Shoot Your Shot

XV: This Side of Paradise (Dina)

Compared to the week prior, this week flew by for Dina. School spirit was at an all-time high due to homecoming, and of course, most sports teams were in the final stretch of competition, so everyone was on edge in a good way.

Dina had spent most of the week buried in her phone whenever the opportunity presented itself to text Ellie, the two chatting about everything from the upcoming championship game to homecoming, Dina discovering Ellie's plans for that night.

D: So you just sit and watch movies all night?

E: Yep, it's a tradition for us three since middle school dances were a thing.

D: Huh. Would you ever go to a dance?

E: Riley, Cat, and I made a pact that we would go to prom, so technically one.

D: I see. Good to know.

E: I got two left feet, so I'll still be a wallflower at prom.

D: I don't believe that.

E: I'm not as graceful as you think.

D: Oh no I believe that part. I don't believe that you're going to be a wallflower.

E: How do you figure?

Ellie had fallen right into her trap, and Dina smiles as she typed out her response.

D: I have two right feet, so you can dance with me :)

Dina watched as Ellie's text bubble continued to disappear and reappear, visualizing how flustered Ellie was and taking the chance to fix her necklace around her neck. She had gone to every single school dance since before she could remember. Up until the tail end of Sophomore year, she was practically Talia's shadow, which meant a lot of school events since her late sister was an active member of student council and captain of the soccer team her senior year. Dina fiddled with the golden initial necklace as Mel headed back into the room with her dress half on.

"Could you help me with the corset? I can't do it myself." Mel said meekly as she turned around, Dina rising to her feet to help.

The moment Dina had finished evening out the laces and began to tighten the strings, she heard the doorbell ring from downstairs. The defender swiped her earrings from and headed down to answer the door, putting them in before peering through the peephole and opening the door to see a florist with a timid smile

"Hey... delivery for..." The florist trailed off, looking at the delivery paper, "A Dina Woodward?"

"I am she." Dina said, still equally confused as the florist rifled through her large tote and pulled out a clear labeled plastic box, passing it to Dina.

"Your dress is beautiful, happy homecoming!!" The florist chirped, clearly running about town to disperse these due to her pace and leaving a bewildered Dina on the stoop, waving goodbye before stepping inside.

Dina eventually shut the door and walked into the living room, sparing a glance down at the mystery container, her eyes lighting up with surprise.

It was a corsage, orange roses being the centerpiece with other lace white flowers adorning the outsides. It was beautiful, and the same color as her jersey. After opening the box softly, she noticed a notecard beneath, flipping it over to inspect it.

'Sorry I couldn't make a homecoming proposal of my own that night. Hopefully, this makes up for it.
- E'

Dina raced to her phone.