𝐑𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐘

Chapter 23: Ready for Prom?

All she wanted to do was get into her coziest outfit, snuggle up in bed, and read a book. Was that too much to ask?

Dorian strolled out of their bathroom with his hair soaking from its tips and steam escaping from the open door.

He was dressed in a black and white tux that looked fabulous on him, and wore an icy-blue colored handkerchief tucked into his chest pocket.

"What do you think you're doing?" He looked Aelin up and down with wide eyes.

"Um, reading?" She replied, swinging around her book in her hand obviously.

Dorian cleared his throat, "I mean, why aren't you getting ready for the dance?"

"The dance..." Aelin thought for a while and then clicked her tongue, "Oh right! It's because I'm not going."

She made up her mind, it wasn't like she cared about that stupid dance anyways. Plus she had better things to do; like eat her feelings out with some chocolate cake she sneaked into the dorms from the dinner hall.

"Hey, come on don't be like that," He sighed, coming to sit down next to her on the edge of the mattress, "I know after everything that's going on this would be the last thing on your mind, but it's one night to just let lose and have fun."

Aelin lay her head on his shoulder, listening. They'd become so close over the year, and she felt like she's known him since forever.

"Live a little," He smiled, nudging her softly.

Aelin felt herself smile too, but almost instantly fell into a frown, "I don't have anyone to go with."

Dorian scoffed, "I'm sure Chaol won't mind if you tag along."

"You guys are going to the dance together?" She asked, remembering how she walked in on them a couple of days ago and found out they were an item.

"Y-yeah," Dorian scratched his head nervously, "I came out to my parents yesterday, my dad got pretty mad about it but told me he'd just have to learn to accept it. Only thing now is to actually, you know, make it official."

Aelins heart fluttered, "I'm happy for you." And she meant it.

"Let's get you ready," He grinned, hopping up from the bed and pulling her with him.

Aelin reached into the closet and took out her dress for the dance.

"Oh no, no, no, you've got to be kidding me," He gasped. Grabbing the rack with her dress on it, he stared speechlessly.

It was a bit big, she'd admit, and the color seriously didn't suit her skin tone at all, but it was all she could find at the market before practically running away from the store.

"I guess that means no dance..." Aelin shrugged and was about to bounce back into bed when someone knocked on the door.

Before Aelin or Dorian could tell them to come in, Elide and Nehemiah barged in. Elide was holding a rack covered by a sheet, "This was lying outside your dorm, did you know?"

Aelin merely shook her head, and took it from her outstretched hands. "There's a note, it's for you."

Flipping open the note, she read silently...

Dear Fireheart,

Our last encounter didn't go the way I thought it would, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. Not only for dragging you into a janitors closet, but for everything... I meant what I said though.

Hope you're coming to the dance tonight.

P.S I thought the gold would match your eyes...

Rowan

Scrunching her eyebrows at the last line, she placed the note down on her bed before removing the sheet from the hanger.

Bloody hell...

She'd never seen anything so beautiful. Her fingers ran down the smooth silk delicately as she took in his gift. The sequence dancing in swirls on the bottom of the skirt shone like little stars and looked just about her size.

"Lucky bitch," Nehemiah smirked at Aelin, still gaping at the dress that literally took her breath away.

She couldn't believe he did this for her. She smiled sweetly, almost imagining his playful grin when he wrote this; with ink and a paper scroll, she felt like she was in the movie of Romeo and Juliet.

"Well, what are you waiting for," Elide screeched, pushing her into the bathroom, "Try it on!"

Laughing she slipped into the soft fabric, zipping up the back, and gasped when she looked into the mirror.

She couldn't get enough of dresses, ever since she was young she imagined having wardrobe after wardrobe filled with gowns of every color and silk. Just like a princess.

Stepping out after a few minutes she took a small spin, "What do you guys think?"

Elide, Nehemiah, and Dorian were practically vibrating in their spot and a hundred compliments rushed at her all at once.

She really didn't deserve them.

Blushing fiercely, she giggled suddenly eager to get to the dance.

"I think that Rowan Hunt is lucky as shit."

Aelin bursted our into a fit of laughter, smiling so much that it hurt. They walked to the dining hall that she was told was cleared of all tables and chairs for the dance floor.

Aelin could hear the blaring music before they even reached. She smiled at her friends, arms linked between Nehemiah and Elides, with Dorian and Chaol behind them.

Then she pushed open the doors and went in.

-

I don't know if I'm close to finishing or if this is just the beginning. If you're liking it so far don't forget to VOTE and COMMENT😍