The Stone

Chapter Seventeen

“So, what is it that you do as a career choice?” Mr. Mitchel asked Asher. “Huh? Oh! I work at a company who posts advertisements such as commercials, posters; we uh even specialize in business cards.” Asher told him. Mr. Mitchell nodded curtly before sidling away. Ben and Shadow had already finished getting dressed; now they were waiting at the foot of the steps for their dates. Ben’s hair was brushed out of his face and slicked back, although a few pieces still stuck up. Shadow decided to leave his hair how it normally was, cover one eye. They wore similar black suites, but Ben had a green button up shirt and a darker green tie whilst Shadow had a purple button up shirt and a velvety purple bow tie.
    Nikki skipped excitedly down the stairs and announced that they were coming in an excided squeal. Both boys looked up just as the two girl approached the first step. Asher let out a gasp and cupped his hands around his face, tears pouring out of his eyes. Celeste rolled her eyes as she indelicately walked down the steps. “You look beautiful.” Ben said to Samantha, his face red. Shadow blushed deeply and looked away, Celeste was pleasantly pleased.
    Celeste’s dress went from a deep plum color and faded to a bright wisteria. At the hip of her dress, where her skirt began, small jewels cascaded downwards, like silver glittery raindrops. The top of her dress was tied with a purple ribbon on the back and the sleeves rested in the middle of her bicep, it too wad adorned with sparkles. Her shoes were heeled and silver, the strap going over her toes and ankle had a stem of silver leaves on them her hair was half out, with another stem of silver leaves holding the other side down. Nikki gave her subtle makeup; the only noticeable thing was the plum lipstick. She wore the corsage on the wrist of her stone hand along with silky plum gloves.
    Samantha wore a green dress that went from apple green to forest green. Her top, a sweetheart neckline, was covered in beautiful sparkly silver gems, with a silver belt in the middle, her dress fell out like Celeste’s, but it was slightly more fanned out. Her shoes were too silver, but they were open toed and sparkly. She wore the bracelet Ben had bought her at Towne Central and her red hair was curled with half of it in a bun. Her head was adjourned with a small silver tiara. She wore green eyeshadow and nude lipstick.
    “Photos!” Mrs. Link called and the four immediately shuffled and posed for the pictures. Asher, through sobs, took pictures as well. “Wait, Shadow, where’s you boutonniere?” Nikki asked. “My what?” Shadow asked, clueless. “Oof, I uh, gotta use the bathroom, pardon.” Celeste said before going downstairs. She and Ben exchanged a smile as she went down stairs. She didn’t go to the bathroom though. She whispered, “Duplicate.” As she held her corsage with her stonehand. The paper flower glowed before another one appeared in her hand. She ripped off the band that was used as the bracelet and summoned a pin, pinning it to the rose. Then she ran back up the stairs. “Oh hey, I found this one the floor. Is this it?” Celeste asked innocently. “Oh yes! Gimmie that.” Nikki said taking the boutonniere and pinning it to Shadow’s jacket.
    “Limo’s here!” Alice called from the porch. “Ooh! Hurry hurry!” Mrs. Link said pushing them out the door. “Have fun Cel! Remember, you’ll always be my little girl!” Cried Asher dramatically. Celeste rolled her eyes as she got in. “You look really pretty.” Samantha said smiling at Celeste. “Thanks, you too you look gorgeous.” Celeste said. Ben smiled, his two girls, finally getting along.
    It’s happening today.
    “Huh?” Celeste said turning to Shadow, who looked back at her in confusion. “Hey, what about Alice and Rebecca?” She asked, turning to Ben. “Oh they went to prom last weekend.” Ben said. “Dads pretty happy, he got to cook for a crowd two weekends in a row.” He added. “You’ve got a big family.” Shadow said shyly trying to make conversation. “Yeah, after me and Bella were born mom got her tubes tied.” Ben shared with a small laugh. “Hey, is there a pen and paper in here?” Shadow asked. “Sure, pen...paper.” Celeste said before handing them to Shadow. “That’s cool.” Shadow said in a high voice before bending over the paper, balancing it awkwardly on his knee, and began drawing gingerly.
    The limo pulled up to the building where prom was taking place and everyone got out. There were a lot of people, and many students from the newspaper club with cameras, probably taking pictures for the school website. “Ooh c’mon Benny, I wanna get our pictures taken!” Samantha said pulling at Ben’s arm as she walked towards one of the reporters. Celeste and Shadow looked at each other before silently agreeing that they weren’t going to get their picture taken and headed inside.
    Inside was loud with music playing and people chattering. Shadow gave the teacher at the front desk their prom tickets before boldly taking Celeste’s hand in his and walking ahead. They found a table near the back and sat down. “Uh, d-d’you want some uh...fooddrink?” Shadow asked. “Sure, I think I saw chocolate cupcakes.” Celeste said brightly. Shadow nodded before leaving. “Maybe I could date Shadow...” Celeste thought to herself as she picked at her gloves.
