Sarah didn't come to school the next day.

Or the day after that.

Or the day after that.

By day three, Tommy was almost dreading going to school and seeing her empty desk once more. He drove slowly, about five miles an hour at most. He was pretty sure two old ladies in a beat up jalopy sped by him at one point. His nails dug into the leathery steering wheel, leaving deep ingrained marks behind. He didn't know why he was so nervous about Sarah's absence. He'd originally just been frustrated. Right when he'd been making progress, she up and disappears for the day. It was when one day became two and then three that he started to feel uneasy.

Sarah's attitude that day, when she'd bared her soul to him, was at an all time high when they'd parted. Her pretty face lit up with happiness was a sight to behold. It made him smile just thinking about it. Now she was gone, and he had no idea why or to where. It couldn't be something he said, could it?

Nat didn't think anything was wrong ("She's just sick or something, it happens. Now shut up and eat your french fries before I do."), and realistically, Tommy knew she was probably right. That didn't shake the funny feeling in his stomach, though. Somehow, he just knew it had to be something more.

Nat was waiting for him in front of his locker, which was a short distance away from hers and rarely touched. Tommy found it easier to just carry everything with him. As a Senior, he didn't have much left by way of strenuous classes. His giant textbook days were all but over now that he had most of his High School credits completed. The most use he could make of the thing was a meeting place for the two of them every morning. Nat was always far quicker than him at getting from one class to her locker to the next class without being late. How she managed it within a four minute timeframe, he'd never know.

Today, she was leaning against the locker with her boot up and the heel tapping out a slow and steady beat. She was wearing headphones, mouthing the words to whatever New Wave band she was listening to today and seemingly ignorant of his approach. This was a common ritual for them, and Tommy wasn't at all surprised when her eyes opened she turned to him just as he was coming up beside her. It was like she had a sixth sense about it or something.

"I checked the library for you," she said with evident disinterest. "Looks like your little runaway still hasn't come back."

Tommy moaned and banged his head on the top locker, the cold metal soothing the pain before it arrived.

"This is frustrating."

"I bet," Nat said as she removed her headphones and put them back in her messenger bag. "I keep telling you, people skip school all the time. Nothing to get worked up over."

"I am not worked up," Tommy said. "I'm just concerned for Sarah's wellbeing. I would feel the same way about anyone, maybe even you."

Nat's eyebrows shot up, and she grinned that white tooth filled grin at him.

"Oh yeah? Sounds good to me," she said. "Can't say I'd be as worried about you. You're too bullheaded to let a case of the sniffles get you down."

Tommy's mouth twitched. "You give the weirdest compliments, you know that?"

"Just keep reminding me," she said.

The bell rang, and suddenly it was chaos. The relatively peaceful hall filled with the frenzy of students desperate to get to class on time and avoid the dreaded tardy slip. Tommy and Nat walked in close quarters so that hopefully they wouldn't be pushed or shoved away from each other. Their arms were pressed together, so far that Tommy was forced to stiffen his shoulder. It wasn't the best way to move, but at least they could still talk.

"So, what do you plan on doing once she's back in school?"

Tommy raised an eyebrow. "Really? I'm going to ask her out. What has this whole thing been about anyway?"

"I meant how are you going to do it," Nat flatly said.

"Well, my dear Natalie, I'm glad you asked."

He took her by the arm, leading her out of the fray and to the wall where people posted notices and flyers for upcoming school events. Tommy stopped them at a particularly large and professional looking poster, one with brazen colors that had been plastered all around the school for the past two months. Neither of them bothered reading it, after seeing it so many times, the words were practically ingrained in their minds.

"You're going to ask her to the Homecoming Dance," Nat said. She clicked her tongue. "How very unoriginal. Why am I not surprised?"

"Are you calling me cliché?" Tommy asked, affronted. "I'll have you know, the dance is a very romantic place to be. We'll have all the best music and the decorations are coming along quite nicely if I do say so myself."

"Right, who cares about all five hundred million movies in the last few years have done it."

"Exactly!" Tommy pulled Nat closer to him in a one-armed hug that wasn't reciprocated. The halls were mostly clear by now, and so he walked several steps ahead of her and kept talking. "It's going to be great. As soon as she's back in school, I'll get Sarah alone, maybe start up a friendly conversation or something, and then I'll just come right out and ask her. There's no reason she would say no. We could even double once you find a date, Nat."

Nat slowed, and Tommy was too lost in thought to notice. She made herself keep moving, but he was faster. His back grew smaller and smaller in the distance, and Nat could only watch it slowly disappear from her sight. Just like she always did.

