Last chapter.
Also if you want to know what happened to Ethan and Ivy's relationship I've started another story [Not Your Forte] which shows what happened. It's not a sequel but there's glimpses of their future.
x. Love.
"Duke Adel had rented out a limo for the occasion, he came over to my house, dressed in a blue and white suit. He looked great. He always does. He grinned at me when I came down the stairs.
"You look stunning."
I felt stunning, my favourite fairy tale is Cinderella so when I saw the glittering blue gown, I couldn't resist. Duke didn't seem to mind my mother as he snuck a kiss. I kissed him back. His compliment was lovely to hear. My mother took pictures of us, with bright smiles. It was a night we both wouldn't forget.
We entered the limo after that.
I felt giddy and excited. I was thrilled. We made out in the limo and when we reached the Prom, it was held in a local hotel for our year which was incredibly lucky, sure it wasn't a five star hotel but it was still breath taking. I couldn't stop grinning, tonight was going to be absolutely perfect.
I had to reapply my lipstick before I got out of the limo, it was thanks to the make out session with Duke in the Limo. Prom was gorgeous, the prom department really outdid themselves. Everything screamed fairytale. As we entered the grand doors, a boy with the amplifier (the same one Duke used to win me over) stood and shouted our names. "The royal king of Basketball Duke Adel and his fair noble Adeline Stone!"
Besides the brilliant decorations were glorious food. Among the food served were gingerbread men, tarts, cookies and every dish that has graced the fairy tale scene, the cups were the cheap plastic ones but in yellow colour. Chester was unsurprisingly the MC and he was doing a fantastic job. In the middle of the dance floor stood a grand chandelier and a large clock by the side of the stage.
I was in awe.
I don't think Duke realised how important prom was to me, because he asked me to go outside with him instead of a dance. Reluctantly after much persuasion, I agreed and headed out with him. The hotels gardens were beautiful and large, there was an actual maze beyond it. The moon was a full moon tonight. Everything was perfect but Duke.
He was so flawed in a fairy tale realm. "You look beautiful," Duke whispered to me, "I can't take my eyes off you."
I glanced at him and I wish I could say the same. It wasn't because he wasn't attractive, he was, dressed fantastically that was. Yet, it bothered me how incompatible we were. I've read online how important it was for a guy to know what you want, to always do what you want. It's so strange being in a relationship. It always was but to see every flaw. It felt more romantic before we were a thing than when we were a thing.
"Adeline," Duke said even softer, "I want this night to be perfect for you, for us, but I need to know what's wrong between us."
I sighed, honesty is the best policy. It wasn't like this was wholly unexpected. This was bound to happen someday. Though trust me, I just wished it wasn't tonight. "You're what's wrong."
Duke looked surprised, he tried to raise an eyebrow, but he raised both his eyebrows instead, it was cute but I wish he hadn't done that. "What do you mean?"
I touched my necklace, a silver one, my hair was done up. I remember Ivy, Gabby and I doing each other's hair and make-up before they left to go home and wait for their dates. Gabby really outdid herself with my hair, it was gorgeous and braided in a beautiful up do.
I felt like Cinderella without her prince, "You make unexpected plans." I started, "You make promises that you don't keep and that hurts. You don't seem to care about me sometimes, like I really rather stay in there, because it's so amazing but you wanted to go out." I took a deep breath.
Words can spin hearts, break melodies and truths or lies but whatever you've said, they can't be taken back.
Duke was quiet, "Are you asking me to change?"
"No," I said firmly, "Be who you want to be."
"I want to be perfect for you, Adeline."
"No Duke, Do it for you, I fell for you because you're spontaneous, and you're as free as a bird. When you came to my house unannounced, I was angry but that was you. I knew that. I think when it came down to it, I romanticised it. I think when it came to liking you and being with you. It's two different things."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Duke asked finally as my words digested.
