Pic up top of Nat's dress because someone special asked for a picture :) You know who you are.^

I zipped up my dress and slipped into a pair of white strappy heels Diana was letting me borrow. I looked in the mirror and quickly decided to take my hair out of its current donut bun. It fell dead straight like always so I just pinned my hair back with bobby pins, leaving my bangs to fall slightly into my face. I made a quick swipe of lipstick and mascara before deciding that was enough. I put my phone, credit card and lipstick into a clutch and walked into the common room. Diana let out a low whistle, "Look at you. You look like a million drachmas."

"Talk about yourself," I let out a small giggle, "The blue suits you, Di."

Diana rolled her eyes, "I still like the pink, though."

"Good thing you didn't get pink," Whitney said from the door of her room, "Can someone please zip me up?"

She turned and I quickly zipped up the back of her dress. 

Whitney grinned, "What do you think?"

She was in an ankle-length dress with a skin-tight bodice and spaghetti straps. The material was pink lace and it seemed to shimmer with her every movement.

"You look really gorgeous," Diana said to Whitney, truthfully.

I nodded, "You look great!"

"Fix my hair?" Whitney pleaded.

I shrugged, "Sure, why not?"

We moved into her room at her dressing table and she handed me her hairbrush. I combed through her jet-black hair and then placed it on the dressing table. I did a three-quarter part and began waterfall-braiding it. I tied and pinned it at the back of her head and Whitney grinned, "Thanks, beautiful."

I nodded and then looked at the clock on her wall, "Oh, shoot, I was supposed to be ready for the limo two minutes ago. Bye!"

I ran as fast as I could in the heels into the common room and then downstairs to where everyone was. I gently pushed past the girls conversing and ran outside, picking up the hem of my dress. I rushed to my limo with the special numberplate and my driver tipped his hat at me, "Miss Roberts."

"Julian," I grinned at him and he opened the car door for me, "Thanks. Sorry, I'm late."

I slid into the limo and finally took a relaxing breath.

"What took you so long?" my best friend scowled at me.

"Sorry, Em," I let out a small laugh, "I was helping out Whitney with her hair."

"Does she look as pretty as always?"

"Not as pretty as you," I said, because it was true. 

Emily had on a floor-length silver dress with a halter neck. There was a large triangle cut in the back of it, showing her back and part of her midriff. The cut and halter straps were lined with thick silver bands. 

Emily shrugged, "I tried my best. I love your dress."

"Thanks," I smiled, "You don't think it's a little big?"

"A little but I reckon a size smaller would be too small."

"Right," I nodded. 

Emily sighed gently and then asked, "You don't mind that I'm going out with Shawn, right?"

Wait, what? She wants my... permission? 

I gulped and slowly shook my head, "No. I mean, it's a little weird that my best friend is going out with my brother but... it's not too weird. I can handle it as long as you also remember to make time for me."

"Yes," Emily beamed at my response.

The limo pulled up to the kerb outside Rogue and Julian called back, "We have arrived, misses. What time shall I pick you up after?"

I exchanged a glance with Em but she shrugged, "He's your driver."

The dance ended at twelve and everyone would be causing traffic for half an hour for the limos. I called, "Twelve-forty."

"Of course, misses," Julian nodded. Then he got out of his seat and moved to open the limo door. 

Emily slid out first and I followed her lead, looking up at Rogue. I murmured, "Thanks Julian."

"Anytime, miss," he replied.

Rogue was the name of this town's ballroom. I'd been here three times before for the Junior Formal but that one didn't mix with D.A.B. 

Emily and I hooked arms and she smiled, "Let's knock 'em dead."

Some recently released song was playing by the live band but no one was dancing yet. They were mainly trying to find which table they were seated at. Emily and I circled around the room. There were sixteen tables, all with eight chairs. Beth called from a table near her, "Em! Nat! You two are over here!"

I smiled in relief and whispered, "The search is over."

Emily let out a sharp giggle as we walked to the table Beth had gestured to. I sat in my seat and crossed my knees but Emily decided to survey who we were seated with, "Olivia, that Phil kid, Liana, Ryan, Shawn. Would they have put you next to Shawn because you're siblings?"

"Yeah, I think so," I nodded once.

"Yeah, I'm between him and Ryan. Oh! And Christian!"

"What?" 

Emily pointed to a little plaque beside me, "Christian's sitting next to you."

A small smile made its way to my face.

"Aw, you're so whipped," Emily mused, taking a seat, "It's adorable."

"Thanks?" I was unsure if it was an insult or a compliment.

"I mean, we all knew you two were destined for each other from day one but you guys... you fell in love so quickly."

"Thanks," I repeated, still unsure whether she was complimenting me or trying to subtly insert snide comments.

"So you are in love," she smirked triumphantly.

I froze. Sure, I said that I was to Opal the other week but that was in the middle of a thick argument where both of us had raging hormones... Was I really in love with Christian?

