed.
"Grandpa huh?" Weiss twirled her around. "It could grow on me."
Much later, after diner, dancing and many funny photos, the last dance of the night came. The group coupled up and swayed to the music.
Sydney had wrapped her arms around Vaughn's middle and was resting her head on his chest. He had his chin on her head and they seemed the happiest anyone could ever be.
"Vaughn?" Syd lifted her head and looked into Vaughn's green eyes.
"Yeah?"
"My dad left for Africa about an hour ago…"
Vaughn studied Sydney's face carefully. Her eyes were filled with feelings of love, nervousness, happiness, and obviously apprehension.
"We never really got around to that talk."
"Do we need to?" Before Vaughn knew it, he and Syd had somehow reached their friend's table. He looked at the almost pleading look in her eyes and turned to his friends.
"We're gonna get outta here. Anyone else?"
"We're good." Carrie and Marshall were having a fun time looking at the picture on their digital camera.
"Syd, can I talk to you a sec." Francie got up and practically dragged her friend across the room.
Weiss walked up to Vaughn. "Where you guys headed?"
"Syd's house." Weiss's grin turned to a half frown.
"Be careful…whatever you do man, just…careful." Vaughn looked at Weiss for a minute before they smiled at each other.
Syd and Francie walked back over, each looking a little flustered.
"Everything okay?" Asked Vaughn.
"Fine." Smiled Francie. "Syd and I were just girly chatting. See you guys tomorrow."
"Ready?" Asked Sydney.
"Yeah." Vaughn grinned and slipped his arm around Sydney's waist. "Bye guys."
"Bye." Came the collective reply.
Sydney settled into the crook of Vaughn's shoulder and they walked down the street. Sydney's house wasn't very far away from the hall where the prom was being held.
"You okay?" Vaughn's forehead crinkled up in worry.
"For the last time, yes." Sydney laughed and pulled Vaughn by his coat lapels down the street as she kissed him. Vaughn laughed and followed her.
"Come on in." Sydney unlocked her front door and the two stumbled in. The fact that they were pretty wrapped up in each other didn't help.
"Mmph." Vaughn smashed his jaw on the wall as Sydney tripped over some shoes. "Ow, that hurt."
"Lights, lights would be good." Sydney flicked on the house lights then walked back over to Vaughn. "Are you okay?"
"A kiss might help." Vaughn grinned as Sydney gave him a peck on his jaw. He caught her in his arms and they stood wrapped around one another. They just stared deep into each other's eyes for a few minutes before Sydney sighed.
"I was thinking…maybe…"
"Syd, just for the record. You suck at subtlety." He laughed as Sydney pouted.
"I resent that." Sydney could help but laugh as well. "Fine, but I'm still a better runner than you." She escaped Vaughn's arms and ran up the stairs, pulling up her skirts as she ran.
"Hey." Vaughn grinned and ran up after her. He caught her arm just as she reached the top. They both lost their balances and Vaughn fell down on top of Sydney.
"Ow." Sydney rubbed the back of her head as Vaughn smiled form on top of each other. "What?" She shifted as he didn't move his gaze from her face.
"You are so beautiful." Love was over whelming visible in his eyes.
"Michael…" Sydney blushed and shifted her gaze from his eyes. But Vaughn brought her eyes back to him.
"You called me Michael."
"I do on occasion." Smiled Sydney. They just stared at each other for a few minutes before their lips met.
All the while kissing Sydney, Vaughn picked her up and carried her into Sydney's bedroom.
Michael Vaughn's mother had always said private work was always best done behind the privacy of closed doors.
A week after the prom night, Vaughn breathed in and opened his eyes. He smiled as he remembered where he was.
"Hey." Vaughn rolled over onto his side and smiled as he saw Sydney. She was on her stomach, watching him. They were in her bed, since her dad had gone away on a business trip, they had the whole house to themselves.
"Hey." Sydney smiled. "I like this." She turned on to her side as Vaughn moved to support his head with his arm.
"What?" Vaughn reached over with his free hand and pushed a stray hair from her face.
"Waking up next to you."
"I know." Sydney grinned and the two leaned in to kiss. Just before their lips met, a sharp ring sounded. Each slumped back in defeat.
