Rose couldn't concentrate. It was English and everyone was to read the next few pages of the assigned book while the teacher graded papers. Rose couldn't concentrate on her reading because she was all too aware of her boyfriend, sitting next to her. Jack's concentration was on the book, but the cologne he was wearing was distracting. Rose just wanted to lean into him and stay there for the rest of the period.

Giggling from a few seats to her right caught her attention. Madeline and Constance were two of the students not doing what they were told. They were whispering to each other and Rose knew about what. Saturday was Madeline's ball. A fancy party that her family threw every year. Rose had gone to each and every one, except for this year, where she clearly wasn't invited. Which was fine. She wasn't going to go anyway. She rolled her eyes and went back to looking at her book, trying to read it and not pay attention to the nice smelling boy next to her.

Ten minutes later, the bell for next period rang. Rose and Jack were gathering up their things when Madeline and Constance appeared in front of their desks. Rose didn't bother to disguise her frown.

"What are you two up to?"

"Mother said we had to invite you. That it was the proper thing to do. It is formal, so make sure your boyfriend dresses the part. A handsome boy like him should clean up nicely," Madeline gave Jack a glance over that Rose took as flirty.

"Eyes to yourself, Madeline. Jack likes girls that don't fangirl rapists," Rose frowned.

"He's handsome enough to slum it, but my standards won't allow it. Come or don't come. I don't care. It's just a formality. Even that mousy Annabelle is getting an invitation," Madeline rolled her eyes before walking away.

"What was that about?" Jack asked, taking Rose's hand as they walked out of the classroom.

"Saturday is Madeline's big formal that she has every year. Everyone dresses up in ball gowns and tuxedos and pretend that it's 1912 again," Rose rolled her eyes. "It's all very formal and very boring. I am so glad that I'm not required to go this year. Unless you want to go, just to check it out. She is right about one thing. You would look great in a tux..."

Jack just laughed and shook his head. "That's definitely not my scene. But if you want to go..."

"I don't," Rose laughed. "I just thought I'd put it out there just in case you wanted to."

"Nah. I have to save my pennies for the suit I'm wearing to the senior dinner dance. That is the only formal party I plan to attend...that and the prom."

Rose sighed as they stopped at his locker. She knew that she had to go in the opposite direction now for her next class, but she still wasn't ready to part from him. "At least there's Tommy's party to look forward to. It's our first party as a couple."

"Mmm, it is. It's going to be awesome," Jack grinned. "But if you really do want to go to that formal..."

"I don't. Don't worry about it," Rose giggled, taking a step back. "I have to go. Wash off that cologne. Don't want anyone else flirting with you."

Jack just laughed. "I'm not wearing cologne, Rose. Just soap and water," He winked, taking out his books and closing his locker. "See you in art class."

"Of course you aren't," Rose smiled before heading for her next class. Walking to class, she realized something. She was happy. She was honestly and truly happy. It had been such a long time, she had almost forgotten what it felt like.

After class, Jack and Rose were just coming out of the school along with Helga and Fabrizio when Annabelle and Derrick came out behind them, not looking too happy.

"Did they give you one too?" Derrick asked as he and Annabelle came to walk beside Jack.

Rose noticed the invitation to Madeline's party clenched in Derrick's hand. So she hadn't been kidding.

"Yeah. She said her mother said she had to invite me. I turned her down of course."

"The nerve. After what them and my parents had put her through...and to make it worse, my parents are going to make Anna go. I know they will. The Astors are the richest family in town...to turn them down..."

"I don't want to go. Cal is going to be there, I know he will," Annabelle whinged her hands, real fear in her eyes. Rose felt bad for her. She had fled to her father's to escape the same treatment Annabelle was receiving from her parents, but where could Annabelle go?

An idea took hold of Rose just then. She remembered a movie she had watched once, where three girls had made copies of a party invitation and had handed them out to people that the girl giving the party wouldn't want to attend. Maybe...just maybe this formal would be worth attending after all.

"Follow me," Rose grabbed both Helga and Annabelle and led them back into the school, into the school library where a copy machine sat waiting. She took out her own invitation and placed it in the copier, and programed it to make 150 copies.

"Rose, what are you doing?" Helga asked, confused.

"We're going to make that party a little more livelier," Rose grinned, taking the copies, handing a stack to Helga and Annabelle. "I say we have Jack drive us to West Hollywood and invite some people that really know how to party."

Helga and Annabelle just looked at each other, both not too sure about this. Could they get in trouble? Well, there was only one way to find out.

"Well, if I am going to be forced to attend this thing, I might as well make it worth while," Annabelle accepted a stack.

The afternoon was spent in West Hollywood. The girls made sure to go to the most outrageous places to hand out the invitations, from beauty salons to shopping centers and liquor stores and bars. They handed the invitations to people that looked like they lived hand to mouth or were homeless, or who were just plain over the top. Anyone that looked like someone Madeline and Constance didn't want to attend got an invite. Jack and Derrick just watched in amusement, both glad to see Rose and Annabelle doing something to make them happy and to get some kind of revenge on the girls that had made their lives miserable.

