~Jordan~

Julia cried.

We were sitting on my bed, curtains closed tight, as we thought back to Jason. I had finally told Julia about him being a street fighter. She didn't seem as surprised as me, but she took it as an excuse to go back down memory lane and think of Jason and the evening that it all went wrong. What had felt like an eternity had only been two weeks. Two weeks where I felt the pain of Jason's absence and how he died at the hands of his own brother.

A couple more minutes passed before I turned to look at the time and tapped Julia's shoulder. "We have to go."

She stood up and rushed to the bathroom to fix her makeup as I threw on a black blazer. A few minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom looking normal, as if she didn't have a complete meltdown just moments earlier.

"Ready?" I asked her.

She nodded.

I clasped her hand and we walked out of the hallway and down the stairs. Julia's light pink dress swirled around her, the sparkles catching the light. We made our way through the blinding golden foyer and towards the door. Our parents ignored Julia as my mother looked towards me.

"We'll meet you there," she told me politely. I nodded my head once and followed Julia out the door.

Waiting for us on the driveway was an LG Connected Car. It was one of the first premium self driving cars that was originally made for a taxi system to be employed in the future, but my dad pulled some strings and got two for personal use. Not only that, he managed to get a six-seater version with two extra seats placed where one of the doors should've been.

Julia and I climbed in sitting across from each other in the seats closest to the door. I verbalized the end location of the Cavalier Manor for the annual winter ball and ordered the car to pick up the rest of the group on the way. The car jolted to life and followed my instructions.

Twenty minutes later we filed out of the car and onto the soft lawn of the Cavalier Manor. Up ahead, the mansion stood tall and pristine, golden glowing lights basking the lawn. Suites and gowns swirled around the grass and in and out of the big wide doors. More people milled around at the side in the garden with champagne in their hands.

Normally, most people hang outside for the beginning part of the evening and then make their way inside as the night went on. By midnight, everybody would be inside and ready for the Christmas celebrations.

The five of us made our way inside, barely saying a word as we practically memorized the manor after attending for sixteen Christmas Eve's. Tyler and I made our way to the long line of foods as Alyssa dragged the other two away to do god knows what. We devoured our little pastries as we watched the people milling about and running in and out of the place. Others danced on the dance floor and laughter filtered up to us, echoing around the room.

Sometime throughout the night I had lost track of Tyler and was standing in the corner, hands in my pockets as I awkwardly debated what to do. The doors were tightly shut as everyone milled about within the main room. It was eleven, approaching the time that the Christmas tree in the far end of the room would light up.

My eyes skimmed the dance floor. I found Lasiya dancing with Michael Mendoza, although they seemed very tense, faces grim as they spoke as if they were discussing the end of the world. Lasiya was continuously looking around, as if searching for someone or to keep on a look out. Her dark brown eyes locked onto my green eyes. She held her gaze for a few seconds before turning back to Michael.

I ignored them and searched the dance floor for more familiar faces. My eyes landed on Tyler who was dancing with Vera. The sparkly dark blue dress hung down in waves that fit her personality. She threw her head back and was laughing at something he said. He was smiling brightly down at her as they swayed through the crowds.

I looked away and turned only to almost run over Lyle. He was wearing a dark blue suite much like the one from the party. A golden watch glittered on his wrist. With one hand in his pocket, he calmly sipped a glass of champagne. His earring was still prominently shining. His cool grey eyes regarded me over the brim of the cup, tinting with amusement.

I gulped and quickly turned away. I wanted nothing more than to run away from the situation, but my legs couldn't move. I was rooted in place.

"Found you," he said.

I swallowed, unable to speak. Had he really been looking for me? I pushed the thought from my mind and tried to think about something else. Looking around the room, I noticed Mr. Cavalier, the host, making his way to the front door with a creased expression.

"Not one for conversation, are you?" Lyle said.

I shrugged and my eyes floated back to Vera and Tyler.

"Although, I have a feeling you could be wild if you want to."

I turned and looked at him. He winked. I quickly turned back around, the blood rushing to my face. My gaze set back on my two friends on the dance floor. Vera and Tyler were even closer to each other, if that was possible. Her eyes were sparkling even from where I was watching her.