"Yeah," she said, with a humorless laugh. "I wish."

The first two periods went by at a snail's pace. Tommy easily got through a pop quiz in British Literature and doodled pictures of faces on in inside of his textbook during Biology. Third period, Algebra, rolled around, and Tommy gloomily made his way there in a fog. Several girls said hello to him when he passed, but their calls went unanswered. For once, Tommy wasn't in the mood for their praise.

He rounded the corner, walking through the first door on the left and eyeing his seat in the center of the class, right behind Sarah's seat.

Where Sarah herself was sitting.

Tom came one finger away from dropping his books to the ground. In the seat in the far right corner, Nat was shrugging and shaking her head. He swallowed and strode purposefully to his seat. He casually glanced at Sarah, his 'cool guy' persona firmly in place, and stopped short.

Sarah was glowing. There was no better word to describe it. She was grinning like a fool, her eyes on the window again, only this time with pure joy and zest for life. Tommy stared for a long time, and yet somehow she never saw him. Were three sick days really all it took to fix everything? She must've been exaggerating the other day. Much as Tommy wanted to believe his words of advice were that powerful, he highly doubted it.

He cast a quick glance at Nat, she was writing down the homework assignment and ignoring him. The late bell rang in Tommy's ear, pushing him onwards to his seat, where he'd spend the entire period taking no notes, hearing not a word the teacher said, and staring at Sarah.

All his senses locked onto her, though he did keep his head down to avoid suspicion. He strained to look up at her hair, his eyes aching from the effort. For once, Sarah's eyes were on the chalkboard. Sometimes, her head to tilted downward, and her pencil scratched against paper as she took down the new formula they were learning. There was a moment, though, somewhere at the halfway mark between the beginning and the end of class. Tommy was forcing himself to jot down the formula, just in case the teacher walked by and caught him not paying attention. His mind momentarily not on Sarah, he found himself absently humming a little tune, stopping when he realized what he was doing and that the song was completely alien to him.

And that he wasn't the only one humming it.

Sarah had been humming under her breath, so incredibly soft that he'd missed it all this time. How no one else had caught on, he didn't know. That wasn't his concern at the moment anyway.

Why on earth would Sarah be singing in the middle of class? It was amazing. She'd gone from brooding to walking on sunshine in two days flat. Why?

When the bell finally rang, it couldn't have been more of a Godsend. Tommy was packed up and on his feet before anyone else. Sarah hadn't even closed her notebook yet, so Tommy acted the 'cool guy' as best he could when walking out. It seemed to work, if the gaggle of giggly girls following him were any indication. He flashed a smile when they passed, and he could hear them squealing.

If nothing else, it boosted his morale.

Nat was out seconds later, and came to stand behind him. He was too anxious to make her leave. She fell back a little, allowing Tommy some space. He could still see her out the corner of his eye, switching between watching him and the door several times before settling on the door. The wait was endless. Tommy was sure the entire student body had exited the room already, and still no sign of Sarah.

'Should I go back in?' he asked himself. 'What if something's wrong with her and she needs help? Or maybe she's already gone and I missed her somehow, but that can't be, I've been watching for her like a hawk, and Nat would've said something.'

His mind continued on this train of thought until one final person entered the hallway, her brown hair swishing and her green eyes sparkling. Sarah.

It took Tommy a split second to process her presence and act, but it was enough time for Sarah to start off in the opposite direction. She seemed unaware that there was anyone there, her eyes sliding right passed him like he was invisible. Tommy chewed on the inside of his cheek and darted after her, followed closely by Nat. There wasn't much of a crowd in this part of the building, and soon Tommy was a half step behind Sarah and reaching out to her.

"Hey," he said, tapping her shoulder. "Sarah, hey!"

She stopped and turned her head, the smile gone for once, but it was back in an instant when Sarah saw him. The next thing Tommy knew, Sarah had hurled herself into his arms and was hugging the life out of him. He yelped and stumbled back against the lockers, Nat jumping out of the way before he walked into her. She stood off to the side now, just as taken aback as Tommy was.

"Sarah, what the hell?" Tommy cried. Not that he was complaining about her sudden forwardness.

Sarah seemed to realize his discomfort, and pulled away.

"Sorry," she said. "I wasn't trying to freak you out or anything, I'm just uh... I'm in a really good mood today."

