~The day of the dance
After two weeks it was finally time for the big event. It was just after dinner; the Baudelaires and the Quagmires had picked up their outfits from the broom closet, and had just met up with Olivia at the library. The children followed her out the school gates and just down the road to a small apartment building. Olivia unlocked her door and led them inside.
"It's not much, but it's home at least to me," The librarian said as the children looked around the living room, "You're welcome to anything in my house."
"Compared to the orphan shack and the broom closet this place is like a palace," Isadora said.
"You got that right. So, who gets to shower first," Violet asked, somewhat jokingly.
Since they weren't allowed to have personal dorms, being that they were orphans, they had to use the communal showers at the school to keep themselves neat. This meant having to deal with less favorable peers a majority of the time.
"Now don't be offended ladies, but I think the guys should get to go first since we'll take less time getting ready," Duncan answered.
"Duncan, I know for a fact that you take longer in the shower than I ever have," Isadora said, pretending to look hurt as she smiled, "But if you insist, then you can go first."
"Alright, the bathroom is down the hall attached to the bedroom, you can change in there when you're done. Just leave your uniforms on the bed so you can change back later."
As Duncan and Klaus left the room, Violet handed Sunny over to Olivia.
"Sunny is still teething so don't bother trying to give her soft food if she wants a snack. She won't eat it if you do. And make sure she gets to sleep at a good time. We don't know how long we'll be out and she needs her rest," Violet explained.
"Oh, you don't have to worry about a thing. She'll be fine! You're a great big sister for not forcing her to go with you," Olivia smiled.
"If we did take her she would just complain the whole time," Isadora said.
"Gawa," Sunny shouted, which meant, "I'd rather not be a third wheel while my siblings make out with their lovers all night."
Violet, unfortunately, understood what her sister had said, "I am not going to translate that."
Klaus stepped back in the room, "Olivia, Duncan wants to know if you have an extra comb."
Olivia set Sunny down on her couch and followed him out of the room, "Yes I should, I'll help you find it."
Violet and Isadora put their bags on their laps as they sat down on the couch to wait.
"Uh, Violet, are you nervous at all?"
"Truthfully, yes, but I'm better at hiding it. You should have seen how much of a wreck Klaus was this morning when I told him it was today."
Isadora snickered, "All that fuss over me, huh?"
Violet laughed, "Klaus has never been good with girls. He's too shy. Our dad used to joke that girls were the only thing he couldn't figure out using his books."
"Well, I think that's cute. Duncan isn't good with girls either. We used to say that he got the intelligence and the observational skills, Quigley got the charisma and the sense of humor, and I got the creativity and the bewitching good looks. So, everybody wins."
"I'm sure you're just as smart as Duncan, if not more so."
"True, but that's just how we'd describe ourselves."
Some time later, after the boys finished getting ready, the girls took their turn. Duncan sat down on the couch, dressed to the nines in a black tux with a dark green tie and black dress shoes. His hair was still slightly damp from his shower, but was combed neatly. Klaus on the other hand was pacing around the living room nervously. He too was wearing a black tux with a wine red tie, he had no idea he would be matching Isadora, and black dress shoes. He had combed his hair down as well; it no longer looked as unruly as it usually did. Sunny had left with the girls to help them get ready.
"You're going to make a rut in the carpet if you keep pacing like that," Duncan said with a smirk.
"Sorry… I'm just nervous."
Duncan's smirk grew, "You've never been on a date before, have you?"
Klaus jumped slightly, his face flushed with embarrassment, "How did you know that?"
"It's too obvious," The journalist shrugged, "I'm good at reading people, remember?"
Klaus pushed his glasses up slightly as he looked his best friend over, "Well, I did only just turn 13. Have you ever been on a date before?"
"Yes, but if it makes you feel better it wasn't a successful one. Quigley set us up with these twin girls one time. It didn't go well at all."
Klaus rolled his eyes, "Let me guess: they were fraternal and you got the ugly one?"
