Jack slipped out of his bedroom for the third time that night, a new crumpled note in his hand. He ran down the hall and the stairs to the lobby, a silhouetted figure in the moonlight. Unfortunately, Kedgeree was still sitting at his desk, finishing up for the evening. "Good evening, lad," the man looked up from a stack of paperwork and smiled at Jack. "What are you doing up so late?" His voice was mildly curious, but Jack just sighed. "The bin. Again." Kedgeree wrinkled his nose. "What are you writing that takes so much thought?" Jack looked at his toes. It was a good question. What was he writing? Utter nonsense, that was what. "Oh, um... just a story," he lied airily, waving a hand. The old snowy-haired man nodded sympathetically and nudged the small, half-full bin to Jack. Jack tossed the crumpled piece of paper into it with a sigh and ran a hand through his messy hair. "Are you sure?" Kedgeree asked, smiling guiltily at Jack. "No." Jack sighed. Truthfully, they were notes. To a certain black-eyed wonder. "They're actually... explaining something to someone." Kedgeree frowned. "Who and what, with best intentions?" But Jack was already gone.

Morrigan Crow had been defeated. Again. "Haha!" Hawthorne roared, jumping up to do a small celebratory dance. "You lost!" He pivoted slowly as though showing the whole smoking parlour his glory (and goofy dance). From the other side of the room, Dame Chanda Kali arched an eyebrow at Morrigans friend. "Shut up." Morrigan hissed, slapping his hand. "Yeesh!" Hawthorne said loudly, recoiling. "Shut up." Morrigan repeated, gesturing to the radiant Dame Chanda, who was sprawled dramatically on a couch, watching Hawthorne sharply. "We'll go," Morrigan called hurriedly to the woman, yanking her friend to her side. "We will?" Hawthorne sighed. "Aw. This place just found the perfect smoke for me." Morrigan grabbed his arm and pulled him out the door. "She said we could stay if we were quiet!" Morrigan said in a slightly raised voice. Someone cleared their throat behind the pair. Morrigan spun around and smiled coyly at Jack, who was looking awkward. "Um, can I borrow Morrigan for a minute?" He said, reaching for her hand. Morrigan stepped forward and their hands connected. Jack watched her intently, hoping for signs that perhaps- just perhaps she might feel the same way about him that he did about her. He was disappointed, however, when he saw her looking at their touching hands rather than his face. Hawthorne nodded and headed for the door.

Jupiter smiled knowingly at his nephew and scholar as they made their way upstairs together. Jack was so awkward when he liked someone. Frank appeared behind him suddenly. "Ah! Shhhh!" Jupiter yelped. "Can you not?" Frank scowled at him, then followed his eyes to the pair. Frank smiled brilliantly. "Finally! I wanted to plan a wedding, but these young people just think its so unrequited, and its so boring and honestly can't you just get married already-" "Hey hey,"Jupiter interrupted. "Aren't there a few steps before that?" Frank bared his fangs broodingly. "Fine. And you, Jupiter? Have you got someone of interest yet?"

Jack led Morrigan up the stairs to his bedroom. "I wanted to ask you something," Jack said hesitantly. Suddenly Frank burst through the door. "Black ball tonight! Come with a partner or don't come at all!" And then he was gone. The two were silent for a minute, letting the words sink in. "Come with me?" Jack asked finally. "Sure." Morrigan said with a gleam in her eyes. Jack smiled. "You like the theme." Morrigan nodded distractedly. "Well... lets get ready."

Morrigan sighed and picked up her book, letting Dame Chanda play with her hair. The soprano had been delighted when Morrigan had trudged up to the music room and asked for her help. "Finally, we have a ball you will attend!" The woman had cheered. Finally, Kali gasped and motioned for Morrigan to stand up. She wore a simple black dress set off by her black hair, which fell to her chest in waves. A silver crow earring adorned her left ear, and her right wrist had been decorated with a bracelet of Lazulite. "My darling, you will be the talk of the dance." Dame Chanda informed Morrigan with a wink. "Good luck tonight."

Jupiter took Dame Chanda's arm and the two friends floated down the ballroom steps, to thunderous applause from the crowd of guests at the bottom. Charlie and Martha were next, blushing like mad. Three more couples followed, then finally it was Morrigan and Jack's turn. Jupiter grinned at the staircase and winked at Chanda as the two descended, looking as though they would rather like to run away and never come back. The guests clapped at the fifteen and seventeen year-olds, while Jupiter gave delighted cheers. As the last few people arrived, Morrigan made her way over to her patron. "Good job." Jupiter smirked. Morrigan nodded stiffly and sidled over to the food. Jack caught up breathlessly and whispered something to Morrigan. She looked like she'd like to stuff her mouth and leave, but she replied a murmured "yes". Jupiter edged closer, wanting to see what they had talked about. Jack tried to kiss her cheek but slipped and ended up kissing her on the lips. Morrigan's face turned a bright red and she and Jack quickly pulled away, avoiding each others eyes. Morrigan took a brownie absently and hurried over to Jupiter, Chanda, Martha and Charlie, who were smirking at Jack. "The fu-" she caught herself and finished, "uuuuuuuudge you talking about?" Charlie and Martha glanced at each other and quickly turned away, sipping their drinks. "Uh," Jupiter sighed. They knew that Jupiter had seen. "Your kiss." Morrigan hunched her shoulders so high she might as well have been wearing them as earrings. "Oh. It was... I mean... didn't want to..." Chanda interrupted her stuttering with a gasp. "But of course! This is a sign!" Morrigan wasn't so sure. She would have preferred to forget this night altogether.

Alright this was my first story so its really rubbishy xd

Its kind of a twisted love short story but oh well :D