Title: A Spring Fling
Rating: PG-13 but only for language.
Setting: late March/early April – Spring Fling high school dance, junior year in high school.
Summary: It’s the Spring Fling dance, and there’s romance in the air! Or really, maybe it’s just the vodka in the punch bowl.
Feedback: Feel free to review.
Dedication & Special Thanks: To Cee, my partner in crime for the last four years, and thanks so much for letting me borrow Fred, Kate, and Daniel, who make the lives of my characters sooo much more interesting.
Disclaimer: I own Lex O’Leary, Jeff Delricci, Anna Eukovich, Sammie Blackburn, Anthony Nicholson, Matt McDougal, and Chris Mitchell. As I noted before, Fred Ahlgren, Kate McKinley, and Daniel DeRienzo belong to my friend Cee, who has been kind enough to let me borrow them.
Story Notes: This story is based loosely on the events described in Cimmy's 'Seven Days A Week' story.

(Part 01 / 03)

“This is going to be such a disaster,” Jeff said to Anthony as they got ready to go pick up their dates for the Spring Fling.

“Why’d you ask Kate McKinley if you didn’t want to go with her?” Anthony asked, struggling with his tie. “God dammit I hate these things!”

“You were there. She begged me to take her,” Jeff said fixing his own tie. “What was I going to do?”

“Force Daniel to take her,” Anthony said simply. “Or tell her somebody better would have asked her. That isn’t completely untrue, you know, somebody better would have asked her,” he grinned.

“Shut up,” Jeff said, doing his best to comb his messy red hair flat, “I’m as good as it gets.”

“Yeah, Jeff, you’re a real prize. There’s a hell of a long line waiting to get to you,” Anthony laughed, then nearly strangled himself with his tie. Jeff had to step in so that Anthony didn’t accidentally suffocate himself.

“And you’re so slick and smooth, how do you keep the girls off you? What girl wouldn’t want a guy who nearly strangled himself with his tie?” Jeff chuckled once the color returned to Anthony’s face.

“Why does this stupid dance have to be a formal one?” Anthony muttered bitterly. “Why couldn’t this be a casual dance, like the Fall Ball?”

“They changed it this year. This one used to be casual too, you remember last year. I guess this is their attempt to class it up,” Jeff said, fixing his own tie. “But could we get back to my problem?”

“You mean Kate?”

“No, I mean the crisis in the Middle East. Of course I mean Kate,” Jeff rolled his eyes.

“It’ll be fine. And if you want to feel bad for anyone, feel bad for Sammie,” Anthony said.

“Why?”

“She and Kate went dress shopping together. It took four hours at least, apparently,” Anthony explained, now straightening his jacket.

“Sammie loves that stuff, I bet she didn’t care,” Jeff said. “And it wasn’t just dress shopping.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was shoe shopping. And it was accessory shopping,” Jeff explained. “I’m sure they both had a blast and spent way too much money.”

“Lex and Anna took two hours,” Anthony said.

“Lex and Anna are much less fussy,” Jeff said. “You know how Sammie is. Of all of them, she’s the vainest. Kate probably had to find something that didn’t clash with her hair.”

Anthony cracked up laughing. “Like you have any right to talk, you’ve got the same hair color.”

“Black goes with everything, including my hair,” Jeff said, admiring his black suit in the mirror to make sure there wasn’t anything embarrassing on it. “Anyway, I just hope Kate shuts up for like, five whole seconds once in while. She’s a sweet girl but talks way too much.”

“All girls talk too much,” Anthony said rationally. “How do I look?”

“Like you’re really uncomfortable,” Jeff said, noticing the look on Anthony’s face. “What’s up?”

“I dunno, I’m rethinking my date with Sarah. Maybe I should have taken Anna instead,” Anthony shrugged. “She doesn’t really like the guy who asked her. Tyler or Tommy or whatever his name is.”

“You’ve been dying to have a reason to ask Sarah out somewhere, you asked her, she said yes, and now you’re worrying that you should be taking Anna instead?” Jeff asked amusedly. “Sounds like someone’s getting cold feet.”

“I’m nervous,” Anthony admitted. “I like Sarah.”

