*The Cherry Blossom Dance has arrived! Ahhh! Haha, I never thought this story would get this popular. It reached #49 on the What's Hot List. I am so happy you guys are enjoying it! This chapter has a lot of suspence and action!!! I hope you guys don't mind a little blood..... Don't forget to tell me what you think! Vote, comment, fan! Oh and I've been thinking about starting a Maximum Ride fan fiction. What do you guys think? ♥ - Brynne*

~Emma's Point of View~

I glanced around the table, trying to figure out everyone's hand. Everyone had a great poker face. Except Riley. He was grinning like a child.

"Alright, either you have a great hand, or you just pissed your pants," River said to Riley's face. Riley frowned.

It was about two o'clock p.m. and it was the night of the dance. We were playing poker in the boy's dorm to relax. We all laid down our cards.

"Royal Flush, bitches," smirked Trinity. We all gaped at her. This was very uncharacteristic of her to say, but she became a little evil when it came to poker.

"Dang it!" pouted Riley loudly, as he pounded the table. We all laughed at him. Merick scooped in everyone's cards and became shuffling cooly. He then dealt and we all picked up our cards. I gasped at mine.

"Attend the dance with me? - Merick" read one of the cards. It was written on with sharpie. I stared at him. How did he do that?? He gave me a grin. Everyone stared at me like I was a lunatic. I closed my mouth and tried to go back to normal, a slight brush creeping across my face. I looked up and nodded towards Merick. He smiled.

After ten more rounds, we each headed back to our dorms to get ready. Girls in the hallway were hustling about in and out of rooms, asking to borrow make up from one another and what not. Trinity sat me down at her desk and started attacking my face. I was surprised how long she took and I got bored eventually, but she insisted I had to look "perfect." She then put a mirror in front of me. I widened my eyes.

I had to admit, I looked good. My hazel eyes seemed to pop and my skin glowed. Trinity had put my hair up into a fancy ponytail. She then glided towards my wardrobe and pulled out my dress. It was a strapless poofy black gown with a black rose head attached to the upper left of my chest. It sparkled and made my eyes twinkle. I slipped on my black heels and Trinity began to paint my nails with a shiny clear coat. I then put on my gold heart locket that my mom gave me. I had it ever since I could remember.

We now had an hour before the dance started. I helped Trinity get ready. She wore an emerald gown that looked very mermaid-ish. We both jumped as we heard a knock at our door. Trinity squeled then ran to open the door, almost tripping over her dress. It was the boys. My mouth dropped when I saw them.

Riley wore a black suit with red underneath. The first three buttons were opened and his black tie was very loose. River wore a very dark blue suit with green underneath. It suited him perfectly. Merick wore a black suit with midnight blue underneath. His eyes glowed and his black hair looked great. I couldn't stop gawking at him. Riley let out his arm to Trinity. Trinity gaped and her face turned red, then took it, then Merick let out his for me. River stepped inside our room and looked around then stepped outside.

"What were you looking for?" I asked. He looked out into the hallway and grinned. We all stared as Ava came walking towards us from down the hall. She looked embarrased to be wearing a dress. Her hair was down and it was wavy. The dress she wore was dark blue and it looked really nice on her. She gave us all a look that said "say anything and you die." River extended her arm out to her and she took it. When did this happen?!?!

The six of us made our way outside to the courtyard. I gasped at the beauty. Petals were dancing around everywhere. The trees looked fair as they seemed to shine in the moonlight. You could hear the fountain splashing and everyone chattering in suspence. Then we all looked towards the door as all the teachers came out. My Creatures teacher, Mr. Harkins, held the arm of Miss. Alter, my Health and Healing teacher. I smiled because they both looked so attractive.

Mr. Benson, my Control teacher, looked very awkward and shy. My Elemenal History teacher Miss. Helbourne glared at couples in irritation as she saw Public Display of Affection almost everywhere. Then I saw my E.P.E teacher, Mr. Larson walk to the center of the courtyard and he raised his hands.

"Let the Cherry Blossom Dance begin!" he called out. He then used his fire to light all the torches surrounding the courtyard. Everyone cheered and started dancing as music from somewhere began. After about fifteen minutes of dancing, the music changed into a lovely waltz. I heard people groan and back away. I almost jumped as Merick gracefully took me into his arms and we started dancing. He was a swift dancer, but he was gentle. Lifting me up, he spun me slowly then we returned to our regular steps. I wore a smile the entire time.

Then I saw Riley and Trinity come towards us as they danced. Suddenly Merick pushed me towards Riley and Riley did the same with Trinity to Merick. Without knowing what was going on, we had switched partners. Surprisingly Riley didn't stumbled at all. I imagined him tripping and stepping on me, but he didn't. We spun a lot. He was a very upbeat dancer. Then River and Ava moved towards us and we all switched again. Ava groaned as Riley wiggled her eyebrows at her.

River swung me a lot, like we were swing dancing. I gasped as he did fancy lifts and other moves. The song ended and I stared at him."I'm Southern," he admitted with a shrug. Well that explains it.

We all sat down on the stone benches, relaxing and talking. My heart was soaring, my mouth was stuck in a permaneant smile.

Then everyone stopped as we saw Damien approaching us. The breeze felt cooler as it swept past my face. Merick's eyes narrowed at him. Damien nodded at Merick like nothing was wrong. He let out his hand towards me. I froze, not knowing what to do. I mean, I liked Damien but I didn't know how Merick would react. Would he get mad? The awkwardness increased as Damien stood there waiting.

I breathed in then took his hand, feeling a small shock at the contact. The music started up again. The song seemed to go on forever. Damien wore a black suit with white underneath. He looked as handsome as Merick. As the song ended, we stared at each other. He kissed my hand then turned around. Instantly people swarmed around him, most of them being girls. I walked back over to my friends.

