CHAPTER 18 – The Moment of Truth

The next day flew by for the Ducks. Julie and Connie decided to meet in the morning to help with the finishing touches of the Dance decorations, since the rest of the team refused to help.

No one was home when Connie arrived and she was glad to have the house to herself. Getting ready for the Dance was going to take every ounce of her concentration. She showered and washed her hair with her favorite herbal-scented shampoo. Then she carefully blew her hair dry and curled it. When she had finished, she smiled at herself in the mirror for it had come out perfectly. She hoped that was an omen for the rest of the evening.

She then threw open her closet door and began pulling out a few items that interested her. After trying a few combinations, she decided nothing was quite right. Connie sighed. I knew I should have gone to the mall and bought something new, she thought.

She stared into her closet for like three minutes. What to wear? What to wear? She had to decide on something—Rugged Jock would be arriving very soon. Then she remembered the perfect outfit. She had spent months saving for it and finally bought it last month. It was tucked away in the back of the closet. She pulled them out and changed quickly into them. It was a black velvet body suit, and a pair of long hiphuggers with huge bells at the bottom. The fabric was dark, flowing and almost sheer.

Connie slipped on her black suede platforms and gazed at herself in the mirror with a pleased smile on her face. Perfect. She put on a pair of dangly earrings and a matching bracelet, dabbed on a little lipgloss and was ready to go.

* * *

Julie touched up her hair one last time, put on some more lipgloss and a touch of mascara. She was wearing a black scoop-necked knit top which she worn off her shoulders and a short flared turquoise skirt. With her hair up and a pair of dangly earrings, she look fantastic.

For five long minutes she anxiously paced back and forth her room waiting for Cool Croon Guy to arrived. Finally, there was a knock on her door. She took a long deep breath before turning the doorknob, the door opened revealing…

"Portman?!" Julie gasped, in disbelief. There was a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Portman gave her a toothy grin. "Hi Cute Tough Chick! For you," he said, thrusting an enormous bouquet of flowers at her.

Julie stared at him, not knowing whether to laugh or to cry. Portman was Cool Croon Guy! She reached for the roses and smiled. "Thanks, I didn't know you could be sweet." she commented.

Portman gave her a huge lopsided grin "There are a lot of things you don't know about me. Hey, you look really great tonight,"

"Thanks. Say, now that I think about it, so do you!" she was still in partial state of shock.

Portman held out his elbow and smiled, "Shall we?"

Julie rolled her eyes. "Whatever" she said, taking his arm and smiled.

* * *

Connie paced up and down the downstairs hallway waiting for her date. Her stomach was in knots. Then, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" she called out.

She walked slowly to the door, nervous and worried that her heart was going to jump right out of her chest. Connie took one final deep breath, then opened the door. She kept her eyes lowered for a second, then looked up to find herself staring at…

Guy Germaine!

Connie blinked, then gasped. She stared at him in amazement. She felt her heart pound all over again. Suddenly, it all made sense. Guy was Rugged Jock! Why hadn't she figured it out earlier?

"Hi," is all she could say.

Guy was nervously clutching a bouquet of tulips. "These are for you," he said, passing the flowers to her, grinning his special grin.

Connie smiled and took the flowers from him. "They're beautiful!"

"You're beautiful too." Guy said sincerely.

"Thanks, you look great yourself." Connie said, then a thought occurred to her. "Before tonight, did you know it was me?"

"I figured it out ever since." Guy said. "I was glad it was you."

Connie's heart began to pound. "I'm glad it's you too."

"Shall we go?" Guy asked, offering his hand.

Connie nodded. Taking Guy's hand, she floated out of the front door with him.

A/N: Sorry for not updating my story for some time. I know this chapter is long overdue. I was just so busy with things and I had other interests that I kinda lost interest with the Ducks. Anyway, I hope to do some writing by next week.. I'll update asap. Please R&R!!J