Homecoming Dance

October 31

Austin entered the Valley Royale Hotel dressed in the ascot and overcoat of the Prince costume he'd decided on for the night. He'd had every intention, when initially intending to come with Shelby - before meeting Princeton Girl - of being the third musketeer in his friendly trio as a compliment to Shelby's three angels.

Now, he didn't want to be a part of a crowd. Plus the Prince costume gave him a chance to look his best - and he needed the extra confidence. Butterflies were crawling in his stomach and he felt a touch ill even as he felt the need to run and scream to get rid of the pent-up excitement which had him practically bursting out of his skin.

Tonight was the night.

Rubbing his hands together - as his fingers were slightly chilled - he reached up to tug at the ascot around his neck, loosening it a touch. Looking around as he descended the staircase, he didn't spy Shelby - thankfully - anywhere just yet but he did catch sight of Ryan and David. A quick scan of the dance floor showed that many of the graduating class were already in attendance and, surprisingly, he didn't catch two of the same costume anywhere unless it appeared to be deliberate.

Was she already here, out on the dance floor? Would she come at all, responding to his invitation with the same relish he'd felt making it? Or had he scared her off? Any one of the costumed teens could be the girl he'd been chatting with and he'd never have known it. Should he have set this up in a far less public place, trying to convince Princeton Girl that it would be better if they met some place alone?

Butterflies tightened his stomach almost painfully, making it feel as if it were inside out and upside down all at the same time. Whatever the case, it was too late now. She would show, or she wouldn't - he only hoped she was as interested in moving their relationship out of cyberspace as he was.

Unfortunately, he'd insisted on eleven as a meeting time and now he was paying for his own foolishness; he should have suggested ten, or maybe even nine - before the crowd had gotten so big. No matter; whoever she was, he wouldn't know until eleven and even then he had no intention of keeping her inside.

Following the stairs around, he did a circle of the area to get a feel for it; to know his surroundings. A circuit of the area revealed a bar beneath the stairs and an area that lead into a series of beautifully done arch ways and decorated courtyards. Knowing how to use his charm, Austin managed to pry the information from one of the ladies at the front desk of the hotel that they were preparing for a wedding ceremony in the morning - and the dress rehearsal had just completed which was why everything was still lit.

An idea had begun to form with that little tidbit of information as Austin filed it away in the back of his mind. Meeting Princeton Girl was his first objective of the night; whatever happened from there would be random chance. He headed back inside, finding that there were even more dancers on the dance floor - and again the question hit him.

Was she there?

With a shake of his head, he began wading through the crowd, heading for his friends. Sidling up to stand beside them, he kept one eye on his surroundings - trying to determine just who Princeton Girl was, or if she had even arrived yet. "Welcome guys."

"What up?" muttered David sullenly.

"Sorry about the costume you lost, Austin." Ryan told him peevishly by way of greeting.

Smiling, and unable to keep his curiosity from letting his gaze wander, Austin looked around as he rubbed his hands together again in an effort to calm himself. "It's all good my friends."

"So, it's not all good bro," David jumped in, his tone annoyed and drawing Austin's attention back his way. "Now we don't get to be the Three Musketeers. You get to be Prince Charming, and we're the two wimps in wigs."

He laughed; he couldn't help it - and it was just the tension reliever he needed. "Man, it's not the end of the world; you guys look good."

"Says the guy without the wig," Ryan returned, shifting his stance to partially block the staircase.

As it was, Austin missed Shelby's entrance and little Angelic 'Charlie's Angel's' pose. It was just as well - it wouldn't have held his attention anyway; there was no way Shelby was Princeton Girl.

"You make it sound as if I lost it on purpose."

"It was awful convenient you had the extra costume, bro."

As they were talking, the song changed almost unnoticed.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Austin knew what his friend was implying and - for once - didn't feel the slightest bit guilty about having lied to them. Tonight wasn't about Austin Ames Football Captain and Student Body President; tonight was about Austin Ames, aspiring writer and poet meeting someone who could understand that dream. "Either way I'd be here without the wig and it wouldn't have been the same. Relax, guys."

"Relax? I won't rela... Who is... woah.."

"What?" Ryan turned at David's suddenly absorbed expression, the jock's gaze on the stairway at the end of the hall. His eyebrows hit his hairline - but it was David's rapt expression that turned Austin's head... and he could only stare.

Standing at the top of the staircase was the most beautiful girl Austin had ever seen. Cloaked in the shadow of the dimly lit hotel, she seemed to possessed an almost ethereal glow from within. Someone with brains, focused the spot light that had been roving the dance floor on her, and her head lifted. The light reflected off hair the color of molten sunlight, cascading down about shoulders and neck and highlighting the sparkle in her dress and half mask. The sparkle from crystals only added to the sense of unreality as she shifted, her dress shimmering brilliantly.