"Yeah," Tommy said. "I noticed "

'Oh boy, did I ever,' he thought, rubbing the spot on his arm that had suffered the most from her 'assault.' Sarah was surprisingly strong for someone her size.

"And it's all thanks to you, Tommy."

His hand stilled.

"What?" him and Nat chorused.

"You told me to follow my instincts," she reminded him. "I went home that day and did just that. I got back in touch with that that old friend I told you about. It was hard getting him to talk to me at first, but I spent three whole days with him, talking about things and working our issues out and we're really getting somewhere now. I really think this is going to work, and I can't wait for you to meet him."

"I see," Tommy said uneasily. Something about where this was going made his stomach hurt in the worst possible way. He really didn't want to ask this next question, but it was unavoidable. "Will that be soon?"

"Very soon," Sarah said with a nod. "He's taking me to the Homecoming dance on Saturday."

It was about that time Tommy's brain stopped functioning.

"What?" It wasn't even a real question anymore, he just didn't have the ability to say anything else.

"We're taking things slow right now, but I thought it was a good idea for us to get out and do some stuff together. You know what I mean?"

" Oh?"

"I told him all about you," she went on. "And how you're the reason I got back in touch with him in the first place. He's really anxious to meet you. I think he wants to thank you as much as I do."

She took his hand and shook it, a friendly gesture if he or Nat ever saw one.

"I mean it," she said warmly. "Thank you so much, Tommy. You may not think you did much, but it made all the difference for me. You're a great friend."

The late bell rang, and Sarah let go, starting into a half-run for the staircase and waving over her shoulder as she hit the first step. She was out of sight, off to God only knows where and happy as a clam while Tommy was rigid and in shock and late for English.

And Nat had just burst out laughing.

"Oh- My- God!" she chocked out as she slid down against the wall. "Oh my- I can't- I can't-"

A witty comeback wouldn't been great right about now, but Tommy was never as good at them as she was, even when he wasn't utterly distraught.

"It's just insane!" Nat had gotten herself somewhat under control, but the endless guffaws still came. "I mean, you spend days trying to work up the nerve to ask this girl out, you devote all your energy into it, only to fail over and over again, and then, after all that, you actually set her upwith someone else. I just- The irony is killing me here."

Tommy's whole body slumped. His bag fells to the floor, his eyes lost their luster, even his curls had probably gone straight. Staring at the spot Sarah had just occupied, he felt something new and harsh and already more than unwanted. It was a crippling disappointment, like everything was exactly the way Nat always told him it would be.

Like all his efforts had been for naught.

Nat's laughter died away completely. Tommy thought he heard the squeaking of her boot as she stood back up, but it wasn't confirmed until a hand came to rest on his shoulder, squeezing gently, then rubbing it up and down.

"Hey, come on," she said, her voice taking on a softness he only heard from her on special occasions. "I'm sorry for laughing, but it's going to be okay. So this didn't work out, you'll you'll find the right one eventually."

"Maybe I should date another one of my fans," Tommy said bitterly. "That sound good?"

"No," Nat bluntly replied. "You know what I mean. Look, it sucks that you missed out with Sarah, but it's not the end of the world. How about you and I forget that stupid dance and just go hang out at the mall this Saturday? We could even get those chili fries you love so much."

"Oh, I'm still going to the dance."

Nat blinked. "What?"

Tommy's head snapped up, his intense look clearly catching Nat by surprise. He wouldn't blame her, he was kind of surprised too.

"I want to see this guy, this guy who's apparently so much better than me," Tommy said. "I want to meet him."

Nat blinked again, then her face hardened and her fingers began to flex.

"She's not going out with whoever this person is because of you, you know," she spat. "He's obviously been in the picture long before you came around."

"I know," he said calmly. "This isn't about trying to one-up anyone, I just want to see for myself who she's so completely into that I can't even compare."

"What does it matter? She does not like you like that," Nat said through grit teeth.

Even in his adrenaline fueled haze, Tommy was aware enough to see that Nat was getting angry, fast and inexplicably. Her eyebrow knotted together and her brown eyes flashed. For such a small girl, she was downright intimadating when she wanted to be, and Tommy found his resolve cracking.

"If it bothers you so much, you don't have to go," he said.

"Oh no, I'm going," Nat said, shaking her head and walking past him. "If you're going to go make an ass out of yourself, I'll have to be there to pick up the pieces."

"I will not make an ass out of myself, I just want to meet him!" Tommy shouted after her. Right now, he didn't care if he sounded childish or unconvincing. Why did Nat always have to be so stubborn anyway? What was she even mad about in the first place? Not like this whole thing affected her in any way.

