Jenny couldn't remember ever being so angry before in her life. In the past couple of weeks since Faye came stumbling into Tom's life – and eventually into hers – not even throwing herself into her studies or arranging the dance served sufficient to distract her from the mounting resentment.

She should be happy for Tom because in honesty, he was really happy. Not in a way to offend her, or hurt her, but he was just simply happy. She ought to be happy that Tom was better off with someone else. She didn't want him to be miserable but then she couldn't exactly cope with him being so cheerful all the time either. He would be as normal as usual around them but once Faye stepped into the room, Jenny didn't seem to exist to him anymore and his face lit up in a way that she was convinced it never had with her.

She was ready to move on, Jenny knew she was. It still wasn't very easy for her to see Tom with someone else. What got to her even more was that Faye was the opposite of Jenny. Her darker beauty contrasted with Jenny's fairness, long thick swirls of rich mahogany framing an angelic face and eyes as warm and heated as fire, moving her voluptuous figure with such confidence and grace that not even Jenny could help but envy her.

Regardless though, Jenny had to admit that Faye was considerate toward her feelings, even though she had no reason to be. When Jenny would join them, Faye would discreetly disengage her hands, her figure, and occasion even her lips from Tom and she would distance herself from him in such a casual, subtle manner that the only person who really noticed was Jenny. It wasn't just for show either. Jenny could tell Faye really liked Tom, too. The coldness that lingered around Faye would melt away when she looked at him, the hardness that crept into her voice and gaze would diminish with his mere presence in the next room.

Plus, Faye obviously really wanted to be friends with Jenny. It didn't pass by her how the other girl would go that extra mile, put in the extra effort that her own friends rarely did.

Jenny shook herself mentally and gathered her thoughts as they decorated the gym. The buffet table and DJ podium had already been placed in position, the tables and chairs for that evening stationed in their assigned spots. Michael was checking the speakers and music equipment were in working order while they waited for Zach and Tom to arrive with the mural. Neon blue Christmas lights were strung across the ceiling and paper snowflakes that Jenny had hand-made along with her friends were strung from the ceiling at various lengths, giving the impression of falling snow. The tables were decorated with white tablecloths and stretches of light blue chiffon spread across that, the edges purposely shredded to give the rough impression of icicles. Unlit candles in white crystal vases stood in carefully selected places on the tables and an enormous glass decoration of a snowman filled with Styrofoam snowballs stood as a centrepiece behind the buffet. An enormous pile of white quilt stuffing lay heaped up against the wall, waiting for her to spread it throughout the gym. Summer and Audrey were spraying the tables with fake snow and Dee was readjusting the archway made of white lights and icicles by the podium, laughing along with Michael as he tested the equipment. A snowy nook had been erected in one corner where photos would be taken at a slight fee. Jenny glanced around the gym worriedly. She knew it would look different that evening but she couldn't help but feel she hadn't done enough.

"Sometimes less is more."

Jenny jumped and looked at Faye beside her sharply. It was unnerving how the girl somehow seemed to read her thoughts. Faye smiled reassuringly.



"Besides. I saw the mural Zach made."

"You saw the mural?" Jenny repeated, surprised.

Faye nodded and gave her a sly glance. "He's really, really talented. He showed it to me a couple of days ago."
Jenny didn't respond and held herself under iron control. Her jaw wanted to drop to the floor and her eyes threatened to bulge from their caskets, but she held onto herself. It somehow felt like Zach had betrayed her – refusing point blank to let her see it but then inviting someone who was practically a stranger to go view it before her? Jenny licked her lips, forcing down the anger welling up again.

She knew it was irrational for her to feel like that. Faye was trying to smooth things over, after all.

They all turned to look when the gym doors opened and Zach and Tom came inside, carrying large canvasses under their arms and Jenny sat down to watch as the guys set up the mural all along the four walls. She'd been right when she'd thought it looked like large bricks, Jenny mused as she watched the mural taking form in splendour. It was a wall of ice slabs, painted so realistically that she had to suppress the ridiculous urge to run her fingers across the grooves between the slabs. It was getting late far too quickly and they all dispersed to go get dressed for the dance.

