With The Labels

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

The prep before Homecoming flies by quicker than I thought it would. Right when I woke up I showered, but only washed my body. It was easier to style day old hair than that freshly washed.  Mom styles my hair into soft curls and pulls the front pieces back into a beautiful waterfall braid. The hairstyle takes about an hour and after we are done we enjoy a grilled cheese lunch with my brother. Next I do my makeup in the large vanity in the bathroom. I wing my eyeliner out, put on a light smokey eye, and emphasize my hazel eyes with black mascara. It is definitely a lot more makeup than I normally do, but this was a special occasion and I want to look my best. Since I still have a little time left I decided to text Blake and see how the game went.

Me:
Hey. How was the game? Excited for a fun night w/ u. See you soon:)

He texts back almost immediately. I decide to slip into my dress quickly. Blake should be over in a couple of minutes.

Blake:
Hey, we won. It was a close game. Excited too see you more;) Be there soon.

I put on a bit of deodorant and spray on my favorite Victoria's Secret perfume from back home. Grabbing my small white clutch from my closet, I place my phone, money, school ID, and ticket inside. The teachers allow us to put some things in our lockers so I won't need to hold it the entire night. Most of the girls also take their shoes off once they get to the dance. I definitely don't feel like breaking my ankles in five inch heels the entire night. Being only 5'5", even with heels I still come up a good three inches shorter than my date. That is definitely not a bad thing because one of my biggest pet peeves has to be when the girl is taller than the guy. I don't know why it just really bugs me.

Suddenly I hear a ring at the doorbell. Figuring it is Blake, I quickly throw on my shoes and head to the front door. Mom is searching for her Nikon camera in the closet and James is helping her.

I unlock the front door and find Blake standing in the doorframe, a smirk plastered on his face. He is dressed sharply. We coordinated or outfits well. Once I picked out my outfit for the dance, I told him what colors I was wearing so he could match his outfit to it. Blake wears a starch white button down, a grey sports jacket with black detailing, black trousers, and a red bow tie. His white shirt matches my dress and his red bow tie matches my shoes. We look mighty cute together.

His mouth hangs slightly open, staring at me like I am some Greek goddess. I blink a few times and try to hold back my laughter. "You look quite dapper, Mr. Currington." I brush his shoulder with my hand. He quickly regains his composure and goes back to smirking at me.

"And you look... Beautiful." He looks me over one more time, unsuccessfully trying to be sly about it.

"Thank you." I smile at him. And greet his parents, who stand a couple of feet behind him. They will be at Zeke's pictures tonight as well but our parents wanted to get a few personal pictures of Blake and me. They say hello and I linking my arm through Blake's, striding into the living room. Both mom and James greet Blake and his parents and snap a few pictures. Then we are quickly ushered out of the house and sent off to Zeke's. My family says they will meet us over at his house, they just need to pack up a few appetizers they were going to bring over. Blake's parents are going to do the same, but the Curringtons are going to carpool with my family into town.

Blake and I walk to his car in silence, and the entire ride to Zeke's house is like that. Except for the radio playing softly in the background neither of us say much. But it isn't an awkward silence. Blake rubs his thumb over the palm of my hand and I find it oddly soothing. I'm not sure why but I am kind of nervous.

Dozens of cars are parked outside of Zeke's house, or shall I say, mansion. He lives in town, but on the richer side of town. The plot isn't too big, only like three acres, but the homes are fit for a king.

We sit outside for a minute before Blake does something unexpected. He reaches over and gives me a gentle kiss on the cheek. Never in a million years would I expect a guy like Blake to do something so cute like that.

Blushing slightly as if realizing what he just did, Blake says, "We will continue that later." Before getting out of the car and opening the passenger door for me. He holds my hand as we make our way up to Zeke's front door and ring the doorbell.

"Hey!" Zeke answers, grinning widely at Blake and me. "Come on in and join the party." The inside of his house is even more marvelous than the outside, if that is even possible. High, lofted ceilings, oil paintings, glass chandeliers, and marble floor. I am afraid to even touch anything. We follow our friend into his huge living room. A folding table is opened up with different appetizers and drinks spread out. Over twenty teenagers dressed in dresses or suits are scattered amongst the parents. People laugh, smile, and take pictures. It was the start of a fun night.

"Care!" Rachel, Bella, and one of our other friends, Bri, come running over to me. Blake, noticing the teenage girls that are headed our direction, squeezes my hand reassuringly before walking over to some of his other friends. "I love your dress!" Bella exclaims, giving me a hug. Tuesday during school Zeke asked Bella to the dance. It was adorable, with a cheesy sign and everything.

"Thanks, B! I love all of your dresses, too. They are beautiful." Bella has on a tight red dress that compliments her red hair, Rachel has on a simple black dress with a big statement necklace, and Bri is wearing a flowy dress with different patterns and colors. Bella's mom gets us in for a group shot, and then an individual picture with just me and Bella.

Mom and James and the Curringtons arrive a few minutes later with more food and a camera. Our whole homecoming group takes pictures together, and then I take a group shot with just the girls. After twenty minutes or so of just taking pictures, the parents decide that is enough and let us go. I walk over to the appetizer table, along with many other kids, and devour the snacks. This is the last thing I will be eating until later tonight, probably around 10 or 11. I pour myself a glass of Sprite make myself a plate of pineapple, cantaloupe, mini hot dogs, and chips. Nothing fancy, but enough to hold me over. I sit down on the brick fireplace with Zeke, Bella, and Blake. Other people scatter around us and sit on the couch or in chairs.

It was almost time to leave for the dance and I couldn't wait to officially start my first (and last) Homecoming dance at Honeycomb high school.

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Hi guys! I hope this chapter wasn't too painful to read. I am trying to crank 1-2 chapters out a night in order to finish around New Years.

Pictured to the side is supposed to be Blake's outfit for the dance.