Hey, readers! Just wanted to let you know that everyone is single. Sorry that it wasn't as clear in the last chapter. I am now accepting anonymous reviews! Yay! HaHa. (Enabling Anonymous Reviews means I can receive them, right? Don't forget I'm still new to this!)

Chapter 6

"Finally. What took you so long?" Melissa asked as Jackson's arm came from behind and placed a glass of champagne in front of her.

"You should thank the two bone-heads behind me," Jackson responded.

"Hey, hey. No need for name calling during this very happy moment," Eric said as he sat down.

"I'm stuck at the same table as you. Why on earth wouldn't I be happy," Jackson said sarcastically.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a real comedian over here," Eric said with his notorious smile.

"That's what I've been saying to him," Melissa added.

Nathan, Daley, and Taylor joined Melissa in a smile, then everyone just sat there looking around. No one else wanted to add to the conversation. They didn't want to make the situation between Jackson and Eric worse.

"Okay. Very awkward right now. Uhm... anyone up for some food?" Taylor asked.

"Sounds good to me," Eric said and everyone moved toward the tables that were set up buffet style.

When everyone sat back down, they just started to dig into their food.

"Jackson, you should try the chicken I have. It's so good. Here," Melissa said as she handed Jackson her fork with a piece of chicken on it.

"Uhm... okay," Jackson said. He didn't know how to respond to this gesture.

This seems like a couples' kind of thing. Everyone here tonight must think we're a couple. Were Eric and Nathan right? Did we seem that much like a couple? No, can't be. She's just being friendly Melissa. Like she always is,Jackson thought with reassurance.

Or this must seem like a mother feeding her child!Jackson thought with wide eyes. "I'm over-reacting again. Note to self: Don't over-think!"

"So how do you like it?" Melissa asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"Oh, it's... uh... really good. The chicken isn't dry. I like it," he said with a smile.

"I know. It's amazing, isn't it? My chicken always comes out dry," Daley commented.

"I'm stuffed," Eric said as everyone else was finishing up the last bits of their meals.

"Well, that's a first-timer," Taylor said.

While a waiter came around the table collecting their empty plates, a deep voice coming from the speakers and silencing everyone's conversations said, "Good evening, Hartwell alumni! How is your evening so far?"

"Great!"

"That's nice to hear! All right, we're now opening up the dance floor so dance the night away and enjoy!"

The room went dim and it felt just like another Friday Night Dance at Hartwell High. Melissa watched the dance floor as pairs of former students flooded the floor hesitantly and danced to "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain.

"Nathan, would you like to dance?" Daley asked.

"Uh... yeah. Absolutely," Nathan responded. He was surprised.

"What a man he is, huh? We all know who'd be wearing the pants if they got married," Eric said with a smirk.

Just then Taylor cleared her throat very loudly and Eric knew the signal the second time around.

To avoid getting another sore toe from her big heel, Eric said, "Taylor, may I have this lovely dance with you?"

"Why, of course, Eric. How thoughtful of you," Taylor said sweetly.

As they passed by Melissa and Jackson to reach the dance floor, Jackson said, "Yeah, we all know who'd wear the pants. Right, Eric?"

"Very funny, chief," Eric said as he was being dragged by Taylor to the dance floor.

"And then there were two," Melissa said with a smile.

Jackson returned her smile and said, "Mel, may I have the pleasure of this dance with you?"

He stood up and held out his hand for her. She accepted it and said, "You may."

Melissa never imagined that she would be slow dancing with Jackson. It was a beautiful scene. There was the occasional stepping on of feet on Jackson's part followed by "sorry's," but Melissa didn't mind. She just wanted to enjoy the moment.

They were dancing halfway through the second song when Jackson felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Excuse me, but may I cut in?"

Jackson turned around and saw a guy a couple of inches taller than he with dirty blonde hair and green eyes. He had a well-built body. One could say that he was eye candy.

Jackson didn't want to be rude so he let the guy cut in and joined Nathan and Eric by the champagne table.

He grabbed a glass and said, "So you guys lost your dance partners too?"

"Yeah, but it's no big deal. It's not like me and Daley are together," Nathan said.

"Same here," Eric chimed in. "Taylor could have gotten a better dance partner than Scott Thompson. Come on, he was the biggest, richest snot at the school."

"Yeah, I think Daley could have done better than Chris Turner. He was a school rebel."

"Don't you guys think that you're being too over-possessive? I mean you're not even with them," Jackson said.

"You just think it's so easy, don't you?" Eric said. "Well, let's see who Melissa is dancing with, then maybe you'll change your mind."

"I don't even know who the guy is," Jackson said. "They're dancing on the right side."

"You don't mean Derek McAndrews?" Nathan asked with wide eyes.

"Yeah, sure I guess," said Jackson. "What's the problem?"

"The problem is that he was the school's best cross country runner. He was an honors student and his record is pretty clean."

"No detentions either?" Jackson asked. He was now staring at Melissa and Derek to see if there were any signs of attraction.

"Not one," Nathan answered.

"Interesting," Jackson said as he picked up another glass.

00000

Melissa watched Jackson leave the dance floor and then turned to the guy whom she didn't even recognize.

She said, "Hi! I'm -"

"Melissa Wu. Yeah I know. Uhm... I'm Derek McAndrews. You tutored me in Math during senior year."

"Oh, yeah. Now I remember. Sorry about that. It's kinda overwhelming trying to recognize everyone," she said as they started to slow dance.

"It's all right. I feel that way too. I never really got the chance to thank you for your help. Without you, I never would have graduated."

"It's no problem. I was just making use of my skills," she said as she flashed a smile.

"You know you had the biggest heart. I've never known anyone as generous as you."

"Please, you're flattering me too much. You don't even know me."

"I don't know you now, but I'd like the chance to get to know you better."

Melissa just stayed silent. She didn't know how to respond to what he said.

"I was wondering if I can have your number and maybe call you some time."

Melissa was silent for another minute. She never really dated anyone before. She spent all these years staying by Jackson, but he never felt the way she did. On the other hand, he could be feeling it today or tomorrow or maybe in a week.

Should she wait for Jackson or just move on for awhile?

"Yeah, that'd be nice."