I knew something was up as soon as I looked at him. He was as nervous as all get-out, almost scuffing his feet and blushing like a girl. He wouldn't quite meet my eyes when he said hello. I wondered what was on his mind.

He made it easy for me. We spent the period wagging class, sitting together in our spot behind the drama room, mostly in silence. Just a kiss now and then to break the peace—because if there's one thing Daz and I have realised, it's that we can't be together for more than a few minutes without us kissing. I'd never physically needed to kiss anyone as much as I needed Darren. The fact that he felt the same way made it both easier and harder to deal with.

When we reluctantly parted for third period I felt much better, and less nervous about the whole formal thing. Those who knew we were a couple wouldn't think anything of it, and those who didn't (like our parents) wouldn't be any the wiser. At least, that is, unless someone decided to tell them about it. I winced at the thought of what my dad would say. He'd probably disown me.

"You okay?" Darren asked. I looked up to find him gazing at me in concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I smiled at him, then swore as the bell rang. "Shit. I'd better go."

"Okay." We stayed for another few seconds, loathe to separate. "See you at lunch?"

"Yep," I confirmed. He flashed a grin at me and walked off. I checked out his arse for the millionth time and then sprinted off to biology. The deed was done. The only thing left now was to actually get through the night without choking. I mean, don't get me wrong. I was happy that I'd asked Daz to go with me. It's not like there was anyone else I'd even considered as a date. It was just...it was the final step. This was the point where I'd have to come out and actually admit to the world that Darren was my boyfriend. And as much as I wanted to do that, I was also scared shitless. The formal was only a month away. It didn't leave me much time to prepare for one of the most difficult—and hopefully wonderful—nights of my life so far.

Four weeks became two, then one, in what seemed like only a couple of days. We started organising travel to and from the dance (it was being held at the local RSL club). I planned to borrow my dad's car to drive us both. Our parents were under the impression that we were going together because we didn't have dates. We'd decided not to tell them the truth just yet. I wasn't looking forward to that particular discussion. //My dad's going to freak.// Merchant seamen didn't bring their sons up to be fairies.

But that was something I'd deal with later. All I wanted to do now was go to my senior formal dance with the person I loved, and have a good time. After all, I'd somehow managed to graduate. I kinda figured I deserved it.

The day of the formal dawned wet and windy. Perfect weather for a cyclone. I looked out the window when I woke up and spent five minutes cursing the weather. //Great. Fucking fantastic. I *love* Queensland weather.//

Still, I couldn't help smiling when Dan called me to tell me when he'd be picking me up. "Lovely weather for it, eh?" he said with a chuckle. I grinned into the phone.

"Absolutely. In fact—it kinda reminds me of another rainy day that you might remember," I replied in a low voice (so my parents wouldn't hear). He went silent on the other end, then sighed deeply.

"You're gonna pay for that one."

"Oh, I hope so." My grin widened. "See you at seven." ::Click::

I could hear him cursing from his place, I swear. It made me laugh as I went into the bathroom to shower. My mother looked at me oddly as I passed her by, but I just shook my head and carried on.

The day seemed to drag. You know what it's like when you've been waiting for something for what seems like years, and suddenly the day's here and it just feels like the thing you've been waiting for is taking forever to happen? I was like that. By the time seven o'clock rolled around I was so fucking nervous my hands were shaking. I couldn't help it. I mean, it's not like this was the first time I'd gone out with Daniel anywhere—it was just the most important time, if you know what I mean. This was a huge night for us both. I wanted it to be *right*.

The doorbell rang just as I was checking my hair for the umpteenth time. //That's him.//

//I know who it is!//

//Okay. Just checking.//

//Stupid. As if I'd forget.//

//All right, no need to get narky about it.//

"Darren?"

I looked up, startled, as my mother spoke. "What?"

"Shouldn't you answer the door?"

"Oh. Yeah." I staggered off down the hall to the front door, forgetting to wonder why Daniel was being so formal. He usually came around to the back and entered through the laundry. Mum insisted he treat our place like his own home. I certainly hadn't argued about it.

//This is it.// I took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Hi, Dan."

There was a long moment of silence. His eyes travelled over me from head to foot and back again, widening by the second.

"Darren? Is...is that *you*?"

Okay. So I knew he'd scrub up well in formal gear. I mean, the guy's absolutely gorgeous. He's basically a clothes horse. He'd look good in a heshen sack, for God's sake. But this was—unbelievable. I couldn't believe it. He looked like a fucking model.

