Ch. 9 Dance

Abby and Lex were hustling around the camp fire, setting up a second dance. Abby thought that this was what they deserved, but Lex just thought that this was another wonderful bonding moment for them that he wouldn't be able to participate in.

"Lex, do you have the music set up?" Abby asked from across the camp.

"Yup. Luckily, or unluckily, the only part of the radio that survived was the part that played music. Whatever. I'm done over here- how's the candles?"

"Good. Food?"

"Lay it out on a table, please!"

"Cool. Um… water?"

"In water bottles over on the table already."

"Oh I see it now!" Abby laughed.

"The canopy is up… I think we're done," Lex laughed and they exchanged a high-five.

"Well, I'm just going to sit then," Abby yawned, "what's the playlist?"

"Um… Kryptonite, 45, We Were Meant To Live, Boys and Girls, Hold On, 100 Years, Take Me Out, 1985, Vitamin R, Vertigo, Addicted to Love, One Thing Leads To Another, I Think We're Alone Now, Everyone Have Fun Tonight, Shout, Seasons of Love, Footloose, The Patron Saint of Liars and Fakes, The Pros and Cons of Breathing, This Is How You Remind Me, and When I'm Gone," Lex read aloud from Daley's iPod (AN: I tried to pick only songs they would have… if I'm wrong about any of them, TELL ME).

"Those are good. Well… I think its time for them to come…" Abby said awkwardly.

"Yeah. You can go call them down…" Lex muttered.

"Well, I think if you play the first song they'll know to come, I think. Start it up," Abby grinned. Lex pushed a button, and music filled the air. More specifically, guitar music. With some drums.

"I took a walk around the world

To ease my troubled mind

I left my body laying somewhere

In the sands of time

But I watched the world float

To the dark side of the moon"

The song was well under way when the other 6 came, semi-dressed up as Lex and Abby had instructed them. Taylor was wearing the dress Abby had worn at the last dance, Melissa was wearing a long denim skirt and a purple shirt. Daley was wearing a knee-length blue skirt and a white shirt, plus a jean jacket. The boys just threw on the nicest clothes they had, much to the amusement of the girls.

"Welcome, guys, to the second dance. Grab a partner and dance!" Lex tried to look enthusiastic. Abby was doing a good job of that.

"Maybe we could have some slow music?" Taylor asked sarcastically, obviously irritated by the rock music playing.

"Sure," and Lex changed it to We Were Meant To Live.

"Still Rock," Jackson laughed.

"Okay, picky, picky," Lex laughed and changed the song again to 100 Years.

"That's better!" Nathan laughed, and grabbed Daley's hand. They immediately started dancing, as did Jackson and Melissa.

Eric walked over to Abby, "want to dance?" he asked awkwardly.

"Nah, I'm helping Lex," Abby looked furtively at Taylor. Eric shrugged and walked over to Taylor.

"So, you want to dance?" Eric asked, blushing a little.

Taylor smiled, "sure, Eric," and grabbed his hand.

Seasons of Love (in Rent!) was playing now, Abby helping Lex out with the music, the others still dancing.

"I love this song," Daley said unexpectedly to Nathan as they danced.

"Do you like Rent?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah! I went to see the play last year- brilliant! So I bought the CD. I wish I could see the movie, but it's coming out in December. That's in a long time," Daley murmured, "and we might not even get back…"

"I'm sorry, Day," Nathan pulled her a little closer in a hug, "if and when we get back, I'll go to see Rent with you!"

"Really!" Daley said excitedly.

"Really," Nathan grinned.

Daley smiled and gave Nathan the quickest kiss and they continued dancing.

Melissa rested her head against Jackson's shoulder, smiling to herself as Jackson rubbed her back.

"See? I'm not stepping on your feet this time," Jackson smiled and whispered in her ear.

Melissa looked up at him, "thank you. But not just for that."

Jackson smiled tenderly at her, "I know." Melissa smiled and resumed her previous position.

"I know," Jackson murmured even more softly.

Eric was dancing with Taylor, a little hot under the collar. Taylor seemed perfectly fine, though.

"Hey Taylor?" he asked after a while.

"Yes?" she asked, smiling.

"I…well I … I should probably tell you…"

"Tell me what?" Taylor asked as a new, faster song started.

"That… I well, I… I like you, Taylor," Eric suddenly put on his "cool" act.

"Really? I like you to," Taylor smiled.

"Oh…well… then… do you want to be my… erm…"

"Girlfriend? Sure!" Taylor laughed.

Eric grinned, and no one really knew how to wipe that grin off his face.

Abby stared at all the couples dancing, sighing just a little.

Guess I'm alone… luckily Lex isn't… but Lex is 10, and I'm 16… maybe in 6 years, but not now. At least he's not really ready to like girls. They all look happy, though. I'm happy for them, and Abby turned to Lex.

"Hey, Lex, do you want to dance?"

"Kind of busy, Abby," Lex grinned, "but later, sure. Thanks for helping me with this."

"No problem. Hey, how do you deal with your 6 best friends all being… well, at loss for a better word, gushy?"

"I just prefer to avoid them when they are being gushy. I can spot the warning signs in the early ages," Lex laughed, "I put gushy into 10 stages before it hits full-out… well… 'I love you's and lots of kissing. The first stage is the hardest to spot, but luckily to the trained eye its simple- a look furtive look exchanged between them. The second one is easier- a hand grab. Third is a goofy grin exchanged. Fourth is talking cutesy. Fifth is major blushing. Sixth is down casting their eyes in mild embarrassment. Seventh is stuttering. Eight is the hardest to see, in fact you can't- they are both thinking. Ninth finally is excuses for them to both leave, and ten is them kissing in the bushes."

"Nice," Abby laughed, "very effective."

"At times I wish I didn't need to know the warning signs," Lex shook his head sadly.

It was getting late. Daley let her head sag on Nathan's shoulder. Everyone was yawning and Lex was on the last song. Nathan was also drooping, his head beginning to lie on Daley's. Melissa was beginning to snooze on Jackson's shoulder, a smile on her face. Jackson appeared to be the only one awake- he was supporting Melissa. Eric and Taylor were falling asleep and then making themselves wake up every few seconds. Lex was resting on the radio, and Abby was yawning next to him.

"Well, I think it's time to turn in," Abby yawned. Everyone yawned and nodded, shuffling off to the tent. Even though they were exhausted, it had been a magical evening.

(1,179 Words) I was originally going to end the story here, but then I changed my mind. You guys got 6 more chapters! Now, here is a little VOTE! (I've finished this story in my notebook) Which one of the two (alternate- they are not related, but both will be posted) sequels do you want to be posted first? Here's what you do:

1. Go to my profile Page and scroll way down- it's the last thing. Look and read the summaries for the Coming Soon section.

2. Go back to this story. In your review list which one you want.

3. Make sure to vote! Voting closes on Saturday, July 22nd.