Disclaimer: I don;t own any of the characters in Milo Murphy's Law. I'm just waiting for season 3

The song Milo and Sara sing is 'Right Hand Man' from the Broadway Show Hamilton

A few weeks later the Big Night had arrived. Melissa was in her room finishing putting on her new bright purple dress and applying her makeup. She looked at the mirror and sighed. Here it was, the Big 8th Grade Dance, the event all 8th Graders at Jefferson County Middle School was waiting for. So why did she feel like going back to bed? She checked the clock on her nightstand. Zack was gonna be picking her up in about a half hour, so she had better hurry up. She reached for her own star crystal necklace that was laying in the star shaped box on her nightstand. She knew Milo had given his necklace to Amanda so she figured she would wear hers tonight as a show of solidarity and so they could BOTH feel that Milo was there with them.

Truth be known, she was surprised that she and Zack were allowed to attend this event at all after the protest they had lead after Milo was banned. To her surprise the local news had shown up at the school and was about to cover it when Principal Milder showed up and shooed them all away, forcing the protest to break up and for them all to go home. In a way she was glad that they had NOT made it to the news. She knew Milo would have more than likely been embarressed by all the attention the protest would have gotten, which was one of the reasons she and Zack did not want Milo or Amanda to know.

The door opened and her father came into the room, wearing his fireman's uniform. He smiled when he saw her. "Wow...look at you," he grinned. "You look perfect," he came over to hug her. "I can't believe my little girl's about to graduate 8th grade," he held her at arms length so he could look at her top to bottom. "Your mother would be so proud of you, God rest her soul."

"Thanks, Dad," she looked down. "You have the late shift tonight?"

"Yeah, but I should be home by the time the dance is over. Looking forward to hearing about it," he looked at her, concerned. "What's wrong, Honey?"

Melissa walked over to her bed and sat down upon it. "I don't think either me or Zack are gonna enjoy this dance. I mean, sure, this is one of the Biggest Events of the whole 8th Grade. But...it doesn't feel like that to us. Not anymore."

"Because Milo can't come to it?"

"Well, yeah, Dad. It's always been Milo, Zack, and me ever since 7th Grade. We were known as The Three Muskateers of Jefferson Country...four ever since Amanda started to hang with us. It's gonna be so weird doing this without him,"

Her father sighed. "Look, I do sympathize with you, Princess. But you have to remember the Principal didn't do it on purpose. She just wanted to avoid accidents. After all Milo's middle name is literally Danger."

"It's Dan-jay, Dad. It's French."

Her father put up his hands, "Excusez-moi, Mademoiselle!" He came over and sat next to her on the bed. "This is really bothering you, isn't it, Sweetheart?"

"Yeah, Dad," Melissa finally exploded, getting up and pacing around the room. "It's not fair! You know that Milo has no control over Murphy's Law, and it's not like he lets things happen, either. He's always prepared for anything and he always seems to have everything he needs to fix whatever happens! You KNOW that, he saved us with that old firetruck went out of control. I thought you said you were gonna look at him differently after that!"

"I do," he assured her. "I'm on your side in this! I agree with you that it wasn't fair to ban him. I'm just saying that the Principal didn't do it to deliberately hurt him."

"Well, she did!"

"And I'm sure she feels bad about it too."

Melissa sat on her desk chair. "This dance is supposed to be one of the biggest events of the School Year. Everyone is gonna be there. But it doesn't feel like it to me. Dad...I don't wanna go to this."

"Who says you have to then?"

"Practically the whole 8th Grade. Zack is gonna be showing up any minute to take me, and they're gonna notice if we're not there."

"Princess, why do you care what other people think? Ya never have before," he walked over and cupped his daughter's chin in his hand. "You do what YOU think is right. I'm sure Zack will understand no matter what decision you make."

Amanda sighed as she put on her light pink dress, making sure it was perfectly straight and the bow in the back was nice and neat. Even though this was the one of the biggest events in the 8th grade, she was about as looking forward to this as she was to a trip to the dentist. But she was the chief organizer for this dance as well as the head of the committees. She was obligated to be there. She glanced at her white dress, the dress that she had wanted to wear this night...the dress that she and her sister had fixed up. The dress that she would rather have been wearing...with Milo next to her.

She was startled by the ringing of the doorbell. She quickly made her way downstairs as her mother opened the door and a delivery man said, "Is this where Amanda Lopez lives?"