He smiled, kinda shyly. "Yeah." His blue eyes were sort of hesitant. "Do—do you like it?"

I had to swallow before I could answer. "Yeah." I looked him over again. "Yeah, I like it. A lot."

He smiled then, and my heart nearly stopped. //How the fuck is it possible for him to keep getting cuter?// It was then that it really registered on me, and I nearly fell over.

"You cut your hair."

He reached up to touch it. "Mm. This morning." His eyes asked me if it was okay.

It was more than okay. I wanted to touch it. It was short, and spiky, and made him look sexy as all hell. I clenched my hands at my sides and ordered my body to behave.

"It looks—good."

He noted my shortness, and his eyes flicked down my body to discern the reason for it. Laughter shone in his gaze when he met mine again. "I'm glad you approve."

I gritted my teeth. //Tease.//

"Let's go. I'm double parked out the front."

He nodded, and called over his shoulder, "Mum, we're going now!"

She came hurrying out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. "No, you're not...I want photos before you go anywhere."

I rolled my eyes but submitted to the parental need to take photographs. Darren mouthed an apology at me, but I shrugged and smiled at him. I guessed I didn't really mind. It gave me something to do while I tried to control the urge to jump on him and rip that gorgeous suit off his body.

Black velvet. I mean, really. Was he trying to kill me or something? He was decked out in a black velvet suit, with a black silk shirt and a royal purple tie. He looked like sin on legs. I caught him looking at me sideways a couple of times, so I guessed he was appreciative of how I looked as well. But let's face it—I'm no oil painting. I was just happy I managed to find a suit that looked halfway decent.

Ten minutes later we escaped the clutches of the Mother Figure and were out the door, hurrying down the front path in case she tried to call us back. I almost fell into the driver's seat of my dad's car, and had the engine running before Darren got inside.

"What's your hurry?" he asked breathlessly, eyes sparkling with laughter.

"You'll see." He knew, the bastard. I drove us around the corner and parked under a stand of trees on the street, then hauled him over to my side of the car, blessing the invention of bench seats.

"We're going to be late," he pointed out. He didn't try to move away.

"I don't care." I didn't let him reply; I just kissed him to shut him up. Then I kissed him because I wanted to. Then I kept kissing him because I couldn't stop.

Eventually he pulled away, breathless and still laughing. "Come on, or we really will be late." He dropped one last kiss on my lips and sat back in his seat. I wanted to drag him back over to me and spend the next few hours or so just like this, just him and me.

It dawned on me suddenly, without warning. //I don't wanna go to the formal.//

Dan was very quiet as we drove to the school grounds. At first I thought he was just concentrating on his driving—he'd only gotten his licence a couple of weeks before, and he was still getting used to his father's tank of a car—but the closer we got to the dance, the quieter he got, till he wasn't speaking at all. I kept my mouth shut and tried to hide my own nervousness as we parked the car and got out. The double doors of the hall loomed in front, more terrifying than they'd ever been at any other time. I wanted to reach over and grab Dan's hand, but he seemed very unapproachable at that point. So I just looked straight ahead and walked beside him up to the open doors.

Then my worst fears were realised. He stopped, and turned to face me, an apologetic expression in his eyes.

"Dan..."

"What?" I tried to sound normal.

"I...I can't do this." He struggled to speak. "I'm sorry. I just...can't."

I know I went pale. He must've seen the colour drain out of my face because he hurried to explain. "It's not you." I winced at the cliché. He tried to smooth it over. "I'm sorry—it's just too much. I don't think I can go in there." He looked at the hall, and the darkened area within that was lit by the occasional strobe light.

"Are you...ashamed? Of me? Of...us?" I choked. //Have the past six months been a lie?//

He looked shocked. "No!" His tone was a little loud. "No," he repeated more quietly. "Never, Daz. Of course not." He ploughed a hand through his hair, mussing it in the adorable way I loved. "It's just...I don't know what it is. But I know I can't go in there. I'm sorry." He looked at me one last time, his eyes troubled and filling with tears. Then he turned and walked off, his shoulders slumped in a way I hadn't seen in over six months.

//Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. I've really done it this time.//

I nearly ran around the corner of the hall and into a small grove of trees that grew beside it, separating it from the playing field. A conveniently placed gum tree provided shelter from anyone who might be lurking around. I sank to the ground, absently making sure my suit wasn't getting dirty, and lit a cigarette with shaking hands.

