"I don't think you're stupid at all." Matthew persisted, moving closer to her to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "I would never think that." He added, his voice becoming smooth like honey. He shifted so that his face was inches from Leane's. "Please tell me?" He asked, trying to be as smooth as possible to trick it out of her and probably failing miserably. I bet I look like an idot... He pondered but never dropped his facade.

As her eyes flickered up to meet his, Leane blushed even deeper at their close proximity as she stammered, "I-it ma-makes me wonder if you'd ever con-consider.. if you even wa-wanted to-to.. well, if you had feelings for.. n-never-never mind, I told you it was stupid.. it's best if I don't f-finish my sentence and tell you..." she finished, her cheeks scarlet as she avoided his eyes and looked down at her lap.

"I thought you already knew how I feel about you." Matthew said, surprised that it was working. "I like you." He said, stroking the length of her jaw with a finger. "I guess I'll just have to prove that to you tonight." He said with a smile.

Leane turned her face away from Matt's in embarrassment, her eyes flickering to the floor as she mumbled, "That's not exactly what it made me wonder, but we'll go with that. Much better than telling you that I wanted to da-never mind. Mrs. Cooney will surely be back soon, we'd best go back to our things before she comes back and we get into even more trouble."

Reaching for the table, Leane grabbed her book and flipped to the part where she left off. Blushing, she skipped it and began reading the part where Donata explains to her parents and her fiancee that her twin is the one who he could truly marry, for it was her that was doing all of Donata's work to keep her from getting into trouble.

Trying to focus on the novel, Leane fidgeted, unable to stop peeking over at Matt no matter how hard she tried. His movements, his gentle caresses, his voice, his words.. it all sent shivers down her spine.

"You're right." Matthew sighed, it hadn't worked. Big surprise. He picked up his notebook and pencil, began to draw lines across the page. Not surprised at what was taking shape, Matthew began to draw Leane's figure as she continued to read. Smiling as she glanced at him, Matthew drew her head so it was slightly turned towards and somehow managed a small blush that was creeping on her cheeks.

Finishing the book, Leane unconsciously whispered her thoughts aloud as she set the book on the table and stretched, "You're lucky Donata.. You're able to tell everyone just what you want, I still can't tell Matt.."

Mrs. Cooney came in moments later and noticed Leane had put down her book, "Ms. Supton, are you finished already?"

Leane nodded, "Yes, may I search the library for a new read?"

Mrs. Cooney nodded, "Yes, of course, but be quick about it, alright?"

Leane nodded once more as she stood up and immediately headed over towards the Fantasy section, not realizing she had spoke her thoughts allowed about Matt and Donata.

Matthew set down his notebook quickly, Leane's picture finished. "May I find a book?" He asked politely. "I need to finish this report but I don't have the right research." He said, not waiting for an answer before walking towards the History section. Winking at Leane, Matthew ducked behind the bookcase and leaned up against it, wondering if Leane would meet him there as he had intended.

Noticing his wink, Leane looked at him with a confused expression on her face. Sighing, Leane's fingers trailed across the spines of the books. Soon she came to the Vampire Academy series and took the third book, Shadow Kissed. It was her favorite in the series, and it had been awhile since she read it. Taking the book quickly from the shelf, Leane continued on as if she couldn't find anything. After she'd turned the corner, Leane made her way to where Matt was leaning against the bookcase.

One hand on her hip while the other was at her side, the book resting on her thigh, Leane whispered, "What? You're going to get us in trouble is Cooney finds us here talking and not looking for a book. What's so important that it can't wait until after detention?"

"I'm still wondering what it is you can't tell me." Matthew whispered as he leaned forward. "Come on, it can't be that bad. Just tell me." He smiled, trying to keep his distance from her but wanting nothing more then to wrap his arms around her and hold her closer. Don't freak her out... He chided himself as he waited for an answer.

Blushing, Leane looked down at her feet and immediately began fidgeting again, "I-it's nothing.. it's stupid really.. I-I-I just.. I.. umm.. well.. I.. Ugh, it doesn't matter what it makes me wonder! There's no way in hell you'd ever want to date me anyway, so what's the point in telling you that's all that I want?"

Her eyes going wide, she realized what she had said and quickly stammered, "I-I'd better go." Leane immediately darted around the bookcase, heading back to the Fantasy section.

"Leane." Matthew sighed as she ran. Damn she was so flightly. Sighing, he made his way back to his seat and grabbed his notebook again, knowing that he had to endure the rest of detention before Leane was going to give him the chance to speak to her.

Her heart racing, Leane leaned against the bookcase to try and calm herself while she mentally chastised herself for not keeping her tongue. Finally calming herself a few degrees, Leane emerged from the bookcases carrying the book and headed over to take her seat.

Mrs. Cooney, noticing her return, looked and saw that Matthew had returned as well, but with no book, "Mr. Sommers, where is your book?"

"Didn't have the right one." He shrugged. "I'll have to research when I get home." He said, not lifting his eyes from his notebook. "I'll keep it down. Scouts' honor." He added as the lines began to take shape. He looked up at the clock quickly. Half an hour left... He sighed.

Mrs. Cooney nodded and went back to grading papers.

Leane, however, sighed as she flipped through the pages. 'Maybe this wasn't such a good book to read... it's full of Dimitri and Rose getting together despite everyone else..'

