Lacey was beginning to grow anxious about homecoming. In all the stress of her dilemma with Danny, she had almost forgotten she was in the running for homecoming queen. Lacey didn't want to get her hopes up though, Sarita was also a contender, and the two of them, now rivals, both split the popularity. Sarita wasn't as popular as she believed herself to be though, partly because she was mean to everyone, and partially because she never shined alone; she was always an accessory to either Regina or Lacey. This reaffirmed Lacey's confidence, but she still didn't want to appear overly confident.

She was at Phoebe's house getting ready. The girls had just finished putting on their makeup and were now waiting for their dates arrive. Lacey grew even more nervous when she remembered that she had invited Jo over get ready with them. The logic was since Jo was going to be going with Tyler, Phoebe's brother, it would only be courteous to invite her along, but now she was going to be going with Danny.

It does not have to be awkward, Lacey tried to convince herself. She and Danny were friends now. She had a Justin, whom she suspected endeavored define their relationship tonight. She should not worry about Danny or Jo, or Danny and Jo…going to homecoming…together. She tried to erase the thought, and mild jealousy from her mind.

Jo rang the doorbell, and was greeted by a petite blonde girl wearing a hot pink dress that was hugely inappropriate for a school function. Tyler walked into the room shortly thereafter.

"Thanks for getting the door babe." He kissed the blonde in front of Jo.

"Jo, I see you can't get enough of me." His teasing was not appreciated. She stepped into the house with a sigh.

"Where's Lacey?" Tyler directed her upstairs.

"Hey Jo," Lacey addressed her friend. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks, you too." Lacey could tell Jo was irritated, she assumed it was a result of being in the presence of her ex boyfriend.

"Jo, I'm sorry, I didn't know you guys were going to break up when I asked you-"

"It's fine."

"Is Danny here?" Lacey shifted on her feet uncomfortably.

"He's on his way. He told me he would meet me here." Jo observed Lacey's face. "Are you okay with this? With me and Danny going together? Because I was going to ask you

But he-"

"No, Jo you don't have to ask me anything. Danny and I are friends now." Her lips curled into a smile.

"Oh, well okay then." Jo looked at her doubtfully.

Just then Phoebe's mom called the girls downstairs as their dates had arrived. Phoebe was the first to go down the stairs. Wearing a strapless turquoise dress with stunning silver Jimmy Choo heels, Phoebe twirled for the camera. Her mother snapped the picture as she strutted towards her homecoming date. Next was Jo, wearing a simple, but beautiful burgundy dress that was slightly ruffled at the top and flared at the bottom. Danny's eyes lit up when he saw her, which caused Jo to blush. Last was Lacey, who marched down the stairs sporting a short, silver and red sequined dress that had a crimson train. Danny took in the sight of her beauty. Her curls hung effortlessly on her shoulders and the dress accented her long, slim legs. She was walking straight towards him, he imagined, as he smiled sheepishly. His fantasies were cut short when Justin pushed his way passed Danny to get near Lacey.

"Wow," was all he had the strength to utter.

"Thanks Justin," she smiled shyly, and then caught Danny gazing at her. Justin stepped away to talk to Phoebe's date, Michael about soccer stats.

"Wow, my friend is gorgeous." Danny said walking towards Lacey.

"Thanks," she blushed.

"No really Lace, you look like a queen," he said a little more firmly than necessary. Between taking pictures, the two of them were all giggles and inside jokes.

Justin jokingly commented, "Are you trying to steal my date Desai?"

Danny responded, only partially kidding, "You never know, I might."

Danny was glad that Lacey was not near to witness the exchange of words. He knew she would be able to detect his seriousness.

The teens took a few pictures before anxiously heading out with their dates. Justin stopped Lacey as just as she began to leave out of the door behind the rest of the group. Danny lingered behind, just outside of the door, which was still cracked open. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he saw Justin step closer to Lacey.

"I got you something." He pulled from his pocket, a little box, which he opened it to reveal a diamond necklace.

Lacey felt her heart leap. "Justin," was all she could say.

"May I?" He motioned for her permission to let him put it on her.

Lacey grabbed her hair, pulling it to the side to allow him access to her neck. She turned her back towards him. Justin wrapped the necklace around her slowly and fastened it. His eyes stayed fixed on bare flesh. Justin deposited small breaths on the nape of Lacey's neck which he then graced with slow passionate kisses. Lacey closed her eyes in response to him, he was an amazing kisser, but she quickly remembered Danny and pulled away from him.

Danny, who had still been standing there, inhaling it all with sad eyes, turned pitifully to the limo to join with the others.

"We should probably get going," she veered Justin away from her. "But thank you so much." She pecked him on the lips with one small, passionless kiss.

He noticed that she seemed to be less thrilled by his gesture and finally decided to confront her about her unreciprocated affections.