I don't know what made me stop. I mean, it was more or less acknowledged around school that Darren and I were together. We weren't over the top about it, but we pretty much stuck to each other's company, apart from people like Vee and a couple of others. So there was nothing really major involved in walking into the formal together. I doubted we'd be the only same sex couple there.

What was getting to me was the whole idea of going really *public* with it. As in, telling my family. There was no way we were going to be able to hide it after school was over. Darren was planning to go to uni, and I wanted to find a job that would pay my living expenses while I worked on my music. On the surface we wouldn't have that much in common anymore, and for him to still be spending the night in my room—well, it was gonna look more than a little fishy to the parental units.

I wished I could just get over the whole nerves thing. Sure, my dad was going to hit the roof, and my mother probably wouldn't understand at all, but I knew I'd survive that. What was really getting to me was the effect it would have on Darren. Or, more specifically, *me* and Darren. Our relationship hadn't really been put to a test like this before. Was it strong enough to hold out against parental disapproval—and probably disgust?

I stared into space as I smoked, trying to convince myself that I was making trouble where none existed. Of course we could stick together through anything that happened. Of course.

Couldn't we?

I didn't acknowledge anyone as I walked inside. Head down, hands in pockets—a classic Daniel pose, come to think of it—I headed over to a dark corner and slumped into a seat against the wall, ignoring everyone. I didn't want to think. I didn't want to look around. I didn't want to do anything except curl into a ball of misery on the floor and pretend the world didn't exist.

//How could he do this to me?//

The thought revolved around in my head, over and over. I understood his feelings. I knew he was skittish about the whole 'coming out' thing, which was why I'd taken my cue from him and kept our relationship low-key, especially around our parents. Mine wouldn't be impressed to know I liked guys, I knew that, but they'd learn to accept it. Daniel's parents were a different matter. I understood his caution there. His mother might be okay about it eventually, but his dad...I shook my head. Not a chance. So yeah, I got the idea there. I was cool with it. Mostly.

But...I glared at my hands, fighting off tears. Why the hell did he have to do this to me *tonight*? //Bastard. His timing really sucks.//

A pair of elegantly shod feet appeared in front of me, one of them tapping impatiently on the floor. I looked up reluctantly and met Lila's sneering gaze. "Well, well," she said nastily. "Look who we have here. All alone tonight, Darren?" She feigned surprise, looking around the room. "Where's your boyfriend? Fixing a run in his stocking?"

I couldn't muster the energy to spar with her. "Go away, Lila," I said tiredly, closing my eyes. "Go find someone else to irritate. I can't be bothered with you right now."

Her eyes lit up. "Did he stand you up?" she asked in delight. "Oh, that's a shame, Daz. You were such a cute couple." She pretended sympathy, patting my shoulder with red-painted claws. "Never mind. Plenty more fish in the sea and all that."

I peeled her hand off my shoulder in distaste and flung it away. "Get away from me," I threw at her. "You make me ill."

She merely shrugged at me and sauntered off, her face twisted in a triumphant grin. I had no idea why she was so happy, apart from her innate bitchiness. At the moment I didn't really care. I was way too miserable to care about anyone else right now.

Another pair of high heels appeared in front of me. I sighed and looked up again. A reluctant smile crossed my face as Vee looked back at me.

"Hey, you," she greeted me, looking around. "Where's Dan?"

I glanced away. "Your guess is as good as mine," I replied dully. "He ditched me right outside the door. Said he couldn't handle coming in here with me. I don't know where he went."

She frowned. "Why did he do a stupid thing like that? God, it's not like you two are a huge secret around here or anything."

"That's what I thought." I shrugged. "I guess Daniel thought differently."

She peered closely at me. "You're not going to sit there and sulk about it all night, are you?" she questioned bluntly. When I didn't answer her, she turned her stern look on me. "Darren..."

"What?" I asked. "I don't really feel like partying till dawn, Vee. He's wrecked the evening, and all I want to do right now is curl up into a ball and forget today ever happened." I fought tears as I spoke. "The only reason I'm still here is because I don't have any way of getting home unless I walk." The less-than-gentle sound of rain beginning to fall outside negated that idea. The last thing I wanted to do right now was walk in the rain.

Vee pulled me to my feet. "Don't be an idiot," she said firmly. "So Daniel freaked out and took off. That's his problem. You know he's skittish about this whole thing—that's blindingly obvious to everyone. Sooner or later he'll realise he's being stupid and he'll come back. Do you want him to find you mooning in a corner, or do you want to get a little of your own back and have a good time without him?" She tilted her head at me. "This is your high school formal, Darren. You deserve to have some fun, with Dan or without him."

