The Modern Four

Chapter 36

The school dance. A long loved tradition of all, or most, high school students. One of those students was Penny Forrester, who was currently getting ready for her schools winter formal. She hummed to herself, curling her hair. She was excited. Her friends were to come to her house in about an hour, for pictures. She smiled, and began working on her makeup.

Hiro was nervous. He had never been to a school dance before, especially not with a girl he liked. He paced the front room, his brother watching, laughing.

"Dude, listen to me. You need to calm down." Tadashi smiled, shaking his head.

"I know, I know. I'm just-nervous, you know? I really like penny, and-" Hiro responded, running his hands through his hair.

"I know, I know. Trust me, I was the same way with Honey. Don't worry, I got a few tricks that will help you." Tadashi smiled.

Wilbur, had he not had a date, would likely not be going to the dance. They weren't really his scene, he was more of a football game kinda guy. But, he had a date, with a girl he really liked. Or at least, used to really like. And, don't get him wrong, still did. But the girl, Violet, had changed. She'd become angry, much more hostile towards her friends and, Wilbur was sure, even his family. He sighed as his mother straightened his tie. "I'm sure you'll have a great time." She smiled. Wilbur nodded.

"Yeah, I'm sure I will too."

Violet sighed, looking at herself in the mirror. She shook her head, putting down her clutch and playing with one of her curls. She wasn't sure if she even wanted to go to this dance. She definitely didn't want to go with Wilbur. It was almost like she didn't even like him anymore. The last week had been...rough. She thought for a moment, and sighed. Maybe tonight would be a good night. Maybe tonight she'd actually feel happy around her friends. Maybe tonight would be... different.

Penny paced her front hall, constantly looking at the door. Wilbur sighed, swiping some candy from a bowl on the table. "Penny, have you ever heard the phrase a watched pot never boils?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"...No, why? What does it mean?" She asked, furrowing her brows.

"It means the more you stare, the less likely it is to happen." He said, plopping down on the couch and making himself at home. "Cmon over and sit down." He gestured.

Penny sighed, closing her eyes and sitting down next to Wilbur. "Aren't you worried? I mean, what if neither of them show up? And we both have to go alone!"

"Or we could just go together-"

"Ew!"

"-As friends! Would that really be so gross?" Wilbur raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms.

"No, I just- it's like you're my brother!" She exclaimed, shaking her head. "It'd be weird." She crossed her arms.

Wilbur laughed, shaking his head. "I know, I know. I'm just messing with you." He grinned, and the doorbell rang. Penny jumped up, hurrying to the door. She smiled when she opened it, seeing Hiro. He was blushing, wearing a dress shirt and tie, holding a small bouquet of flowers. He was blushing a bright red.

"Uh-these are for-for you." He rubbed the back of his neck, handing the flowers to Penny. She smiled, smelling them and giving him a light kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you Hiro. They're beautiful." She laughed, playing with her hair. "I was worried for a minute you wouldn't show."

Hiro frowned, looking worried. "Shoot, was I like, madly late? I didn't mean to-"

"No no! I just, I dunno, I was worried." Penny said, reassuring him. Hiro smiled, nodding.

"Ah, well good." He laughed. "Uh, who else is here? I'm not the first one, am I?" He glanced around. Penny opened her mouth to respond, but Wilbur cut her odd.

"Uh, no. I'm here." Wilbur shouted from the living room.

"Oh, hey Wilbur." Hiro laughed, glancing in and waving. "You look good, by the way." He said, smiling at Penny.

"Aww, thanks. You know, I was worried that this tie wouldn't match my shirt and-"

"I wasn't talking to you, Robinson."

"Are you sure, Hamada?" Wilbur smirked.

"Shut up."

Penny laughed. "Thanks Hiro. You look nice too. That color looks good on you."

"Same to you." He said, after deciding that was probably his best response.

Penny laughed. "Thanks."

Hiro glanced back towards the living room, and pulled Penny into the kitchen. "So, has she shown up?"

Penny frowned, glancing down. "No, not yet. I hope she will soon, though."

"I hope so too. And I hope she's sorted out what her issue is." He said, crossing his arms. Out of all the three, Hiro was the least sympathetic. He wasn't too happy with the fact that she kept getting so angry for no reason. Penny frowned, looking down.

"Hiro, we can't be so quick to blame her, I mean-"

"Are you talking about me?" Violet said, looking at the two, her arms crossed, looking extremely furious.

"Uh, no, we're talking about...her aunt... who's staying here... and has anger issues." Hiro smiled nervously.

"Yeah, yeah. That's it. That's it." Penny smiled, trying not to laugh.

Violet rolled her eyes. "Hiro, you are a pathetic liar. And Penny, stop pretending to go along with that. You two just infuriate me!" She sighed. "This was honestly a terrible idea! I should just-go..."

"Wait, Penny, please don't go... Just, give it a chance. Give us a chance." Wilbur said, standing from behind the three, looking crushed. "You look beautiful, by the way." He stated, taking in her curled hair, and her dress. He couldn't help to smile a little.

Violet glared, taking a deep sigh and trying not to get too mad. "Stop, don't tell me that! I don't want ot hear it from you!" She snapped. She took a deep breath, looking down. "Yeah, fine, whatever. Just- whatever. "

Wilbur looked down, playing with a corsage he had gotten for Violet. He hide it behind his back, looking up again. "Okay, yeah. We'll like, leave you alone..." He looked over at Penny, hiding his devastation. "Uh, Penny, your mom is waiting in the car. Lets- Lets go to dinner." He opened the door, and Penny and Hiro walked out. Violet paused, looking at him.

"I don't know why I decided to date you." Violet simply stated, walking out the door. Wilbur watched her go, feeling his heart break inside. He took a deep breath, pulling out the corsage. He wiped his eyes, and threw the corsage to the side, hurrying to the car before his friends began to wander.