Chapter 16: He leaned closer and closer and closer...

I hate school. I know it's something weird coming from me, since I was a nerd, but I really hated it. I mean, who didn't?

It wasn't because of the classes, no, it was because of the stupid Halloween dance that they organized. I didn't want to go, but my friends made me to, and Arden planned it as a date. So let's just say that I didn't have a choice but to go.

It was Thursday and the dance was the day after. I still didn't have a costum. Asking Clara for one wass out of the question because she chose the worst ones. To ask Jennifer seemed a better idea but since she was Arden's sister, I thought it was a bit weird. So I was left with only one person who could help me, myself.

Just kidding.

Jennifer and Addison, Blake's sister, were helping me. We were at the mall, searching for the perfect costume for tomorrow's dance. Arden couldn't just choose another day for our date. I had tried five costumes since we had arrived and no one was good or close to good. Two of them were sluttery, one was way too girly for my taste and the two others were just too scary. Wandering through the mall wasn't my cup of tea so I decided to go to the one store where I could find everything, Amercan Eagle.

As we entered there, we were greeted with lots of dresses and scary costumes. Jenn and Addison went to search for a costume while I looked at one dress, who stood on the back. It immediately caught my attention and I was surprised to why it wasn't bought yet.

It was a silver long dress. It had sleeves, but they were short, only about two inches, I think. Also, it had it's own shoes, with heels and the same colour as the dress. That was the one. "Girls, I found it." I squealed as they came to me.

"Which one?" Jennifer asked as she looked in the direction I was pointing. "Oh my god McKanzie! That is amazing." she said a little excited.

"Yeah, that's the perfect for you." Addison agreed as she went to get the dress and the heels. Then she came back to us and handed them to me. I headed to the dressing room. I closed the door and took off my clothes and put on the dress. It fitted perfectly. Then I put the heels on and got out of the stall. Jennifer and Addison gasped when they saw me. I blushed and turned to the mirror. In front of me was a completely other girl.

My hair were the same, also my make up, but the difference that this dress caused was enormous. I looked like...

"Cinderella." Jennifer completed for me. Cinderella. Cameron called me like that. I smiled at the thought of Cameron. I wished that he was my date to the dance tomorrow, but I promised to Arden and I couldn't break that promise to him.

God, what am I doing?

"All the eyes will be on you tomorrow." Addison stated smiling.

"You think so?" I asked in disbelief. The dress was wonderful, but still.

"Of course. My brother is a lucky a**." Jennifer laughed as I shot her a glare for her choice of words. She smiled sheepishly.

I took off the dress and then paid a good 300 dollars on it. Then we got out of the store and headed to the food court.

***

Flashback.

I woke up hugging my pillow. Since when do I hug my pilow? I asked myself. When I opened my eyes and lokked at what I was hugging, I saw Cameron's face. Then I remembered everything that happened. He was snoring loudly and had his arms wraped tightly around me. I tried a couple of times to break free from him, but it was impossible. So I decided to wake him up. "Cameron, wake up!" I trieed the first time. He didn't budge. "Cameron!" I tried again. Nothing. He really was a heavy sleeper. I shook him and he finally opened his eyes. "Finally." I breathed.

He chuckled. "Didn't like my company, Cinderella?" he raised an eyebrow. His voice was raspy from crying earlier. It  was a good thing he didn't look like had been crying at all.

"No." I grumbled and he finally let go of me.

"Words hurt, you know?" he pretended to be hurt.

I shot him a glare. "I'm shocked. Cameron can get hurt!" I smirked. I got up from the bed and sat on the chair. My hair were probably like a bird's nest, but he had seen them worse than that. I wanted so much to ask him why was he crying, but in the same time I didn't want to. If he wanted to tell me, he would. If he didn't want to, he wouldn't. it wasn't my business anyways. He got up as well and went to the bathroom. He returned five minutes later, with a frown on his face. I think he had made his decision. "Cameron, you don't ha-"

"I want to." he cut me off. He sat on the bed and I took a seat next to him. Then he took a deep breath and prepared himself to speak. "I have a mental disorder." he said. The look on my face must have startled him, because he breathed deeply. I mutered a quick apology and let him speak. "I know you are surprised and possibly would not want to speak or even look at me after I tell you this, but it is okay. I'm used to it now." I opened my mouth to protest, but he didn't let me. "Just let me speak." he pleaded and I nodded.

