HOMECOMING!

[audrey]

Audrey was so busy trying to subtly show off the dress Desmond made her to every girl that walked by that she almost didn't notice that Garrett had showed up and with a girl even! She gasped with shock and excitement, she really was happy the kid worked up the balls to ask someone.

"Is that my little Gary with a girl!" she said with semi-mock pride. She was a little proud of his, but over exaggerated to make her look like a sarcastic bitch because she was like that. "And here I thought you were going to ask Desmond or somebody like him! But, hey, don't think this is going to stop the gay wise cracks, this doesn't mean anything. I mean, look who I'm with." She pointed at Desmond and mouthed 'fag'. She really did just make fun of Garrett out of friendly love. If she really didn't like the kid she'd just go tell him to fuck himself.

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett gave a dramatic shudder at her use of the name 'Gary'. It was probably the least favourite of his nicknames via Audrey. . .and she had once dubbed him 'Gare-bear'. At her comment about this meaning nothing gay-wise, he shifted slightly towards Faye, rolled his eyes and gave her a look as if to say 'see what I mean?'

"Nice," he said to Audrey. "That's different."

[Desmond Giuseppe]

"Oh, leave him alone tonight, Audrey." said Desmond lightly. He knew she only teased Garrett because she liked him, but it still got a bit old at times. Then Desmond noticed who Garrett was with; Faye. Desmond eyes glance over a Vinnie for a second; Garrett didn't know that Vinnie had a crush on Faye, but he could still tell that Vinnie was a little thrown off by it. It made Desmond feel a little awkward because it wasn't like he could be mad at Garrett or anything because he didn't know. "Oh, hello Faye!" said Desmond politely, "You look nice!"

[warren]

Warren went to the homecoming dance stag. Not because he couldn't find a date, but rather he couldn't pick a date. There were a lot of attractive girls he could have brought with, but he didn't feel like wasting his time weeding them out.

He was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt under a black blazer with a pair of dark boot cut jeans. He had a pair of black shoes on with it. ((He had a pair of sunglasses on too and a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. .. jk)) He ran a hand through his hair carelessly as he waited until he passed a teacher chaperoning to pull out a small crystal bottle with golden liquid in it. He took a quick swig of it and grinned as he found himself a table.

[Faye Prewett]

Faye was glad that Garrett's friends were taking kindly to her, as she didn't know any of them that closely. She smiled a little as Audrey attacked her date's sexuality, and Faye couldn't help but secretly hope he wasn't gay. Not that she wouldn't be his friend if he was, but because she was starting to develop a crush on him, and that would all go to hell if he ended up really being gay. The eye-roll eased her mind, though, and she laughed a little as Desmond told Audrey to back off.

"Hey Desmond," she said, returning the greeting. "Thanks," she added, once more looking down at her dress to make sure she looked alright. "You look nice too!"

[cynthia]

"Hey, great job organizing this." he told her with a smile, "And I love your dress, it suits you personality very well. I always thought you looked the best in cool colors."

Cynthia smiled up at Desmond. "Thanks," she said, grateful for the compliment. Perhaps it was a good thing she had shown up after all. Her friends were all there, and that was bound to make the night better. "I mean, it was mostly Brooke, but... I helped where I could," she added modestly. Cynthia rarely took credit for things like that. The spotlight wasn't for her. "As for the dress, well, these things tend to be so blah, so I figured I'd add a little color to the mix. You know me... I can't do anything plain."

It seemed like Desmond was a people magnet, because suddenly there was a decent-sized group around them, including Audrey, Garrett, and Faye. Cynthia listened in on their teasing, but just shook her head a little. Poor Garrett!

[brooke]

"Oh, go right ahead."

Brooke nodded, and then watched as something very strange occurred. It seemed like Vinnie was about to pull her chair out for her, when Tadhg moved to do the very same thing. There was some sort of unspoken exchange of thoughts before Vinnie moved back into his seat and Tad pulled out her chair. Weird. Brooke decided not to say anything, figuring that Vinnie had just been trying to be nice.

