Billa twiddled her thumbs as she sat at an empty table. She glanced around every few seconds searching for her date to join her. Out of boredom, she studied the students on the dance floor. The students seemed happy to be at prom, and Billa wished she could feel the same way. She sighed and glanced around one more time before picking out her phone and glancing at the time.
8:21.
She sighed again and placed the phone on the table in front of her, waiting for it to ring or vibrate or do something. She had been here for one whole hour; one hour of her life she will never be able to get back. Sighing for the third time, she stood up and blinked her tears away.
Her date stood her up.
Shaking her head and reminding herself that coming in the first place had been a bad idea, she quickly crossed the dance floor before the next song could begin then briskly walked to the double doors of the entrance as fast as her heels permitted her to. As she weaved her way through the smooshed tables, tears started to fall down her cheeks as she saw her date sitting with another girl. She wanted so badly to go over there and throw something in his face, but she held in her anger and pressed on.
Suddenly, the speakers blared with the announcer's voice. "Now," it said. "Let us crown the Prom King and Queen!"
The fact that the students at the tables clapped loudly and some even stood, didn't help Billa at all who was not even halfway to the door. She timidly excused herself through the crowd and nearly stumbled over un-pushed-in chairs or her own two feet. She breathed a sigh of relief as she came closer to the door; she was almost out! She gave herself one final tug, and she was out of that table maze. Gathering her long, burgundy dress, Billa took one step for the door when she felt something heavy hit her side. Caught off guard, Billa squeaked as she fell to the floor and squeaked again when she felt a pair of hands catch her.
"I am so sorry," the deep voice apologized. "Are you alright?"
Startled, Billa could only manage a stifled agreement before she felt herself being lifted to a standing position. She squeaked again as her dress caught and began to bunch up at her waist. She quickly straightened it as she was placed on her feet. "Thank you," she said quietly, dusting off her dress before facing the other. She gave him a small smile which was returned before continuing on with her journey to the double doors, but she stopped short as a strong hand gripped her upper arm gently. Billa glanced at the arm before glancing at who the arm was attached to; she gulped quietly as she felt herself become lost in the others most precious sapphire eyes she'd ever seen.
"Wait," he said. "Stay."
Billa had the decency to look taken aback; who wouldn't when a handsome young man asked you to stay... most likely with him. "I'm sorry?" she gasped.
The other looked down at his feet and shifted nervously before glancing up at Billa again. "Stay," he repeated. "... or do you have a date?"
"My date stood me up," Billa replied. "I have to leave; I don't want to be here any longer and I doubt anyone would want a girl who Thranduil threw away."
"Thranduil?!" the other exclaimed, folding his arms crossly.
"I know," Billa said in a small voice. "I should leave; I can't... stay here."
"No," the other said quickly, a little too quickly actually. "No, please."
Billa blinked at the other. "What?"
"What is your name?"
"Billa Baggins," she answered, glancing towards the door; she could still make it.
"Well, Billa," he began, and Billa felt her heart melt as her name rolled off his tongue so perfectly. "Please, stay. With me... as... my date."
Billa opened her mouth to reply but was momentarily blinded as some jerks decided to point a spotlight at her. She blinked owlishly at the other who looked completely and heartbreaking guilty; he gave her a small, apologetic smile.
"I am sorry," he said softly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Stay, please. I..."
"Let's introduce our Prom King," the announcer shouted into the microphone, and Billa had to hold her ear to keep from becoming deaf. "Thorin Oakenshield!"
Billa squeaked as the crowd before them jumped and clapped loudly. She started to shrink back into the corner when the other grabbed her arm again. Then, she realized he was the Prom King. "I..."
"I like you," he said gently. "Stay with me?"
She opened her mouth but nothing came out; instead, she nodded. She smiled shyly at Thorin who returned it before squeezing her shoulder and walking towards the stage to be crowned Prom King.
"I am truly sorry about all of that," Thorin said for the umpteenth time since he returned to Billa. "I really am."
She nodded. "It's alright," she said quietly while nervously playing with the side of her burgundy dress. "I know you're sorry," she said, smiling shyly.
Since Thorin had returned from the stage, both had been standing there by the door with the most awkward atmosphere around them. Billa was unable to meet Thorin's bright sapphire eyes, while the other was contemplating on whether or not to touch Billa's elbow and guide her to his table.
"Uh..." Thorin began.
"I should-" Billa started at the same time. "Sorry," she squeaked softly. "Uh, what were you trying to say?"
Thorin shifted nervously on his feet. "I... Do you want to... sit with me?" he asked, gesturing towards the center of the room where the crowned Prom Queen sat.
Billa flushed. "Oh, no," she answered. "I don't want to intrude or anything. I can just-"
"Please," Thorin said flatly. "Me and her..." He nodded his head towards the Prom Queen. "We're not 'together'. She has a date."
