Bonus Chapter 1

"How do I look?"

Martin squinted into the mirror, pushing the hair from his forehead for the fifth time. "Do you think Lucy will like it?"

"No," Robert drawled, walking back into my room. He brushed an imaginary speck of dust off the front of his blazer. "I think she'll take one look at you and vomit."

Martin shot him a disgruntled glare. "Gee, thanks."

"Robert, you have to be careful," I teased, patting Martin on the shoulder. "A single off-handed comment could send him into another panic-induced hair frenzy."

"Ha, ha." Martin rolled his eyes. "You guys suck."

"We're just messing with you," I said, offering a sympathetic smile. "We know how important this dance is to you."

"I just want everything to be perfect," he sighed. "This is our first school dance as a couple. I want to give her the night she deserves. And she worked so hard on the decorations, too." He reached to flick the hair from his eyes.

"Martin," I interjected, pulling his hand from his forehead, "everything will be fine. Lucy loves you. She won't care if your hair's slightly messy."

Martin's eyes widened in alarm. "Is it?"

"No," Robert interjected flatly.

Downstairs, the doorbell rang.

Robert and I sighed in relief.

"Okay," I said, raising my hands in a placating gesture, "that'll be the girls. Everyone, stay calm."

I whisked downstairs, practically throwing the front door open.

"Thank god you're here."

Ky quirked a brow. "...You sure sound happy to see us."

She and Lucy stood on my doorstep, peering curiously into the house.

"Is everything okay?" Lucy asked, tugging Ky inside.

She was wearing a long, sweeping dress in pale blue, and she'd twisted her hair (silver this month) into a low chignon, leaving a few wispy tendrils floating about her face.

"Yeah." I flashed my best inconspicuous grin. "Martin's just...a little stressed."

"Oh, no." Lucy glanced up the staircase. "Can I go check on him?"

I nodded vigorously. "Absolutely."

As she disappeared upstairs, I turned to Ky.

"You look nice."

A cream suit hugged her figure, and she'd twirled a strand of braided hair around her head in a half-crown.

She pulled me into a hug. "Has Martin really been that bad?"

I laughed into her shoulder. "Yeah."

"And Robert?"

"Cool as a cucumber."

Ky huffed a laugh. "Figures."

She crinkled her nose as we drew apart. "What's that smell?"

"W-What?" I stammered, shifting awkwardly.

"Are you wearing cologne?" Ky teased, eyes lighting with mischief.

I flushed bright red. "S-So what if I am? Most guys wear cologne to dances, don't they?"

Her painted mouth curled into a smirk. "Yours smells expensive."

It had been. I'd spent most of my allowance on an expensive cologne in preparation of tonight.

Not that I was gonna let Ky know that.

"Whatever," I muttered, hoping she'd forget it. "It's no big deal."

"Awww!" Ky slung an arm around my shoulders, voice raising shrilly. "Alyx wants to smell good for his man!"

"Leave him alone, Ky," Robert muttered, descending the stairs.

Martin and Lucy trailed behind him, arms linked, Lucy laughing into his ear.

"Thankyou," I sighed, pulling away. "Are we ready to go?"

"I think so," Lucy said.

"Who are you riding with?" Ky asked, turning to Robert.

I was riding with Martin and Lucy, and Ky was detouring to pick up her date on the way to school; she was taking Claire Riley from the softball team.

"I think I'll go with these morons," Robert replied, pointing at me. "I won't third-wheel you, Ky."

She grinned. "Much appreciated."

We all piled into Martin's car as Ky drove away, blaring music loudly through her open window.

"So, Alyx," Lucy began, peering over her seat as we pulled out of my driveway. "Is this your first high school dance?"

"I guess so," I admitted. "My last school dance was...God, I don't even remember."

"Sixth grade," Martin replied. "We went for an hour, and after a kid cracked his head open in front of us, my Mum picked us up."

Lucy's eyes widened in sympathy. "Aw, that sucks."

"Yeah, Martin and I pretty much swore off dances after that," I said, shrugging.

"But a certain someone convinced cynical old Alyx here to give them another shot," Robert broke in, wiggling his brows at me.

"Shut uuuuuup."

Lucy smiled. "That's cute."

I shrugged again, but my face burned as I gazed out the window.

