"Ok, so Cara? Yeah, I know this may sound silly…but would you consider going to the gala with me?"
Peter was alone in his room, practicing in front of the mirror on how in the world he was going to ask Cara to the gala. Would she even go for it? Maybe she wouldn't because of Jeff still. But this wasn't part of a relationship necessarily, it was just an invitation to a party. Taking a deep breath, he tried again. "Hey Cara, how are you? So, I was wondering, you know, that gala? Would you go with me? No…no…that's wrong. Cara, will you go to the gala with me? No! To forward…Hi there Cara, that gala sure does sound fun, doesn't it? No! God! Not right!"
"Peter, don't hurt yourself, I'll go with you," said a voice behind him. Peter turned around in a panic to find Cara standing at the door. Oh…he had left the door open…smart move Peter, smart move.
"Oh…really?" asked Peter.
"Sure, you don't bite," said Cara. "At least I hope not!"
"I'll try not to," said Peter.
"Well good," said Cara, walking into the room. "Man, I've never been a VIP before! This is gonna be so cool…" Peter watched Cara as she went on and on about everything. It was great seeing her so happy; even though they both knew Jeff was still after her, a great confidence was brewing in her that Peter had only seen in glances. "Wow this'll be great…well I gotta go now, got some stuff to do, I'll see ya later Peter!" She walked out of the room leaving Peter rather content with himself.
"Hey Peter, just dropping by," said Davy, casually strolling into Peter's room. "What's got you looking on the up and up?"
"Cara said she'd go to the gala with me," said Peter. "Maybe this can be another chance!"
"Could be mate, could be," said Davy. "Do you think she'd forget about what she said that soon though? About not wanting to be with you cause of Jeff on the loose?"
"You never know," said Peter. "I'm just glad I got this far."
"Me too Peter, me too," said Davy. "Just thought I'd check in on things ya know, make sure you're not screwing things up." Davy walked out as Cara did.
Cara was in the lobby, sitting in one of the chairs, contemplating on hairstyles for the big night…and how she was actually going with Peter. She still wasn't sure what she was going to do about him and her and being together and everything, but she was just now learning to live in the moment. Of course, the very moment out of all of these that she dreaded came to be as Alice strode over to the chairs to Cara.
"Hey Cara," said Alice. "What are you doing down here alone?"
"Just…having some quiet time," said Cara.
"Nothing really wrong with that," said Alice. Cara did seem like a sweet girl, but Alice did not want to get too involved with her if she was going to have to be offed sometime soon. Bad idea, but Alice was professional enough to avoid that. "So, I can't wait to see the dress you got for the gala, I'm sure you'll look beautiful."
"Oh, well I hope so," said Cara, trying to avert Alice's grey gaze.
"Well I'm positive," said Alice. "Say…you wouldn't mind showing up with me, would you?"
"Oh, well…I can't, I'm sorry," said Cara. "I'm already going there with someone."
"Oh? Like a date?" asked Alice. "With who?"
"Peter," said Cara. "The bass player?"
"Oh, him, yeah," said Alice. She tried to sound disappointed…in a way she was rather disgusted, because she wondered what in the world a girl could see in any of those boys. "Why him?"
"He's a fun guy," said Cara, not wanting to get into her whole crush…it would be very insensitive of her to talk about how she felt about Peter in front of Alice anyway; she did like her too.
"Oh, I'm sure," said Alice. "But…are you sure you want to go with him? I'm sure you won't regret one little bit showing up with me, if you know what I mean."
"Oh, it's okay Alice, really," said Cara. "I've—uh—gotta get back up to my room now…I'll see you around."
"Alright," said Alice. "But even if you go with Peter, save a dance for me!"
Cara didn't respond to that; it wasn't worth it. She was going to have to do a lot of dodging and hiding at this gala…but dammit she was going to have fun if she died doing it! Making sure Alice wasn't following her, she made her way back up to the room. She got in and felt like barricading herself.
"What did you run into?" asked Mike.
"Alice, that's what," said Cara. "Man, this is getting to be too much, I need help. She asked me to the gala."
"Ha!" guffawed Abigail. "So…what did you say?"
"Told her I was going with Peter," said Cara.
"White lie?" asked Mickey.
"No, it's true," said Cara. "And believe me, I'm damn happy too, cause I don't know what I'd say to her if I didn't already have a date." Peter brightened up at the use of the word "date." This had to happen, it just had to! "Mike, do you think you could do something for me?"