"You're not bad," Lyle said after a while. "Even if you spend most of your time pining over unattainable treasures."

My head whipped towards him as he watched me, eyes unreadable as they gauged my every move.

"Don't deny it," he said. "It's pretty obvious."

"Not to her," I muttered before I could stop myself.

Lyle shrugged. "She just doesn't believe that she could be the subject of your affection."

I remained quiet. Why was I even talking to him about this? I wasn't sure. I just wanted the conversation to end. I moved from foot to foot as I tried to figure out how to get out of here.

Lyle must've noticed because his eyes narrowed. "I guess I should leave you to your pining then."

Before I could add anything else he whisked off into the crowd leaving me alone once again.

~Vera~

I leaned back as giggles escaped from my mouth. Tyler's hands were clasped around mine as we did the steps of a dance we had known well all our lives. I swirled and moved, tapping my feet, spinning in and out of his grasp. It felt nice to dance again in such a long time.

Tyler was visibly having as much fun as I was as methodically tapped along to the beat. Similar laughs of enjoyment were up all around us. The heat of the many bodies didn't bother me as I followed the steps of the music.

It felt nice to forget everything and just be happy.

Finally, the music flipped to a slower song and I caught my breath. Tyler placed his hands on my waist and I looped mine around his neck, steadying my breathing. After a while of slowly swaying, my mind flipped back to the events that transpired a couple days ago.

"Thank you," I said. "For the other day. Thank you for just being there and listening."

"Of course," he said. "Anything for you."

A warm feeling spread through my arms as I looked up at his eyes, my mind playing over his words. He quickly looked away and stumbled to change the subject.

"How are things with your parents?"

"They're alright," I responded. "I haven't talked to them yet, but I probably should. I don't feel as mad anymore and I kind of miss them. I want things to go back to the way they were."

Tyler nodded. "That's good. I bet they want to too."

I nodded along.

"How are you feeling with... everything?"

"Better. Much better after the diner. You really helped, Tyler," I looked up at his eyes again and this time he didn't look away. "You always did. No matter what. You were always the one person who understood me."

His brown eyes turned darker as they peered into my own. The warm feeling from earlier was replaced with something else, a sort of force, a longing. It was sudden, like a whirlwind between blue skies, but it was there nonetheless. It devoured through me as I stared even deeper into his eyes. The magnetic force propelling forward, closer to him. My eyes flicked to his mouth and all of my senses were lost.

Every ounce of logic was replaced by a need, a hunger. I needed it. I needed him. I leaned closer and I could see the battle behind his eyes, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do. It should've stopped me. I should've backed away. But I didn't. All it did was propel me forward. I pushed closer and I could see his brain starting to win his battle, crushing my heart.

"Vera-" he started, only to be cut off by the doors slamming open.

We jumped back, landing far from each other as we turned to face the front door from which multiple police officers were spilling in. The one in the front looked around the now chaotic room before landing on Jordan.

"Jordan Fredrick Kleizmick," he announced as he made his way towards him. My heart sunk, knees feeling weak.

No.

"You are under arrest for the suspected murder of Jason Hargrove."

The police officers clasped handcuffs as the room stilled to watch the spectacle. I looked around to find his parents gaping at the scene from the far corner. No one said a word.

Suddenly, Julia rushed forward, tears spilling from her eyes. Alyssa surged forward and wrapped her hands around Julia, stopping her from going any further. Julia tried to fight Alyssa's grasp, trying to reach her brother, but eventually stopped and reduced to tears in Alyssa's arms.

But Alyssa wasn't watching Julia or Jordan. I followed her eyes and saw them set on another brown haired, grey-eyed boy with an earring and blue suite. He look familiar but I couldn't place a name on him. He met Alyssa's eyes in an unreadable stare before turning back to watch Jordan.

Jordan's face was blank as the police guided him towards the doors. He gave Julia one last look before turning away.

They pushed him through the doors and no one uttered a word, the only sounds Julia's sobs and the police officer reading him his rights.

The doors slammed shut, the air stilling as no one made a move for a moment, unsure of what to do, before the ball room erupted into chaos.

The clock struck twelve.

Julia cried.

Jordan: Vote if you want to go to a ball.