Looking over at Matt, Leane sighed, wondering if she totally screwed things up now, 'Guess the Ball's going to be awkward tonight.. he looks upset with me..'

The minutes slowly ticked by as Leane flipped through the book. When detention was over, Leane stood up and immediately went to the bookcase to return the book. When she came back, Leane half expected Matt to have darted off in hopes of avoiding her.

Matthew waited patiently as Leane put the books away. "You know, you're quite impatient." He teased lightly as he gathered his things and led her out of the library. "I had intended to wait until tonight to tell you that I want to be with you but you just couldn't wait could you? I had a whole romantic evening planned." He laughed, holding open the door of the library.

Leane stopped in her tracks as he opened the door and simply stared at him, completely and utterly confused, not to mention shocked. "Wh-what? What did you just say?"

"I said." Matthew said speaking slowly. "I was waiting for midnight at the Ball while we were dancing in the center of the floor to tell you that I want to be with you." He said with a smile. "Howver, someone couldn't seem to wait until tonight." He winked as they continued down the hall.

"You.. want to be.. with.. me?" Leane asked as she followed him, "Matt, do you r-realize what you're saying? And how was I supposed to kn-know what you were going to do at the B-Ball! I figured I'd get a few dances with you if I were lucky and then wouldn't see you most of the night! I.. I-I never expected you to s-say things like you wanted to be with me!"

"Well now you know." Matthew laughed. "You should have more faith in yourself. You're not as repulsive as you seem to think you are." He said smiling as he held open the school doors for her. "And I plan on monoplizing a good majority of dances with you at the Ball. If the football team is going to terrorize me it might as well me worth it." He said, walking Leane to her car. "And now, Leane Supton. Considering you wouldn't wait until tonight, will you be my girlfriend?" He asked shyly as they reached her car.

Leane blushed as she leaned back against her car, "Matt.. you know I want to say yes, more than anything.. but.. do you realize what you're going to put yourself through? Like you said, all of the jocks are going to give you hell if I say yes like I want to... I.. I don't want you getting hurt just because of me.. I like you too much to put you through that..."

"Stop worrying about the jocks." Matthew laughed, leaning forward. "I've been dealing with those guys since we were kids." He shrugged. "They'll get over it eventually and besides if they break a few bones it'll only hurt for a few days." He winked, not caring what the football team wanted. All that mattered right now was him and Leane. "If you don't want to be with me I'll understand." He added shyly. "But please don't let a bunch of airhead athletes be the reason for turning me down."

Shaking her head, Leane instantly caressed his cheek with her hand, "What makes you think I don't want to be with you? In case you haven't realized, I want nothing more. Why else would I have given you my first kiss, hm?" she teased with a grin. "If you want me, Matthew Sommers, then I'm yours."

"I do want you." Matthew said with a shy smile. "And I will see you tonight." He said quietly, leaning forward to give her a tender kiss. Slipping his hand around her neck to deepen the kiss slightly. "First and second kiss." He winked before walking away to his car. As he slipped into the driver's seat Matthew couldn't keep the smile off of his lips as he drove out of the school parking lot and back to his house to get ready for the Ball.

Leane blushed as her fingertips softly brushed against her lips, her mouth still tingling from his kiss. Biting her lower lip, trying to keep a smile from her lips, Leane giggled as she opened her door and started the car. Pulling out of the parking lot, Leane drove home where Jenny and Joanna where finishing the Ball preparations with Josh.

When Leane got home, she went directly to the Ballroom. Walking into the main floor, she saw the marble pillars decorated with cream cloth with red roses. The banister of the staircase, likewise, was decorated to match. The light wood flooring was polished, as was the marble fireplace, which had red roses in slender vases on each side of large mirror above it. The patio doors were tied shut with large cream colored silk tied into an intricate bow and decorated with a red rose. Around the room, hung cobwebs and there was dust upon the mantle. The mirror was grimy and the glass doors to the patio were dirty as well.

Upstairs, where she would be entering, there were tall, silver candelabras with black candles that matched the ones spread out around the ballroom floor. Burgundy silk cloth draped between the tall candelabras with a white rose hooked to the center.

It was perfect - Moonlit Masquerade Rendezvous with a Halloween twist. Perfect.

Leane immediately ascended the staircase and headed into the hallway that led to her room where she was meeting Paolo, Georjiano, Jenny, and Joanna.

Matthew returned to his house where he met Gena, Ben, and Jack. "I brought the costumes." Jack said happily as Matthew descended the basement stairs. Matthew had to bite his lip to hide a smirk as Jack stood, rather pleased with himself, with costumes in hand.

"That's very nice." Matthew laughed. "You're such a good little boy." He joked, rolling his eyes. Gena avoided eye contact, embarressed about whether or not Matthew had heard about her outburst.

"Thanks for bringing them." She mumbled politely, taking her dress and heading for the closet.

"Yeah, thanks dude. No matter how much we continue to make fun of you for years about this moment, I'm glad I have costumes." Matthew smiled, taking his own costume and dressing into his suit. "I feel like such a goody goody in this." He admitted as he dressed in his own closet.

"Well you have to do something to impress your girlfriend." Ben laughed as Matthew walked out of the closet.

"They're not dating." Gena mumbled, rolling her eyes as she dressed in her tight dress.

"That's not entirely true." Matthew said quietly, adjusting his bow tie in the mirror.