"For yours and Sarah's sake, I hope you're telling the truth," she answered.

She passed through a random door Tommy couldn't say for sure was really her next class. He thought about going after her and trying to talk things out. More than anything else, fighting with Nat was always the worst thing that could happen at school. She'd been his closest friend -arguably his only real one- since freshman year. Not having her around after all this time would be depressing.

That, and she was hell to deal with when she was angry.

Eventually, Tommy knew his best bet would be to give her some space and get himself to class. There were other things he had to worry about after all, like how to explain to Mrs. Gregory were he'd been all this time, or what time the local Tux shop would be open until today.

Or just what kind of guy this 'special friend' of Sarah's really was.

He looked forward to finding out.

Saturday came in a flash, the hours ticking by until it was quite suddenly 6:45 pm. The dance would officially begin in 15 minutes.

Tommy stood on Nat's porch, a place more familiar to him than the white, two story house itself. Nat's dad was a ridiculously tall and built former soldier who never seemed to get over the fact that his daughter's best friend was a boy, and that he (gasp) didn't want to have sex with her. Tommy had quickly learned that it was much easier for them to hang out at his house, where he wouldn't have to worry about overprotective giant fathers leering at him or polishing one of his guns in the near vicinity.

It was only on nights like tonight that Tommy would find himself on this rickety old porch again, counting the cracks on the banister until someone, hopefully Nat or her far more accepting mother, came to the door. If luck was really on his side, Nat's father would be working late tonight.

He rang the doorbell for the third time, and the door slammed open. Tommy found himself face to face with a large, vein covered neck that pulsed dangerously. Tommy closed his eyes, taking deep breaths and cursing the heavens for this as he slowly raised his head. He locked eyes with the middle-aged man, whose face showed only the barest signs of aging. The best evidence was the dark gray color of his hair, something Tommy distinctly remembered being Nat's light brown a few years ago. Her father breathed through his nose, like an angry bull ready to charge. He stared down at Tommy with the same judging eyes as ever. Tommy cleared his throat, his collar was feeling tight all of a sudden.

"Good evening, Mr. Hershel," he said with the utmost politeness. "I'm here to pick up Nat for the dance, which you have my solemn oath we'll be home from right on time without a single detour along the way."

He stopped before he could ramble anymore. Dealing with Nat's father always put him on edge, and it never helped when the man would lean in real close with eyes so narrow, they almost couldn't be seen.

Like he was doing right now.

Mr. Hershel studied him, silent for the first couple of seconds, and then with a deep rumble in his chest.

"457 Moxy Drive," he said, enunciating every syllable like he was teaching Tommy how to say it.

"That's my address," Tommy said, speaking aloud the painfully obvious.

Mr. Hershel leaned in closer. "I have your phone number too, and your parents', and friends in high places who can provide me easy access to your Social Security Number. Just thought you should know that, in case you decide to act in an unseemly manner towards my daughter tonight."

Tommy nodded, though that might have been more shaking in fear than an actual affirmative response.

"I read you loud and clear, sir," he said. "And as Nat is a very dear friend of mine, you can trust me to be just as caring and friendly to her as she's always been to me in a completely platonic fashion. You don't have to worry about that!"

The man grit his teeth, a bit like Nat had the day of their fight, only it wasn't as cute or endearing with he did it. It was mostly just terrifying.

He just barely escaped with his life when Nat came running down the stairs as fast as her dress would allow and pushed past her father to get out.

"Thank you, Daddy," she said somewhat forcefully. "I'll be home by Midnight on the dot."

In an instant, the man went from dangerous monster to gentle giant. He broke out in a grin and enveloped Nat in a bear hug. Nat kept her arms on his chest, ready to push him off if necessary.

"I know, Sweetie," he said. "I trust you."

He let go and Nat moved away to check and make sure her hair was still in place. Tommy took the time to really look at her, and he froze.

Her light brown hair, normally straight past her shoulders or in a ponytail, had been curled and pulled into an up-do, small sections hanging at either side of her face. She was wearing mascara, in addition to her usual lipstick and blush, that was new. Nat always hated the stuff. Her floor length, sleeveless gown was light pink with black trim at the top and bottom. The skirts were pretty small, not enormous like he imagined some of the other girls' would be. The bodice hugged her body nicely, so that he couldn't help but notice even with the threat of an angry parent hovering over him.

"Wow," he said before he could stop himself. "Nat, you look great."

Her father growled.

