"He's late."
Maribelle heaved a sigh as she heard her father's criticisms begin to fly. He never did approve of her date, that much was obvious. To him, Gaius was a scallywag with no ambition or promise to speak of.
Though she knew Gaius better than that. True, he didn't have drive in most things, but when it came to others, there was none more passionate than he was.
Absently, she fiddled with the jewelry adorning her neck as the minutes ticked by, her mind wandering to the memory of the boy asking her to prom. He was red in the face when he asked and Maribelle had found it delightfully charming in a strange way.
Her thoughts came to a halt, however, when the doorbell finally rang and perking up, Maribelle hurriedly flung the door open, her face breaking into a wide smile as she was greeted by the sight of her date.
"I see you combed your hair," she remarked teasingly, earning a grin from Gaius.
"I thought if I didn't, then I wouldn't hear the end of it," he said as he fussed with the boutonniere in his grasp. Maribelle held her hand out expectantly as Gaius slowly and painstakingly attempted to clasp it around her wrist, brow furrowed in his concentration.
His focus was shattered, however, when the voice of her father behind her quipped, "late? And what is that you're driving there, boy? We've been waiting ten minutes past your designated show time for you!"
Maribelle pursed her lips at her father's ill disguised contempt for her date as Gaius silently pondered how to answer without soiling his reputation further. He knew Maribelle's father never approved. Their first meeting always stuck out like a sore thumb in his memory.
"Er… sorry about that. It's just my first time dressing in this way and uh…" He trailed off. He knew he was getting nowhere with this based on her father's hard expression, so instead, he focused his attention on Maribelle, his face breaking out into a soft smile.
"You look great, Twinkles," he said earnestly as he gently clasped her hand in his own.
Despite herself, she blushed as she gave his hand a squeeze.
"Thank you, darling. And you have cleaned up quite well, yourself! I must say, I'm impressed!"
A loud huff was heard behind Maribelle before a hand would roughly shove the two apart. Stunned, Gaius looked up to see her father, who only glowered in response before he would state bluntly, "nine PM. Sharp. Any later and I will call the Ylissean Police Force, do I make myself clear, boy?"
Gaius bit back a sarcastic retort before sighing as he gave a nod.
"Right, heard you loud and clear Sergeant. Anyhow…" Ducking around her father, Gaius once again clasped Maribelle's hand in his as he walked her out of the manor.
Once he deemed they were far enough from her father's prying eyes, he'd slyly slip his arm around her waist, causing Maribelle to smile and cuddle up to him as the pair made their way back to the car.
"You up for a night of fun, Twinkles?" he said as he glanced down to her.
Maribelle met his gaze with her own, a soft smile gracing her features. In truth, she had been counting down the days until prom and she was ecstatic the night was finally among them.
Giving him a squeeze, she replied, "yes! I look forward to the fun we'll have tonight!"