First off, I apologize to anyone who has been patiently waiting for the next chapter; you're all saints. Second, I wanna let people know that there's only 2-3 chapters left, depending on what I can cook up. With that, I hope you can all forgive me, and I'll do my best to be consistent.

Chapter 4: The Moment

"Ok now, smile!"

"Mom, that's the 5th picture! Can you please wrap this up? I gotta go meet up with Eda!"

"Sorry honey, I'm just so happy my son's going to his first dance, with a girl!"

Xander, now in a modest suit, complete with onyx-themed shoes, pants, a blazer & an emerald green dress shirt, was growing more irksome by the minute; his plan to arrive at Hexside several minutes before Eda so he could escort her into Grom like the gentleman he was, is now put to a halt thanks to his mom taking photos so that she could cherish this proud moment for years to come.

"For real Mom, I need to get going" he said clearly agitated.

"Oh alright. Just one more for luck!"

"MOM!"

She chuckled "Ok ok. Go & have a great time with your date sweetie. Be back by 10 & not a minute later."

Xander then sighed deeply, and gave his folks a reassuring smile "Thanks Mom & Dad. I'll make sure to have a night to remember!"

With that he stepped outside his home and made a beeline for Hexside.

*10 minutes later*

As he was waiting outside the school for Eda, watching other couples making their way inside, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of dress she'd be wearing, hoping it's neither too revealing nor too concealed.

Then, as if on cue, Eda made his way towards him, in the most spectacular dress he ever had the privilege of laying his eyes on. A lime green party dress, with matching slip ons and lipstick, which almost caught Xander off guard.

"Not bad huh?" she said striking a pose.

Xander blushed "I'll say. Where's Lilith? Running late?"

Eda then lowered her smile, "Nah. Unlike me, Lily couldn't find a date, and decided not to come."

"That's a shame. Well then, shall we get going?" Xander asked, offering Eda his left arm.

She happily locked her left arm with his "Lead the way Emberton."

Once inside the gym, the Grom scene was something else; up on the stage were a band of 4 sentient instruments 'playing themselves' so to speak, to the left was a large table with a nice spread of snacks, ranging from scream cheese and saltines, to yummy looking cupcakes, complete with a large bowl of apple blood.

Most couples, including Reginald & Angus were already dancing along, some were chatting it up, others were taking commemorative Grom photos, and as for the loners, they were sitting on the bleachers. The calm before the storm.

Jeb Lyhecker, the 'lucky' student tasked with trying to conquer Grometheus, was pacing back and forth, with a battle axe cradled in his quaking arms. It was clear he was less than prepared.

"Wow. This is something else. So whaddya wanna do first?"

Before Eda could answer, she noticed Alador & Odalia taking their Grom photo. "I know! My first Grom picture!"

"Our first Grom picture." Xander corrected.

*snicker* "Let's get this over with" said Eda.

20 minutes after taking their photo, dancing, of which Eda was surprised Xander could dance well, and eating some snacks, it was finally time for the main event.

Gwendolyn, being this year's MC, stepped onto the stage.

"Good evening Hexside! How we doing?"

Her answer was met with positive cheering.

"Alrighty then! On to our main event! Let's give a big hand to this year's Grom opponent, JEB LYHECKER!"

A spotlight appeared on Jeb, who smiled sheepishly and waved, almost dropping his axe, as everyone was hooting and hollering.

"Jeb buddy, will you please stand before the entrance to the Gym's lower level?" Gwen asked, gesturing towards the middle of the Gym floor.

As he was standing, waiting for the entrance to be opened, Xander couldn't help but comment, "There goes one brave soul."

"Not to mention unfortunate" Eda added.

"Yeah that too."

"Come on, let's get a closer look" she suggested.

He sighed, trying his best to show that's the last thing he wanted "If that's what you want."

To say that watching Jeb almost conquer Grometheus, which took form of his greatest fear, being a Greater Basilisk, only for him to ultimately fail before further harm could be done onto him was thrilling, would be putting it ever so lightly. In the end, Principal Bump granted him 3 whole days to recover, which he honestly more than deserved.

The time was now 9:00, and both Eda & Xander decided they had enough, and left school grounds, with Xander offering to walk his date home.

At 9:20, they finally arrived at the Clawthorne residence. Eda turned to face Xander, with her hands tucked behind her back.

"So Xander, what'd you think of Grom?"

He gave it some thought, before coming up with an answer "Honestly I enjoyed it for what it was. Again, I'm very grateful to not have been selected, but going to Grom with you, made my experience that much more memorable. So thank you, Eda."

His answer shocked her a little; this was the first time in Titan knows how long someone actually thanked Eda for her company.

"N-no prob Xandy" she muttered, blushing.

Xander scratched the back of his head a little, then started to turn "Well then uh, if that's all there is, I guess I'll be going. Good night Eda."

"Hold up Xander! You forgot something!"

"I did? What?" he inquired.

Eda stepped closer, inches away from his face "This."

She then cupped his cheeks with her hands, closed her eyes, and pulled him in for a kiss.

Xander was practically speechless; here he was, well groomed and kissing Hexside's resident bad girl. For him, even if it was for just 10 seconds, he was in heaven.

"Bye, boyfriend" Eda said with a sly grin, before rushing back inside her home.

Xander could die right now with no regrets, not after what had just transpired.

"I love Grom so much" was what his thoughts could mutter.

What a doozy this chapter was to write.

BTW, does anyone else feel S2 will return in May at the earliest, or is that just me?

TOH belongs to Dana & DTVA.

See you guys next chapter!