*~The Dance~*

Todd arrived at the convent wearing his suit and tie. He stepped off the bus with the other teenage boys from the Juvenile Detention Center. Officer Kurtz lead them inside after reminding them of the "rules." "I expect everyone to be on their best behavior tonight," Kurtz ordered.

"That means you, Manning," he interjected when he saw Todd's wicked little smile.

Marty was waiting in the gym with the other young ladies who were attending the dance. She had butterflies in her tummy as she was eager to see the young man she'd had her eye on since she had seen him in the forest. She didn't even know his name yet, but she felt an intense attraction to him. She hoped that before the night was over, she'd find the courage to ask him to dance.

"Girls," said Sister Mary Catherine. "I expect you all to act like proper young ladies tonight. No tempting the young men who have come to visit us from the Juvenile Detention Center. You may dance and have fun, but remember the purpose of this activity. Our goal is to help these troubled young men become closer to God."

The men entered the gymnasium and went to stand against the west wall. All the young ladies were wearing their school uniforms. They stood across from the boys as the elderly sister began playing the music. A smile came to Marty's face when she caught a glimpse of Todd who stood next to his friend Jason.

Megan was the first girl brave enough to ask one of the young men to dance. She walked up to Jason and asked him to dance with her. "I'd be honored," he told her with a smile. They walked out to the center of the gymnasium and began to dance. Soon, several other girls followed suit, asking the young men if they'd like to dance.

Almost everyone had a dance partner when Marty approached Todd. "Would you like to dance?" she asked him.

Todd nodded. He followed her as she approached several other dancing couples. "I'm glad I finally got to talk to you. My name is Thomas Todd Manning, but I go by Todd," he said as they were dancing.

"I'm Margaret Anne Saybrooke, but I just go by Marty," she told him with a little smile. "I'm glad you could come... to the dance. It was my idea. I was hoping to meet you."

"I wanted to talk to you in the theater, but Officer Kurtz was being a total asshole," Todd stated.

Marty giggled when she heard his description of Officer Kurtz. Todd couldn't help but smirk when he heard her cute little giggles. "So, why are you here?" he asked her. "Do you want to be a nun?"

"No way!" Marty cried out. "It was my aunt who sent me here. My parents died, and she wants to travel Europe on my parents' dime. So I am stuck here... until I am eighteen."

Todd nodded sympathetically, actually relieved to hear that the girl he had a crush on didn't have plans of becoming a nun. That would totally ruin his plans to sneak away and spend some romantic time with her. He hoped she would see it his way and want meet him for a little "fun."

"What about you?" Marty asked. "Why were you sent to the Juvenile Detention Facility?"

"I was a bit of problem child," Todd stated. "I went for a joy ride in my father's car. He called the police... and they locked me away. Of course they didn't care that my dad liked to hit me and lock me in the closet."

A look of pain crossed Marty's face when she heard what had happened. "Should we go get some refreshments?" she offered.

"Sure, that would be great," Todd said as she lead him over to the refreshment table.

Marty reached for a glass of punch and had a little sip. She felt hot all over from being so close to Todd. When he talked, she couldn't help but stare at his lips. She kept wondering what it would be like to kiss him and to touch him.

Todd was nibbling on a cookie as he and Marty made conversation. They discussed their childhood and interests as they watched the others who were dancing. Marty told him that she wanted to be a doctor someday and save people's lives. After they had their snacks, Todd asked if she'd like to dance with him again.

"Yes," Marty said eagerly as she was having the time of her life.

"We should really get together sometime... outside of this place," Todd said as they leaned in closer to each other. They were supposed to be standing two feet apart, but as they continued to dance, the distance between them had shortened.

"Where could we meet?" Marty asked.

"I dunno, but I will figure it out."

Marty smiled at him as her eyes lit up at the prospect of spending more time with Todd. Every minute she had spent with him had been so precious, and as the night continued on, she did not want it to end. She wanted to be with Todd.

Soon however, Sister Mary Catherine stood up to announce the last dance of the night. "We'd like to thank all of the young men for attending this wonderful dance. May God be with each and every one of you..."

As their time together drew to an end, Todd reached out to take Marty's hands in his. To her surprise, he tugged her closer until she could feel the heat of his body. As they danced together and he gazed into her eyes, his lips slowly lowered until he was less than an inch from kissing her. Time stood still as Marty waited for the sweet sensation of Todd's kiss.

"What the HELL do you think you are doing?!" Officer Kurtz voice suddenly rang out.

"Nothing," Todd replied as he was pulled away from Marty. "I was just dancing!"

"Just dancing! You were about to KISS her!" Kurtz exclaimed. "Get your ass to the bus! Now!"

"Look, Marty; I'm sorry. I gotta go," Todd attempted to apologize as Kurtz was shooing him out the door of the gymnasium.

Marty's eyes filled up with tears. Todd was going... and so abruptly. She didn't even get to feel the sensation of his kiss.

"It's alright, Todd. It's not your fault..." Marty said as she pressed a small slip of paper into his hand. Thankfully, Officer Kurtz didn't see the exchange as he was barking orders to the other young men.

"Everyone get on the bus! Now!" he called out.

"Good bye," Jason said to Megan as he stole a quick little kiss.

"Bye," she said as she hurriedly gave him a hug.

"You're out of here, Manning!" Kurtz growled as he escorted the boys to the bus. Todd left, clutching the note from Marty in the palm of his hand.

The young ladies in the convent rushed to the windows to catch of glimpse of the bus's departure. Quietly Marty watched Todd leaving with tears in her eyes and hope in her heart.