After the ceremony everyone gathered at the reception hall. There were pink and white flowers everywhere and tiny pairs of holographic doves fluttered around the room. Libby rushed over to a large group of girls she and Cindy had gone to school with and talked with them excitedly for a while. Sheen made his way over to the bar and ordered what would be the first of many drinks.

Libby was glad the ceremony was over. It was nice seeing all her old friends from school and there were so many people at the reception, she would be able to avoid Sheen all evening. She was finally enjoying herself after a rough day--until she began chatting with Jimmy's mom.

"Libby, it's so nice to see you again," Judy Neutron said cheerfully, holding a glass of white wine in her hand and Jimmy's dad on her arm. "What have you been up to?"

"I've been going to school in Las Vegas," she paused. "And I dance. You know, to buy books and pay the bills."

"Oh," Judy replied; a look of disappointment and disgust spread across her face.

"But I'm not a..." before she could finish speaking Judy and Hugh had turned their backs and walked away.

"Can you believe it?" Judy whispered to Hugh, just loud enough for Libby to hear. "Our new daughter-in-law's best friends with an exotic dancer."

Libby collapsed on a nearby chair and watched Jimmy and Cindy chatting with their guests. She saw Judy glance over at her nervously and whisper something to Mrs. Vortex that caused her to peer over at Libby. Hugh, standing up against a wall, mumbled something to the now retired Principal Willoughby that was overheard by an elderly Ms. Fowl. Her former teacher glimpsed at Libby sadly and shook her head.

Sometime later, a nervous Carl tapped her on the shoulder. "Dance with me Libby?" he asked, extending his hand to her. "I mean I know you like to dance, and I don't have anyone to dance with. So will you?"

"Of course," she replied sweetly.

Carl led her out to the dance floor, where Cindy and Jimmy clung to each other during a slow song. Libby put her arm around the burly Carl. She rested her head on his chest. It felt so comforting to be held by an old friend. She had started a new life in another state, but she had never felt so alone since she came back to Retroville.

Libby began weeping into his lapel. "You okay?" Carl whispered as they continued slow dancing.

"First of all," Libby said with a sniffle. "Just about everyone in this room thinks I'm a stripper, but I'm not and no one will let me explain myself. Yeah, I dance in a show, but I keep my clothes on."

"Just about everyone in this room thinks I'm a little on the queer-side, but I don't let it get to me." Carl said, holding Libby closer. "I know I'm not. Who cares what they think, right? But that can't be all that's bothering you. Is it?"

"You're his roommate and one of his best friends," Libby said, wanting to burst into tears, but trying to keep her composure. "I know I should just let it go, but why did Sheen break up with me?"

"Libby, he only did what he thought was best for you," Carl replied. "He didn't want to hold you back."

The song ended and Carl and Libby let go of each other. Carl pointed to his watch and dashed to the front of the room where Jimmy and Sheen were standing. Libby waved goodbye to Carl, still thinking about what he had just told her. She thought she saw Carl whispering something in Sheen's ear, but Britney had started jumping up and down, trying to get her attention. Libby had seen her earlier, but hadn't gotten a chance to chat with her. She was dying to know how Britney had talked Nick into being her date for tonight.

Sheen stepped up to the microphone with a stack of index cards in his hand, ready to give his speech. He shuffled the cards around, looked at them briefly and then threw them to the floor. "We're here today to celebrate the marriage of Jimmy and Cindy," He began. "And for the free food, booze and pastel after-dinner mints. When Jimmy and Cindy first met, all they ever did was argue and berate each other; and for the most part, very little has changed since then. I, as one of the groom's oldest friends--and someone the bride couldn't care less about--wish them all the best in their marriage. May they be together for as long as they can stand each other. And for the record, Libby's not a stripper!" he finished yelling, slamming his fist down on the podium. "Thank you!"

The room went silent. Almost everyone's jaws had dropped. Sheen surveyed the crowd, during a few moments of stunned silence. Carl broke the hush by clapping his hands slowly. Jimmy and Cindy followed his lead. Libby's cheeks turned pink; all eyes were on her. She looked up at Sheen with both passion and rage. He had made a scene that caused everyone at the reception to stare at her, but he had done it to defend her honor.

Sheen marched away from the microphone and chugged a glass of wine before he stormed out of the reception hall.