I smiled, it's not a happy one. It's been coming for so long I wasn't happy, "I don't think I'm right for you, maybe then before Ivy or maybe much later after her, I could be, as for now." I paused, "I'm not ready. I'm young, I want the perfect prince. You were dashing at the start, Duke, I just kept you on a pedestal."
"The pedestal fell?"
"It did."
"So it's not me, but it's you?"
"Yes, I'm sorry Duke," I told him. Somewhere in our conversation we had drifted closer together, Duke rests his arms on my waist, pulling me closely for a hug and a chaste stolen kiss.
"Have I ever told you, you're beautiful?"
"Quite often, aren't you supposed to be angry at me?" I asked. The last times I've ended things in a relationship, there were no compliments just more flaws pointed out, the popular was, you exepected too much of me. I didn't understand his stolen kiss or his compliments or why this unpredictable movement has set my heart racing faster.
Duke shook his head, he closed the distance for a kiss, and he pulled away as I leaned in. "I'm not, because you still like me, and I still like you." He grinned, "Now I know what the issue is, I think we can make it work."
"What is the issue?" I asked, still feeling perplexed and confused but wanting to kiss him again.
Duke smiled, 'Unrealistic expectations." He moved closer stealing another kiss, '"It's perfectly fine Adeline because I love you and I know you love me to." His hands rested on my waist and he closed his eyes, his forehead resting on mine. "A relationship takes a lot of work, Adeline and understanding. For you, It'll be worth it." "- Adeline Stone
_________________
EDWARD IS A bloody nightmare on wheels.
Friday had come and passed with the only event of Edward bugging Ethan and I at his house. We had solved that by heading to my house.
On the night of prom though, Edward decided to come bloody late. Ethan honestly wanted to rent a limo. He wanted prom night to be special for us. God bless, romantic boys. I told him it was fine, he didn't have to pay a hefty sum for a limo. So reluctantly he agreed.
I keep forgetting I would have to bear with Edwards driving. I should have gotten the limo. Thirty minutes late I hear the horn from Etha- Edwards car. I jumped so did my parents who decided to wait with me. Peeking from the window Ethan rushed up the pathway and rang the bell. He didn't have ring because my mother already opened the door.
"Ethan, you're late," My mother said. When it comes down to it, I doubt my mother blames Ethan, she probably blamed the black sheep of the family Edward.
"I'm sorry Mrs Grey, it feels horrible, tell me you'll still give your daughters fair hand in marriage to me." He pleaded. I could hear the flirtatious voice he used on my mother and it didn't bother me.
Laughing behind her, I informed him, "Holy matrimony sounds better."
"Ah, I'm not too late, my fair bride awaits!"
"Hold up bucko," My mum said firmly stopping him from entering the house, "You are too late. Her father refuses."
"Refuse what?" My dad called from the kitchen.
"Hah!" Ethan said triumphantly entering the house. "You look stunning, Mrs Grey," Ethan complimented my mum looking at me, catching his slip of tongue he stutters, "Grey."
I laugh, twirling in the red gown. I hadn't done my hair at Adeline's today, instead I got darker highlights put in. My red gown looked just as beautiful as when I first saw it. Ethan hugged me and my dad entered the hallway to see us. Not bothered in the slightest at the scene, he held up his DSLR camera. "I want pictures!" He declared.
"Wait, her dress isn't complete!" Ethan quickly searched his pockets. Ethan looked good in a suit. Instead of wearing a tie, he wore a read collared shirt inside, three buttons undone. Somehow, we managed to coordinate. He pulled out a red box, the kind you put rings in.
"Please tell me you weren't serious about a wedding ring?" I blurted out.
Ethan laughed, "You look like a tomato."
"Shush." I could feel our parents watching us, both equally curious to see what Ethan had gotten. He bent down on one knee and I realised that he didn't deny it was a ring. I could feel my heart racing as much as I knew in my gut I loved Ethan I can't imagine getting married to him. I didn't dare look at my parents. When I thought of getting married, I always imagined it to be in some place private, away from my parents.
