Prodigies Are Made

>6<

I arrived at the dance a bit late. Luckily I spotted Brittany hanging out by the refreshment table. As soon as she saw me, she waved me over. I gladly followed her instruction.

"You came!" She gushed, "It was a shame Christy couldn't come though... oh well."

She grabbed my hand and dragged me to the photo booth, "We need to have at least one picture together."

The photo booth was decorated with flashy designs, inside and out. As Brittany and I sat down together, I noticed that there were sparkly blue pouches with little cardboard props sticking out of them.

She grabbed the top hat and mustache and gave me a bow. I just went with it. In second picture, she held up her props in front if my head and I followed suit. Then she put the prop down and said, "Silly face!" It was necessary to take the silly picture in photo booths. If you don't then, who are you?

In the last picture, however, she planted a kiss on my cheek. Granted, it was an innocent kiss but still.

"Come on, let's go see how it turned out!"

I blinked, "Right." before getting out of the booth and then helping her out.

Grabbing the strips, she gave me one and stared at the other.

A grin slowly began to grow on her face "I love them." she said before looking up at me.

"Good." I replied, smiling back.

"Hey, let's go meet my friends!" Brittany grabbed my arm and we went to do just that.

~

As soon as we stepped out into the cool air, everything seemed different and out of place. There were no flashing lights or tables to bump into. Yet, the cold air was a nice alternative to the weather inside.

"Oh, that's right. You don't have a ride, do you?" Brittany asked.

"See you guys later!" Someone called out to us. Brittany turned and waved to them, so I did the same before continuing our conversation.

I could get one easily but I said, "No, I don't."

She smiled at me, "Good thing I do then. But you can come with me under one condition."

A laugh escaped my lips, "Oh, bribing me now, are you?"

I had gotten a lot more comfortable around her throughout the three hours we spent together with her friends. Considering how busy my schedule was, there wasn't any time for real friends, except for the seven other participants of Project Re-Gen.

Of course I knew people and talked to them but just hanging out was kind of cool.

"Aren't you gonna ask me what it is?" Brittany asked, nudging me with her shoulder. Now, in the light of the sky and streetlights, I saw her deep blue dress that matched her eyeshadow. It reminded me of Simeon, his one blue eye that he hated.

I bet Jack would approve of her dress.

"What is your condition?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You have to come to my after party. It's at my house. A bunch of people who weren't at the dance today are going. Please?"

To be honest, I hesitated. There was a modeling appointment that was scheduled for tomorrow morning.

But I didn't want to just go home.

"Sure," Was my answer, "Though I might have to leave early."

"Yay! Thank you!" She squealed, wrapping her arms around me. The sequins bit into my suit but it didn't really matter. Her arms stayed around mine as she leaned on my shoulder, walking towards her car.