"What do you need?" asked Mike.
"Can you ask Alice to the gala?" asked Cara. "Please Mike, just say you want one more chance or something like that, I'm begging you!"
"What? Hell yeah, are you crazy, of course I'll do it!" said Mike. "I got her once, I can get her again!"
"You sure about that mate?" asked Davy.
"Oh, shut up, who asked you?" retorted Mike.
"No one, but does one really have to ask Davy Jones?" said Davy with a sly grin. Mike threw a pillow at him, but he ducked so the pillow instead hit Peter square in the face.
"Whoops, sorry Peter," said Mike.
"It's okay," said Peter. "Pillows are soft!"
"So will you try?" asked Cara. "You know, to ask Alice out?"
"Your wish is my command," said Mike. "You can run away from Michael Nesmith, but oh no, you can't hide!" He walked out the door in search of Alice.
"You think it'll work?" asked Mickey.
"Doubt it," said Davy.
"It better," said Cara.
Mike wandered around the lobby looking for Alice. He finally found her carrying a folder to the front desk. "Well hello beautiful!" he said, sliding next to her at the counter.
"Oh…hello Mike," said Alice. Oh no, what the hell was this? This had better be worth her time.
"So, I was just wondering," started Mike. "you know, I know you turned me down and all, and you dig Cara and all that; I mean, I know I blew it that night, and I apologize…would you be willing to give a guy a second chance and go with me to the gala?"
Oh man…this guy could not take a hint…what would she say? It would be to her advantage to go with someone from that group, but it would be hell all night…she had to think fast. "Well, you do seem like you'd be willing to try," said Alice.
"Really?" asked Mike.
"Yes," said Alice reluctantly. "I'll go with you to the gala." She may as well swallowed poison. But she was getting something out of this, she'd better be.
"Oh, that's great Alice, really, trust me, you won't be disappointed, I'll be a regular gentleman!" said Mike, excited. "Well, I've gotta go back up to my room now, but I will see you soon my dear!" He rushed away to the elevator to tell everyone the news, leaving Alice at the counter wondering why in the hell she got herself involved with a bunch of these goofballs in the first place.
"Cara, consider yourself safe, cause the Nez does it again!" said Mike, strutting through the door like a proud rooster.
"I really don't get that chick," said Mickey. "She's not annoying and she's mature and all, but she seems really wishy-washy…you sure this is a good idea Mike?"
"Sure as anything," said Mike. "What a lady…"
"Just don't let her mess with you again," said Davy.
"Oh, I won't," said Mike. "I'll be a better man for her, all the way!"
"I'm sure we'd all love to see that!" said Peter. Mike threw another pillow at him, this time on purpose.
Peter locked himself in his room, looking at himself dressed in his tuxedo just a few hours before the gala. He turned at different angles, posing, just trying to make himself look good. His hair was out of order today of all days…he reached for his brush and combed his blond hair down until it was smooth and shiny. He checked multiple times to see if there were any ugly wrinkles or anything on his clothes; he didn't see any, he was in the clear for now.
Sighing, he sat himself down on his bed. He wondered how Cara was doing, what she'd look like, how she'd react to him tonight. He was very anxious. Of course, he was very happy too, so it kind of rounded him out, but that did not stop his heart from pounding in his chest. The door opened and Davy walked in, already dressed up as well. "Hey Peter, how you holding up?" he asked.
"Nervous," said Peter. "What if I blow it with Cara? I don't think I could take it."
"Peter, trust me, you're not gonna blow it with her," said Davy. "Now, Mike and Alice, that's another story."
Peter laughed. "Thanks Davy," he said. "I just can't wait to see her."
"Oh, I bet," said Davy. "Just a little more time! You'll do fine mate."
"I hope so," said Peter. Davy winked and left. Peter just sat in his room…just a little more time and he'd go to the grand ballroom and wait for Cara to come down those stairs to see her looking beautiful as ever. Hours passed as Peter sat there dreaming, and it was finally time. Straightening his bowtie one last time, he went out of the room. "Hey guy, I think it's time to meet the girls," he said.
"Alright then, let's go!" said Mickey, pumped. He had met a cute strawberry blonde girl named Lacy yesterday and spared no time at asking her to the gala. Of course, she accepted, and Mickey finally got his girl.
