"So, Julian, what do you say? Want to be my date to the Cotillion?" Lacey asked
"I... uh..." Julian stuttered
Autumn sighed sadly
"Sorry Lacey you're a nice girl I have a girlfriend." Julian sighs break the news
"That's too bad I happen to like you." Lacey sighed
"Sorry Lacey I'm sure there many fishes in the sea."
"You're right, ladies time to find a date." Lacey called the girls scattered around Berry High
"I thought you don't love me anymore." Autumn sighed
Julian cuddles Autumn. "I love you Autumn I pick you a million time. I was going to ask you to be my date for this Cotillion thing?"
Autumn giggles. "Yes I better find a dress." Autumn leave
"Hmph, I thought boys weren't even allowed on Athena's campus." said Payton
"They are allowed for dances! Yay! This is going to be best Cotillion ever!" Lacey cheered
"Ah, yes, well, I suppose that's true. Although, quick question, what's a Cotillion?" Nishan asked
"It's just the best fancy dance ever! You wear your best ball gown, you eat fancy foods, you flirt with your hot date." Lacey explained
"And you even get to vote on which girl should be crowned Cotillion Queen! Any girl can win the title!"
"Well, as long as she attends Athena Academy. Brigette, Katherine, and I have all been nominated." said Lacey
"Congrats, you guys. It sounds like fun." said Jess
"Hmmm... courtly intrigue and a brutal struggle for monarchy? That sounds just like a fantasy novel! I'm in!" said Nishan
"Yeah, except without all the boring stuff about dragons and ogres and snarfkins! I'm in too!" said Payton
"Finally! People with some sense of class!" Mia smiled
"I love Cotillion, but there's so much work to be done on the Grand Hall. Brigette, Lacey, can you lend me a hand?" Katherine asked
"I'm sorry. I have to make sure the rental company is dropping off the proper supplies." said Bridgette
"And I'm running errands for my Cotillion Queen campaign. You really should've scheduled more time to work on it, Kat. This was your ONE job." Lacey glared
"I know. I was just a little bit busy with the talent show but the decorations WILL get done, I promise!" Lacey and Brigette walk away, and Katherine sighs heavily. "It's going to take me forever to do it by myself."
"Hey, don't worry! We can help." Jess smiled comforts Katherine
"Mia and I would LOVE to be involved with anything Cotillion-related. We can grab a few other people too if you need it." Payton cheered
"I know some people who have a very ken eye for decorating!" said Autumn
"Oh, thank you! If you could help out, that'd be great!" Katherine smiled
Autumn gather the art club
Jess, Payton, Mia, and a couple other people start helping Katherine decorate the school's vast but empty Grand Hall!
"I've got gold ribbon, white beads, and star lights! I can create an awesome pattern on the glass ceiling if I do it right!" Madison smiled
"I can roll out a red carpet at the front of the entrance, so people can walk in with style!" Nathan smiled
"The large stained glass windows on the side are so classically vintage! I'll start dusting them, so we can put lanterns and candles on the sills!" said Diana
"That all sounds great! With your help, we'll turn this place into a dazzling ballroom for the Cotillion!"
A little while later, star lights hang from the glass ceiling, and dozen of white candles glitter in golden lanterns. The Grand Hall looks lush, rich, and ready for a party!
"Thank you! This is beautiful!" Katherine smiled
A trio of girls walks up to Katherine. Katherine talks with them for a moment before shaking her head and blushing. The trio runs off.
"What was that about?" Jess asked
"Oh! It's nothing. Those girls were, uh, just telling me they wanted to vote for me for Cotillion Queen!" said Katherine
Yeah? Do you think you're going to win?" Mia asked
"Er, well, I hope not! I'm sure someone nominated me just to be nice, but honestly I'm not really the queenly type, am I?" Katherine asked
"Sure you are! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!" said Autumn
"Oh, thank you! But I don't really want to win. I'd feel terrible if I did." Katherine sighed
"Huh?" Jess asked
"Oh, it's because of Lacey. She's got her heart set on the crown. Her mother was Cotillion Queen, and I know winning would just mean so much to Lacey. I don't want to get in her way." said Katherine
"In whose way?" Lacey asked
"Lacey! Katherine was just telling us how much you wanted to win Cotillion Queen." Jess explained
"That's the plan! Oh, listen, since you guys are still here, I could use you all as a sounding board. I want to put posters up to inspire people to vote for me for Queen... but I'm kind of lacking some great slogans. Got any I could use?" Lacey explained
"How about... Vote for Lacey! Don't leave a trace-y!" Payton suggest
"But... if they didn't leave a trace, how would their vote even count?" Lacey asked
"I was just happy it rhymed." said Payton
"You want something inspiring? I know the perfect people to ask!" Mia smiles gathering the Cheerleading Team
"Did you figure out what my slogan should be?" Lacey asked
"We got some examples from the cheerleaders." said Mia
"They're really good!" said Payton
Jess pull out a stack of notes and hand them to Lacey. "Personally, I like Give Lacey the Crown, She Won't Let You Down!"