"Ivy Grey, You're the princess of my heart and I thought it was only fitting for you to have this." My throat caught as he opened up the box to reveal necklace. Then I started laughing, I took it up, it was a pendant of a heart with the engraving "Ethan." I hugged him holding the necklace. He had given me his heart. For a full minute I couldn't stop the grin that burst from my face as I realised the pun then I burst out laughing.
"He gave me his heart." I told my parents laughing. Taking the necklace away from me, I could feel his fingers on my neck and he put the golden chain around my neck. I stopped laughing but I let out a giggle every now and then as I thought of the irony in it. I touched the red heart, I could feel the camera's flash going off. I looked up at him, "Thank you," I said trying not to burst into laughter. My mother came closer inspecting the heart and she let out a light laugh.
It was perfectly Ethan the whole irony of it.
I heard the horn blare patiently outside.
My mother groaned, she headed outside. Several moments later she came inside. "Are you sure you don't want us to drop you off?" She asked.
"It's fine," I cut in, Ethan looked at me.
"It isn't," Ethan protested, "Trust me, he's horrible."
"It's fine mum," I told her. Firmly.
My father didn't let us go so soon, as the camera man of the night, my father took pictures of posing, at one point, Ethan leans into my ear and said, "I never thought I'd get this lucky. On the other hand, I'd think we're both better off getting a lift from your mother."
"Nope, trust me, we'd probably get a lecture on the birds and bee's."
"Well, at least I'll know how to put a condom on, it's always good to be perfectly sure."
It's fortunate my parent's hadn't heard him. I can't imagine what they would say to that. I hoped my face wasn't going to be as bright as my dress. Finally, Dad was satisfied with his pictures. My mother told us she told Edward to go home somewhere along the time they were shooting and Ethan can borrow her car for the night. Ethan grinned hugging my mum and we left.
We arrived to Prom an hour late, so no one declared us. I'd like to think we arrived fashionably late. The ballot boxes opened when we arrived. I didn't care about Prom Queen, I whispered to Ethan before we wrote our votes, "Vote for Adeline she deserves it."
"What?"
"She wants it more than I do," I told him firmly.
"You can vote for her, and I'll vote for who deserves it." He told me before heading off to tick his vote. After our votes were taken, we went out to dance. The music is upbeat and lively and we had a stellar time. Then we headed to the snack bar to have snacks. Several girls came up to Ethan asking him to dance and Ethan would glance at me as though to check if I was okay with it.
When he came back from the seventh girl who asked him to dance, I asked him, "Why hasn't anyone come to ask me to dance?"
Ethan laughs, "Because you're mine and they can see my imprint on you."
"Is that supposed to scare them?" I said teasing, "A tiny little heart with your name on it."
"It scares them alright," Ethan said confidently.
After our dinner, Chester, the MC of the night came on stage, he was dressed in a classic tux, with a black bowtie. "Hey hey hey!" He greeted. A few in the audience responds, "I can't hear you!" He said louder, "Hey hey hey!"
All of us enjoying the fairytale theme and the night call back to him "Hey hey hey!"
"Are you all having a good time?"
The majority responds with yes.
"Wonderful, now to all prom kings and queens, I hope this result won't spoil your night," He said cheerily. "First I'm going to introduce the crownnnssss." Applause broke out as the two plastic crowns come on stage carried about the juniors of the prom committee.
"Right, to announce the winners, may we please invite to the stage the headmistress, Mrs White!"
The crowd roared, "And onto the stage, Ashley Hamlet, the head of the prom committee who's done a brilliant job!" The crowd roared again clapping in appreciation.
"Good evening to all the students and thank you for coming to night." Mrs White said pleasant, without dilly dallying with a speech she straight went off to the highlight of the night. "And the winner for Prom King is..." She opened the cheap white envelope, "Ethan Woolrod."
