It's time.

I follow Lucy and Darren outside and onto the pavement walkway that leads to the mall lawn. Streaks of pinks and reds and purples and rainbows bleed across the snow as everyone snakes into the SAC gym. It's slow getting through the doors and I'm impressed at the turnout. I'm impressed at my fellow students.

We're all dressed to the nines.

Nev meets us right inside the doors. She dressed to match Lucy perfectly.

My jaw almost drops as I walk into the dance room, ducking under strings of paper-hearts and snowflake garland and glitter balls as I walk. I have to hand it to the GG, they did damn good. All the glitter under my nails was worth it to be walking into this lushly romantic winter wonderland. All the alone time with Harry was worth it.

I quickly discover Nikki was right. This singles' mixer is no single city. In fact, it's low key couples galore. Couples everywhere –holding hands –making out –wearing matching outfits. Nikki and Chloe doing all three.

"Oh my God. This place. Just –Wow!" Nikki exclaims, looking around, her jaw dropped in awe.

"Serious love vibes right now." Chloe grins, taking Nikki's hand in hers.

"Who knew the Glitter Girls had it in them?" Nikki shrugs.

"Hey, don't forget some of these snowflakes are mine!" I smirk.

My stomach flips just thinking about my time cutting out all these snowflakes and hearts. Some of them are mine, but some of them are his too. How many people in this gym right now know that freaking Harry of Gilded Rage helped cut out these paper decorations?

"See ya later, boo," Nikki says, kissing my cheek. She whispers under her breath. "Good luck. And we'll be watching."

"What she said." Lucy smirks.

"Go get it!" Nev winks.

"Thanks guys," I nod.

I scan the room. I see Harry and his band mates on the stage, setting up their microphone stands. If I close my eyes, I can hear him serenading me again. I can feel his lips meeting mine for the first time. My eyes can't look away. He's already sweaty under the stage lights. His button down is hanging open and I'm staring at his torso and tight pants and the way his Martin hangs across his chest.

Without even realizing it, I have walked right up to the edge of the stage. Harry looks down with a lazy, cocky smile.

"Hey," I say, suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious in my dress. I remind myself he's seen me in one of his T-shirts.

He hops down and stands in front of me. My heels make me almost eye-to-eye with him.

"Hey you," Harry grins.

I'm aware the eyes of every girl (and some guys) are on me right now. On us. I panic thinking Jake and Shawn are most likely watching too.

"Wasn't sure you'd show," Harry says, swinging his guitar over his shoulder.

"Couldn't stay away," I say. Oh, Elle. No. No.

"I'm not mad about it," he laughs. His accent is extra thick right now.

Here we are. At a school dance. I cannot fathom that less than 48 hours ago we were arguing in a quiet library over which was the more talented Brontë sister.

"Oi! Harry!" His band mate shouts behind him. I think his name is Oliver.

"Yea, yea. Coming!" Harry calls back.

"Duty calls." I laugh.

"So, it seems." Harry sighs, shaking his head. The way he looks at me really hits home. I want to believe it's real. I do believe it's real. "I'll be singing that solo halfway through. Don't go too far."

I nod, biting my lip from smiling. I back away from Harry, from the stage, and from all the eyes watching me.

I shake it off and look at the side of the room where my eyes find a group of seven or eight guys. The football guys. Shawn leans against the wall with a sport coat over his T-shirt. His hands are wedged in his pockets and he's talking to one of his teammates I recognize from the house party.

Brittany and Amanda are hanging around them in all their glittery, desperate glory. Shawn looks up just then and his eyes lock with mine over the heads of everyone on the center floor. Dangling hearts move in and out of our line of vision to each other. I blink and Shawn is suddenly standing right in front of me.

"Ellie, you look –Wow," Shawn says, sucking in a breath.

"Thanks," I can almost feel my cheeks flush with color. They probably look like two of these suspended hearts. "You look wow too."

If you ever told me Shawn Carr would be telling me I look wow, I wouldn't have believed you. It's been my dream to hear those words since like 2010!

"Have you made up your mind yet?" He asks, almost awkwardly.

