Author's note: Wow. There's so many reasons why this has taken so long, and I just hope it isn't too little, too late. If you are still hoping for updates on this story, here you go. I'm going to do my best to wrap it up this summer. I can't apologize enough for why it has taken literally years to continue with this, and if you're still with me, I am going to do everything to make this story good for all of you! Did I mention I was sorry? Because my goodness, I am. Very sorry for making you wait, and possibly losing everyone's interest in this story. And if you're still with me, just let me know in the reviews. Thank you, everyone.

They arrived at the dance about half an hour late, with most of the attendees already inside the hotel ballroom. Thanks to the raffle, the school could afford a better venue than the gymnasium. The hotel was old and on the outskirts of town, standing ominously on a hill overlooking a lake. Beside the lake was a gazebo, covered in fairy lights with a lantern trail leading towards it. Walking in, the ballroom was to the right of the hotel lobby. A balloon arch led them into the big room with high ceilings and stained glass windows.

Decor in black and white lined the walls, while music blared from the opposite end at the DJ's booth. To his right stood the snacks and punch bowl. The dance floor was massive, already full of bodies dressed in various black and white outfits. Walking in beneath the balloon archway, Fayette felt she stuck out like a sore thumb with her neither black nor white dress.

She clutched Benny's hand tighter, and he tried to hide his smile.

"Well, now what?" Ethan asked.

"We dance, of course," Benny said jubilantly.

"You're going to scare me on the dance floor, Mr. Weir," Fayette said, sidestepping so as to avoid a group of people walking in.

"I'm not clumsy!" Benny replied, stepping on two stray balloons and causing dozens of eyes to stare in his direction.

"Right. Those balloons just had a death wish, I assume?" Fayette smirked.

"Precisely. And my Genie-Feet just couldn't resist granting."

Fayette stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Dork. Sarah, want to go to the washroom?"

Sarah flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Yes, I could fix my makeup. And since mirrors do nothing for me, I could use your help."

They walked off, leaving the two boys to their own devices. "What do they even do in there?" Ethan asked.

"They plot," Benny replied dramatically, clapping his friend on the shoulder.

When Sarah and Fayette came back, they found the boys by the punch bowl, standing awkwardly as a cheesy pop song played. Sarah led Ethan onto to the dance floor, to his dismay, while Fayette sidled over to Benny, knocking into him gently.

"Hey, you," she said.

"Who, me?"

"Yeah. Did you come here with a date, or are you flying solo tonight?"

Benny sighed theatrically. "Well, there was this girl, but she kind of ditched me."

Fayette clutched her hand to her heart. "What evil vixen would do such a thing to a handsome fellow as yourself?"

He shrugged, averting his eyes. "Alas, that is the question that will haunt me for the rest of my life."

Fayette stood in front of Benny, grabbing him by his tie and pulling him closer to her. "Dance with me," she said, before kissing him softly on the cheek.

"I like this game."

"And he kills it."

"Sorry," he cleared his throat. "Of course I'll dance with you. On one condition."

She raised her eyebrows, twisting the fabric of his tie between her fingers. "Yes?"

Benny put his arms around her waist, picking her up lightly and setting her feet on his. "I do the leading."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, as he walked her towards the dance floor. "Oh, catch me! I'm swooning!"

Benny kissed her sweetly on the forehead, down to her nose, and finally on her lips. Pulling away momentarily, he looked into her eyes and smiled. "I can dance, you know."

Swaying to the music, she leaned her head against his chest and heard his heartbeat. "Still gonna need proof of that."

He lifted her from his feet and spun her around, leaning her back with one of his hands on her lower back, all while maintaining his other hand in hers.

"Point taken," she replied, sounding a little out of breath.

Benny laughed, bringing her back towards him. "I like you, Miss Fayette."

"And I do declare my affections for you are immense, Mister Benjamin," Fayette said in her best Southern belle accent.

"You're kind of a goof."

"Pot calling the kettle black, much?" she giggled.

"I'm not a goof!"

She reached up and patted him on the head. "Okay."

Meanwhile, Sarah and Ethan danced a few feet away from the pixie and the SpellMaster. Ethan wasn't nearly as surprisingly graceful as Benny, so Sarah did most of the leading. "They're so cute together," Sarah chimed in, looking at the pair of her friends. "Don't tell them I said that," she added warningly.

Ethan gave a small smile. "Your secret's safe with me."