Until The Clock Strikes

The children's book procession exited off the elevator, with Chastity taking the lead to Peyton's chagrin. The bubbly blonde garnered far too much attention with her ways. If anything, Peyton pictured her as the bizarre, wholesome version of Lana. But, of course, the crop of teenagers with them found her adorably amusing.

“Okay, girls, stop here,” Tamsin ordered.

The Diamond Corp employee directed Kizzy and YoYo to a foldout table near one of the lobby's windows. After spending a fair amount of tonight in the lobby, Peyton knew at once that it had only recently appeared. Webster made the exact guess and turned to face Tamsin.

“How do you find the time to do all these things? I’ve been with you since we decided that we needed to do this now.” The children’s author shook his head as Tamsin shrugged while holding up her phone. “I might need to hire you away to be my personal assistant.”

“You couldn’t afford me,” Tamsin replied to Webb’s partial joke.

“Mr. Graham can’t lose Tam! She’s his fairy godmother,” Chastity protested. “Hold, please! That sounds weird. OOH! I mean, she’s his guardian angel.”

“Can’t she be both?” Sanna questioned, making Chastity’s day.

“I like you! Wait, we get our own table? Goodness gracious!” Chastity’s face scrunched up as she studied the plain table. “I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but we need to decorate this. Nat, Ruffy, Milo & Whiskers deserve better. Excuse me, sir! Can we look at the tablecloth options!” She called out to a passing employee.

"I think we can let Tamsin help handle that," Peyton announced.

"Shouldn't we help?" Kizzy asked.

“Well, you can if you want to miss the ball drop,” Peyton said, already moving.

“Oh, shit! Sorry! I meant, oh, crap!” Serinda apologized to the honey blonde.

“I think she wants us to use poop instead of crap,” YoYo suggested, unsure about Chastity’s preferred vocabulary.

“We’ll be back in a little while, Mr. Whelan,” Sanna called over her shoulder.

While departing, they heard Chastity say, “I don’t want to be a diva namedropper, but this man is a celebrity. Don’t you know?”

“I’m sorry, Chastity, I never heard of him. No offense, man,” the middle-aged hotel employee apologized.

“Weren’t you ever a kid? He’s superduper famous among them!”

"Uh, my first book was only published eight years ago," Webb pointed.

“Don’t worry. Let me just find my keys, and I’ll go get the tablecloth,” Chastity said, rummaging around her purse.

“Wait, I thought you hadn’t got your room keycard?” Tamsin questioned when Chastity pulled one out.

“Is that a master keycard?” the hotel employee gasped. “How do you have that, Chastity?”

“Gee Willikers, was I supposed to give it back after the grand reopener?”

---

“Bwahahahah!!!”

“Sure, laugh it up before I **** you,” Lana threatened.

“Is she okay? I don’t think I’ve ever seen her laugh this hard.” Steph asked, looking at their friend who was bent over at the waist from the intense laughter.

“Oh, you know she’s fucking fine! And I know you’re laughing just as hard on the inside, Stephie,” Poppy stated, staring daggers at her wingwoman.

“What did I–Oh! Yeah, I did do him,” Stephanie said, tittering.

“Alright, you’ve had your fun. Now stop it,” Lana ordered as the laughter continued. “Knock it off, Pey! If you don’t, I’m going to send those spring break bikini pictures to Vance Vandermeer. Let’s see him give up after all that skin showing.”

“You wouldn’t?” Peyton responded, shooting to stand back up.

“Perhaps…perhaps not.”

“Okay, I’m sorry, but what am I missing? Is this some Honey Hollow inside joke?” Jamie-Lynn asked her college friends.

“They’re all pissed because my little brother’s ex-girlfriend is dancing with Archer Bowe,” Peyton relayed. Jamie-Lynn’s face flickered as she’d heard the name but couldn’t say why. “He’s three years older than us and the town’s last notorious heartthrob.”

