Howler

Chapter XX

*From left to right: Abby, Evie and Tia*

Evie looked amazing, since homecoming wasn't very formal we opted for the usual cocktail dresses. She wore a strapless black dress which parted to reveal a purple peekaboo bottom. "Look at you stunner" I playfully punched Evie's arm "me, what about you!?" Evie encircled me and I couldn't help but turn abit pink. I wore a thick strapped short lilac dress which had pleats on the bottom.

"Come on, I think you mum wants to take pictures".

We both walked down the stairs where as per tradition my whole family was waiting. "Oh girls you look gorgeous" my mum clapped her hands in front of her and Evie and I both looked down looking embarrassed. "Oh I remember my junior homecoming..." a far away look crossed my mums face but she shook it off as quick as it came.

We ending up taking pictures in front of the stone wall in the backyard, the one where the vines crept up the walls edges making us look like modern fairy tale characters. "Alright girls Ric is going to drive you isn't that right Godric?" Mum said and I could tell that this was a demand. Ric had just gotten his license and my parents relented when they said he could drive the car but I don't think this is what he had in mind.

He led us both to the car and we both got into the back seat and it felt like we were there in thirty seconds. "Alright big sis and big sis's best friend see you later" he waved us off and he left probably to go and hang out with his friends. "Okay you ready?" Evie looped her arm through mine and I couldn't help but feel like I had a million butterflies in my stomach.

Walking inside the whole of our auditorium was decorated with black, gold and silver and girls and guys were dancing and drinking the most likely spiked punch. I could see Mr Wasserman and principal Cromwell standing to one standing and they literally couldn't care less what anyone was doing. I began to bob to the music but I was really searching the throng of high schoolers for one person...

Harry...

I danced through some songs but I still couldn't see Harry so I walked over to the refreshments table to find something to eat. The school had provided a bunch of donut holes and I grabbed one and began to nibble on it. "You think should eat that? Might throw off your figure." I knew that voice anywhere, turning around I was met with Tia and Harry.

I felt almost breathless because although I briefly acknowledged Tia I couldn't help but stare at Harry. He looked so handsome, his hair slicked back but it had obviously been ruffled, his dark suit and pearly white tie set off his blue eyes which under the lights keep changing through the hues of blue. "Tia that's enough" he said to her sternly but he never took his eyes off me and I wanted to blush under his gaze. "Eugh whatever." Tia reached behind me and grabbed some punch and sculled it back like a shot.

"Come on Harry, let's not hang out with a feral dog" she grabbed his hand and pulled him away. He quickly turned around and mouthed sorry he began to dance with her. "Hey A.P you okay?" I turned and saw Evie approaching me and I honestly believed I should have told her but I couldn't. "Yeah I'm okay I was just thinking that Harry deserves someone better than her" I tried to hide the poisonous tone in my voice but I was failing. "Abby is there-" we were suddenly interrupted by Sienna (who looked stunning in her long emerald dress).

I eventually was dragged into the crowd of dancing students but couldn't help but keep seeking out Harry in the crowd.

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"Hello Fredrick Salvatore High!" We all snapped to attention as the music was turned off and Hannah Peters walked on stage. Although a sophomore she still could be here tonight to announce homecoming king and Queen (although I really liked her dress) "tonight we are announcing our homecoming King and Queen! Can our nominees please come into the stage please?" I watched as Luna, Tia, Harry, Alexander and George walk onto the stage and I could also see last years homecoming queen Jane Beck holding the crowns on a velvet red pillow. "Abby you need to go up" I had almost forgotten that I was nominated and Evie pushed me so violently that I almost fell.

Walking up the stairs to the stage I could feel the spotlight and I wanted to be anywhere else (ironic isn't it ? A shy queen). "And our homecoming king is... Harrison Grace!" There was a squeal and I could only assume that was Tia as Harry walked over to Jane who placed the crown on his head and he waved nervously - obviously the attention was new to him. "And his Queen is... Abigail Gilbert!" I didn't know how to react and I could here Evie yelling and I also saw the scowl Tia was giving me but I somehow made it to Jane who placed the tiara on my head.

"Now their first dance" Hannah announced and everyone started clapping. "May I?" I junked slightly as Harry suddenly appeared next to me, his hand on the small of my back and his hand extended "you may" I took his hand and followed him down the stairs where everyone had spread out to create a circle where we'd dance.

As the music began playing, we began to dance slowly. "So this is unexpected..." I began "yeah I didn't think you'd be queen" he joked and I laughed awkwardly yeah too bad that he doesn't know I have a real crown, jewels and all. "So...about the other day" he started
"We don't have to talk about that..."
"I think we do-
"Yeah well I know how it ends, you pick Tia and I make the stupid mistake of liking you right?" I was getting angry not because I was mad but because ultimately I was heartbroken.

"No Abby... I do like you, I did more and more everyday but Tia-"
"Make a choice"
"I'm sorry what!?" He looked surprised "if you like me and I like you then it shouldn't be hard, I can't be pulled around like a rag doll. I won't be hurt" he looked bewildered and maybe I was being unfair but I couldn't help it, the bond was pulling harder and harder but the more he resisted the more I felt pain.

"I can't I'm sorry it's com-"
"Don't you dare!" I ripped myself away from him and tore of the auditorium Abandoning him in the middle of the dance floor even though I felt every piece of my heart shatter with every step.