Author's Note: THE DANCE! ::big grin:: I hope y'all enjoy...
Chapter 19
Amanda was pacing her bedroom on the Saturday night of the dance. The dance started at 8:00 and it was now 7:45. Her hair was down and straightened, and curled under her frame her face. She kept checking out the window for Randy to pull up. She finally saw his car pull up along the sidewalk in front of her house and pulled her shoes on. She looked herself over in the mirror once more to make sure she looked perfect. She straightened her dress and then walked out of her room. She heard Randy knock on the door and Shawn answered,
"Randy, come on in."
Randy nodded to Shawn as he stepped into the house,
"Good evening Mr. Michaels."
Shawn nodded and looked toward the stairs when he heard footsteps. He and Randy both lost their breath when they saw Amanda. Amanda smiled warmly at Randy and he returned her smile. As she joined Shawn and Randy, she took in Randy's appearance. He was wearing a pair of black, dress slacks, with a dark blue shirt, and matching, silk tie. Both the shirt and tie helped to bring out his already noticeable, beautiful blue eyes. Randy looked over Amanda and smiled at her,
"You look beautiful."
Amanda smiled and nodded,
"You look very handsome."
Shawn smiled as he looked back and forth between Randy and his daughter. Shawn then nodded toward the door,
"I guess you kids should be going."
Amanda nodded and then hugged her father,
"Bye dad."
Shawn hugged Amanda and smiled,
"Have fun princess."
Amanda nodded as she pulled from Shawn. Shawn walked with them to the door,
"Randy, be careful."
Randy nodded and smiled at Shawn,
"I wouldn't put Amanda in any harm Mr. Michaels."
Shawn nodded and then watched the young couple walk to Randy's car. Randy opened the door for Amanda and allowed her into the passenger seat. Shawn smirked and shook his head before going back inside.
Mark was waiting for Rae to come downstairs, when there was a knock on the door. Mark walked over and smiled when he saw Dave standing there. Dave was wearing black slacks, a dark gray shirt and matching silk tie. Mark smiled and allowed Dave into the house,
"Evening Dave."
Dave nodded,
"Evening Mr. Calloway. Is Rae almost ready?"
Mark nodded,
"She should be down soon."
As if on cue, a pair of black, strappy heels came flying down the stairs. A bare foot Rae came walking down after them,
"Damn heels," she growled as she leaned down to pick them up. Dave's eye went wide. Rae looked amazing. Her dress was perfect for her, and her hair was up off her neck, in an updo that obviously irritated her. Dave smirked as Rae sat down in the dining room and put her shoes on. When she was finished her task she got up and walked into the living room. Mark smiled and hugged his daughter,
"Behave yourself tonight."
Rae smiled at her father,
"Always."
Dave nodded toward the door,
"We should get going."
Rae nodded in agreement,
"See ya dad."
"You two have fun."
Rae waved over her shoulder as she and Dave walked to Dave's car parked in the driveway. Dave looked at Rae after Mark had shut the door,
"You look very beautiful."
Rae smiled at Dave,
"You don't look too bad yourself."
Dave smirked and then held the door open for Rae to get in on the passenger side.
"Thanks bro," she said casually. Dave's face fell when she said that. He sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead as he shut the door and walked around to the driver's side.
Jeff was leaning outside the bathroom at the Austin house,
"Heather, come on, we've got to get going."
Heather yelled at Jeff through the door,
"Let's see how you act when you've got a kid constantly kicking you in the damn bladder."
Jeff chuckled and shook his head as he relaxed against the wall. The door of the bathroom finally opened and Heather walked out wearing her dress. She pushed her hair behind her shoulders,
"Let's go."
Jeff took her hand and they walked downstairs. Steve was standing there and smiling proudly at the young, soon to be, parents. Heather hugged Steve and kissed his cheek,
"Bye daddy."
Steve hugged his daughter tightly and smiled. She was growing up so fast, and he wished like hell it didn't happen so soon. Jeff and Steve then shook hands. Steve smiled at them as they walked out the front door. He closed it behind them and sighed heavily.
John sighed as he pulled on his shirt. He looked himself over in the mirror as he buttoned it up. He wasn't planning on going to the dance, especially since Rae was the only girl he really wanted to go with, but Brock had convinced him otherwise. John ran his hand over his short hair and let out a ragged breath. He missed Rae, and wished he could have taken back the pain he caused her. He turned to get his tie and spotted a picture of he and Rae on his nightstand. It was a picture of them before one of John's football games. He was hugging her tightly, and they were both smiling at the camera. They looked extremely happy. Rae was wearing John's away jersey while he wore his home jersey, without his pads. John put his tie on and then picked up the picture. He looked at it and sighed heavily, he would have done anything he could to take back what he did to Rae, and to give their relationship another chance. Brock had told him that just about every girl in school would be there and one of them would most likely be able to get John's mind off Rae. John had agreed with Brock, but intended on talking to Rae, and seeing if they would work things out. He finished getting ready and grabbed his car keys off his nightstand before walking out of his bedroom.
