"There is no way I would try out for the musical," Bree said. She was standing by the lockers with Maeve, Adam, and Chase.

"I don't know, I kind of want to," Maeve said. "I think it might be fun."

"You should," Chase smiled. It hadn't really been awkward between the two of them after their interaction a few nights ago, but they had been a little distant from each other.

"I'm thinking of trying out, too," Adam said. "Someone's gotta be the talented one in the family!"

Bree rolled her eyes.

"Psst!" Someone hissed. They looked over. Leo was peeking his head out from behind the gym doors. "Hey, guys, you ever have that nightmare where you're standing in the middle of the school in nothing but your birthday suit? Well, it's happening to me!"

Leo walked out, clutching onto a towel that was wrapped around his body. "Someone stole my clothes while I was in the shower!"

"Well, you know," Adam said, "when I lose something, I find it helps to ask yourself, where's the last place you saw it?"

"On my body," Leo glared.

"And you've definitely checked there?" Adam asked.

"That's horrible. Who would do that to you?" Maeve frowned.

"Ayoooo!" A voice yelled. Trent walked out of the gym, wearing Leo's clothes over his coach uniform.

"Trent? You took my clothes?" Leo said.

"Well, yeah. How else am I supposed to play 'Attack of the Giant Trent'?" Trent stomped around the room, Leo's shoes on his hands. "Fe, fi, fo, fum. I smell the blood of a wimpy one! Get it? It's you!"

Trent smiled at Leo and then crouched down to flex. As he did, Leo's shirt ripped. "Oh! Looks like your mommy's gonna have to buy you clothes at the Not Big and the Not Tall store!" He laughed and ran off.

"Why does Trent always pick on me more than anyone else?" Leo exclaimed.

"Well, I outsmarted him," said Chase. "When he was still a student, I studied his schedule and routine to ensure that we were never alone together. I even know when he's gonna take a-"

"Bathroom break!" Trent called, running across the foyer.

"Right on time," Chase said.

"Son, you need a hobby," Bree said to him. Maeve nodded.

"I'm sick of this," Leo glared. "I'm gonna offer Trent a choice: stop picking on me or suffer the consequences." He walked back into the gym.

Suddenly, Leo screamed. Trent ran into the foyer, holding Leo's towel, swishing it in the air. "Camera phones on, people! We got a runner!"

Chase, Adam, Bree, and Maeve exchanged glances and pushed through the crowd rushing into the gym to defuse the situation.

-

Once everything had blown over, Maeve and her friends stood in the foyer, waiting for Leo. Leo walked out of the office, wearing a way-oversized suit that could only belong to Principal Perry. Maeve and Adam laughed.

"Lost and found didn't have anything, so Principal Perry loaned me her emergency pantsuit," Leo explained. Trent came around behind him and pulled the shirt over his head. 

"Jackethead!" Trent taunted, walking away.

"Okay, that's it. It's time me and Trent had a talk," Adam said, determined. "Now he's disrespecting my brother and casual business attire!"

Perry emerged from her office. "Looking good, Dooley! Sorry about the crumbs in the pockets. I'm a girl who likes her crackers." She made her way to the middle of the foyer. "Attention, dandruff donkeys! This Friday is the homecoming dance, and if you don't have a date now, keep asking. I love watching rejection!"

Maeve looked at Chase. He avoided her gaze.

"How many dances have you been to?" Bree smirked.

"We're not going there, stick-pop!" Perry snapped. "Tomorrow's also the 100th anniversary of the demise of Jasper the Janitor! Flo, Brandy, a little mood lighting!"

A lunch lady turned off the lights. Another one held a flashlight up the Perry's face.

"It was a dark, gloomy night at Mission Creek High when a group of kids decided to prank old Jasper!" Perry hissed.

"What were a bunch of kids doing in school at night?" Leo asked.

"Irrelevant!" Perry screamed. "They decided to scare him when he was cleaning the pencil sharpener. His beard got caught and all they found were Jasper shavings, with no one to sweep them up!"

"What about the janitor?" Adam furrowed his eyebrows. "Oh, never mind, guys, I got there."

Perry continued. "Legend has it that every ten years, Jasper's ghost returns to seek revenge on the school!"

Trent screamed. "Uh, I mean, ah, good story!"

"Whenever he returns, there's always one kid who mysteriously moves away, never to be heard from again!" Perry said, gesturing for the lunch lady to turn the lights back on. "Anywho, I'm going on a little vacay! Me and Mr. Whiskers are gonna zip line across the Grand Canyon. Until then, I leave you under the watchful eye of Ms. Thistle."

An extremely old woman stood next to Perry, her eyes shut.

"Thistle!" Perry yelled.

Ms. Thistle snapped awake. "Bingo!"

