PART 8: Monster Bash .2

Kelly had helped put this all together. She had known what it was going to look like, because she was the one who had put everything in all the right places. But something about having the music playing and all the townsfolk in their costumes there made it all more... real.

It was like everything had come alive now that the people were there. All the food and punch was laid out at the tables. The dance floor was empty as everyone was milling about in group around the edge of it, and the lights were painting the whole room in the underwater effect.

As they walked in people came up to talk to Franklin. Kelly had thought that meant she could let him go and let him socialize, but Franklin had not dropped his hold on her. In fact, he included her in every conversation.

It felt an awful lot like she wasn't just his date, but his girlfriend. The Mayor's girlfriend who had to help him greet all the townsfolk that wanted to talk to him.

That should have made her nervous, but with him beside her she hadn't been afraid. She had... she had actually had fun.

Eventually he managed to get her to the food table. "Sorry about that," he said. "I'm always the most popular..."

"You're their mayor. You keep them safe," she said. "Of course they're going to want to talk to you."

Realizing that Kelly wasn't bothered by this seemed to make Franklin even more happy. Sort of made her wonder if this was something that Selena used to complain about. It wouldn't have been fair if it was.

"I'm going to go get some punch..."

"Oh! Could you get me some?" she asked.

A playful sort of smile colored Franklin's face. "Uh... well... that was rather implied. Getting you some, I mean. But uh... I'll get you some punch if you do up a plate of nibbles for me, what do you say?"

"Fair trade!" she said and then turned back to the table to pick up a plate. She then went about putting two of everything she knew she'd like onto the plate and then a few things she knew he'd like.

By the time he came back with the conch shell shaped cups she had the plate done up.

"Is that all for me?" he asked.

"No, I thought we'd share," she said as she accepted the cup from him. "That way we both have a hand to eat."

"Mm, smart," Franklin said. "We'll take turns holding it then?"

"Or you could just feed me."

She paired that comment with a suggestive smirk, the kind she was used to seeing on his face. She wasn't sure how it was going as it only made his eyebrow cock in her direction. She wasn't sure why she was trying to flirt with Franklin, she still wasn't sure if he was interested in her after all.

She wasn't even sure if she was interested in him.

She figured that this could be part of the fantasy. Finally getting to go to the dance, with a date, and getting to flirt with them. She didn't expect him to kiss her, but if he tried she wouldn't stop him.

For a while they just stood together, shoulder to shoulder. Both sipping on their punch, Franklin taking nibbles and then carefully feeding hers. Each time he brought something to her lips a nervous giggle would escape her and he would smile back at her.

She figured, when he asked, she could just say she thought it was funny. Him feeding her. She wouldn't have to tell him that, really, that little giggle was covering up the nervousness she was feeling. Her heart would skip a beat, there was a whole typhoon of butterflies in her stomach, she was sure she was sweating uncomfortably.

After a while Franklin slid in a little closer to her and once again she felt a shiver awareness travel up to her spine.

God why was this happening to her?

Franklin shouldn't be eliciting this response from her. He had been horrible to her, they were frenemies at best. And it wasn't like she was in a position to start a romance of any sort.

"It's time for the first dance," Franklin whispered to her and she nodded.

This was the part she was most worried about. Yes she had spent an excessive amount of time practicing with him, but she didn't feel ready.

She took his offered hand, let him lead her into the middle of the room, and then turned to face him. He bowed to her, and she did her curtsy. She kept her eyes on his face, just like he told her to, so she wouldn't get too overwhelmed looking at everyone around them.

Always best to focus on your partner, not who may be watching, he had said to her. But that was easier said than done when the whole town was looking at her.

Or so she thought.

Because now that she had a proper excuse to be staring up into Franklin's face, she found she couldn't look away.

The music started, an orchestral sweep and right away he had them moving. At first she was worried, she tried to mentally count her steps, but as she held Franklin's gaze, as the music surrounded them, it all melted away.

She found, while staring into Franklin's eyes, she remembered her steps after all.

She felt like a fairy tale princess, dancing with her prince. She felt magical, she felt happy, like none of the care of the world could get her.

Not even her step mother.

But all of that shattered when the doors to the ballroom swung open with an awful crack like thunder. The music scratched to a stop and everyone turned as a black mist began to roll in.

And then she walked in.

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