Synergy Part 11 free porn video

Synergy (A MORFS Universe Story) Part 11 As I started increasing my internal energy to do some serious harm, the men in the back were rudely shoved aside. Then I heard a familiar voice, "They don't know what you can do, but I do. Please power down, Synergy." I perked up with astonishment, 'Hound is here? What is he doing here?' Then another familiar voice added, "Please Maren, talk to us first." I was beginning to think that I was in serious trouble, 'Gavin. Did he see my outburst? He'll probably declare me unfit to go back to school now.' Hound ordered the armed men outside the room, and to my satisfaction, literally threw that weasel Finch out of the room. He and Gavin picked up a couple of the fallen chairs and sat down. Hound motioned for me to sit down as well, and I hesitated only slightly before doing so. Slowly I dissipated my energy level to a normal level and looked at the men from under my eyelashes. As they just sat there quietly looking at me, I found it weird. 'Why aren't they saying something?' Just as I was about to ask them, Hound spoke up. "Maren I want to apologize for that idiot who questioned you. He was way out of line and is getting his ass chewed out as we speak. But I'm disappointed in you for escalating this into this full scale battle." I felt bad listening to him. 'I disappointed him. I disappointed both of them.' But I was still upset as well. "He showed me a photo of my repulsor. I want it... no make that my whole hover board returned. They have no right to keep my property. And then he accused me of stealing government secrets, when they stole mine." I ran out of breath exclaiming it. Gavin softly said, "Are you done?" "No. I'm not done yet." Then I looked at him with his smile and sagged like a punctured balloon. "Yes I am." Hound smiled, "Good, you are right. They should return your property. But the head of research would like to talk to you first about it. He found out about Finch's own initiative and since he knew that I had brought you back here, he asked me to come along. I knew that you'd feel threatened and had a feeling how you'd respond. I think some anger management is in order for you, young lady!" I looked back at them both and wanted to say something. But my emotional barrier decided to break down. My lower lip started to tremble and soon I started crying softly. I bowed down onto the table and just cried. Someone, I think it was Hound, came up beside me and put his arm around me. I leaned over and cried on his shoulder. After I had calmed down a bit, Gavin helped me up and guided me to his office. Hound stayed behind near the room that we had just left. I saw a glimpse of Finch, who was not looking very happy. An older man stood next to him looking very stern. Gavin asked me to sit down on his comfy sofa and asked, "How are you feeling, Maren? I know you've had a rough time. So please talk to me. I'm sure that your actions today are a direct result of lingering fears and feelings. Am I right?" I nodded, "Yes. I sometimes feel like getting so angry that I can do serious harm. And I am afraid to go to sleep. Every night I have a nightmare and I wake up screaming more than I want to. I feel so bad. Mom and my sister say that it is alright, but still I feel awkward for waking them up all the time." When I paused Gavin said, "Yes, go on please, there is more, right?" I hesitated before saying, "Yes. I am afraid that I'm just too dangerous. I blew up like an atom bomb for my escape. I can do so much damage and it comes up in my dreams most of the time. I'm afraid that I'll use my power inadvertently during my sleep." Gavin looked into my eyes, "You're not too dangerous. Even thinking that proves just that. And I already know what you did. How and why, I want to know from you." Now it clicked in my brain, "How do you know that I did what I did? And why would a man working for something called NSA come to Hound? Is he really working for the FBI? Are you only a telepath and counselor? Talk to me, Gavin. What is going on?" Gavin had a weird look on his face. I'd never seen him like that. But I was adamant. I needed the truth. Then he cast his eyes down. "Yes Maren. You're right. Hound works for a not well known agency called ASA, and so do I. The agency exists to protect those who can't or are unable to protect themselves, whether the threat is from uncontrollable MORF survivors, Homicidal morfs users, or people with a hatred for those somewhat different. In your case, we want to help to keep you and the world around you safe." I looked at Gavin with suspicion. 