=Normal POV=
(Saturday, 6/9/2018-5:30 pm)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Berk Isle Palace)
The group of friends were all dressed up and excited for tonight; it was senior prom. The last big event held at Berkian Academy, their high school for the last four years. Graduation was being held at Meade Hall next Saturday from 3-6 pm. The friends fully enjoyed spirit week, as well as being fit for their cap and gowns and getting the information about graduation location and time. All of them passed, except Addilyn Jorgenson, as she was only sixteen and had two years left. But the rest would be graduating high school together in just seven days; their next week would be practicing the graduation ceremony to be ready for how it would happen on Saturday, the 16th. But that was next week; tonight was senior prom, so they were looking forward to a great evening. For Hunter and Nicole; their night was going to be just a bit more adventurous from the prom itself as at 10 pm, when the dance let out, they'd be checking into their room right at the hotel. It was to be their first time making love to one another. Hunter was actually happy and looking forward to tonight, despite the fact his mood was still down.
Hunter refused to let his slight sink into depression ruin tonight, though. Hunter was determined to have a good time; he wanted to be able to make love to Nicole because he felt it was more for her than him. Hunter knew she wanted to do it, and that was okay with him because he wanted to as well. But Nicole's experiences with sex in the past had never come full circle, as in she never got to enjoy the full thing. So Hunter wanted to make sure that tonight was absolutely perfect for his and Nicole's first time and that's why he was so adamant on making sure he followed through on telling her dad they wanted to do it, and ensuring that he was okay to do it. Hunter's appointment yesterday revealed that his recovery was going great, and he was fine to engage in having sex as long as he bore in mind the advice Keith gave him.
Tonight, Spencer and Gregory both came out to the hotel to meet with Keith and Ella so they could send Hunter and Nicole off to prom together. Hunter and Nicole had not seen one another all day in preparation for prom; she went with the girls to the salon for hair styling, manicures, and pedicures. Hunter mostly stayed at home all day, talking with his godfather and dad; they wanted to know the plans for prom, so Hunter told them the truth regarding him and Nicole and what they'd be doing afterwards. Hunter got ready two hours before prom started, factoring in travel and meet up time to take pictures. Hunter made sure he had his overnight bag in the jeep, the tickets, his wallet, and pain medication before they left to get to the hotel.
"Hunt! Hey, you're here!" Travis beamed once Hunter walked into sight where the others were.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Hunter asked.
"Cuz-," Shane started as Addilyn elbowed him in the stomach and glared. "No reason, just that you didn't seem interested in prom last year…And you said you don't like parties; this kind of the biggest one of our high school lives." Shane said quickly, ignoring the other thing he was going to say about Hunter being miserable since surgery.
"I'm not even going to grace that reasoning with reasons of my own to explain why everything you just said is bull." Hunter rolled his eyes as he looked around to see everyone; the parents were all talking and greeting one another. Devon had come with Myra, as chaperones. Elijah and Raelyn were here as dates. Bryan was here as Ashley's date. The rest of them were paired up with their boyfriend, or girlfriend; Travis and Addilyn, Heather and Fisher, Shane and Mindy, who were officially together now as Shane asked Mindy not only to prom as his date, but girlfriend too. That happened on 31st of May, though, so that way Shane could get the tickets on the 1st of June. Hunter was now just waiting on Nicole to arrive to get their night started.
Keith's car pulled in line with the rest of the vehicles and parked. Ella and Keith got out, then the back door opened as Keith offered his hand to help Nicole out. Hunter's eyes widened as the sight of his girlfriend who he'd been with for just about six months; he couldn't believe how gorgeous she looked in her prom outfit, and surprisingly; it wasn't how he'd seen her dress for dances in the past. Hunter just stood there, hoping he didn't have a dumb look on his face while he was awe-stricken by her. Nicole wore a one-shoulder, high-low, red and black gradient style dress that had a beautiful shimmer of white and purple sparkles. Down the shoulder, across the mid-section, and down left side of the dress but only to the start of the belt showed a light, decorative, crystal pattern. Nicole had her hair all done in a French braid that hung over her left shoulder, even the red piece was entangled in. And completing the look; black, lace up boots with about a one-inch heel.
"Damn, I think she put him into shock…" Travis snapped his fingers in front of Hunter's face.
"Oh, shut up…" Hunter shoved him back, unamused. "Wasn't in shock, just admiring." He added while walking up to meet Nicole, it was only a few steps while Keith stayed back with Ella beside Glenn and Spencer. "Milady," Hunter took her hand. "You look gorgeous." He said bowing gently and kissing the back of it.
