Dance!

[{Allison} Alaska]

Ah, the smell of romance lingering in the air, the saccharine scent of sweets, and young couples frolicking around. It could only mean one thing: it was February, and Valentine's Day was creeping into sight. It also meant that Alaska was tempted to shove all the 'look at us, we're so adorable and we're choosing to ignore the fact that we're going to break up in about four weeks by saying how much we absolutely looooove eachother!' couples into traffic. Needless to say, she was not looking forward to attending the Valentine's dance that was being held. However, the seventeen year old didn't have anything better to do, and in a moment of pure insanity, she decided that maybe, just maybe, it'd be fun to go.

Deciding that it wasn't really worth it to get all dressed up, for it wasn't like she had a date or anything, she decided to keep it simple by just wearing a deep maroon top and dark jeans, as well as a nice pair of boots. However, she was starting to regret the fact that she didn't bring a coat, for it was freezing outside of the event. Sucking it up and finally going outside instead of loitering, she sighed as she saw the heart shaped decorations and lights that were all strung out. If she weren't herself, she might actually call the place 'pretty', but because she was... well, Alaska, she decided that the event coordinator had probably been on drugs when organizing this. Rolling her eyes, she made her way over to the food table, to eat herself silly and maybe not feel quite as bitter.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

Valentines Day was not a day Gaby ever looked forward to, at least not since Justin left her high and dry with two daughters and a newborn son. A few years down the road, the twins were four and a half years old and Collin was about to enter his terrible two's. Although Gaby had her sister Kaci to help her out, she has never felt so alone. Lonlieness was one of the tigers that Gaby could not keep out of her head. Everytime she saw a heart shaped decoration or a recieved a sweet little valentine from her daughters, a tear welled up inside Gaby's eye. How could Justin have done this to her? Where did he go? These questions have been haunting Gaby for years and years and she just couldn't seem to let go of them, there was no closure. If it haden't been for the fact that Lillian had put this whole dance together, Gaby would not have even showed up. Although the decorations were beautiful, each one tore a deeper hole inside her heart. Still, Gaby knew she had to show Lillian some support. Lillian didn't have the easiest year either. Both were Valentine-less.

Kaci was also without a reason to celebrate this love hallmark conspiracy of a day, but in hopes that a special someone would show up, she talked herself into coming, Her sister Gaby had been in a pretty big depression lately and Kaci knew Gaby needed her support, in whatever and wherever she went. Since Kaci wasn't big on holidays, this one in particular didn't spark any motivation in her to dress up. Yes, it was a dance but nothing more a simple red skirt and white top was needed. She clicked on some red pumps to match, specifically to tease the males. Love was such a cruel thing--she's seen that demonstrated quite a few times in her life, and now it was time to make the males pay...tease them, then leave them...this was becoming her new philosophy on love. As the romantic, mushy gushy songs played in the background, eighteen year old Kaci wandered around the party--scoping out any familar faces or fellow teens.

An unfamiliar girl, looking to be about her age, was hanging out by the food table so Kaci decided to go and introduce herself, "Are you new here? I don't think I've seen you around before...I'm Kaci Summers...", she greeted in an attempted friendly voice.

[{Allison} Alaska]

Alaska had just demolished about five sugar cookies that had, what else, red and pink icing on them in a row, and was licking crumbs off her bottom lip, her stomach thanking her for the nice snack. She was eyeing a cake some overworked soccer mom had made and was strongly considering taking a big chunk of that as well, when she realized just how pathetic she looked, standing over here in the corner of this shindig. Oh well, it wasn't like anyone really knew her. After all, she was fairly new to Ocean Springs. And it wasn't really like she had much to look forward to at home, considering the fact that her dad was never home anymore and her mom... Well, that was just too painful for Alaska to think about.

As a look of unhappiness spread across the girl's face, remembering her mom and how much it just... well, kind of sucked that she was gone now. Trying to resurface from her thoughts that seemed to be sucking her in, Alaska glanced around, looking for someone, anyone to talk to, to get her mind off things. Chill, Alaska, she told herself. Blinking a couple of times in case any tears were suddenly going to spring up, she picked at a hang nail, just to do something to keep her from looking like a total loser. She was beginning to regret ever coming to this lame dance in the first place.