'Is he for real? Is he speaking the truth? How can I trust him or Hound after they lied to me?' At that moment Hound stuck his head around the door, "Is everything okay here?" I got up, "You lied to me. How can I trust anything you say?" Hound looked at Gavin with a question in his eyes. Gavin sighed, "I had to tell her about ASA." Hound looked back at me, "Yes, I did say that I work for the FBI. But it isn't a total lie. It is true that I am really working for the ASA, but we have legitimate FBI credentials. So I didn't lie to you. I just didn't tell you the whole truth." I snorted, "Yeah right, like in those old Star Wars Movies. It is true from a certain view." Hound laughed, "Yeah that's it. I didn't know you liked those movies." I pouted, "You could have told me." Gavin answered, "No he couldn't. We're telling you this now, because you've already guessed too much. But you're going to forget it right away again. The agency works behind the curtains." Hound added, "That's true, and I already wanted to tell you later, because we would like a talk with you, much later in your life, mind you, to see if you would be interested in working for the agency." Now I was a loss for words. 'They think I can work for the government? Do I want to work for the government?' I sat down again, "I don't know what to say." Hound said, "Say nothing yet. Think about it. Now do you want to make an appointment with Dr. Main about your hover board? Or do you want to wait a little?" I hesitated, and then looked up, "Can I do it later? I have a lot to think about." "Sure, I'll have him call you later. Right now I have to be going. Bye, Maren, see you later." Hound quickly left and I was alone with Gavin. He started, "Maren, can I have a look in your mind? I can help you so much better." I hesitated again. I wasn't comfortable with it. 'But I did trust him, right?' I nodded my okay. He focused, and I felt a pressure in my head. I couldn't help myself, I resisted the intrusion. "Maren, why are you resisting?" "I'm sorry, but I can't help it. I ... I ..." I felt like crying again." "It's okay. Maybe you're not ready for that yet. Can you tell me about your nightmares? Maybe I can help." I bit my lower lip, "I'm sorry Gavin, but I can't. I still don't feel like talking about it. I just want to go now. Can I please?" Gavin smiled a weary smile, "Sure you can. But don't you want my recommendation for clearance to get back into school first?" I felt afraid, 'Is he going to keep me from school?' "Are you going to keep me out of school? Please let me go, I'm already two months behind and I'm not sure that I can graduate already. Without these last months I definitely can't graduate. I don't want to do the whole year, again. Please?" Gavin laughed, "Okay, okay. Don't start whining. Yes, you can go back to school. But I do want to see you again next week. We'll start a regular session till I'm satisfied with your mental health." I pouted a bit hearing that, but when he told me, "No use pouting." I gave in. 'He's probably right anyway.' As I was leaving, Gavin told me. "Have a bit of fun today, and relax." I had an idea how to do both and solve another little problem. So I set off towards the dance school. As I arrived, I saw that Lea had lots of customers waiting. My mood fell. I would have to wait a long time. Then I heard music coming from the first floor. 'But Mom is at school!' I decided to investigate. I quickly walked up the sturdy stairs and opened the door slowly. A strange woman was teaching an elderly couple some dance moves. 'Who is she, and what is she doing here?' I opened the door fully and walked inside, ready to power up if I needed to. My entry was noticed and the woman came up to me. "Hi, I'm Millicent. I'm an instructor here. Are you looking for some dance lessons?" I snorted, "Hardly, I won the regional couples dance contest in January this year." Millicent's face brightened, "Oh you're Naomi's daughter." Then she showed puzzlement in her expression. "But I thought you had been kidnapped!" "Yeah. Well, I just got back. Mom never told me about hiring another instructor." Millicent smiled, "I'm sure she just forgot. And I only do this part- time. But welcome back. How are you now? Eh, excuse me please?" She went back to the couple. I called to her,, "Please don't stop on my account. We can talk more at a later time. I have to go now. I was only curious about why someone would be here when Mom is working." Millicent smiled and said goodbye to me, before returning to the elderly couple. I went downstairs thinking about all the changes that had occurred during my absence. I stopped before the entrance to Lea's, still lost in thought when the door opened before me. It was Lea. She hugged me saying, "Oh Maren! I'm so glad that you're back safely." Then she took a good look at me. "But your hair looks awful. Please come in and I'll see what I can do." As I stepped in I got a lot of attention of the customers which made me uncomfortable. Shauni looked up and rose to greet me. I had a compulsion to power up, but withstood the temptation. 