Sharon found Meredith in a corner of the large ballroom. She quietly made her way over to Meredith, who was hunched over so that her face could be hidden. "What's wrong, sweetie?" Sharon inquired softly.

"Please, Sharon, not now!" Meredith snapped back. Her voice indicated that she was or had been crying.

"It's now or later, Mer. Why don't we talk this out so that you can enjoy yourself at the ball?"

"Because I don't want to talk about it, Sharon!" Meredith quickly looked up, revealing runny mascara and red eyes. "This is not a time for I-told-you-so's. I can't take that right now!"

"Mer, I wasn't about to tell you I told you so. I just wanted to offer a little support. I know it's hard for you right now."

"Hard? That doesn't even begin to describe it, Sharon. Try unbearable and you'll get a little bit closer. I thought we were in love, Sharon!"

"I know, honey. I know," Sharon responded, rubbing Meredith's back in a supportive gesture. "I really thought that at least you were."

"They why did it end this way? Why?" Meredith's voice was harsh and cold as she sprang from her chair and began walking around the empty ballroom. The other students were still in the entryway, but Meredith had found her way back there. "Why did he have to take my heart, chew it up, and spit it out? Why did he have to use my love like that?"

"You still haven't told me what you meant, Kate," Zach said while taking off his coat. "If there's something I need to know then please tell me."

"It's complicated, Zach. I don't even understand it myself," Kate responded.

"Try me! I know it has something to do with your parents, but I don't know what. Please just tell me."

Kate sighed and sat down on a small chair next to the wall of the large entryway. Everyone was loud and bustling around her, but she was focused in on her world with Zach. She didn't want to tell him, but knew she had to. "Zach, my mother can be a very unreasonable and harsh person at times."

"So?"

"I just wanted you to know that before I tell you. You see, my mother," Kate hesitated. She went on. "When I told my mother how much I liked you and how special I thought you were, she told me...that...I..." Kate stopped.

"That you what?" Zach was nearly dying from waiting.

"My mother told me that I could never see you again," the words tumbled out of Kate's mouth. She sat back when she finished.

Zach blinked in confusion. "So...so she forbade you to see me?"

Kate wiped an eye with her handkerchief. "Yeah, that's basically it."

"So what did you tell her?"

Kate looked at Zach with tearful eyes. "I told her that I didn't care. I told her that I would see you no matter what becaue I thought that there was a chance that we could have something special! I still believe that, Zach. I don't caer what anyone else says, all I know is that I want to be with you. I just want you to hold me in your arms tonight and dance the night away with me. That is all I want, Zach."

"Wow," was all Zach could say. He looked up at Kate and smiled. "Then if it is to dance the night away that you want, then to dance the night away we will do. Come on, everyone's going into the ballroom now." Zach extended his hand out to Kate. "Will you join me, Miss Dermont?"

Kate was beaming. "It'd be my pleasure, Mr. Carter."

Gemini stopped as she finally saw Sloane leaning up against the creamy wall. She gulped in a breath of air and then walked over to him. "Everyone's going into the ballroom now, Sloane. Aren't you coming?"

Sloane looked up at her with questioning eyes. "Why? What does it matter if I stay out here?"

Gemini took an involuntary step back. "I...was just...wondering...I mean..." she stammered as she tried to find the right words. She then cleared her throat and looked Sloane square in the eye. "I just didn't want anyone to stay out here when they should be inside celebrating a dearly departed one! It shows no respect, that's why!"

"Who are you to tell me I show no respect? Look, I'll be in there when I feel like it!" Sloane snapped.

"Fine! See if I care! I have other things to worry about than you freezing your butt off in this cold entryway!" Gemini picked up her dress and rushed out of the entryway, fighting back tears.

A smile began appearing at the corners of Sloane's mouth. He thought to himself, "Wow! She's hot when she's mad."

Shannon tried avoiding it, but she knew she couldn't do it forever. Jakoby, in his crisp brown suit, walked over to her. "Why hello, Miss Freemont. How are you on this beautiful night?"

"Buzz off, Grier. I have things to do," Shannon's voice was low and her entire body eminated a warning to Jakoby.

"Aw, why the sharp tongue, Shannon? Afraid I'm gonna say something I shouldn't?" He leaned in closer to her. "Well rest assured, I'm going to do it no matter what."

"Why are you so bent on revealing my secret? Don't you have other things to do?" Shannon stopped and slapped her palm aganst her forehead. "Duh, Shannon. He has no life. Silly ol' forgetful me!"

Jakoby smirked. "Ha, ha, Shannon. We'll see who's laughing when they're destructive secret's revealed. Let's see, who should I tell first? Christian perhaps? Or maybe your dear little girlfriend Chloe."

"Look, I told you once, I'm not going to tell you again. Get lost!" Shannon snapped, her fists clenched.

"No, Shannon. I think it's high time I tell everyone about how you-"

"No!" Shannon covered her ears. "Don't say it!"

"About how you..." Jakoby continued on.

"No!" Shannon, with her hands over her ears, ran through the crowd that was entering the ballroom. She ran into the ladies' room to seek shelter from the menacing beast that was her secret.

Chloe took a sip of punch, but her eyes never diverted from the couple that was currently dancing in the middle of the floor: Brent & Eve. Christian came up next to her and followed her gaze. "Thinking about Brent?"

Chloe chuckled and put down her cup. "When am I not? Night and day, I can't stop, Chris. No matter how hard I try, thoughts of Brent are always there.

"Hmmm," Christian looked as though he were deep in thought for a few moments. "Could it be that you're in," he gasped, "love with Brent Woodman?"

