Mismatch Lovers

Chapter 7

* Emma's POV *

The last two weeks had been practically torture, making me regret more than ever listening to Ruby and joining the cheer squad. She'd taken us all on a surprise retreat, the only break in practice being limited sleep and when she insisted on taking me for my homecoming dress. She paid for it since she though I didn't have a date, so I wasn't complaining that much, but I had barely even gotten to talk to Killian and I missed him like crazy.

It was the Saturday of the dance by the time we got home and I was praying I had time to get ready. I mean, sure, I wasn't worried about what the girls thought, but I really wanted to wow Killian when he saw me. I even made sure my window was locked and my curtains drawn so he wouldn't see me early, sitting at my vanity finishing my makeup when my phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered without looking at who it was and put it on speaker. "What's up?"

"Swan?" Killian's voice immediately made me have to stop as a smile crept onto my face. "I was just checking in, did you get home alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I assured him, getting hit by a wave of homesickness for him. "Don't worry, I'll be ready in time, too. Did you get your tie and everything?"

"Aye, I did," he confirmed as I continued my makeup. "Though it would have been easier if you'd let me see more of your dress."

"Well that would ruin the surprise," I teased him with a small laugh, getting up to get my dress. "And what fun would that be?"

"Bloody hell, I miss you," he sighed, the sadness in his voice making me stop and look at my phone. "Are you sure about all this? You really want to do the whole relationship thing? With me?"

"Of course I do," I said as I went to grab my phone, taking it off speaker as I sat on my bed. "What's gotten me through the last two weeks is knowing that today we could finally do this for real. No hiding or secrets, just you and me... unless that's not what you want?"

"No, that's all I want," he said quickly, his stutter returning as he continued. "I-I just w-wanted to m-m-make sure before w-we m-make it p-public."

"Babe, breathe," I stopped him gently, the intensity of his stutter worrying me. "I know you're worried about all this, but it'll be fine, I promise. I'm almost ready, so you can come early if you want. I know I can make you feel better in person."

"I-if you say so," he agreed slowly, clearly trying to calm his speech. "I'll b-be there soon. B-bye, baby."

I sighed as he hung up the phone, honestly concerned for him. I'd never heard him stutter so much, not when he was talking to me. I got up to get my dress on, my hair already curled into an elaborate updo on top of my head with a few curls framing my face. Elsa came in as I argued with my zipper, sliding it up for me and fixing the beaded straps.

"You look great," she told me with a sigh and a small smile. "Its not even fair. You're going to blow him away when he picks you up."

"That's the goal," I laughed a bit, going to my mirror to check my makeup and smooth my dress after getting on my heels. "I've missed him a ridiculous amount, and today is when the secret ends."

"You know this is going to change everything, right?" She reminded me, sounding nervous. "The entire dynamic of that school is going to fall apart the moment you walk in that door with him."

"That's not my fault," I sighed, placing the jeweled pins in my hair precisely. "Or his. All we're doing is dating, and if other people can't deal with that then that's their problem."

"I guess," she sighed and there was a knock on the front door, making her smile a bit when it was followed my a voice and accent I knew very well. "Sounds like it's for you. We'll see you there."

"Bye," I half smiled, grabbing my purse and going down the stairs. Killian glanced up, stopping midsentence when he saw me and making me blush. "Hey, you made it."

"O-of course, love," he nodded, swallowing hard as his eyes ran over me and he took a corsage with a white rose out of his suit pocket. "I-I know I got you roses before, but I thought it was appropriate."

"It's beautiful," I smiled, stepping closer to let him slide it on my wrist before going to the table. "I actually got you one, too."

"Really?" He smirked, watching me as I pinned a similar flower to his lapel. "I guess great minds think alike."

"Idiot," I giggled, smoothing his jacket as an excuse to touch him as I looked up at him. "You ready?"

"Ladies first," he gestured to the door, his hand on the small of my back as we left and he helped me up into his truck before getting in with me. "We missed dinner, but I'll take you somewhere after if you like."

"I'd like that," I half smiled, taking his hand and feeling him relax as he threaded his fingers through mine. "Sorry I've been so hard to reach, Ruby's a dictator about phones when we're supposed to be practicing."

"Its alright, I've got you here now," he said simply, lifting our hands to kiss the back of mine as he drove. We were quiet until he parked and he helped me out, immediately pulling me closer into a tight hug for just a moment before pulling away to look at me. "Are you sure about this? Really sure?"

"Positive," I nodded, letting my thumb brush the scar on his cheek as I studied his eyes. "Now why do you keep asking that?"

"Because I want you to be happy," he sighed, his hand still on my waist as he dug in his jacket pocket for a small box and handed it to me. "And I wanted to be sure you wanted this."

"Killian," I breathed in disbelief, opening it with shaky hands. Inside was a necklace, or more accurately a silver locket. The front looked like a compass, my thumb running over it before I opened it to find the phrase and so our adventure began with the date we met under it. "Oh my god... Killian, I... I don't even... thank you, thank you so much."

"I was hoping you'd like it," he smiled shyly, gently lifting it from the box and clasping it around my neck so it rested right above my heart. "I didn't know what picture to use, so I thought I'd let you pick one."

"It's perfect," I told him with tears in my eyes, unable to bear it anymore and leaning up to kiss him. He tugged me flush against him, my arms sliding around his neck to hold myself tighter to him as we shared a slow, passionate kiss until neither of us could breathe. "I missed you so much, I don't want to let you go yet."

"Then don't," he smiled, kissing me sweetly. "I'm certainly not letting you go any time soon."

"Come here," I smiled back at him, pulling him down to me lips once more. I hadn't realized how much I'd really missed that feeling until now, having him hold me close as his lips moved perfectly with mine. "Now let's go turn this school upside-down, shall we?"