Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
DARCIE'S CAMERA FLASHES, blinding the two couples, who stand awkwardly by the doorway of the living room. By her feet, Bruno is yapping, playing with a cheery Seth Clearwater. Lewis is talking to Jamie's parents, who are the only ones wearing an excited smile for the night. Sam's mother and Leah's parents are trying their best to be positive, but failing with their frightful expressions.
It's a strange experience; one Darcie doesn't want to be apart of. Sam Uley is staring ahead, not noticing how unhappy his girlfriend is. Occasionally, his gaze slides to Rochelle, who clutches onto Jamie desperately, and then Sam's eyes rarely snap to Darcie — still hating her, for some reason.
However, Sam's not the only one with a problem tonight. The Clearwater's and Sam's mother haven't been exactly welcoming to the Combs girl as she greeted them into their family home. For some reason, Harry Clearwater glowers at Darcie as if she's causing him harm simply from being in the same room as his family. It's unnerving and Darcie isn't sure what to say or do.
"I think we should get going," suggests Rochelle, seeking a desperate escape from the disastrous atmosphere. Despite the problems, Rochelle looks stunning with the red dress catching the rooms attention and her curls half pinned back. "Don't want to be late and I need to set up the piano..."
"Yes, yes," Lewis is panicking, which makes the youngest Combs smile sweetly, pulling up the camcorder as the camera falls, hanging loosely by the strap around her wrist. "Sam, Darcie has the camera. Can you record Rochelle's performance for us, please?"
Darcie's lips press together, eyeing the teenage boy in question. For a second, Sam seems to stop breathing that alerts the room. His eyes dart to Harry as if seeking for permission, where Darcie catches the older man's curt nod. Then, finally, he clears his throat. "Yeah, of course."
Sam approaches Dacrie as if she's a stray animal. Frowning, Darcie glances to her father, catching his disapproval. "I don't bite, Sam," Darcie mumbles. "Just take the camera."
"Sorry," Sam winces, snatching the camera quickly from the brunette's hands. "I just don't want to mess this up."
"It's just a camera, Sam," Lewis teases, but his smile is strained.
"You'll be fine," Sam's mother reassures her son. "Right, come on. I want pictures of you and Leah and then you can go."
"Please," Leah's voice is barely audible. Darcie tries not to, but she can't help but pity the poor girl.
Darcie catches Rochelle's concerned gaze as she offers a reassuring smile with a small shrug. Clearly, Sam's just lost the plot a little and it's taking him a while to settle back down again. There's nothing else to it, Darcie is sure.
The next morning, though, Darcie is already at work before Rochelle has even risen. Both father and daughter had planned to stay up waiting for Rochelle, but Darcie had crashed. Now, Darcie is far too eager to get home to hear everything. Plus, tonight is Darcie's prom (the lower years have a small prom merged together).