“Don’t be nervous. Just be chill. You know, like me, all cool and suave,” Jeff nodded. Anthony laughed.

“Where are the girls?” Anthony asked.

“Matt and Chris are meeting us downstairs and then Matt and I are going to pick up Sammie and Kate. I think they went to Lex and Anna’s room, something about hair and makeup,” Jeff explained. “You know, lots of hot hair sculpting tools, hair products, silly colors and giggling.”

Anthony laughed, then said, “What about me and Chris?”

“What about you and Chris?”

“Where are we picking up our dates?”

“Chris said that your dates live in the same building so you guys can go get them together,” Jeff explained. “Jeez, Anthony, didn’t you ask Sarah where she lived?”

“Yeah I did, I’m just having trouble right now!” Anthony exclaimed. “I nearly killed myself before.”

“And it was hilarious,” Jeff grinned. “We’re late,” he said checking his watch, “Let’s go.”

They walked down the hall, into the elevator, and found Matt and Chris waiting for them in the entrance.

“What took so long?” Chris asked. “We’re ten minutes late now.”

“I nearly killed myself with my tie,” Anthony admitted. “Damn thing nearly strangled me.”

“Besides, what’s the rush?” Jeff asked.

Matt sniggered, “I forgot you were going with McKinley.”

“Shut up. We can’t all meet the person we’re going to marry at the age of seven,” Jeff retorted. Matt flushed scarlet.

“We’re not getting married,” he protested.

“Yeah, right, and ooh look, there’s a flying pig!” Chris said, pointing towards the sky. “Ten or so years from now we’ll be watching you get married or like, welcoming one of your children into the world.”

Chris and Anthony split for the other girls’ dormitory just down the path while Matt and Jeff made a left to where Anna, Lex, Sammie, and Kate lived. They found Fred fumbling with a corsage by the entrance.

“I hate flowers,” Fred practically cried as Jeff and Matt walked up to him. “They attract bugs.”

Matt took pity on him and grabbed Lex’s flower before Fred crushed it trying to swat away a bug that found it enchanting. “Relax, man, it’ll be all right,” Matt said, “I’ll carry this for now.”

“What color is Sammie wearing?” Fred asked Matt.

“Pink,” Matt said. Jeff stared. “You’re as surprised as I am. Sammie doesn’t do pink too much,” Matt explained to Fred who didn’t understand why Matt and Jeff were so shocked.

“I’m surprised, Kate loves pink,” Fred explained.

“Oh good, pink would go well with this completely white and silver corsage,” Jeff said matter-of-factly.

Jeff smirked a little to himself. He didn’t know what color Kate’s dress was, because every time he asked, Kate would go on and on about how it was a big surprise. Consequently, Jeff bought a white rose with a white and silver ribbon for her. He figured it would go with anything. Originally he entertained the idea of getting a black ribbon as a sign of mourning but when he voiced this out loud, Lex smacked him in the back of the head and told him to be nice.

The guard at the door swiped their student IDs before letting them into the building. They went up to the sixth floor where Anna and Lex lived. Sammie lived on the eighth floor, and Kate lived on the same floor as Sammie, though not in the same room.

“Are they all together?” Matt asked, stepping out of the elevator after Fred and Jeff.

“Yeah, I think so. Doing girl things. Giggling,” Fred said. “God, I’m nervous.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about,” Jeff said as they walked down the hall. “Really, Fred, just be yourself. Lex likes you tons.”

“Does everyone know I like her but her?” Fred asked.

“Pretty much,” Matt said. “You’re so obvious you might as well put it on a t-shirt…hey, if you put it on a t-shirt she’ll know too!”

Jeff elbowed Matt before the three of them stopped in front of room 609. There was a lot of giggling on the other side of the door. Jeff chuckled and Matt knocked. Jeff wasn’t prepared for Kate to come running out the door and leap into his arms. They landed on the floor in a heap. Matt and Fred laughed.

“Ouch! Kate! Get off my arm,” Jeff said loudly.

“Sorry!” Kate squealed without moving, “I’m so excited!”

“You don’t have your dress on,” Matt observed. “We’re late.”

“It’s the last thing I have to do and put on my shoes!” Kate babbled excitedly. “Do you like my hair? Anna did it! And my makeup? And my nails?”