“The last? Keep mocking us, and I’ll make sure that Sean is the next one,” Lana shot back.

“Oh, please!” Peyton brushed the empty threat off. Then, turning toward the rest of their college crew, she added, “Lana and Poppy are pissed as they made a bet over who could bed him at Becky and Brian’s engagement party.”

“I won!” Steph announced, hopping up and down.

“Fuck this. I’m going to find somebody to dance with,” Poppy proclaimed, walking away.

“Ooh! It looks like a couple of boys are here for a special lady,” Kiki teased, causing the rest of the coeds to turn around.

“Uh, Pey–” Nate started to say.

“What?! I’m here for Peyton!” Eoin finished.

“Why, Peyton Tinsley Tarver! Are you planning to bang in the new year with a threesome?!” Lana got her **** by shrieking her question loudly.

"Your dad might be the DA, but I have my grandpa, Brandy, and Uncle Garrison for resources. So I think I have much better odds of murdering you and getting away with it," Peyton said without emotion.

“Whatever,” Lana replied, pushing Peyton toward Eoin. Then, she grabbed Nate’s hand, leading him onto the dance floor.

---

“Son of a bitch,” Percy Essex seethed.

The captain–in name mostly–of the Honey Hollow High boys’ soccer team stood watching the Sugarbees dance. Well, he mostly watched Bianca, the girl he’d scored with just two nights ago, at Delilah’s party. I rocked her world. I know I did! So, why the hell is she dancing with Jayden Cooke?! I don't care if he's the basketball captain; soccer matters more!

Despite his internal belief, basketball stood far higher on their school's pecking order. Baseball could still be considered more important than soccer, too, even if much of its season occurred while school was out in the early summer. That timing further inflamed Percy as he spotted that the sport's captain and star player, Jesse Yegge, matched up with Delilah. The Sugarbee co-captain always had a line to dance with her at these events because of her friendliness and dance abilities.

Percy’s frustration continued as he spotted both Jordan, Jesse’s one-year-older brother, and Linus, the baseball catcher, locking down two more Sugarbees for the ball drop. Linus, or Digg as everyone called him, had Jasmine giggling at his horrible footwork on the dance floor. At the same time, Yelena seemed content, for now, with a guy actually age-appropriate for her in Jordan.

Taking his cue from Yelena, Percy scanned the ex-Sugarbees. Unfortunately for him, Izzy, Cristina, and Honey all had guys with them already. Strangely, last year's captain, Violet Fitch, swayed to the music with a kid who looked barely in high school. He didn't know it, but the high sophomore from Arbor Corners was her little cousin, Noah. Violet wanted to teach him to dance better. However, with time running out, she had to pass him off to a girl she wanted him to get to know better. So, Noah found himself suddenly dancing with Ariel, the Sugarbees' lone sophomore this year.

Percy missed his opening with Violet as he stomped over to the star of the girls’ soccer team.

“Let’s make everyone happy, Iona,” Percy said, offering his hand.

Fuck, he’s trying this again? Oh, hell no! Iona frantically looked around for any open guy. Then, mentally shrugging her shoulders, she apologized to the arrogant athlete.

“Sorry, Perce, I already got a partner for right now,” Iona revealed, gesturing over her shoulder to a hulking presence.

“Bert Wynwick?! Y-You can’t be serious?” Percy stammered.

“When am I ever?” Iona laughed, confusing Percy as she skipped over to the oafish Wynwick. “Hey, Bert, I need you to dance with me.”

“Sure, Eoin’s sister!” Bert said, pleased that somebody asked him.

Percy wanted to scream. However, that would be beneath him, so he held it in. Then, he saw his last-ditch chance at a proper partner. Rushing over before anyone else beat him, he asked the cheer squad’s co-captain for her hand.

Caterina sighed heavily as she wasn't thrilled with her dwindling options.