Nicole giggled a little blushing at Hunter's action; she was very blessed to have much a gentleman like him. Nicole also saw many phones out taking pictures, or probably videos. "Thank you, kind sir," Nicole replied, playing along to the formalities. Hunter came back up and smiled at her. "You look very handsome." Nicole told him. Standing closer now, Hunter could see that she had a little make up on. It was nothing major; eyeliner, very little shimmering silver eye shadow, lip gloss that gave her lips a small pop of red tinge to them, and a black choker neck necklace with a purple gem.
Hunter was going to wind up lost in her eyes if he kept staring in them; he refocused himself. "Oh, uh, this is for you…" Hunter said, lifting up a paper bag and pulling out a red-rose corsage that had some small black chains and a faded gold ring with a rose inside the clear gem; the ring was attached to the chains. Nicole gasped at the sight the object in the clear container. "I was gonna go with something original like most normal guys would do, but hey; I'm not your average guy…I saw this and figured it would not only look good, but definitely your style."
"Hunter, its beautiful…Thank you." Nicole said softly as she extended her wrist a bit for him to slide on. Nicole leaned in, then on her toes a bit to kiss him. Hunter returned the action as he offered his arm to her; she linked hers around it as they walked towards the rest of the group.
"Alright, let's get going on pictures or we'll be late!" Heather urged.
. . .
(6:15 pm)
Each couple got their picture taken in the designated area, for the sake of the formal one with the labels Berkian Academy Senior Prom 2018. Following that was shots taking by their parents, who insisted as many as possible for the sake of memories. Nicole and Hunter both agreed to stand in a photo with the group of friends. Nicole only did it because Hunter did, and Hunter only agreed because of what he said to Ashley after the truth came out; that he wouldn't exclude her from group events, despite what happened for the sake of their friends. In truth, this made Hunter the bigger person, and his friends respected him for it even being that they knew Hunter was the one wronged by Ashley. It didn't matter, Hunter didn't want any attention drawn to it; he said he was done with it. The parents all left when people started to line up and head for the doors to get into the hotel and follow the signs to where prom was being held.
Hunter and Nicole were last to get inside the room where prom was being held; it was decorated well and it was going to be a good night, aside from their after-prom activities that would happen. Hunter took care of booking the room last week; he made sure to arrive with enough time before meeting up with his friends, to get his and Nicole's bags to their room as he got hers from her on Friday night. Hunter already had the room key, and took a little time to make things nice, which Nicole would get to see when they got there later tonight.
"So this is what prom is?" Nicole asked. "Seems like all the other dances."
Hunter laughed a little. "Yeah, senior prom is basically an over-glorified school dance held at a hotel."
"Well, I've been to every other dance with you this year. I guess I'm glad to attend my first, last, and only prom with you, as your girlfriend this time." Nicole stated.
"As I'm glad to be at my second prom with you, Milady." Hunter replied. Nicole remembered that Hunter told her back in October that he was basically dragged to Junior Prom, but it was after he and Ashley had broken up, so he was there miserably single.
"It's technically my second senior prom." Bryan shrugged.
"Yeah, we know…" Hunter remarked, trying not to be hostile. In truth, he wasn't mad at Bryan. Yeah, Bryan might have kissed Ashley first…But the rest was all Ashley's choice to do. And Hunter felt like Bryan was semi on his side because of everything learned last week where he found out that Ashley stopped loving Hunter after meeting Bryan, and that Ashley used Hunter for sex after their first time in order to get better at it for sex with Bryan. Also, Bryan now knew that Ashley had been bragging to Hunter about her relationship with Bryan.
"We aren't gonna enjoy prom here standing on the sidelines, so let's go!" Raelyn told them. Without another word; they were all headed to find a big enough space where they could all sit together. And then headed out onto the dance floor. Hunter and Nicole chose a table near them, but not at the same one. Yes, they were there as friends, but Hunter and Nicole didn't agree to come to prom as part of the group; they were there for them, as a couple.
"Well, they seem anxious to get started." Nicole stated.
"Yeah, it was like that last year too. They'll go kill their energy in the first hour, sit down for dinner, then not move the rest of the night." Hunter chuckled a little.
"Is that why you said is sucked last year?" Nicole wondered.
Hunter shrugged a bit. "Aside from the breakup and having to see Ashley so happy with Bryan there, yeah; it was boring as hell. I ended up bailing early when they weren't paying attention, called Glenn to come get me."
"You won't bail on me tonight if it gets boring, will ya?" Nicole giggled.
Hunter smiled and shook his head. "No, I actually want to be here tonight with you. I won't take off, promise."
Nicole took his hand, leading him towards the dance floor with a broad smile as they started together in a slow dance when the next song that played was slow. Hunter had his hands on her hips, and her arms were around his shoulders; they were pressed together and just swaying while moving their feet around in sync for a circle-like pattern. Yes, Hunter was glad he didn't feel so miserable that he'd miss this. The night was more than just them getting the freedom to make love; it was senior prom and they were there together as a couple who had been dating nearly six months in about two more weeks. This night was, in their opinion, all for them because they weren't here for anyone else. Not for their friends, not for classmates; just them being together.
