Wow, I know it's been a long time, but I've been busy. I think this is going to be the last chapter. Enjoy!

Alex, Olivia, and Abbie were in Alex's bedroom, getting dressed for the dance. Alex had a beautiful turquoise dress that set off her eyes, Olivia was wearing her short black halter dress (and Abbie noted with satisfaction that her back and shoulders were free of bruises and scars) and Abbie herself had on a V-necked, spaghetti-strap dress that was halfway between navy and violet.

"Stay still so I can do your eyeliner," Alex instructed Olivia, pushing her back down so she was sitting still on the bed. Olivia huffed but obliged, allowing Alex to finish with her makeup.

"I have actually never seen you wear makeup before, Liv," commented Abbie, quirking an eyebrow.

"I've never seen you wear makeup before," Olivia countered.

Abbie smirked. "I never needed any. My eyes have natural purple rims!"

They all laughed at that. "Elliot's going to think you're absolutely gorgeous – if you stay still," Alex told Olivia disapprovingly. "Otherwise he'll wonder why there's a black line going through your eyebrow."

Olivia shrugged. "I'll tell him it's a tattoo. You know, to look like Harry Potter's scar."

Alex rolled her eyes. "You're –"

"Incorrigible," finished Olivia. "We know."

Alex pouted. "That actually wasn't what I was going to say. I was going to say that you're hopeless."

"Which is the same thing, according to that book Alex has, called How To Talk Like A Walking Dictionary."

Alex looked offended. "I do not!"

"Truce," said Abbie, raising her hands. "Mind clasping my necklace, Alex? I can't reach."

"Sure," agreed Alex, complying with Abbie's request. "Uh oh. I did it upside down."

Abbie rolled her eyes. "Fix it." When Alex didn't do as she'd asked, Abbie added, "Please."

Alex obeyed. "Better?"

Abbie nodded. "Thank you, Alex," she said sweetly.

Olivia blew a raspberry. "Oh, please."

"That isn't very ladylike," said Alex primly.

Olivia stuck her tongue out at Alex. "Screw you."

"I think Trevor might get jealous."

Olivia threw a pillow at her. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Cabot!"

Alex easily deflected the pillow. "You started it."

"Ah, so mature. How did I manage to reduce the formidable Alex Cabot to the comeback we all used in second grade – you started it?"

Alex smiled sweetly. "I'm rubber and you're glue. Everything you say bounces off me and sticks to you."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "True. We all really did use that one in second grade."

Abbie rolled her eyes. "Guys, we have to leave in ten minutes!"

Alex shrieked. "I'm not ready! Help me with my dress, Abbie."

Abbie smirked as she did up the zipper on Alex's dress. "You know, half of your hair is straight and half of it is curly. Are you planning on keeping it that way?"

Alex's eyes widened. "No! Shit, I don't have time to finish curling it. Ugh. Liv, could you grab me my flat iron? I'll just leave it straight."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "So demanding." She handed Alex the flat iron. "You're so slow."

"I want to look perfect."

"Trevor already thinks you are."

"He's right."

Olivia threw another pillow at her. "And modest too."

"Liv," whined Alex, catching the pillow and putting it back on the bed. "You're destroying my bed."

Olivia shrugged. "Hurry up, Alex! We're going to be late!"

"Since when are you Ms. Punctual?"

"Since we're meeting my boyfriend at the dance!"

"Elliot's not going to care."

"Well, he should."

Alex sighed. "As you wish."

They arrived at the dance fashionably late. It was mostly a casual event, but the boys were mostly wearing suits. Jack was waiting for Abbie and handed her half a dozen red roses when she arrived. "For you," he said, almost shyly.

She took them and smiled. "Thanks, Jack." Shy was not generally within Jack's repertoire of expressions, and it was almost endearing.

"You look beautiful."

She was startled for a moment, tensing up, but then took the compliment at face value and relaxed. "Thanks," she said softly.

He held out his hand. "Join me?"

Abbie smiled. "With pleasure."

They danced the night away, and it was the best time Abbie had had in a long time. Tonight, she could forget about him and what he had done to her. Tonight, she wasn't broken or damaged or afraid. It was just her and Jack, swaying with the music, and it was perfect.

So I think that's the end. Review if you enjoyed this story!