Amanda came over. "I'm Amanda Lopez."

The man gave her a brown rectangular box. "Then this is for you. Special delivery."

"Thank you," she said politely as her mother signed for the package. She sat on the front step and opened it, gasping as she carefully lifted out...a clear case which contained a beautiful pink corsage lined with baby's breath and tied with a long pink ribbon. There was a note taped to the top. She unfolded it and read what it said.

'I hoped that I could give this to you when I picked you up for the dance. I think it would have looked lovely on you. But seeing as how I can't be there, I hope you'll wear it and have a good time. I'll see you on Saturday.

Milo'

Oh Milo...she fingered the top of the corsage box. He was so thoughtful and so selfless, even sending her such a lovely corsage even though he couldn't be there himself. Her heart sank until it reached her toes and her hands suddenly felt very heavy. Her mother sat next to her and put her arm around her.

"What is the matter, Novia?" her mother said quietly. She looked down at the clear container in her lap. "Oh, such pretty flowers. Did your friend send you those?" she nodded. "How thoughtful of him. Those are so pretty, and I know they match your dress. You like that, I do know. I suppose that's his way of being there with you...there there my miel, my caramel, my pequeno amour*, don't cry!" But Amanda couldn't help it, she could feel the tears starting in her eyes. She had to blink hard to get them under control and she forced herself to take big deep breaths. She felt her mother's soft pats on her back and her hankercheif tenderly wipe her cheeks.

"This is really upsetting you, isn;t it, mi amour?" Amanda nodded quietly. "You know, you don't HAVE to go, Sweetheart."

"I do, Mama," Amanda said. "I'm the Head of the Committee, I have an obligation to be there. Oh Mama...I just want Milo to be there too! I wish with all my heart he was here with me. It won't be the same without him!"

"I know he feels exactly the same way you do, Miel. And he misses you just as much as you miss him," she stood up. "Are you SURE you want to go tonight?"

Amanda looked up, "I'm sure."

Meanwhile, Zack had arrived to pick up Melissa. She answered the door in the purple dress. "Hey," she said half-heartedly.

"Hey," Zack answered. He gave her her corsage. "Here."

"Thanks," she took it and stepped aside, motioning him to come in. She went over to the couch and sat on the arm. "Flowers are nice. No, I mean that," she said as she opened the box and put the corsage on her wrist. "That a new suit?"

"Yeah, Milo helped me pick it out."

"Looks good."

"Ya look nice too," he sat down on the armchair. "So, ya ready to go?"

"Yeah, I guess," she stood up but made no effort to walk out the door.

"What's wrong?" he asked, knowing full well what it was.

Melissa sighed. "Everything," she answered. She folded her arms across her chest. "This whole thing...it doesn't feel right. Feels like a part of us is missing."

"Cause it is," Zack said, standing up.

"I've never done anything without Milo. Ever since 1st grade, we've always been together. And ever since you moved here, we've been like The Three Musketeers. It's always been the three of us. Without Milo...it's like a piece of US is gone."

"Yeah." Zack agreed. "I don't even wanna go to this thing now!"

"Me neither," Melissa said.

"So...why ARE we going?!" Zack finally said. He and Melissa looked at each other, thinking exactly the same thing.

The Grand Ballroom was already full with most of the students and members of the faculty all dressed in their best. Amanda had to agree, it was just as beautiful as she envisioned it when she first held the meeting of the decorating Commitee. The flower arrangements she and Lydia had set up were in the center of each table resting on the lily white tablecloths. The tables and chairs were surrounding the huge dance floor and on the stage the band she had finally managed to get were setting up. The faculty were already settling themselves in the reserved tables and were facing the huge platform across from the stage that had a lily-white staircase leading up to it, covered by a red carpet. Bright red curtains were in front of the staircase and on either side, the members of the 8th Grade were waiting for their moment to be introduced. Principal Milder took her place at the podium to the left of the staircase.

"Faculty and honored guests, it's my pleasure to welcome all of you to the annual Jefferson County Middle School 8th Grade Dance. As we prepare to say goodbye to these incredible young people and wish them well as they go on to the next phase of life, we hope that they will take with them many good memories, not only of this school but of this night in particular. Which I think we can all agree they have earned. Our students have worked hard all year and have deserved this beautiful and festive evening.."