His mouth went dry, unable to take his gaze from the angelic creature standing alone at the top of the staircase. What idiot had let that gorgeous creature come alone and unescorted? Like a Princess accepting her due, she lifted her skirt and began to regally descend the stairs. Only the way she carefully placed her feet belied the fact she wasn't used to dressing in such lavish finery; otherwise, it suited her to a 'T'.

Gorgeous or not, it wasn't the look that held Austin riveted; it was the vulnerable, innocent air about the Princess, despite her confidence, that other beautiful women lacked. Her movements held no arrogance or practiced poise and though she was graceful, Austin could see nervousness in her posture as she descended the last few stairs.

A surge of hope swept through him out of nowhere. Was this Princeton Girl? It was almost eleven, their prearranged meeting time; could he have gotten so lucky? Unable to tear his gaze away, Austin watched until she was practically lost from view. The spot light illuminated her as she met a young man dressed as Zorro at the bottom of the staircase - her escort?

The way they stood together indicated they knew one another, but something about the young man's look as he started to move through the crowd towards the center of the dance floor said they weren't together. Austin moved with them, taking a couple of steps to the side as he struggled to keep them in view. Lost behind several shifting dancers, his next glimpse of the Princess was to see her standing alone, directly under the disco ball in the very center of the dance floor - waiting.

Princeton Girl.

She had to be.

Nerves assailed him and doubt crept in as the clock across the way edged towards eleven. He hesitated - and the hesitation cost him. Another guy approached her first - and while he could only see her in profile, she looked less than pleased; less than impressed. Laughter trickled Austin's way as the guy began to move, contort and cavort around her, and she disappeared as she was suddenly grabbed and spun.

The urge to dash in and play hero was sudden and fierce - but something held him back. Would she appreciate the rescue or would she tell him to go away? He hadn't even met her and already he was feeling protective.

Her back was to him when she regained her feet and he was glad to see she was alone once again. His stomach clenching yet tighter, his palm sweating, Austin moved through the crowd towards her on silent feet. The Princess sighed, her head tilting in almost wistful dejection - as if she'd been disappointed by something. Taking a silent breath, Austin let it out just as silently, bracing himself to be wrong while praying he wasn't.

"Princeton Girl?"

----------

"You'd think I'd remember those eyes. They're so... beautiful."

"Umm... next question."

He'd made her uncomfortable.

Arching one eyebrow - a move she didn't see - he was caught off guard by her sudden shyness. Most girls he knew would be delighted to receive a compliment on any feature and Princeton Girl had yet again reaffirmed that she wasn't like any other girl he knew. The look she'd given him was almost... disbelieving? Was it possible she was unaware of just how gorgeous she looked tonight? As impossible as it seemed, she didn't appear to feel very comfortable in her costume - yet it fit her perfectly. Hoping to make a good first impression, as he'd been?

Probably.

If she'd felt a fraction of the nerves he had this evening, he could understand. Taking two long strides to rejoin her, he met her gaze briefly as they continued walking. "I never meant to make you uncomfortable."

"I know," she returned, her smile still in place - yet it wasn't faked; Princeton Girl had the genuine kind of smile which made him want to smile back at her. "I'm just not used to getting compliments."

He'd guessed as much. "I find that hard to believe."

To his surprise, she laughed. "If you're able to guess who I am, I think that will change."

"I don't."

"Ignorance is bliss."

"Except in this case," he corrected her with a half smile. "I'd rather know you now than never have met you in person; the unknown was driving me crazy."

Her laughter this time was softer and Austin swore he saw a hint of color on her cheeks. "Same here."

Austin offered her his hand as they rounded another corner, subtly leading her towards the gazebo where the wedding would be taking place the following morning. Princeton Girl didn't take it, in fact she didn't seem to even notice his extended hand except as an indicator - until she stumbled, her foot catching on one of the flagstones that lined the walkways.

Reacting before he thought about it, Austin's right arm snaked about her waist, his left hand catching hers as he kept her on her feet. It forced him to step close and the scent of her invaded his senses. It wasn't anything like the cloying perfume Shelby wore, but instead reminded him of rain showers and vanilla - he'd never be able to smell either one again without thinking about her.

"Thanks." She smiled faintly, unable to meet his gaze, and he could tell she was embarrassed by the misstep. "Sorry about that."

"Hey - I'd trip in heels too."

Her eyes widened behind the mask at his almost impish comment. "Wouldn't that be a sight to see!"

She straightening with his help and he reluctantly let her go, trailing the fingers of his right hand down her arm. Certain she was steady once more, he held her hand in his and flourished into an exaggerated bow as he bent over her hand. "You know, if you wanted me to hold your hand, fair maiden, all you had to do was ask." His theatrics put her at ease once more; making her laugh and the sound was like music to his ears.

"Ah, but it is you who is playing ten questions, sir - and are down by half."

"So I am." He considered his options carefully as they began to walk again, making to release her hand - reluctantly - except she didn't let him go. The delighted smile that crossed his lips was uninhibited as they continued walking, now hand in hand, down the pathway.