"No, they were both gorgeous, but she was a complete airhead. She was that level of stupid that just comes off as annoying and I couldn't stand it so I let him have them both," Duncan scoffed, "Quigley always considered himself a ladies man. As if he thought he was the better looking of the two of us. He was the one with his hair always a mess and his clothes looked like he had been dragged backwards through a bush."
Klaus chuckled, "And you were the proper one?"
"You're damn right I was. When I said Quigley never took anything seriously I meant it. Especially, girls. If he were here, he'd walk into that dance with one girl on each arm, and then walk back out later with two completely different girls. And somehow he would still get all four of them to agree to make out with him in a dark corner somewhere."
"Aren't you only 14? How did your parents allow him to act like that? That's so disrespectful. If I acted like that my mother would have slapped me."
"Who said anything about them knowing? Isadora thought it was repulsive too. I loved my little brother, but damn his attitude."
Klaus glanced at the clock. It was just past 6 and the gym didn't open for the dance until 7. He sat down next to his friend, and tried to calm his nerves.
"Er, Duncan?"
"Yeah?"
Klaus hesitated for a moment as he tried to phrase his question correctly, "Are you ok with me going out with Isadora? I mean I'm not an expert on the subject, but according to the traditional rules of courtship: a potential suitor needs the permission of the lady's closest male guardian to take her on a date."
Duncan laughed, "You've been reading, haven't you?"
The researcher's face reddened, "Uh, no…"
He was lying. He had actually been staying late at the library for the past several days looking up this information just for this occasion. He liked Isadora, a lot, and if he was going to be her evening escort he wanted to do it right. Klaus always liked to be prepared.
"Listen, I love my sister, and usually I am the over protective one, but not this time. Just respect her, and you won't have any problems from me. And I know you'll respect her because you're a good guy."
Klaus smiled, "Thanks, Duncan, I appreciate that."
"You're welcome," He paused, "Since you brought it up, you're ok with me going out with Violet right?"
It was Klaus' turn to laugh, "Well one: she's older than me so it doesn't really matter. And two: I'm more worried for you. If you're stupid enough to try something out of line, I warn you Violet has a mean right hook."
Duncan smiled, "Beautiful, intelligent, and can break a bone if she needs to? She really is the perfect woman."
"Ok, that doesn't mean I want you to talk about my sister like that in front of me."
Sunny, having recently learned to walk, sprinted into the room with a big toothy grin, "Zepo!"
"I think she means they're ready," Klaus said, as the two boys stood up.
"And you'd be right," Isadora said as she and Violet entered the room.
The two boys froze as they stared at their girls. Violet had chosen to straighten her hair, and put on a modest of make up; not that Duncan thought she needed it. She looked amazing in her midnight blue dress. The journalist couldn't stop his jaw from dropping open slightly. How did he get this lucky to be able to go out with her?
Isadora looked stunning in her red dress. She had put on some light make up as well, and her dark hair was partly braided in the back and the rest fell over her shoulders gracefully. Klaus felt himself blush; he couldn't believe he was actually going out with this beautiful poet.
"How do we look," Violet asked, smirking at their dumbfounded expressions.
Duncan was the first to snap out of his trance, he stepped closer to her, "Uh, you look great, Violet."
Isadora twirled around with a grin, "How do I look, Klaus?"
The researcher blinked before stammering out, "Different. Which is good. Not that you didn't look good before. I mean you do, you did, uh… I'm going to stop talking now before I make an idiot of myself."
Isadora blushed and avoided his eyes. She appeared to be telling the truth about finding Klaus' shyness adorable.
"Sena," Sunny said, meaning, "Smooth."
Olivia walked back into the room, "Well, you kids should get going; the gym will be open soon."
"Thank you for everything, Olivia," Violet said, "Sunny; you behave for your babysitter. We'll be back later tonight."
The girls grabbed their dates' arms, left the apartment, and made their way back to the school.
~End of chapter!
