That's the dress! It took so long to find the right one.. Just imagine it with more red undertones and subtle glitter. I'm sorry for the long delay, summer break just started so I should be more regular. It feels so good to sit down and write again. 

Enjoy their prom night! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nova's POV

Ring ring.

Ring riNG.

Ring RING

RING RING

Why is it so early? The sun isn't even up yet! Who could possibly be calling me at this godless hour? 

I grab my phone off the nightstand and look at the caller ID to find a really funky looking selfie of Blake. 

Little shit must have gotten into my phone when I wasn't looking...

"What the heck do you want?" I spit in a gruff voice, trying to rub the tired away from my eyes.

"Awww is someone grouchy?" he teases.

I make the equivalent of a "...." noise.

"Not a morning person, noted. When will I learn? What's up?" he expertly changes the subject.

"Sleeping, until you disturbed me. I was dreaming about cinnamon rolls and you just had to- nevermind," I trail off and turn over, assuming the position I was in before I was so rudely interrupted. 

Why are you so upset? He thought about you.

Cinnamon rolls! Come on! 

"Are you excited for tonight?" he asks tentatively trying to appear confident. 

But I can read him now, even over the phone. I don't know what he has to be worried about.

"Yes, are you?" I close my eyes, fading again.

"Are you kidding? I get to spend a night dancing with my partner in crime. What more could I ask for?" he chuckles, I can see him blushing in my head.

Awwwwwhhh, how sweet.

"Wanna get pancakes?" he asks sweetly.

"Why are you even awake?" I yawn and pull the blanket up over myself.

"I couldn't sleep," he states.

"Fair enough, all this talking is waking me up. You could come get me if you'd like. A little date before our date, I guess," I suggest.

"I'll be right over," he blurts and hangs up.

I finally get up and stretch, taking the blanket and wrapping it around my shoulders.

The tile floor under my feet is cold and unwelcoming. I'm hoping that pancakes will be more welcoming. 

I go to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face in an attempt to wake myself up a little more so I don't look literally dead. 

I pull my hair up into a ponytail that is in line with my cheekbones to feign the look of one who is peppy and composed. 

I opt to stay in pastel pink shorts and a white tank top. Realizing that it could be cold, I pull on a thin, comfy, red cardigan with pockets and put on my bunny slippers. I was gonna be in heels all night; might as well be comfortable now. 

I go and wait on the porch, sitting on the bench and it doesn't take long for him to pull up.

"Good morning, sunshine," he beams to which I nod. His hair was all ruffled on top of his head, clearly untouched from when he woke up. It was pretty freakin' adorable. 

I pull his hand to me and interlace our fingers. He squeezes my hand, keeping his eyes on the empty road. 

The pancake place is empty and almost dead silent. With nothing to do, the employees sat at a booth talking until they saw us. 

"Welcome! Somebody will be right with you. You can pick a place to sit," she says with a smile. You could tell she was tired, but she was trying. I would be a bitch if I had to work graveyard shifts. 

Blake leads me to a booth near the window and takes his seat on the opposite side of me. I pull the cardigan sleeves over my hands and he takes them to hold and blow hot air into. I smile at him and gaze into his light blue eyes. Another waitress appears to ask if we want anything to drink. 

I ask, "do you have tea? Like.. hot tea?" as I was missing my morning cuppa. 

She smiles and replies, "yes, it is an Irish breakfast tea, I think," and awaits a response. 

"That sounds good. Can I get cream and sugar on the side with some water as well, please?" She nods and writes on her notepad and looks to Blake. 

"Just water please, thank you," he says as she nods again and walks to the kitchen. 

"Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?" He asks out of nowhere, looking at me intently.

I think for a second and reply, "sunsets. They tend to be more vibrant and colorful. I love how quickly the color changes. I also love when the sky turns a dusky blue-purple and you can see a few stars and the outline of the moon." 

"Wow, you're a poet and you didn't even know it," he laughs and I raise an eyebrow at him. 

"You did not just say that," I respond.

"I most certainly did," he states proudly and puffs out his chest with his arms crossed over. 

The waitress comes back with our drinks and asks what we want to eat. 

Blake takes a drink of water and goes first, "two slices of french toast and a breakfast sandwich."

