CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The hall was decorated in a black and red colour scheme and Ivy couldn't help but feel impressed. Dana may be annoying and whiny, but at least she knew how to decorate properly. Ivy tugged at the sleeves of the black dress she had chosen and itched at the lace. Her feet were sore from the shoes that Dana had picked out for her. And the makeup on her face made her feel weighed down.
"Hey." Brent appeared and Ivy remembered that she had asked him to the disco. She cringed.
"Hello." Ivy forced a smile. "You look... nice."
Brent shrugged and picked at the hem of the suit he had put on. "Eh."

People started to flood in and Ivy spotted Hazel, alone. She perked up and spotted an opening to get away.
"I'm sorry, Brent." She put as much sincerity into it as possible. "My friend needs me. I'll get back as soon as possible."
Ivy rushed towards Hazel, throwing herself down beside her. Brent was swallowed up by the crowd.

"What are you doing here?" Hazel questioned.
"You look a bit upset." Ivy paused and looked around. "Where's Finn?"
Hazel blinked. "I thought he was with you."
"No, he's not." Ivy froze. "Oh. The prank."

Hazel laughed with a roll of her eyes. "I should have known. He cares about pranks more than he cares about food and girls combined."
"What?" Ivy tried to peer above the crowd. "What did you say?"
"Never mind." Hazel sighed. "What are you doing?"
Ivy had clambered onto the chair and was desperately looking for any sign of Brent or Finn.
She couldn't see them.

"This is awesome." Lionel beamed as the lights danced and music filled his ears. "You having a good time, Heather?"
The girl was grinning, elated, just like Lionel. "Yes! This is the best night ever!"
They were dancing and their minds were only on the music and the joyous feeling rushing through their veins. It did seem like a perfect night. Jace had decided to stay at home - which Lionel was pleased about, because he didn't want his brother to get hurt.
Lionel then noticed how nice Heather looked in the dark pink dress that she had chosen, and her hair wavy.
He averted his eyes and looked around the hall. But his eyes landed on Cinder and he felt the happiness begin to drain from his veins.

Cinder was wearing a dark green dress that matched her eyes and her smoky brown hair. She was perched on a chair, talking to her sister, Poppy. Both girls seemed happy enough, but Lionel couldn't help the feeling that was jabbing at his heart.
"Hello?" Lionel suddenly became aware that Heather was talking to him. "Lionel, wake up! Did you hear what I said?"
"What? Sorry, I spaced out." Lionel confessed apologetically.
Heather rolled her eyes. "I said, this is my favourite song."

Lionel focused on the music and smiled. "I like this song too. Shall we dance?"
"Aren't we doing that already?" Heather laughed. "But, okay, sure."

Finn pushed back his red hair and straightened his tie. A grin had worked its way onto his face as he stood in the mirror. He looked towards a staging technician who he didn't know the name of and pointed dramatically. "Music - off."
The guy turned the music off. "Done."
"Dramatic music - on." Finn waited for the technician to do it. "Lights - off."
He grinned at the screams of fear and shouts of annoyance. "Spotlight, now!"
Then he took up his position at the entrance to the stage and made sure his tie was in the correct place. He set his shoulders back and rubbed his hands together.
Tonight was going to be perfect.

"Spotlight. Now."

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