"Dove," a deep voice said behind me. 

It's him, my entire body shivered. 

"Are you going to remain there frozen?" Christian chuckled.

I slowly turned around to smile up at him. My smile grew even thicker landing on him. 

His hair was messy, for once, but he'd decked out in a black and white tuxedo. I couldn't stop myself from raking him up and down. 

"Stop eye-raking me already," he murmured, though when my eyes landed on his I found him being a hypocrite.

In a deep falsetto, I repeated, "Stop eye-raking me already."

Christian beamed down at me and I took the opportunity to stand up. He dragged me in close to him for a hug and I knelt my head on his shoulder, whispering, "I missed you."

He kissed the top of my head and murmured, "I missed you too, Dove."

I pulled away and dragged him to sit down. Emily wiggled her eyebrows at me, referring to our earlier conversation and I rolled my eyes.

"So, what were you two talking about before I interrupted?" Christian asked, eyebrows raised. 

Emily gave me an evil grin and I narrowed my eyes at her. She mused, "Oh, Natalie will tell you all about that."

"Dove?" Christian's gaze turned to me and I froze again.

"Yeah, Nattie, tell him," she said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes again, "It's not important. Wanna dance, Park?"

"Gladly," he extended a hand and I took it before he led me to the dance floor. 

We were halfway through a waltz before he began talking, "Did I get a chance to tell you how beautiful you look?"

"Did I get a chance to tell you how cheesy that line was?" I smirked, "But thanks."

He winked, "At least you aren't lactose intolerant."

I deadpanned, "Worst pun I've heard."

Christian frowned at me, "Come on, Dove, surely that was worth something."

"Nope," I shook my head.

He tugged me closer to him and then murmured, "Why don't you want me to know about that conversation you were having?"

"It's not important," I shrugged. Inside, I was freaking out though. Heck, I didn't even know if I loved him or just liked him. 

"You don't have a lover on the side, do you?" Christian pouted at me.

I let out a small laugh, "No way."

"Then what is it?" Christian sighed, "If it's not important then why is it so important that I don't find out?"

This was it. The moment of truth. 

Do I love Christian? 

I said to Opal that I was in love with him but I'd been pretty upset... and I'd been on my monthly. Did I really mean it though?

"Dove?" he asked quietly when I didn't respond.

I pressed my lips together. I couldn't outright say it... could I?

"You don't like me?" Christian guessed.

My eyes flew to his in shock, "What makes you think that?!"

"Just a guess," he chuckled, "Not a very good one, obviously."

"Of course I like you, Park," I sighed loudly, "I just..."

"You just... what?" he frowned. 

I froze again. How do I say this? That I might love him? You can't exactly say that. I mean, it never happens that way in movies...

But this isn't a movie. This is a crazy, shit-head version of real life. Real life where there are mysterious doctors, mastermind prime ministers and secret projects effecting two teenagers. Yeah. I can do whatever I want in my kingdom. 

I opened my mouth to say it but a different voice interrupted me, "Talie!"

I beamed at the voice and glanced over my shoulder to my twin brother. I ran to his arms, "Shawny!"

He held me at arms' length, looking me up and down, "I need to take you home right now and get you into a dress that doesn't show your chest or arms or your waist. I need to make you look less supermodel and more Mandy Moore in The Walk to Remember."

I rolled my eyes at him, "Thanks. I'll take it as a compliment?"

"Duh?" he chuckled, twirling me around, "You look like a million dollars."

"Shawn, may I have my date back?" Christian chuckled and I blushed. 

My brother rolled his eyes, "Fine."

Christian took my hand as Shawn walked, presumably to find Em, and moved us back into a waltzing position, "Continuing our earlier conversation...?"

How do I say it? I couldn't come up with a speech here and now! Do I blurt it? Is it too sudden? Will he get scared if I blurt it? Will he get scared if I say it at all? What do I say?! If I've ever, ever been a good girl, God, please help me out in this situation and I'll start paying more attention in Christian Development class!

"I think I know what you're trying to say," Christian whispered.

He does?! 

I moved my eyes to meet his and got immediately entranced by the red hues.

He murmured, "I don't think it's a coincidence that we were both in the same place at the same time. I think it was something else that got the doctors to pair us together rather than coincidence..."

What's he trying to say? That... that fate brought us together? Like they say in love-sick romantic comedies all the friggin' time? 

"I love you, Natalie Ann Roberts, and I don't care if you don't feel the same yet," Christian said, unblinking, eyes on mine. 

He loves me. 

Christian Park loves me. 

Inside, I was screaming like a crazy person but on the outside, I remained composed, "But I love you, Christian Xavier Park."

***

Song: You Don't Own Me - Grace ft. G-Eazy.

One more chapter to write :(

THEY LOVE EACH OTHER!!!

xx Sharky.