QUEEN OF SUBURBIA -5sos au- WORK IN PROGRESS -

CHAPTER TEN: "I dont feel any shame I won't apologize."

Homecoming was closing in on them, and every person was searching for the perfect outfit, and the perfect someone to spend the night with. The students around school were getting anxious, and hardly anyone could pay attention in class.
That included Phoenix. Homecoming was a week away, and she still didn't have a dress. Since Candace was unfortunately unable to accompany Phoenix to go dress shopping, due to the fact that she was going to the movies with Luke, she decided to ask her little sister. Even though Charlotte had been spending most of her time talking with Calum. Phoenix thought that Charlotte was crazy. Phoenix just didn't understand what it was like to have someone actually like her for who she is. Every guy she had ever dated had sadly used her for the popularity that came with being associated with her.

Phoenix peeked into her sisters bedroom only to find exactly what she expected. Charlotte was lying on her bed with her feet in the air, and her cellphone pressed to her cheek. It looked like a scene straight out of a super cliche teen movie. Charlotte giggled, grinning ear to ear, as she blushed at something that Calum had said. Attempting not to barf Phoenix interrupted her sister's conversation.

Phoenix knocked on the door, which was surprising, the old Phoenix would've just barged in and yanked the phone from her.
"Char, can I ask you something?"
Charlotte sighed, "Cal hold on a second Phoenix needs something." She then covered the speaker of the phone, and glared at Phoenix.
"What do you want Phoenix? I'm in the middle of something!" Charlotte hissed. Phoenix crinkled her face in confusion, but didn't really want to know what Charlotte meant by that. "I heard you were going to the dance with Calum, do you want to come dress shopping with me? Mom and Dad left the emergency credit card!" Phoenix said sitting at the edge of Charlotte's bed. Charlotte sat up and went to her closet. She reached in and pulled out an edgy black dress.
"I already went with my friend Andie from French, sorry. Thanks for the offer though." Phoenix nodded, and left the room.

Phoenix was disappointed that she wouldn't have anyone to shop with her, and tell her how good she looked. Phoenix craved approval from her peers, which was something she needed to work on.

Of course, she could always ask one of her devoted minions, but at the moment she wasn't exactly on the best terms with them. She had no one to turn to. In the distressed state she was in she finally figured out what would cheer her up! Frozen yogurt!

Phoenix finally arrived at the yogurt shop, Yo Yo Yogurt, and smiled as the aroma of the different flavors calmed her. Walking over to the yogurt machines she chose lime, and topped it off with chocolate chips. As she pulled out her parents credit card to pay, she was greeted by a smiling Michael. "Hey Phoenix, what's up?" He said. Phoenix handed him the card and responded, "Literally nothing. I was going to shop for my homecoming dress, but I have no one to go with! Everyone ditched me!" Michael gasped as he swiped her card, "Literally same. None of the boys will go with me to get my tux! Hey, I get off in like, ten minutes. Would you like to go shopping together?" Phoenix nodded her head excitedly!
"Of course!"
Phoenix had gone through a ton of choices, but finally found the perfect dress. She smiled as she opened the dressing room and did a pose for Michael.

"Damn girl, you almost turned me straight!"

Luke and Candace were sitting in his car in the parking lot of the movie theatre. Neither of them wanted the night to end. They felt like the world was paused whenever they were with each other. They could talk for eternity, and nothing else would matter except for each other. Luke suddenly remember something, and just had to bring it up. Luke took Candace's hand into his.
"So, Candace, homecoming is coming up you know?" Candace looked at him and nodded, "Well are you planning on going?" Candace cleared her throat, "Well I was actually thinking of going with a friend or something."
Luke looked away from her, and let go of her hand. "Oh. Sounds fun." Candace laced their fingers back together. "Luke please stop it." Luke stared into Candace's eyes.
"Stop what? Why don't you want anyone to know we are together? I'm tired of not being able to hold your hand in public. I want to be able to show everyone that you're mine and I'm yours!" Candace closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Luke I'm doing this to protect myself." Luke laughed coldly, "Protect yourself from what Candace? That is the most bullshit excuse I've heard. I know what it is. You're ashamed of me aren't you?"
Candace's eyes widened as she regretted everything she had said. "Luke, baby, no. It's not tha-"
"Then what is it Candace? You know what? I'm not going to change. This is me, and you'll just have to deal with it. I don't feel any shame, and I will not apologize for who I am." With that Luke pulled out of the parking lot to drive her home. They were both silent the whole time, and Candace had her face turned away from him. Whenever they arrived to her house she turned towards him, hoping for a simple 'goodnight' but instead she was greeted by the back of Luke's head. Candace got out of his car, and ran into her home.

So much for a good time.