Perry rolled her eyes. "See you all in two weeks! Well, whoever's left."

The crowd dispersed.

"Are we really supposed to believe that the school is haunted?" Chase asked.

"I believe it," Maeve shrugged. "Imagine a bunch of students who don't take you seriously scare you into getting shredded up. I'd haunt the school too."

"Jasper's probably just misunderstood. The ghost in my cartoons is very friendly," Adam said. Maeve nodded.

Trent passed by, talking to his friend. "Do you think that ghost is real? And I'm not asking for me. It's for my friend... Brent."

Leo's eyes widened. "I got it! Trent is afraid of ghosts! We can use your bionics to create one and scare him! Then he'll be humiliated and he won't do it to me anymore."

"Leo," Chase frowned. "Do you actually believe anyone's gonna buy that the school's haunted just cause I do this?"

Chase raised his hand, using his molecular kinesis to drag a broom across the foyer. The surrounding students screamed and ran away in a panic.

Chase laughed. "Alright, let's make some ghosts!"

-

After school, Maeve walked into the living room to see Bree.

"Hey, Breezy!" Maeve said.

"Maeve, get this! They're letting me decorate the gym for the homecoming dance!" Bree smiled.

"Oh, no way!" Maeve grinned. "That's awesome! I can't wait to see what you do with it."

"Yeah, the theme is the American Frontier, so I'm thinking a Wild West style."

"I love that," Maeve said. "Let me know if you need any help decorating."

"Thanks, Maevers. Oh, Owen said he wanted to help, but I don't know. I think he seemed a little jealous that I'm doing the decorating."

"Oh, because he's an artist and all?"

"Yeah," Bree nodded. "I don't mind letting him help, though."

"True, but it is still your project. You make the decisions."

Bree smiled.

Maeve continued. "So, I assume you're taking Owen to the dance? Are you guys, like, serious now?"

"I mean, he's not much of a labels guy, but I think we're pretty much dating."

"Aw, I'm happy for you, Bree. It seems like he really makes you happy."

"He does," Bree sat down on the couch. "So, are you gonna ask Chase?"

Maeve sat down next to Bree and paused. "There's no point denying, is there?"

Bree shook her head, smiling.

Maeve chuckled. "I don't know. I'm a bit worried he'll say no."

Bree raised an eyebrow. "Girl, how could you be scared he would say no? You're way out of his league."

Maeve laughed. "How are you so chill about this? I would not be happy if my best friend was trying to date my brother."

Bree sighed. "I'm not. But I want you to be happy. And if Chase somehow makes you happy, I'll deal with it."

Maeve hugged Bree. "Thanks. But yeah, I don't know. He doesn't even seem like the type of guy to be into homecoming dances."

"Well, is it important to you?"

"I mean..." Maeve shrugged. "Yeah. I've never had a homecoming date before. I've always wanted to."

"Then talk to Chase," Bree said. "If you ask him, I'm sure he'll say yes. He'd be crazy not to."

Maeve thought. "I will. Thanks, Bree."

-

Maeve spent the next day at school thinking about how she would ask Chase to the dance. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to go with him. Part of her thought he might too, honestly - given their almost-kiss a few nights ago. But part of her was also worried. In the past few days, she noticed Chase acting a little weird around her. Was it because of what happened, or was it because he didn't actually like her? Even if he didn't want to date her, Maeve at least wanted to be friends. But now, she wasn't even sure if he wanted that.

After school, Maeve went to the foyer to look for Bree. She saw Owen leaving the gym, so she decided to check there.

Maeve walked in to see the gym covered in Mars-themed decorations. Bree stood in the center, upset.

"...Bree?" Maeve questioned.

Bree saw her and breathed a sigh of relief. "Maeve, I'm so glad you're here."

"I thought you were doing a wild west theme for the dance?"

"I was. I just got here. Owen decorated the whole thing without me!"

"Are you kidding?" Maeve's eyes widened. "Did he even ask you first?"

"Nope!" Bree frowned. "And when I confronted him about it, he said I was in over my head. He acted like he was doing me a favor!"

"Well, that's just sexist," Maeve scoffed. "I'm sorry, Bree. You deserve better." They hugged.

"I'm so upset with him," Bree said, once they had pulled away from the hug.

"And rightfully so. What are you gonna do?"

Bree thought for a moment. "I'm gonna redecorate it." She used her super-speed to take down all the space decorations.

"Nice," Maeve high-fived her. "You want any help setting up the new decorations?"

"Thanks, Maevey, but I think I wanna do this on my own."

"Alright. Good luck, Bree. Keep me updated on the whole Owen thing."

Maeve made her way out of the gym and home to the Davenport mansion. When she didn't see Chase, she went down to the lab. There he stood, studying some metal gadgets.

