The Game ✔

Chapter forty

My foot keeps on bouncing up and down as I see the landscape pass by. It's already pretty dark and my heart keeps skipping a beat.

Lizzy puts her hand on my leg to stop it, ''Please, you're stressing me out.'' She sighs and lets go of my leg as she leans back on the seat, ''Damn it, why am I stressed now? It's only prom for God's sake!''

''Sorry,'' I say sheepishly. She was sensational in her navy-blue dress going down in soft waves to her ankles. It was holding up with little straps and she had pulled her hair up to show the beauty of her dress.

''I'm still mad though that you refused to wear the tiara.'' She says for the billionth time.

''I don't want that much attention,'' I tell her. I was done with all the attention.

''You should have chosen a cheaper dress then because you are stunning.'' She reminds me and I look down to stare at it once again. I did feel like a princess today. My blue dress was strapped behind my neck and going down to my ankles. Silvery ornaments were attached to the fabric over my ribs and my hair was down in beautiful curls to top it off.

''Look at you.'' I grin as I imagine us both on the rear bench of the taxi. My mother wanted to drop us off but I thought it would be best if she stayed with my father.

Anyway, she kept crying so I don't think it would have been safe if she drove us over here.

As the taxi parks a few meters away from the school so we can make our entry on foot, Lizzy gapes outside, ''I can't believe they really put a red carpet.''

''Then we shall wear our brightest smiles.''

We both get out of the taxi after paying the driver and Lizzy stops next to me.

''Ready?''

''I hope so.'' 

Flashes brighten our path toward the front doors and I try not to trip on the carpet, how shameful would that be?

Refreshments and food are laid out on tables, and a band playing greets us when we arrive. People are already on the dance floor and I long to join them, to remember this night full of laughter and dance.

''C'mon!'' Lizzy cheers and we both get on the dance floor swaying our hips to the rhythm of the music. I laugh as we make weird dances, laughing at each other's expense.

''Lexa?'' I turn to see Darwin. ''Hey Liz, you both look beautiful.'' He grins wildly. I might say he cleaned up well with his bow tie and his purple suit with a white shirt underneath. Something that fitted him more than I thought.

''So do you.'' I tell him, ''Have you brought anyone?'' I ask.

''Of course not, the Game is over and I don't have to prove myself anymore to the football team.''

''What?'' I ask stunned.

''Didn't you know? If you want to be a football player during your senior year you need to play the Game. It's stupid but it's Owen's rule and since he was captain last season, we didn't have a choice. The rules are even hung on the locker room wall in case we forget, can you believe it?'' He shrugs, indifferent.

''I didn't think it was possible to hate him more than I already did,'' Lizzy says next to me.

''Anyway, have you seen Will or Ronny? I've been looking for them after I poured magic into the punch.''

''Don't tell me you're that dude.'' I raise my eyebrows at him.

''What?'' He asks sheepishly. ''Oh, I see Will and... Is that Cassie?''

A beautiful girl walks next to Will in a red dress that looks like it just got out of some fairytale.

''Hey guys, remember Cassie?''