Rae, Dave, Amanda, Randy, Heather, and Jeff were sitting at the same table at the dance, listening to the DJ spin a variety of songs. Randy and Amanda got up to dance when a slow song came on, Heather and Jeff weren't far behind. Dave looked at Rae, somewhat nervous,
"Wanna dance?"
Rae nodded and walked with Dave to the dance floor. He took her hand and held her closely. Rae didn't protest, she just rested her head against his chest as the song played.
If you're not the one, then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not the one, then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not mine, then why does your heart return my call?
If you are not mine, would I have the strength to stand at all?
Amanda closed her eyes as she listened to Randy's heart beating. Randy gently kissed the top of Amanda's head and smiled contently as she looked up at him with a warm smile.
I never know what the future brings,
but I know you're here with me now.
We'll make it through and hope you are the one I share my life with.
I don't want to run away, but I can't take it, I don't understand.
If I'm not made for you, then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there anyway I could that stay in your arms?
Standing in a darkened corner of the room was John. He was drinking a cup of punch, watching as Dave and Rae danced closely together. He sighed heavily as Brock walked over to stand with him.
If I don't need you, then why am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need you, then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for me, then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me, then why do I dream of you as my wife?
Jeff held Heather close to him, relishing in the intimacy of this moment. Heather looked at Jeff and smiled at him. He gently kissed her and she closed her eyes as she returned the kiss.
I don't know why you're so far away, but I know that this much is true,
We'll make it through and I hope you are the one that I share my life with.
And I wish that you could be the one I die with.
And I'm praying that you're the one I build my home with.
I hope I love you all my life.
I don't want to run away, but I can't take it, I don't understand.
If I'm not made for you, then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there anyway that I could stay in your arms?
Rae spotted John watching her and Dave, alone in a corner. She sighed heavily and closed her eyes. She still cared for John, but he had hurt her tremendously. They made eye contact and John looked like he was in pain. Rae closed her eyes and tried to remember she was with Dave. Dave ran his fingertips between her shoulder blades and Rae nearly melted into him.
'Cus I miss you, body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away.
And I breathe you, into my heart, and pray for the strength to stand today.
'Cus I love you, whether it's wrong or right.
And though I can't be with you tonight, you know my heart is by your side.
John finished his punch and looked at Brock. Brock merely shrugged his shoulders. John rolled his eyes and then stormed off away from Brock. He was pissed off about Rae and Dave, and Brock didn't understand.
I don't want to run away, but I can't take it, I don't understand.
If I'm not made for you, then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there anyway I could stay in your arms?
As the song ended, Rae looked up at Dave. He looked deep into her eyes and ran his hand down her cheek. Rae swallowed a lump in her throat and closed her eyes. Dave leaned toward her and claimed her mouth in a long, loving kiss. Rae wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. Dave wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.
Amanda, Randy, Heather, and Jeff met back at the table and Heather looked around,
"Where are Rae and Dave?"
All four of young adults looked toward the dance floor, and spotted Rae and Dave still caught up in their kiss. Amanda smiled as she sat down. Randy wrapped his arms around her and smiled. He had always known how much Dave cared about Rae, and was happy for his friend. Heather looked at Amanda and smirked,
"She only likes him as a friend, huh?"
Amanda tossed her napkin at Heather,
"Hush, leaver her alone."
Just as Heather was throwing the napkin back at Amanda, Rae and Dave walked back over to the table. Heather wiggled her eyebrows at Rae as Rae sat down. Rae smirked,
"Oh shut up."
Heather smiled at her friend, and Rae understood. Heather was happy for Rae. Dave looked at Rae and she looked up at him. She planted a soft kiss on his lips and he smiled when she pulled away. Amanda smiled at Randy and he kissed her neck. Jeff wrapped his arms around Heather and kissed her shoulder as she leaned back against him.
Author's Note: Well, whatcha think? DAVE & RAE, FINALLY! ::big grin:: The song used in this chapter was "If You're Not The One" by Daniel Beddingfield, and is on his "Gotta Get Thru This" album. I figured that it fit well for all three couples, and even pissed off John.