"Chase!" Maeve said. "I need to talk to you about something."

Chase looked at her. "You do?"

Maeve nodded. "It's about the dance."

"Oh," Chase swallowed. "Me too."

What did he want to say?

"What is it?" she asked.

"The spirit is real."

Maeve did a double take. "What?" She laughed.

"Jasper! The spirit. And he's targeting me, Adam, and Leo."

"...Really?"

Chase nodded.

"Maybe it's because you doubted him and how he's mad," Maeve grinned slyly.

Chase smirked. "Doesn't matter. We think he's planning something big for the dance, so we're gonna capture him."

"Oh," Maeve's face fell. "You're gonna be chasing him during the homecoming dance?"

Chase nodded. "I rigged these ion blasters to paralyze the spirit."

"Oh."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Chase said. "You want in?"

"No thanks," Maeve faked a smile.

"Alright," Chase nodded. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Uh..." Maeve stammered. "I just wanted to ask how wild west you were gonna dress, but it doesn't matter. I'll just ask Bree."

Before Chase could respond, Maeve was in the elevator to go back upstairs.

She had never felt so stupid. She thought Chase liked her back, but he didn't even want to go to the dance. Like, he didn't even ask her about it.

Would he even had wanted to go as friends? What if he still saw her as a threat, in some capacity?

Maeve shook her head, trying not to think about it. Chase was nice, he was probably just clueless. Right?

She walked quickly into the living room, almost crashing into Bree.

"Maeve?" Bree said.

"Sorry, Bree," Maeve sighed.

"Hey, what's wrong? Sit down," Bree and Maeve sat on the couch.

Maeve frowned. "I didn't ask Chase out."

"Why?"

"He, Adam, and Leo are gonna try to catch the ghost during the dance, I think. I don't know."

Bree gave her a sympathetic look. "He didn't even talk to you about it?"

Maeve shook her head.

Bree sighed. "I'm sure if you asked him, like, really asked him, he'd agree."

"No, I don't really care anymore."

Bree stared at her. "Okay, well, why don't you just come with me?"

"What about Owen?"

"He'll be fine. You come first."

Maeve smiled and hugged Bree. Together, they spent the rest of the afternoon listening to Taylor Swift and getting ready for the dance.

-

The dance itself ended up being pretty fun. Maeve talked to some of her friends and hung out with Bree and Owen, who had made up. Bree had done a great job with the decorations, and people were having fun.

Suddenly, Adam, Chase, and Leo burst into the gym. They were dressed head-to-toe in ghostbusters outfits, carrying giant ghost-trapping weapons.

"Bree! Maeve!" Chase hissed.

Bree and Maeve exchanged glances and walked up to the boys.

"Have you seen any apparitions, ethereal beings, phantasms?" Chase asked.

Bree and Maeve stared blankly.

Chase frowned. "Ghosts! Have you seen any ghosts?"

"Unfortunately, no," Maeve replied.

Bree laughed. "What are you talking about? There's no such thing as ghosts!"

"Yes, there is!" Adam said. "And I hope Jasper gets here soon. The men's room's out of toilet paper."

"Hey, let's go check the hallway!" Chase said to Adam. Adam and Leo ran off.

"Chase," Maeve said. "Is this really how you want to spend tonight?"

"How else would I spend it?" Chase asked. He looked genuinely wondering.

Maeve shook her head. "Forget it."

Chase left. Maeve turned back to Bree and some of her other friends.

A few minutes later, Adam, Chase, and Leo burst into the gym, screaming their lungs out. A green, transparent being appeared next to Bree, yelling evilly.

"Run for your lives!" Leo cried. The students broke into a panic, rushing to hide behind tables and decorations as Adam, Leo, and Chase tried to blast the spirit with their ghost guns.

"Yo, Jasper!" Chase yelled. The spirit appeared next to him. "Get out your mop!"

"Cause it's about to get messy!" Leo exclaimed. In trying to shoot Jasper, Leo and Chase accidentally blasted each other and fell to the ground.

"What? Never seen a kid in a ghostbusting outfit twitching on the floor before?" Leo said to the students staring at him.

"Adam," Chase grunted. "Suck it up!"

"Chase, I'm being as brave as I can!" Adam cried.

"The ghost! Suck up the ghost!"

"Oh, right." Adam grabbed his gun and aimed at Jasper.

"Quick, he's getting away!" Chase yelled.

As Adam ran after the ghost, he crashed into a curtain in the corner of the gym. The curtain fell, revealing a huge special effects controller board, operated by Principal Perry. Next to her stood a very much alive version of Jasper and a video camera.

"Hello!" Perry said nervously. "Everyone having a nice homecoming?"