Vaughn rolled out of the bed and hurried across the room in his boxers and pulled his cell phone out of his pant's pocket. "Hello?" He turned and smiled at Sydney who had gotten out of bed and was pulling on shorts and a tank top.
"Mike, hey. Where are you?" Weiss's voice sounded hurried over the phone.
"Eric, hey." Sydney's head shot up at the mention of his name and she smiled, and then signaled she was going downstairs. After she left, Vaughn started to get on his clothes and spoke to Weiss. "Hey man, what's up?"
"Oh I don't know…Alice's dad's funeral."
"Shit." Vaughn searched frantically around for his wallet and keys. He took a quick look at the clock. "It's nine already. Jeez, Syd and I must have…"
"Mike, normally I would love to go into a long discussion of your…extracurriculars." The sarcasm was evident in Weiss's voice. "But now is not the time."
"I know." Vaughn sighed angrily. "Look, can you pick me up at my house in…" He checked the watch his father gave him, then remembered it was broken. "Thirty minutes?"
"Sure." Weiss sighed. "Have you told Syd where you're going?"
"Not exactly." Vaughn hurried down the stairs. "I gotta go, meet me at my house. Bye."
"Mike…" But Weiss was cut off as Vaughn turned off his phone. He walked into the kitchen and kissed Sydney on the mouth as she was pouring coffee. She grinned.
"Hey, I know you."
"Hey." Vaughn smile and sat down at the table, pulling on his shoes.
"I'm gonna make pancakes…hey where are you going so fast?" Sydney frowned at Vaughn's freshly tied runners.
"I'm sorry baby, I gotta go." Vaughn got up and kissed Sydney goodbye. "I'll call you." He hurried out the kitchen door.
"Bye." Said Sydney dejectedly as she slumped into a chair and cringed as the door slammed.
Vaughn was uncomfortable. He had been at the funeral for over three hours, longer than he had expected. Finally he got up and followed the line of people who were paying their respects and heading out. When he finally got to Alice, his heart broke.
Alice looked terrible, all torn up and her eyes were red from crying.
"Michael?!" Alice looked up in surprise. "I didn't know you were coming."
"You father was a great man." Was all he could get out.
"Thank you." Alice smiled and looked around. "Do you think we could go somewhere and talk? Maybe have a coffee, catch up?"
Vaughn wasn't sure. He wanted to go home and call Sydney, to apologize for running out on her. But Alice looked so sad and hopeful at the same time.
"Sure."
"Great." Alice's face considerably happier.
"So he just left?" Francie and Sydney were walking around Main Street after they had finished shopping.
"Yeah." Sydney sipped his coffee. "But I'm sure he has a perfectly good reason, that he will tell me…"
"Syd, honey." Francie was staring across the street, eyes wide.
"Wha…" Sydney turned and dropped her mocha in shock. Across the street Vaughn, dressed in a black suit, was kissing a woman in a black dress. "Omigod. Francie?" Tears sprung to her eyes
"Let's go sweetie." Francie cast one more look at Vaughn then hurriedly ushered a sobbing Sydney away.
"Syd?" When no one answered the Bristow's front door, Vaughn opened the door and walked in. "Sydney?" He walked further into the house and found Sydney curled up on the couch, staring at the fire. Vaughn walked over and knelt in front of her. "Hey Syd…Syd?" She kept looking at the fire, and for the first time, Vaughn noticed her red and blotchy face.
"I saw you." Was all she said. Sydney's voice was laced with pain, anger and hate.
"Syd, what?"
"Today, with your little slut." Sydney got up and started to push Vaughn backwards. "How long, huh Michael? How long have you been seeing her and me at the same time?" When he didn't answer, Sydney got louder. "I can never forgive you for this Michael." Vaughn cringed as Sydney said his name. Tears were running down her face as she got worked up.
"Syd, baby, I…"
"Don't Vaughn, this time you've gone to far. I trusted you and you betrayed me."
"Sydney if you would let me explain…"
"No Michael." Sydney let her guard down and she seemed so small and venerable to Vaughn. "It's over." With that Sydney turned and walked away, forever.
Vaughn stared after Sydney as she ran upstairs. He had no choice, he walked out of her house and out of her life. Half way down the street he collapsed on the curb, crying.
End…for now.
TBC…in my next story 'Years To Late'. Read it, review it, please. Sorry if ending isn't happy, but in my sequel thingy, it gets happy! :)