Played.

28: "Open The Box."

"Mom, stop fussing." It was the night of Winter Ball, and I was almost ready to go.

"I can't help it, you look so beautiful." A tear was at the corner of her eye.

"Mom, don't. Don't cry."

I pulled her into a hug. "My little girl is all grown up now."

"I'll always be your little girl." I squeezed her, trying to stop her crying. It didn't help. Just then, the front door bell rang.

"Oh my God, mom, you have to go and get it." I pulled away from her, wiping her face.

"What?" She sniffed, dabbing at the last tears.

"I can't. Just go!" I pushed her out of my room, toward the front door.

I heard her running down the hall then stairs, to the door. It clicked open.

"Good evening, Cassie."

"Wow. You look extremely handsome." I couldn't wait to see him.

Taking a deep breath and adjusting my hair, listening while he spoke to my mom, I walked the corner of the hallway, and began descending the stairs, my eyes focused on the floor the whole while. Making my way in front of him, I could feel his eyes burning into me. Flicking mine up, they connected with his.

"You look beautiful, princess."

"As do you." I blushed, hugging him. "Princess."

My dad came racing toward us, camera in hand.

"Dad, go away. You're so embarrassing." I face-palmed, hiding my face in Marcus' shirt.

"In thirty years time, you'll look back and think -."

"Dad, stop talking."

"Just one picture, honey?"

"Stop being mean to your dad."

"Shut up you."

"Smile." The camera clicked. Not just once, but several times. "Those are cute. Okay, enough of the boring ones, be entertaining!"

After probably fifty shots of Marcus and I "being entertaining", my dad finally decided to let us go.

"Have fun, kids." He kissed my cheek, hugging Marcus.

"Bye, dad, I love you."

"I love you too, girlie. See you when you get back."

"Bye, mom, I love you."

"Have a great night, my dears." She hugged and kissed us both.

"Don't worry, I'll look after her. No harm will come to her royal highess tonight."

"What a gentleman." I said, taking his hand, waving with the other, and walking out toward the car.

                                                                   ****

As we walked in, we noticed how beautifully the hall, hired by the school, had been decorated; fake snow dusted everywhere, snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, and light chains going around the whole hall.

"It looks so pretty." I thought out loud.

"I know, they done well." We continued slowly strolling through.

"Come on, guys, pictures." A photographer said, pulling us over to a gray backdrop with snowflakes on.

"Do you want a drink, babe?" Marcus asked, after the pitcures were taken.