"And I mean that in the friendliest possible way."

Nat shot her father a sideways glance before shaking her head and moving past Tommy to the steps.

"Have a good time, Princess!" Mr. Hershel called after her.

"I will, Daddy!"

Mr. Hershel spared Tommy one final, powerful, death glare, then slammed the door in his face. Tommy needed a few seconds to make his legs move again. Nat was already in the car and buckled in by the time he was crossing the lawn.

He got in on the driver's side, and stuck the key into the ignition, while Nat looked on, a ghost of a smile on her face. The engine started, and soon they were speeding down the block in silence, a heavy silence that Tommy didn't like at all.

"So," he said after clearing his throat. "You excited?"

She shrugged. "I just hope the music is good."

Tommy nodded and almost smiled himself. Several minutes passed, and she did nothing to keep the conversation going, much to Tommy's disconcertion.

"You're pretty quiet," he said. "Not still mad at me, are you?"

"About what?" Nat asked, raising an eyebrow. "I was never mad in the first place, just annoyed at you for being stupid again."

"I'm never stupid!"

"Sure you are, you just don't know because I'm too nice to tell you."

"Right, right," he said, but he wasn't really offended, not by Nat. Never by Nat. "Alright, time to go and meet Sarah's date!"

He raised one hand high (or as high as the car roof would allow) and let out a battle cry, stepping on the gas to speed up. Nat's face fell, the humor completely gone as she rested her elbow on the window pane.

"Yeah, that'll be fun," she muttered sourly.

This time, Tommy didn't notice.

The party was in full swing when they walked in. For once, the Gym didn't have the acrid stench of sweat and rubber, and a barrage of multicolor streamers, balloons and posters covered up the dreary browns and grays of the walls and bleachers. The dance floor took up the entire far half of the room, with the DJ set up and playing some kind of sugar pop song. The rest was dedicated to round tables and refreshments. All those who didn't care to dance mingled there, either sitting or camping out at the punch bowl. The spotlights traveled up, down and all around, bringing everyone into the light at least once every few minutes.

Tommy and Nat were several inches apart, unlike the couples wrapped up in each other's arms or holed up in the corner with their lips locked. Nat started for the punch table while Tommy stayed in place, scanning the room for any sign of Sarah.

He exhaled through his nose. A few girls here and there were smiling and waving at him, but he paid them no mind. He knew he'd probably have to dance with a few of them tonight no matter what happened. It was the only way he'd get them off his back, but he really wasn't in the mood for this.

Nat came back, drinks in hand. Tommy took his wordlessly and downed half of it in one gulp. The overly sweet taste made him gag, but he managed to not spit it out and swallow.

"What the hell is this?!" He held the cup far away from his face like it was the smell that bothered him.

"It's homemade punch," Nat said, sipping her own drink. "Kitty Jensen made it. You know her, she's the head of the Dance Committee this year."

"I hope she's not the head of Home Economics too," Tommy said. He leaned over to drop the paper cup in the garbage, then checked his tuxedo jacket for any sign of stains. He took a few deep breaths, his heart was beating faster for some reason.

"Nervous?" Nat asked.

"What?" It wasn't so much a question as it was a result of not hearing her right. Once it registered, he rounded on her. "What?! I am not nervous. I'm just fine. I'm just annoyed that I can't find Sarah yet. It bothers me. What kind of dress is she wearing tonight anyway?"

"How should I know? It's not like I'm friends with- wait."

She snatched Tommy's sleeve, pulling himself several steps to the right and closer to her. When he made a noise of complaint, she brushed it aside and held him in place.

"What is it?" Tommy demanded. "Do you see her?"

"You tell me." Nat pointed to the center of the Gym, all the way back to the opposite set of doors where a young woman in a pure white dress had just walked in.

She stuck out like a sore thumb amid the darker colored dresses and suits all around her, and got more than a few heads turning as she walked gracefully through the middle of the room to where Tommy and Nat were. Whether she was heading towards them or just in their general direction, Tommy couldn't say. When she was close enough to see them, Tommy fought to meet her gaze. He had to stop himself from just focusing on all of her face.

A couple of boys approached her along the way, their intent just as obvious as her polite rejection of them all. The lights changed with the music, going from soft during the slow dances to bright and colorful for the faster ones. An upbeat dance song had started playing, illuminating the entire room and, more importantly, Sarah.