"Sure, why not?" she said, sounding regretful over not lining up a better guy.

---

“Where have you been, young man?” Lacey challenged.

The petite redhead had been on her way to find Austin when she spotted Zoey talking to Newt. Without even a thought, she’d veered over in that direction to demand an answer with her hands on her hips.

“I’m outta here,” Zoey interjected, having finished passing on the news to Newt as Peyton asked. She needed to grab a dance partner, which wouldn’t be an issue for her.

“Well, I’m waiting,” Lacey stated.

“Uh…well…um…It’s not my fault!” Newt protested. Lacey’s glare **** him to continue. “S-Sienna jumped me! She interrogated me…and gave me orders!”

“About what?”

“I’m not going to tell you!” Newt squealed in his panicked state before lowering his voice. “She’ll skin me alive.”

“Arrgh! I don’t have time for this. You need…” Lacey trailed off as she surveyed the people not on the dance floor. Then, spotting a person on her list, she grabbed Newt’s forearm tightly. “C’mon!”

Lacey plopped the brainy kid in front of a fellow redhead, dragging him almost thirty feet with his heels sliding across the floor.

"You two will act like normal, regular sociable people for the next few songs by dancing together. Got that?"

“I am a sociable person,” Ramsey replied indignantly.

“I’m not,” Newt mumbled.

“Just do it!” the cheerleader commanded.

Racing off, Lacey spotted Brynn and nearly screamed in guilty frustration. No, no, no! I need to find Brynn a boy. I'd better hurry up–What?!

Lacey became distracted from Brynn’s cause by another pairing: Rowan and Winkie.

"I forgot about Yumi! How could I be so selfish?" Lacey wailed, feeling awful over not setting Yumi up with the guy everyone knew had a crush on her. Everyone but Yumi. Next, she spotted the Babybees meeting back up after part of the squad returned with Peyton. "There's so much to do with so little time."

Now, veering in yet another direction, Lacey blurted out her question before even coming to a halt.

"Do you all have dance partners?"

“Bea is over with Seth. Uh, wow! Harls is with Aidan! Who set that up?” Kizzy asked about her BFF and the shy Thirlby sophomore. Then, she nearly gagged. “Oh, no! The apocalypse is coming!”

“What are you–Oh, gawd, no!” Lacey screeched at seeing her cousin, Cadence, dancing with Dawson Fox. Disgusted, she threw her hands up in the air. “I can’t deal with that right now.”

Looking for any help she could get, Lacey spotted Daisy and lunged to pull her over.

“I need help.”

“I don’t have time. Something is going on upstairs that–”

“Please, Daisy! There’s so much to do,” Lacey pleaded.

“Alright, fine. What do you need?”

While Lacey explained that the rest of the Babybees needed appropriate dance partners for midnight, a handsome twenty-three-year-old approached the Babybees, sending a few of them giggling. But not Yolanda.

“What do you want?”

“Hi, Santino!” Kizzy greeted breathlessly.

“Hey, Lil’ Beal,” he replied, grabbing YoYo’s hand. “C’mon, baby sis.”

YoYo didn't look happy at her older brother pulling her onto the dance floor. She wanted a boy to actually kiss and have fun with at midnight.

“What aren’t you with Ms. Wynwick?”

“Fiona’s my boss.”

“Oh, please! Everyone knows that she likes guys your age,” YoYo stated. “And that you’re banging her.”

“Hey, don’t talk like that!”

"I'm no longer a kid, Tino," YoYo heatedly declared. "Plus, if you wanted to keep an eye on a sister, go find Yanet."

“She’s been attached to Jake Schaeffer’s hip for over the last hour.”

“Who’s that?” YoYo asked.

“Penn Wexler’s best friend,” Santino explained. “Now, what’s this I hear about you playing nursemaid for Peyton’s little brother?”

