It was the night of the annual holiday dance. It was the same night Sally's family had their big holiday dinner at Aunt May's house in upstate New York. Since this was her last high school dance, she convinced her parents to go ahead of her and let her go up after the dance with her friend Dmitri. However, she admittedly never understood the huge fuss about the dance. Sure, it is a great time, but it is just a party that eventually people are going to forget about. Her friends, Dmitri and Lex, share her opinion. They would usually just hang around and watch tomorrow's gossip unfold. In spite of this opinion, Sally always went because she needed a break from studying, or at least that is what her family and friends say. Besides, it was always nice to take a stroll in the city afterward and see it in its holiday splendor.

She had just finished putting on the royal blue dress that matched her blue and black hair when Dmitri called.

"Hello," she answered.  

Hey, what's the plan for tonight?" asked Dmitri

"Let's see, the dance ends around 10:30 and your luggage is already here, so we could just drive straight to my house after we walk around town a bit. The train leaves at 12 and we can take a cab from the train station to my aunt's house."

"That sounds doable. Are we getting snacks on the train?"

"Yeah, if you are buying."

"Ha.Ha. Very funny. The usual split down the middle it is. It's a shame Lex can't come."

"I know, but she's going to visit her family in California. Anyway, I'll see you in a bit ."

"Ok. Bye."

After she hung up, she touched up her makeup. Then took a picture of herself and sent the picture to her 14-year old sister, Angie. Afterward, she grabbed her purse and left the house.

When she arrived at the venue, she saw a boy leaning against the wall, playing on his phone. Next to him, a girl was looking through her purse. The boy was about six feet tall with jet black hair. He wore a black suit with a white collared shirt, a black tie, and instead of dress shoes, he wore black and white Converses. The girl next to him looked like she came out of Victoria's Secret magazine. She was about Sally's height and she wore a mid-length hot pink dress with her blond locks flowing to her shoulders. The boy smirked as Sally got out of her Mini-Cooper.

"Dress to impress, I see," Dmitri said as he looked up from his phone.

"Thanks, Dmitri. But I honestly, just tossed this together. I only bought this dress a few hours ago," Sally said modestly.

He's right though, you look gorgeous!" Lex exclaimed as she finally looked up from her purse, phone in hand. She then took a picture of Sally and Dmitri.

"Thanks, guys," Sally said when the picture was done, clearly uneasy with all the attention.

"Well, we should get going guys. Do not want to be late for the latest scandal," Dmitri said as he looked away from Sally, towards the venue.

The trio went inside, which was decorated for the occasion. Ornaments were hanging from the ceiling, with red and green lights scattered throughout. There were two floors: the bottom having a dance floor and the top having the view of New York City. They made their way to the second floor as the first course was coming out. After the entrée came out, Lex took the reluctant Sally to the dance floor.

"Seriously, we had to dance?" Sally asked.

"Yes, especially with how look, you should show yourself off!" Lex exclaimed.

"I'm not really good at dancing."

"Excuses, excuses," Lex said in disbelief.

"Fine," Sally finally agreed.

While Sally and Lex danced, Dmitri came up behind Sally and asked "May I cut in? Do you mind Lex?"

"No, I don't mind. Besides my feet are tired," Lex said with a wink.

A slower song came on as Dmitri took Sally's arm. "Oh, I love slow songs," Sally said sarcastically.

"This isn't the best song." Dmitri chuckled as he looked down at the girl in his arms. "But I'm glad I get to dance with you." 

She then looked up at his silvery, steely eyes, eyes that always hid something that she could never put a finger on. "Yeah, me too."

They continued to stare at each other as if a secret message was being passed between them. The message was interrupted when Lex came. "Hey, guys! The dessert course is coming out, just wondering if I should get you guys anything."

Startled, Sally and Dmitri separated and said "Ok" in unison and disappointment.  

After the last dance, the trio headed towards Fifth Avenue to look at the Christmas decorations.

"It's so beautiful!" Lex exclaimed.

"Yeah, it is!" Sally said with awe.

They walked around Fifth Avenue for about thirty minutes. At this point, Lex left the group because she lived nearby.

"See you love birds soon," Lex said with a wink.

"We are not lovebirds!" they exclaimed.

"Keep telling yourselves that," Lex said. "For as long as I have known you two, you have always seemed closer than friends to me. But perhaps you're right. I mean friends dance like that all the time."

They did not respond. In fact, they just stood there shocked as if the truth had been exposed. Lex looked at them smugly and left. Afterward, the two of them made their way back to Sally's car in silence.

"I'll drive," Sally said as she opened the car door. 

"Fine, but don't crash the car," Dmitri teased as he got into the passenger's seat.

"Shut it. I do happen to be the better driver." Sally retorted.

"Ok, let's pretend that's true," Dmitri said sarcastically.

"You know, you could walk."

"Nah, I rather put up with your driving."

He then reached over and turned the radio to the rock station. It always impressed her that even though he admired these rock stars, he could play as well, or sometimes better than them. He played almost any instrument, from the drums to the violin. As Sally thought about this, a car came barreling down the road and crashed into them. There was a flash of white light...