Chapter 13: UNCHAINED MELODY

That evening, the teens are still at their High school dance. Having a great time? Not really. They all went to the dance with a date, but not exactly with the person they wanted to go. LeeLee went to the bathroom for a moment, leaving Nick standing next to the DJ table. He couldn't help it, but look at Madison dancing with Ben. Was Udonna sure about it? Does he still have a chance with Madison? Toby, who's standing behind the table, noticed Nick staring at Madison.

"Not happy with your queen?"

Nick turns around and looked at Toby confused. "What?"

"You think I don't notice it? You've been looking at her since you got here."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Are you in the stage of denial of something? Just go to her."

"I can't. She's here with Ben."

Toby smiles. "Ah-ha! I knew it." Nick rolls with his eyes. "Why don't you just ask her to dance with you?"

"Like I said. She's here with Ben."

"I'm sure Ben wouldn't mind….unless you want more than just a dance." Nick didn't know what to say. He looked at Madison and then he looked at the other side of the room to avoid Madison. Toby saw that and had to laugh. "I'll take that as a yes. How come you never made a move?"

"She had a boyfriend."

"She indeed 'had' a boyfriend. You knew she and Ben broke up. You had a chance with her then."

"You're right, I 'had' a chance with her and I blew it. I mean look at her. She looks so happy."

"Just because she looks happy to you, you think she is happy?"

"Oh god, you sound just like…"

"Like who?"

Nick realizes that he almost spilled the truth about his ranger position. "Like…my sister."

"Is that a good thing?"

Nick rolls with his eyes. "If I had one more chance with her, I definitely wouldn't waste that chance" Then he saw that Ben left Madison's side to go to the bathroom. Madison walked away from the dance floor to the sideline.

"Looks like your prayers have been heard. The king left his queen unprotected. Here's your chance."

"I don't think it's a good idea."

"Nick, you said if there's going to be a second chance you wouldn't slip that moment. Do you think you will ever get another chance like this again?"

Nick sighs. He knew Toby's right. So, he decided to walk towards Madison's direction. Before he could say something, Maddie turns around. "Hey Nick."

"Hey." Madison's appearance made Nick speechless. He didn't know what to say at that moment anymore. Madison could see that he's trying to say something.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Uhm…no…everything is fine."

"Great dance. Huh. I have to admit it, Vida sure did a great job."

"Yeah, she did." Nick sighs and Madison could see something's bothering him.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"I…uhm…I want to ask you something. I wonder if you maybe…if you would like…if you want to…"

Madison had to smile when she saw Nick couldn't find the right words. She never saw Nick so nervous before. "To what?" Nick looked at the floor. He felt his heartbeat going faster. This was his last chance and he can't blow it. "Oh, come on Nick. We're friends. You know you can ask me anything."

"I was wondering if you…if you would like to dance…with me."

The smile on Madison's face grew when she heard Nick's question. "Uhm…sure."

Nick's smiles when Madison agreed to dance with him. He takes her hand and led her to the dance floor. Suddenly another song was played. A slow song. He saw Toby putting his thumbs up for 'way to go, Nick'. Nick smiles and looked back to Madison. He places his hands on her waist and Madison places her arms around his neck. She rested her head on Nick's shoulder. Nick pulled Madison closer to him. He wished this moment could last forever.

Oh, my love

My darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long lonely time

And time goes by
So slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?

I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me

Then Madison looked at him straight in the eyes. His knees started to shiver.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Nick asked confused.

"I mean…why Lancelot?"

"Someone told me that there was a story about this queen, who was married to a king. This king had everything. But there's something he didn't have. And that's the heart of the queen. And that's what Lancelot had. He doesn't own a kingdom, an army or money…but he did have love."

Madison blushed. She didn't know what to say at that moment. "Oh my god, is he talking about me? Could it be?" She was getting shy and looked away, but Nick touched her cheek gently and moved it, so she could only look at him. Nick moved his head closer to Madison's. "Oh, my gosh, is this a dream? I can't believe this is really happening? He's going to kiss me. This is the moment I've dreamed of for so long and nothing can spoil this moment."

Unfortunately, it can. They heard someone coughing. "Excuse me, I believe you're dancing with my date." Nick and Madison slowly moved their heads and saw Ben looking at them. Nick released Madison. "Sorry."

"Ben, Nick and I were just dancing."

"Yeah, sure. I think LeeLee is calling for you Nick. If you excuse me, I'd like to continue my dance with my date." Ben took Madison's hand and walked away to the other side of the dance floor, far away from Nick. Suddenly someone tapped on his shoulder from behind. He turns around and saw it's LeeLee.

"Where have you been?"

"Uhm…nowhere."

"Well, let's dance."

She grabbed Nick's hand and pulled him to the middle of the dance floor. Meanwhile, Chip's looking for Vida and found her sitting all by herself at one of the tables. Chip took a seat next to her.

"V, I've been looking for you."

"Well, here I am."

"V, I'm so sorry about everything."

"You mean for mixing up everything, like when you told Nick that Ben and my sister were going to be together. Or mixing up me with Maddie? How come you didn't tell me about Xander?"

"I couldn't. I promised Xander not tell anyone. You girls think you're the only ones who keep secrets?"

"I just can't believe it. Xander in love with me. That sounds so ridiculous."

"Why do you think he's acting so weird lately?"

"But Xander and I…we are always arguing and he always annoys me."

"Those are the first signs of likeness, V."

"Hey, I never said that I liked Xander."

"True, but be honest, V, you wished you were the one to be in Xander's arms right now instead of Clare."

Vida sighs. She knew Chip was right about it. The long time fights and argues made the pink ranger fall for Briarwood's biggest flirter. "You're right. I guess I do feel attracted to him, but I thought by all those comments he giving me…I thought he would never be interested in someone like me."

"Everyone has his own way of expressing himself. Probably teasing you is Xander's way to get close to you. And honestly, I think you're doing the same thing."

"I guess we both were giving each other hidden signals."

"Looks like you're not that different from your sister after all. Both different characters, but when it comes to love you both share the same problem."

Vida smiles when Chip tried to cheer her up and she looked at Xander who's dancing with Clare. "So, you think it's too late to tell him?"

Chip looked at Xander and then back at Vida. He smiles. "It's never too late to tell someone about your feelings."

Vida looked back at Xander and knew she had to confront him. She was always tough and fearless, but telling Xander about her feelings is another story. She's not shy, but not an open person either. For the first time, Vida Rocca is actually scared. Will she finally have the courage Xander about her feelings for him?

End Chapter 13.

Surprise one! Oh, look...another chapter has been posted! Quick! Read! LOL