The truth was, I was really nervous. It'd been a few months since I'd gotten back together with Cash, and while they'd been some of the happiest months of my life, I wasn't entirely sure about this dance. The students of Grammarville were insufferable at the best of times; snarky comments were bound to be plentiful tonight.

"Hey."

I turned as Robert tapped me on the shoulder.

"Don't stress, okay?" He smiled gently. "It'll be fine."

I nodded slowly, running a hand through my hair.

"What about you?" I added, glancing at Robert. "How are you feeling?" I knew he wasn't the biggest fan of public social events.

But Robert's smile widened into a broad grin. "Oh, me?"

He stared out the window as we pulled into the parking lot, watching Grammarville's dark, looming form materialise from the shadows. "I'll be just fine."

And looking into his face, I knew that was true.

- - - -

When we stepped into the gym foyer, it was completely empty. No Cash in sight.

"He said he'd meet me here," I said, glancing nervously at my phone. "He sent me a text fifteen minutes ago telling me he left." I looked up with wide eyes. "He should be here."

"Hey, don't panic." Martin placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "He'll be here."

"Want us to wait out here with you?" Robert asked.

"We don't mind," Lucy chimed in.

"No, no, it's fine." I gestured to the gym beyond. "You guys go. Have fun."

"You sure?" Martin frowned hesitantly.

"I'm sure." I rolled my eyes, attempting to seem unbothered. "See you in a bit."

As they filed past, I fished my phone from my pocket and dialled Cash. When he didn't pick up, I sent him a quick text, sighed, and leaned against the gym doors, nodding along to the beat of the music.

The playlist was actually pretty acceptable; there was an even mix of modern and older music, and I liked most of the songs. From what I could see, the decorations were also impressive, adorning the rafters in a mixture of colourful streamers and vibrant balloons. For a school dance, Grammarville had managed to scrounge a rather decent event from their limited funds.

"Hey! I made it!"

I didn't turn as Cash's voice filled the foyer.

"You're late."

"I know, I'm sorry." His footsteps sounded across the linoleum. "I was...delayed."

"Mmhmm."

There was a faint flutter of fabric, and then a large red box adorned with white ribbon appeared before me with a flourish.

I blinked in surprise, carefully taking the box.

"Chocolates?"

His arms wrapped around my waist. "There was a long line," Cash murmured into my hair. "I might've underestimated the evening rush."

"Hmmm," I mused aloud, with mock thoughtfulness. "I don't know if chocolates are gonna earn my forgiveness."

"Is that so?"

Cash twirled me around, brushed the hair from my eyes, and kissed me briefly.

"Better?" he asked as we pulled away.

"Getting there," I murmured, tugging him closer.

He laughed against my mouth. "You smell good."

I grinned as we broke apart a second time. That cologne was so worth it.

"Shall we?" I asked, motioning to the gym beyond.

"Since chocolate didn't impress you," Cash said as we passed through the doors, "does that mean I can have them back?"

He made a grab for the box, eliciting a scandalised cry as I held it out of reach. "No! They're mine now."

Cash huffed. "Learn to share, Miller."

"If you're good," I replied, "then I might let you have one."

He rolled his eyes, but a smirk curved his lips. "Generous as ever."

"There you guys are!" Ky cried as we reached my friends. They were gathered by the snack table, examining a batch of cupcakes. "I can't believe Claire and I got here first."

"That," Martin said, stuffing a cupcake into his mouth, "is because you drive like a maniac."

"No-" Ky started to say, but Claire began to laugh.

"It is," she whispered loudly, with mock secrecy. "She nearly killed me on the way here."

Ky glared indignantly as we laughed.

"Well," she said stiffly, stalking away, "next time, you can drive yourself."

Claire tossed a handful of blonde curls over one shoulder, smiling in amusement. She was a tall, pale girl, with a narrow face and wide eyes. Tonight, she was adorned in a pink tulle dress, the skirts of which swished as she started after Ky.

"I should go with her," she called apologetically, disappearing into the crowd.

"Ten bucks says Ky gets drunk on that vodka she snuck in and starts dancing the macarena," Lucy mused.

"You're on," Robert said immediately.

I shook my head. "How did Ky sneak in vodka?"

"Alyx," Martin deadpanned, "it's Ky. Need you ask more?"

We shared a knowing look.

"Good point."

- - - -

"C'mon, Alyx. Please."

"No."

"Please."

