Well this is chapter twelve. The storm is over and life is returning to normal by the sound of things. But what's happened to Billy and Mandy after it all was over.

Time to find out.

Chapter Twelve

The Aftermath

The bell finally rang to signify the end of the period, And Mandy had never been more glad to hear it.Math'swas a boring class to begin with, so that was enough of a reason to want to leave. But Mandy had other reasons.

She slowly packed her writing book and thick physics textbook into her bag, being careful not to bump her broken arm, suspended in its sling. The fact that her arm was broken angered Mandy.

"Damn my weak and feeble human form," she thought as she placed one strap of her bag over her good shoulder. "If only my body were more sturdy, more like a worm … or a snail or something."

She walked out of the classroom and into the busy corridor. The corridor always seemed to be busier between fourth and fifth period then any other time. It was probably due to the fact that this was the last class of the day. But the chatter was different then a normal day today. All around Mandy all that was talked about was … the up and coming "Winter Snow Ball". It was the schools alternative to their winter dance. But much to Mandy's comfort, this one was to be held in the functions room in the "Hyatt Hotel". A nice … sturdy location for a dance.

Mandy glanced out a window as she walked, seeing a light snowfall trailing down outside. Mandy had found a strange love for the innocence of snow. She didn't understand why she now liked snow, she just liked it now.

She finally stopped at her locker and began to painstakingly work the dial lock with one hand, grunting every time the dial turned incorrectly. She finally opened it and shoved her bag into it, opening up the bag to grab out the sketch pad and pencil case she would need for her next class.

'Morning, Many,' a sharp, irritating voice shot though Mandy's ears, a voice she knew all to well. She turned to face the other girl.

'Jenny,' Mandy said flatly, slamming her locker shut. 'What do you want.'

'I just wanted to tell you that I'll be going to the dance with, Irwin, the star quarter back,' Jenny bragged. Mandy felt a strange pang of déjà vu, or she did until…

'Mandy!' Billy yelled from across the corridor, running like a maniac. Mandy saw him coming directly at her with such speed that an idiot would not be able to stop.

'Billy, stop!' Mandy yelled, starting to turn. But it was too late.

Billy crashed into Mandy face first, knocking her down, himself falling on top of her.

There was a moment of silence as Billy lay on top of her, then –

'AHHHH!!!' Mandy screamed from the pain of her broken arm. 'You idiot get off!'

'Oh, sorry, Mandy,' Billy said. Mandy just kicked him off. She slowly rose up to her feet, grabbing her arm.

'Sometimes Billy, I just want to–'

'I said I was sorry,' Billy whimpered. Jenny just stared at the two of them.

'Huh,' she huffed. 'I guess you two will go together then.'

'Go to what?' Mandy questioned, Billy sliding in next to her.

'You know,' Jenny said slyly, 'The Snow Ball'.

Mandy felt an eyebrow rise at this. It was a question she had been asked many times that day, and she was surprised that gossip hadn't spread this far.

'Jenny,' Mandy began. 'That is a stupid question and you know it.'

'I spose,' she said slowly.

'Billy and I –' she paused.

…as Billy slipped his hand into hers…

'Are obviously going to the dance together. We are together, of course.'

Jenny smiled a wide grin that could have fallen of given the chance.

'I always knew you two were made for each other,' Mandy felt herself blush. 'Especially after you turned down Irwin … crazy.'

Mandy stared Jenny in the eyes with her trademark death stare.

'Jenny,' she began. 'When will you silly little pretty princesses realise. Irwin is a turbo nerd. The sooner you see this, the closer you are to truly seeing yourself.'

Mandy didn't give the girl a chance to say anything in reply. She simply strolled away towards her art class with Billy strolling close by next to her, his hand wrapped around hers. For one of the first times in her life, Mandy felt truly right.

'I think …' Mandy stopped mid sentence, realising she was talking out loud

'Thinks what Man-day'.

Mandy let the air out of her lungs in a half exhale half laugh thing.

'I think I'm in the mood to draw some snow…'

The end … it looks like Billy and Mandy have finally admitted to their feeling for each other. Good for them. And life seems to be right back on track. The Man-Day thing is sort-of something that only the person it's connected to would get it. I hope they read the story. Or that will have been a wasted quip.

and that's the end … or is it … read on