    “Well don’t you look like a goddess?” Nate asked sitting across from Celeste. He wore a black suit, a black button down shirt, and a black tie that made his pale skin look even paler. Celeste smiled at him and left her gloves alone. “Thank-“
    It’s going to happen... Run Celeste...
    “Huh?” Celeste asked confused. “Huh what?” Nate asked narrowing his eyes. “Uh, n-nothing...” Celeste said shaking her head. “So I was thinking, maybe later—“ Nate begun, but his expression changed as Shadow approached carrying two cups of lemonade and a couple cupcakes and a napkin of stuff sort of awkwardly. He walked to the table and Celeste helped him put the stuff on the table. Nate got up abruptly and left.
    Prom turned out to be a lot more fun than Celeste thought it would be. Her and Shadow mostly sat at the same table, eating snacks and drinking the juice. Ben and Samantha joined them a couple times and even Cubie, who came to prom with his cousin. “What cha drawing?” Celeste asked sitting next to Shadow, who had pulled out the piece of paper and pen and began drawing again. “I’m not sure yet.” Shadow said holding the paper out and tilting his head then handing it to Celeste, who was resting her head on his shoulder. She took the paper and lifted it up.
    It looked like some person sitting in the middle of a group of trees. “Noice.” Celeste said handing Shadow back the paper. “Are you gonna become a professional after high school?” She asked as Shadow went back to drawing. “Probably...Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it, it’s all too much to think about you know? After high school? I feel like I’m still in middle school!” Shadow said. Celeste laughed. “What about you? What’re you gonna do?” He asked her. “I dunno....” Celeste said. “I mean, I can always summon however much money I wanted so, it’s not like I need a job. But, I’m kinda a restless person so...Maybe I could be a cop. Or a superhero!” Celeste said with a gasp. “I could save civilians and the world! I’ll have comics made about me! Movies!” Celeste exclaimed raising her hands in the air. Shadow laughed as he turned the paper over and begun drawing Celeste as a superhero.
    They began talking about what Celeste would do as a superhero, stopping bank robberies and thwarting evil. They announced the prom lords, Veronica, and Jason won. Celeste and Shadow watched as they danced, their dates watching from the sidelines. “Hey, I didn’t ask you to dance yet did I?” Shadow said turning to Celeste. “Nah, but it’s cool, I’m not offended.” She said sticking her tongue out. Shadow laughed before holding his hand out. “Well? W-wanna dance?” He asked, he seemed less nervous now. Celeste smiled and took his hand and let him guide her to the middle.
    “This is awkward.” Celeste said after a couple minutes of awkward dancing. “Yeah, but I didn’t wanna say anything.” Shadow admitted and Celeste laughed. “Wanna go for a walk?” She offered. “Sure.” Shadow said with a smile and they walked out of the dance hall.
    It’s not safe here...Celeste...
    Celeste shook her head she they found a bench and sat down. “Are you really smitten with me?” Celeste teased, looking at Shadow, who blushed. “I-I uh...I may have had a little crush on you for a while.” He admitted. Celeste smiled and looked up at the moon. “Cool.” She said, not sure what she should have said. “So wanna...go out or somethin’?” She asked, trying to sound casual. “Uh, s-sure! Yeah.” Shadow answered, also trying to sound casual. They were both glowing.
    Celeste leaned forward and looked over to a group of trees. “You okay?” Shadow asked. “Yeah, I just... thought I heard something...Lets go investigate!” Celeste said excitedly before standing up and rushing over to the trees. “Okay—Wait!” Shadow called rushing to catch up with her. Celeste stepped carefully over a couple roots and walked into the trees, Shadow following close behind. There was nothing but more trees, but Celeste kept walking. “It’s kinda dark, I-I can’t see.” Shadow said. “Light.” Celeste whispered as she took off her glove and held up her hand. “Nothings—wait...No way!” Celeste said before running over to a clearing. “What?” Shadow asked as he caught up with her again.
    “This is the place from your drawing!” Celeste said. Shadow looked around before reaching in his pocket and pulling out the piece of paper and examining it. “Woah....” He whispered. “Maybe you are a seer!” Celeste said breathlessly. “Would me being a special make you like me more?” Shadow asked, the began blushing immediately and looked away, cursing under his breath. Celeste laughed before gingerly stepping closer to him. “It depends...” She said. “Depends on what?” Shadow asked, a smirk dancing across his lips. “I’m not sure yet, but just know that it depends.” Celeste said pointing at Shadow, who laughed.
    They stared at each other before they both leaned in quickly and bumping their heads. “Ow!” Celeste laughed, holding her head. “Sorry, I was uh g-gonna kiss you...” Shadow said sheepishly, rubbing his head and blushing hard. “It’s okay; I was too...Even though I’ve never really kissed anyone before.” Celeste said glowing pink. Shadow let out a laugh. “Me neither...So...?” Shadow said looking at Celeste meekly. “Okay...” Celeste said. Then, they both leaned forward and kissed. It was a good thing that neither of them were experienced, since neither of them were very good. “You glow a lot.” Shadow pointed out. “Only today.” Celeste said.
    “Oh how cute...Romeo and Juliet making out in the woods.”