It sounded good. I wished I could think of it in the same terms that Vee did. I guess I'm just too sensitive, or whatever; I wasn't interested in making Dan feel jealous, or guilty, if he came back. I just wanted *him* - happy, comfortable and in my arms. That was all. But I knew the chances of that happening tonight were slim.

//She's partly right,// my brain insisted. //Sitting in the corner moping isn't going to do you any good.// I looked at her, standing in front of me with her hand outstretched. //Go and dance, at least once. You deserve that.//

I stood up. "Okay," I decided. "Let's dance."

Vee smiled at me and took my hand. I followed her onto the dance floor, resolving to forget about Daniel and my problems for a few minutes at least.

The rain was what made my decision for me. I'd been sitting there for an hour or so, smoking cigarette after cigarette, trying to force myself to go inside and find Darren. //Stop being an idiot and go in there. Tell him you're sorry.//

I'd just decided to do it when the heavens opened and the rain that had been threatening all day began to fall. On me. In my expensive hired suit. //Oh, great. What *else* can go wrong?//

I trudged around to the front of the hall, preparing to go inside and eat a very large dish of crow served up by Darren, knowing I deserved any punishment he wanted to deliver. I'd ruined the evening for both of us by being so stupid, and I had to make up for it.

"Hello, Daniel. Are you lost?"

I looked up and sighed when I saw Lila standing just inside the doors to the hall. "Lila."

"You've been very nasty to poor Darren, you know," she commented, her eyes glinting. "He's inside here, sitting in the corner feeling absolutely miserable." She took a step outside. "You picked your night, I must say." Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. "I'm impressed. Very impressed."

The look on her face had changed from mocking to something else—something I thought I recognised. I looked her up and down and shook my head. //I don't believe this. I don't believe I'm standing here, and Lila's about to hit on me.//

"Dream on, Lila," I said. "I wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole, and you know it."

Her face blanched, and she stepped back. Quick as lightning she pulled on the mocking exterior again, a light laugh escaping her throat.

"As if I'd let you," she threw back, tossing her head. "You're the one who's dreaming, Jones." A disdainful sniff, and she was gone. But I knew what I'd seen. And I wouldn't forget it in a hurry. Now I had something to use if she played her games with me and Darren again.

//Darren.//

I took a deep breath. He was still inside, and I was still in deep trouble. I hoped I'd be able to explain, and get myself out of the mess I'd made of the night. A final look around, then I let out the breath I'd been holding and headed for the doors. And stopped right near the entrance.

Darren was on the dance floor, laughing at something Vee was saying. He was *dancing* with Vee. Obviously he was miserable without me.

//Talk about the past months being a lie...//

I couldn't go in there and face him now. So instead, I headed slowly back in the direction of my father's car. That seemed a better alternative than standing in the pouring rain—no matter how much it suited my mood at that moment.

I was surprised at myself. I was actually having a good time. Vee managed to keep my mind off of Daniel for the most part, at least while we were dancing. As soon as I sat down again, though, all I had to do was look around at all the other couples in the room to feel miserable again. I felt out of place. Alone.

//Where is he?//

Vee tried to get me on my feet again, but I waved her off. "I'm done dancing," I told her, trying to smile. "Thanks for keeping me distracted, Vee. Go and enjoy yourself."

She gave up trying to change my mind after a few minutes and went back onto the dance floor, rejoining her friends. I watched from my corner, hidden in shadows, thinking about Daniel. Missing him like crazy. It sounds stupid, but I felt like a part of me was gone without him around. We'd never fought before. I mean, I guess this wasn't really a fight, but we weren't speaking, and that's what hurt. I was tempted to go and try to find him, but my pride stopped me. //Do you really want to go chasing after him like a dog after its owner?//

//No. But I don't want to leave things like this, either.//

//This wasn't *your* fault. It's up to him to fix it.//

//Yeah, but...//

//No. You're staying here and that's that.//

I scowled at my internal dialogue and went back to watching everyone on the dance floor, trying not to picture myself out there with Daniel.

Lila came back inside—when had she gone out?—and smirked in my direction. I scowled right back at her and turned away. I didn't want anyone to observe my misery. All I wanted to do right now was forget this night had ever happened.

Unfortunately, it didn't look as though I was going to get my way. I still had to figure out how I was going to get home. I really didn't want to walk home in this rain, but it looked as though I might have no choice.