"Sometimes I cry for nothing. It just comes to me naturally and I can't stop it. That's what happened earlier. Sometimes it get's worse. I have panic attacks, which could be very dangerous. My family and Blake are the only ones who know it and now you know too." I took his hands in mine.

"You didn't have to tell me." I said softly, looking at his green eyes.

"But I wanted to." he whispered.

"Thank you for trusting me. I really appreciate it." I smiled and hugged him, burying my head on his neck. He hugged me back and whispered on my ear.

"Thank you for listening to me."

End of flashback.

To be honest, I was surprised, not for what he said to me, but for the fact that he really trusted me. The fact that I was the only one besides his family and Blake that knew about it, made me feel special. At least I was someone for him, not just a random girl.

"Hey McKanzie, you there?" Jennifer waved a hand in front of my face. I had probably zoned out.

"Sory, I was just deep in thought." I apologized to the girls.

"Thinking about what?" Addison wiggled her eyebrows. She thought I was thinking about Arden, but I wasn't. Arden was nowhere near my thoughts. There were invaded by a certaing green-eyed guy. What am I going to do with this stupid crush that is probably turning into something bigger?

"What about you? Do you have someone to think about?" it was my turn to wiggle my eyebrows. She looked down and blushed. "I got my answer." I teased, making her blush harder.

"Leave the girl alone." Jennifer scowled playfully. "It's me who makes this kind of questions." she laughed. "So, dear Add, spill." she demanded.

Addison looked at me for help, but I gave her a I-can't-help-you look. She sihed. "Well, I like this guy, but he doesn't know who I am." she said defeated. Poor girl. I knew how she felt. I know how it fels to like someone and not to be liked back.

"Who is he?" I asked.

"Doesn't matter. It's not that I have a chance with him. He likes another girl who is not me." she sighed.

"So what? If you like him, fight for him. One, you're beautiful and every guy would be lucky to date with you, and two there are plenty of guys around. If he hasn't noticed you, he's an assh*le that doesn't deserve you." Jennifer said serious. I was going to say ther same, without the cussing part.

"I agree with Jennifer. You shouldn't feel bad just because of a stupid guy." I said smiling at her.

"Thanks girls." she said apprieciately.

"What are friends for?" Jennifer laughed and we started eating our, now cold, food.

***

To say I was nervous, would be a huge understatement. I was freaking out. It was 6:55 and five minutes later Arden was going to pick me up to take me to the Halloween dance. I was already dressed in my costume and also had put a mask on my face, wich covered half of my face. My hair were in a big bun just like Cinderella.

I was currently on the living room, waiting for my date to come. Clara and Oliver had gone an hour ago to a party their friends had organized and Cameron, well god knows where that boy is. The doorbell rang. Oh well, here goes nothing.

I stood up and straightened myself. Then I walked towards the door and after taking a deep breath, I opened it. In front of me stood a handsome prince, named Arden Collins. He was wearing a white tux, like the ones that princes wear. His hair was perfectly gelled and turned to one side, making him look like a 'good boy'. To be honest, he was hot. "Well, hello there princess!" he greeted, chuckling and taking my hand and kissing the top of it, like a gentleman.

"Prince!" I said, smiling. We got out of the house and went to his car. He opened the door for me and I got in carefully. Then he walked around and stepped on the driver's seat.

"Someone is looking especially beautiful tonight." Arden pointed out as I giggled. He started the ignition and the car roared to life, moving forward and getting out of my driveway. The drive should be about twenty minutes so hearing some songs seemed like a good idea. Before I could turn on the radio, Arden spoke, seriously this time. "Thank you for doing this McKanzie." he said, loking at me and then at the road.