'Gee I still have the urge to defend myself from her.' Shauni hugged me, "Welcome back Maren." Then she looked at my nails. "Oh, oh, I see I have my work cut out for me. What did you do out there?" I looked at my nails. They were a mess. Well I just would have everything done then. But then I remembered, I didn't have my wallet with me. I asked, "Lea, can I use your phone please?" Lea motioned to the phone and I dialed Mom's number. "Mom, I'm at Lea's. I don't have a wallet with me, but my hair and nails are a mess. Can I put it on a tab?" Mom told me that she wanted to talk to Lea herself, so I gave the phone to Lea. They talked for a while. Lea was saying "Uh huh, yes. Okay" and a few more of those expressions. Then she put the phone down. She whispered something to Shauni and then came to me. "Your Mom said that I should do something with your hair. But I'm afraid that Shauni is too busy at the moment. We'll do that another time okay?" I was suspicious. 'Shauni isn't that busy. Lea whispered something to her, and she's got a twinkle in her eye at me. What are they planning with Mom?' Well it would have to wait. 'I just want to have my hair back into a fashionable order. Wait, what am I saying? I really am a normal girl now. Well, I do like that. It isn't so bad after all.' Lea had me sit down so she could start washing and trimming. My thoughts kinda drifted away, but I was afraid to go to sleep. I just wandered off lost in thought and thought about what happened today. Without intention, I found myself thinking about the young man that I had seen talking to Gavin. 'Why am I thinking about him?' I was shaken out of my reverie when Lea asked, "So what do you think?" I sat up straight and looked at my image in the mirror. My hair looked nice again. It was a bit shorter than I used to wear it, but it was cut evenly again and it didn't show the hardship that I'd endured anymore. Thanking Lea, I went home. Back home I tried to immerse myself in my studies again, but my heart wasn't much in it. My mind kept going back to that young man, and every time I noticed, I mentally kicked myself out of those thoughts. Shane got home early fortunately, so I asked his help to unpack my stuff. We had just finished when the rest of the family got home. Mom complimented me on how nice my hair looked, and then scolded Shane for not noticing. It was a nice evening again. I really was home now. My mood was so good that my nightmare that night didn't even wake anyone else, although I still had a nightmare. Mom drove us to school the next morning. I needed to go to school again, so this would be my first day back. As I got out of the car everything looked the same. But inside, it was a bit different. Everybody was looking at me, some with admiration and others with sympathy. On my locker was a big poster saying, "Welcome back Maren Zo? Johns" I was touched, I hadn't realized how much people cared. Mandy and Denise were beaming. 'They must have done this.' I stepped up to them, "Thanks guys." Mandy smiled, "What are friends for, Maren? Now let's go or we'll be late for class." First hour was physics from Mr. Brands. He welcomed me as I came in, "Hello Maren. Good to see my best student back in school." I thanked him, and with a little trouble, managed to get up to speed on the lesson. I studied his assignment the most. Still, I was lagging behind. The rest of the day was quite normal except for being greeted back by the teachers. And of course I had missed so much of the lessons that I really needed to focus on the lessons. During lunch break however, I saw something strange. Cynthia wasn't behaving like her usual self. She didn't have her normal flamboyant talk and she even shied away from most of the cheerleaders. She still sat at the table but not in the middle. She looked kind of sad and even suspicious of everyone. I recognized it well enough. I had the same tendency of looking around. As we finished up our lunch and took a short walk, I asked Mandy, "What's up with Cynthia? She isn't behaving like her usual self." Mandy confirmed, "I know. She started acting weird about a month ago. She was sick a week, and when she came back she was much quieter and subdued. I haven't talked with her though. I still think she's a stuck up bitch." Denise changed the subject and soon they were telling me all the gossips floating around on our high school. I forgot about Cynthia for the moment, but it kept simmering in my mind. The next day school was almost normal. It was casual Friday, so I wore tasteful feminine clothing. Everything was pretty much back to normal again, I wasn't the talk of the day anymore and it all seemed to be like always, except for one incident. I was talking to Denise and we were waiting for Mandy to join us when Isabel walked up the hallway with some boys behind her. They were taunting her, "Come on pony, you should pull us around or let us ride you." I didn't need to be an empath to guess Isabel's state of mind. As she came near us I stepped into the path of the boys. I glared at them menacingly, and in an icy tone said, "Back off. That's my sister. If I ever hear you do anything to her you'll be very sorry." The