Finally getting a grip on her roller coaster of emotions, she rolled her eyes at the cheesy music that was being played. They were playing some song about someone named Juliet pining after Romeo and how they lived happily ever after, fa la la. Alaska wished they'd play some Nirvana or Metallica or maybe even the Beatles. Trying to keep the ear-bleeding music from getting to her, she saw a pretty girl, maybe her age or a little older, approach her. As the girl spoke, Alaska realized she didn't know this girl, but she seemed alright. "Yeah... Unfortunately," Alaska said, making a face in responce to Kaci's question, although Kaci's friendly demeanor seemed a bit... forced. "I'm Alaska Young. No, not a nickname, and no, my parents were not neo hippies searching for a rebirth of the summer of love," Alaska said, answering the typical questions she got along with her name, a smile crossing her mouth.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

Valentines Day could really only go two ways. The first way is the preferred way, the lovey dovey mushy gushy spending time with your lover option. The second way took on a more cynical attitude, the hallmark conspiracy waste of time and money option. Kaci and Gaby were both feeling the second option hit them hard, and all the decorations were being taken down inside the safety of their minds. As Gaby wandered around the party, ever decoration that she came across cut a deeper hole inside her heart and Justin was the one word that try as she might, could not escape her mind. To this day she still blames herself for driving Justin away and not a day goes by when she doesnt wonder where he went. The chance to find love again got slimmer and slimmer with each passing day and there were moments when she wished she could rewind time and stop him from leaving her.

Meanwhile Kaci was successful in striking up a friendly introductory conversation with the fellow teenager, who introduced herself as Alaska Young. Although Kaci didn't quite understand the small joke Alaska tried to make about her name, she laughed politely, "Well welcome to Ocean Springs, what brought you to this side of the map?" she questioned, never really understanding why anyone would want to live in this small little runned down town in California, when they could be living somewhere more extravagent like San Fransisco or San Diego or even Hollywood. If Kaci had it her way and had been born into a more talented family, she would be living high and proud in Hollywood.

[tekaixblindxangel]

Victoria watched as all the couples made kissy faces at each other underneath the cheesy plastic heart shaped lights. She didn't even know why she ended up at the Valentine's Day dance. I guess it was just because she was new and wanted to bring a fresh look into the town, maybe make a few friends, at least that's what her parents said. Looking here was a mistake. She had no boyfriend, having given most of her love advice out to her friends back in her old town, knowing that the guys had their arms around their girlfriends shoulders, walking in the moonlight or enjoying a kiss in the back of the dark movie theater right about now. She kind of longed for it, but she knew that if she forced it, it was going to end in heartbreak.

She was dressed to kill tonight, her curves looking long and slender in her knee length simple black dress, her flaming red hair a gorgeous contrast in color. She stood near the refreshment table, sipping the watered down, generic punch and watching the couples slow dance and grope each other as much as they could. Considering that it wasn't happening to her, the jealousy inside her made her head spin and all the mushy stuff made her want to toss her heart shaped cookies into the bushes. She sighed, wondering if she should call it a night and go home.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

The party was thriving, and just about everyone was slow dancing and groping on the dance floor. Everyone except Gaby that is. How did her life come to this? Unmarried with three kids and a sister in her custody living in a two story house on Wisteria lane wondering where her white picket fence happily ever after had vanished to. The dance started only an hour ago and already Gaby was wanting to leave. The decorations, the music, the atmosphere...it was just too much for this heart broken broad to handle. As she sat at the table with her children, she scanned the dance floor for any sign of her sister. McKenzie noticed her mothers worried expression and placed one hand on the side of Gaby's face, "mommy good?" she questioned in her four year old tone. This made Gaby smile as she softly responded, "Yes hunny, I'll be OK.", before kissing her daughter on the forehead.

Meanwhile the slow songs were beginning to get to Kaci too, as she scanned the crowd for her sister so they could finally leave and go home. As she made her way through the crowd, she bumped into an unfamiliar face wearing a little black dress with a slit on the side. Immediately Kaci labeled her as a slut, and angrily walked past her, yelling "Why don't you watch where your goin?! Who are you anyway?" she drifted off as she dispersed into the crowd.