"Ooh! I like it too! Rhymes are catchy!" said Payton
"Great! Sold! Love it! Now I just need to print these and post them up. Thanks for hanging the posters up. I appreciate it. Some of the other girls are pretty aggressive about winning the crown. I'm glad I can trust you." Lacey smiled
"The competition's that bad?" Payton asked
"Yeah. Winning Cotillion Queen is a big deal here. You get a little money and some recognition from the school AND the community. Some Queens have even been on TV! Anyone who says they don't want to be Queen is probably lying." said Lacey
"It must be nice to have someone like Katherine then for support. You know, since she's not trying to win." said Jess
"Ha, she's a great friend, but I mean, don't let her fool you. It's pretty brilliant that she's acting so coy. People will vote for the candidates who act like the underdog." Lacey chuckled
"She sounded pretty genuine." said Mia
"Maybe."
Bridgette approaches you and lays a hand on Jess arm. "Hey, Jess! I heard you were on campus, and I just HAD to see you!"
"Oh, uh... I guess it's nice to see you too. What's up?" Jess asked
"We need some help lifting some equipment, but we don't have enough people. It's be nice to get some strong guys helping out!" said Bridgette
"Hey, we girls can lift just as well as any of the guys!" Payton argued
"Of course you can." Lacey said sarcastically
"But sometimes it's nice to have a guy help out with the heavy lifting!" said Bridgette
"I'll see who I can round up." Jess rounds up a group of guys from Berry
"So what exactly are we doing?" Carlos asked
"The Athena Academy students really need our help setting up the Cotillion Queen's dais." said Jess
"A dais? What is that?" Alex asked
"Is that, like, a car?" Julian asked
"It's an awesome stage on top of a stage! It's a silver platform the Cotillion Queen is going to stand on when she gets crowned! I'm so excited to see it!" Payton squealed
"Silver? Sounds pretty spectacular." said William
"Do you think it's real silver we're dealing with here? Because, and I'm just saying, I know this guy." said Wes
"I get that we want to help, but is this going to take long? The arcade bought a vintage cabinet of Fierce Fist!" said Nishan
"And I had big plans of duking it out, 80s-fighting-style." said Sakura
"The arcade cabinet will be there when you get back, Nishan. Oh, here's Bridgette now!" said Jess
"Thanks so much, Jess! We're just a small school, it's nice to have more hands on deck! Now who's ready to set things up?" Bridgette asked
"Those guys are hot." Lacey blushed. "Would you be my date?"
"I'm taking Sakura." said Nishan
"I'm taking Sasha." said Ezra
"Sure." Carlos and William smiled
"I wouldn't miss out." Wes smiled
For the next couple hours, the guys lift, drag, and pull until the dais' silver platforms are all in place for the dance!
"This looks great! As a special thank-you for helping us, we'd like to invite you to our student lounge." Brigette leads the guys to a comfortable lounge complete with foosball, pool tables, massage chairs, a large wall-screen TV displaying ESPN, video game cabinets, a buffet of chicken wings and nachos.
"Foosball? Massage chairs? ESPN? I'm moving in here!" Julian smiled
"Free food, huh? You sure know how to impress a guy." Wes smiled
"Hey, my game is here! Fierce Fist! I'm all over that!" Nishan smiled
As your guy friends settle into their respective interests, Payton and Mia come over to Jess, concerned.
"Red alert, Jess! This is a serious emergency!" Payton exclaimed
"What's wrong?" Jess asked
"Uh, hello? Do you NOT see what's happening? The Athena girls are trying to steal the guys in school!"
Couple from different clique are formed together around Berry excited to go to Cotillion on their first date
"Status update. Many of the guys in our school are safely in relationships. I don't think you have to worry about the Athena girls stealing them." said Jess
"Whew! Red alert over!" Mia sighed in relief
Katherine finds Jess, Mia, and Payton hanging out near the student lounge. "Hey, you guys! I'm so happy I found you. Listen, Lacey, Brigette, and I are going shopping for the Cotillion at Chic Boutique downtown."
