Disclaimer: I do NOT own Horton Hears a Who! or any of the characters involved in this story.

Downtown Whoville had never looked so beautiful. Lights streamed the bare branches of the trees and illuminated the tabletops. Refreshments were being served by some of Whoville's finest chefs. Bright colored poseys in fancy painted pots sat in front of the closed shops. Banners of The Whoville Flag hang from every lamppost. There was even a Ferris wheel that gleamed with the starry sky.

The citizens drifted across the cobble stones and over to the stage where the Cloogan Farfoogans played a revamped version of the Whoville anthem.

Sally cupped her hands around Ned's face. "It's like a dream come true!" she exclaimed.

Ned scanned the crowd until he felt a rough poke on the elbow. Ned's heart practically shot out of his chest. It was only Erhmann.

"I'm ready to introduce you when you are," Erhmann said.

"J-just a few minutes, please," Ned said, breaking away from Sally.

He still had not found the bill or Tallulah for the matter. Where could she be?

JoJo was sitting alone at a long, skirted table. He abscently shoveled a scoop of chocolate ice cream and pastry into his mouth while his friends danced to the Truffula Shuffula song by folk band, The Loraxis.

JoJo was due to perform his song next. The scoop of ice cream sat like a huge stone in JoJo's stomach. He couldn't do it. He couldn't get on stage and sing. What if his voice cracked? What if he tripped on stage? His dad would be so ashamed.

Coby, Iggy, Beanie, and Adin sauntered over to JoJo's table, cutting through the crowd of whos that cheered and applauded the band.

JoJo heard Beanie breathe "emo" into Iggy's ear.

"Hey, guys," JoJo said. He pinched off a piece of pastry and flung it at Beanie for revenge. The sticky icing landed right on his cheek.

"Hey!" Beanie barked.

Iggy suaved his finger over Beanie's cheekbone and popped the sticky substance right into his mouth. "Mmm! Whoberry," he said.

"Why didn't you come and dance with us, JoJo?" Coby asked.

"It's nothing personal," JoJo said. "I just...I don't think I'll be able to perform for my dad tonight. I wrote the song in under twenty minutes and I couldn't bring any of my instruments because I'm still grounded from the observatory."

The boys exchanged worried looks. JoJo sighed and slumped deep into his chair. "What if my dad hates the song?" JoJo asked.

"He won't hate it," Beanie assured.

"And you won't know until you get up there and sing it," Coby replied.

"Yeah," Adin agreed. "And just imagine how popular you'll be with the chicks!" Adin practically jumped out of his fur just thinking about it. "Can I be your back up dancer, JoJo?" he asked enthusiastically.

JoJo rolled his eyes. "No."

He cut through the crowd and headed toward the stage. JoJo cautiously climbed the steps one by one. He gazed at the crowd of whos in search for his dad. Ned was enjoying a large, sickening peice of pie with some old friends. He wasn't paying any attention to the stage which meant that JoJo still had time to change his mind and make a hasty run for it.

"May I help you, JoJo?" Mr. Farfoogan asked. He and the Cloogan FarFoogan's were in the middle of a much slower, quieter song.

JoJo clutched Mr. FarFoogans arm and levered him down to JoJo's level. "I want to sing a song for my dad, but I need you to play along with me. Will you?"

Mr. Farfoogan happily agreed. He faced the microphone and gave it a tap. The loud feedback alerted everyone.

"Ladies and gentlewhos," Mr. Farfoogan announced to the crowd. "Please welcome JoJo McDodd performing a special song in dedication to our wonderful Mayor."

The audience applauded and cheered. Ned grabbed a seat in the front row to get a closer look. He had never looked so excited.

The spotlight cast a halo over JoJo's shiny, black hair. He looked like a rock star but felt like rock bottom. JoJo took the microphone from Mr. FarFoogan and swallowed.

"Break a leg," Mr. Farfoogan said with a wink. He took his place by a giant upright guitar and waited for JoJo's que.

The audience had now quieted down and all JoJo could hear was his heart beating rapidly in his ears. JoJo took small, deep breaths.

"Whenever you're ready, JoJo," Mr. FarFoogan whispered.

JoJo stepped toward the middle of the stage. He closed his eyes and opened his mouth to sing the chorus:

"Oooh!

You are the one that soothes my pain.

Yeah.

You take the loneliness away..."

An instrumental slowly mixed in JoJo's singing. He opened his eyes and gazed at his dad in the audience. JoJo couldn't believe it! Ned's blue, eyes were had tears in them. JoJo smiled. He felt a sense of calamity rest over his shoulders like a warm blanket.

"You make my world shine bright.

Oh, won't you build me up again?

I know we have our fights. But you're my dad and my best friend."

The audience went crazy with applause. A few roses were thrown onto the stage from pretty girls. JoJo saw Adin nudge a cute girl with curly, purple hair on the elbow and whisper, "I'm a good friend of his."

Ned stood up, proud. He ran on stage and threw his arms around JoJo. "That was so good!" he exclaimed.

JoJo stiffened modestly. He had done it! He was so happy he could have combust.

Ned took JoJo's hand and lead him off the stage. They trailed over to the refreshments table for some Beezlenut punch.

"Listen Dad," JoJo began uneasily. "I'm really sorry I've been so dishonest these past few days. For sneaking out. For sleeping in class. And especially for lying about volunteering." JoJo sighed. He slowly sipped his punch. "I just wanted to write you the best song ever."

Ned smiled. "I'm sorry too. I over reacted the other day. One lie doesn't make you a lier," he said with a nod, before adding "But don't keep doing it!"

JoJo sat his drink down and hugged his dad again. He couldn't believe how much his dad loved the song. JoJo was looking forward to writing more songs in the future. Maybe his next song would be about how awesome this day was!

The party isn't over yet! Ned still has to set things straight with Tallulah.