New chappie today! The Halloween dance is coming up - find out who's going with who.

Mousewhisker

Ugh! My stupid brother. I can't believe Poppyfrost and Honeyfern listened to him! Now here I am, dateless and alone. I might as well just bail out and not go to the dance if I can't find a date. Let's see… I take out my phone and look at the list of dance couples I've compiled. I'm not a stalker or anything; I just need to know which girls are available.

Dovewing and Tigerheart

Ivypool and Breezepelt

Hazeltail and Foxleap

Half Moon and Jayfeather

Honeyfern and Poppyfrost and Berrynose

Cinderheart and Lionblaze

Rosepetal and Bumblestripe

This leaves Hollyleaf, Blossomfall and Briarlight, I guess. Hollyleaf is pretty cool, I guess. But she seems too cool for boys sometimes. Maybe she's just shy? I don't know.

Blossomfall? She's head-over-heels obsessed with Toadstep, who doesn't really want anything to do with her.

What about Briarlight? We wouldn't be able to actually dance because of her wheelchair, but she could be fun, as a friend.

Still, I doubt any of them would want to go with me. And then what am I gonna do? Let Berrynose tease me for the rest of eternity about being forever alone?

Nope. No way. I'm finding a date for the dance no matter what. I'll show my stupid brother.

Hazeltail

I'm so excited! Foxleap just asked me to go with him to the Halloween dance! I'm worried about him and Toadstep though. Seriously, they've been friends since kindergarten! They've gone through hell and back together. And this silly little fight tears them apart? No, I'm not going to let that happen. I know it's not really my business, but I really don't want to see their friendship fall apart.

"Hey Hollyleaf," I call across the bed.

"Wha- huh?" she asks, straightening up. "What is it?" She blows her raven-colored bangs out of her face.

"Who are you gonna ask to the dance? I heard Rosepetal saying that Mousewhisker was thinking about going with you," I say, winking. Hollyleaf rolls over onto her stomach so that she's facing me.

"I-I don't know," she stammers. "I'm not really into him." She traces one of the flowers on the down comforter with a dark grey finger nail.

"Then who are you going to go with?" I ask her, keeping my tone light. I don't want to hurt her feelings if she can't find a date. When Hollyleaf doesn't answer, I tell her, "Well, Thornclaw's still single, but he probably isn't going with anyone. He's too wrapped up in his 'duties' to think about girls. Really, Mousewhisker wouldn't be a bad choice. He's a bit awkward around girls, but I know he really wants a date to the dance."

"No, it's not that," says Hollyleaf. "I'm just not really interested in boys." I bristle. Why is she making these underhanded comments? Is she insulting me and Honeyfern for having boyfriends and wanting to be with them? I'm about to open my mouth to defend myself, when Hollyleaf keeps going.

"Listen," she continues, talking through clenched teeth. "Honeyfern? Can you come here?" Honeyfern puts down her iPhone and walks over. "I've got something to tell you." She closes her eyes, and I realize that this is not going to be a lighthearted gossip session about boys and dances. I'm scared - is something wrong? For a moment, I feel guilty for assuming that she was insulting me. Hollyleaf would never do that.

"Holly, you can tell us anything. Even if it's embarrassing to you, we'd rather sell our souls than tell your secret," says Honeyfern softly. I feel a rush of gratitude for her empathy - Honeyfern may sometimes be silly and boy-obessed, but she really is the best friend anybody could ask for.

"I-I- Thanks, guys," Hollyleaf says weakly. "But promise not to judge me for this, okay?" she asks. We nod, and I squeeze Hollyleaf's hand, giving her my support. "I just…" her voice quavers, and she takes a deep breath. "I've never really been into boys. It's just always been girls for me. And the one girl who always drew my eye was," she takes another breath. "Ivypool," she whispers, then bursts into tears.

Cinderheart

Ivypool, Breezepelt, Lionblaze, and I are on a double date. I've never been on one before, and I now get that it's way more fun than just going on a date by yourself. It's nice to have a friend along to cover up for any awkward silences, and when Breezepelt and Lionblaze get to comparing video games, Ivypool and I can talk amongst ourselves as well.

Right now, however, Ivypool, Breezepelt, and Lionblaze, and I are playing would you rather.

"Would you rather eat your favorite food for the rest of your life or eat anything else but your favorite food for the rest of your life?" I ask.

"Favorite food," says Breezepelt, slapping the table.

"Favorite food," echoes Lionblaze.

"Anything else," says Ivypool. "Do you know how fat I'd be if I ate nutella crepes every day for the rest of my life?" I laugh.

"Not any fatter than you are now," I tease. Ivypool pretends to look mad, but then bursts out laughing as well.

"My turn," say Breezepelt, clearing his throat. "Would you rather…. pick a stranger's nose or have a stranger pick your nose?" Ivypool looks completely revolted.

"Uh… pick a stranger's nose, I guess?" I say. Lionblaze looks at me. "What? Wouldn't it be weird to have some random person's gross fingers up your nose?"

"She's got a point," says Ivypool. "I would rather pick a stranger's nose."

"You guys are weird," says Lionblaze, mystified. "I'd rather have a stranger pick my nose." Ivypool lets out a muffled ewww and fake-gags.

"Okay," says Ivypool. "Would you rather go without wifi or…" she taps her finger against her chin, thinking. "never talk to any of your friends again?"

"Wifi," I say immediately.

"Wifi," Breezepelt agrees, pecking Ivypool on the cheek. She blushes furiously, but kisses him back, then takes a quick sip of his piña colada. Breezepelt opens his mouth to protest, but then just laughs.

"Wifi," says Lionblaze. "I'd die without my friends. And Cinderheart."

"What, am I not your friend?" I tease. Lionblaze grins a big, goofy grin.

"You're my girlfriend," he says, putting an arm around me. I lean into him, enjoying the warmth of his muscular arms. Trust Lionblaze to make my heart melt into a happy, gooey mess. Across from us, Ivypool is trying to rub butter into Breezepelt's hair, and I feel unaccountably happy - for Lionblaze, for my friends, and most of all, for myself. Everything is normal again.

Eh. Not my best chapter. This one was a bit rushed. Also, don't worry, real plot will start coming in soon, and not as much drama. But hey, getting to know the characters is fun, isn't it?

The HollyXIvy thing is probably going to be one-sided because I already decided on IvyXBreeze. But hey, high school is all about one-sided everything - Friendships, love, etc.

Hope you liked! Review, follow, fave, do what you gotta do!

XOXO, Silvershadow