"Chic Boutique? I love that store! The salesladies there have practically memorized my credit card number!" Mia squealed. "Then my Dad cut me off I had to save up I'll pass Katherine I already have a dress." Mia sighed
"We wouldn't mind having some girls with impeccable taste in fashion come along!"
"Eeeee!!!" Payton squealed. "I love shopping
At the store...
"It's so nice you all could make it." Katherine smiled
"I couldn't turn down a trip to Chic Boutique! Inspiration for my next design." Brianna smiled
"I am always interested in the art of French fashion!"
"Ball gowns... part gown, part parachute. Can you even find me in here?" Brianna asked
"I think you look great." said Jess
"I was thinking of bringing a parasol with me. Too much?" Bridgette asked
"Maybe not enough!" said Jess
"Hee hee!" Bridgette giggled
"Hey, Jess, if you've got a second, can you tell me what you think of this crystal necklace?" Kate asked
"It's beautiful." said Jess
"Kate, it really accentuates your decolletage!" said Katherine
"Why, thank you! Your dress looks nice too, Katherine! It really shows off YOUR figure!" Kate smiled
"Oh, really? Maybe I should change." Katherine blushed
"No way! It's gorgeous! And with a sparkly necklace, it'd be perfect!" Kate blushes
"I did just pick up that diamond necklace in the window." said Katherine
"That's a six hundred dollar necklace!" Kate shrieked
"Chump change for Katherine! Look over here, guys. I found the perfect pair of shoes! They'll look hot when I walk across that stage to be crowned Queen!" Lacey smiled
Suddenly, the girls are interrupted by a saleslady, who hands Katherine a long white box with a black rose etched in the top.
"What's that?" Jess asked
"I'm not sure. The saleslady said it was delivered here. It's addressed, To The Students of Athena Academy" said Katherine
"What are you waiting for? Open it! Maybe it's a gift!" Lacey squealed
Katherine opens the box and pulls out a bouquet of wilted black roses. On top of them sits a note written in dark red.
"The note says, Lacey had better drop out of the running for Cotillion Queen, or else the dance will end in disaster. -Pandora." Bridgette reads the note
"Oh no!" Katherine gasped
"Don't just stand there! Did anyone see who left the note?" Lacey runs outside into the street. You leap up to follow her! Outside, Jess and Lacey scan the streets, looking for anyone suspicious.
"There!" Lacey pointed
A tall figure in a floppy hat and dark trenchcoat hustles around a corner. Jess and Lacey run all the way down to the end of the street to catch up with them! Jess and Lacey turn the corner, hoping to catch sight of the person who left the note. But when she get there, the figure is gone!
"They got away! Did you get a good look?" Lacey asked
"No the hat was too big. I guess we should get back to the others." Jess sighed
Jess and Lacey walk back inside Chic Boutique, a little worse for the wear.
"I'm sorry we didn't see anyone." Jess apologised
"It was kind of a longshot anyway. This Pandora girl seems to know what she's doing. I appreciate the effort, Jess." Lacey smiled
Jess regroup with her friends.
"So who is this 'Pandora'? Someone at your school?" Jess asked
"No... there's no one there with that name." said Bridgette
"So it's someone under a pseudonym... but who'd want to knock Lacey out of the competition?" Katherine pointed
"I don't know, but this is really serious! Should we try reporting it to someone at your school?" Jess asked
"Well, I don't know-" Bridgette shakes her head
"No! I don't think we should report it. The school's just going to go into an uproar, and no one's going to admit to this. What if they cancel the dance?" Lacey panics
"You're right..." Bridgette sighed
"Can I help in any way?" Jess asked
"No, it's okay, Jess. This is our problem. Whoever this person is, I bet she just wants to win the crown for herself." said Lacey
"But we don't want anyone to get hurt. What if she's planning something horrible?" Katherine asked
"Are you kidding me, Katherine? We do NOT negotiate with terrorists. Or creepy blackmailers." Lacey stands
"Lacey's right. I don't know who this Pandora thinks she is, but she can't bully us with some vague threat and a declasse box of roses!" said Bridgette
"This is some scared loser's bluff. Nothing more. I'm not backing down." Lacey glared
"Okay. I suppose. Let's just make sure that everything will go right tonight at the Cotillion." said Katherine
"I guess we'll see you all again at the dance tonight. Don't be late! We'll need you for the opening waltz!" Bridgette reminded
"Opening waltz? I didn't know there'd be an opening waltz." said Jess
"Every worthy party has one. I know some people who can train everyone if you'd like." said Mia
"Yeah! We'd better go practice!" Jess gather everyone in the gym for waltzing practice. Mia and a couple dancers line everyone up.