boys looked fearful and ran off in a hurry. I smiled and turned around, to see Dean Hagleton standing behind me. He cleared his throat, "Ahem, tell me I didn't hear what I thought I heard!" Guiltily I looked to the floor. "Sorry Dean. I didn't mean to do anything. I just wanted them to leave Isabel alone." "Hey, Sis. I can take care of myself. Okay?" scolded Isabel. Dean Hagleton made me look into his eyes. "Next time constrain yourself from doing something that I was about to do myself. But tell me, how are you? I hear that you still need a lot of counseling from Gavin." "I'm fine. Gavin already made an appointment for next week. Can I go now?" Dean Hagleton smiled, "Actually, no. I was looking for you. Come with me please." With lead in my shoes I followed the Dean to his office. 'What is going on now? Have I been accused of doing something again? Or are they going to kick me out of school because I'm so dangerous?' When we got to his office he let me go in first. A man and a woman were waiting for us in his office. I was uncomfortable as I sat down. Dean Hagleton introduced the others, "This is Maren Johns. Maren these are Dean Vanessa O'Dale and Dr. Linden. Dr. Linden is the superintendent of schools." He sat down and Dr. Linden spoke up, "Miss Johns. I understand that you missed quite a lot of lessons due to being kidnapped." I just nodded. He smiled and then continued. "Now we all agree that though you meet at least the minimal requirements for college, you could use some extra schooling. So we're offering you a sort of summer school. Dean O'Dale has the same kind of situation going with a student of hers. We would like to offer a tutoring by one teacher each school. You and the other student will be taking lessons from one of the teachers every morning for about four weeks, weekends excluded, of course." I was just flabbergasted, they were offering me a chance to catch up and get into college well prepared? Of course I wanted that. "Yes Dr. Linden. I would very much like to take this opportunity." Dean Hagleton, sighed, "There are some extra costs involved with this, Maren. We'll talk more about this Monday with your Mom present. But don't worry, we'll find a way." That concluded the meeting and I was dismissed. One of the teachers had an emergency and we had the afternoon free. Mandy & Denise dragged me into town and we went to Everybody's place for a treat. As I entered behind my friends I had a feeling like I was being watched. Nervously, I looked around me. 'How paranoid can I be? There is no one there.' But I still kept looking around me for people looking at me. Then my eye fell on the young man sitting in parlor eating an Ice- cream. He was staring at me and even forgetting to eat. 'Didn't I see him before? Of course the young man that I saw talking to Gavin. And I thought of him the whole day after that.' When he noticed that I was looking at him he turned his gaze away. I ordered an ice-cream with the girls and we sat down in a corner. I made sure that I could see the young man. Several times I caught him looking at me, and each time he turned away. 'Maybe he's shy or something.' But there was something about him that attracted me. 'Should I invite him here? Why am I thinking like that? I don't date boys. If I did invite him, Mandy & Denise would never stop teasing me.' Then the decision was taken away from me as he got up and stepped out of Everybody's place. He did cast a last glance at me, and this time I looked away coyly. When I looked up again, he was already gone. I was disappointed, but it was my own fault. I looked around and looked through the windows to see if I could still see him outside, but he was gone. My attempts to locate him again, didn't go unnoticed though. Mandy looked around, "Who are you trying to spot Maren? Are you looking for a date?" I snorted, "Don't be daft, Mandy. You know I don't date." Denise joined in, "But you were looking for someone, right? I thought I saw you checking someone out. Wasn't there a good looking boy sitting over there?" She pointed where the young man had been sitting. "Shut up, both of you! I'm not ready for dating or a relationship. So cut it out." Both girls continued teasing me and there was nothing I could do to stop them. Well I could shoot them with a taser, but that would be overkill. So I just endured the teasing and later walked with Denise to our respective homes. Mandy and Denise had kept me from going home for some time, and Denise even insisted that I accompany her home. She even asked me in. I began to be suspicious. What were they trying to do? I tried to excuse myself to go home, but Denise changed tactics. She spoke briefly to her Mom before coming out again. "I need to ask your Mom something Maren. Do you mind if I come with you?" I squinted, "What are you up to Denise? What is going on?" "Nothing Maren, I need to ask my PE teacher a question. That's all, honest!" But she was grinning, so I didn't