Its Not Living (If Its Not With You)

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A month and a few weeks later, the week of the Winter Formal

Clay and Hannah had gotten on better than ever before ever since they talked the day the photo got out. Clay had more understanding of Hannah, and he promised to try to keep his anger under control.

Hannah now trusted Clay more, and understood that when he got violent with the people that hurt her, it was out of love, but still appreciated him trying to change.

Ryan gathered up all the magazines in the lockers and backpacks and shredded them. He was afraid of Clay, as much as he hated to admit it.

People still tormented them, but they had gotten better at ignoring them. They didn't see why everyone was still going on about it.

They had both decided that they'd go to the Winter Formal together. Clay only agreed to it after a conversation with Jeff. Even though their relationship was now stronger, Clay still needed those tough lectures from his friend.

After school a few days before the dance, Clay and Hannah were playing music in the music room as usual. They had already written a bunch of songs, and they were thinking of borrowing the tape recorder from Tony when they had enough done. Hannah's parents sold blank cassette tapes at their store, so they'd be all set when they needed it.

"Clay?", Hannah asked, taking her hands off of the piano keys.

Clay put down the electric guitar he was playing a new riff on.

"Yes, Hannah?", he replied.

"I have some bad news."

Clay was giving her every bit of attention now.

"I won't make the Winter Formal. My parents need me to help with wrapping the rest of the presents, and it'll take ages. I'm really sorry, Helmet.", she said sadly.

"Its alright, Hannah. There's always the dance in the spring, right?", he said, trying to hide the disappointment.

"Yeah, I'll definitely go to that with you.", Hannah replied.

They went back to their music until it was time for Clay to go home.

When he was gone, Hannah went back into the kitchen to her parents. They started laughing.

"Did he actually believe you?", her mother asked as she wrapped up a tin of biscuits.

"He actually did. I feel kinda mean, doing this though.", she said, fiddling with a roll of gift wrap.

"It'll be a great surprise for him though, honey.", her mother said and Hannah nodded her head.

A few days later, the night of the dance

Clay sat up on the bleachers next to Jeff, looking sadly down at his feet.

"You can go dance with Sofia if you want, I'll be fine here.", Clay said to his friend.

"You sure, pal?", he said, putting an arm around Clay's shoulders.

"Positive."

He watched Jeff go into the crowd to meet up with his girlfriend. He sighed and took a sip of his drink.