My heart raced, it's notoriously cliché for the couple of the night to win Prom Queen and King. I glanced at Adeline and Duke, sitting across our table. The crowd went wild for Ethan. I clapped as well, grinning as Ethan headed up on stage. He looked so handsome, with his dark hair actually combed and manageable and his sparkling green eyes as he sat on the royal throne. Ashley put his crown on his head and handed him the staff. Ethan's grinning.
Looking at him up there, I didn't want anyone else to be dancing with him but me. Much less the first slow dance. "Congratulations Ethan." Mrs White said on the microphone as the crowds cheers died down. Chester handed her a different envelop, "And the winner for Prom Queen is..."
Some gut feeling told me that it would be...
"Adeline!" Mrs White read out joyfully.
Adeline.
The crowd roared. I felt envious. I too stood and clapped, after all I had voted for her. Adeline deserved it. She walked up to the stage, the applause growing louder and louder. I wasn't envious about the crown, I'm envious of her dancing with Ethan, the first slow dance. Adeline gets crowned on the chair beside Ethan. Duke's eyes met mine. We were on the same page again. I could feel the sickly green feed of envy as it reared it's ugly head in me. I wanted to go there and stop them from dancing. Sure, I didn't mind my boyfriend dancing with other girls but there were times that it was too much.
Although I trust Adeline more than the other girls who danced with him, I didn't like the idea of anyone but me sharing the first slow dance of the night with him. Worse yet, if it was someone as beautiful as the mixed blood Adeline.
"Now we invite the Prom King and Queen to lead the first slow dance!" Mrs White said pleasantly, leaving the stage to Chester. As Adeline and Ethan stood up I saw Ethan moving close whispering to Adeline, to dance. She nodded. I curled my fingers to my palm, upset.
Then, instead of taking Adeline down by her waist or hand, Ethan walked towards the microphone.
He whispered something to Chester and Chester grinned. "I have Ethan to make an unexpected speech"
Ethan took the microphone after that, When he spoke his voice was deeper, "Hey there everyone," He said cheerfully, "I'd like to thank all of you for voting for Adeline and I to be the Prom King and Queen and honestly it's spectacular. But when it comes down to it, a first slow dance, it's important. Adeline and I can both agree that we foster a platonic relationship and would prefer to share our first slow dance tonight, with that someone special."
Against all odds, Ethan's eyes met mine. I felt like I'm in a movie.
"Can I kindly urge all of you, for this one night, to take that first slow dance with someone special, a close friend," Ethan smiled at that our eyes met again, my heart stopped for a minute, "your girlfriend or boyfriend or someone you care about like a brother and sister, and have that special moment with them. Thank you all for understanding and sorry if you don't." That rose a few chuckles, "But I'm going to share the first slow dance with my girlfriend."
That rose everyone to their feet to clap, I could feel several looks passed my way but I didn't care because I've never felt so happy. Duke had complained he never understood me, that I never told him of how I felt. But when I look at Ethan. I realised, I didn't need to. He just knew. Just like tonight he knew, I wanted the first slow dance with him. Ethan handed the microphone to Chester and headed straight towards me, the plastic gold crown still on his head, "Ivy Grey, can I have the first dance?"
"You can have every dance, your highness," I said curtsying.
And we did and every slow dance that came on, was ours. I spotted Duke and Adeline, they seemed closer and Adeline was definitely happier. Our eyes met and we smiled. I mouthed to her 'Thank you,' and she shook her head, she pointed to Ethan.
I glanced up at Ethan, patient and in every way perfect for me. Ethan.
Love isn't perfect, it's flawed. Ethan could be a little stubborn, a little too afraid at times for change, really cautious and a hopeless romantic but we were a team, we'd been one since fourteen. I had seen it. What I had seen? It frightened me. It is okay to be afraid, it's okay to be trusting and it is more than okay to fall for your best friend.
THE END.