Shinigami Haken High School (Black Butler)

Chapter Nine: The Homecoming Night

I turned around so I didn't have to face him through the mirror, chuckled. I gave Ronnie the classic up-down. His outfit looked like a lazier version of mine - he lost the blazer and vest and rolled his sleeves up, the tie hanging loosely over it. His nice black slacks looked a bit odd with the combat boots, but it was definitely something only Ronnie would wear. I laughed and patted his back. "C'mon, we should get going."

Ronnie and I exited the restrooms and headed into the gym, which had been retrofitted to fit the Homecoming dance mood. A DJ's booth was set up in one of the corners, the speakers beside it blasting an electro-dance song. Both girls in extravagant dresses and guys in suits were on the dance floor, everyone dancing and laughing and having a good time in general.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked over to Ronnie, who had the biggest grin imaginable on his face. "Well, I'm going in. This dance needs its Knoxinator!" I laughed at the dumb little nickname. It was what Ronnie called himself whenever there he was at a party. Without another word, he practically dove into the crowd of teenagers dancing, mingling with his fellow party animals.

Sighing and not particularly wanting to join him out there, I shyed away from the dance floor and stood against the wall, watching as all the other students twirled and whirled around like the crazy hooligans they were. That's when I noticed her. 

From the trademark Landers white hair and purple eyes, I could tell that it was Ashton's cousin, the girl who had a crush on me, according to Grell. She stood over by the punch bowl, chatting away with a fellow sophomore. She wore a strapless amethyst dress with a ruffled skirt than fell just above her knees, along with a pair of silver stilettos dotted with sparkling gems. Her gaze wandered over to me, and her already large violet eyes grew even wider. She handed her cup to her friend and walked through the crowd, over to me. I could almost feel her heart thumping with anxiety as she approached me. "H-Hi William," she stuttered. Her eyes poured into mine and I could tell by the look in them that she wasn't overconfident or outgoing like her uncle or cousin. It caught me by surprise, I presumed narcissism ran in the family.

"Hey," I replied casually with a small wave of my hand. "You're Ashlyn Landers, right?"

She smiled and held back a giggle. "Yeah, that'd be me." She sighed and wrung her hands nervously, looking down away from me. I'd seen this act many time before, girls often used it to get what they wanted from a boy. The helpless innocent girl act.

Of course, I didn't want to let her down or ruin her night, so I gave her what she was looking for. "Can I have this next dance? Surely you didn't come here dressed up so nice just to watch everyone else have a good time."

Her eyes darting back up to me and she suppressed a squeal, an ear-to-ear smile on her lips. "I'd love to! I-I mean, yes." She quickly rephrased as I led her onto the dancefloor.

The DJ had decided to play a slow song then, changing the mood completely. Couples met up and began swaying to the music, and those who didn't have one simply waited against the walls and took a break. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Ronnie trying to convince Amy Anderson to dance with him, and I instantly got the gut feeling that it wouldn't end well.

Moments later, Ronnie was doused in red, fruit punch. The sticky liquid dripped from strand of his ginger hair and seeped into his shirt as he stared at Amy in shock. The poor girl looked like she was going to cry. "I thought I told you to leave me alone, you jerk!" She shouted, throwing down her empty cup and storming out of the gym doors dramatically.

Ashlyn turned back to me, her face curious. "What on earth was that about?" she asked me, her voice a whisper.

I shrugged. "They have a history."

I continued to dance with Ashlyn, my hands around her tiny waist her hers dangling around my neck. She was quite a bit shorter than me, even with heels, so I could see over her head. Of course, the unsavory sight of Grell and Sebastian dancing wasn't exactly the view that I wanted. She had a lovesick smile on her lips, and he leaned in to kiss her lips. She leaned into his chest, the two continuing to dance. She looked happy.

I just wished she was happy with me.

-

After trying to help Ronnie find his wife beater tank from earlier that night, I danced some more with Ashlyn, and when the dance was over, I did the gentlemanly thing and led her to her car - or, Ashton's car. The warm October evening air had turned chilly, so I wrapped my blazer over her bare shoulders as we went outside.

As we arrived by Ashton's beloved white Cadillac, Ashlyn turned to me, smiling. Her lavender eyes shone in the moonlight as she stared up at me. "Thanks for tonight. It was great."

"It was," I agreed. Even though I would've rather spent my night with Grell, Ashlyn was a sweethearted girl, extremely kind and considerate. I still couldn't believe she was related to Ashton or Mr. Landers. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

After a wonderful night, I couldn't just leave her hanging. I did what they did in all those cliche teen romance movies - I leaned in for the kiss.

That probably wasn't the best idea, considering that Ashton was coming up right behind us.

"Spears!" He shouted. I whipped around to see him. His face was red with rage, brining contrast to his completely white suit. He stormed up to me, clutching Ashlyn by her fragile shoulders and pulling her away from me. He glared at me with disgust. "What do you think you're doing with my little cousin?!" He snapped.

I backed away, throwing my hands up in defense. "Ashton, this isn't what it looks li-"

"Oh, don't pull that crap, Spears! It's exactly what it looks like!" He shouted, roughly forcing Ashlyn into the backseat of his car.

Ashlyn stared at him, confused. "Ashton, it's really alright, he was just-"

"Don't defend him, Ashlyn!" He barked, interrupting her attempt to protect me and the situation. "You and I are having a serious conversation on the way home." He glared at me before walking over to the driver's side, hopping in. Before he shut the door, he gave me the ever-cruel head-to-toe judgement. He scoffed and slammed the door without another word, speeding away as I watched him helplessly.

I stood there, waiting in shock for a moment. I hoped Remi didn't pay too much for the suit jacket, Ashlyn didn't have the chance to give it back to me before she was forced to leave.

I sighed and walked over to Grell's car, Ronnie joined me shortly after. He removed his wife beater, wiping his sweaty forehead with it. "Long night?" He asked.

"You have no idea." He answered.

"Same here.

-Oli