In this new light, Tommy could see every intricate detail of her dress. It was a little puffy in the sleeves, though toned down from the stereotypical fairy tale look it seemed to derive from. The skirt fit the bill much more, splaying out everywhere and made from some kind of shining material Tommy couldn't name. Her hair was down and had various decorations in it, bows and beads and bangles galore. She was almost glowing in a supernatural light, though that may have just been some kind of crazy good skin treatment.

All in all, she looked like a princess, and everyone knew it.

Tommy glanced at Nat to gauge her reaction. She watched Sarah with an analytical eye, a low, bored hum issuing from her throat. Were it not for the severely thin line of her lips, he might have believed she didn't care.

"Nice dress," she said stiffly. "I'm going to get some more punch."

Tommy turned his head, but she was already gone, faster than normal, almost like she wanted to get away from him.

"Tommy?"

He started at the sound of her voice. Sarah stood before him in all her glory, beautiful and almost angelic in that white dress of hers. She played with her fingers, which had been polished lavender. Tommy held her gaze, not daring to look anywhere else and fighting to stay composed. He could hear Nat in his head, asking again if he was nervous, far more condescendingly than the real Nat ever would.

"Hey, Sarah!" He noticed then that his voice was raspy, and his lips were a little dry now that he thought about it. He thought about that punch cup he'd put aside and his fingers flexed around air. "You uh- you having a good time?"

"I only just got here," she said.

"Yeah, I saw you walk in," Tommy said weakly. He internally berated himself for sounding so stupid in the first place. "You look nice."

Sarah, who had begun playing with the lining of her sleeve, half smiled.

"You think?" she asked.

"Of course! You're one of the prettiest girls here, hands down."

Sarah looked away to hide her blush.

"I thought the dress was a bit too much," she said. "Jareth suggested it. I wore something like this the last time we met, so he wanted one that was similar for old time's sake. I think he's just teasing me."

She rolled her eyes, but spoke in a humorous way that indicated she really didn't mind her date's sense of humor. Tommy nodded in time with her, but that name she'd mention so casually stood out in his mind.

"Jareth," he said. It felt strange and foreign on the tongue, and he was pretty sure he'd never met anyone with such a name before and never would again. "That's your old friend's name?"

"He wasn't so much a friend " Sarah paused, stiffening slightly like something was making her uncomfortable. "It's a really long story, but it's in the past and we're moving on now."

She was smiling again, with that same pure bliss from the day she came back to school. Tommy's insides twisted unpleasantly as he was reminded of why he was at this dance in the first place. There was no one behind Sarah and no one around them. Tommy looked behind him just in case, and found nothing but the doors shut tight with a few oblivious kids on either side.

They were alone.

Sarah was alone.

Tommy felt anger for reasons he couldn't fully grasp.

"So where is he?" he asked, hopefully not as harshly as he'd been thinking it. "I'd think he'd have walked you in if he's your date and all. It's only good manners."

"He stopped to check my coat," Sarah answered, not missing a beat. "Don't worry, he'll be out in a minute and then you'll meet him."

"Not a minute, my dear, now."

Tommy froze, and before him, so did Sarah. The voice was like velvet and so close to his ear, he half expected to feel warm breath against it. Sarah was now staring at something over Tommy's shoulder. He didn't want to turn around, warning bells going off in his mind, like he was about to face down a dangerous beast.

It was ridiculous. How great a threat could this guy be anyway?

Tommy turned.

He took in crystal blue eyes, sharper and more clear than his own could ever be. They were close to inhuman, as were the utterly perfect features of the face that surrounded them. The man was almost level with Tommy, the slight difference in height made up by the man's wild blonde hair that wouldn't look out of place in a Heavy Metal band. That, and the sheer power that seemed to radiate off of him. Tommy wanted to bow before this man for reasons he couldn't comprehend. At least now he knew what that pre-emptive fear had been about.

He wore a cocky grin, like he was the most important person in the room and no one could ever exceed him. Tommy looked away, eyeing Sarah and the bemused, yet happy look on her face.

"Now, where did you come from?" She sounded vaguly accusing, like she had not only not been expecting him so soon, but didn't want him there now.

Come to think about it, how had he gotten behind Tommy without making any noise? Sure, it was loud in here, but Tommy should have heard something. He looked the man up and down again, noting that he appeared to only be a year or so older than them, perhaps a college student. His eyes, however, seemed so much older. It was strange. Everything about this man was strange.

Strange and mysterious and beautiful.

Tommy could see why Sarah had fallen for him, because there was no denying that she had. It was a rock in Tommy's stomach that had settled down with no intent of leaving as long as he kept between them. He'd never felt so inadequate.