What do I say now? "You're welcome." I said lamely. That was very weird. "I've never dealt with something like this before so forgive me if I'm acting weird." I whispered ashamed and looked down at my lap.

I heard him laugh. "You have never been on a date before?" he asked surprised, trying to hold his laughter. I nodded in shame, causing him to burst into laugter.

"Yeah, laugh at me. What kind of friend are you?" I muttered annoyed. Arden tried to stop laughing, but he couldn't so I let him laugh for another two minutes before he finally stopped.

"Sorry, but I can't believe that no one hasn't asked you out." he explained after his laghter.

"Should I take it as a compliment?" I raised an eyebrow, looking at him.

"Yeah. When I said that no one hasn't still asked you out I meant that they were stupid to let a girl such as beautiful as you slip out of their hands." he said seriously.

I blushed. "You mean that?" I asked in disbelief. I wasn't that beautiful.

"Of course I do McKanzie, you are one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen, if not the most. If I wouldn't have come here two years ago, I guess I'd asked you out." he whispered the last part, but I heard it. Oh man, what do I say after that? No one has ever said that to me, never before. He was making me feel special, while I was thinking about someone who only saw me as a friend.

The silenece invaded the car again and it was one of those comfortable silences. The whole ride was silent until we arrived at school's parking lot. Lots of cars were there and Arden had difficulty finding a parking space. After turning and u-turning, we finally found a free space and parked the car.

Arden got out of his BMW and walked around to open my door. I stepped out of the car and Arden took my hand in his. Something didn't feel right about that, but I ignored the feeling. I couldn't regret this now. We walked together towards the gym. I looked around and saw that thay had really done a good job, even though it was a little creepy. The door was covered by spider's nets and fake bugs.

Disgusting.

When we entered inside the gym, it was as creepy as outside. Students in costumes, pumpkins, fake spiders -what whas this obsession with spiders anyway- and some red cups with the quote 'Deathly Poison' were everywhere. Yeah right. I bet they are all beers or Coke. Boys were dressed mostly as princes and vampires, while the girls were dressed like sluts. Let me tell you, to say they were like sluts would be an offend to the word 'slut'. They were worse. And I guess you know whom I talking about: Alexis and the gang. I chuckled at the thought.

"Something funny?" Arden asked me, looking at me like I was crazy.

"Huh?" I answered lamely.

"What are you laughing at?" he repeated.

"Ah, that!" I realized. "Look." I pointed at Alexis and her minions. "I guess their costume today was their birthday suit." I laughed. Arden shook his head on amusement and started laughing with me.

A girl dressed like a nurse came to us with a tray of red cups. I took one and then she turned to Arden, making sure her chest was exposed. Could she be more obvious? She winked at him and I rolled my eyes at her attitude. "You want one, babe?" she asked seductively.

Arden smirked at her. "I've already taken one." he winked back. She frowned and walked away angry. We both burst into laughter and then I took a sip from the red cup I was holding. It was beer. I hadn't noticed it before, but many boys and girls were looking at me and I started to feel self-concious. Didn't they have nothing else to do? "It looks like all the eyes are on you." Arden whispered on my ear. Holy mother of Clark Kent!

"Nah, I think they are looking at the handsome prince next to me." I joked after I recovered myself.

"Are they?" he winked, making me laugh. I took another sip of the beer. It wasn't as good as it looked on the beginning. We walked through the gym and finally found Jennifer and her boyfriend. Jennifer was dressed as Barbie and Blake like Ken. Cliché much? Anyway, I think they look cute together.

"Hi dolls!" Arden greeted, shaking hands with Blake. Even though Arden hated Cameron, he was friends with Blake. Weird, I know.

"Hey, fake prince!" Jennifer shot back to her twin. Have I said that Jennifer and Arden are a lot alike? If you picture Arden with long hair or Jennifer with short ones, they are the same, identical.

"Someone's dragging too much attention." Ken a.k.a Blake winked at me. What the freaking blueberries was he talking about? He motioned me to turn around and so I did. There were three boys, dressed like vampires -like there aren't any other costumes- looking at me.