Exiting the archways into the clearing with the decorated gazebo, he laughed slightly as she exhaled in surprise.

"Wow."

Inspiration struck; he'd held her once by accident - would she let him hold her again on purpose? "If... I ask you to dance, does that count as a question?"

----------

So close!

Princeton Girl was gone by the time Austin made it outside, cell phone in hand and frustration eating at his gut. He'd been so close to finding out who she was; to learning just who was at the other end of his internet connection every night; of finding out just who it was that seemed to so intimately understand him.

Princeton Girl had been everything - more - than he'd ever dreamed she would be.

She'd been as innocent as she'd seemed in their conversations, appearing to be completely naive when it came to men - and it had been ridiculously pleasing in a very primal kind of way. The idea that she hadn't hidden those facts from him, despite her continued reluctance to give up her identity, was in some ways more intimate than anything else she could have done.

It bothered him that she didn't trust him with who she was - and yet at the same time, trusted him completely. The lady was a paradox... and he doubted she did it intentionally. He'd had every intention of kissing her once he'd discovered her identity, if she'd let him, but he'd never had a chance to remove her mask. Would she tell him who she was now that they'd met? Or had his identity, as indicated by her initial reaction, been too much for her to handle?

He'd never expected to need to practically beg her for the chance to spend some time with her. Arrogance wasn't normally one of his flaws, but he had no illusions as to his impact on the female population of his school. It came from being both popular and athletic - both things that had no place, no relevance to his future; and no relevance to Princeton Girl.

Turning on his heel, Austin made to step back inside the Hotel and paused. He'd just been voted Homecoming Prince - a reality he couldn't escape - and all he could think about was the fact he was a Prince without a Princess. No one, except Zorro - or so it appeared - knew who she was and everyone would want to know. For once, being in the dark was going to work to his advantage.

Shelby pounced on him almost immediately upon his return, a smile on her lips. "Homecoming Prince, Austin," she smiled coyly. "I knew you'd get it."

"Thanks." Disentangling himself from Shelby's grip, Austin considered his options as he stopped at the top of the staircase. He could either hang out there for the rest of the night, or head home. The cell phone burning a hole in the pocket of his coat was the deciding factor. Without Princeton Girl, he had no interest in sticking around at a dance where girls would be hounding him for reasons that didn't matter.

Ignoring Shelby as she tried to catch his attention once more, Austin headed back outside and towards the gazebo where he and Princeton Girl had danced barely minutes before. He'd never been so captivated, so enthralled by a woman - and not just her looks. Her eyes had been mesmerizing, but it was her wit and intelligence that had held him spell bound. Sure, she'd been stunning, but it was the inner beauty of her character that had kept his interest when the beauty of the package had finally sunk in and stopped being so dazzling.

Settling himself on the set leading to the slightly raised platform, he turned in the doorway and stared at the decorated roof. In his mind's eye he could still see her smile, hear her laughter - and he knew himself well enough to know he was smitten.

Shelby had asked him earlier if he was in love with someone else and he'd answered her honestly. Now, after meeting Princeton Girl, he knew he'd done the right thing. Shelby could never hold a candle to the Princess who'd met him there tonight and he'd been right when he'd told Shelby he thought he was in love with someone else. He just wished he knew who.

Closing his eyes, he hummed the soft strains of the song they'd danced to, knowing he'd forever associate it with tonight, and couldn't keep the rueful smile off his lips as he remembered her shy retreat from his attempt to kiss her. Not that he could blame her one way or the other. If he was honest with himself, he was kind of glad he hadn't been allowed to kiss her. Unbearable as it was knowing she'd been within his grasp and slipped through, Austin knew that if he had kissed her as he'd intended, the hours between now and discovering her identity would have been unbearably painful.

Not that they wouldn't be anyway; if he'd had trouble taking his mind off her before, he suspected that it would now be impossible.

Until he discovered her identity, her responses - so typically Princeton Girl - would be playing havoc with his memory. He'd met her before; she'd admitted to that much - but when and where? He was certain he couldn't have missed her, no matter that she'd told him he'd been looking without seeing; it just wasn't possible to miss someone who was that... perfect for you in the crowd - was it?

"Yo, Austin!"

David's call drew him from his reverie and he looked over to find the two Musketeers headed his way. With a sigh, Austin pushed to his feet and brushed the dust from his costume, turning to meet them. He had no desire to spend any more time with them tonight and the only person he did want to spend any time with had vanished.

But his reputation said he had to make an appearance and no doubt Mrs. Wells would find a stand in for the absent Homecoming Princess so they could get pictures for the yearbook. Just moments before David and Ryan would have corralled him back into the Hotel Austin stopped, smiled and turned on his booted heel to leave.

If they could find a stand in for the Princess, they could find a stand in for the Prince. He would not, could not, dance with anyone but her after what they'd shared tonight; it wouldn't feel right.