Chapter Fifteen

"Well, this is it, the big showdown," Chris said from the passenger seat of Seth's car. The two were on their way to pick up Julia and Katie before the dance. "Are ya ready for it, buddy?" Seth shrugged noncommittally and kept his eyes on the road.

"I don't really see what the big deal is," he replied. "The only reason why the entire school is buzzing about tonight is because they think I'm going to dump Katie and go back to Rachel, which the four of us at least know hasn't got a snowball's chance in Hell of happening." Chris nodded.

"That's true, but we all know everybody will be talking before the night is out."

"They'll be talking, sure," said Seth. "But not about what they think." Chris raised his eyebrows.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm tired of all of these rumors. I'm tired of the way that everyone treats Katie. I've only known her for a few weeks, and I've already had enough. I can't imagine how it must make her feel, having dealt with it her entire life. Nobody think's I'm serious about her because nobody thinks she's worth a second glance. Tonight I'm going to prove everyone wrong."

"You're planning something," said Chris, his blue eyes boring into his friend. Seth shrugged.

"Call Julia and let her know we're getting close." Chris grinned and slid his cell phone out of his pocket.

"Okay, fine. Don't tell me. I'll find out anyway." They fell silent as he dialed Julia. "Hey, it's me. Are you at Katie's?"

"Yeah, we're almost ready." Chris let out an exaggerated sigh.

"Almost? You are aware that the dance is tonight, not next year."

"Very funny, Christopher. I'm just helping Katie with her hair."

"Well, we'll be there soon," answered Chris before ending the call.

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When they pulled up in front of Katie's house, Seth and Chris slid out of the car, corsages in hand, and made their way toward the steps where the girls stood waiting.

"Well, don't you lady's look lovely," Chris said as they approached. "And it only took how many hours?" Julia rolled her eyes.

"I don't hear you complaining about the result," she challenged. Chris grinned and slid an arm around her waist.

"This, I have to admit, is true."

"You really look incredible," Seth murmured to Katie as he handed over her corsage. "They're little pink rosebuds. They match your dress perfectly actually."

"Only because I told you what color my dress was going to be," quipped Katie.

"Can't you girls give us any credit?"

"No, I don't think so." Julia poked her friend in the ribs.

"That's my girl." Seth drew Katie's arm through his.

"Okay, enough of this. Let's go before my car turns into a pumpkin."

"Do you really think I look incredible?" Katie asked hesitantly. Seth squeezed her hand.

"Trust me. Nobody will be able to take their eyes off you tonight."

When they arrived at the dance, the four friends wove their way through clusters of students in search of an empty table. Heads turned as Seth and Katie passed. People whispered to their companions, pointed, or simply stared at the couple, dumfounded. Seth paid them no heed, though he was secretly glad that Katie couldn't see their unflattering reactions. After they'd saved their place at a table, he turned to her.

"Would you care to dance, Miss Hanson?"

"I'll embarrass you," she said. "I can't dance."

"So what? Neither can I," said Chris. "Be glad you can't see me dance."

"He's right," chimed in Julia. "Come on, Katie. It's the Electric Slide," she coaxed.

"But I don't know the steps," protested Katie. Seth reached down for her hand and gently urged her forward.

"I'll teach you. Come on. It'll be fun." He paused for a moment in thought. "Here. Tell ya what." He pushed aside several chairs and pulled Katie into the empty space.

"We'll have a quick thirty-second lesson right here before we go out there and try it. Okay?" Katie shrugged.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Nobody's watching. Now, take my hands, and just do what I do." Seth guided Katie through the steps several times before they hit the dance floor. By the time the song ended, they were laughing so crazily that neither cared whether or not they were doing the motions correctly.

"Well Well well," said a cool voice as they left the floor and made their way back to the table. Seth felt Katie's arm tense against his.

"It's okay," he whispered.

"But what if she makes a scene?" Katie hissed.

"Shh, don't worry. I've got a plan. Just follow my lead." The couple stood their ground as Rachel sashayed toward them, the hem of her scandalously short, black dress swishing against her thighs.

"Sethie, I haven't seen you. I was wondering when you were going to get here," she gushed. Seth wondered for a moment if it was wise to pick a fight with a girl wearing stilettos, but he couldn't turn back now. He had to see this through.

"Hi, Rachel," he said smoothly. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Oh, totally!" exclaimed Rachel. "Where's your date?" Seth would have liked nothing better than to poke her in the eye with one of those three-inch heals.

"I'm here with Katie," he answered. Rachel's blue eyes flitted in Katie's direction, but she offered know other acknowledgement of the girl's presence. Twirling a lock of her auburn hair around her index finger, she leaned in closer, addressing Seth in a confidential tone.

"Listen, Seth, somebody's gotta say it. This isn't good for your reputation. You know the whole school is talking about you. They all think you're degrading yourself, and I have to say I agree. She's not good enough for you."

"Ya know," interrupted Katie, "I'd appreciate it if you'd stop talking about me as if I weren't here."

"You stay out of this. It's got nothing to do with you," snapped Rachel, looking directly at Katie for the first time.

"Actually, it does, as I'm the one you're talking about," replied Katie. Rachel actually took a step closer to her, and Seth instinctively tightened his hold on her arm. By now a cluster of female spectators had gathered at the spot. Katie turned to Seth.

"Seth, I'm fine. Let go." Reluctantly Seth released his hold and crossed his arms impatiently.

"Look, Rachel," Katie continued. "Seth wants to be with me, and everyone's just going to have to accept that, including you."

