At Raven's, a band whose name I can't remember, is playing some up-beat music, and people are standing in front of the stage cheering for them. It's nearing seven o'clock and more people show up as the light in the sky is darkening. I'm sitting with Dylan at a giant table where all of us have been sitting. The other four have disappeared to wherever and haven't returned. "So, where did the others run off to?" I ask him. He chuckles and avoids my eyes again. "I'm not supposed to say." I figure out that Dylan cannot look me in the eye when he's trying to lie about something. Obviously something is up with the other four, and obviously Kay is back in his life. "Ominous," I laugh with him. His eyes flicker behind me and a smile spreads on his face. Before I can turn around, a giant bouquet of flowers is placed in front of me. It's a monster of all sorts of flowers. "This is gorgeous, you guys," I cover my mouth and marvel at the colors. "Surprise!" Reece exclaims. Anthony gestures to the bouquet. "Here, you are looking at peach roses...um, someone's breath, and—" "Anyway, there are a lot of flowers and they're beautiful," Casey says. "We all pitched in to get these for you." "Some more than others," Anthony says, glancing at Dylan. It isn't some small, simple bouquet of flowers. It's a quality arrangement, meaning it must've cost them a lot to get it and I instantly feel bad. "Not to sound ungrateful, but you guys didn't have to do this," I tell them. "You deserve it," Casey shrugs while smiling. I hug her first. I don't know what I'd do without her. Then I move to Reece, Anthony, and Carlos. I walk up to Dylan and he waves it off. "Save the hug," he smirks. "Well, I'm giving you one anyway," I say, going in for the hug. He stops me halfway and holds up a finger. "Let's go to my car first." He let's everyone know we'll be right back and I flash a confused look at Casey and she only shrugs. We get to his car and he reaches into the backseat and pulls out a purple gift bag with decorative curly ribbon on it. "From me to you." I can't help but smile as I hold it in my arms. I stare at it, not believing he got me a present along with pitching in for the flowers. "Well, are you going to stare at it or open it?" he asks impatiently. "Calm down, I'm opening it." I laugh as I pull out the tissue paper and peer inside. My heart soars when I see a big box in the bag. I draw it out of the gift bag, studying it until I figure out what it is. "Dylan..." "You seemed to really like the lights in my room, so I got you some of your own. They're not exactly like mine, but I hoped you wouldn't mind." They're plain white Christmas lights, and I'm already picturing where I can put them in my room. "I don't mind at all." I practically hug the box. "This is so sweet of you, Dylan. Thank you." He shrugs. "I try." A laugh escapes him "Don't ruin the moment," I chuckle. We stare at each other for a moment. His eyes flicker to my lips and licks his own. My mind goes to our first kiss and briefly wonder if there will ever be another one. He clears his throat and scratches the back of his neck. "Listen. Lace, I've been wanting to talk to you about something." I nod, not trusting my voice. Whatever he wants to say he's clearly nervous about it. Before he can say anything else Anthony's voice interrupts us. "Hey, Derrick and Jared are going on early." He's standing at the entrance. Dylan's jaw seems to tense up. "Thanks, Anthony," he says, almost sarcastically. Anthony smirks and goes backs inside. "You were saying?" I ask, desperate to know what he wants to say. "I'll tell you later," he says. "Let's get back inside." I put the box of lights back in the bag. "Can I leave this in the car?" He nods and I put it on the passenger seat. When we walk back inside, I can't help but notice my flowers are about the most colorful thing in the building and I smile to myself. We all wait for Derrick and Jared to go on stage. Reece and Anthony are talking quietly to each other and Carlos and Casey are having an animated conversation. People start to cheer once Derrick and Jared finally emerge. They sit down and get everything situated. Derrick smiles at everyone. "How is everyone tonight?" he asks the crowd. They all cheer some more and I realize how much of a great stage presence they have. "Well, we're going to slow it down for a few minutes. Why don't you all grab that special someone and bring them onto the floor?" His eyes flicker to me and he gives me a big, but mischievous, smile. Carlos immediately jumps up and looks at Casey. He doesn't even have to ask her to dance. They lock hands and pull each other to the dance floor. I feel Dylan move next to me and I glance at him. My eyes are blessed at the sight of his smile. "Care to dance?" My heart thumps hard in my chest as he leads me to the floor where everyone is and the music starts to play. Jared strums the guitar and Derrick's voice fills the room. The familiar chords of This by Ed Sheeran run through my ears. Dylan has his arms wrapped around my waist and I put mine around his neck. He's smiling down at me and I can't help but smile back. I lean my head against his torso, just as I had done at homecoming, and we sway to the sound. My mind is swirling with thoughts that scare me. Everything is so right with Dylan. The way we laugh with each other, the way he listens to my rants, and the way he lets me into his world just a little more each time we're together. His heart is beating fast in his chest as his hands trace patterns on my back. Derrick's voice joins Jared's, both singing as Dylan pulls away from me and we lock gazes. His eyes are so dreamy and mesmerizing I can't bring myself to look away from them. His cool hand cups my cheek and I feel exactly how I felt when we first kissed. The butterflies in my stomach are erupting as he leans down and kisses my cheek lightly. This is a small glimpse of what life would be like if we were together and I like what I see. Before either of us can say anything he's ripped from my arms, tearing the fantasy I've conjured in my head. Beyond him is Kay pulling him away. He finally stops her and yanks his arm away. I'm frozen in my spot, just watching them and waiting to see what would happen. It's as if she's trying to intentionally hurt me and take him from me just when I thought I had him to myself. She's grabbing him wherever she can and is still trying to pull him toward the exit. Derrick and Jared start another song, something more up-beat, so I can't hear what Dylan and Kay are saying to each other. "Come here," Casey suddenly says next to me. She spins me around so I'm not looking at Dylan and Kay. "Are you okay?" "I don't know," I say, finding my voice. My feelings for Dylan hit me like a truck at full speed and I think he's returning those feelings, but not with the help of Kay. "Kay is such a bitch. She's just jealous because Dylan obviously likes you," she says, crossing her arms and looking behind me. Her eyes widen and her arms drop to her sides. "Oh no." That's just what I want to hear. Dylan and Kay are still standing by the exit, but Xavier has joined them. Only, Xavier is dangerously close to Dylan's face. I'm not sure what Casey is feeling when she sees Xavier and the look on her face is undistinguishable. I'm anxious to see how he'll react to seeing her. "What did I tell you about running around behind my sister's back?" Xavier asks Dylan, poking his shoulder roughly.