Yule Ball -- 25 December 2008

Ashley smiled at Katy and Riley, but stayed where sh ewas... she wasn't sure what to say even if she went up to him.

Katy nodded
"I hate seeing Michael mope about..its just not him. Talking will do them good"
she repeated. She tried to keep to the outer part of the crowd, seeing her discomfort mirrored in Rileys eyes

Michael watched as Katy, Riley and Ashley talked. Then Riley and Katy walked off towards the drink area. 'Were they both trying to help he and Ashley's relationship?,' he asked himself. He waited for Ashley to initiate a conversation, since he still didn't know how Ashley felt.

After what seemed like ages, Riley and Katy reached the table with the drinks. he grabbed a drink for himselfand then hadned one to Katy. "Ash has been driving me nuts about the whole thing... she's being very indecisive."

Ashley sighed, seeing Michael just kind of stand there. She stood up and walked over to him. "You look kinda awkward standing there alone," hse said, smiling.

Michael watched Ashley approach him, and then he listened to her. "You look very pretty, Ashley. I'm very sorry if you still don't want to see me. Katy came with me only as a friend," he said, giving small hand gestures to signify the word, 'only.'

Ashley smiled. "Thanks. You look pretty good yourself," she replied. "...and why would you think I don't want to see you?"

"Thank you...I think They'll work things out..and if they dont then they are stupid..because there are MUCH worse reasons to ruin a relationship than whats happened so far"

"Er... how much do you knwo about what screwed up their relationship?" Riley asked.

"After what happened, and then I saw you in the Library, talking with Riley...I don't make decisions without facts, though at the time, I had thought that you were moving on from me. I thought I was going to need to...though realized when my heart skipped a beat, that I couldn't move on. I'm very sorry if it isn't what you want to hear." He ran his fingers through his hair, very unsure what else to say, since he didn't want to drive her away further.

"What do you mean what happened int eh library with Riley?" Ash replied. "Oh... wait -- you saw me comforting him wiht a tough memory... but only saw part of the situation... Riley and I aren't together. I obviously need to clarify that. Riley and I will never be together," she pointed out.

"Everything...including what happened between you and Ash..but dont worry..my lips are sealed!"
she took a sip of her drink..though she wasnt really thirsty..
"So..you said you wernt planning on coming either?"

Michael listened and then gave a weak smile, "oo...I'm very sorry that I only saw part of the situation. I'm sorry that I'm apologizing so much," he said with a small chuckle. "I was worried I had lost you." He looked down, afterwards since it probably wasn't exactly what Ashley wished to hear about.

"I dunno what got into me that night," Riley muttered. "But anywyas... yeah, I wasn't going to come... but Ash really wanted me to and she bought me these to try to get me to come. And so I thought that it'd be rude nto to come since she got me these..."

"You have nothing to apologize about," Ash replied. "so stop apologizing so much! And we're still friends! You haven't lost me at all, really..."

"Alright, I'll stop apologizing," said Michael with a chuckle, since it probably sounded funny. "I don't know what to say," he added with a smile. "How are you, Ash?," Michael asked.

"Well how nice of her...by the way..you look really...uh..good tonight..."
SHe smiled then looked out the window at the night sky...clear and open..the moon wasnt quite full yet..but the stars glowed gloriously in the sky.

Riley was surprised into a true smile. "Oh... er... thanks," he replied. He wasn't used to getting copmliments by anyone other than Ashley.

"Oh, I'm good," she replied. She listened to the song for a moment and heard it slwoing down. "Wanna dance?"

"I'd...lo...I mean...let's dance," said Michael with a smile, holding his hand out towards her. He could tell the music was slowing down, though unsure what song title it is...or maybe he did, though he couldn't remember the title.

"Awesome," Ashley replied, smiling. She took his hand and took him ontot he dance floor and the two of them started dancing.

"Wow..looks like our plans working..they're dancing"
she pointed to Ashley and Michael
"I would say high five..but you dont like to be touched...so good job!"

Riley chuckled. "Yeah... maybe I'll be able to sneak out and be able to relax a bit or something..."

Michael was partially pulled, and he partially walked on his own accord to the dance floor. He then began to dance, incorporating a twirl or two in between them moving to and fro. Michael was glad that he was dancing with the person that he cares the most for. He now knows that she at least somewhat feels for him...or it is there. With time, hopefully it will grow.

((AWWWW!!! That's so freaking cute!!!!))

Ash was smiling as the two of them danced around with everyone else that was crowding the dancefloor.