Mia announced "Listen up, everyone! William and Willow are the best of the best. They will be teaching everyone what to do for the opening waltz ceremony."
"Is this really necessary? I'm pretty sure I've got it. Everything I need to know I saw in a cutscene of Final Fantasy VIII." Sakura asked
"Well, the difference between that and real life is everything!" William pointed
"Now partner up! By the time this is over, you're going to know the Viennese Waltz better than anyone in Vienna!" Willow ordered
After a difficult hour...
"Nishan! You have to hold Sakura closer! Your hand should go lower onto her back!" William ordered
"Lower? Uh, er... I don't think that's a good idea.." Nishan sighed
"Come on, Nishan. Waltz better! Everyone else is making us look bad!" Sakura yelled
"And ONE, two, three... ONE, two, three... almost done!" Willow called
"This is like the combine, huff, but girlier!" said Julian
"Aaaaand take a bow! Good job, everyone! This looks halfway decent!" said William
"Now let's all go home and get ready for the dance!" Mia ordered
Some time later Jess is dressed wearing a blue gown like Cinderella, she meet up with her friends again.
"Nice dress Jess." said Payton
"Heh thank you looked really nice." Jess chuckled
A small fleet of limos suddenly pulls up in front of her! The driver of the closest car gets out, opens the door, and beckons you inside.
"Whoa, Jess, you really went all out!" Mia gasped
"It wasn't me actually..." said Jess
The driver hands you a note that says, I hope you don't mind, but since you've done so many wonderful things for Athena, I thought it'd be fun to send you a limo! See you in style! Love, Katherine.
"That girl is awesome! I love her!" Payton squealed
"I'll admit that I've never been thanked with a fleet of limos before." said Jess
"Oh yeah, Lacey was telling me that Katherine's family is crazy rich. Not a bad person to have on your side, right?" said Julian
"Less talking and more limo riding! Let's get in!" Mia ordered
"Jess, pick who you want in your limo!" said Payton
Jess picks her date Nathaniel
"This is going to be awesome!" Nathaniel smiled
"I know It's not every day you get to ride in a limo!" Jess smiled "This limo is pretty sweet! There's a TV playing old movies!"
"And there's a sparkling cider back here too!" said Nathaniel
Jess and her friends arrive at Athena Academy in style!
"I could get used to traveling by limo!" Payton smiled
"I'm already used to arriving by one!" Mia giggled
They rush inside, giggling. You hang back with Julian, who looks sheepishly from the limos to the Grand Hall ahead of you.
"Man, I think I'm in over my head with this whole Cotillion thing. Fancy clothes, waltzing, and shoes you can't get muddy?" Julian chuckled
"Hey, Nathaniel ready to go into the dance?" Jess lean in and kiss Nathaniel tenderly.
"Oh, Jess this night is going to be perfect. I can't wait to see how everything looks!" Nathaniel blushed
Jess and Nathaniel descend the stairs into the Grand Hall along with Payton, Tommy, Autumn, Julian, Nishan and Sakura where she see candles flicker, chandeliers and crystal sparkle, and the cathedral-style glass windows shine. A string quartet plays beautiful music, and waiters in fine livery hand out glasses of sparkling juice to all the guests.
"I know I helped set this all up, but seeing it now... it's really something, isn't it?" Jess smiled
At the bottom of the stairs, Jess and Nathaniel stop in front of a small backdrop to get their photo taken. "Say cheese!"
Eventually, Jess and Nathaniel line up with your friends on the dance floor for the opening waltz!
"Nathaniel, may I have this dance?" Jess take Nathaniel's hand and start waltzing elegantly on the dance floor!
"Woo, waltzing! Who knew a dance that's nearly two hundred years old would be so much fun?!" Payton cheered waltzing with Tommy. Lacey, Bridgette, Katherine and the girls from Athena danced with guys from Berry
"I did, but I don't think that's a surprise to anyone." said Mia
At that moment, Lacey steps onstage, wearing a gorgeous snow white dress. Julian stands at her side.
