In Love With Death's Daughter

The Mid-Year Ball

        "You agree with him." I say blankly, not even asking, and stare Kathy in the eye.

        "Yeah.." She admits, shuffling her feet, and avoiding my gaze.

        "I'm sorry, but I don't want my boyfriend to die." I practically spit, and Kathy winces.

        "If you brought it up with him right--" Kathy starts to say but I interrupt her.

        "You don't know my dad. There is no way to bring it up right with him."

        Kathy stays quiet, and I clench my fists, forcing myself not to raise my voice.

        "I'm sorry. I don't," She says, then finally meets my eyes, "At least you only have like, four and a half months left, right! Let's just focus on having fun tonight. In our fancy dresses and sparkly masks!" Kathy changes the subject, and smiles. I guess I really should just let her off the hook. For tonight, at least.

        I jump when our conversation is interrupted by the bell.

        "Yeah. I still don't know how you managed to convince me to go to the ball... But before then, off to class!" I laugh.

        "I can see that you really want to come, deep down. You want to be pretty and sparkly," She laughs, "See you later."

        "See you." I say with an amused smile as we turn towards our separate lockers.

        Speaking of the ball, Lucas is taking me. Silly boy is probably almost late, or just plain late to school today. Oh well. I'll see him at lunch.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

        It felt like classes would never end. Also, Kathy is totally right. I'm super duper excited for the dance tonight. But I could never let her know that; I'd never hear the end of it. I quickly shove all my stuff into my backpack, and speed-walk to Kathy's locker. She's coming over so we can get ready for the dance together.

        "Ready?" She asks, meeting me halfway.

        "Yep. Let's go!" I say, and turn towards the door. I always like to get out of school either really quickly, or really slowly. Today, it's excitedly quick.

        When Kathy and I reach the doors, we pause a moment to prepare ourselves for the blast of cold air, then dart to my mom's car.

        "Holy wow is it cold out there!" Kathy exclaims as she shoves her hands in front of the heating vent.

        "Good thing I kept the car so warm for you girls, then." My mom says with a laugh.

        "Thank you mommy." I laugh, and buckle up my seat belt.

        "My dress is at your house right? I didn't forget to bring it over this morning, right?" Kathy asks, and my mom and I just laugh and nod.

        "No, you didn't forget your blindingly sparkly green dress at your house this morning." I joke, and Kathy smacks my arm. "Ow." I say, feigning pain.

        "That's what you get!" She says and sticks her tongue out at me.

        "For?"

        "Insulting my beautiful dress that, for the record, isn't even that sparkly. It's just the bodice." Kathy explains, all matter-of-factly.

        "Oh, my deepest apologies, your highness." 

        "Girls! Girls!" My mom exclaims, "You're both pretty! Please stop arguing!"

        Kathy and I just burst out into shocked laughter, and don't stop until our bellies are sore, and we're at my house.

        "I don't see what you girls found so funny..." My mom mumbles as we quickly escape up the stairs.

        "For the record," Kathy says, flopping on my bed,  "I don't think you're pretty."

        "Oh yeah?" I ask, faking offense, "Well, ditto!"

        Kathy just laughs. I toss my stuff onto my floor, and lay on top of her. She grunts, as I laugh maniacally.

        "Get off!" She yells.

        "TELL ME I'M PRETTY!" I reply.

        "NEVER!" 

        "Then you shall forever be my mattress!" 

        "No!" She groans and tries to throw me off, but I focus all my energy into staying in my spot.

        "Please get off?" She asks after a while of struggling.

        "Tell me I'm pretty." I insist.

        "Fine. You're pretty." She groans in defeat.

        "Thank you!" I say and hop up. 

        "Now let's make us both even prettier. Especially you, since you have a date." She says that last part quietly, and I roll my eyes.

        "That means nothing. We're both going to be equally beautiful." I say, and she shrugs, then we get to work.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

        Kathy and I step into the dance, arms linked, and dresses flowing around our legs. We stop dead in our tracks at the sight of the school gym absolutely transformed.

        "Wow." She says.

        I look around myself, grinning. There are white Christmas lights on the walls, and hanging from the ceiling in lines. There are some tables around the edges, set elegantly with white tablecloths embroidered with black designs. Quite a few people are already here. Girls in semi-fancy dresses, wearing sparkly masks. Most of them are dancing already, either with their dates, or their friends. The guys are all handsome in tuxes, and their own masks of varying colors. My heart speeds up and a smile forms on my lips when I spot him. Lucas. He's at the punch table, just standing, but looking so stunning. The only reason I can tell it's him is that he's staring right at me, and grinning. I look back at Kathy, who points out a guy with a green butterfly mask, quite similar to hers.

        "I have a date too." She admits, her cheeks red. I laugh and roll my eyes at her. She shrugs and starts making her way to her date, and I watch her go. Why she wouldn't have told me this already, I don't know, but I'm glad. It means I won't have to feel guilty about spending the night with Lucas.

       Speaking of Lucas, he has now appeared right behind me, and puts his arms on my shoulders to turn me around. I smile widely at him as he gently lifts up my blue mask, I'm guessing to make sure it's me, then plants a kiss on my cheek.

        "Hello, beautiful." He says softly.

        "Lovely." I correct him. He just shakes his head.

        "No. You're beautiful to me. Also Funny, and charming, and cute, in your blue dress and mask, but mostly just plain beautiful."

        I feel blood rushing into my cheeks as he takes my hand. "May I have this dance?" He asks, and I just laugh, and drag him to the dance floor, to join all the people swirling around. I step in closer to him, and breathe in his scent. Already, I'm wishing this could last forever. I smile as we dance around, his warmth all around me. Lovely music's melodies barely making their way to my ears as I stare into his eyes. His beautiful eyes. I swear, I know it sounds cheesy, but nothing else matters. Not anyone else around us, not Aren and his stupid idea. And definitely not my dad. I close my eyes as Lucas leans in closer to me, and places his lips sweetly on mine. I blush and rest my head on his chest again, letting out the happiest sigh. His chest rumbles with a small chuckle, and I giggle. Nothing could top this. Tonight is going to be perfect