((NOTE: Kendra is at the very end of her senior year now, and Seth is a sophomore.))
Chapter 1
Questions
Kendra was on the couch, snuggled in Bracken's lap. Now that she was 18 and legally an adult – as far as her own world was concerned – Bracken had decided it would finally be appropriate to officially begin dating. Their feelings for each other had been quite obvious for three years now. Her mom had been pestering her about it for just as long. Seth had been teasing her for the same amount of time.
It was rather disheartening for Kendra to see all of her friends at school with their boyfriends. Bracken had no reason at all to attend as there was no guarantee they would have the same classes. She didn't want him to suffer the boredom. He'd been in prison for too long already. Her friends had teased her for having an imaginary boyfriend for months – until Bracken had decided to start picking her up from school. They had been speechless. He made a regular appearance now, not only at the end of the day, but during lunch. Kendra was allowed to leave the campus, leaving Seth fuming that she was getting fast food without him. She and Bracken had started taking his order, picking up the food and bringing it back so they could all eat together. Kendra noticed that he made it a point to escape before lunch ended, so he wouldn't have to witness their affectionate displays.
Still, she always felt better when they got home and it could be just the two of them. As long as they could scoot outside or up to her room. Her mom tended to fuss over them. Good natured as it was, it was embarrassing. It never seemed to bother either of her parents that he was really horse, or that he was centuries older then her. In fact, the fact that he was so ridiculously old almost made them feel better. It was hardly believable. There was hardly anybody walking around that was his age, not even in his world.
Kendra yawned lazily. It was wonderful to relax and be at least somewhat alone with the man she loved. Her parents had gone, but Seth was still in the house. Her grandparents had gone to bed already. They had put in a movie. A bowl of popcorn was on the table, but it was so far untouched.
"What would you say," the movie's narrator began. "Of a 21 year old woman who suffered a horrific death, all to protect the one she loved?"
"I say bury her before she starts stinking the place up," Seth called from behind them.
Bracken chuckled. Kendra rolled her eyes.
"Must you?" She groaned. "Don't you have some goats to watch a season premier with?"
"Oh no, this is much more entertaining! I can have TV anytime," he replied.
He came up behind the sofa and Kendra hit him in the face with a pillow. Seth humphed.
"So grumpy. You're just upset that I'm runing your little plans." He winked at Kendra.
"What's that supposed to mean?:
"This might have fallen out of your backpack," Seth said, holding up a bright pink flyer. "You're just trying to butter him up so you can him to go to -"
"Be quiet!" Kendra hissed.
"I was right!" He cheered. "I knew it! Well, don't be shy, just ask him!"
Kendra hopped up off of Bracken. Seth was taller then she was now, and had developed a lot more muscle. Still, she was pretty strong herself. She started pushing him toward the back door.
"I should've known you were just in here to be a pain! I was trying to wait. Now that you've ruined everything, you can go visit your cable mooching friends, Newel and Doren." Kendra yanked the pink paper out of his hands and crumpled it up.
"Aw, but I want to see his face when you ask him," Seth pouted.
"OUT!" She cried.
She shoved Seth out the door and shut it. Why did he have to spoil her surprise? She wasn't sure Bracken would even like the idea. Kendra still wasn't sure she liked it herself.
"What has you so upset?" Bracken asked.
"Nothing," she answered bitterly.
"Please, Kendra." He put his hand behind her neck. "What is it? Where are you wanting to go?"
She sighed. "It just... it's this." Kendra handed him the paper she'd wadded up. "It's sort of silly."
"If this is something you would really like to do, I would never think it's only silly. It seems to be important. You haven't shoo'd Seth away like that for awhile now."
They both laughed. Bracken carefully undid the paper. The only thing that popped out was the large black word right in the middle. PROM.
"Ah yes, I have heard of this. Some of the fairies mention it from time to time. I heard Newel and Doren talking about it as well. It had to do with something on their television show. Now I hear about from you. So tell me, what is this prom you all speak of?"
"It's a high school dance," Kendra explained. "It's only for seniors. The guys are supposed to ask the girls to go, but I knew you didn't know about it. It's really romantic for couples, I guess, but there's tons of drama about it every year. One of my friends said it's really overrated. Everyone just stands around eating the food they put out, or sitting at the tables talking. Or walking around outside. Hardly anyone really dances. It's kind of dumb, but everyone goes anyway."
"A dance? What type of dancing do you mean?"
"They do everything. It's mostly modern songs, but they do a lot of slow dances."
"I see. What of the attire?"
"Extremely formal. I would have to wear a ballgown and you'd be in a suit."
Bracken's eyes lit up. He had seemed interested before, but now Kendra had his full attention. She had always wondered what he would look like, all dressed up. She had seen him in plain clothes and in full battle gear, but never in a tuxedo. She also couldn't remember him ever seeing her wear any sort of dress. Kendra usually avoided them when she could. He seemed to be very intrigued by the thought of her dressed to the nines.
"I can't imagine why you would be so embarrassed to ask me about this, you goose," Bracken laughed. "It sounds like this could be a lot of fun for us."
"I know, I just wasn't sure how you'd feel about teenage human parties."
"I think it sounds lovely. So, Miss Sorenson, will you go to prom with me?" Bracken took her hands in his and kissed her fingers.
Kendra blushed deeply and couldn't help but giggle. "Yes! I'd love to."
Bracken pulled her into a big hug. From outside, they heard cheering. They turned to look and saw Seth, Newel and Doren all peering in from the glass sliding door. The three of them laughed.
Newel nudged Seth. "You were right. That really was better then our TV show!"