Backstage Mabel snickered and mumbled to Amanda, "The way she talks you'd think SHE was the one Graduating!" Amanda managed to smile at that. Her eyes went down to the lovely pink corsage on her wrist, feeling like it was a ten ton weight. Her hand subconciously moved to the crystal star danging from her neck, sliding it back and forth on the silver chain. She sighed, this night was gonna be one of the longest of her life. But she knew she had to stay. As she found herself saying for a while, it was time to 'Milo up'. To not quit no matter what. Though now she felt her heart breaking as she tried to say that.

"I'm proud to say that this year's class has been one of the most interesting classes we have had and yet at the same time so very special and unique. The students have proved to be shining examples of this community and as we prepare to bid them farewell in just a few months as they venture into High School.."

"Wish she would get ON with it," Bradley mumbled. "This suit is starting to get itchy."

"Now without further ado, let us now greet the graduations class of Jefferson County Middle School," she cleared her throat and nodded to her side. A spotlight came on and shone at the stop of the stairs as Joni came forward and stood at the top. "Joni Katherine Alexander," Milder began. Joni then stepped down to applause from the faculty. The next student then entered from the other side of the stage. "David Stephen Andrew." He came down to his applause.

Amanda knew that seeing as how the students were being introduced alphabetically she would be right in the middle. She let her mind wander again as her thoughts again drifted to Milo. She already knew they would be attending the same high school next year, as would Melissa and Zack, but that thought somehow failed to comfort her at all. She didn't want to wait for a high school dance, she wanted to be with Milo NOW. She remembered the talk she had had with her mother, about looking deep inside of her heart to discover her feelings, though it was a little hard when it was broken into two pieces. She lifted her head as the principal continued her introductions.

"Stephen Micheal Carter," she said as he went down the stairs to his applause. "Melissa Ann Chase," she said. But to her surprise there was no applause. She looked up from her notes as the faculty stared, confused. She looked at the top of the stairs to see an empty spotlight...shining at nothing.

There was no Melissa.

"A..herm," Milder continued. "Melissa Ann Chase?" she called out, somewhat louder. Amanda looked up, startled. Where was Melissa? "Is Melissa here? Melissa!" Milder called again. The other students looked around, worredly.

"Where is she? Is she here? Haven;t seen her..."

"Um...OK...Melissa's absent...uh...David Peter Cook," Milder said, trying to continue. Amanda looked puzzled. Melissa miss something? Without any warning or telling anyone? That was so unlike her! Where was she..

Though Amanda had a feeling she knew.

She let her thoughts wander again. She knew that Milo's name would be called a little while after her own. She wondered how the Principal would handle that? Would she announce him and just patiently explain that he was unable to make it? She hoped it would be like that, it was bad enough that Milo was banned from this, the entire faculty didn't have to wonder why.

"Go on," Lydia's voice came from behind her, startling her. "It's your turn to go now," Amanda almost jumped out of her dress. Lydia gave her a small push toward the stairs. Amanda carefully walked to the top as the spotlight came on her.

"Amanda Maria Katrina Carmen Pilar Isabella Lopez," Milder continued. Amanda walked down the stairs as the faculty politely applauded. She took her place in the line of students that were lined up to the right of the staircase. "Mabel Alice Renee Luther," Milder continued. "Lydia Elizabeth Martin."

As name after name was read off, Amanda politely applauded, at the same time wishing she was somewhere else...with someone else. As Milder read M name after M name Amanda inwardly cringed, knowing what was going to come soon.

"Andrew Peter Molon," Milder said as he came down the stairs. "Bradley Robert Nicholson."

Amanda's head snapped up. Wait...what?! She never even SAID Milo's name! Anger began to bubble inside of her to join the other feelings that were already there! Milo was a part of this class too! Yes he couldn't come to the dance, but did that mean he had to be excluded even from the list of names read? Her eyes met Lydia's, who was just as shocked as she was!

"Wait, did she forget someone?" another person mumbled.

"She forgot Milo," another voice said.

"How do you forget Milo?"

Andrew also was shocked. "Yeah. He was supposed to come after me!"

"You'd think she'd just SAY his name!"

Amanda was now silently thankful Melissa wasn't there now. She knew Melissa would NOT have been able to tolerate that!

