Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, except for the ones I made up. They all belong to Disney, and any other company that owns 'In a Heartbeat.'
The Odd Man Out
Doorbell ringing
Friday came in a breeze, nighttime came in a flash, and students came flooding through the doors of Kingsport High. Meanwhile, Tyler Connell, in a classic 2-button Shawl tuxedo was at the doorstep of Val Lanier's home, holding a single-stemmed red rose. He rang the doorbell, which Steve Lanier answered.
"You must be here for Val," he said as he ushered him in. "Tyler, right?"
"Yea, that's me," he said with a smile. "Tyler Connell."
"Matthew's kid?" he asked.
"How did you know my dad?" Tyler asked in bewilderment.
"We met a while back. He was the lawyer of one of my company's cases."
"I see," Tyler said. "He's not here any…"
"I know," Steve said silently. "Val should be here any minute. I'll call her. Val! Tyler's here!"
Val slowly came down the steps, wearing a long, pale blue, silk dress, with spaghetti strap. Her hair was put up, with single strands dangling on the side. To Tyler, she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
"Wow…I…you…wow," Tyler said as he started at her.
'How cute,' she thought.
"You look great, honey," his dad said as he came over to his daughter.
"Thanks Dad," she said.
Joanna Lanier and Brooke came in from the kitchen. They were both in awe at Val, but not as much as Tyler.
"Val, that dress is off the hook," Brooke commented as she marveled at her sister's attire.
"Thanks Brooke."
"You look like a princess, honey," her mom said as she got a camera. "Go over to Tyler and I'll take a picture of you two."
"Mom!" she started to complain.
"Go on," Joanna said.
Val walked over to Tyler, who was still astonished by the girl in front of him. Tyler handed Val the rose.
"This is for you."
"Tyler, this is so sweet of you. Thanks."
Val turned Tyler to the camera. She had her back to him as he gently put his arms around her waist.
"Smile," Mrs. Lanier said as she took the picture. "Perfect."
"Well, I don't want you kids to be late," proclaimed Val's dad. "You better get going. Have fun, honey. And Tyler, keep an eye on her. Have fun as well."
"I will, Mr. Lanier," said Tyler. "Thanks. We'll be back before 11:00. That is Val's curfew, right?"
"No, there's no need for that," Steve said. "Enjoy yourselves. Just come home at a decent time."
"Thanks Dad," Val said as she bid her family goodbye.
Tyler took Val's hand and led her to the passenger seat.
"You look beautiful," Tyler said after he paused.
"You don't look so bad yourself," Val remarked.
"Thanks for asking me to the dance," he said lightheartedly. "And for putting up with me after all that time, you know."
"You know I would ask you," she smiled at him. "And I could not have chosen a better person to put up with."
Tyler gave her a loving smile as they shared a passionate kiss. Tyler was the one who broke the kiss.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Let's go!"
Caitie was now looking into the mirror, still not believing that the person in front of her was her. She didn't really care much about dances in the past, but since she started dating Jamie, she couldn't help but wonder how romantic it would be to go to a dance together. 'Well, people change.' Caitie smiled at her reflection. She was wearing a black lace slip dress. The dress is short and cut high at the neck with spaghetti straps.
"Caitie, you look different," said her older sister, Cassandra.
"Gee thanks," Caitie said sarcastically.
"I mean that in a good way. It's just that you don't usually go for those type of outfits. Not to mention go to a dance. You're really turning into that blond friend of yours."
"Her name's Val," Caitie said defensively. "And I'm not turning into her. It's just that Jamie…"
Caitie was cut off when the doorbell rang.
"Ooohhh, it must be him," Cassandra said teasingly.
"Shut up!" Caitie said while smiling at the same time.
"Really though, have fun, sis."
"Thanks Cassie," Caitie said before taking one more look at the mirror and heading downstairs.
When Caitie came down, the look on her face mirrored that of Jamie.
"Caitie…wow," Jamie said in awe.
Kenneth Roth looked behind him to see his daughter in an outfit he had never seen her wear before.
"Caitlin, you look…amazing," he marveled before calling his wife. "Frances, come here."
In a second, Frances Roth came from the kitchen and was as amazed as Caitie's dad.
"You look so pretty," her mom said as she got teary-eyed all of a sudden. "Ken, our little girl is now a woman."
"Mom, you're embarrassing yourself," Caitie said, even though she was the one embarrassed.
"Take a picture of her," Kenneth said as he handed her wife the camera.
"I hate pictures, Dad," Caitie complained.
Jamie looked on amusedly as he watched Caitie blushing and getting flustered every once in a while. He liked her parents. 'They seem to be normal people.' Jamie was, surprisingly, wearing one button, double-breasted tuxedo. Caitie was still wondering where he got the tux. Caitie's mom already took five pictures of her. Suddenly, she pulled Jamie from the corner and let him stand beside Caitie.
"OK, Jamie, smile," she said before taking the picture.
"Mom, we really have to go."
"Fine, alright, I'll stop the pictures."
"Have fun, Caitlin," Kenneth said as he gave her daughter a kiss. "Enjoy yourself as well, James."
"Thanks Mr. Roth."
With that, Caitie and Jamie left the house.
"Your parents are cool," Jamie said.
"They're something else," Caitie said as she paused to ask him a question.
"Where did you get that tux?"
"My mom bought this for me a while ago. I only wore it once."
"What was the occasion?"
"My cousin, Cody's, wedding."
"It looks nice on you."
"You like nice as well. Where did you get your dress?"
"I bought it over the weekend. Val helped me out, and I ended up with this."
"Nice pick," he said as he smiled at her. "You look stunning."
Jamie held her chin up with his forefinger and lightly brushed his lips to hers.
"And you look charmingly handsome," Caitie said after they broke apart.
Jamie led her to the car. He borrowed it from his mother. Jamie got in the car, but hesitated to start it yet. Somehow, he was actually worried about the dance. Technically, he hasn't really been to a dance where he actually is participating. The only dance he went to, which was coincidentally with Caitie, was the homecoming dance where he came as a blond cheerleader and Caitie was a football jock.
"Are you ready?" Jamie asked nervously.
"Are you?" Caitie countered.
"As long as you're with me, I couldn't care less."
"Same here."
"Let's do it!" Jamie said before pumping up the gas and starting the car.
Hank has been parading all over the living room, waiting impatiently for the bell to ring. As if on cue, the bell rang. Hank hurried to the door. He was wearing a black peak tuxedo.
"Come in," he said as he let Marianne through the door.
Marianne reached to fix his tie before coming in.
"Nice house," she commented.
"Uh huh," Hank said, although he didn't hear what she said.
Hank just stared at the breathtaking sight in front of him. Marianne donned a sandy-colored, fitted glitter-knit dress, and with twisted back detail. The color complimented her skin tone. Marianne turned back to Hank and saw him almost drooling over her outfit. She smiled before she said anything.
"Where are your parents?"
"They're out for dinner."
"Are you ready to go?"
"Only for like, thirty minutes."
"Well, come on, Beecham," she said as she pushed him out the door and headed for her car. "Let's get going!"
I had to stop right there(sorry J ). The next chapter might be the dance. It might also be the last of this series. Anyway, I hope you liked it. Describing those different outfits was probably the hardest part on writing this. Please review! I'll be back!!! ~ Scarlet182