𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 ; 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝗼𝐥𝐟

xi. formality

FORMALITY

CAMERON WAS in her room doing homework, when her father called her downstairs. "Cam, there's someone at the door for you."

Cameron's brows furrowed. She wasn't expecting anyone, but she went down anyway. She was surprised to see Lydia standing on her doorstep when she took the last step.

"Lydia... What are you doing here?" Cameron asked.

"Well, the formal is right around the corner and I wondered if you wanted to go dress shopping," Lydia said, her smile brighter than ever at the idea of shopping. "I'm picking Allison up on the way."

"Uh, I don't-"

"Oh, that's such a thoughtful idea," her dad said, fishing his wallet out of his pocket to give her some cash. "Here get anything you want."

"I don't even know if I'm going," Cameron admitted.

"What?" Lydia said. "You have to go! It's the best part of our sophomore year!"

"What's going on down here?" Luke said, appearing from behind Cameron.

"Your sister isn't going to go to the formal," Lydia said, almost like even the idea of it was a crime.

Luke turned to Cameron, studying her pleading eyes. He ultimately ignored them. "You should go. You'll finally have a reason to not look like a bum."

Cameron scowled at him. "You're the worst."

"And you're coming shopping," Lydia said, grabbing Cameron's wrist and the money from her father's hand. "Thank you, Mr. Ignis!"

⨫⨸⨬

Cameron stood a step below Lydia and Allison on the escalator to the second floor at Macy's. She couldn't deny she wasn't having a terrible time.

"What's wrong?" Lydia asked Allison. "You're in even more of a mood than Cameron, and that's saying something."

The girls looked back to the blond who shrugged. "She's right."

"Nothing's wrong, I just..." Allison sighed. "I have a lot on my mind."

Cameron scoffed. "You can say that again."

"What's on your mind?" Allison asked, hoping that whatever Cameron was stressed about was some normal, high school stuff.

"Oh, uh, you know..." Cameron stalled thinking of a reasonable excuse. "Stiles hasn't even asked me to the formal yet."

"What? But you're dating," Lydia said as they reached the top of the escalator.

"I know," Cameron whined, thanking God that she paid attention during some of the school plays she was crew for. "I think maybe he thinks it's too new to ask."

"Oh, trust me," Allison said with a teasing smile. "That boy wants to ask you. I mean, he's been staring over here since we got on the floor."

Cameron's eyes widened as she looked around to find Stiles at the perfume counter. "Why is he here?"

"Maybe it's a sign telling you to go and ask him instead," Lydia said.

Cameron glanced at her quizzically. "You seem like the least likely person to believe in breaking gender norms."

"Just go." Lydia huffed, pushing her towards the perfume counter.

Cameron stumbled, straightening herself out with a scowl before continuing towards her boyfriend. He had just sprayed himself in the face with perfume, his mouth was open too.