trust her one bit. Well she wouldn't give me anymore information, so we went over to my house. The lighting was normal, but I had a sense of something that wasn't right. Just to be safe, I powered up a little, but when I opened the door, everybody cheered, "Surprise." I was totally caught off guard. I almost flashed everyone, but held it in just in time. It wouldn't be good if I blinded everyone there just because they were there for a party for me. "Thanks everyone." Then to Denise, and to Mandy, who was there already, "You were supposed to keep me from home so this could be arranged right?" Mandy smiled brightly, "Yep, did we do a good job?" "Well, I was getting suspicious. Especially when Denise went home first and then wanted to come here." Further talk was impossible as everybody came up. Mom and Shane were the first, "Welcome back, Maren. Hope you like the party we put together for you." I did like it. All my friends were there and I just had a good time. It was tiring though, so I sat down after half an hour. The evening just flew by, and too soon for my taste, all the guests left. Mom sent me and Isabel to bed early and I was just too happy to oblige. I was really tired after the party, so tired, in fact, that I even didn't have my usual nightmare. In my view I had only slept a couple of minutes when Mom roused me from my sleep. I groaned, "Let me sleep. It's Saturday." Mom pulled the blanket away and too cheerfully said, "Rise and shine. We've got a full day ahead of us." I groaned again, 'What is she up to now?' "Can't I stay in bed a little while longer?" "Nope. Here, wear these clothes." Now I was really waking up. 'Mom hasn't laid my clothes out for quite some time, so why now?' Mom was already exiting the room as I got up and saw what Mom wanted me to wear. I frowned. She wanted me to wear a wrap around dress? With low heeled, easy to put on shoes? 'What is going on?' I washed and put on the clothes and hurried downstairs for some breakfast. After a quick breakfast Mom took Isabel and me into the city by car. As we drove into a parking garage, I asked, "Mom, what are we going to do? What are you up to?" Isabel snickered and Mom responded, "Easy, Honey. We're just going to some shops. First, we're going to have you try on some bridesmaid's dresses." Isabel now really whinnied as she started laughing. I punched her on her shoulder. "Stop it, Sis!" Mom saved me, "Yes Isabel, stop teasing. You still have to fit yours as well." That shut her up quick, and she started pouting. I laughed softly and as she gave me an angry look I laughed even more. I whispered, "Serves you right, Sis." She gave me a dirty look, but then giggled, "You're in for a real treat, Sis." As we arrived I was surprised seeing the woman working in the bridal boutique. It was Millicent. She welcomed Mom with, "Naomi, hi. Good to see you. I think this will be your last fitting. We made the final changes, so if everything goes right, you don't have to wait much longer." Then to Isabel she said, "Isabel, your dress takes a little longer still. We're having difficulty accommodating your tail." It was only then that she saw me. Her face lit up in recognition. Mom didn't know yet that I had met her and introduced me, "Millicent, this is my other daughter Maren." Millicent interrupted, "We already met. She came to the dance school last Wednesday." Now Mom was a loss for words. I added, "Yeah, mom, why didn't you tell me you hired another instructor Poor Mom, she really got pushed into her defenses. "I had to do something. You were gone, and we feared you were lost. And my business was starting to flourish. Then I met Milli here in the shop and since she only works here part time, I offered her a job. She's quite a good dancer herself you know." Millicent smiled, "But I'm not as good as you are Maren. I was there at the contest. You're magnificent." I blushed, "I'm ok, but I still need a lot of practice and need to learn things." Now the comments like: "Don't be so negative", "You're better than you think", from all of them. I was quite embarrassed by it. So I changed the topic. "I thought we were here to look for a dress for me?" Mom acclaimed, "Yes, you're quite right Maren. Milli, can you start measuring Maren please." Soon I was being measured by Millicent and Mom and Isabel were looking at their dresses. Everyone agreed that I should have a dress with the same pink color as Isabel's. The next hour Mom and Isabel were busy trying on their dress. Mom's dress was practically ready. I really liked how she looked in her dress. And it's not often that you get to see your Mom in a wedding dress. So I complimented her. Isabel was quite another story. Her figure isn't well suited for the dress. But the shop was well on its way to make something out of it. Millicent asked me, "Maren would you want to wear your tail under or over your dress. I am guessing over like you did with your dance dress right?" Mom told Millicent