She sat down in her seat, between Tad and Vinnie. “Thank you,” she said to Tad. She felt odd having him do all of these nice things for her. She didn’t expect for him to wait on her all night or anything like that, and she hoped that he didn’t feel like he had to. She wasn’t used to it, and even though it was what guys were expected to do she still felt weird about it.

"You look very nice, Brooke."

“Thanks, Vinnie,” she replied, surprised at the amount of compliments she was getting that night. “I have to keep up appearances,” she added, jokingly, with a slight wink. Being Head Cheerleader and in charge of so many school activities she really did have to keep her appearances, though. It was expected of her.

“Hey Viola,” she added, greeting Tadhg’s cousin with a smile. "Enjoying the dance?" Since she was from another school, Brooke was curious as to what she thought of the St. James homecoming dance.

[Garrett Speelers]

((Just so he doesn't look like an asshole. . .I'd like to clarify that Garrett awkwardly told Faye she looked nice when he picked her up. . .which is why I haven't had him say so at the dance.))

Garrett smiled a little when Desmond. . .the only decent comparison he could make was "Defended his honor" to Audrey by telling her to quit with the gay jokes tonight. As Desmond complimented her he looked over at the girl he was here with. Sure, she was a bit younger, but she was definitely prettier than most of the girls in his grade, and smarter too: she had to be. He felt a genuine smile tug at the corner of his lips for the first time in a week.

"Everyone looks pretty amazing tonight," he commented, trying to include everyone present in the compliment. "Some more than others, though."

He said the last part with a look at Faye. He hoped he was being charming. . .and not creepy or schmaltzy. He just. . .weren't dates supposed to say things like that? Damn despite what he told his brothers about "liking boobs" and "having fans" he hadn't had a girlfriend yet. . .which was the general reasoning behind all the gay jokes he received. He was awkward sometimes when it came to girls, but it was different around Faye. he felt more like himself. . .not completely comfortable: she was an attracive girl, but closer to ebign himself.

[Viola Hastings]

"Yeah, I am," Viola said to Tad's girlfriend, Brooke as she heard mentioned. "I like the decorations and ambiance better here than the crap we had at my school."

She decided it was best to ignore the little slip up that had taken place. She liked Brooke well enough actually, and while she doubted he would feel he needed it, she gave Brooke her approval as far as her cousin was concerned.

[audrey]

Of course Desmond came right to Garrett's defense like he always did. No wonder the kid had little to know balls; a gay guy always had to come to his rescue. Audrey wasn't still in her 'be nice to Desmond and do everything he asks since he tried to kill himself' mood so she didn't persist with the gay jokes.

"Everyone looks pretty amazing tonight. Some more than others, though."


Audrey rolled her eyes at Garrett; the poor guy had to be so desperate for a girlfriend, or to just get laid, one or the other. That was the only reason he was whipping out the cheese compliments. Now that Audrey thought about it she couldn't remember Garrett ever having a girlfriend. Not that she was much to talk though; he last boyfriend had been Blane Robinson the infamous woman beater. Quite frankly she'd rather never have had a boy friend than had a relationshit with Blane.

"Stop talking about me Garrett," said Audrey flatly, "You'll make your date jealous. Although I understand it's hard not to notice how amazing I look in this dress."

[vinnie]

Vinnie thought his slight jerk would go unnoticed because it really wasn't all that obvious, but apparently both Brooke a Tad noticed. He tried to act natural like nothing even happened as Tad and Brooke sat and joined then. Somehow having a real couple at the same table as him and Viola made Vinnie fell like he was a bit under pressure. He almost felt like it was some kind of competition to see who made the better date. This is why Vinnie had trouble with girls; sure he was polite enough, but he never knew what to do! Chivalry could only get you so far. Vinnie was going to have to be creative now if he didn't want to bore Viola.

"So, Tad I met your brother." Vinnie told him. "He seems very nice." He didn't mention how awkward Sebastian was, he thought that might be too bold.