"You must be Tommy," the man, Jareth, said. He smiled pleasantly and held out a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my friend."

Tommy took his hand almost robotically and shook it once, twice, and let go.

"Pleasure's all mine," he said.

"I really can't thank you enough for bringing Sarah back to me," Jareth went on. He had sidestepped him to stand next to Sarah and wrap an arm around her waist. She rolled her eyes, but didn't object.

"O-oh, it's nothing," Tommy said weakly. "Just helping out a friend is all."

Tommy sat at an empty table, elbows on his knees, hands on his face, depressed.

Sarah and Jareth were on the dance floor, and had been for the last three songs. Somehow, they'd all been slow, romantic songs. The two danced like experts, moving in perfect time with each other and garnering even more attention than Sarah's initial entrance had. Many of the same girls who fawned over Tommy were whispering to each other about Sarah's date, blushing and giggling all the while. It wasn't hard to figure out why.

He sighed deeply, pathetically.

His hands were slipping and he didn't care.

At the last second, he sat up straight and threw his head back, not reacting to the upside-down view of Nat, the pink of her dress taking up his vision. She moved around him, setting down two paper cups and grabbing a seat.

Tommy lifted his head, glanced at the cups, and then put it back down.

"It's just water this time," Nat said.

He only shrugged.

"Just saw Sarah's date." She wolf- whistled. "He's something else."

Tommy made a little sound of mocking, then brought his hands to his face and sat back up.

"You okay?" Nat asked.

He removed his hands.

"Fine," he said with a hollow laugh. "Just fine. Never better, never ... this sucks."

She snorted.

"So this is how rejection feels."

"Technically, you weren't rejected because you never actually asked her out in the first place," Nat said matter-of-factly. Then she softened. "But yeah, it's pretty much like this."

"Great."

He leaned back again, blowing air out his lips and just in general looking despondent and pitiful. He didn't hear anymore from Nat for a long time, to the point where he wondered if she was even still there. He looked up to find Nat's seat empty, and Nat herself standing over him, a hand hovering over his.

A new song had just started playing, another slow one.

"Come on," she said. "I'll give you one dance."

Tommy looked at her hand, thinking seriously about declining her offer and spending the rest of the night sulking in piece. But he knew Nat, and he knew she wouldn't accept that, and that she'd push him until he was on his feet and moving. Best to just get it over with and save her the trouble.

Taking her small hand in his larger one, Tommy allowed her to lead them to the dance floor. Tommy brushed the thin fabric of her dress, careful not to press down hard. She was looking up at him, her eyes searching. Tommy took the lead from there, going over in his head the dance steps he'd known for years. Nat's hand was still enclosed in his, her thumb running up and down slowly as she looked away for a moment. Tommy had to admit, it was comforting.

Something white passed his side vision, making his stomach clench, but a little less this time, and maybe not as intensely.

"It's unbelievable," he said, shaking his head. "You should've seen the way Sarah that Jareth guy were looking at each other. I hate to say it, but I don't think I ever had a chance."

Nat looked away wistfully. "Well, sometimes it takes strength to hold on, and other times, to let go."

"Wow, that's pretty deep."

"I know. On occasion, my mom's collection of trashy romance novels can be good for something."

Tommy stopped. Nat smirked at him. Tommy let out his first real laugh in what felt like forever and pulled her into a tight hug. He didn't notice the way her whole body went stiff, and couldn't see the reddening of her cheeks as she shakily hugged him back.

"Oh my God, Nat! You are- just amazing, you know that? I really don't understand how you don't have a boyfriend yet."

She made an angry, muffled noise and pulled her upper body away from him. He refused to let her go completely.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded.

"I'm just saying," Tommy said innocently. "You're smart and beautiful and you tell it like it is. You should be beating them off with a stick!"

This took her by surprise. She blushed again, this time for all the world to see, and Tommy had to refrain from further laughter at her expense. He couldn't help it, she just looked so funny and adorable when she got like this. It wasn't exactly a common occurence.

When she came back to her senses, she pressed herself against him again and resumed dancing, prompting Tommy to do the same.

"There is one guy," she said quietly. "But he doesn't feel the same way."

Tommy scoffed. "Then he's an idiot. Want me to beat some sense into him?"

"You know, I don't think you could beat an egg, much less a person," she said, smirking playfully. Her arms around him tightened, just a little bit. "And really... it's okay. Even if he never likes me back, I'm happy just being his friend."

"Hmph, still say he's a moron."

