Standing in the midst of a
blurry array of strewn dresses,
nothing made sense.

My mind kept flashbacking to lunch
from two weeks back.

No one looked exactly happy
when you had casually slipped into my table.
Not your friends.
Not Elena.
Not even my friend Reid.

I couldn't help but smile though.

"I was wondering," you had started,
leaning teasingly closer.
My heart did flutter when I realised
that to outer eyes, it might look like
we were f l i r t i n g.

You stopped when Elena breezed in and sat beside you,
hands possessively on your knees.

Strangely, Reid had scooted uncomfortably closer too.

"Say, Artis," Reid whispered, ignoring you,
"would you go to the winter formal with me?"

I remember my startled eyes glancing at you.
But for once, you had looked blank.

Elena's hands on your knees tightened
and before we knew, before I knew
we were both going to the dance.

But it just wasn't with the two of us.

"This is gorgeous," Raven said,
shoving a one shoulder dress my way.

And Ethan, though I hated to admit it,
the green of the dress does remind me
of evergreen forests and you.

a/n, i don't like this chapter. like at all. raven's her sister and part of the chapter is a flashback. if you're confused, just ask me.