"Let's get something straight," snarled Rachel. "You're not good enough for Seth. In a few weeks he'll find someone better."

"Like you?" Katie challenged. Rachel flipped her hair.

"Seth knows what his options are," she replied silkily. "And unfortunately I don't think you're on the list." Seth couldn't take it any more. He had to end this; it was now or never. Taking hold of Katie's shoulders, he angled her body so that she faced him. The surprised expression that flitted across her face barely had time to register before he leaned in and kissed her hard on the mouth. He allowed himself to savor the success of the moment before pulling back with a broad grin on his face and turning to Rachel.

"You were saying, Rachel?" A murmur rippled through the group of girls congregated at the spot, but Rachel simply stared in disbelief.

"Finally she blurted, "Well, Seth, I'd never have believed it of you." With one last exaggerated hair flip, she spun on her heal and flounced away, followed by her entourage. Seth looked down at Katie. Her cheeks were flushed, and she appeared a little breathless.

"Did I shock you?" he asked.

"A little," she murmured. "I didn't think you'd do that in front of everyone, but it was…kind of nice."

"I was really proud of you for the way you stood up to Rachel like that," Seth told her. Katie shrugged.

"It had to happen some time."

"You guys were brilliant!" cried Julia, suddenly appearing behind Katie.

"Where have you two been?" Seth asked.

"We were watching from the sidelines," said Chris. "I thought it was safer from there. Did you see how long Rachel's nails are?" Seth laughed.

"I had a narrow escape," he admitted.

"Way to go, man." Chris clapped his friend on the shoulder.

"Katie, you were just amazing!" Julia threw her arms around her. "The way you stood up to her like that. I knew you could do it!" Katie smiled.

"I wouldn't ever have done anything like that if it hadn't been for you three," she said.

"WE didn't really do anything," answered Chris. "You had it in you all the time. You just needed someone to show you it was there."

"If you three will excuse me for a moment," Seth interrupted. "I have one more thing I need to do. Don't go anywhere, Katie. I'll be right back."

"What's he up to?" wondered Katie.

"I don't know," replied Julia. Chris was grinning at Seth's retreating back.

"Christopher, you know what's going on." Julia poked him in the arm.

"Tell us." Chris shook his head.

"Be patient. You'll find out in about thirty seconds." As Seth returned, the music stopped momentarily, and everyone on the dance floor paused to determine whether or not they liked the next song.

"Okay, we're going to slow things down a bit here," said the DJ.

"I've got a request here from Seth to a very special little lady named Katie. I hope you all like it." Seth turned to Katie.

"Want to dance?" Without waiting for an answer, he laced his arm through hers and guided her onto the floor. ---My love must be a kind of blind love. I can't see anyone but you---

"You planned this whole thing," Katie said accusingly, though there was a sparkle in her eyes. ---And dear, I wonder if you find love an optical illusion like I do--- Seth said nothing, only pulled Katie closer and inhaled the flowery fragrance that emanated from her skin. ---Are there stars out tonight? I don't know if it's cloudy or bright, cause I only have eyes for you---

"I still can't believe you kissed me in front of all of those people. I felt like I was starring in a chick flick." Seth shrugged.

"It was a bit cliché, but you have to admit it was effective. You know these people. They've got to see it to believe it." Katie smiled. ---The moon may be high, but I can't see a thing in the sky, cause I only have eyes for you---

"Seth, do you remember when I asked you why you picked me out of all of the girls you had to choose from?"

"Yes," he said. Katie's eyes gazed directly into his for a moment, and his skin tingled as if the look had penetrated his very soul. She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Well, now I think I know why." ---You are here, so am I. Maybe millions of people go by, but they all disappear from view, and I only have eyes for you---

THE END

A/N: Well, this is finally finished, or at least, a draft of it is finished. The lyrics incorporated into this chapter are taken from Frank Sinatra's "I only have eyes for you". I know not a lot of high school students are into the big band era, but it seemed like such an effective way to end. I’m actually starting to think that this story is very cinematic, but I know next to nothing about screenwriting, so I don't really know how to turn it into a film. I really want to thank everyone for all of the reviews and the interest you've all taken in this story. I really hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you. My thanks goes out to: henred5, Tracie2004, slightlyaddictedx3, jEnN, Jess, Olivine, free-to-dream15, dawn's unforgiving darkness, NessaroseThropp, Austere, ooies, Chelsea Dagger, Alenor, eliza-smiles, SwordOfLightBladeOfDarkness, Waters, unrequitedx, Noelle, Point Zero, StrawberryStarburst, sparkle587, EiznekcaM, A.H. Fenald, RedViciousApple, Twist130, Purple-Butterbear mangoslushee, artisresistance, iced-faerie, Southern Siren, Tenaya Sovann, Ginne, Shake Hips Not Fists, Ruh, GreektoMe, sealednectar, DreamingInTechnicolor, Short-N-Sweet-18, Jess, Cel M, YuLian, elohimdancer319, free-to-dream15, euphorictragedy, Myrrh, La., Fan-Club-President18, complicated melody, Matthews, Kristine, Mcbeff, Trishcbury, elephant121, Kira, Katsiebee, superheroesarereal, Samara, Hotroxygurl, Aquarius21, candycoatedtoxin, Alyssa, SushiMarshmallows, leighala, NOT ON FICTIONPRESS, Ladyofthecity, Katsui Adonis, itse, rewind regrets, delusional101, unthinkable, Cool-Ruzz, iluvsweep, trappedolphin, OhDarling, Raven of Ice, RoxyRoo, potophan1010, NHATTERSZ, SweetWithUncertainty,

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