Castleside Academy

Chapter Ten: Hazel

“Hazel!” Kailey exclaims, “Your DATE is here!”

            Of course, Kailey would emphasize the word date.

            “Okay, hang on,” I say.

            Now, I know I don't normally wear make-up, but today is a special occasion, because 1. it's Christmas eve, and 2. it's the Winter Dance. I stand up in front of the full length mirror hanging from the door of my closet. My dress is a blue/lavender color. What would you call that? Blurple? Is that even a word? I don't know. My dress stops just at my knees, and has a square cut neck. My sleeves fit my arms perfectly, they go all the way down and have that little string that you put over your middle finger, you know, to make that diamond shape thing on your hand? Anyway, I think it’s beautiful.

            I walk over to the door, and Toby is standing there, his blonde hair actually combed today. It looks kind of weird that way, but Toby also managed to find a tie to match the color of my dress. My dark blonde hair had two strands braided back and tied at the back of my head. We matched perfectly. Sorry, getting carried away, let's actually get on with the story.

            “Are you ready to go?” Toby asks, his blue-green eyes twinkling.

            I smile and nod.

            “You look absolutely beautiful, Hazel,” Toby tells me with such sincerity that I actually believe him.

            You see, it's kind of like the girl to just flat out not believe anything that a guy tells her. But I blush and say, “Thank you. You do look rather handsome,” I reply.

            “Really?” Toby asks, puffing out his chest.

            I laugh and say, “Yes, really.”

            We make it to the Great Hall, where there are no longer chairs, but very long tables on either side of the room, and the middle of the floor is completely cleared for dancing.

            “Good evening,” Lady Talon says as we walk in the door.

            “Good evening,” Toby and I reply back with a curtsy and a bow.

            “Let's see, you two will be sitting near the stage, on the right side, seeing as how you have the beginning dance,” Lady Talon says looking at a list.

            I look at her in surprise.

            “Wait, we have the beginning dance?” I ask.

            “Why, yes, did I not tell you that?” she asks.

            “No, you just told us that we had a special dance tonight,” I reply, worry in my voice.

            “Aw, well, now you know. Go seat yourselves. We shall eat, and then dance,” She says, and shoos us away.

            We start walking toward the right table. Our seats are on the ones near the middle of the floor. Our names are on little cards by our cups. Toby, being the gentleman that he is, pulls my chair back, so I can sit down. Then he pushes me in towards the table.

            There are a few people already sitting in their places, but there was a line at the door, so I know it won't take very long for this place to fill up.

            I turn back around and take a sip of water from one of my cups. Then, as I set it down, Lexi and Luther come over and sit down across from us.