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."

" i will most definitely try. And i will keep Puck out of trouble. "

She just nods.

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 Lise. 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 four, behave." She stalked away, virtually bristling with indignation, following the pair around the gym and into the shadows.

" Ew. " She muttered to Puck.

She glances at Ash.

Puck grinned at Lise, eager as always, mischief written plainly on his face. Ash regarded Isiea with a solemn expression. He looked stronger already, his eyes bright, the cuts healed to just faint, thin scars across his cheeks

" dont try anything, Puck. Im watching you. "

,, Youre recovering quickly. ,, Isiea notes.

He smiled, very faintly. "Save me a dance," Ash murmured.

And then they were moving toward the gym. The music grew louder and the din of voices echoed beyond the walls. 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.