"So are you and Rose going to this thing?" Derrick asked.

"I think we'll be there, but not formally. I don't want to miss the results of this errand we're on," Jack chuckled. "It's bound to be hilarious."

Derrick laughed. "I can't wait either. Unfortunately, I'm going to be forced to go as well."

"Hopefully this will make it all worth it."

"Here's hoping," Derrick nodded as the girls returned to the car, now empty handed. "So how did it go?"

"If they show up, it's going to be a party that no one will forget for a very very long time," Rose grinned, kissing Jack's cheek after fastening her seat belt.

…..

Saturday night came much slower than Rose had expected it to. Even Tommy's party seemed to drag on. It was fun, but it wouldn't compare to the fun to be had Saturday if the plans for Madeline's party came to fruition.

"What if the people you invited don't come?" Fabrizio asked. It was Friday night and he, Helga, Jack, and Rose were seated on a couch while Tommy was flipping through some CD's, looking for more music to play.

"Well then no harm, no foul. But I think people will come. I mean, why not?" Rose laughed. "And for once, I'm going to be attending without having to buy a new dress."

"We'll be meeting right outside the building, right? The side with the big window?" Helga asked.

Rose just nodded. "Yes. Plenty of room for us to watch the festivities. Lucky for Maddie's parents, they're not having it at their house this year, but at the Opal Palace Ballroom."

"This is crazy," Jack shook his head, laughing.

"Maybe, but it's fun and it'll be the perfect revenge," Rose shrugged, sipping her soda.

…..

Annabelle and Derrick Watson stood in the far corner of the huge ballroom. Derrick was dressed in a black tuxedo and Annabelle was dressed in a blue sequined gown that had short sleeves and skirt reached down to her feet, hiding the white sandals. She certainly didn't want to wear anything short and revealing, especially with Caledon Hockley expected to be in attendance. Her blond hair was piled up on top of her head in a cascade of curls. She was one of the most prettiest girls there, but no one dared approach her, thanks to Derrick, who stood by her side and glared at any of the formally dressed men in attendance. Men that had stood by the side of her rapist Caledon Hockley, who stood at the opposite corner of the room, surrounded by his fan club.

Classical music by a live band filled the air and waiters walked the room with drinks and platters of food. No one paid attention to the large window to the right, where Jack, Rose, Helga and Fabrizio remained hidden. The small group were not dressed for a formal ball, like the one inside, even though Rose and Jack could have attended if they had wanted to.

"Look at Cal. Like he doesn't have a care in the world," Rose frowned, feeling bitter.

"That will change once our guests, arrive," Helga snorted. She had never done anything like this before, but she had to admit that it was exciting. "Look, there's Annabelle! She looks lovely!"

Jack nodded. "She sure does." He looked around, taking in his surroundings, then saw a group of people heading their way. He grabbed Rose and pulled her to the side. "Everyone, move out of the of the way..."

Helga and Fabrizio followed Jack into some nearby bushes as a group of loudly dressed people came crashing through the huge window that they had just been standing in front of. They watched as the "invited" guests arrived, walking through both the door and the window.

"Oh my god," Rose laughed. Once it was clear that no one else was arriving, the teens went back to where they were standing before and watched as all chaos took over the formal party. A loud heavy metal band had taken over the music for the party. Glasses, decorations and food, and tables were being knocked over and thrown. Screams of disgust and loud laughter filled the air.

Derrick pulled Annabelle through the mass of people and was relieved to find the front door and pulled her out into the open air. They spotted their friends, who were doubled over in laughter and joined them.

"Is this what you had planned?" He asked.

"It's even better than what I had planned," Rose laughed, grabbing hold of Jack as more giggles overtook her as a punk rocker was trying to dance with Madeline.

"Look at Constance," Annabelle pointed, as a loudly dressed man in drag tried to dance with her, and Cal tried to interrupt.

"Maybe Hockley is jealous. Constance is getting in the way of his love interest," Jack snorted.

"Oh my god," Rose laughed even harder.

"This is fun, yes?" Fabrizio asked. "Tommy will be jealous when he finds out."

"Yeah Rose. You said these parties were boring," Jack snorted.

"They usually are...when left to their own devices."

Annabelle laughed. For the first time since coming home, she was having fun. Her tormenters were finally getting what was coming to them. She smiled at her brother as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "I think we've seen enough. Let's get home before Cal and his minions put two and two together."

"Let's get out of here," Jack wrapped an arm around Rose and led the way to his car, which was parked further down the street so it wouldn't be seen, while Annabelle and Derrick went to their own car.

As they drove past the ballroom, now full of loud music, Rose felt a sense of satisfaction and joy. She had gotten some of her own back tonight and hopefully the victories will keep on coming. For herself and for Annabelle.