Riley's POV
I've been waiting for this night all week: the night of the gala. Mom was helping me get ready. She's letting me wear makeup (SQUEE!). I have the tickets, the dress, the shoes, and the perfect date.
"You look amazing," Mom says when she done with my makeup.
I look in my mirror. I can't believe it; I look like a ninth grader with my glossy pink lips and shimmery nude eye shadow. My lashes are long and feathery and my brows are filled in.
"Thank you, Mom!" I squeal as I hug her.
"I can't believe my baby us growing up!" Mom cries.
I have my look put together: my blue dress paired with dangly silver earrings and a matching necklace with silver wedge sandals. My hair is curled like a princess's and my nails are painted seashell pink.
"I can't wait for Lucas to see you," Mom adds. "He's one lucky guy."
When I'm done twirling around in my dress, I look at her and ask, "Mom, do you think that Brandon and Maya are good for each other?"
"Well, they're certainly a lot alike," she answers.
"I just think I might've made a mistake," I say.
"Well, who else did you have in mind?" Mom asks.
I couldn't say it. Why would she recommend her brother-in-law for her daughter's best friend? I started to wonder if Maya and Josh could date at this point when he's about to go to college. People would definitely judge. But Maya is crazy about Josh, literally. She loves everything about him, even the fact that his birthday is on Valentine's Day. She thinks it suits him. If things work out, my bestie would be my aunt. Thanksgiving would be fun.
"Is it Josh?" Mom adds.
My mouth drops. "How did you know?"
"Well, sometimes I wonder if they're good for each other. I would never say it out loud though since he's my brother-in-law," she says.
"I don't know what to do," I admit.
"It's just one dance, if it doesn't work out between Brandon and Maya, then you could set up Josh and Maya. But for now, let Maya be happy."
"Okay," I mutter.
I walk out of my room in slow-motion, trying to look like a supermodel on a runway. But once I enter the living room where Dad and Josh are waiting with cameras, I fall flat on my face. And worse, Dad and Josh caught in on camera as my "grand entrance". How mortifying!
"Well, we wanted a more glamorous photo, but this is memorable too," Dad jokes.
"You have to delete that before Lucas gets here!" I snap as I get up.
"Just call us the paparazzi, Riles," Josh says and he and Dad start taking photos again. I start posing like a model, twirling around and smiling.
Auggie taps me on the shoulder and hands me a red rose.
"Aw, what's this for?" I ask.
"In case Lucas doesn't show up," he says, "Daddy told me to be your date."
I turn around and glare at him.
"What? If I can't chaperone, I'll have your brother be a replacement date," he says.
"So who's Farkle gonna go with?" Auggie asks.
"He decided to go alone to attract more ladies," I say. "In the meanwhile, he'd be hanging around me and Lucas, being a third wheel."
After a couple of photos posing with Dad and Josh, the group finally arrived. Lucas was dressed in a crisp black suit with a blue tie to match my dress. He cleans up real nice. Farkle wore a strange purple suit with a paisley tie and a matching top hat. They both wore the same cologne even though Farkle overdone his.
"Lucas! Farkle! Come and pose with us!" I say.
Lucas and I annoy Dad by doing couple shots. Farkle posed by himself proudly.
"Farkle, what an interesting suit," I say.
"Thanks, I bought it at Demolition," he replies.
Dad grabs Lucas by the shoulder and says, "Lucas, I decided to make a list of rules for the dance. First, no touching my daughter, no looking at my daughter, no talking to my daughter, no dancing with my daughter, no walking with my daughter, no running with my daughter, no—"
"Sir, you have nothing to worry about," Lucas says, pushing my father away.
Then Maya and Brandon arrive. Brandon was wearing a suit that he borrowed from his older brother and a red tie. Maya had straightened her hair and put on makeup.
"So you're Brandon," Josh says.
"Yup, and I already had to listen to Katy's long list of rules, so you don't have to pry. Not that I really listen to rules," Brandon answers. He laughs but Josh gives him a stern stare.
"Thanks for setting me up with Brandon;" Maya says to me, "I finally stopped thinking about Josh."
I wish I could say that I changed my mind but she looks genuinely happy. Why should I spoil that? Maybe she really had moved on.
"That's just what besties do," I reply.
"Let's go before the dance is over," Brandon says.
"Alright, Enchanted Garden Gala, here we come," Farkle shouts.
We all walk out, with me holding Lucas's hand and Maya holding Brandon's and Farkle just grooving by himself. And as we all exit, I see Josh's worried face flash before Farkle closes the door.
Author's Note: They're going to the dance! Yay! I can't believe that this story is almost over, I love reading your reviews. What's Missy gonna do to Maya? Is Josh gonna come to the rescue? Find out next in the next chapter of A Match Made in Heaven! -MadameX818