"It's time to vote for Cotillion Queen! Bridgette and Katherine will be handing out ballots, so check the name of your favorite girl! We'll crowd the queen in an hour!" said Lacey
"Hey, Jess and friends! Here are the ballots!" said Katherine
"Whoa, Lacey's name made it on the ballot! Aren't you worried after that threatening note you got earlier?" Payton asked
"Lacey doesn't want us to back down, and I agree. They're probably just bluffing anyway. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to pass these ballots around." said Katherine
"Who are you voting for, Jess? I'm picking Lacey. She really wants it, and I feel kind of bad after hearing about that letter! She deserves to win!" said Nathaniel
"That's true. I think I'm voting for Katherine. She was always so nice to us, and she sent us that limo!" said Jess
"Good choice. I'm sure she'll appreciate it." said Nathaniel
After the ballots are collected, Jess run into Bridgette at the snack table. "Hey, Jess, Lacey's a little nervous about that note from Pandora, so she wants someone she can trust to count the ballots. Do you know anyone who'd be a fair and impartial counter?"
"I know just the one!" Jess smiled called Jessica to count the vote
"Athena Academy needs the ballots counted? I can do that! I've been the ballot-counter in so many elections, I can do it with my eyes closed!" Jessica smiled counting the votes
A little later, Katherine, Lacey, and Brigette find Jess in the crowd. "The votes have been counted! Jessica's going to tell us who's Cotillion Queen!" Lacey cheered
"Squee! I can hardly wait!" Payton squealed
Onstage, Jessica gets everyone's attention.
"All right, I've got the votes but first I'd like to make a speech about what an honor crowning the next Cotillion Queen is!" Jessica announced
"Oh boy..." Jess gulped
While the others are focused on Jessica, Katherine whispers to Jess.
"I heard from your friend that you voted for me! Thank you for doing that. You didn't have to!" Katherine blushed
"I was glad to." Jess smiled
"I'm sure you're not here to listen to me speak all night. So without further ado, the Queen of the Athena Academy Cotillion is." Jessica announced "the Queen of the Athena Academy Cotillion is... LACEY!"
"I can't believe it!" Lacey walks onstage, collects a fresh set of red roses from Jessica, and bows to the crowd. Next to you, Katherine tenses up.
"Is something wrong, Katherine?" Jess asked
"I'm just remembering that note... I'm worried someone's going to try to harm Lacey..." said Katherine
Danny: "Everything seems to be going fine-" Before Jess can even finish the sentence, the sprinklers in the Grand Hall go off! Puke-green paint begins to rain down on all the party-goers, dousing the candles and staining people's clothes!
"Eek! My dress! Everything is ruined! This is a disaster!" As Lacey flees the stage, electronics spark, and half the lights on the ceiling fizzle out!
"This isn't good! Humans aren't well-adapted to the dark! We'll be easy picking for any nocturnal predators!" Nishan panicked
"Nishan! Get a grip on something that isn't my arm!" Sakura yelled
"Jess, can you do anything?" Katherine asked
"Quick, guys! We have to shut the sprinklers down!" In the dim light, Jess and Julian manage to round up a group of jocks.
"Attention! We need to shut these sprinklers down, so we're going to... uh... what are we doing?" Julian asked
"Apart we're stuck in poofy dresses we don't have time to change into gym clothes." Emily sighed
"There's got to be a control panel or something around here. Fan out and search for it!" said Jess
Jess and the jocks split up and search through the party, avoiding panicked people seeking shelter from the paint. After some frantic searching, Julian yells out. "Hey, Jess, I found it!"
He pushes a button on the control panel! The amount of paint from the sprinklers doubles!
"Ack! Wrong button! WRONG BUTTON!" Jess panics
"I noticed! If only we could cut off the paint!" said Julian
Jess glance up at the ceiling and spy some pipes leading out the door. She sprint! Jess rush outside and find a valve to a water main outside the building! As you turn the valve, relieved shouts come from the Grand Hall. Jess join her friends inside.
"Nice save, Jess!" said Payton
"I'm so glad you were able to shut off the sprinklers! When Pandora said it would be a disaster, I didn't imagine this!" said Katherine
"Well, I had fun before the paint show started." said Jess
"That's something at least. I guess we'll have to start cleaning all this up." said Bridgette
"Hey, wait... what's that?" Katherine picks up a note left on the Cotillion Queen's dais. "You didn't listen. Now you'll pay. - Pandora."