Clair's POV

The charity event is being held at a giant white mansion that's possibly larger than the White House. Who ever owns this house has way too much money. I know the second that I step out of the limo I am way out of my league. I feel so out my comfort zone here, this is not something I'd ever imagined I'd be doing.  I don't feel so much like a princess right now.

I feel Deans arm around my waist. "Breath you look beautiful."

"I'm nervous what if your parents don't like me?"

"That's what you are worried about? Clair don't be, not about that. I don't care what they think, I like you that's all that matters to me."

"Dean they are your parents."

"Who are never around, I know you have noticed that. I really don't care what they think. Please don't let that ruin our night. I'm actually excited to be here for the first time ever so let's just enjoy it and not think about anyone else."

Not think about anyone? Or anything? Just for one night. That sounds like the perfect plan. I inhale a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"Okay?" He takes my hand.

"Okay let's do this." I let him lead me inside with all of the other guest.

I'm still beyond nervous but seeing the beauty of everything makes me glad I came. There is a gorgeous grand staircase and a huge glass chandelier that probably cost 3 times more than my house. We follow the rest of the guest to what I assume is the ballroom.

Walking into the room I notice tables set up all around the edge of the room. Hanging from the ceiling are more giant crystal chandeliers. The lights make it look as if you are underwater. In the middle of everything is a giant dance floor and at the front of the room is a stage where a band is playing soft classical music. This is everything I imagined a ball would be like and I feel like an actual princess standing here with Dean, my Prince Charming.

He leads me to a table almost at the front of the room. I notice little place cards sitting at every seat. My name is actually on one of them!

"Do you think anyone would care if I took that home with me?"

"Took what home?" He ask while pulling out my chair for me.

I pick up my place card and show him what I'm talking about. He chuckles once he sees it.

"No of course not." I slip the card into my purse.

Just then a group of people join us at the table. I can't see their cards so I have no idea who they are, but they look extremely rich and sophisticated.

"Dean sweetheart this must be Clair wow she is gorgeous," the older yet strikingly beautiful women turns towards me, "You are stunning how did he manage to get you?"

"Yes do tell because I still can't figure it out." Dean doesn't take his eyes off me or let go of my hand.

"I'm still trying to figure it out myself, I'm not sure if its the motorcycle or if its all of the romantic things you do for me, I'm thinking more of the bike though." Everyone around the table laughs and the older women looks at me with a big smile on her face.

"She does love my bike." He squeezes my hand under the table, his eyes never leaving mine.

Conversation flows around the table and I notice the older women sneaking glances over at us every so often. Every time Dean whispers something in my ear or reaches for my hand on top of the table I notice that she gets this look of aww on her face.

"So Clair you are a senior just like Dean right?"

"Yes I am"

"Where do you plan on going to college?" I don't want to answer, I don't want to lie to them but I also know that I haven't been completly honest with Dean I don't want to seem rude though so I answer anyway.

"Well I have a few in mind but my top pick is..."

"Mr. and Mrs. Middelton you both are needed up on the stage." A tall guy in a proffesional black suit saves me from answering. The older couple stand up and follows him.

Wait Mr. and Mrs. Middelton? As in Dean Middelton?

"Was that your grandparents?" I lean into him trying to hide how much I am actually freaking out.

"Yes and before you freak out they loved you, my grandma kept looking over here and smiling thats a good sign."

"How could you not tell me that they would be here? Dean not only am I going to meet your parents but I just met your grandparents and I made a stupid motorcycle joke!"

"And they laughed at it." He looked amused, which just pissed me off even more.

"I'm glad you find this so amusing, I'm going to go get some air." I get up and start to walk towards the door, not really sure where I need to go after that, all I know is that I need to get out of here, I don't know how such a large room can feel so suffocating.

When I get out into the hall I feel a hand grab my arm and spin me around.

"Clair I'm sorry for laughing and I'm sorry for not telling you. Why are you freaking out about this?"

"Dean you don't get it. All of this, I'm so out of my league here. I'm so worried about looking the wrong way, or saying the wrong thing. This is all so new to me."

"I didn't want you to freak out over nothing. I knew that my grandparents would love you because thats just the kind of people they are. All they want is for me to be happy and you make me happy Clair. That's why I didn't tell you. Please come back in there with me." He's giving me these puppy dog eyes, I've never really noticed how beautiful his eyes are until now. "And just so we are clear you are the most beautiful girl here."

How can I walk away from that. His sweet words, they are my weakness.

"Okay fine, as long as you promise to dance with me."

"Of course we will dance." He takes my hand and we start to head back to the ball room. Almost to our table I notice a couple walking towards us. Right away I know that they are his parents, I have seen a few family pictures. The girl walking next to them though is not his sister, unfortunately. She looks like she just walked out of a magazine and the second we lock eyes I know she is going to be trouble.

"Mom. Dad." Dean is so curt with his parents. I knew they had a bad relationship but he's talking to them like they are his business partners, not his parents.

"Dean. We have been looking for you, look who we ran into."

"Isadora." So little miss barbie has a name. And of course its a beautiful name, luckily Dean doesn't sound very enthused to talk to her. "Mom, dad since you both have so blatantly ignored her I'll introduce you, this is my date Clair."

"Oh right your father did mention that you were bringing someone." She looks me up and down. I liked it better when she was ignoring me. "Right well obviously you are just wasting your time we all know Izzy here is the future Mrs. Middelton."

Deans hold on my hand tightens. His face is starting to turn red.

"Now do the right thing and dance with her." Yep that does it.

"Are you kidding me right now? You know what never mind don't answer that because I know your serious. You are so fucking delusional! You all need to get it through your head I am not marring that bitch. I am here with Clair. I like Clair get over it. She is the only one that I am dancing with tonight. God I can't believe I got stuck with you two as parents, you are so pathetic. All you fucking care about is money, well news flash I don't want it and I don't need it, so screw you, in fact screw each other, maybe you will be a little happier." He turns towards me. "Lets go dance." He says in a semi calm voice. He takes my hand and leads me out to the dance floor.

We dance in silence, just listening to the band play. I don't know what to say to him. I've never had to deal with parents like his, even when my parents are fighting I can still talk to them about stuff, but that was, it was so cold. I would never say any of that to my parents but I don't blame him, clearly his mom has some control problems. Dealing with that all the time must be hard on him. Add a mom like that on top of neither of them ever being home, I can't even imagine growing up like that.

Dean has always seemed so tough. Like nothing ever gets to him. He is usually so cool about everything that he deals with but tonight was different. Tonight it was like he exploded, like he's been holding everything in for years and tonight just pushed him over the edge. I wish I knew how to help him.

"Dean do you wanna...? I start to ask and pull away a bit so I can see his face. He pulls me back immediately though and holds me even tighter.

"No just dance with me for a while."

So we dance, holding each other long after the music stops playing.

"By the way if it wasn't obvious I like you to." I whisper in his ear, which results in him holding me even tighter.

These past few weeks Dean has been picking up my broken pieces but tonight I'm picking up his.