that there would be a delay in the planning for the wedding. "Because of Maren's return, and Shane being tied up with his work, the wedding will be postponed until the summer." Soon after making an appointment for our next fitting, we left the shop to go to some normal clothes shops. Isabel really cut lose now, she had me try on all kinds of clothes. Mom wasn't a help to me either. She also recommended lots of clothes to me. It took us all day to shop for clothes, some shoes, make up and even some jewelry. As we came home with all the bags and packages, Shane was waiting. Seeing all the stuff, he said, "Ouch my poor credit card. Is there any credit left on it?" Mom teased him, "Nope, we spent it all." Shane made a sour face, but then helped us get everything inside. I had a big job ahead of me putting all my new clothes in my closet. Isabel and Mom helped me though. Shane had take-out food delivered and after that I was pooped. I slept within moments when I went to bed. I did have a slight nightmare and woke up in the middle of the night. But it wasn't as disturbing as before. Mom roused me early again. I whined, "Mom? It's Sunday. Can't I at least sleep today a bit longer?" She smiled mysteriously again. 'Oh oh, she's up to something again.' "Okay mother. What do you have planned this time?" "I wanted to treat you to a day at a spa today. Hope you don't mind that." 'No I don't mind that at all. I'm looking forward to it. So that's why they didn't let Shauni do my nails.' I smiled brightly, "I'd like that, Mom." So off we went to a spa. Shane drove us there and though we all got several treatments, I was especially pampered. I could really relax as I got massaged and my nails were cared for. Isabel began teasing me when my tail got groomed, because I started purring again. All in all, I had a fantastic day that Sunday. I didn't expect a nightmare that night, but maybe because I was dreading school the next day, I got a huge one again. My anguish even woke Isabel. I was working hard to catch up in my schoolwork and even studied at night. Not that I had to do it to catch up, but I was afraid for getting nightmares. Mostly I just fell asleep in exhaustion at night. It had an adverse effect on my life as well. Though I studied hard, my schoolwork didn't improve that much. But others considered me to be cranky most of the time. I must say that I didn't notice it, but I was curt, and not too friendly to everyone. I began attending my weekly sessions with Gavin, but he didn't get very far with me. I still shut him out. It was frustrating him. He tried enticing me, threatening me a little and even called in Hound to visit. As if it was coincidental. I greeted Hound with real pleasure. But even he couldn't make me to open up. Without my noticing, things became so bad that even my friends didn't want to hang out with me. Mandy, Denise and even Snake & Leo kind of shied away from me. Lance did try to talk to me, but I almost completely ignored him. Isabel did her best to be an intermediary between our friends and me, but I even pushed my sister away with my behavior. Snake still tried to get me into some social gatherings. He wanted to introduce a new friend to me. But every time, I cancelled. I shouldn't have, but I did so none the less. All too soon graduation month arrived, and with it, the Prom. I debated if I should even go there. It was of course a great opportunity for me to unwind and to dance. That's when I began to realize that I'd managed to push away all my friends in the last few months. Of course I still could count on Lance to escort me couldn't I? I approached him in the hallway, "Lance, want to take me to the Prom?" Lance swallowed visibly, "I'm sorry Maren, but I already asked Mandy. I'm taking her to the Prom. I'm really sorry." I sagged a little. 'Even Lance doesn't want anything to do with me. Now I've really lost all my friends.' "Of course, Lance, I understand. Excuse me please." I hurriedly walked away though Lance called after me, "Wait, Maren!" But I didn't turn around or wait for him, I increased my pace even. I didn't want him to see my tears. I scooted into the girl's bathroom and silently started to cry. I felt so miserable. I was all alone now, and it was entirely my own fault. As someone came into the bathroom I hurried over to a sink to wash my face so nobody could see that I had been crying. But I shouldn't have bothered as it was Isabel and Denise. Isabel hugged me, "Maren, you can't hide your feelings from me. I know how you feel. Please talk to us." I started crying again, "I've lost all my friends. If you weren't my sister you wouldn't be with me as well." "Nonsense, Sis! We know that you have been through a rough time. We understand, really. But what you shouldn't do is shy away from us. We want to help you, we are here for you." Denise joined in, "Maren, I know we're not that close. But you're my friend. And though the others aren't inviting you at