"Man, I just can't wait to see Alice," said Mike as the gang walked out of the suite. "I bet she'll look fabulous." The band bunched up in the elevator as they made their way up to the fifth floor where the gala was being held. The elevator stopped, and they got out onto the floor.
"Hey guys, it's Bill and Jane!" said Davy.
"Hey," said Jane. She wore a shimmering white gown with a halter style top and her hair was in an elegant, volumous updo. Bill had brushed his hair and trimmed his beard. "How's everyone?"
"Doing pretty well," said Mike. "We're waiting for our ladies!"
"Man, thanks for the invite," said Bill, looking around. "This is a pretty hip shindig."
"Hey! It's Alice!" exclaimed Mike as he rushed over to her. She was looking pretty in a simple golden dress and her hair in a knot like it was on their ruined date. Mickey noticed Lacy, who was dressed in green and went over to her.
"Well mate, it's just you and me," said Davy. "Oh wait, just you, there's Abigail!" Peter turned and saw Abigail wearing a seductive red gown that hugged her body at all the right angles. She was pretty, but he bet when he saw Cara all these other girls would be knocked out of the park. He waited for Cara to come down those stairs. Someone started to come down, and as she turned the corner, Peter saw her…it was Cara, and she looked too beautiful for words.
Her gown was a deep royal blue and it shimmered with her every move. The skirt flared out at the waist with elegant layers. The top was sleeveless and rimmed with silver rhinestones and there was a large but flattering blue rose on the side of her waist. Her hair was partly up in a bun and the rest of it cascaded around her shoulders in elegant curls and her bangs were brushed to the side. Her lips were scarlet and she was the most perfect thing Peter had ever seen.
"Hi Peter," she said when she made it down the stairs. Peter got a closer look at her and saw that she was wearing the necklace he had got her for her birthday. "You look great!"
"Wow Cara, so do you," said Peter, unable to take his eyes off her. "Cara, you are so beautiful it's not even funny."
"Thanks Peter," she said graciously. "Where are the others?"
"All inside," said Peter, gesturing to the ballroom. He held out his arm. "Shall we?"
"We shall," said Cara, taking Peter's arm. He led her inside, and she felt like royalty. A string quartet was playing music for dancing, and there were VIPs everywhere. They spotted the others and went over to them.
"Hey, made it," said Peter.
"Wow Cara…wow," said Jane. "Where'd you find that thing at? You look great!"
"Just a little place," said Cara.
"Oh Cara, you look fantastic!" said Alice, attempting to get away from Mike.
"Thanks Alice," said Cara. "Hey, Peter, let's go over there." The two walked off and Alice cursed herself. Oh well, she'd just try and keep an eye on Cara…Jane was what she was after tonight.
"Cara?" asked Peter. "Would you…dance with me?"
"Sure Peter," said Cara. Peter smiled and took Cara's waist with his left hand, and her right hand with his own right hand. It felt great to feel Peter's hand…just great. The string quartet played a waltz, and Peter tried desperately to keep up with the beat. He knew he was being clumsy, but Cara didn't seem to mind. When the couple turned a corner, however, there was Alice, staring them in the face with her grey eyes.
"Well hello!" she said. "Peter, you wouldn't mind if I stole your dance partner, would you?"
"Yes, I actually would mind," said Peter in a matter-of-fact voice. "We were dancing and we're here together. Go find Mike."
Alice looked rather taken aback, but Mike finally came to the rescue. "Well there you are Alice, I thought I'd lost you!" he said. "Now come on, let's get some punch."
Alice looked like she was going to fight, but instead put on her sweet face and said, "Okay Mike, let's go." As they walked off, Mike turned back around and gave Peter and Cara a quick wink.
"Glad that's gone, eh Peter?" asked Cara.
"Very," said Peter. "Now, where were we?" He continued to dance with Cara.
Alice kept her eye on Jane as she and Mike went over to the punch bowl. If she didn't see her leave, the whole plan she had in her head would fall through, and she would be out of a job. She had to make sure this was perfect. She was still standing with that dirty hippie-looking guy. "So Alice, did I tell you that you look beautiful this evening?" asked Mike.
"Yes Mike, many times," said Alice. She was beginning to get frustrated by him, but there was nothing she could do with Cara as long as she had Peter there. She was surprised at how he lashed out at her. All she could so was tolerate Mike and watch Jane like a hawk.
