Castle High

49. The Duet - II

“Can’t believe you stood me up.”

Emily remarked in distaste, keeping her gaze over Stephen’s right shoulder to avoid his stare. The ceremony had kicked off about an hour ago, and all protocols had been observed. The court had been called to their seats, and the activities had proceeded at full swing. She and Steve had taken the stage earlier to give a short address, and also perform a dance to sway other couples into following suit. Of course, it was successful but it wasn’t quite as Emily pictured it.

She was still angry at him, and just because he was looking so dapper and prim in his suit didn’t mean she had to forget the embarrassment she had faced as Queen. The main reason she was angry at him wasn’t because he showed up late, it was because he didn’t see anything wrong in his action. Sure, he had apologized, immensely in fact but he wasn’t exactly looking remorseful at the moment. He was just apathetic.

His reply finally drew her attention back to the present. His hold on her waist tightened, and he used his other free hand to tilt her face to face his.

“Look, I’m sorry. The boys and I didn’t know. We knew the time was 8:P.M–”

“Steve, how many times am I going to correct you on this annoying flaw of yours.” She growled, cutting him off and craned her neck over his shoulder like she did previously, but his hand returned to tilt it once more. “When an event is 8:00P.M. you don’t leave home at 8:P.M. Okay? You leave home at least an hour earlier, or even two hours earlier in this case.”

Stephen’s lips quirked to the side, incredulously. “I should arrive here two hours earlier? Did you even stop to think about what I’d occupy myself with until you arrive? I wanted to arrive at a time that’d work for everyone. But I was wrong, I should have left earlier plus the traffic didn’t–”

“I really don’t want to talk about this here.” Emily cut him off once more, biting her lower lip unsatisfactorily.

“Then when else are we going to talk about it? After the dance? Look, you don’t need to make this much of a big deal than it is. Look around, everyone is having a great time but you’re the only one who seems to be frowning. There is only so much I can do to beg you, but you’re the one who would eventually decide to snap out of your angered state. I might sound like a jerk now but that’s just the truth. I know how much you’ve been looking forward to this nigh–”

“You knew that and yet you showed up lat–”

“And I’m really sorry, I am. But if this night sucks, you might end up blaming me and I’d have no choice than to take it all – but you and I would both know that you ruined it yourself. I get it, you’re mad at me right now, but could you please postpone your anger and let us fight some other time? Now is really not the right time.”

Emily’s gaze locked with his, in a manner which connoted that she wanted to peel through his facial barricade – to determine if he truly meant his words. Stephen was never a difficult person to read, and he wasn’t now.

“Fine, smarty pants.” Emily let out with a sigh, as a wide grin dispersed across her stare. “This is not over like you said. We’re still gonna fight properly, but I’m just gonna let this one slide because I don’t want you to ruin my night.”

“Got it,” Stephen nodded in acknowledgement, the remnants of a previous smile still evident in his stare. “You look dashing, BTW; as always. I’m so, sorry I hurt you.” With that, he lifted both of his hands to her face and cradled it gently. His right thumb massaged her left cheek gently, and his other hand cupped her neck. “Just do whatever you deem fit with me, after all these. I deserve it.”