"Oh."
"Coming?" he asked, holding out his hand to her.
All Billa could do was nod as she took hold of Thorin's hand. She was truly amazed how he held her hand with such tenderness and care; she didn't think such actions were possible among anyone.
Throughout the night, Billa and Thorin exchanged awkward and pleasant conversations until the adult chaperone's let the students know that they would have to leave soon.
"Do you want a ride home?" Thorin asked, as he stood up and straightened his suit before offering Billa his hand.
She took it gratefully and stood as well, smiling shyly at Thorin. As she opened her mouth to reply, Thranduil sauntered by and bumped her 'accidentally' which caused her to lose her balance. Billa let out a frightened gasp as she nearly crashed to the floor and then let out a rather thankful sigh when Thorin caught her again.
"I..." she began as she glanced up at Thorin who was glaring at Thranduil, a cold fire in his eyes. "Thorin?" she asked.
He blinked and focused on Billa. The fire blew out and his expression softened. "Are you hurt?" he asked softly, pulling her up and checking for any injuries.
Billa shook her head and glanced at Thranduil who smugly shrugged. "I deserved it..." she mumbled.
"What?" Thorin asked, placing a warm, protective hand against her back. He didn't wait for an answer. "No, you did not deserve it. That green, tree-hugging bully deserves-"
"Thorin, don't." She grabbed her purse off the table and headed for the door, with or without Thorin.
"Billa?" he asked with a frown on his face. He followed the beautiful girl he had just met. "Wait... please."
Billa huffed and faced Thorin who nearly bumped into her at her abrupt stop. "What? Come to support Thranduil?" she asked coolly.
Thorin frowned. "What?"
She let out a shrill scoff. "You know what I mean..."
"No, I do not," Thorin answered, gently grasping Billa's shoulders. "Listen, what I was going to say, before you interrupted me, was Thranduil deserves a good kick in the pants."
Billa opened her mouth to speak but all that left it was a gasp, her eyes slightly widening. "Really? You don't like him?"
"Like him?!" Thorin scoffed, a soft smile on his face as Billa reached for his hand. "Of course not. That damn tree-hugger stood my date up." He winked at Billa who blushed and smiled in return, knowing he was talking about her. Giving Billa a warm smile, he led her to his car before opening the door for her. "I never liked him to begin with; there is just this..."
"Vibe?" Billa offered, tucking her dress underneath herself as she sat in the car.
He joined her in the car and gave her a playful half-smile. "Unfortunately," he finished. He cleared his throat. "Where do you live?" he asked once he had escaped the crowded mass of cars wanting to leave the lot.
Billa, who had been staring at her lap, jerked up as Thorin's deep voice startled her. "Oh, I... I live... by the school." She knew that wasn't much of an answer. She wasn't too keen on telling him where she really lived... So, her house was two blocks away; she could walk. She need the exercise, because she was getting a little pudgy. Even her good friend, well not so much now, Beorn had said she looked like a fat bunny... She sighed.
"Where by the school?" Thorin asked, heading in the general direction.
"Just drop me off at the corner," she replied, staring out the window at the bright city. "Please."
Thorin let out a partial sigh but did as he was told; it seemed the 'please' part left no room for his argument.
"Thank you," Billa said, getting out of the car after Thorin pulled up to the curb. She gave him a small smile which he returned. "W-will I see you again?" she asked before mentally kicking herself for thinking that Thorin would actually want to see her again.
"Yes, of course," Thorin answered, his smile transforming into a wide grin. "We do have many classes together."
"We do?" Billa asked in surprise and he rolled his eyes. "Sorry, I've never really noticed you..."
Thorin smiled. "I like that; you're the only one who isn't constantly falling over me."
She returned his expression with a shy smile of her own. "Well, what would you do if I fell for you?"
"I would fall for you as well," he answered truthfully, winking at Billa who blushed. "That is... if I have not already."
She pretended not to notice the drop in his voice as he spoke. "Wh-what? Y-you don't really..."
"Of course I mean it," he replied. "Why would I not? You are so beautiful... and I... am never really good with talking to girls... so..."
Billa couldn't help but laugh a little at Thorin's confession. "Really?" she said as she continued to laugh as Thorin chuckled.
"Really," Thorin answered. "I like you, Billa... Um, do you... want to go out with me...?"
"Like on a date or..." she trailed and Thorin nodded. She felt her face flush with excitement and her stomach filled with giddiness and butterflies. "Sure. When?"
"Tomorrow night?" His heart sped up.
Billa thought about it for a brief minute before agreeing. "Yes, I'd love that."
"Okay," Thorin breathed in relief. "Then, I'll pick you up tomorrow?"
She nodded, closed the car door, and waved as Thorin drove off. She got as far as two steps when she realized she hadn't told Thorin where she lived.
Oops... oh, well... :D