the moment, it's just because you've turned every invitation down lately, not because we don't like you anymore." I sniffed, my crying had stopped. "But Lance even asked Mandy to the Prom. Maybe I shouldn't even bother to go." Almost in unison the girls said, "No, you have to go!" And Isabel added, "It will be a good way to get back into the graces of all our friends. You just have to be there." I didn't suspect a thing as the girls tried to convince me that I should go to the Prom. In hindsight, I should have, but I was just too distraught at that moment. "But I don't have a date. No one is going to ask me to the Prom. And I don't have a dress for it, either." Isabel said firmly, "We'll find you a dress. And you can go stag. Just promise me that you'll go." Denise added, "Yes, it wouldn't be good if the best dancer in school isn't there. Don't you want to show off your dancing for Cynthia? I'm sure she'll be there." I conceded, "Okay. I'll go to the Prom. But I want your help with it, Sis!" Isabel quickly, maybe too quickly, agreed and after repairing the little make up I was wearing, we went back to our classes. After school, Isabel & Denise took me to the mall to shop for a dress. I tried on several, but either I didn't like it or they didn't approve. About an hour later I was fed up with looking and resigned myself to not going to the Prom, when my eye fell on a beautiful dress. It was strapless with black top, embroidered body and a petticoated white skirt. I immediately wanted to try that one on. After showing Isabel and Denise, they gave their thumbs up. So I bought that dress, which set me back quite a bit. The Prom night arrived and Isabel got an escort from a boy in her class. Shane dropped me off with his car and told me to have fun. I did have an awkward moment going in without someone escorting me, but I shook it off and just vowed to dance and enjoy myself. I danced with several boys whose girlfriends were too tired or needed a breather. I even danced two songs with Lance, both of them slow dances. Then it was time to announce the King and Queen of the Prom. I just went to the refreshments. I didn't think I'd qualify for it. I'd been a lousy friend and worse towards other people. The announcer said, "It was a very close finish this year. We had five nominees competing for the title, and the top three are so very close. Mandy Simms just didn't get first place, but only by a shallow margin." Everyone including me clapped. I looked at Mandy and gave her thumb up. She smiled brightly back but there was something in her look that I found strange. Then the man asked for silence and continued, "For the first time in school history, we have a tie, so we'll have two Queens. May I have your applause for Maren Johns and Cynthia Hosier." I was bewildered, and I'm sure I looked it. 'Did he just mention my name?' I decided he had, as half the people were looking at me. The other half were looking at Cynthia. We both got pushed towards the podium where the announcer was waiting. Strangely, Cynthia didn't take the microphone we were offered, so I took it instead. "Um, hi everyone. I want to thank you for voting for me to be the Prom queen. But I really don't deserve it. In the last weeks I've been moody and treated all of you really bad. I want to apologize for that, and ask for forgiveness. So I relinquish the crown to Cynthia." Quickly I gave the mike to Cynthia and stepped of the podium. What happened next not only shook all the people, but me as well. Cynthia cleared her throat and said, "Thank you Maren and all the people that voted for me. But I can't accept this honor, either. I want to give the crown to Mandy. She really deserves it." She gave the mike back to the announcer and stepped off the podium in the back and disappeared. We all stared at what just happened and some people pushed Mandy to the podium. She accepted the crown with bewilderment. Then the King was announced as being Jack Wise, the quarterback of the football team. No surprise there. I went over to Isabel and Denise. "So that is why you pushed me to go to the Prom," I said with a threatening tone. Isabel looked guiltily, "Yes, sorry, Maren. I hope you don't mind. All your friends voted for you. We all know what you have been going through. And we just wanted you to know that we understand and support you still." Lance came over to us. "Maren, just because I took Mandy to the Prom doesn't mean that I don't like you anymore." I smiled brightly, "Thank you guys. I should never have doubted you. I know that I've been really bad to you all. I'll try to be nicer." We danced a little more after that and when it was over, I got a ride home from Shane. I didn't even have a nightmare that night, at least not one that I remember. The weekend was really quiet and relaxed after that and I just lazed around. Monday morning I would start my summer tutoring with some guy from another school. End of part Eleven, to be continued