Ace is in the bathroom and Mel is helping her apply some makeup. "Why do I have to wear this?"
"It's just makeup Ace, it won't kill you."
"I got a boyfriend without ever wearing any makeup, why do I need to wear some tonight."
"Because it's a date."
"Our first date."
"Are you nervous?"
"Why should I be?"
"You two haven't been out together."
"We have been to school."
"Ace that is not what I mean and you know that."
"I don't know. I have strong feelings for Graham, but I have never been to a school dance or even on a date."
"How strong are your feelings?"
"It's hard to explain."
"Well, we should finish, come one." When they are done, they head downstairs to find Graham, Sarah Jane, Zoe, Harry, Liam and John. Graham takes a step back as he watches Ace walk down the stairs, her hair framing her face with light curls.
"You look beautiful Ace," Liam says.
When Ace steps in front of Graham he lays the shawl over her shoulders. "Beautiful doesn't even describe it. You are always beautiful, tonight you are breathtaking."
"You look very handsome yourself."
"Come on, we need a picture of you two," Zoe says. Mel steps aside as Zoe snaps a picture, "Mel now you get in the picture." Mel does as told, Ace is in the middle. Graham has his arm around Ace, and Ace has her arm around Mel's shoulders.
"Come on you two, we should get going if we want to eat and get to the dance at a decent time." Ace and Graham follow Mel out.
"He couldn't take his eyes off her." Harry says.
"Sort of like the first time you saw me dressed like that," Zoe reminds him.
"I know, but we weren't teenagers."
"Harry, I gave Graham a set of rules tonight, so don't worry." Sarah Jane informs him.
"And he respects her." John adds.
In the car, "if the two of you want to kiss or makeout, I won't tell."
"I was giving some rules for tonight."
"You were."
"Yeah, and respecting the both of you is one of them."
"Ace, do you want to kiss Graham?"
"I do."
"Graham, do you want to kiss Ace?"
"I do."
"You are hereby respecting the both of us. Kiss your girlfriend." Mel focuses on the road again as she hears two happy sighs as lips meet in the back. The kiss doesn't last long.
"Hello."
"Hello." Mel hears nothing else the rest of the way to the restaurant just looking back as she changes lanes to see them staring into each other's eyes.
"We are here at the restaurant." Graham gets out in time to open the door for Ace, the two walk up behind Mel, Graham lets go of Ace's hand to open the door for both Ace and Mel. As Ace enters she takes his hand again.
"Table for three," Graham says.
"I thought I was eating by myself."
"Graham and I talked about it, you shouldn't eat by yourself."
"Oh." What both ladies don't know is that Graham is paying for all three of them. After they had been sitting down and reading their menus. "That is my foot."
"Sorry Mel," Ace adjusts so she can run her foot along Graham's. He hooks their ankles together as they order their food. Mel watches Ace and Graham quietly flirt throughout the whole meal. When the check comes Graham takes out his wallet as Mel takes out hers.
"John gave me extra money to pay for all of our meals."
"Why?"
"He didn't say." They make their way back to the car and head to the school. On the way Ace reaches for Graham's chin to bring his attention to her.
"Have you been to a dance before?"
"No, I haven't. I'm glad my first dance is with you, my girlfriend."
"I am also glad my first dance is with you, my boyfriend." Mel is smiling listening to them as she drives to the school dance.
"What do you think everyone is going to say?"
"I don't know, honestly outside of our group, I don't know many people. Outside of Mel, you were the first person I met at this school."
"I was also the first you saw."
"With that boyish smile that would get me to fall for you."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"We are here now, continue that flirting on the floor." Ace and Graham stop the three sign in as Nyssa and Tegan come up to them and bring them to the area everyone is dancing. The song soon changes to a slow song, Mel leaves the floor to find Yaz. "I was wondering if you were going to show up."
"I did while you all were on the floor," Yaz looks on the floor as Ace is tucked into Graham's arms, head in between his neck and chest, hands clasped together eyes closed as they dance to the music. After the song is over Tegan and Nyssa make their way over to Mel and Yaz.
"Do they know the song has changed," asks Tegan.
"No." A classmate comes up behind them named Peri.
"Do they know this is a break up song?"
"How do you know?" Mel asks her.
"I am taking ASL so my Mom and I can communicate more. This was a sign song I did."
"I don't think they are listening to the lyrics," Mel says. "If this is a break up song why are they playing it?"
"I don't know." Ace and Graham look at each other before heading back to the group. He goes to the punch bowl grabbing some for him and Ace.
"Enjoying the dance," Mel asks her.
"I am, I didn't think I would like it this much."
"You have been in his arms for two songs."
"It was more than one?"
"It was, this is Peri."
"We have history together."
"We do," Ace doesn't remember her as Graham comes back with two drinks and hands one to her.
"I am not surprised, you spend half the time flirting with Graham."
"I should pay more attention to those around me, I am sorry."
"Oh it's nothing; watching love bloom."
"Love," both Ace and Graham say together.
"I, we, I." Ace is nervous.
"Love is wonderful." Peri says. Mel is trying to figure out a way to get Ace out of this conversation.
