Crush Culture [M.Wheeler]

[37] IT'S PERFECT

"Ow." Nori groans as her mother pulls her hair back. "I don't understand why my hair even has to looks nice, Mom. Isn't a dress enough?" She whines.

"This is your first school dance, Eleanor. Aren't there any boys you'd like to impress?" The woman smirks. "No.." She lies.

"Oh, yeah. That's a lie." Steve comments, making his way over. "Come on, can't you speed this up? Nori and I gotta go pick up Dustin." He snaps. Nori glares at her brother.

"Steve, honey, this takes time." Mrs. Harrington says. "Pass me the spray." She requests, Steve sighing, throwing it over.

She shakes it, then sprays it all over Nori's hair. "All done." She says proudly. Nori sighs, looking into the mirror.

"I hate it." She says. "Oh, stop it. You look beautiful." Her mother rolls her eyes. "Go on. Don't want to be late."

Nori sighs, making her way to Steve. "Don't even say a word." She points her finger at the boy, walking off downstairs. "Ellie, you look fine!" He calls out after her, quickly running down. "You look fine!"

***

They pull up to the school with Dustin. "Alright, here we are." Steve smiles. Nori shares a look with her friend, her heart beating rapidly.

"So, Dustin, remember, once you get in there.." Steve trails off. "Pretend like I don't care." Dustin nods. "You don't care." Steve nods. "I don't care."

"There you go. You're leaning, my friend. You're learning." Steve assures.

"And Nori," Steve turns to face her. "Yes?" She raises her eyebrows. "You look great, alright?"

"Thanks, Steve." She lightly smiles. "No kissing." He adds, causing her to roll her eyes.

Dustin sighs, checking himself in the rear view mirror. "Hey." Steve speaks up. "What?"

"Come on. Both of you look great, okay? You look...You look great.." Steve blocks the mirror. "Now you're gonna go in there..."

"Yeah." Dustin says. "Look like a million bucks."

"Yeah."

"And you're gonna slay 'em dead." Nori cringes at his choice of words, then chuckles. "Like a lion." Dustin says, purring.

"Dustin, how many times have I told you not to do that?" Nori groans. "I don't know you tell me not to do a lot of things. I'm
sure Steve approves."

"Yeah, don't do that, okay?" Steve shakes his head. Nori lets out a short laugh. "Okay." Dustin sighs.

"Alright, come on, shit head. We've got a dance to attend." Nori says, stepping out of the car, followed by Dustin. "Ellie, no kissing! I'm serious!" Steve calls.

"Bye, Steve!" She ignores him, following Dustin inside. They walk towards Mr. Clarke. "Looking very snazzy tonight, sir." The man smiles, then turns to Nori.

"You too, Miss." he nods. "Thank you, my lord." Dustin responds confidently. "Thanks, Mr. Clarke." Nori smiles, wrapping an arm around Dustin's shoulder.