"Principal Perry?" Leo asked. "You're the ghost?"

"I thought you were on vacation," Chase frowned.

"I am," Perry laughed. "Truth be told, I can't think of a more enjoyable way to relax than scaring kids!"

"How are you still employed?!" Bree exclaimed. Perry shrugged.

"So, who's that guy?" Leo pointed to Jasper.

"Tom Baumgarten," Perry answered. "He owns a special effects house. We met when I had a small role in Space Wars!"

Leo gasped. "I thought I recognized you! You were one of the fuzzy forest creatures!"

Perry smiled. "I'd to the harvest dance for you, but I save that for fan conventions."

"Smart," Leo nodded.

"Anywho, Tom's the real genius behind this. I just push the buttons and laugh!" Perry explained.

"So, wait," Chase said. "If you just wanted to mess with everyone, then why'd you come after the three of us?"

"Scaring kids is my thing! You're stepping on my turf! Although, that lockers thing with Trent is genius. I still haven't figured out how you did it."

Chase paused. "A true magician never reveals his tricks."

"I pushed it!" Adam exclaimed proudly. Chase elbowed him.

"Wait a minute," a voice said. It was Trent, covered in hay, emerging from behind the door. "I am so confused. Ghosts are real: yes or no?"

"No!" Leo, Chase, and Adam replied in unison.

"So you guys were messing with me?"

"Yes," the boys said.

"And you were messing with me?" Trent turned to Perry.

"Eh, walk it off, Mitzi," Perry scoffed.

Trent turned angrily to the boys. "Deal's off, Dooley. I hope you like wearing your underwear as a hat, because that is where it's gonna be. Ayo! Undie head!" He ran off.

Adam's jaw dropped. "An underwear hat! How could I not think of that?"

-

After the dance, Maeve headed out into the courtyard of the school, sitting down on the patio to think. It was a cool night, a warm breeze slightly ruffling her hair.

"Maeve."

Maeve turned around to see Chase. He looked cute, wearing a black t-shirt and his ghostbusters pants.

She stood up. "Hey, Chase."

"Hey, um," Chase frowned. "You seem mad at me. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, I mean," Maeve sighed, "I just... kind of wanted to hang out with you at the dance."

Chase paused. He looked so sad, so apologetic. "I'm sorry, Maeve. I was only thinking about catching the ghost."

Maeve felt bad for being upset.

Chase continued. "I would have. Had I known."

"It's also just... I feel like you've been kinda distant lately. It just made me feel bad, I guess."

"I never wanted to make you feel that way," Chase took a slight step closer to her. "The only reason I was acting different was because-"

"Because you don't trust me," Maeve said.

"What? No," Chase shook his head. "That's not true."

"Chase, it's okay," Maeve laughed. "I wouldn't trust me either. You don't have to explain yourself."

"No," Chase said. "No, I don't blame you for what happened. I trust you, Maeve. I promise."

Maeve studied him. "Really?"

"I trust you completely."

Maeve breathed. "Okay. Prove it." She inched closer to him.

Chase looked a little confused. "...Prove it?"

Maeve nodded. "Show me that you trust me."

Chase's eyes nervously dropped to her lips. At this point, they were standing so close to one another that they were almost touching.

A moment passed. Maeve was about to walk away, when suddenly, Chase leaned in and kissed her.

He was evidently nervous. It was mostly a peck, lasting only a second or two before he quickly pulled away and looked at her in anticipation.

Maeve blinked.

Chase looked scared now, like he thought Maeve didn't feel the same way.

No way would she let him feel like that.

Maeve leaned forward and took Chase's face in her hands. She gently planted her lips on his, kissing him softly, deeply. Chase was surprised at first, but adapted to the kiss quickly. He brought a tentative hand to her waist.

Her stomach fluttered as a familiar warm feeling bursted through her. She kept kissing him, wrapping one arm around his shoulders and resting her other hand against his chest. Maeve could feel Chase's anxiety dissipating as he melted into the kiss. With every second that passed, she grew happier, until she broke into a smile.

Chase pulled away from her, replicating her smile. He laughed a little. Maeve looked at him, studying his face. She was so relieved that he wasn't upset with her - that he actually liked her. She gave him another kiss, this one shorter. It took a second for Chase to open his eyes after.

Maeve opened her mouth to say something, but froze when she heard footsteps. She and Chase broke apart.

Adam stepped onto the patio. "Hey, Chase, Perry wants us in the gym to clean up."

"I'm coming, Adam," Chase said.

"Do you guys need any help?" Maeve asked.

"Nah, we got it. No better duo than the bionic bros!" Adam fist-bumped his brother. Chase exchanged smiling glances with Maeve before heading inside.