Gemini, Rusty, and Ariel walked together down the beach towards the rides. They were chattering and laughing, the picture of happiness.

"This is unbelievable. I never would've guessed in a million years that Francesca George would win! Ooo, and wasn't Amber mad!" Ariel gushed, laughing out loud. "I would hate to be Francesca right now."

Gemini thought for a moment, looking up into the now-violet sky. Night was coming and the town was settling down for it's nightly routine.

"I don't know. I've seen Francesca before, and she looks like the girl who doesn't take any mess. Besides, it's about time Amber were knocked off her high white horse. I'm glad it's finally happened," Gemini said with decided satisfaction.

"Yeah, I guess. I really don't care. This dance is supposed to be the best ever. I talked to Brent and he said that the planning committee had an awesome band coming to play, as well as a DJ from the radio. In fact, I was supposed to meet Brent back at the stage area, but I haven't seen him. Have you two seen him around?" Rusty inquired.

"No, I can't say that I have. I wonder where he could be. Eve's going to be upset, though. I'll go talk to her when we get there. You're right about the dance, though. It will definetly be the best dance ever," Gemini commented, brushing back her silky black hair, her eyes shining.

Ariel fingered the bag of charms she held in her pocket and smiled. Ariel had a lot of plans for that night, plans that she was convinced would bring Rusty to her.

As the three headed towards the Arboretum to attend the dance, something caught Ariel's eye. She turned around, but she didn't see anything. She slowly turned around again. Again, something caught her eye. She quickly turned around and witnessed a flash of red light. This disturbed her.

"Hey, you guys, I'll catch up with you. I just remembered I left something back on the beach," Ariel said quickly, turning to walk towards the light. Rusty's voice stopped her.

"Are you sure you don't want us to go with you? It's getting dark," Rusty called after her.

Ariel closed her eyes and clenched her teeth. Normally she would've jumped at the chance to be near Rusty, but something about this light told her to keep him away.

"No, Rusty. Thanks, but I'm OK. I'll see you in a few minutes," Ariel said quietly, walking off towards the strange red light, not knowing what danger waited there. As she walked near the bushes, a pair of arms reached out and grabbed her. She tried to scream, but a hand quickly clamped over her mouth. Ariel disappeared into the bushes.

Shannon & Christian arrived at the Arboretum simultaneously. As soon as they spotted each other, they ran to greet one another.

"Christian! How are you?"

"Well, considering the circumstances, I'm somewhere on the line between being OK and a complete breakdown," Christian replied frankly.

"Things didn't go over too well with your parents?" Shannon asked, knowing the answer. Shannon was very familiar with Christian's situation, and knew what kind of parents Christian had.

"I guess you could say that. Then again, things never go well with my parents. But let's not talk about that. This Miss Midway Contest has turned out to be the best ever! I just wish Francesca were around. Did you see where she went?"

"She's probably being shredded to pieces by Amber. Did you see the way Amber yanked her off of the stage?" Shannon laughed. It was quite known throughout Midway Prep that Shannon did not like Francesca, perhaps because she was a girlfriend of a certain rival of Shannon's. "Well, that's what happens when you steal someone's crown."

"Shannon, don't tell me you're steel beefed about the thing with Allan. Come on, that was month's ago. School's about to start, why don't you let it go?" Christian begged.

"Sorry, Chris, but I wanted that place too bad to just let it go with a wave of the hand. No, it hurts too much. You can be sure, though, that I will fight my way to the top, and as soon as I get there, I'll knock Allan out of the race. If you would've done what I had, you would too," Shannon replied decidedly.

At present, Allan arrived in the Arboretum with Francesca on arm. They looked like the ideal couple. Everyone knew they were meant to be together.

Shannon nearly gagged at the sight, but she quickly gathered her dignity and walked over to them. Christian, knowing trouble was coming, followed her to keep a fight from starting.

"Why, Allan, Francesca, hello! I didn't expect to see you so soon, considering the...circumstances," Shannon said sweetly, smiling her biggest toothpaste smile.

"If you're referring to Amber, I took care of her. I don't think she'll want to mess with me anytime soon," Francesca smiled back, but looking at Shannon with eyes as sharp as daggers.

"Oh, is that the truth? Well, I wouldn't look now, but I believe Amber has entered the building," Shannon said, pointing behind the two. Francesca turned around to look at Amber. The two gave each other the most menacing, danger-filled looks. Whatever went down between the two, it must've been serious.

Randall found Jake in the corner of the Arboretum. He made his way over to him and sat down, a look on his face of pure satisfaction.

"Well, aren't we smug today," Jake commented, noticing the look. "Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

Randall smiled. "Not particularly. I'll just let you know that I feel better now than I've felt in months."

"Really? As good as that may be, I know that when you have that look on your face you're up to no good. Now, I'll ask again: would you like to tell me something?"

"And again I'll reply, not particularly," Randall answered, the smile still on his face. He noticed Amber looking at Francesca. "Oh, look. I see Amber & Francesca looking to kill over there. I believe I'll go talk to Amber. I'm interested in finding out what happened," Randall said, getting up.