. . .
(8:00 pm)
Nicole and Hunter took their time on the dance floor; they'd stay for a couple, then go sit and relax so they didn't waste their energy all at once like their friends did. As Hunter expected, most of the group was wiped out by 7:15 pm as they all chose to just stay on the dance floor partaking in both slow and fast songs without any breaks. It had been about two hours since the prom started, dinner had been served at 7:30 pm. The meal was spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread; their drink choice was whatever they grabbed from the snack table, which was punch or water. The food was good, Hunter and Nicole enjoyed eating together and just talking about anything that came up. Now, they were sitting back and relaxing at their table; it been a nice little small one against the wall, big enough for about four, but everyone seemed to be sitting in groups who needed more space so this worked out good for them.
"I can't believe it's already been two hours." Nicole smiled.
"Goes by fast." Hiccup nodded to her. "Are you having a good time?"
"I'm having one of the best times of my life," Nicole replied. "The first was meeting you."
"That's one of the best moments in mine too." Hunter said. "We don't have to stay all night if we don't want to. I already checked us in and have the key to the room in my pocket if you feel like heading out early?"
"I'll keep it in mind, but I'm loving this for right now." Nicole stated.
"Whatever you want to do, Milady. I'm yours tonight and however much longer you feel like having me at your side." Hunter chuckled some.
"Oh, so forever if I want?" Nicole asked, arching a brow while a playful smirk was on her lips.
"If that is your desire." Hunter smiled back, bowing his head to her. Nicole got up now as Hunter wondered what she was doing. "Bathroom?" He asked.
"No, silly. The dance floor isn't swarmed right now, so come on." Nicole giggled some as she grabbed his hand and pulled him a bit. Hunter got to his feet and allowed Nicole to lead him to the dance floor just as a slow song was coming on. Hiccup decided to go a little extra, walking ahead of her then twirling her once before bringing Nicole against his frame; it made her blush as they shared a kiss and started dancing. Their friends watched them from their table, surprised to see them back to dancing after eating not more than half an hour ago. The two would just sway in rhythm while looking at one another and talking lightly as if they were the only ones in the room.
"They look great together." Heather said softly while leaning against Fisher.
"They're happy." Mindy smiled.
"Yeah, he's had a rough couple of years." Fisher agreed.
"I'd say the hardest thing last year was losing his mom. This year had a lot more." Shane stated.
Ashley wasn't joining the conversation; she knew she had no right and it wasn't her place after what she did to him. There was no other way to look at things; she hurt him in the worst ways and there was no way to take anything back or fix it. Nicole's words rang in her head about learning Hunter loved Nikki more than he had Ashley, which said a lot Ashley knew she was wrong for cheating and using Hunter. Everything could have ended peacefully if she just told him she didn't feel the same anymore, but now it was so messed up that Hunter only tolerated her presence for the sake of their friends, not making them choose. All of them knew Ashley was wrong, but it was clear Hunter didn't want their friendships affected just because Hunter and Ashley were no longer together. She had hurt Hunter, not the others, even if they didn't like or agree with what she did.
Ashley watched Hunter and Nicole dance together; they looked happy and in love. Hunter used to look at her that way, so maybe it wasn't about who loved who more. Nicole and Hunter's love was just stronger. Sitting beside Bryan, and hearing the others talk about what they felt would happen between Hunter and Nicole; Ashley didn't know how to contribute to their conversation.
"What do you think, Ashley?" Raelyn asked, snapping her from her thoughts.
"Huh?" Ashley asked.
"What do you think about Hunter and Nicole? As a couple; we think they're pretty good together." Heather said.
Ashley looked from the friends over to Hunter and Nicole who have their foreheads together, still dancing; then shared a somewhat intimate kiss. The others waited for her answer, seeing her eyes had shifted to the couple they were talking about.
"It doesn't matter," Ashley said finally.
"What? You've got no opinion on it?" Shane wondered.
"Of course I do, as do all of you. But it doesn't matter, just like I said," Ashley stated. "What we think of them as a couple doesn't matter. They're not going to stop being together based on what we think because it's not OUR relationship; it's theirs. Yeah, they look great as a couple, but it's not about how two people look when they are a couple. A good majority of people don't like two men or two women together, but does that matter? No, because it's not about what others see them as. It's not about how they look together. It's about how they feel when they're together. He loves her, she loves him. And when they're together; they're happy. That's what matters; how they feel for one another, when they're around each other."
"Really weird to hear that coming out of your mouth after what you did to him…" Nicole remarked on Ashley's left, causing the blond to tense a little and look back and up at her quickly. "And now I want to know why you said it." She folded her arms over her chest, waiting for the response.
