Chapter 16: the proom
I don't own fablehaven.
Brackens POV
The hallways of the high school were warm, but not familiar. I held a few textbooks in my arms, passing lockers and kids spinning their dials. Personally, the locks had taken a while to master. It had given Kendra an excuse to help me, something she had taken a liking to.
I turned the corner when something caught my eye. In the trash can, a bright pink paper lay crumpled. It greatly contrasted the whites and blacks of the other trash. I had seen this same bright color somewhere else, although I wasn't sure where. I must not have taken the time to read it.
I came to the rim of the bin and took the paper out, smoothing out its corners.
In big, bold letters it announced something called a prom, further listing details of where, when, and dress code.
I thought this might be fun, so I stuffed it into my pocket and continued down the hall. I bumped into Seth along the way, spilling my books. He stooped down to help me. We gathered them in large stacks and I scooped them in my arms again. The prom flyer fluttered out of my pocket and to the ground. Seth picked it up, raising an eyebrow at me.
"What exactly is a proom?" I asked him.
Seth snorted. "Bracken, that's prom. It's a fancy dance. Ball gowns, suits, the works. And since you're always swooning over my sister, you should ask her."
My cheeks dusted silver. "And how does one go about doing that?"
Seth's mischievous grin made a reappearance and I gulped. He leaned into me and whispered something. I looked at him.
"Are you sure this is going to work?"
He rubbed his hands together. "Oh, it's going to work great."
Kendra's POV
I held a folded fluffy towel in my arms as I made my way to the bathroom. I opened the door and stepped inside, hanging the towel on a hook. I pulled the shower curtain back to turn on the water but froze. The bath was the kind with a shower-head attached to it, and currently floating around were numerous amounts of fish. Each one seemed to be tropical and all were full of elaborate colors. Some had fins like flowers, others had ridges like a dragon. I was enchanted looking at it.
When it clicked I had fish in my bathtub, I started to panic. What was I supposed to do with these? Who put them here? Was this a literal translation for "swimming with the fishes"? Had someone snuck into Fablehaven? I calmed down when I noticed the sign.
There are many fish in the sea, but I'd only want to go to prom with you, is it a date?
I knew immediately who it was from and I couldn't believe it. How could he have even known about it? And of all the things, filling a bathtub of fish is what he had gone with? I grinned anyway. I had given up the hope of going to dances when I had been kidnapped by the Society of the Evening Star. Returning to school I had daydreamed about it but it had never gone past that. And so that chance rekindled my excitement. This was going to be awesome.
Brackens POV
Being immortal, waiting had never been an issue for me. However, waiting for Kendra's response took an eternity. Seth had assured me I had done an excellent job. When I had asked for permission from Stan, he had agreed but was very amused. I wasn't sure if that was a good response or not. I tugged at my shirt.
"Are you sure that was right?" I asked once more.
"Ya," he said, flipping through a sports magazine. "It's way cooler than the lame food posters people are always doing." He paused. "Although I'm sure it's appreciated. Especially for the family. Maybe you could drop us off some—"
"Sssh," I said. I heard someone. I had taken Seth to the far side of the yard, near to Kendra and I's mailboxes. I hadn't shown Seth them, but vaguely told him as drop off spot. I had been searching for an answer all week to no avail. I shouldn't have rushed Kendra but the idea had been festering me since I had heard of it. I had concluded that if there was one spot she would leave a response, it was here.
Soft footsteps trailed against some broken twigs. A crinkle of paper. Footsteps again. I peeked through a hedge and saw Kendra walking along the path, a spring in her step. I waited a little bit until she was out of sight before going and checking.
I reached a hand inside the trunk and pulled out a folded piece of paper. In her handwriting, it said: yes!
I decided I much preferred her answer to my ask.
I tugged at the collar of my shirt as I steeled myself to do it. Reaching a hand forward, I rapped on the door. Kendra opened it and smiled. As always, she looked beautiful. I had seen her in a dress on occasion, but this one fitted the ball down theme. It was the same green shade as her eyes and although she didn't seem the most comfortable in it, it had a relaxed feel about it. It was Kendra-esque.
I gave her the bouquet of colorful flowers and she blushed a little. She stepped aside to let me in. I closed the door behind me and gave her a smile.
"I'm a bit nervous," Kendra admitted. "I've never really been to a dance or well…danced."
I offered her an arm and she took it.
"As Seth once said, you'll knock their socks off. Never understood that one. But besides, if anyone should be nervous it should be me. I happen to get to spend the entire evening with a lovely lady."
Kendra blushed and punched me in the shoulder…Her way of affection. My smile widened.
"I still don't know how to dance," she said.
"I'll teach you," I said, looking forward to it.
"Well I suppose."
And we set off to the dance.
*And like a month later I'm back. Let it be known that the whole time the voice in the back of head was a very grumpy camper, so like guilt. I'm great at word things ;P. Kay, the fish thing actually did happen, according to my cool neighbor Scott. To say the least, that was a fun day. And the next chapter will be at the dance :). Final thing, I was going to make this longer, but I knew if I didn't do it today it was never happening. Right, thanks Jaylalovesreading, NaoSa, and FablehavenFan07!*