CH-4

Hey Kevin, boy you might have me believing

I don't always have to be alone

It was that night again- Halloween prom. I usually hated the day or rather the evening because it meant either I had to go down to our high school Halloween prom or stay back at home. If I went, I was sure to be ridiculed by those good-for-nothing over preppy girls for not having a date. If I stayed back, I would have to get bored at home and just feel miserable at not being able to make myself a part of the so-called normal teen group around me. Either way, it was awful.

But not this year, this time Kevin had actually asked me if he could accompany me to the prom which totally shocked me. Really? I would be having a date at the Halloween? And that too with Bellwood's most popular and sought after guy? I couldn't say anything other than nodding my head in the affirmative as he told me that he would pick me up at 7.

It was Ben who had convinced him by narrating tales of how I had been teased and bugged by those girls every time I showed up to a prom without a date and that's when Kevin decided 'this year should be different' or so Ben told me.

Okay so its 6.50 now. He would be here in 10 minutes. I checked my appearance in the mirror. I had dressed up as Ariel on her wedding day (the little mermaid). My white flowing gown fitted perfectly on my body, well it had to. I had spent two days rummaging through shops, stores and boutiques before I found it at a Disney theme store. My tiara, makeup, droplet earrings- everything was perfect. I hoped he would like me in that ensemble. I had worked hard and passionately to get it all right. I couldn't let him don, he had never been spotted with a girl before, and since I had to be with him I wanted to make sure he could boast of me to his friends. Just then, Ken entered halfway through the door and let out a wolf whistle.

"Oh wow, sis. Is that really you? I almost thought for a flip second that it was some friend of yours I could hit upon. "

"Your bad, Kenny. I am Gwen, better luck next time. Okay so tell me honestly; as a guy, do you think I look okay?" I asked in quivering anticipation.

"Okay? AWESOME. You look LEGEN-wait for it-DERY. LEGENDARY! "He replied in a Barney Stinson style.

"Oh ken, stop that already. It was funny only the first few times you did that. Why do you even try when you are no good at copying the LEGEN-wait for it-DERY, LEGENDARY - Barney Stinson? "I replied in my smart alecky voice.

"Yea well, whatever. I try. Anyway so is that Levin taking you out to your preppy Halloween prom? "

"Uh-huh. " I glanced at the clock as I put on my white strap high heels. It was 7.05. "He should be here any moment. "

Just then, as if on cue, I heard his car's engine rumbling to a stop under my room outside.

"Here comes Mr. Kevin LUCKY Levin. I donno I have been trying hard for 3 years now, but I just can't get a girl who is halfway as good as you. Really, you set the standards pretty high." Ken said gloomily.

"Just keep trying bro, you'll find someone way above my standards. " I assured him as Kevin knocked on the door and I rushed to open it for him.

"Hey Kev" I said casually as I stared at him in surprise. He was dressed as no other than Prince Eric on his wedding day. He wore a white double breasted long tail coat which was neatly buttoned up with gold. His cuffs and trousers were navy blue. The trousers had a golden line running along the sides of his legs and his shoulders bore golden straps while his collar was blue and gold bordered. He even put on white gloves. He had got every detail right.

He just stared at me in awe as I raised my brows at him and said" you were stalking me huh? Dressing up as Eric just coz I dressed as Ariel?"

"No, no, no, not at all. Ben just told me what you keep telling me that the little mermaid is your favorite Disney movie and how Prince Eric was your first crush and how you liked him. So thought that if I dressed as Eric it would make you happy. "He defended rubbing his head. "Plus, this costume was better than those Robin Hood and Sumo Slammer costumes Ben offered me as options. All's just a coincidence really, nothing deliberate. "He continued.

" Oh no, I don't think this is coincidence, I believe its fate BIL." Ken interrupted in between. "I guess my li'l mermaid sis finally found her prince Eric and is actually ready to walk on happy ground now, huh? Something you have dreamt of for about 7 years now." He completed with a smug smile on his face.

I could feel Kevin shuffling his feet in embarrassment as I blushed a deep crimson- the color of my hair.

"Ken, shut it already. We're getting late. Let's go Kev." I said trying to get ourselves out of the embarrassing situation. "Yea sure" Kevin replied eagerly. "But just one thing ken, my name's not BILL. It's Kevin. "Kevin said matter of factly.

I didn't mean B-I-L-L –BILL, Kev. I meant B-I-L, as in Brother In Law. "Ken laughed lightly.

This time I could see Kevin's face flushing red as ken went back inside. "Just ignore him Kev and let's go already."

Kevin nodded silently as he went over and opened the car door for me. He was being a real prince today. I was really impressed.

As we pulled over near my school where the prom had been held, Kevin offered his hand to me to step out from the car. I got out and smoothed the wrinkles on my dress. "Did I tell you that you look awesome today? And that I have been practically drooling over you? "He asked with a smirk.

"Oh, Kev, you know it's not for your roguish charm and macho reputation to drool over an ordinary girl. "

"I know, and that why I never drool over ordinary girls. Only unique ones like you. Also, your ANGELIC CHARM makes me difficult to adhere to my roguish one." He replied flirtingly.