She giggled softly, barely above a whisper, so Tommy almost didn't hear it over the crescendo-ing music invading his senses. He gently rested his chin on top of her hair, careful not to mess it up too much. She'd have his head for it later anyway, but for now, it didn't bother him. Right now, he felt better than he ever could've imagined so soon after his spectacular failure at wooing one Sarah Williams.

Come to think about it, Tommy hadn't actually thought about Sarah at all since him and Nat started dancing. He pushed her out to spin and then pulled her back in and, just because he know she'd hate it, made sure to dip her as low as possible when the time came. His legs ached, but it was worth it, and Nat's scowl was enough to send him back into hysterics.

If he didn't know any better, he'd think she was laughing with him.

All the way at the other end of the floor, Sarah spun in place, the skirts of her dress somehow not getting in the way despite the heavy material they were made from. She suspected Jareth had something to do with that. Magic could be pretty handy for more than just crystal juggling, it seemed.

Jareth pulled her back expertly, moving her swiftly in one direction and then the other. It was a much different dance than the first one they'd share all those years ago. His movements were more relaxed and faster. The room around them was not a glorious ballroom, but a grimy Gym filled with streamers and balloons of clashing colors. The music was something she listened to every morning on the Top 40 radio, and the people were familiar, and loud, and unsophisticated, and made Jareth stick up his nose in disgust whenever they got too close.

Sarah decided she preferred this, and Jareth would have to learn to deal with it.

She grinned at the thought of the Goblin King forced into the menial tasks of a 'Dweller of the Aboveground:' getting up at 6 am and making bacon and eggs for breakfast, fixing a flat tire on the road, fishing for money to use the payphone . The possibilities were endless.

"And what is it you find so funny?"

His voice brought her back to reality, and her grin faltered, but didn't fade away. It was back with a vengeance when she saw the look on his (much younger than normal) face, the slightly angry, slightly nervous look she never believed he could possibly make. Surely, she couldn't be blamed for wanting to laugh.

"It's nothing," she said, lowering her head to examine the dress shirt he wore and the tiniest glint of gold beneath it that was his royal crest. It was the one thing he'd absolutely refused to go without when performing the spells to blend in with Sarah's peers.

"Come now, Sarah, I know when you're lying."

"I'm not lying," she insisted, squirming a little in his grasp. "I'm just happy you came tonight. It really means a lot to me."

Jareth sniffed. "Well, if I'd had it my way, we would be in my castle, eating only the finest foods, taking a walk in my gardens, being alone."

"Hey, hey, back up, buddy," Sarah said. "This is only the first date, you know."

"So you've reminded me. "

He grumbled something unintelligible, and this time Sarah allowed a few chuckles out, much to Jareth's lack of amusement.

"We didn't just come here to dance, remember?" She paused as he dipped her. "I wanted you to meet Tommy, you do kind of owe all this to him."

"Hmm " Jareth gave a tiny nod, and didn't look happy about it at all. What a drama queen. "I suppose that's true. Someday, I'll have to repay him in full."

"Thinking pretty far ahead, are we?"

"Why not?" he grinned wolfishly. "I must say, though, from the way he was speaking to you, it seemed like he was harboring affection for you."

"What?!" Sarah asked incredulously before bursting into full blown laughter. Now that was the funniest thing she'd heard all night. "I highly doubt that. He's a good friend, nothing more."

"I'd hope so," Jareth said, turning them all the way around to avoid the stares of some hungry eyed school girls drooling over him. Like he cared about them and their nonsense when he had his Sarah back in his arms. "I would hate to have to take him for a dip in the bog."

"No, no, there will be no bog throwing," Sarah said with finality.

Jareth gave her an innocent look that she didn't buy for a second, but it was endearing anyway. It seemed there were some things about Jareth that would never change no matter how many years went by. Sarah didn't know how many she'd spend with him confirming that theory, but the most optimistic side of her believed it would be quite a few.

Jareth's head came forward, their cheeks brushing together. Some of his hair got in her face when she looked out, but it wasn't enough to block her view of the people behind them, most especially Tommy. He danced with that friend of his. Nat, if Sarah remembered correctly. His eyes were closed, but he looked well; peaceful even.

They opened and met hers. He blinked back astonishment, but didn't look away. Sarah smiled at him, and gave him a thumbs-up, not at all caring how dorky it looked.

After a moment, he returned them both.

A/N: And that concludes 'Quiet and Bookish,' my longest technical one-shot to date (sorry for the delay). I hope you all enjoyed it!

:)