"Two waffles, please." I say as I put cream and a little bit of sugar in my tea. She is gone by the time I look up. I take a sip and sit back, feeling the warmth of the cup spread to my fingers. Blake and I play a little game where we stare at each other until the other one looks and look away. This goes on until the food comes. We eat and talk about the night ahead. He is able to alleviate some of my nerves and relax me a little bit. 

~~~

I sit in front of my mirror, three hours before prom to do my makeup and hair. I didn't think it would take very long. I looked up makeup pictures on Pinterest for inspiration, knowing that it's probably gonna turn into a "nailed it" situation. I spread on a gold face mask that claims to refresh and rejuvenate while I work on my eyes. 

I blend a light gold into the corner of one eye and make it blend out into a jet black. I use tape to create a cat eye effect without the need of eyeliner. 

I really have a hard time with eyeliner. 

I pat a dark scarlet shimmer color into some of the black in the middle of my eyelid and finish with a dark outline of eyeliner pencil close to my waterline. I dab some highlighting powder in the corners of my eyes to appear brighter and make my eyes pop more than they already were. Some of it was still visible, even under the mask. I take the tape off and am not unhappy with the result. Hell, for me and my nonexistent skills, this was really good. I don't like wearing makeup, but if I had to, this was beauty guru, Instagram level stuff. I do the same to the other eye and peel the mask off, again pleasantly surprised. I really did look radiant. I attempt to put on fake lashes but resort to mascara instead. I use light foundation, highlight and contour only to bring out natural features and accentuate them. 

For lipstick, I line my lips, use a darker color of red on the outside and blend it into a lighter red towards the inside. A metallic red powder goes on last to seal it and make them stand out against how blue my eyes now looked.

Awesome, now for hair. I separate it into a few sections and start to create subtle curls. After I burn myself a few times and decide what I like, I go with that and get better, slowly but surely. After about an hour, I finish curling my hair and bring pieces from the sides of my head to the back, braiding one side loosely and pinning it back, tied to the other strand from the other side. This creates an up-down look that I usually go to for something formal. It looks even better with curled hair. 

Even with my raggedy shirt and shorts, the neck up looks fantastic. 

Wow.. we look sexy! 

For once I agree with her and go get the dress from my closet. 

Sandra and Evelyn are out at a friend's house to get ready. Susan is probably out somewhere with her newest fling. 

They wouldn't let me leave the house if they saw me getting ready. 

I slip into the dress and let it hang off my shoulders the way it was meant to. It hugs my figure just right, gives me some cleavage and flatters everything. The red tulle that hides underneath the black and dark copper tulle accents my makeup just right. The bodice wraps around my upper body in a surprisingly comfortable waty. It is a little less poofy than the online picture portrayed, but that is fine with me. It still had some cupcake effect. The alterations I did were absolutely perfect. The back goes fairly low, but not too low. I put the necklace on, it still fits just the way I want it to. Flattering, but not too attention grabbing.

Bibbidy bobbidy boo, bitch. 

I look like an actual princess. I guess there really is a girl hiding under the tomboyish exterior. 

The heels feel comfortable as I get them on, but I know I'm gonna be miserable later. 

I go to answer the doorbell, seeing Blake through the glass. I open the door and step through it, allowing him to get a better look at me. I even do a little spin. 

"You clean up well," I smile and play with some tulle on the skirt of the dress, admiring his suit. He had a wine red tie, a white shirt, and a black coat with pants to match. His hair is now slicked up and more put-together looking.

"Nova.. you look stunning," he says quietly, at a loss for words. "I don't even know what to say..."

"Then don't say anything," I reply softly and take his hand. He pulls me close slowly and kisses my forehead.

He opens the car door for me and I make sure all of my dress is in before the door closes. 

The sun is starting to set creating a myriad of colors in the sky. One of the more beautiful skies I've seen lately with shades of purple, red, pink and orange. The clouds have turned to cotton candy. 

As we approach, I put my mask on and he follows suit. We park a ways away and head in, arms interlocked, my other hand resting on his bicep. 

I know it sounds cliche, but I swear people were staring and whispering as we walked in. 

"Why is everyone staring at us?" I mumble and look at him. 

"It isn't us they're staring at Nova, it's you," he says back as we continue to walk. 

I smile at him and lower my hand to his, giving it an affectionate squeeze. 

I hear music playing from a few feet away. It didn't sound awfully masquerade-y to me. On contrary, it makes my head spin. Blake goes to get drinks, leaving me in a pocket of the room where there were fewer people. I notice the subtle mood lighting. The moon starts to make its way through the windows, adding to this effect. I feel eyes on me coming from across the room. The feeling intensifies as I see someone get closer. A guy in a jet black suit makes his way to me, strutting like a peacock. 

I then feel Blake getting slightly closer and turn my attention to the pompous asshole coming towards me. I had seen him in the halls before, he is what we call a fuckboy. I had no interest, nor did I want anything to do with him. 

"Hey sexy," he bellows into my ear and I back away. I can smell alcohol on his breath. "Wanna dance?" He asks and traces a finger down my arm to my hand and attempts to take it. 

Blake finally shows up and takes my other hand, catching me off guard. He doesn't look too happy and pulls me away somewhere else. 

"Sorry about that.. here," he offers me the drink he went to get. I smell it making sure it isn't laced and take a sip of the sugary goodness I hardly allow myself to indulge in.

We sit through a few songs and talk to a few people until one different song comes up and everyone leaves the dance floor. 

"May I?" He bows and asks for my hand. I give it to him and he leads me to the empty floor where we waltz along to the mystical sounding music, attracting several wandering eyes. I keep my head tilted away as Mr. Gad always told me to do. The music has violins and and a 1,2,3, 1,2,3 beat to it with a delicate piano part in it. I follow Blake's lead, allowing him to spin me every so often as the music swells. He dips me and I sway back up, closer to him with his firm grip on my back to effectively lead me. I loved a man who could dance. More couples attempt to join, not exactly a waltz, but they try. Some who are in our dance class are able to waltz, but none as well as Blake and I. 

The music ends in a beautiful piano riff that eventually fades out. Blake bows again and I do a deep curtsy as the music changes to something more modern. I start to leave, but Blake pulls me back into him and I follow what he does for a while before we just dissolve into our own styles and have fun. 

After some pictures, more dancing, questionable food and laughs, Blake says over the music to me, "wanna get out of here?" To which I nod and take his hand, making our way through the dense crowd of people. 

We finally get out to fresh, clear air and I take my mask off, just breathing. I pull my phone out to look at the time. 11:48... wow. We were out for a while.. I probably look like a mess. 

"We should probably get home," I tell Blake as we walk back to the car. 

"Yeah... I need to get out of this suit, and your legs are probably killing you," he says as he unbuttons his shirt a few buttons down and pulls his tie loose, giving him a gruff look I sort of liked.

I get back in the car and take my shoes off, releasing a relieved sigh when the pressure comes off my feet. 

He drops me at home and comes in with me. He kisses me goodnight which takes me by surprise and leaves. 

I get out of the dress, put it back in the closet, store all the jewelry accordingly and finally get my makeup off. 

I'm asleep before my head hits the pillow. This is a night I will never forget.

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How did you like it? Let me know down below! I love getting feedback. 

Expect an update earlier this week.