//Fantastic. This evening just gets better and better,// I thought in disgust. I tried to stir up some anger at Daniel, because after all it was his fault the evening was ruined—but I only ended up wishing he were here, wondering where he was, if he was okay. I couldn't be mad at him; I knew he hadn't been trying to hurt me.

All these thoughts swam around in my head, chasing each other like the spotlights revolving on the dance floor. People were beginning to leave now; soon the various after-parties would be starting all over town, and the real fun of the night would begin. I sighed and contemplated dragging myself along to one of them, weighing it up against skulking home and going to bed. Neither option seemed particularly appealing without Daniel.

I'd just gotten to my feet when Lila sidled up to me and tsked disapprovingly. "Darren...you really should learn to pick your men better," she told me. "I could have told you Daniel wasn't right for you." An unpleasant smile twisted her mouth. "He's the type to use and abuse and then move on, I'm afraid."

I looked at her as if she was something the cat had dragged in. "Lila," I began, slowly and distinctly, "get away from me before I forget my good manners and deck you." A sense of satisfaction filled me as I watched her go pale. "Get it?"

She nodded, not speaking.

"Good." I looked her up and down one more time, then shook my head and turned away. A moment later I felt her leave, and despite my misery, I couldn't help but smile a little nastily. She hadn't expected that sort of reaction. It made me feel just a little bit better than I had been.

//Okay. Fine. If that's the way he wants it, that's the way it'll be.//

I stalked off towards my dad's car, probably cursing under my breath. I don't really remember. It was still raining, but gentler now. Not that it mattered—my suit was still wrecked, and I knew I'd get a talking-to from my mother for getting it wet. Right now I didn't really care about that, though. The rain suited my mood. I blinked water out of my eyes, insisting to myself that I wasn't - *was not* - crying in any way, shape or form, and breathed a silent sigh of relief when I made it to the car without seeing anyone I knew.

Once I got there, though, I stood and stared at it. If I left now, not only would I be leaving Darren stranded, but I'd probably ruin any chance of us ever being together again. Was that what I really wanted?

//Of course not. You love him.//

I started at that. I knew I loved him, on the surface, but I'd never really thought about what it meant. But I sure as hell was doing it now. I remembered every smile he gave me, every look, every touch of his hand. I remembered our first day together, and the nights we'd spent at his house or mine, and the time he'd rescued me from detention. Then I thought about how I'd feel if I lost all that. If I lost *him*.

//I do *not* want to do that.//

It was hard to remember what I'd done before I met Darren. He seemed to be everywhere I looked, connected in some way to everything I did and thought about. The idea of losing him, of seeing him and knowing that he wasn't mine anymore, made me feel sick inside. No way was I going to let that happen if I could help it.

//So what are you doing out here in the rain? Go inside and get him back.//

I swallowed, remembering how I'd run out on him. How the hell was I supposed to do that?

//Apologise. Explain. Get down on your knees, if you have to.//

That brought me up short. Did I really want to go that far? Would I - *could* I—beg him to forgive me in front of everyone?

//Yes. If I have to.//

Once I decided that, the rest was easy. Before I knew it I was back at the doors to the school hall, walking inside, not caring if I was still dripping wet. I just wanted to find Darren and fix things up. I didn't care if I embarrassed myself. I just wanted to find Darren.

The lights rose, then dimmed again on the dance floor. Last dance. And Daniel was nowhere to be found. I felt like the ground had fallen out from under me.

I'd thought he would come back. I hadn't really believed he'd stay away. I knew he'd been scared of making our relationship really public, but...hell, I don't know *what* I was thinking. I sure as hell hadn't expected to spend the evening like this, miserable as hell and trying to hide it behind a smile as I danced with Vee. I knew that when I remembered this night years in the future, it'd still hurt. Badly.

Vee came over to me as the DJ cued up the last track. I closed my eyes briefly as the strains of 'Eternal Flame' filled the room.

"Hey," she said gently. "You okay?"

I nodded jerkily. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." I tried to keep my voice level.

She looked closely at me. "No, you're not. You're nowhere near okay." I glanced at the ground. "Oh, Darren." Her voice was sympathetic. "He didn't come back, did he?"

I shook my head once. She put a finger under my chin and made me look at her. "Come on," she told me, pulling me to my feet. "I'm not going to let you sit out the last dance, Dan or no Dan."

"Looks like no Dan," I muttered quietly. She shot me a look, but didn't say anything, just pulled me towards the centre of the floor. I followed because I didn't have enough energy to fight her.

