"Don't worry about her," Kerissa said, "She won't do anything stupid. I hope."

Serena stared at Kerissa.

"How did you know I was thinking?" She asked, "Are you a mind reader or something?" Her voice was a low-whisper, and dead serious. Stanton looked worried.

Kerissa decided to play along. She opened her eyes wide. "Don't tell anyone," she whispered, "I don't want anyone to think I'm a freak. I… I… I'm just different."

Serena just stared at her.

"Don't tell anyone," Kerissa pleaded, "I just want to be normal."

Serena nodded. "Me, too."

Kerissa frowned. "You want to be normal to?"

Serena gave her another odd look. "I didn't say anything," she said. There was a long minute of awkward silence.

"Look…" Kerissa said, "I was just kidding… are you okay, Serena?"

Serena had looked shocked. Suddenly, she burst out laughing. "Got you there!" Kerissa started laughing, too. Stanton just watched them.

As Serena and Stanton headed over to the smoothie stand, Kerissa could have sworn that she heard Stanton say, Quick thinking. Do you think she's…

Serena glanced back at Kerissa.

A month later, on Friday night, the girls took it upon themselves to dress Kerissa and Marissa and take them somewhere "fun", was all they would say.

Marissa had taken a short, black skirt, and a matching black halter-top. Kerissa didn't like skirts, but, predictably, Marissa had convinced her to wear one. Kerissa's was around six inches longer than Marissa's, and was shimmery silver. A dark green spaghetti strap shirt, lined with silver completed the outfit.

"This is going to be fun," Marissa said, as she pulled on black sandals.

"What's with the black, Marissa?" Kerissa asked.

Marissa shrugged. "I'm in the mood."

Kerissa raised her eyebrows. "Whatever."

Marissa nodded to the strappy silver heels that Kerissa was pulling on. "You're wearing those?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Cause they're so cute, and normally, you wouldn't think of it!" Marissa grinned. Kerissa stuck out her tongue.

The duo exited the room, and walked downstairs. Their mother was out tonight, thank goodness. Vanessa, Serena, Jimena, and Catty were lounging on the couch. They were all wearing combinations of mini-skirts, tight jeans, halter-tops, and spaghetti straps.

Serena whistled, "Looking good." She winked. "You'll be meeting guys in no time."

Kerissa raised an eyebrow. "In that case, maybe I had better change. I'm not a 'dancing' person."

Serena raised an eyebrow in return. "And what makes you think we are dancing?"

Kerissa frowned. "Isn't that what you said?"

"No." Serena said, "I'm not telling you what we're doing." She gave the both of them a once-over. "I like your necklaces." She pointed towards the silver chain hanging around Kerissa's neck. A matching one hung around Marissa's neck. Both girls immediately rubbed the crescent moon hanging from the chain.

"I like yours, too." Kerissa said, slightly stiffly.

Serena's hand flew to the charm. "Yes, they're neat, aren't they?" She gave herself a little shake. "Now, let's hop into the car!"

Blue and white fifties Oldsmobile was waiting outside their house.

"Who's driving?" Kerissa asked.

"Jimena." Completely unfazed, the rest of the group, and Marissa climbed into the car.

"Is it safe?" Kerissa asked.

Marissa rolled her eyes, pulled Kerissa inside, and shut the door. "Do I have to buckle you, too?"

Kerissa smiled evilly. "Yes, that may be a good idea."

Marissa rolled her eyes again, and ignored the comet.

The car finally pulled into a crowded lot. Music could be heard blasting from nearby building. A huge line was waiting outside the entrance.

"Come on," Vanessa pulled the group to the back entrance, and nodded to the security guard. "They're with me."

"Vanessa and her friends get in free, cause she's a performer." Catty whispered in Kerissa's ear.

Kerissa was about to ask, 'what kind of performer', when Serena pulled open a door. The sound of music was louder here and people were dancing.

"May I welcome you, Kerissa and Marissa, to Planet Bang!" Serena grinned.

"You said no dancing!" Kerissa said, accusingly.

"No, I didn't. I just said I wasn't telling." Serena grinned. "Come on, it'll be fun."

"No, it won't," Kerissa stated, "I'm not the person that gets asked to dance. That's Marissa. I will be sitting somewhere, all by my lonesome, all night." She glanced around. Marissa was already on the dance floor, dancing with a cute guy, while several others watched jealously.

Serena rolled her eyes. "I'll tell you what. I promise you that Stanton will dance with you at least once."

"And Michael." Vanessa said.

"And Kyle." Catty added.

"And, if that's not enough, I will go and enter your name in the contest."

"What contest."