[Desmond Giuseppe]

"I mean, it was mostly Brooke, but... I helped where I could,"

"Well, I'll be sure to tell Brooke how lovely of a job she did some time tonight." said Desmond with a smile. It was nice that Cynthia wasn't taking all the credit, of course, Desmond didn't expect her to. Brooke seemed a little busy at the moment with Tad, Vinnie, and Viola, so Desmond decided to wait to go over to talk to her.

"As for the dress, well, these things tend to be so blah, so I figured I'd add a little color to the mix. You know me... I can't do anything plain."

"Well, you look great!" said Desmond. He couldn't help, but think Cynthia would look even better if she was wearing a dress he designed. Audrey looked great in the dress he made her, but unfortunately it made her even more smug that usual. Oh, well, she was raised by a drag queen.

Just then 'I'm Bringing Sexy Back' came on. "AH! Somebody quick come dance with me!" exclaimed Desmond, popping out of his seat.

[Tadhg Kelly]

"My what?" Tad asked. Viola kicked him under the table. "Oh my brother Sebastian. Yeah, he's nice enough, gotta love the kid, but weird and awkward as all hell."

He felt like Viola had that one coming. The kick wasn't necessary: he'd have remembered on his own.

[brooke]

"I like the decorations and ambiance better here than the crap we had at my school."

Brooke laughed, glad that Viola was enjoying her time here at the dance. She had worked for a long time when it came to picking out the decorations, and so she was relieved that everybody seemed to enjoy them. After all, she hadn’t picked things just because she liked them, but because she thought that everyone else would as well. So far she’d been right.

“Thanks. But I’m sure your school’s wasn’t that bad,” she added modestly. She wanted Viola to like her because she was related to Tadhg. Even though they were just cousins, she knew that she would feel better knowing that Tad’s family liked her as well.

Vinnie and Tadhg started talking about Tad’s brother, and she didn’t interrupt. She hadn’t actually met him yet, though she’d heard rumors about him and the fact that he was an amazing soccer player. Oh, and that he was awkward.

[cynthia]

Cynthia listened to the music as Desmond spoke. When were they ever going to play something good?

"Well, I'll be sure to tell Brooke how lovely of a job she did some time tonight."

“Yeah… though I’m sure she’s getting all of the compliments she can handle,” she added, glancing over at where Brooke was sitting between Tadhg and Vinnie. She shook her head slightly.

"Well, you look great!"

“Thanks,” Cynthia said again. Just then one of those songs came on that everybody at her school seemed to know except for her. That was what she got for only listening to her iPOD instead of the radio and boycotting MTV. Not that she minded, really.

"AH! Somebody quick come dance with me!"

Cynthia backed up a little, fearing that Desmond would pull her onto the dance floor just because she was the nearest person to him.

"Yeah... I... don't... dance..." she muttered, looking around nervously.

[Faye Prewett]

"Everyone looks pretty amazing tonight. Some more than others, though."

Faye wasn’t really used to getting so many compliments in such a confined period of time. Sure, she did get compliments every now and then, but they were usually spread out, or from different people. It was sort of weird getting so many from Garrett, especially because they were technically only there as friends. She couldn’t help but blush a little, an action which was covered up by the artificial blush she’d meticulously applied to her face just an hour ago.

"Stop talking about me Garrett, You'll make your date jealous. Although I understand it's hard not to notice how amazing I look in this dress."

Faye laughed at that, glad that Audrey was there to break the ice a little even if she could be over-the-top sometimes.

[Garrett Speelers]

"Wow you're so right, Audrey," Garrett said, overly dramatizing his agreement.

He assumed Desmond must have made it, but he knew so little about dresses. He had been about to try to offer Desmond a compliment to Desmond about the dress when Bringin' Sexy Back started playing, and he took a step backwards. he didn't want to get dragged out onto the dance floor right away. He saw Cynthia do the same as him and mutter something about not dancing.