We walked hand in hand towards the spotlight. I stopped when Vee did, and automatically took her in my arms when she stepped in close. We'd barely started swaying to the music, me trying to ignore the fact that Vee was decidedly *not* Daniel, when she lifted her head from my shoulder.

"Excuse me," Daniel said softly, staring at me. "Can I cut in?"

Vee looked from Darren to me and back again. I tried to ignore her, and what her presence might mean, but God, it was hard. I had a dozen questions floating around in my head, and the first one went something like, //What the hell are you doing slow dancing with *my* Darren?// But I held it back and waited for him to speak.

Darren's face was blank. He glanced at Vee for a second, and something silent passed between them. I felt like an outsider all over again, and I didn't like it.

"Darren?" I pressed, catching his eye again. He looked back into my eyes, and I swallowed a bit of pride. "Please?"

Vee nudged him. "Go on," she murmured. "Don't fuck it up now." She glanced at me and winked briefly, then turned and walked off, leaving us standing there staring at each other.

Finally he drew a breath. "Okay." I sighed in silent relief and stepped in closer. He let me hold him as we began to dance together. I opened my mouth to explain, to apologise, but Darren cut me off.

"Listen," he said quietly into my ear. "Just listen to the song. Then you can talk to me." He pulled back slightly and looked at me, the serious kind of look I'd hardly ever seen on his face. So I did as I was told. I kept my mouth shut and listened.

Close your eyes Give me your hand, darling Do you feel my heart beating? Do you understand? Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming, Or is this burning an eternal flame?

I believe it's meant to be, darling I watch you when you are sleeping You belong with me Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming, Or is this burning an eternal flame?

Say my name Sun shines through the rain Oh, life was so lonely And then you come and ease the pain I don't wanna lose this feeling

Close your eyes Give me your hand, darling Do you feel my heart beating? Do you understand? Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming, Or is this burning an eternal flame?

Darren was staring at me. I could see the question in his face. He wanted to know if I was really serious about us. If I meant it when I said I loved him. If I had the guts to admit it to him, here and now, in front of everyone, and to our parents as well, later on. He wanted to know if I was willing to take the biggest risk of my life with him. *For* him.

He closed his eyes and listened to the song, swaying slowly with me all the while. I tried to ignore the sick feeling building in my stomach as I waited for him to look at me again. When he did, I almost backed down. Why risk ruining what we had right now? Why not just be happy with what I had?

//It's not enough anymore.// That was why. Things were changing, and we needed to change too. We weren't going to be in high school for much longer, and I needed to know if there was enough to keep us together outside the boundaries of school. I already knew I was willing. Daniel knew it too—I'd told him so often enough. This was about *his* choice.

He fixed his green eyes on me in silence. I let him see everything, like I always do, and then I waited. Hopeful. Desperate. //Please, please, please God...//

He blinked. Said, "Yes," like it was easy. Then he smiled at me, and I swear I could see heaven in his eyes.

I think he woulda fainted on the spot if I hadn't been holding him upright. As it was his knees went all weak and he sagged against me a bit. I didn't mind. I was doing some sagging of my own. It's not every day you make a major life choice in the middle of a school dance. So we sorta kept each other on our feet until the song finished. Then the lights came up and we were all being shown the door by the chaperones. Five minutes later Daz and I were outside with no idea how we'd gotten there. Thank God the rain had finally stopped.

I looked at him a little shyly. "Well..." I tilted my shoulder towards the car. "Guess we'd better get going, huh?"

Darren's head shot up, and he looked at me. "Go where?" he asked. I shrugged.

"Wherever. Mum and Dad don't really expect me back till the morning." I frowned as a look crossed over his face. "What?"

"Nothing," he said quickly. "Just..." He slanted another look at me. "Could we—go somewhere? I don't wanna go home yet."

"Okay." We started walking towards the car, not touching. "Vee's place okay? She's having a party there."

"Yeah," he replied. "Vee's place is fine."

We got into the car and I drove us to Vee's place, feeling shy and awkward and hating it. I mean, I'd just told Darren exactly how I felt (well, not in so many words, but he'd gotten the idea) and learned that he felt the same way. I shoulda been over the moon. And I was, really. But I felt like there was something holding us apart—something that had to do with that look Daz had given me a minute ago. That made me nervous. When we got to Vee's place I told myself I'd drag him off someplace so that we could talk.