"I–" I start.

"Because either way, I believe you owe me a dance," Shawn says, holding out his hand.

Ah! Not yet. I need more time. I'm about to say so when Darren and Theo walk right up to me, saving the day.

"Girl, there you are. Please, here," Darren says, handing me a Polaroid camera.

"Sorry." I mouth to Shawn and take the camera, shrugging.

"Later then," Shawn says before turning to rejoin Andre and Joe and company.

"You're on pic duty ASAP. Lucy can't aim for tit balls and I'm not missing a single inch of this purple suit." Darren is waving his hands over his coat.

"At your service," I say, holding up the camera.

I aim it at him and Theo. They're standing against the wall of a thousand hearts in a mock-prom pose, giggling and maybe even more handsy than Lucy and Nev.

"Three. Two. One." I snap the pic and wait for the Polaroid to start printing.

"Pure magic, baby." Darren admires the photo. "You're on retainer."

"Thanks, Elle," Theo says, rolling his eyes at Darren.

I can't help but laugh.

"Okay, we're off. Theo?" Darren says, holding out his hand for Theo to take it.

I shrug them off and look at the far wall.

Jake is lounging under the neon LOVE sign hanging over the mock bar. Of course, it's not actually serving alcoholic drinks. It's a shame too because for the first time since I had my beer at the house party, I'm wishing I had something stronger than my ginger ale.

Jake in his leather coat and James Dean T, I can't help but stare at him. I can almost smell his smoky minty skin from here. Our kiss from the other night plays through my mind like a movie on fast-forward (and repeat).

"Hey girl." A girl's voice says next to me.

I turn to see Olivia watching me with a grin on her face.

She's sitting at a small table with her boyfriend, Brad, who is a junior on the varsity basketball team.

"Hey," I smile back. "Good dance, right?"

They are the only two sitting at the table and I wonder where the other 2/3 of herself are. I hardly see Olivia and Brad together, but when I do they look great. A golden couple –actually because Olivia's mini dress is made entirely of shimmering sequins. Even her shoes have pink glitter puffs on the top of them.

"Yea it's not so bad. Meeting up with anyone in particular?" Olivia asks, coy. Her eyes dart to the stage. I roll my eyes but can't help and smile back.

"We'll see." I shrug.

An hour of dancing and five fake drinks later, Harry's band mate's voice comes over the microphone announcing a short break. Shrieking girls are lining up beside the stage to meet Gilded Rage, ogling over each and every member, Harry included.

I don't want to be one of them, but I can't blame them. Harry steps down from the stage and disappears into the shining sea of sweaty bodies.

My body temp is starting to cool down and I can almost think straight again. Music plays in the background. It sounds static and distant but it's a nice break from the live music. Nikki and Chloe are talking to Lucy and another girl next to the wall of hearts. I do a quick sweep to search for the others.

Jake is still next to the bar. My heart freezes when I see Shawn walk up to him. He grabs a plastic cup from the dispenser and fills it with some love-punch. Then Harry materializes out of the crowd next to them. He picks up a bottle of water and unscrews the cap. All three of them are standing at the fake bar together.

I hear you, Universe. Loud and clear.

My hands are at my side, playing with my dress. I look at the three of them: At Shawn's cropped black hair and chiseled jaw. At Jake's dark brooding eyes and perfect full lips. At Harry's tattooed forearms and glistening bare neck. I can see everything in this moment. I can see friendship, desire, a soulmate.

My legs feel like Jell-O and my feet like heavy weights. But they're not weights. I'm just feeling the heels Nikki insisted I wear. Deep breath.

I shake off all my nerves and walk straight up to the bar, my fears and doubts drowning in my wake.

This is it.

"Hi." I announce myself.

Shawn, Jake, and Harry all turn and look at me, waiting. I know what my heart is telling me to do. I know who my heart is telling me it wants.

I turn my head and hold out my hand. Ignoring the other two, my eyes find his and I part my lips. "Dance with me?"

He looks at me and almost laughs. "Oh Elle, I thought you'd never ask."