Jake grabbed Randall's shoulder and jerked him down. "OK, Randall, I don't know what you're up to, but it's obvious it's not good. Look, don't go making trouble right now. Let's just have a good time tonight. The band should be here in a few minutes, so things should be getting started in just a little bit. Why don't you go get some punch with me?"

Zach, who had just arrived, walked over to the two. "Hey, guys, what's up?"

Randall quickly sprang up again. "Jake and I were just discussing some matters I need to take care of. I need to go speak with someone, so please excuse me."

Randall walked away towards Amber, leaving a suspicious Josh and a confused Zach behind.

"Is there something going on here I should know about?" Zach inquired, looking after Randall.

"If only I knew, I'd tell you, but I have a feeling that Randall's up to something bad. I just wonder what it has to do with Amber."

Ariel fought like a tiger. She kicked, bit, and tried to do everything in her power to get this person off of her. Suddenly, she noticed the person was very cold, which was strange, since it was a very hot night. Even the air conditioner couldn't make a person this cold in the heat that had plagued the south during the summer. Ariel was afriad.

"Silence," a deep voice commanded into her ear. It was a normal deep voice, but somehow it created the effect of echoing and booming. Ariel immediately froze. The deep voice went on. "Take me to Enya."

"Who?" Ariel said as soon as the hand let her talk.

"Enya," the voice boomed again. "Take me to her. I know you know where she is."

"Oh, and how do you know that? Excuse me, but I believe Enya and I were the only one's there," Ariel gave herself away.

"I just know. Now, are you going to take me to her peacefully or will I have to force you?"

Ariel laughed a nervous laugh. "That's OK, I'll take you. But please tell me, who are you?" Ariel still had not seen this "person," for she was turned in the opposite direction, and couldn't turn around because of the binding arms.

"Let's just say that I'm a friend of Enya's. You may call me Voir. Remember that name, because I'm sure you'll be using it frequently," the voice said.

"Voir? I don't know any Voirs. Look, Enya lives in a little cabin through the woods near the park and Lake Destiny. She's in an old broken-down log cabin. There, you know where she lives, so will you please let me go?" Ariel whined, struggling to free herself again.

Voir smiled. "Thank you. I look forward to seeing you soon, Ariel." The arms released her.

Ariel shook her arms to regain circulation. "Yeah, well you're wel..." Ariel froze. "How did you know my name?" she quickly turned around, but no one was there. Voir was gone without a sound.

"Just ignore her, Francesca," Allan whispered into Francesca's ear. Francesca turned away from Amber.

"So anyways, it was lovely chatting with you Shannon, but I must get ready for my dance with Trace," Francesca said, walking away towards the back of the Arboretum.

Allan turned to Shannon. "Look, Shannon, we may have our differences, but I'm not going to let you take them out on Francesca, do you hear me?"

Shannon smiled again. "What you ask for you get, Allan. Learn to live with it."

Allan looked at Shannon before turning around and walking away. Shannon stood triumphant. "I believe that I'm beginning my climb, Christian. Allan knows that I'm not backing down. The start of school is right around the corner, so he'd better watch out."

"I just hope you don't get hurt like you did at the elections last year," Christian sighed. "That really changed you, Shannon. You used to not be like this."

"I've wisened up," Shannon said quickly. "I know that this isn't as innocent of a world as I thought it was. You've got to fight for what you want. You'd better learn that quickly, Christian, for you aren't just handed things in life."

The band, Rhythmn in the Night, arrived in the Arboretum and made their way up to the stage. Shannon & Christian turned to look at the band. They were well known throughout the region. Everyone had been looking foward to their coming. Accompanying them was DJ Snazzy Steve. The set-up was the best ever.

Randall followed Amber to a room on the side of the Arboretum. He knew that she would go there to vent about Francesca. He setup his plan: he left a small tape recorder in the room and set it on record. He left the room before Amber came in. He smiled as he walked out. His plan, the plan he'd been working on for months, was now set into motion. Once the wheel starts turning, you can't stop it.

The lights dimmed and the disco-ball lowered on cue. Rhythmn in the Night began performing their hit song "To the Infinity." On each side of the stage was a door. As the group began to play, Trace & Francesca entered. Trace came in from the left door with khaki dockers and tucked-in blue shirt. His golden crown glimmered in the rotating ball's lights. His smile was bright and shining.

Francesca entered from the right door, beautiful in her knee-length blue skirt and ruby red blouse. Her silver tiara shimmered and radiated in the ball's light, as did her smile. Trace & Francesca looked beautiful and illuminating. The dance began.

The two danced close togethr, arm-in-arm. The beauty of the music made them so alive. It seemed as though they were floating across the floor and not dancing. The beautiful vocals, embracing harmonies, and beautiful atmosphere brought everyone to the floor to dance, including Jake & Kim, Allan & Eve (since Brent was absent), Karen & Carson, and Shannon & Christian. The scene was perfect. Inside the arboretum, the music played on as did the dancing. Outside, the sun had just set, but the sky was still fringed with pinks and golds and violets. A solo bird sang a sunset song, crickets began playing their nightly serenade, and lights began shining out of white picket-fenced houses that lined the streets. Everything was perfect in itself, as the heavens said goodnight to the small town of Midway.

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