A.N - My updates have caught up with my writing now. So I might not update this for a while. I'll try my best however to update quickly.

Hope you like this.

Chapter 17

Jesse paced nervously at the bottom of the stairs in the Ackerman household, waiting for Susannah to descend. It was the day of the Winter Formal. He had skipped yesterday's "Shifter" lesson purely because he didn't want Paul Slater to ruin his high.

Tonight had been the first night Jesse had actually met Susannah's mom and step-dad. After awkward introductions, Jesse had been let inside in order to wait for his girlfriend.

He had never actually gotten out of Susannah what kind of dress she had bought. Susannah had successfully evaded all of his questions last week at the beach leaving Jesse no more aware than he had been before going to Paul's house that day. Knowing Susannah though, she was sure to look amazing.

He stood at the bottom of the stairs fidgeting nervously. Susannah's step-dad kept looking over at him with a scary expression adorning his face. One that screamed 'You should be lucky that I'm even allowing you to look at my step-daughter'. Jesse gulped. Despite how rude it sounded, he just wanted to grab Susannah and leave.

His thoughts were interrupted by a happy gasp from Susannah's mother.

"Oh Susie!" She cried.

Jesse looked up and saw his girlfriend for the first time that night. His mouth dropped open.

Now he knew why she wanted to keep the dress a secret from him.

She was wearing a simple white gown which clung to her perfectly.

"Susannah," Jesse breathed out taking her into his arms. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." She smiled, pleased at the fact that she had managed to surprise him. It had become increasingly harder to resist his charming pleas to know what she had bought. But it was worth it, just to see the look on his face as she had walked down the stairs.

Jesse smiled back and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, remembering at the last moment the audience they had.

He took her hand in his own before turning to face her step-father who had been discreetly clearing his throat.

"Have her back by 11 sharp," Was what he said to Jesse. "Alright?"

"Yes sir," he agreed quickly, nodding and starting to walk out of the house.

"Mom!" Susannah's cry stopped him.

Mrs Ackerman seemed to know what Susannah wanted and gave her an understanding look before walking over to her husband.

"Andy, honey," she began. "Let's let her stay out just a little bit later tonight. It is Susie's first big dance, after all."

Mr Ackerman looked hesitant.

"Andy, please?"

At Susannah's plea, Mr Ackerman looked over at Jesse.

"Any time is fine by me, sir." He admitted truthfully, not caring about how long they had before Susannah had to be home as long as they could leave. Get away from the interrogating stares his girlfriend's family was sending his way.

"Alright," Andy caved. "12 then. But no later."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Susannah threw her arms around her step-dad briefly and then stepped away again.

Jesse offered Susannah his arm and together they walked towards Jesse's car. He held the door open for her and she smiled gratefully.

"Díos, that was hard," he muttered as he came around to his side of the car and fastened his seatbelt.

"Well," Susannah told him, "At least you don't have to go through it again."

"True." Jesse agreed as he looked over at her. "You really do look amazing, tonight."

"Thank you." Susannah smiled again and kissed him softly.

Jesse smiled as they pulled apart. He kissed her nose quickly before starting the car and beginning the journey towards the Junipero Mission Academy, where they were throwing the dance.

----

"Wow!" Suze exclaimed as they walked into the hall where the dance was being held. "This looks beautiful!"

The hall was decorated with blue and white icicle lights draped across high surfaces. Confetti laced the floor of the hall and paper snowflakes hung overhead.

"Yeah," Jesse agreed, his gaze focused on the girl next to him. "Really beautiful."

Suze smiled and blushed prettily, fully understanding the second meaning behind his words.

"Come on," it felt like the smile was never going to leave her face. "I think I can see Cee Cee and Adam!"

Jesse allowed himself to be pulled towards his girlfriend's friends as he scanned the crowd for the one person that could ruin this whole night for him.

Paul was standing by the punch bowl, rolling his eyes at the boring things his date was prattling on about.

"So then Debbie told me that Tiffany was told by Bridget who heard that -"

Kelly was interrupted by Paul.

"Yeah, sounds fascinating. Why don't we go and dance?"

Anything to stop her talking.

Not put out at being interrupted in the least, Kelly smiled.

"Sure," she said. "Just let me freshen up first, kay?"

Then she left, leaving Paul on his own.

"Well, well, well," Jesse pushed into Paul's blissful silence. "Guess I lucked out, didn't I?"

"Shut it de Silva," Paul sneered.

Jesse laughed and threw his hand up in the air in a defensive gesture.

"Just saying," He said. "I'm lucky to have Susannah, don't you think?"

"Yeah," Paul completely avoided Jesse's question. "Where is good old Suze, anyway?"

"Over with Cee Cee and Adam," Jesse tipped his head in a vague direction of where the trio was sitting. "I came to get drinks."

"Well then," Paul stepped aside with a flourish. "Don't let me keep you."

Jesse shook his head smiling as Paul left. He really was grateful to have Susannah. He couldn't help it if he looked to rub it in Paul's face every noe and then.

Pouring two cups full with the red liquid, Jesse made his way back to the table to find it with one person less than when he'd left.

"Hey, where's Susannah?" He asked.

Adam shrugged while Cee Cee rolled her eyes.

"Paul dragged her away," she informed her best friend's boyfriend who was getting increasingly angry the more Cee Cee told him. "Said he had something really important to tell her."

"Did you see where they went?" Jesse practically demanded.

"Down there somewhere." Cee Cee pointed with her finger towards the corridor filled with lockers.

"Thanks."

Jesse put down the cups, which were quickly swiped up by Adam who then offered them to his date with a 'M'lady', and made his way down the direction Cee Cee had shown him.

He walked the length of the hall, growing suspicious when he heard no voices.

His heart stopped when he saw a piece of paper hanging limply from Susannah's locker. Susannah's open locker.

Jesse tugged at the paper, shutting the door as he did so. Only Susannah knew her combination.

His heart jumped into his throat as he saw Paul's elegant script on the now crumpled paper.

'See you in 1814, de Silva'.