"Well, Vanessa and her band sing and perform, correct?"

Kerissa nodded.

"It's a contest. Each person drawn out of the hat will have to go up there—she pointed at the stage—and sing with Vanessa's band."

"No, thank you," Kerissa said, "I don't sing."

"Don't, or can't," Vanessa asked.

"Both."

"I'm entering your name." Serena said, and walked off.

"No, you aren't." Kerissa struggled to run after her, but Catty, Vanessa, and Jimena were holding her back.

"So not fair!" Kerissa protested.

"Life isn't fair," Serena grinned evilly, as she returned from entering Kerissa's name.

"Now," Jimena said, "time for our specialty. The bunny hop."

"You'll see," Vanessa laughed, in response to Kerissa's questioning look. Kerissa suddenly felt her body try to… well, dissolve. She concentrated, frowning, and her body remained solid.

"I don't like the sound of that…" Kerissa moaned as they dragged her onto the dance floor. Marissa was nowhere to be seen. She was probably off snogging some hottie.

"Stop being so pessimistic!" Catty laughed.

Kerissa soon felt that she had had reason to be pessimistic, as she heard the dance moves they were about to do.

She "wiggled" her hips, and bent her knees, and prayed for the end to come. When it didn't, she opened her eyes. Guys were staring at her… in a good way.

"Lower!" Serena hissed, and Kerissa obeyed.

Finally, the song was over. Kerissa felt slightly surprised when she realized she hadn't wanted the song to end.

Their groups breathlessly made their way to the edge of the dance floor, where Michael, Kyle, and Stanton met them. Michael immediately left with Vanessa, and Kyle soon followed with Catty. Jimena left with a hot guy with sun bleached hair and blue eyes, who Kerissa soon learned was Serena's brother, Collin. Serena elbowed Stanton, and then excused herself.

Stanton raised his eyebrows at Kerissa. "I've been ordered to dance with you," he said. His voice was silky smooth.

Kerissa folded her arms across her chest. "You needn't bother. I don't dance."

"Don't or can't?"

Kerissa froze. "You aren't going to enter my name in a dancing contest, are you?"

Stanton looked at her as if she was crazy. "Never mind," she said, "It was a joke."

"So… do you want to dance?"

"Sure," Kerissa huffed. Maybe, then I can get Serena to shut up about me not dancing.

Good luck.

"What? What did you say?" Kerissa started, staring up at Stanton.

Nothing.

I'm imagining things. IMAGINING!

He gave a little shrug, as if to say, 'think what you wish'.

They began to dance. Kerissa couldn't concentrate on the steps. She moved as if in a dream. What was going on? What was it?

The dance ended. Stanton gave a little bow, which she answered with a smile, before he headed off to rejoin Serena.

Kerissa wandered off, circling the dance floor.

She kept walking. Couples laughed and talked. Kissed in secluded corners. Kerissa felt, for the first time in her life, lonely.

Then she saw him. He had piercing blue eyes, and his dark hair swept over his eyes, similar to Stanton's. In fact, his entire attitude of dark mystery was similar to Stanton's. He was wearing all black, but it didn't make him look Goth. It was just him.

Their eyes met. Through the sea of people, she could clearly see his face. She felt a shiver run down her back as she stared into his eyes. She could loose herself in those endless blue eyes.

Someone tapped her back. She turned slightly. It was Serena, and of course, Stanton. They were both looking at Him intently. She turned back, to look again at Him. He smiled at her; it was a smile of promise, and mystery. Then He turned, and disappeared into the crowd.

"Vanessa's about to start singing," Serena said, motioning towards the stage.

Vanessa entered from a wing. She was wearing black leather pants, and a black top. Her hair was streaked with rocker-girl reds, purples, and blacks. Heavy bracelets and necklaces hung around her. She looked nothing like herself.

Michael's band struck the opening chords, and Vanessa began the lyrics. They were beautiful, about jealousy, and anger and resolution. As the next song began, she turned back to look behind her. He was there. Suddenly, he disappeared. She frowned. Odd.

She came back to earth, and listened to Vanessa. This song was about a demon lover, and how, although he was caught in a web of his own lies, she still loved him.

That didn't seem like Michael. It seemed like… she glanced at Stanton and Serena, who were in their own little world. It seemed like Stanton. Or Him.

The night was over far too soon for Kerissa's taste. Marissa met them back at the car. She refused to answer where she had been, and merely said that she couldn't wait until next Tuesday, for some more "fun". Kerissa was surprised to find out that she agreed with that statement.

Maybe she would see Him again. I am obsessed! Grrr…

Serena looked at her with that knowing look.