[tekaixblindxangel]

"Ah crap..." The bump had spilled her drink all over the front of her, the outline of the liquid showing up on the material. Victoria quickly grabbed some napkins, glancing in the direction of the girl who bumped her. "I should be saying the same to you." she mumbled under her breath as she dabbed at her dress. "Stupid, incompetent..." she was trying to think of a word that wouldn't get her smacked. She was really not in the mood and not in the proper outfit to get into a fight.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

I should say the same to you? Really, you obviously don't know who you're messing with, Kaci thought under her breath, "Excuse me? Your the one blocking the path to the exit!" she yelled in rebuttle as she made her way back toward the girl. Upon approaching Kaci glared her eyes, being temporarily blinded by the flashing lights she was in no mood for a fight, but this girl seemed to be asking for it. Right before Kaci was about to slap this girl a new one, Gaby stepped into the scene. "What on earth do you think your doing? How dare you, go sit by your neices and nephew RIGHT.NOW." she scolded, each word increasing with her tone of voice. Kaci angrily stomped off, mumbling who knows what under her heated breath. Gaby just rolled her eyes at her sisters lack of manners, before turning toward the girl with apologetic eyes, "I'm so sorry about my sisters behavior. It's just this holiday, it's getting to her. She's normally a lot less....well bitchy." she pleaded, hoping the girl wasnt going to cause more trouble. As the commotion carried on, the songs became more up-beat (still love related, but less mushy gushy) this time. Gaby glanced around, eyeing the table where her children sat, making sure Kaci was actually watching them instead of just burning a hole in Gaby's back.

[tekaixblindxangel]

"Hey it's totally alright. I tend to get a bit bitchy around this holiday too. I'm new here and I really don't want an enemy this early in the game. Tell your sister I'm sorry as well and that I hope there is no hard feelings." Victoria smiled a bit, her eyes sincere and kind. She looked over at Kaci, giving her a small smile, hoping that kaci wouldn't take it the wrong way. "I was probably going to go anyways, maybe take a walk. If your sister wants to talk or whatever she can come find me."

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

Before Victoria had a chance to walk away, Gaby blocked her path, "One second, please." With that Gaby walked over to Kaci, grabbed her by the arm and told her to go make ammendments with Victoria, "Make it right", she warned as Kaci began slowly making her way over to the girl. Kaci took a long, deep breath and let out an angry sigh, "Um. So yeah. I'm kinda sorta...sorry for um well...everything", she forced out, trying to sound as sincere as she could possibly allow herself to, "I'm Kaci, in case you were wondering or something" she finished as she shuffled her feet.

[tekaixblindxangel]

"I'm Victoria, Tori for short. And I'm sorry if I offended you in anyway..." she twiddled her hair in her finger, standing there awkwardly in silence, unsure of what to say. "So... um.... yeah...." she smiled a bit, "I'm probably going to get out of your way considering you wanted to leave so bad..." She moved out of the way, sighing a bit.

[Gaby.Lily.Kaci.Eva.Cam♥]

Now that the fight was over and the apologies were said to an extent, Kaci proceeded toward the exit, "Yeah well... this holiday is not my thing so don't cross me!" she responded as she made her way through the somewhat rowdy crowd. As she counter set her turns so as to not bump into any couples, she tripped over an unfamilar males foot and blushed in embarassment before hurrying back to the opposite direction of where she wanted to go (that male and his supposed girlfriend were now blocking the exit). She sighed, scanning the room for Gaby's table, cussing under her breath after realizing that in order to get to Gaby's table, she'd have to walk by Victoria again. How awkward this was going to be. She decided on hustling through the crowd, avoiding eye contact with everyone (including Victoria), in order to make her way to the safety of Gaby's table. As she walked by, McKenzie (her neice) rushed over, "kaci me dance wiff you" she pleaded to her aunt with her big, puppy dog eyes. Kaci could not turn her neice down, "Alright miss Kenzie, let's dance." she exclaimed as she scooped her four year old neice into her arms.

[tekaixblindxangel]

Victoria moved to sitting at a small table in the corner, smiling a bit at the adorable sight of Kaci dancing with the little girl. She was so ready to ditch this, scanning the room for the quickest exit. Not finding one, She rummaged through her purse, pulling out a heart shaped lollipop and sucking on it, leaning back in her chair and watching the couples dance. She got a text from a guy friend at home, thanking her for giving him advice on how to surprise his boyfriend, and giving her the hottest fashion pictures to buy as a thank you. She smiled and texted him back, muttering, "Gay men. You gotta love 'em."