Acceleration

Chapter 27: The Blood Moon Ball

Erin struggled with the tie that sat on his neck. No matter how many times he'd tried to pull it into the shape the man on the phone screen presented, it ended up warped and gross. Checking to make sure his mom wasn't in the hallway, he sped himself up, redoing the steps over and over at super speeds. He was thwarted when his tie caught flame, and Erin screamed before throwing it into the shower and turning it off. His mother came running in behind him.

"Honey, you can't get mad at the tie."

Erin almost laughed as his mom grabbed the tie. She wrapped it around the suit that had supposedly been his dad's when he was in high school, though Erin doubted that theory. His mother finished and let him turn. The suit was a deep blue, with black stitching and a white tie, a perfect coincidence compared to his super suit, which sat in his pocket, mimicking a handkerchief.

"Baby," His mother drew him from his observation, "I'm so proud of you."

Erin felt taken aback. His mom never usually got soft on him. He welcomed the words and hugged his parent.

"You know the blood ball is where your dad and I met?"

Erin smiled.

"I remember Mom."

***

Erin climbed out of his moms car and straightened himself. Marlin and Lisa were waiting outside the door and waved him over when they saw him. Lisa was wearing a gold dress, matching her dirty blonde hair, while Marlin wore a tie over a button up. He ran up to his friends.

"Liz is inside!" Marlin said proudly, before being punched in the shoulder by his girlfriend.

"OUCH, DOMESTIC ABUSE!"

"You're not supposed to tell him, dumbass!"

Erin smiled and walked past the pair. Lisa continued scolding Marlin as they followed.

The school's gym was coated in darkness, with colored lights flashing to the beat of the pop song that was playing. Groups of teenagers were jumping up and down, forming a less violent mosh pit in front of the speakers. In the corner was a plastic fold-out table, a sea of snacks and drinks coating it. The prices were listed on pieces of paper taped to the edge, but Erin couldn't make them out.

His eye was caught by Charles, who was across the gym. He was talking with another girl, which made sense because Liz had told him it wasn't going to work after their "date". His eyes raised from the woman and met Erin's. The smile on his face faded, and the pair dug holes into each other with their eyes.

A tap on Erin's shoulder drew him from his opponent. It was Liz. She was covered in a sparkling purple dress that hugged her form. The purple streak in her hair was gone, replaced by her natural hair color, a deep brown. In the limited light, Erin could see just how gorgeous she looked, almost glistering in the dark,

"Wow, you look amazing tonight," Erin choked out. He suddenly wished his tie wasn't so tight.

"You're not so bad-looking," Was her response. He noticed Tom standing behind her, a basic black suit covering his shoulders. The music changed to another song, and Erin motioned to the snack bar. Liz giggled and took his hand while they walked. The awkward tension had shattered, leaving Erin with nothing but joy.

When they reached the table, he realized the group and went to dance, leaving him and Liz by themselves. Liz poured a cup of punch and handed it to Erin.

"Thanks," he smiled. She did too, piercing him with something he hadn't seen before. Her smile was genuine, loving even.

"I actually think you're really handsome right now," she said, "I don't like... telling people what I'm feeling."