"Ace, want to take a walk around the areas we are allowed to go," Graham asks.
"Sure." Ace and Graham walk away.
"What's up with that," asks Tegan.
"I cannot say."
"You know right?"
"I know, but it isn't my story."
"Does Graham know?"
"Only because he's our neighbor."
"What happened?"
"Tegan, I can't say anything. I don't want Ace's first dance and date ruined."
"You'll tell us later."
"No, the only person that can tell you is Ace."
Outside in the chilly night, "are you ok."
"Thank you, not many know about my personal history."
"Outside of your family, it's just Sarah Jane, John and I right?"
"Yes."
"Well, I will do everything to protect it from getting out."
"Thank you."
"You shouldn't thank me, I promised this myself the moment you told me."
"Why did all of that happen?"
"I don't know why, why did my Dad try to strangle me."
"WHAT?!"
"I hadn't told you that."
"No." She stands to face him fully.
"After my Mum died he got rid of everything that reminded him of her. The last thing was me. I ran to my neighbors who called the cops. Within the next month I am moving to a different country with my Aunt and her friend. My Dad was out of jail. They decided along with Child Protective it was best to get me out of the country."
"We have lived very similar lives."
"I guess so."
"Graham, you understand that I like you a lot."
"I like you a lot too."
"I don't know when I'll be ready to say those two words that Perri was talking about."
"It's fine."
"No it's not. You deserve someone that can."
"Ace, I like you. I have since the first day we met. It felt like a piece of my soul came to place when you smiled at me."
"I know what you mean."
"It may take a while for both of us to say those words, when we are we are. Want to head back in?"
"I do." They start to walk back in, but Ace stops.
"What?"
"This," she brings them closer and the two share a tender kiss. "You understand me."
"Isn't that my job as your boyfriend."
"Tonight, you have been the perfect boyfriend."
"I have?"
"Yes." As they walk back in Mel shoots Ace a look, she smiles back at her before Ace and Graham start dancing again.
"Mel," Tegan comes up to her.
"Yes."
"Are you mad?"
"No, you have to understand Ace is my sister now; I will protect her with everything."
"This is a new side of you."
"She deserves someone like this."
"Everyone does." Nyssa comes up and grabs Tegan and they head back to dancing.
"You know in the year or two that I have known Graham he hasn't been happier." Yaz says coming back to Mel after leaving to get some punch.
"In the time I have known Ace, I could tell something was holding her back. It is slowly disappearing and I partially thank Graham for that."
"You need to give you and your family credit for that too."
"I know," she watches as Graham twirls Ace.
"Graham," Ace whispers in his arms."
"Yes?"
"We should try to go on more dates, maybe even a movie one where we will be in a dark theater. Our lips can touch with no one caring or watching us."
"Just like our little hideout."
"Exactly."
"Tonight I will be walking you both to the door."
"At least this time it will be more than a cheek kiss."
"I got to say you did surprise me that night."
"Like you surprised me living next door."
"I think that was a pleasant surprise to the both of us." The rest of the dance has a number of group dance songs including Cupid Shuffle.
On the way home Ace has her head on Graham's shoulder lightly sleeping. Graham is watching the dark streets go on by as Mel drives. "Graham?"
"Yes Mel?"
"How do you feel about Ace?"
"Each day my feelings grow deeper. I want to make sure nothing happens to her."
"You and me both, you understand that?"
"I more than understand." The rest of the drive is silent as he keeps looking at the streets and at Ace with a soft smile. Mel catches it a few times.
"We're here."
"Ace, wake up."
"Huh?"
"You fell asleep." Mel is out of the waiting to lock it. "Come on, let me walk you to the door so you can go to bed."
"Mmmk." Graham helps her out of the car and Mel locks it.
"I am going to leave the two of you to say goodnight, remember Dad will probably still be up." Mel walks in as Ace turns to face Graham.
"As first dates go, I got to say this was the best possible," she gets closer to Graham.
"Any with you would make it the best."
"You flatter me."
"I try," he places one arm around her waist.
"No need to try with me," she closes the last little bit of distance until they are kissing. Before it can grow deeper a light flashes alerting them to a parent coming. "Goodnight Graham."
"Goodnight Ace." Ace heads in as Harry is about to open the door. "Hello Dad."
"Ace?"
"I had a nice time tonight."
"And the kiss goodnight?"
"It was just an innocent kiss, Dad. I am going to head to bed." Harry turns to Mel.
"Mel?"
"Graham was the perfect gentleman."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Dad, the only time I did not see one of them is when Graham rescued Ace from an uncomfortable conversation, when they came back everything was exactly the way it was when they left."
"What do you mean?"
"A classmate brought up the 'L' word and it freaked out Ace, so Graham took on a walk around the approved areas of the school. I am going to bed too."
"Night Mel."
"Night Dad."
He walks to Ace's room and knocks on the door. "Come in."
"So the dance?"
"I told you I loved it."
"I know, but did anything happen?"
"Graham and I grew closer."
"I."
"Dad, it's innocent right now. If something more happens, I promise to talk to Mom ok."
"Ok. I love you, Fire Princess."
"I love you too Dad."