I sneaked a glance at him. Yeah, we'd talk. Get everything straightened out. Then—then we would most definitely *not* be talking anymore. I had other plans in mind for the rest of the night.

I wanted to get Daniel alone so we could talk. I was glad he'd chosen Vee's place—it was bound to be quieter than some of the other parties going on tonight. She wouldn't mind if we grabbed a spare room and locked ourselves away for a while, either.

I hadn't counted on her utter femaleness, though. We turned up on her doorstep not long after she'd gotten there. She took one look at Dan and dragged us inside.

"You're soaking wet," she said accusingly. Dan rolled his eyes at me and nodded.

"Yeah," he agreed. "That's what happens when you sit out in the rain for a few hours."

I smothered a grin as Vee dithered around getting towels for Dan to dry off with. Then I realised what he'd said, and took another look at him. He'd been out in the rain for hours? He must've been freezing.

He didn't look it, though. He looked wet and gorgeous and smooth, and I was thrown right back to our first afternoon together in that rainy paddock, and suddenly I was less interested in talking and more determined to get him alone somewhere. All sorts of thoughts were going through my head, and I wanted some privacy so I could share them with him.

"It's fine, Vee." I cut her off in the middle of a sentence. She stopped, eyes wide. I smiled at her. "It's okay. He won't drown or anything. Have you—can we borrow a room for a while? We have some things to sort out." I carefully didn't look at Dan as I spoke. He'd see through me in a split second.

"Oh. Yeah. Sure. Sorry." Vee recovered quickly and led the way to a spare bedroom at the back of the house. "Nobody uses this room. It's got a lock, so you won't get interrupted." She looked from me to Dan and back again, then hugged us both quickly. "I'm so glad you guys are back together," she said with a teary smile.

"Thanks, Vee," Daniel said, genuine warmth in his voice. I smiled at her, pleased that they were getting along. Then she left the room and closed the door behind her. I reached out and flicked the lock shut with a snap. //It's time.//

He locked the door behind Vee and turned back to me. I tried to see what he was thinking, but he had that blank look on his face again. So I tried to play it cool, follow his lead.

"Take your jacket and shirt off," he said. I must've looked surprised, coz he smiled a bit. "You're soaked, Dan. You need to dry off." He waved a towel at me.

"Oh. Right," I said stupidly. The suit jacket clung when I tried to struggle out of it, and I cursed under my breath. Darren came over to help me. At the first touch of his hands I became very aware of just how alone we were, and how close the bed was, and how cute he looked right now. I started to get nervous again.

We got my jacket and shirt off and sat on the bed facing each other. I quickly rubbed the towel over my upper body, drying off as much as I could. I still didn't know what to say, so I kept quiet and waited for Daz to do something. I knew I had a lot of explaining to do.

"So," he began, his blue eyes fixed on me. "What happened tonight, Dan?"

//Here we go.// I took a breath and let it out. "I got—scared, I guess." He nodded silently. "I don't mean scared of—of us, though. Just—worried about what's gonna happen now that school's almost over. I didn't know if..."

"...if we'd finish up when school does?" Darren finished. I nodded and looked down. It sounded stupid now, but a few hours ago I was really freaking out. I guess he understood that, though, because he made me look at him again.

"Okay, I get that," he told me. "I understand." I started to smile in relief. "But why did you leave me alone all night in there?"

My smile died a quick death. "I'm sorry," I mumbled. "But—I felt like an idiot, and I knew I'd stuffed things up, and I wasn't exactly what you'd call presentable after being rained on for a few hours..." I looked away for a second. "And when I was going to come back inside, I—I saw you dancing with Vee and her friends." I shrugged. "You looked like you were doing fine without me, so I stayed away."

Darren hit me lightly. "Moron," he said. "Vee had to drag me out of the corner to dance because she didn't want me to be miserable all night." He grinned a bit. "It worked for maybe an hour."

A second wave of relief washed over me. "That's good," I murmured. "Not that you were miserable, I mean. But at least you sorta had fun."

"Wasn't much fun without you there," Darren corrected me. His eyes went really soft. "Dan...next time you freak out like this, you tell me, okay? I don't ever want tonight to happen again. Got that?"

"Yeah." I nodded, holding his gaze. "I got it."

"Good." He leaned in and kissed me quickly, then sat back. "Now. What do ya wanna do for the rest of the night?"

A dozen different ideas filled my head, all of them involving the bed we sat on. But I figured that would spoil the mood. So I told my hormones to shut up. "I think I hear music out there," I suggested. "Why don't we go out and dance for a bit?" In front of everyone. So he'd know I wasn't afraid anymore.

