Peace and Grace

20. Let's Dance!

When I come to again, there's no longer a rush - the school must have stopped falling. I groan.

"You've gotta stop doing that."

I force my eyes open at the familiar voice.  I find myself lying on a bench in the hall, Warren sitting beside me. 

"You keep doing that and I'll think it's on purpose," he says.

I smile. "Maybe it is." This makes him smile too.

"Here Naddie, have some punch. It should make you feel better." Layla sits down on my other side, passing me a glass of punch and helping me sit up.

Zach, Ethan, and Maj rush into the room. "Naddie that was awesome!" Zach picks me up and spins me around in a hug. "When I saw all the energy surrounding the place I was like, 'aw yeah! That's my best friend! That's my best friend!'"

"Thanks, Zach Attack. You were pretty awesome too. Now put me down, my head's spinning and I don't want to get sick." He does so, setting me back on my feet and we do our best friend handshake.

"Nadia?"

"Jen!" 

We rush to hug each other. 

"I'm so glad you're okay!"

"You too! Well that was certainly the most dramatic homecoming I've ever been to!" she announces. "And there's always a lot of drama it seems."

"Always," Mr. Sparks agrees. "Every year has its moments."

Commander and Jetstream are there too, holding out the trophy they were presented with before all the action happened. "This goes to the real heroes of tonight: the Sidekicks."

I watch, grinning, as Zach, Layla, Maj, and Ethan all take hold of the trophy together. There's cheering and applause for them. I join in. 

"Here, you might need these-" Warren, still at my side, kneels down and slips my shoes onto my feet, total Cinderella style.

"Thanks." With that, we all head back to the gym - we all deserve some celebration! 

Mr. Medulla is addressing the crowd. "We've de-pacified all the babies, and destroyed that horrible weapon for good!" This receives cheering.  "But this is a dance, so let's party!" With that, Mr. Medulla cues the music, and Homecoming really starts this time.

I smile as I watch Ethan dance with a really tall girl, and see Zach and Maj jamming out together. I saw Will and Layla together but now they're lost amongst the crowd. Then I spot Aunt Jen and Mr. Sparks, swaying together. Jen sees me watching over his shoulder and shoots me a huge grin. I laugh and give her a thumbs up. They're really cute together.

I sense a presence behind me and turn to see Warren standing there, hands shoved into his pockets, red-streaked bangs falling in his eyes, casting a shadow across his face. He's put on his suit jacket again.

"So, should we join in this madness?" he ventures.

I chuckle. "I do love madness."

This earns me a grin. "Well then, in that case - Grace," he offers me his hand.

"Peace." I take his hand and we walk  out onto the dance floor, joining in the celebration. .

(Parallels! ;) Although it's been so long - the line 'You keep doing that and I'll think it's on purpose,' goes back to what she said when they kept bumping into each other ;)

Thanks so  much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :) One more chapter left!)