The Jerk Next Door

Chapter 44: Princess and Empress

Asher

"We are amazing boyfriends." Luka patted my shoulder as he came up from behind me to gaze at our surprise for Maksie and Dani.

"Damn straight. I still can't believe we actually went through with this. I mean, I thought you were joining until you brought me the proof." I laughed.

"It's my senior year. Everything is going to be different after this week. Right after Prom I start preparing for finals then graduations and then poof. I'm done here. I want to go out with a bang, 'ya know?" Luka smiled down at me.

"Don't start talking like that, I'm going to get emotional for Dani." I dramatically wipe away my fake tears. "Anyways, we better get dressed or we'll be late to pick up the girls."

"It's not the girls we'll be waiting on. It's papa Swift. He has a list of what nots when it comes to his girls. And it's double now that you're here."

We began walking inside Luka's house where both of our suits are hanging in the living room. All we had left to do was to pick up the corsages and get ready. Maybe not that order.

Maksean

"I can't believe it. We are getting ready for prom. And we have dates. Like real ones. Boyfriends. We have boyfriends! And they are besties now too!" Dani, now with a face full of makeup, cheered. She was twirling around the living room in one of Luka's large button down shirts and pajama pants.

I laughed at my friend while trying my best to hold still for Adrain. She had just finished Daniela's makeup and now we are all listening to her ramble on excitedly.

Dani has two moods. Her cool and calm side that she is most known for, and her jumpy crackhead side I know her for. Right now she is at a crossroads and even excited. She is having a hard time believing reality.

"I know. And I can't believe you two are already juniors in high school", my dad chimes in from his chair across the living room. His smile reaches his eyes as he watches us. "I remember dropping you two fools off at your first middle school dance, and now I don't even get to drop y'all off tonight."

Asher and Luka said they have a big surprise for us when they come to pick us up. Dani and Adrian Placed bets on whether it's a limousine or not. I'm not too sure if that's the case.

Half an hour later, I'm stepping into my green ball gown, and Dani and I are taking turns zipping and tying each other up. Together we walked downstairs just as the doorbell rang. The two boys were already together before driving to get us, so we wouldn't see the surprise.

I could hear Adrian's happy squeals and my dad's lecture from the last step. I counted two seconds before we were noticed.

Nothing aside from my step-mother's cheers could be heard. The two boys didn't move for a few moments. Snapping out of his gaze, Luka stepped forward and reached out for Daniela's hand.

I had to hold in my laughter as Asher followed his lead. He looked at me the same way he did when we first met. But with less confusion, and concern. Okay, so not like how we first met, but I did want to say it was very romantic.

"You look like a princess," Luka told the blushing girl next to me, giving her a charming gaze.

"And you look like an Empress." Asher smiled like a child looking at candy. I knew he might've wanted to one up Luka, but I believed his compliment.

"Thank you. And you look like someone ready to do anything for his Empress." I comment, playing along. I enjoyed the pink hue that graced his cheeks and he bowed, bringing my hand to his lips.

"As you wish." he winked at me, earning a laugh.

I notice Daniela hasn't said anything since Luka took her hand. I turn to see her frozen. Leave it to Daniela Charles to freeze when her boyfriend compliments her.

I nudge the girl with my elbow, trying to break her trance. Her eyes focused straight ahead. "Dani, doesn't Luka look charming tonight? I bet he might even win Prom King." I whispered. Daniela always had a thing for kings. Always reading romance novels on marrying one or history books about them. When she met Luka, she believed she finally met one. That was until we watched him chug an entire 2 liter of coke that had been shaken up. But the thought was still there.

"Well alright kids, time for pictures."

We stop the teasing, and Dani finally responds to human interactions after Luka whispers something into her ear. Pictures were taken of the four of us as a group. Two with us as couples, then boys and girls, a few individual pictures, and the last was Dad with Dani and I.

Around that time Trey came storming in shouting about a house trying to eat his pants.

"Oh no. Cornelius! I told you to wait until we get outside and I would feed you your oats!" Luka hurries outside to this Cornelius with Asher on his tail.

"Well, I think I know what the surprise is now." I state, walking slowly outside.

Shouting from a lot of people was the first thing I noted upon walking outside. The second was the giant carriage, and third was the large brown horse stomping on our driveway.

"You have got to be kidding me. You two rented a horse and carriage?" Dani exclaimed, but I couldn't tell if she was excited or concerned with how her eyebrows were angled. "Where did you even find it?"

Luka threw his head back and laughed. "Well I gave a speech about how I want this to be the best prom yet since it's my senior prom, and Asher said he'd rent a limo. But I said that was too basic seeing as I know four other seniors renting limos as well. Then I thought "what better way to wow my princess than having her prince charming escort her in a carriage?" So I trained to be the coachman since I had the most free time after football season ended. Asher used his bad daddy money to pay for three-fourths of it, I paid the rest, and here he is. Meet Cornelius." Luka grinned widely.

Dani didn't have a response to his answer, she could bring herself to smack his shoulder with a few mutters of "goofy dummy" and "I love you".

"Well, it's about time." My dad claimed as he began to walk down the driveway towards the Horse. "Cornelius, here's your oats buddy. Ready to ride?"

Now my head began to tilt as I watched my father climb on the boot and grabbed the reins. My father with his messed up spine and legs. My father who has to visit a veteran's hospital about monthly. He is going to be our coachmen.

"Luka, I thought you were the one going to be driving us." I asked as we all piled in.

The brunette looked at me with a guilty grin. "Yeah, but then when I asked you dad if it was alright, he really wanted to drop you ladies off one last time. Besides, I wouldn't be able to talk with you guys. It's going to be a slow trip." Just as he began speaking, the carriage began moving.

We sat in a square as the sweats provided. Asher and I faced the front while Dani and Luka faced us. To make room for our dresses, I was across from Luka, and Dani was facing Asher. We chatted about different things and life seemed so sweet at that moment. Though I was beginning to understand what the senior meant by a slow ride.

"How come we are going so slow?" Daniela asked, trying to turn her body to see the horse.

"Even with my- what did you call it Luka?" Asher began.

The senior grinned evilly, "your bad daddy money."

Asher nodded slowly. "Yeah, even with my "bad daddy money" we could really only afford one horse. But the people assured us that he is the strongest horse. So Cornelius is doing great."

I chuckle at their childish ways, realizing just how well we all work out. Asher and I are almost as if we never left each other in middle school. Daniela has gotten better at being more open with Luka and me. And Luka doesn't have to worry about acting like an overprotective brother with Asher around. Asher and Daniela seem to have a few inside jokes. The two boys seem to get along way better than I anticipated. We all just seem to fit together like one large puzzle piece.