She nods.

"Were still waiting for Ash."

"Not anymore," she replied, gazing over Claire's shoulder

She turns around, looking at Ash.

His tuxedo wasnt black, but a dazzling, spotless white, the open jacket showing a white vest and an icy blue tie beneath. His cuff links, the silk handkerchief in his breast pocket, and the glittering stud in his ear were the same icy color. Everything else was white, even his shoes, but instead of appearing ghostly or faded, he filled the room with presence, a royal among commoners. He stood in the doorway with his hands in his pockets, the picture of nonchalance, and even as a human, he was too gorgeous for words. His dark hair had been combed back, falling softly around his face, and his mercury eyes, though they shouldve seemed pale against all the white, glimmered more brightly than anything.

She smiles, "Look at you, all dressed up." She laughs.

"Ooookay," Puck said a little too loudly, steering Claire away, "the gangs all here. Are we going to this party, or not?"

Ash walked up beside Claire. He made no noise. He didnt offer his arm or make any move to touch her. There was a hint of frost and the strange, sharp smell that was uniquely him.

There was a subtle look that passed between Ash and Puck. Ash kept his expression carefully blank, but Pucks mouth twitched in a faint smirk--one of his dangerous ones--and his eyes narrowed a fraction.

The nurse mustve seen it, too, for she clapped her hands briskly. "May I remind you three," she stated in a no-nonsense voice, "that even though this is a party, we are there for a specific reason. We are not there to spike the punch, seduce the humans, glamour the food, challenge the males to a fight, or do anything pertaining to mischief. Is that understood?" She shot a piercing glare at Puck when she said this, and he pointed to himself with wide-eyed, who, me? look. It did not amuse her. "I will be watching you," she warned, and even though she was barely four feet tall, white-haired, and shriveled like a prune, she made the threat sound ominous. "Do try to behave yourselves."

She chuckles, nodding. "We will."

With that, they left. Clusters of blue and white balloons led the way to the gym, light and music pouring out from the double doors and windows. The doors swung open and two students walked out, holding hands and giggling. The boy pulled his date to him for a long, tongue-swabbing kiss, before they broke apart and began creeping behind the building.

"Mmm, smell the lust," Puck muttered beside her. The nurse snorted.

"Theyre not supposed to leave the gym without supervision," she growled, putting her hands on her hips. "Where are the chaperones? I suppose Ill have to deal with this. You three, behave." She stalked away, virtually bristling with indignation, following the pair around the gym and into the shadows.

She laughs, watching her leave as she walks into the gym with the two. She looks around, curious.

Puck grinned at her, eager as always, mischief written plainly on his face. Ash regarded her with a solemn expression. He looked stronger already, his eyes bright, the cuts healed to just faint, thin scars across his cheeks. Ash smiled, very faintly. "Save me a dance," he murmured.

Puck and Ash each pushed open a door, and they swept through into another world.

The gym had been decorated with more blue and white balloons, crepe paper, and glittering foam snowflakes, though they never saw snow in Louisiana. They passed the ticket booth with a group of teens clustered around it, either buying tickets or waiting in line. No one seemed to notice them as they swept by.

Beyond the ticket booth, blue and white tables lined one side of the room; only a few people sat there, the unfortunate ones who couldnt get a date but didnt want to miss the formal just because they were single.

The rooms other half was a sea of swirling gowns and tuxedos. Couples swayed to the music, some dancing casually with their partners, some so welded together youd need a crowbar to pry them apart.