[Desmond Giuseppe]

Nobody seemed to want to dance with him so Desmond grabbed Garrett's wrist and pulled him on to the dance floor. IT chose Garrett because he was the only guy near him and because sometimes the kid needed to lighten up and because he didn't know Faye, Cynthia looked terrified at the thought of dancing, and Audrey would have scratched his eyes out because she wasn't finished showing off her dress. So, Garrett was Desmond's luck dance partner! Of course Desmond would reframe from dancing like he was at Babylon, but he was going to have fun none the less.

"Come on Garrett! You go girl!" said Desmond gleefully.

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett felt what he had suspected would happen in the end. He hadn't backed up quite far enough. He shrugged at Faye as he was dragged away, and pointed over his shoulder at Audrey.

"This doesn't mean anything!" he told her.

As he was pulled out onto the dance floor he was relived to notice that at least they weren't the only two out there. There were at lest 15 other kids on the floor so far. He looked at Desmond and sighed.

"I don't even like Timberlake you know," he commented.

[Desmond Giuseppe]

"I'm not his biggest fan either, but I love this song!" Desmond exclaimed. He loved pretty much any song he could dance too even if it happened to be by an artist he didn't particularly like. Now, if the DJ started playing some Mates of States the Desmond would be really dancing!

Garrett was being annoyingly stiff. "Come on Garrett! Dance!" exclaimed Desmond, "I'm going to have to take you to Babylon and have those boys whip you into shape!"

[Garrett Speelers]

"Ha Ha Ha . . .no," Garrett said to Desmond's comment about Babylon.

He couldn't even imagine the ass whooping he'd get if anyone ever found out he had been within 20 feet of Babylon. He gathered Desmond was joking, but still. . .

He didn't really dance well in the first place. He moved his feet a little, shifting his weight back and forth, and then moved his arms a little in time with the beat. He was trying at lesat, taht had to count for something.

[audrey]

Audrey cringed as she watched Garrett try to dance, key word being 'try'. It was just horrible and pathetic at the same time. "Anyone else think Garrett looks like a robot on crack?" Audrey said to no one particular. "Actually, I take back everything I've ever said about Garrett being gay; a gay guy would know better than to dance like that. This is just painful to watch."

[Faye Prewett]

"Come on Garrett! You go girl!"

Faye tried not to laugh as Garrett was pulled onto the dance floor by Desmond as “Bringing Sexy Back” started to play through the speakers. She found herself tapping her foot to the beat, the moving her shoulders a little. She watched as Garrett tried to dance, but appeared to be failing.

"Anyone else think Garrett looks like a robot on crack? Actually, I take back everything I've ever said about Garrett being gay; a gay guy would know better than to dance like that. This is just painful to watch."

That was rather unfortunate, but it seemed like Garrett was enjoying himself. She stood up from her seat and decided that she was up for a little dancing as well. Faye had a sort of natural grace about her, and since her normal movements were fluid her dancing wasn’t half bad. She joined Desmond and Garrett on the floor, getting into the song.

[Garrett Speelers]

Garrett was shaking his head sadly at Desmond.

"I know this song isn't about me," he commented. "I imagine you have to dance like Timberlake to bring sexy back."

He laughed slightly at this to show that he wasn't trying to be self-deprecating, merely truthful. Faye came over and joined them, and he felt himself get a little more self conscious than he had been before, but he kept dancing like he had been, trying to dance less stiffly. . .oh good, let's not think about that he told himself mentally. He couldn't help but notice that Faye was a good dancer, in fact a much better dancer than he was, but he'd made it this far in life without needing to Tango or anything like that, so he figured he's be all right.

"Come to join our little dance party?" he asked her with a grin. He'd been doing a lot of that lately.

[Tadhg Kelly]

Tad heard Desmond get up at the table next to them and saw him drag somebody out onto the floor out of the corner of his eye. He turned to look over at Brooke and gestured out to the dance floor.

"D'you wanna dance?" he asked.