As the night went on, Cara of course had to dance with all of the guys. It was fun, and she didn't care! Peter danced with the other girls too. He was reluctant, but when Abigail asked him he didn't think it would hurt. He did have to say though that it was weird dancing with Jane. The group was chatting on the side of the dance floor when Cara decided it was a good time to get some solitary time to clear her head.
She looked and looked, but found that the only quiet, alone place was the balcony. She took a deep breath. Maybe if she didn't look down she'd be okay…it was dark out anyway. She slipped away and walked out on the balcony. She leaned on the rail and thought. Peter…what was she going to do about him? She knew they were both crazy about each other, this night was making that clear. If only Jeff was out of the picture—then it would be different. But would she know him if not for Jeff? This was all getting so confusing.
Peter broke off his conversation with Lacy to see Cara was not in the group anymore, but on the balcony. He started to walk on over.
"Hey Pete, where you going?" asked Davy.
"Balcony," said Peter. "Cara's over there, I'm gonna see what's up." He went over and stood next to Cara outside. "Hey Cara, are you okay?"
"Oh, yeah," said Cara. "I just needed to get away from everything for a moment. It got kinda noisy and crowded."
"Cara, you look so beautiful tonight," said Peter. "Really, you do."
"Thank you Peter," said Cara.
"Look Cara, why are we fooling ourselves?" asked Peter. "I need you Cara, I don't care about Jeff at all. Why aren't we together?"
"Peter, I just don't want to see you get hurt," said Cara.
"But I don't care about that," said Peter. "Cara, I love you. You're all I want, and so what if someone's in the way? Cause he's not in the way Cara, and he never was."
Cara just smiled. "Remember when Mickey was joking about us being trapped in a high, dark place together so we could have someone to hold onto?"
"Yeah," said Peter.
"I think this was what he was talking about," said Cara. She leaned into him and kissed him sweetly. It was a short kiss, but it was enough for Peter to know what it was. "I actually feel like leaving," said Cara. "You?"
"Anywhere and anything for you, Cara," said Peter. "Let's go back to the room." The two went to the elevator and into the suite. Peter led Cara back into their room.
"Hey, Peter?" said Cara as she took her jewelry off.
"Yeah?" said Peter.
"I love you too Peter," said Cara, facing him. Peter cupped her soft face with his hand and kissed her deeply, running his fingers through her hair, taking pin by pin out, letting her hair tumble down in a cascade of curls. Cara gripped at Peter, sliding his jacket off of his shoulders. Peter lowered Cara to the bed, cradling her head and deepening the feverish kisses. Hands of both of them were everywhere, and it felt so right. Heat, passion, so much of everything. They moved against each other like long-lost lovers, messing with buttons on clothes and locks of hair. Peter fumbled with the laces at the back of her dress and it came off with ease. In the dim light, he could see her bruises. Cara could too—she recoiled in embarrassment and fear, but Peter placed a loving hand on her.
"I don't care," said Peter.
"But…it's so ugly," said Cara.
"You're beautiful Cara," said Peter. "I'll take those bruises away…I love you so much, they'll have to disappear."
"Oh Peter," said Cara, kissing him again. She knew she could trust him, love him. Everything would be alright from now on; he would actually make love to her tonight, and for the first time ever, she felt truly loved.
Jane and Bill stopped at a gas station outside the hotel on their way back home after the gala. "That was nice," said Jane, hoping to get a positive response from Bill.
"Yeah, it was really fun," said Bill. "You looked great by the way. White's your color."
Jane giggled. Well, that was something, wasn't it? "Hey, I'm gonna go inside and pay, you stay here."
"Okay," said Jane. Little did she know, Alice was lurking behind the bushes in the station. She knew how to be silent. She had no clue how she was able to ditch Mike, but she did and she was happy. Gag in one hand, she silently crept up to Jane, who was standing next to the car. Once she was directly behind her, she grabbed her fiercely from behind and gagged her before she was able to scream. Jane kicked and scratched at Alice, but with one swift blow on the head, she was unconscious and Alice was able to drag her behind the bushes and to her car.
"Okay Jane, all set," said Bill, coming out of the store. But Jane wasn't there. He thought for a moment before freaking out, but when he saw little scratches on the car that weren't there before, obviously from a fight, he could only think one thing…"Jeff," he sneered. He hopped in the car and sped back to the hotel to tell the others what he thought. This was getting out of hand.