"Peter Eric Robinson," Milder continued as he came down the stairs. "Mortimer Andrew Schaeffer."

Once again the name was met with silence. "Oh not again," Milder mumbled as she glanced up to the top of the stairs.

There was no Mort either.

"This is becoming a pattern," Bradley said.

"Yes..."Amanda softly agreed, beginning to see what was happening. A part of her hid her delight as knowing that Zack's name would be called soon and this would repeat.

Meanwhile Sara was passing by Milo's room. She could hear him practicing his accordian in there, like he said he was gonna do tonight. She knew he was putting everything he had into his improptu practice, but he couldn't fool Sara. She knew he was just trying to cover up his feels at not being able to attend the School Dance. Lucky thing she had something that she knew would cheer him right up. She carefully and quietly made her way into his room so as not to startle him and listened to the song he was playing. Recognizing it, she began to tap her toes and sing along,

"We are outgunned

Milo: (what?)

SARA: Outmanned

MILO: (what?)

SARA: Outnumbered
Outplanned

MILO: What, what, what?

SARA: We gotta make an all out stand
And, I'm gonna need a right-hand man"

As Sara continued to sing along Milo tapped his toes and put his all into the piece.
"Check it
Can I be real a second?
For just a millisecond?
Let down my guard and tell the people how I feel a second?
Now I'm the model of a modern major general
The venerated Virginian veteran whose men are all
Lining up, to put me up on a pedestal
Writin' letters to relatives
Embellishin' my elegance and eloquence
But the elephant is in the room
The truth is in ya face when ya hear the British cannons go"

MILO and SARA: "Boom!"

SARA: "Any hope of success is fleeting
How can I keep leading when the people I'm
Leading keep retreating?
We put a stop to the bleeding as the British take Brooklyn
Knight takes rook, but look

We are outgunned"

MILO: "what?"

SARA: "Outmanned "

MILO: "what?"

SARA: "Outnumbered
Outplanned"

MILO: "What? What? What?"

SARA: "We gotta make an all out stand
And, I'm gonna need a right-hand man"

When the sing was finished they both became aware of enthusiastic clapping. They turned to see Brigette in the doorway.

"Whoo-Hoo! Bravo, Bravo, encore!" she smiled. "That sounded terrific, Milo!"

"Aw, Mom," he smiled.

"You're gonna knock them dead during your next band performance, sweetheart."

"Thanks, Mom."

Sara put her arm around Milo. "How are you doing, baby Bro?"

"Ok, Sara," Milo said, starting to take off his accordian and put it away in it;s case, but even as he was saying so Sara knew that wasn't entirely true.

"Are you sure, Bro?"

"Sara...I'm OK," Milo tried to assure her. Sara exchanged a look with her mother, both of them knowing that that wasn't entirely true. Sara got up and went over to her bother, kneeling down in front of him.

"Hey, little bro, I got something for ya," she said.

"Ya did? What?" Milo asked curiously.

"Oh...something I knew you've been waiting for for a while.." she took a DVD set of out of pocket and held it up. Milo's eyes grew wide.

"Sara...is that..."

"Dr. Zone, season 10! They finally released it on DVD!"

"Whoa, cool! Can we watch some of it now?"

"SOME of it? We can watch ALL of it, Little Bro! Dr Zone Binge watch slumber party?!"

"YEAH!" Milo ran over and hugged his sister tightly. "Sara, you're the best sister ever!"

"You get the sleeping bags, I'll get the snacks and rinks. Meet ya downstairs?"

"You bet!" as Sara left the room her mother gave her a grateful look. Milo eagerly got out the sleeping bags from his closet, for a little while forgetting the dance, looking forward to enjoying his favorite show ever with one of his favorite people in the world.

Meanwhile the class introductions were almost over.

"Lisa Ann Thomas,"Midler said as she came down. "Zachary Allan Underwood," and once again she was greeted with silence and an empty spotlight. Amanda couldn't help but smile inwardly to herself.

"Look all you want, he's not there," she thought.

Sara and Milo had settled on the couch with the snacks on the side table next to them. Sara picked up the remote. "You all ready, Bro?"

"Yeah," he smiled. Just then the doorbell rang. He looked up curiously. "Who could that be?" He got up to answer it, amazed at what he saw on the other side.

"Surprise!" Zack and Melissa said happily, holding their guitar cases.

*- My Little Heart