All of them were quiet and just looked at me. I sat down awkwardly. Merick got up and left to get punch, wearing a grim look on his face.

~Damien's Point of View~

When I touched Emma's hand, I knew that shock was not due to my power. It was something else.

I couldn't help but grin when I saw Merick stomp off. It brightened my day to torment him. But I didn't like the face Emma wore. She looked worried. Why does she care for him? Why does she care what he thinks? He doesn't own her!

She should be happy I danced with her. All the other girls threw themselves at me all night. Emma should be appreciative, not waiting on Merick hand and foot!

I sighed irritantly and graced some of the fan girls with my presence. But the rest of the night, I kept thinking about her. Her face when I danced with her. It was full of wonder, full of happiness and adventure. But most of all, it was full of beauty. Beauty that Merick doesn't deserve. He doesn't even treat her right. A new fire started to burn within me. Oh great, now I see BLAKE walking towards her.

~Emma's Point of View~

"H-Hey Emma," greeted a voice. I saw Blake standing in front of me. I smiled at him in surprise. He was the boy who I met in Elemental History. Blake wore a dark blue suit with black underneath.

"Hey Blake!" I smiled. He then looked at Ava.

"Ava... would you like to dance?" he asked with not a lot of comfidence. She stared at him like he had gone mad.

"She would love to," said River with a michievious grin. Ava shot him a look full of scorn, sighed, then got up and danced with him. We all chuckled while watching them. Blake had his head down and kept stepping on her and she looked like she wanted to die. I looked around for Merick. I spotted him walking away from the courtyard and into the darkness. My heart clenched. Where is he going?? Is he really that mad?? Should I follow him?

But then I saw him gesture to Damien and the both of them dissapeared into the night. I froze.

This can't be good.

~Merick's Point of View~

"What are you up to, Harren?" I questioned to Damien, using his last name. He chuckled at me like I was some child.

"Why do you always assume I'm doing something evil, Vincent?" he said back, using my last name.

"Because you are evil," I snarled. Amusement passed through his eyes then that crazed look. His eyes began to change color and I shifted into a defensive stance.

"Emma could have declined, but she agreed to it. You're just upset because she's straying away and you know it," he said in an icy tone. My heart clenched. He had struck a nerve.

"You know nothing about her," I said softly.

"Oh really? She wants freedom, Merick," he replied, his voice growing louder.

"I'm aware of that. But she also doesn't want a crazy psycho hitting on her," I shot back. He laughed evily at me.

"I'm the crazy psycho?! YOU'RE JUST USING HER BECAUSE SHE REMINDS YOU OF JENNA!!!" he roared. He then produced two long lightning bolts. Holding them like twin swords, he charched at me. I jumped back but he already slashed my stomach. I yelled as the lightning surged through me, making me shake. His crazed smile and piercing eyes shining. I grunted then readied myself.

I mimicked him and realeased two swords of darkness. I could feel my elemental power coursing through me. Leaping at him, we began to battle. He was stronger and determined. But I was faster. Ducking his swing, I stabbed him swiftly. Pulling out my sword, I danced around him until I was facing his back. He faced me and somehow blocked my attack. I could tell he had been training.

I kicked upward at his jaw and he went flying back. He sent two new bolts flying at me. I then focused intensely and made a shield of darkness. It engulfed me. My body felt strained as I kept the shield going. I was floating in the middle of it, watching him intently. His eyes widened then proceeded to slash at the bubble. I closed my eyes, shaking as I kept the shield up. I winced at every cut he made.

Screaming, I sent the bubble to surround him. He yelped as he was caught in it. Damien tried punching and kicking but it was no use. I knelt on the ground, heaving in and out, clutching my stomach. I stared at my now blood covered hands. I jumped as I heard huge thunder. Damien had somehow destroyed the bubble. Yellow energy surrounded him, making him look angelic.

He flew at me and tackled me to the ground. Damien started to punch my face, lightning powering each punch. My vision started to blur and I could feel blood trickling down my face. This was the most horrible pain I had ever felt. It seemed to go on forever. He wouldn't stop. Just as I was about to pass out, I heard Damien scream and he flew backwards. Fire had hit him.

~Emma's Point of View~

My nerves were at their peak, my heart was pounding. Merick and Damien had been gone for a while. Too long.

I jumped up and walked towards the direction they left. I could hear loud protests behind me from Trinity and the boys. I didn't care.

My pace quickened with each second that passed. I searched frantically around, seeing only darkness. But then I heard a yell. It was Merick.

I ran towards the sound of it. I shrieked as I saw Merick on the ground with Damien on top of him. Glowing energy was surrounding Damien. He looked like an evil angel. The crazed look in his eyes made me shutter. My heart felt like bursting when I saw Merick's face bleeding, his eyes closed.

I ran as fast as I could and launched a powerful fire ball at Damien. I had never felt this much energy flow through me, not even when I sparred with Ava. This was different. This much power scared me. Damien flew back from the impact. He didn't move and just lied there.

"MERICK!" I yelled, tears now coming down my face. I knelt down beside him, not even caring how much blood got on my dress. I layed his head on my lap. My tears fell down on his face and mixed in with his blood. Stroking his now messy hair, I rocked back and forth, praying with all my might and sobbing.

I heard multiple footsteps and I saw River, Riley, and Trinity running at us. The boys carried Merick away but I grabbed his hand, trailing next to them. Trinity's arm was around me comfortingly. We hurried back to the school. I looked back behind me at Damien. His roommates Blake and Tristan showed up and began tending to him. Blake stared at me and mouthed that he was sorry. I swung my head back to Merick.