Chapter 211
SALEM HIGH
Click
here to hear the song that's playing in the background.
CHASE: Last year's dance wasn't all bad.
CLAIRE: True. It may not have ended very well, but most of it was actually really nice.
CHASE: Exactly. Besides, we don't have to worry about Jade doing anything tonight.
CLAIRE: I'm glad of that. I think we all are.
JOEY: So, just out of curiosity, why me? Not that I mind, of course. Just curious.
NOELLE: Why not you? I'm here by myself. You're here by yourself.
JOEY: I'm here with a group of friends.
NOELLE: But, you and that awful Jade girl broke up, right?
JOEY: Like, a year ago, yeah.
NOELLE: That's what I'm saying. Yeah, you came with a group, but all of the other members of the group are in relationships.
JOEY: Well, not really. Ciara and Theo aren't.
NOELLE: They might as well be. They always hang out together.
JOEY: They've been best friends since before they could walk.
NOELLE: Whatever.
JOEY: Look, I do appreciate the dance, though. Thank you.
NOELLE: You're welcome. So, as long as we're dancing together, you wanna join in the contest with me?
JOEY: Sure, why not?
Joey and Noelle walked over to Mr. Woods, wrote down their names on a piece of paper, and put them into a hat he was holding.
WOODS: Good luck, guys.
After several more songs, Mr. Woods returned to the stage.
WOODS: All right, everybody. The 2017 Last Blast Dance competition is about to begin. Before it does, let's go over the rules. No dance moves that could be considered crude or disrespectful. If you stop dancing for more than a minute, you're out. If you feel a tap on the shoulder, you're out. Most importantly, have a good time. And now, let the dance contest begin!
O'HAIRE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Nicholas walked down the hall to the baggage claim. He was on his phone.
NICHOLAS: No, Ivan, I don't. Look, she's going to be well taken care of where she is. I can't do that right now. I'm at the airport picking up my daughter, I told you about this. Ivan, Aunt Viv is in good hands. Don't worry. Look, I'll speak to you later. I have to go. Bye.
Nicholas hung up his phone and shook his head. He walked over to the board and looked for the international section. Finally, he saw the one he was looking for. “MEL → ORD, On Time, Landed 10 mins. ago. Baggage Claim #10” is what the sign read. Nicholas walked over to Baggage Claim carosel 10. Several other people were already standing there, while others were still walkign towards it. A teen girl with blonde hair and wearing sunglasses walked up to him.
GIRL: Completely forgot about the time change. Thought it would still be daytime.
She spoke with an Australian accent.
NICHOLAS: Well, not quite. Welcome to the Midwest, Trix.
Trix lifted the sunglasses up and sat them on top of her head.
TRIX: Hi, dad.