Chloe laughed and playfully hit Christian on the shoulder. "Hey, I don't need to be reminded! But," her voice softened, "you just don't know how much it hurts to see them out on the floor together. I know it's wrong for me to want another woman's man, but I can't help what I feel!"

"Of course you can't. I wouldn't expect you to."

"I just pray that one day they go away. That's the one prayer I pray every night, because I know that if I pursue Brent, I'll cause a lot of heartache and pain, and that's the last thing I want to do," Chloe sighed involuntarily. "I just don't know what to do."

"How are you feeling right about now, Miss Eve?" Brent smiled down at Eve.

"I'm feeling pretty darn good, Mr. Brent. In fact, I've never felt better," Eve giggled back and rested her head on Brent's shoulder.

"Well I'm glad to here that, becuase I'd hate for the best couple here at Madison's Ball not to be having a good time! Besides, you know I can't be happy if you're not happy."

"Rest assured, because I'm happier than I've ever been. Without a doubt."

The two continued dancing. Brent spotted Trace dancing with Kim across the floor. Trace was giving him a thumbs-up, so Brent returned it with a grin.

"I wish this day could last forever," Eve whispered, closing her eyes almost as if she were hoping by doing so she could capture the moment for all eternity.

"With us, Eve, anything's possible. Anything."

Eve smiled even wider as Brent spun her around. "You know what, Brent Woodman?"

"What?"

"I actually believe you."

"You know, despite everything that's been going on, I've never felt happier than I am at this moment," Kim whispered into Trace's ear.

"Well I'm definetly glad to hear that!" Trace laughed, dipping Kim. "I must say that I feel like that too."

"Really? I'm glad, because this may be the last night of happiness either one of us may have for a long time."

"Don't say that, Kim! You'll jinx us! We're going to have many more happy nights like this, trust me. As long as we're together we can conquer anything and everything, do you hear?"

"You sure are pretty convincing, Trace," Kim smiled as she and Trace continued dancing around the floor. "In fact, I almost believe you."

"Because you know it's true, Kim." Trace looked into Kim's eyes.

The depth in Trace's eyes amazed Kim. There was so much feeling there, so much emotion. She felt as if she were floating away into another world when she looked into them.

Trace sighed in exasperation. "Look, if you need more convincing-"

Kim placed a finger on his lips. "Shhh. Don't say anymore. No more words," she rested her head next to his. "No more words."

Allan escorted Francesca out onto the dance floor. "You look stunning to night, Francesca."

"As do you, Allan. Whoever thought I'd get you to wear a tux!" Francesca laughed. "No matter. I'm just glad I'm here with you."

Allan drew her closer. He was several inches taller than her, seeing how the tip of her head only came up to his chin. "I am too. I'm so glad we have the chance to be together tonight. I just want you to know tonight that I...I..."

Francesca looked up at Allan with sparkling eyes. "You what, Allan?"

"I love you," Allan said deeply. "I love you with every fiber of my body that is capable of loving. Which is why..." Allan pulled out a long, thin black box, "I want you to have this?"

"What's that?"

Allan opened it, revealing a beautiful golden necklace with a heart locket on it. He handed Francesca a key. "Open it, Francesca."

Francesca, in an almost trance-like state, put the key in the lock and twisted it. It opened, revealing a beautiful shining diamond on one side and a picture of Allan and Francesca on another.

"Now you'll always have the key to my heart," Allan smiled.

Francesca drew away. "Oh my God. I can't do this anymore."

Allan's smile disappeared and his forehead wrinkled in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I just can't do this anymore! I can't!" Francesca ran from the dance floor, leaving a stunned Allan behind.

Francesca ran into the bathroom, tears flowing from her eyes. She couldn't believe what had just happened out on the dance floor. That's when she saw Miss Amber Hart.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the one and only Mrs. Amante Aldovar," smirked Amber.

"Oh for Heaven's sakes, Amber, shut up."

"But we both know the truth, don't we? About your little 'fling' in Spain. Amante's told me all about it."

Francesca whipped around with an expression on her face so fierce that even Amber flinched. "You spoke to him?"

"Why, yes, darling." A sly smile spread across her lips. "After all, planning a trans-Atlantic trip from Madrid to Midway can't be done without some form of communication."

Francesca walked up defiantly and slapped Amber square in the face. "You b****. Why are you doing this?!"

Amber held her face to her red face as she slowly tilted her head to look into Francesca's eyes. "Listen, little miss Thang, if you didn't want this to happen, then you shouldn't have acted like a little s*** and had an affair with Amante Aldovar. I should think you would be happy to see him. Maybe you could rekindle some of those hot summer nights back in Spain." She paused for effect. "However, there is one minor detail I haven't mentioned. You still are the owner of the Miss Midway 2000 crown. Now, I can pull the plug on this whole thing if you choose to give that title up to me. Whadya say? This is your last chance before Allan finds out about Mr. Aldovar."

Francesca leaned against the countertop and glared at Amber. "It is just a stupid contest anyway," she thought. "I mean, it's either that or give up Allan. Maybe I should...." But then she thought harder. "No! I'm not going to let this little girl get the best of me."

"I'm sorry, Amber, but the crown will remain mine. Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not going to let you drag me down." She smiled inside as she noticed Amber's jaw tighten. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go enjoy Madison's Ball with my boyfriend. Goodbye, Amber." With that, she flipped her hair and waltzed out.

"Enjoy what you have left, Francesca," mumbled Amber, "for your entire reputation is riding on whether or not Amante Aldovar is good at reading directions or not." She stomped out of the bathroom, making sure not to trip in her stillettos.

And just then, Shannon opened the stall door and walked out in shock. She wiped away her own tears. She had just heard what would perhaps become the biggest scandal in Midway Prep's history. She had to go tell someone.

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