"You know Lacey, I'm trying to be patient with you, I really am, but I'm also really into you. And it just seems like you're either too distracted to realize that, or maybe you do realize, but you just don't care. "

Justin wasn't sure if he was coming across too harshly, but it was not his intention to. He watched as the coerced smile on her face dropped, and feeling badly, he continued. "Look, all I'm saying is, if you don't feel the same way, I mean," he tries to compose himself, "If you don't see a future with me, then please spare me the embarrassment. I don't want to fall for you if you're not in it," he said gently.

"Justin, I-"

"You don't have to give me an answer now. I'll give you this night to figure out your feelings."

Lacey found it hard to swallow. She was embarrassed that Justin was calling her on her feelings, but she knew he was right; she had been completely unfair to him.

"Hey," he lifted her chin up, detecting the sadness in her eyes, "cut that out, you're to beautiful cry, and it's your big day." He kissed her on the forehead and embraced her with his arms.

For the first time since they had been together, Lacey felt connected to Justin. She needed to be honest with him, and herself. Lacey started to tell him that she had already made up her mind about who she wanted to be with, but the chauffer beeped the horn in the limo impatiently, signaling them to hurry up. Lacey grabbed her purse, and Justin escorted her to the car.

"Ugh, come on divas. We're going to be fashionably late!" Tyler yelled from the roof of the limo. Justin held the door for Lacey as she stepped into the vehicle. He climbed in after her. Lacey didn't want to draw any attention to her new accessory, but Phoebe blurted out "Oh. My. Gosh. Lacey is that a real diamond? "She pointed at the necklace around Lacey's neck.

"Um, yeah," she said her face growing warm as everyone, specifically Danny, directed their attention to her. Lacey watched his eyes growing envious as his eyes jumped from her to Justin.

Danny leaned back and whispered something to Jo, which caused her to laugh hysterically. Lacey sharpened her eyes at the two of them. They looked really good together. Jo was always there for Danny, she thought, even when Lacey and everyone else shunned him, Jo had faith in him. Lacey looked over at Justin was holding a conversation with Tyler, and then she looked back at Danny whose hand had traveled down to Jo's knee.

Lacey surprised herself when she jumped onto Justin's lap. She instantly assaulted his lips with steamy kisses and began nibbling on his ear. Justin looked confused but pleased; he pulled her away from him searching for an explanation.

"The answer is yes. I want you," she narrowed her eyes at him with a flirtatious smirk.

Tyler, assuming Lacey meant she wanted Justin sexually, commented, "Whoa, now. If you're gonna do it in the limo, at least let me get my camera." He and his date were the only ones who laughed.

Danny was not even watching, he was staring blankly out of the window of the limousine. He poured a flask out of his coat pocket, and signaled for everyone's attention. He started tapping on the flask as if to make a toast. He raised it in the air and announced, "To new beginnings."

Danny had his hand on top of Jo's and was staring directly at her. Lacey sat back down in her seat as Danny passed around the flask. When it reached her, Lacey took a drink and cheered, her eyes narrowing at Danny directly. "To new beginnings."

…

Finally, they were had arrived to their destination. The gym was decorated with balloons and streamers. Pretty lame, Lacey thought. She vowed to be on the decorating committee the next year. She couldn't bare to join this year, it was something she and Regina had always talked about doing before they got into high school. Regina always envisioned herself being crowned the queen. She even prepared an acceptance speech. Lacey smiled at the memory of her best friend. She looked at a poster on the wall: Queen Lacey Porter for Homecoming. She laughed to herself, her campaign team was really serious about this whole homecoming thing. She really only wanted to win it for Regina.

"What was that, in the limo?" Justin interrupted her thoughts. "I thought you didn't like public display of affection."

"Well- I-" Lacey fumbled around her words, "I don't like public display of affection. Unless I'm in a relationship with someone." This caused Justin to blush. "So does this mean we're dating?" He asked hopefully inching his way near her. Lacey smiled but didn't say anything. She could have kicked her self for her poor choice of words. Justin didn't wait for her to respond. He led her to the dance floor.

…

Danny was having such a great time with Jo at the dance. It was so nice to have her back in his life again, but all he could think about was Lacey. He allowed his eyes to wonder over to where she and Justin were dancing periodically. He tried to push her out of his mind.

"Jo, I'm curious. You look beautiful, you smell amazing. You are one of the most genuine people I have ever met, and you have been my biggest supporter since the beginning." He paused for a moment. "Why don't I feel- I've tried, but-"

Jo sighed angrily. "So, I guess all that crap about new beginnings, the way you looked at me in the limo, what was it all just to make her jealous?" Jo pushed Danny away from her and started to walk away. He pulled her back to him.

"No, I wanted to give it a try, to see what it would feel like," he said apologetically.

"So kiss me." Jo didn't give Danny the chance to say anything. She grabbed him by his collar and pressed her lips on his. After she pulled away, Danny just stood there awkwardly

"I just wanted to give it a try - you know- to see what it would feel like," she mimicked him and then stormed off. Danny continued to stand there, stunned, too stunned to realize that Lacey was watching them from the stage. She had just been crowned homecoming queen.