His smile was blinding. "Why don't we?"

Daniel caused a bit of a stir when we walked into Vee's living room. I'd forgotten that he'd taken his shirt off, and besides, I was used to seeing all that delicious tanned skin on display anyway. I gathered nobody else was, though, so when we walked through the doorway everyone kinda stopped dead for a second. I nudged Daniel and grinned.

"What?" he muttered.

"You forgot to put your shirt back on," I whispered. He looked down at himself, then back at me and smiled a bit.

"Oops. Guess so." He shrugged. "Too late now. Besides, it's still wet."

If he wasn't bothered, neither was I. "Okay." I took his hand. "Let's dance."

Everyone was watching and pretending not to. I knew they were all wondering what we'd been doing, and the thought made me smile. We hadn't done anything except talk. Yet. But I had plans to fix that later on.

We danced for about half an hour before Lila showed up. The look on her face when she saw us together was priceless. The way her eyes widened when she looked at Daniel made me realise exactly *why* she'd been such a bitch to us for so long. It was because she wanted him, and she couldn't have him. I moved a bit closer to him and sent her a look that said, //Hands off.// She scowled at me and angled away from us. I looked at Dan and saw his smile, and I knew he'd seen her. He didn't care. That made me feel about ten feet tall. This gorgeous golden babe really was all mine, for as long as I wanted him.

//I can definitely handle that,// I thought. I held him a little tighter. //Oh, yeah. I could stay like this forever.//

About an hour later Darren left me for a second to talk to Vee. He whispered something in her ear, and she grinned and nodded. When he came back to me, he had The Look in his eyes.

"Come on. I've had enough dancing," he told me. A wicked smile crossed his face. "Besides, I think you're distracting everyone too much." He ran a hand over my chest. I rolled my eyes and fell into step beside him.

"Yeah, sure. Everyone's lusting after my gorgeous body," I said dryly. "Dream on, Daz. They were looking at you, not me."

He opened the door to the spare bedroom we'd been in earlier and shooed me inside. "Uh-uh." The lock snapped into place again. "Everyone knows I'm no work of art. It was you." He began to walk towards me. "I just wish they'd seen you earlier, in that silver suit." His pink tongue darted out to wet his lips. "Did I tell you how good you look in silver, Dan?"

"No." I stood still, mesmerised by his porn-star looks and husky voice. "No, you didn't."

"Well," he purred, stopping only a breath away. "Let's just say you look...edible." Hot blue eyes teased me. "The first thing I wanted to do when I saw you tonight was rip that suit off and eat you."

I swallowed. This was getting very hot, very fast. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." He wet his lips again. A look of desire tinged with vulnerability came into his eyes. "I wanna make love with you, Dan," he whispered. "Can I?"

The feelings inside me were so strong I had to close my eyes to try and control them. When I could speak I opened them again and look straight at him. This was the last step, the point where we'd always stopped before. Darren didn't want to stop there anymore. I realised as I looked at him that I didn't want to, either.

"Yes." The word was a sigh. I curled my arms around him and pulled him close, the velvet of his clothing making me shiver. He held me tight, burying his face in my shoulder, and I thought I heard him whisper something that sounded like, "Thank you."

Then he attacked me with his hands and mouth and I pretty much stopped thinking about anything 'cept him, and the things we were gonna do together.

Daniel sighed and pulled me a little closer. I closed my eyes and snuggled into him on the bed. We'd made a mess of the sheets, but neither of us wanted to let go of the other long enough to fix it.

"Are you okay?" he murmured.

"Just fine," I replied, kissing his chest. "Perfect."

"Me too."

It had been nothing I expected and everything I ever wanted. We were bound together now, and I couldn't imagine being any other way.

"We should go back to the party," he said lazily.

"Yep." Neither of us moved.

"Vee's gonna be wondering where we are."

I grinned. "No, she's not."

He lifted his head and looked at me. "You told her?"

"Mm-hm." My grin widened as he blushed. "Dan, don't worry. She doesn't mind."

"I know, but..." he began, then sighed again. "Ah, who cares. You're right." He was silent for a second. "We should do something for her, to say thanks."

"Yeah." I thought about it. "Tomorrow."

I could tell he was smiling. "Yeah. Tomorrow." He pulled me up to kiss me again. "I've got plans for the rest of the night."

I wasn't gonna argue with that.