One of them had black hair, gelled perfectly and an evil smirk. Just from that smirk, I could tell who he was and I couldn't believe he was here. The other one was younger than him, with brown hair and eyes, but looked more innocent. I know who he was too. And the last, but not least, was the little one, with blonde hair and brown eyes. They were my favourite trio of brothers.

"Mason! Cason! Jason!" I squealed as I ran towards them. I hugged them tightly. I had missed them so much. You want to know who they are? Remember my uncle Anthony? They are his sons. They are the only cousins I had and I hadn't seen them for three years.

"McKanzie!" Jason, who was the little one, only seven years old, hugged me.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked. Last time I saw them, the went to California, to their maternal grandparents.

"We thought to make you a surprise." Mason said. He was the one with the evil smirk. He was a year younger than me. Also, he and Arden were best friends in making my life miserable. "And I think we are the ones who took the surprise. You look gorgeous." he winked as I smacked his arm.

"Butthole!" I stuck my tongue at him.

"Still with no swearing policy?" Cason asked laughing.

"Yup." I said proudly. Then I turned to the small vampire. "And how have you been doing?" I asked him, leaning down to his height. It was a little difficult because of the dress, but I managed to kneel down.

"I have a girlfriend!" he laughed as I pretended to gasp. He was so cute.

"Man, even you got a girlfriend before me." I fake-whined, which caused him to laugh again. Then I stood up to my normal height and saw Mason and Cason talk to Arden and Jennifer. "How long are you guys going to stay here?" I asked no one in particualr.

"Unfortunately, only for the weekend. We have to go back to school." Cason explained and I nodded sadly.

"McKanzie, Arden, Bl-" I heard a girls voice call behind us. I turned around to see Addison dressed in a fairy's costume. She looked amazing. And she was looking at Mason like she was going to eat him. When I glanced at Mason, he looked at her the same. Do I smell Cupid in here? I smirked at myself. Maybe Cupid needed a little help.

"Addison!" I said cheerfully. I went and hugged her. She looked worried for the way I was acting. Eh, when you help Cupid, you act like an idiot. "Don't you just look wonderful?" I asked rethorically. Man, that was lame.

"Umm...yeah." she agreed awkwardly.

"These are my cousins." I pointed at the three boys. "This is Jason," I directed my finger at the younger one. "this is Cason," I loked at him. "And this is Mason." I emphasized the word Mason, winking at her. She blushed and looked down. I motioned Mason to talk to her.

"Hi, I'm Mason." he introduced himself, walking towards her and extending his hand for her to shake.

Addison looked up and her cheeks were as red as a tomato. I nudged her arm. "I-I'm Addison, nice t-to meet y-you." She stuttered, shaking Mason's hand. My job is done here. I high fived myself and went to the other, leaving the new lovebirds alone.

"I want a girl too." Cason whine like a five year old.

"There are plenty of them here. Go hunt lion." Arden laughed. I smacked his arm.

"Don't turn my cousin to an Arden." I growled playfully. "And you mister," I turned to my cousin. "are going to babysit Jason." I ordered.

"But why me?" he complained.

"Because." I said and grabbed Arden's arm, dragging him away from them. A song that I loved started plying. Whoever this DJ was, he was surely my favourite. The Scientist by Coldplay started playing so I couldn't resist without dancing it. "Can we dance this song please?" I pleaded to Arden, who chuckled and took my hand.

"Of course, my princess." he said in a horrible British accent, which made me laugh.

As the song finished, we stayed there, staring at each other. I took my time to examine his face. I knew he was good looking, but I never saw him in that way. I noticed that his blue eyes were deeper than before and invited me to the wonderful world they had.

When I looked at his eyes, I found a world full of love, compassion and admiration. He loved me. But I didn't love him. He was looking to my eyes, then to my lips, then my eyes, then my lips again. I was looking at his lips too. Do I want to kiss him? Do I want to let him be my first kiss? I had dreamed that my first kiss would be at the beach, in the sunset. But not all the dreams come true, do they?

He leaned closer and closer and closer...