I stared at him with wide eyes and then shoved him playfully and dragged him inside. As we entered I could feel all eyes on us as I heard people whispering. Some about how lovely we looked, some about how THE KEVIN Levin was with a geek, and some just muttered in jealousy. I was quite unused to such attention and truth be told, I was getting kinda nervous. Kevin noticed that and held my hand in his.

"Don't worry. We'll survive." He said assuringly.

I nodded and we moved further in. Just then I saw Pamela –the she devil, making her way towards me. I sighed and braced myself for some hardcore insults. She was the one who always started the' ridicule Gwen coz she's single' game in school. I leaned towards Kevin and said softly- "there see. That blonde in the short witch costume, she is Pamela, I was telling you about. And she's coming right here; get ready to be insulted now. "

"Oh good, now I can use my favorite language that is SARCASM. I've been acting gentlemanly all evening. "He said, almost excited to have a verbal fight. I rolled my eyes at him as Pamela came up to us and put one hand on her waist.

"Well, well. Hello, Miss Seductress. I see you got THE LEVIN as your date. I knew you were a loser and wuss, but I never figured you could be such a whore. How many nights did you spend heating up his bed just so he came with you? "She said pointing my finger at me accursedly.

I was taken aback by her statement. I mean, I had been insulted, A LOT, and several times by her, but this was something that had never happened before. I never thought ANYONE could go to such cheap standards and think something like that about me. And with Kevin too, I mean was I such a girl that had to be in bed with guys just to get them as a date. I couldn't help the tears that welled up in my eyes as I thought this.

Kevin was shocked too; he clearly didn't expect such a thing to come up from a high school girl for me of all people. I guess he just expected rude comments but nothing this cheap and derogatory.

He glanced at me sideways as he saw a single tear fall through my eye. He immediately became defensive - more than I expected him to be.

"Oh, no bitch. She doesn't do those things like you do to every other dog every night. I bet you don't even remember the number of one night stands you would have had till date. Oh wait; do you even remember for how many YEARS you've been bedding pratty assholes? Let me guess, ever since you were 10? Or maybe as soon as you started talking? At 3? "Kevin replied seething in anger.

I was amazed to hear him mutter so many profanities in a single dialog. He never ever cussed when he was around me so this was definitely new. And I don't think I liked that. He had to keep his standards better than that witch.

The girl just stood there, dumbstruck. Evidently, she didn't expect someone from MY side to retort that way. I noticed all the guys' n girls around us laughing at HER, for a change.

I just pulled Kevin out of the place as I ignored the faculty awarding us as the prom king and queen. I really needed to talk to Kevin about this whole scandal.

As we reached the car, I let his arm go and put my hands on my waist.

"KEVIN ETHAN LEVIN, what were you thinking? Using such a huge string of profanities in front of the entire school? You never cuss when I'm around. I thought you changed. "My voice trailed off at the last part as I realized what I had just said in a bout of anger.

Before I could apologize, his face put on a frown as he sat down on the bonnet staring down angrily.

"I have changed Gwen, believe me. But it's really difficult to hold back my anger when I see that the one I have changed for is hurt. I guess the Osmosian anger sets in every time your feelings are compromised. It's your fault. If you hadn't cried in there, I wouldn't have got that mad. Every time I see you hurt, I immediately have the instinct to just annihilate the reason that made you upset. And I am trying to get that under control too. Trust me, that girl was lucky I just said a couple of words and did to her nothing more." Kevin completed his short speech not looking up even once to look up at me.

My anger which had been fuming up to moments ago had immediately transformed to compassion as I realized how difficult it must have been for him to make an abrupt change from being a con to switching over to the good side of the law.

"Just say something, don't just stand there and make me suffer silently. " Kevin said still not looking at me but bringing me out of my trance.

I didn't say anything. I just looked at his forlorn face that anticipated more angry retorts from my side. I just went forward, pecked his cheek and hugged him real tight. At first he didn't react but seconds later, I felt his arms snaking around my waist and back as he pulled me closer. I let him to that. It was so rare that I hugged him and every time I did, I felt safe and secure.

"So, you're not mad at me anymore? " Kevin asked still hugging me.

"Mad for what? " I asked back pulling away although still close to him as we stared into each other's eyes. "For caring and being protective about me? Or for the fact that I am the only reason that makes you lose control? That doesn't make me feel mad. In fact, it makes me feel special." I said the last part of the sentence almost incoherently. However, he heard.

"You are special, you know. Not everybody could have made me walk on the virtuous path, you know? You might me the best thing that has or could ever happen to me. "Kevin smiled.

Yea didn't smirk or snigger, but smile. A real, genuine and innocent smile that made my heart skip a few beats. I couldn't help the blush that tinted my cheeks. He just leaned forward and kissed my forehead and said smugly "this kissing and hugging is something I could get used to. Given that either of your brothers is not in the vicinity."

I giggled as we went back in the car and I realized that I would always have him by my side, no matter what. I realized and felt happy now that I started believing I didn't always have to be alone.