"No."

"Pleeeeease."

I sipped slowly from my lemonade, gazing at Cash over the plastic rim of the cup. "Nooooooo."

Cash sighed loudly, lips curling into a pout. "Just one dance. And then you hide at the snack table for the rest of the night."

"I'm not dancing," I insisted stubbornly, shaking my head. "I cordially refuse."

Martin and Lucy suddenly burst from the crowd, sweaty and red-faced. Lucy was laughing as she hopped forward, trying to wrestle her heel back on.

"That," Martin sighed, leaning against the snack table, "was a lot of dancing."

"Martin," Cash said, brightening at once, "help me convince Alyx to dance with me."

"Yes!" Lucy cried, stumbling forward and grasping my hands. I hastily put my cup down as she spun me around, bouncing wildly across the floor. "Come dance with us, Alyx!"

"Dance with Robert."

"He's in the bathroom." Lucy's eyes widened sadly. "Don't you want to dance with us?"

"Has she had some of Ky's vodka?" I asked breathlessly, quirking a brow at Martin.

He shrugged, grinning in amusement. "You should come with us, Alyx. It's fun."

"Fun?" I joked. "Never heard of it."

"Then allow me to introduce you," Cash replied, taking my hands as Lucy released me. He brought my knuckles to his lips, eyes trained on me. "Please? Just one dance?"

"Fine," I muttered, averting my gaze. My face was burning. "One dance."

"Yes!" Cash whisked me easily through the crowd, almost bowling people over in his eagerness.

"You're gonna kill someone," I complained as we reached the middle of the floor. Around us, people danced wildly, moving up and down to the beat. I could spot Ky through the crowd, head thrown back, arms waving through the air. "And you'll go to prison, and then what will we do?"

"I'm sure you'll come visit me," Cash teased, grinning widely.

"Don't count on it," I muttered, moving half-heartedly across the floor.

The song ended with a final bass drop, and a slower, softer song trickled through the speakers.

"Alyx Miller." Cash bowed lightly as people around us began to pair up. "Can I have this dance?"

"Let's just get it over with," I sighed, holding out one hand while the other covered my face.

Cash took it, and we moved slowly across the floor, in some kind of disjointed sync with the other couples. Glancing over a shoulder, I watched Martin and Lucy sweep by, moving elegantly. Ky and Claire danced a few feet away, occasionally pausing when Ky stepped on Claire's toes.

"Your friends are weird," Cash laughed, and I realised he'd been watching them, too. "I like them."

"Are you still not talking to yours?" I asked cautiously.

Since we'd gotten back together, Cash had been hanging out with some different people from the football team; 'less douchey ones,' as he called them. Sometimes he even hung out with my group.

But while there was no denying how awful Tyson and Bryce were, a part of me felt bad for splitting them up. As Casey had said, they'd been through a lot together.

"Alyx," Cash said softly, "I've already told you, I don't mind. Those guys aren't my friends anymore."

He stepped away and spun me in a twirl, then drew me back in.

Pushing and pulling. We'd always been like this.

"I know." I stared down at our feet, watching them move across the floor. "I just...don't want you to be unhappy."

It was my biggest fear. What if our relationship wasn't enough? What if I wasn't enough?

"Alyx..." Cash brushed his hand across my cheek, his finger travelling to my chin and tilting my face up. His eyes were wide with sincerity. "You make me happy."

"Really?"

"Yes," he laughed softly. "And look, you can't predict the future. You can't worry about the maybes and the what-ifs." He smiled fondly. "You'll go crazy."

"That's what I'm good at," I sighed wearily. "The maybes. The what-ifs."

"This is good right now," Cash said, spinning me again. "Let's just enjoy it." He pulled me against his chest, and I could hear his heart pounding, beating wildly with the exertion. "Can we do that? Can we take it one day at a time?"

One day at a time.

That sounded nice.

"Okay," I whispered, then cleared my throat. "Okay."

Cash dipped me as the song ended, hair draping over his face. His eyes were brighter than the strobe lights, brighter than the balloons floating above.

And as the last notes faded out, I grasped his tie and pulled his lips to mine, expressing, with every touch, the feelings that had consumed me.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

A/N: This marks the end of the story, although there will one more bonus chapter posted. I can't even begin to express my gratitude for making it this far!  I really hope you've enjoyed this story :)