I never know why. I only know who. (AU)

Chapter 9

Clara pulled her dress on slowly, looking in the mirror uncomfortably as she looked at herself. Prom was meant to be the night were you felt most beautiful, and she had bought an absolutely stunning dress to make sure of that. It was scarlet red, matching her blood red lipstick that she was wearing. It was strapless and had a beautiful crimson belt around the middle, making flow as the silky material just hit the floor.

She wore red strappy heels underneath to up her height so that could feel taller. Her brown locks were hung in curls on her shoulders, with the two front parts pulled back with a crystal-like hairpin holding them together at the back of her head, which her Dad had given her.

She generally felt like a princess, yet she was still nervous. She knew it was because of the plans she had with John that night, but she didn't want him to think she was having cold feet. It was quite the opposite in fact, although she still felt tense.

Her father was waiting until he had seen her in her prom dress and taken some pictures before he left to go and see his mother in Blackpool for the weekend. That meant Clara had the house to herself until Sunday, and she didn't know if she should feel guilty about that or not.

She made her way slowly out of her bedroom once she was ready, slowly walking down her staircase. She saw a camera flash and tutted as her Dad took several pictures in a row.

"Really?" She whined, as he held the camera in her face.

"Yes." He insisted, taking a few more. "I want to remember how beautiful my baby girl looked on this day."

"Thanks Dad." She smiled, opening her arms out to hug him tightly. It made her smile that he had made such an effort and it generally warmed her heart. She heard small sniffles in her ear and pulled back when felt a teardrop hit her shoulder.

She looked to Dave, concerned for him, as another tear fell down his cheek. "Dad?" She asked, wanting to know what was wrong.

"It's just..." He started, brushing away his tears quickly and smiling them off. "Your Mum would have been so proud of you. You look so beautiful."

Clara nodded slowly, understanding where the sudden outburst had come from. It took everything in her strength not to cry herself and she felt a wave of relief flood over her when the door bell rang.

Dave beat her to opening it and smiled at John as he entered the room. He would have been lying if he claimed his jaw hadn't dropped at the sight of Clara. She was beyond beautiful and the only think that snapped him out of it was Dave telling him to "Watch yourself. You're one lucky man."

"Dad!" Clara exclaimed, sounding embarrassed as both Dave and John shrugged it off.

"It's true." They said at the same time, making her blush bright pink. As John entered the house, Dave waved off his goodbyes, leaving the pair alone together to go to prom.

"You ready?" John asked, smiling gently to her. She knew he was asking about more than just the prom, but she smiled back anyway.

"Yeah." She replied, kissing his lips gently, not wanting to smudge her lipstick, as he led her out to the car he had waiting for them to take them to the prom.

He had hired a limo, much to the embarrassment of Clara, but then so had everyone else. It was only a short ride to the venue, but the champagne that the service served was worth it, meaning they hadn't gone without alcohol the whole night. And that was assuming no-one would spike the drinks.

The hall they had hired was huge, and music was blaring out from it as they entered hand in hand. Clara could see people dancing all around. It was hard to see anyone through the crowds, but she eventually saw Olivia and Louise and went to talk to them.