Back over by Lacey, Daisy, and the remaining Babybees, Zara declared that she didn’t need help and walked away to find her non-cheerleader friends. However, after thanking Daisy, Lacey raced after her. The matchmaker swiftly lined up sophomores and juniors for Zara, Winnie, and Robin. Satisfied, she passed Dexter, who watched Zoey wistfully with Tyler Blick.

Of course, Zoey would end up with a senior. She’s the hottest girl here.

“Dex!” Daisy yelled, snapping her brother out of his sorrow. “Stop stalking and get over here.”

With his head down, Dex trudged over.

“Okay, Dex, you and Norah are going to partner up and dance,” Daisy declared.

That brought quick resistance.

“Fine!” Daisy hissed, hating the role that Lacey had dumped on her. Then, with a mischievous smirk, she yanked Chris Schipper, the class clown and Norah’s fellow fight commentator, over to her. “Norah, you and Chris are together.”

While Norah glowered at Daisy, Chris literally patted himself on the back before hooking his arm under hers. Next, Daisy turned to her brother.

“Alright, you’re with Kizzy. That okay?”

Considering that Dexter and Kizzy had been next-door neighbors for most of their lives, they didn't mind. A friendly face is the next best thing if you can't be with a date or crush on New Year's.

Finished with her obligations to Lacey, Daisy went to find the boyfriend she’d neglected tonight.

---

Finn leaned against the bar, watching as everyone rushed to pair up, with barely any time left. In his sullen, depressed mood, he couldn’t care about dancing with a girl right now. If anything, he felt a little gratitude that Lana decided not to push the issue as he expected. I just need to get through the rest of this night for Mom. I’ll deal with Lana and Peyton’s meddling in the morning.

Unbeknownst to Finn, several women had other plans for him. Farah Vesper had already made enough progress tonight that she felt getting the midnight dance with Finn would be a sure thing. Flying up here had been a terrific call, and at this rate, she'd succeed in getting the ring she wanted from Finley by graduation.

As Farah moved in from Finn's right, Estelle Wynwick did the same from his left. Whatever plan she'd attempted to enact at the engagement party earlier this week hadn't been abandoned. In her mind, the project had merely stalled.

Then, two redheads dashed forward with both young women less than ten feet from their target. Grabbing Finn's hands, Serinda and Sanna attempted to tug their cousin toward the dance floor.

“C’mon, Finn! We’re almost out of time,” Serinda alerted him.

“Girls, I’m just not in the mood. Can you please understand that?” Finn asked.

That request wasn’t about to fly with the two Bank sisters. Sanna immediately jumped to the guilt option.

“But we never see you! And we might not again until the summer. Please!”

“Sanna’s right! Please, Finn, please!”

Unable to say no to his little cousins’ pleas, Finn agreed to dance with them.

That left Farah and Estelle looking miffed, as they stood only feet apart.

“What are you looking at?” Estelle challenged.

“I know you’re not talking to me like that,” Farah snapped back.

---

All around the ballroom, people waited for the countdown to begin. Married couples pulled their spouses closer. Dates fretted over making the moment memorable. Elsewhere, those with crushes that had the opportunity vowed to make this their victorious chance.

Yet, not everyone danced with someone who interested them romantically or sexually. YoYo and Santino were hardly the only siblings sharing the start of the new year. Ariana Lago had disappointed many men when she chose to make a fruitless effort to teach her pudgy brother, Virgil, how to dance.

Others just partnered up with the closest person they knew. Some chose safe dance partners. Meanwhile, many, like Yumi, Roxie, and a furious Kaitlin, decided to dance with a group of friends.

One person passed on dancing as a white-haired girl sat on the elevated section of the ballroom. Perched in the spot closest to the dance floor on that level, Olena wore a sinister smirk as the past year came to a close. For the new year would start off with a bang as her minions–the ones Veronica could scrounge up at this late hour–would spring her plans into motion.

“Five!”

“Four!”

“Three!”

“Two”

“One!”