Jenny dressed in a simple ball gown of ivory lace and gentle wine red silk. She did her own makeup and was pleasantly surprised at how professional it ended up coming forth as. Jenny didn't have much time to waste as she hurried back to the school to make sure everything was in place.

Her hurried pace slowed when she strolled into the gym. She'd thought she would be the only one there before the others arrived but instead she saw Faye moving an odd looking box across the floor. Faye glanced up briefly, noted her presence, then continued to plug the machine into the wall. There were five more of them spread throughout the gym, some nearly hidden beneath a few tables.

"Fog machines." Faye explained at Jenny's bewildered gaze. "I thought it would give a good effect."

"That's really great, Faye… shouldn't you be getting ready? The caterers should arrive with the food any second now and…" Jenny started.

"I know Julian gets off on dressing up but I'm not a fan." Faye smiled sheepishly and motioned to the white Victorian sleeved blouse she had on and the simple white jeans that clung to her like a second skin.

"Are you…" Jenny paused and sighed. "Okay, well maybe you could…"

The words froze on her lips and her eyes widened when Faye's words sunk in. The smile faded from Faye's lips and they stared at each other for a long time in utter silence.

"What did you say?" Jenny whispered, part of her wanting to run away and cover her ears from the answer.

Faye hesitated and cringed. "Tom told me he's the reason you two broke up."

"Oh." Jenny let out her breath nervously. Why would Tom talk about her to Faye – and why would he mention Julian, of all things? "Well…"

Words failed her and her mind drew up a blank.

"Do you love him, Jenny?" Faye watched her carefully, her voice gentle.

"Wh…Tom?" Jenny asked, bewildered. "I don't think we should talk about this…"

"We have to talk about this. We need to talk about this. I need to know right now, Jenny, give me the honest-to-god truth. Do you love Julian?"

Jenny's mouth went dry and she stared, a whirlwind of forgotten emotions whipping up inside of her and scorching her heart with painfully sweet memories. Faye waited 

for her answer, her gaze slowly drifting through the room before looking at Jenny expectantly, patiently.

"Did you ever tell him you loved him?" Faye asked persistently.

Jenny shook her head numbly. "I don't want to talk about this, Faye. Least of all with you, okay?" Her voice trembled and defied her.

Jenny made to walk away but Faye seized her firmly by the shoulder and spun her around, her face inches from Jenny's and her piercing gaze holding hers steadily.

"It's a simple yes or no answer that I want, Jenny. Do you love Julian?"

Jenny's hurt transformed into a terrifying anger she didn't know she could ever create and she shoved Faye's hands away from her.

"What the hell does it matter whether I loved him or not? He's dead!" Jenny snapped furiously. "Oh! Tom neglected to mention that little tit-bit to you?"

Faye didn't reply but her diverted gaze spurred Jenny on. "Do you really want to know about him, Faye? Do you want to hear the horrible details of why he died to protect me and my friends? Do you want to know the horrors that he made us face?"

Faye watched her wearily, gaze pained as she followed Jenny's pacing form.

"He stalked me since I was five years old and he was insane… he tricked me into playing demented games with him and every time… every time…" Jenny broke off and turned away, wrapping her arms around herself and glaring at the floor through her tears.

"Jenny, I'm sorry…" Faye said quietly beside her.

Jenny's throat clogged up and the ache in her chest was near unbearable.

"I never told him." Her voice was thick with tears and came out a whimpering whisper.

Faye slid a slender arm around Jenny's shoulders. "I'm sure he knew, Jenny."

Jenny could only shake her head, wiping at hot tears that streamed unstoppably across her cheeks. She paused and blinked at the simple gold band around her finger and broke out into a fresh wave of tears.