The first week was pure heaven. Despite the fact that the Williams were as wealthy as any family in Greenwich and Stephanie could have had her choice of any room or suite in the mansion, she slept in the twin bed Micah's room. The two girls were more than best friends, they were like sisters at times.

The first week was spent doing what any two fifteen year olds do. Shopping, seeing movies, sitting up all night and watching movies or simply hanging out down the mall. Any time spent out of the house, was spent with their group of friends, or Micah's boyfriend Cliff, usually both. Stephanie got along well with Cliff, which meant she never felt like a third wheel when it was just the three of them.

When they decided to have a night in front of the TV, they were occasionally joined by Mars. Stephanie got along well with Micah's older brother and the two often indulged in the relaxed teasing of siblings or close friends. It something Stephanie had never experienced with Shane and she enjoyed the easy banter with Mars.

It was halfway through the second week that Stephanie and Micah began to get bored. After all, you can only spend so much time in the mall, there are only so many movies showing at any one time and you can only watch so much TV before you find yourself waiting for something to happen.

This occurred at the end of the second week. Micah and Stephanie were in the middle of a Monopoly tournament, when Tawny stuck her head around the door. "Mom and Dad want to see you two in the sunroom pronto."

"Is that a tattoo?" Micah ignored the request and stared, fascinated at Tawny's right bicep. Tawny shrugged. "Yeah. Did you hear me?"

"When did you get that done?"

"Last night after a party." Tawny flicked her eyes in Stephanie's direction, then directed her gaze back to her younger sister. Steph understood, Tawny wasn't sending her a message of any kind, she was just wondering how much to say in front of Stephanie. Obviously Tawny had been to a Posse Party last night. It was a miracle that Tawny was not only home, but conscious. Micah frowned. "Have Mom and Dad seen it yet?"

"They've seen me since I got home, but I doubt they noticed. Dad was rather preoccupied with something." Tawny crossed her arms and glared at her younger sister. "Are you listening to me? Mom and Dad want to see you two in the sunroom."

"Mom is gonna go nuts." Micah shook her head. Tawny stepped into the room. "Have you heard a goddamned thing I've said? For the third time -"

"Hey Tawny!" A male voice called. "Are Micah and Steph in there?"

"Yes! Micah's being an obnoxious little brat again." Tawny called back. Mars stuck his head into Micah's bedroom. Micah looked at him innocently and got to her feet. "I was just asking about the body art."

"Discuss it later. Mom and Dad want the four of us to see them in the sunroom immediately." Mars ordered. Micah looked confused. "Well why didn't you just say so Tawny?"

"You bitch!" shrieked Tawny angrily, lunging for her little sister. With a giggle, Micah easily avoided her and ran out of the room, Tawny giving chase. Mars grinned at Stephanie. "Care to accompany me to the sunroom?"

"Why, it would be a delight." Steph replied in her poshest voice. Laughing, the duo headed for the sunroom at the back of the house. They heard the others long before reaching the sunroom. Mars sighed. "No offense to your brother or his friends Steph, but Tawny's a goddamned idiot getting mixed up with the Posse."

"None taken." Stephanie shrugged. Besides Shane's attempts at running her life and setting her up with Joey, the Posse largely had nothing to do with her. The four of them were morons, Shane included. "Tawny seems kind of impressionable and the Posse know how to manipulate someone. I just hope she doesn't do anything she regrets."

"She got a tattoo Steph." Mars said sadly. "That's gonna be with her for the rest of her life. Because of a stupid impulsive moment to impress an idiot who'll throw her aside as soon as he gets bored with her."

Stephanie didn't know what to say. She knew that what Mars was saying was true, that whichever Posse member Tawny had taken a shine to probably viewed her as a 'walk on the wild side.' As soon as someone more interesting, prettier, wilder or richer came along, Tawny would be cast aside like rubbish. She just hoped that the tattoo was of something that Tawny had wanted and not something like the Posse's symbol or logo or something.

Mars hesitated outside the closed sunroom door. Inside Mrs Williams and Tawny could easily be heard shouting at each other. He sighed and looked at Steph. "Ready kiddo?"

"Better get this over with." She replied. Just before he opened the door, Stephanie put her hand on Mars' arm. "Hey Mars?"

"Yeah Steph?" She noticed how weary he looked suddenly, as though he was tired of Tawny and all her crap. She smiled at him. "She's not your responsibility."

He smiled back sadly and pushed open the door. "You wanted to see us?"

At the appearance of Mars and Stephanie, Tawny stopped shouting and sank into an armchair, glaring at her mother. Steph quickly joined Micah who was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, looking smug. Mr. Williams gave his children and Stephanie a strained smile. "Thank you for coming. The reason I've called the four of you here is because we've received an invitation to the ball for Jordana Smythe's18th birthday."

"18th?" questioned Mars. "Why is the ball for her 18th? Shouldn't it be for her 21st?"

"The Smythe's are from England." answered Mrs Williams. "Over there the 18th is the coming of age and the Smythe's have always stuck to English traditions."

"The invitation is for the whole family, which excludes you Stephanie." Mr Williams continued. "Under any other circumstances, we'd leave Tawny at home and take you in her place, however after her latest stunt, I'm afraid to leave her unsupervised, god only knows what she'd do then."

"Don't talk about me like I'm not here." snorted Tawny in disgust. Mr Williams coldly raised an eyebrow at his eldest daughter. "I'm sorry to shatter your self-centered delusions, but I was merely informing our houseguest what the situation was. We'd like you to come with us to the ball Stephanie, we just can't figure out a way."

"Can I have a look at the invitation?" Mars asked. He was studying Graphic Design at College and was always looking at anything that could provide him with inspiration. Mrs Williams looked at Micah. "You children can bring a guest. I assume you'll be bringing Cliff?"

"Well if we get to bring someone with us, why doesn't Steph go as Micah's guest?" suggested Tawny sulkily. Mr Williams rolled his eyes. "Well since you will not be bringing Rodney or any other member of the Mean Street Posse with you, why don't you take her as your guest?"

Tawny's eyes flashed angrily as Mars interrupted. "Settle down Tawn. I think I've got the answer."

"What is it Marsyas?" asked his mother. He grinned. "Remember how I mentioned my friend from College was coming to visit? Well he'll be here for the ball. Micah can take Cliff, Tawny can take Hunter and as for Steph...."

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Mars pulled Stephanie to her feet, then knelt in front of her. A little embarrassed and very confused, she started giggle. Tawny raised an eyebrow. "What are you gonna do, propose?"

"Stephanie McMahon, would you do me the honour of being my date for Jordana Smythe's ball?"

"Who's being punished here, Steph or Tawny?" Micah teased. Stephanie sighed melodramatically. "I'm going to be seen in public with you? Oh the shame!"

"Yes, I know Steph, I'm sorry to subject you to such a horrendous form of torture, but -"

"If nobody has any objections," interrupted Mrs. Williams, trying not to laugh at her son’s antics. "And by that I mean, Marsyas and Stephanie, then it's settled. Tawny, find yourself a dress that covers that and for heavens sake, either get that colour out of your hair or make arrangements to dye it a normal colour. I'll call the stylist and make arrangements..."

While she started making plans, Stephanie hugged Mars. "Thank you. You really didn't have to."

"Don't thank me too soon. You haven't seen me dance." He replied with a smile. "It's really not a big deal. Anyway I better call Hunter and tell him what I've volunteered him for."

"He'll forgive you won't he?" frowned Stephanie. She didn't want to be the cause of a rift between friends. Mars nodded. "Yeah. He's a nice guy Steph. I think you two will get along well."