Chapter 13

Friday had finally come. He had all week, but Fox never overcame his fear of asking Krystal to the dance. He was scared of what they may do to their friendship. But they were just friends right? There shouldn't be a problem here. But it seemed like there was an unspoken problem between Fox and Krystal. The group all met outside, except for Krystal. Everyone noticed that she left very quickly.

"Yeah me and Katt are going for sure." Falco assured everyone "Us too." Slippy said holding hands with Amanda. Everyone turned and saw Lucy clinging to Bill's arm and he nodded to them.

Fox looked around at all of his friends happily together 'Really? I'm the only one?' He thought.

Lucy got everyone's attention announcing "I don't think I've heard Krystal say she's going"

'that's my fault' was all that came to Fox's mind. " I guess I'll come to sorta hang out" The others nodded to him in approval, and he left for the convertible.

Once he got home, his parents were eager to hear about his results. When they asked he only sighed and looked away. "Well sweetie don't worry, you'll have plenty of opportunities after this." His mother tried to comfort him. Fox didn't feel that way, he felt like this was his only chance, and he blew it.

He got ready for the dance later that night, dressing semi formal. He had a collared shirt, tucked into his jeans with converse. He saw it as somewhat formal because a collared shirt, especially tucked in, was rare for him. James and Vixy wanted to take pictures, but Fox protested, saying they would just be pictures of him in a collared shirt. The dance was in the gym so everyone met outside.

Once they walked in, Fox quickly regretted this decision. There was nothing he could do without third wheeling one of his friends. He decided for the time being that he would just hang out in their little corner, claiming he was making sure no one tried to take their spots. It wasn't a comfortable night for the vulpine. A few times a group of girls passed his little island and laughed as they walked by. This caused Fox to turn red and feel even more uncomfortable.

Luckily he thought of this situation and whipped out his Nintendo 3DS and played a game where one of his favorite characters, a plumber with a green hat and shirt, navigated through a haunted house looking for his brother. He found it to be enjoyable, and if they walked by again while he was playing, it helped him zone out the group of girls that laughed at him.

At about 7 Fox stopped playing and looked up and saw his friends all having fun out on the dance floor, without him. As he looked around there was something that surprised him, something he didn't expect. About ten feet away from him, sitting all alone was Krystal.

After about 10 minutes Fox worked up the courage to go sit beside he and give her company. As soon as he sat down beside her she had an alarmed look on her face, no smile, no beaming eyes.

"Fox! I uh…. Didn't know you were coming." "Yeah I decided to come, if you came by yourself why didn't you tell us so we could all have met up?" She looked away in grief,

" I uh….. I came with panther."

Now it was Fox's turn for his world to be shattered. 'what does this mean? Am I done? Is she trying to get back at me?' All these thoughts were swarming around in his head but they had to be pushed away for now. Just as he snapped out of his trance did he notice panther come back holding two drinks.

' I knew I shouldn't have come' he thought.

"Oh… well uh, I guess I'm in your seat panther." He got up, trying to smile politely. "Well I guess I'll excuse myself now." As he got up Krystal tried to tell him something but he wasn't listening as he walked off rather quickly. When she turned to get her drink from panther he walked out the door and ran to his convertible.

'This must be how she felt' he thought as he ran. His world was shattered completely, he just wanted to get away from everything.

"You're home early." Vixy said as she turned to see her son. "Yeah it….it was real boring" He said in a sad tone with his head hung. It was only 7:30 and the dance wasn't over until 10.

"Now or later?" James asked his wife. "Waiting a while wont hurt I suppose."

Around 10 there was a knock at the door. Vixy left her spot on the couch by her husband to answer the door. There stood Krystal in her homecoming dress.

"My, Krystal you look gorgeous! Is there something I can help you with?" Krystal looked a little uncomfortable "Hi Vixy, is um, is Fox here?" Vixy waved james to go get Fox and she turned telling Krystal he would be here momentarily.

James kicked the door open in a joking fashion and said "Krystal's here for you" Fox sat up seeming excited, sad, and angry all at once.

He paused and told his dad "Tell her I'm already asleep." The older fox turned around to walk out, then turned back to his son.

"You can't do this forever." He went to the door and told the young vixen "Sorry Krystal, he's already fallen asleep."

"Oh, well alright… thanks mr james." She walked off and they shut the door.

He looked at his wife and said "it's later" He kicked the door open again into Fox's room and pulled up the computer chair, he slouched down in it and crossed his arms. "Alright, spill it." Fox sighed heavily and simply said "She…she went with another guy. I- I just don't get it."

His father smirked and took off his sunglasses. " Well genius, if you talked to her or asked her to the dance you wouldn't have to worry about it." Fox managed to smirk through the hurt

"Yeah I know it's just-" His dad cut him off. "I was a teenager too ya know, you don't have to explain." Finally the attempts to cheer up his son had paid off.

"I guess I can try talking to her sometime." James nodded in approval and left.

He sat beside Vixy on their bed and she looked over to him. "Well? What did he say?" He scooted up to her grinning and said "He said you owe me some money" Vixy grumbled and handed her husband his winnings.