“You look great Katie,” Fred smiled. “Go put your dress on.”

“Is this for me?” Kate said excitedly, picking up the corsage that had landed on the floor when she’d leaped into Jeff. It was miraculously uncrushed. “It’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Jeff said as Kate admired her rose. “Hey Kate?”

“Yeah Jeffster?”

“Get off my arm!”

“Ooooh sorry!” Kate got up and ran with her corsage back into the room, slamming the door behind her. Jeff groaned and Matt and Fred laughed.

“How’s the arm?” Matt asked, trying not to laugh too hard.

“Crushed, thanks,” Jeff sighed, rubbing it. “She’s heavier than she looks.”

“She’s all muscle from cheerleading,” Fred nodded. “Hey, weren’t we supposed to go into the room?”

“Obviously not,” Matt said. “They’re not ready yet.”

“Girls,” Fred shook his head. “It takes them longer for one of them to get ready than all of us combined.”

Lex stepped out of the room just then in a scarlet cocktail dress with white stilletto shoes, white purse, and white clip holding back half of her hair. She was wearing more makeup than usual, but not in a bad way. Jeff figured that Sammie must have done it as Sammie was very good with makeup. Jeff also noticed Fred looked like he was going to faint.

“Hey. Sammie and Kate are coming. Anna’s already gone, her date was on time,” she explained. “Jeff, what are you doing on the floor?”

Jeff looked up and realized he was still lying on the ground. “Hurricane Kate,” he replied with a groan. Lex smiled and held out her hand to help him up. He took it.

“Kate’s very excited,” Lex giggled. “Hello Fred.”

“Hi,” Fred said carefully, as if he didn’t want to say something he’d regret. Jeff wondered if “Go away, I can’t handle this” would accidentally pop out of his mouth, and while it would be hilarious, decided it would be better if that didn’t happen.

“How do I look?” Lex asked him, spinning around so he could see all of her.

Fred didn’t say anything, he just kind of stared at her. Matt looked at him gaping and answered instead, “You look beautiful, Lex. In fact, this is for you.” He handed Lex her corsage.

“Thanks Matt. Did Fred buy Sammie’s corsage?” Lex grinned.

“I bought your flower,” Fred found his voice. “It’s just that there was this bee and I don’t like bees.”

“And Matt was your knight in shining armor?” Lex giggled.

“Kind of, yeah,” Fred said, also smiling now. “You look lovely, by the way.”

“Oh thank you! I’m glad you noticed! And this is a beautiful flower!” Lex smiled and looked at her watch. “Oh no, we’re so late! SAMMIE, KATE!” Lex shouted.

Sammie came out of the room in a long pink dress, also with hair and makeup done. Her accessories, Jeff noticed, were a gray color. Jeff wondered if he was spending too much time with girls since he was noticing the colors of the accessories. Either way, Sammie looked beautiful and it was Matt’s turn to stare.

“Hello,” she said, stepping out and kissing Matt’s cheek.

Matt smiled, “You look gorgeous. Here, this is for you.”

Sammie took her flower and put it on her wrist. “It’s beautiful Matt, thank you.”

“Where’s Kate?” Jeff asked.

“She just had to put on her shoes, she’s coming,” Sammie said.

Sure enough, Kate walked out the door ten seconds later in a shimmery blue dress, complete with shimmery blue shoes and shimmery blue purse and already wearing her corsage.

“How do I look?” she said, twirling around.

“Shiny,” Jeff said honestly. Lex stamped on his foot with her stiletto. “Ouch! I mean – you look gorgeous Kate. I’m positive you’ll be the prettiest girl there.”

“Thanks Jeff,” Kate said brightly. She seemed bouncier than usual. “Hiya Fred!” she squealed going over to him. “Doesn’t Lex look pretty?”

Fred smiled. “Lex looks very pretty. You look pretty too,” he said diplomatically.

“Shall we go then?” Sammie asked, leading the way back toward the elevator.

Jeff followed as Kate twirled around him, chirping happily about nothing. He wondered how long this night was going to be. Kate stepped on the foot Lex had already injured with her high heel. Oh, it was going to be a long night.