"I have a date to the dance," Benny relayed to Ethan, as they stood in front of the latter's bathroom mirror, just an hour before they were supposed to be met by Sarah and Fayette.

"That's the tenth time you've said that, in the past hour alone," Ethan reminded his friend, as he tried to tie his own tie.

"Because I'm pretty sure at some point, it will stop being true."

"Yes, and maybe if you begin the mantra that it will rain pickles, that will happen, too." Ethan rolled his eyes.

Benny, observing his friend, simply shook his head. "You worry me sometimes."

"Seriously? Do you even hear yourself when you talk?"

Looking almost thoughtful, he answered. "I'm not sure my ears would be able to handle so much suaveness. It's why I had to stop watching any movie with Sean Connery in it."

"Well, at least you just proved my point."

"Snippy," Benny said, looking at Ethan reproachfully. "What's got your panties in a bunch?"

"I don't wear panties..." Ethan muttered. "And it's just a big night. Sarah and I are kind of...something now. I don't fully know what, and I don't really know why. But regardless, I'm determined not to screw this up."

Benny clapped Ethan on the shoulder. "Let the expert give you some lady advice."

"Sure, just notify me when he arrives."

"Ha ha. How do you think I managed to snag Fayette?" Benny said, tugging on his jacket smugly.

"Either it was a fluke or you managed to really get on Aphrodite's good side. Look, I say we just try to make it through the night without stepping on our dates' toes, or spilling punch on their dresses. No over-thinking. Just fun. Deal?" Ethan stuck out his hand, which Benny ending up shaking in agreement.

"But for the record, you did wear panties that one time-"

"It was an accident!" He interjected, before muttering something that sounded like, "Laundry mix-up... Don't judge..."

"They're here!" Jane's tiny voice echoed up the stairs, signalling for the boys to come downstairs to meet their dates.

"Ready?" Ethan asked.

Benny nodded anxiously, never looking less ready in his life. "Hold my hand?"

"Oh, grow up," Ethan said, pushing Benny ahead of him down the stairs.

Doing his best to walk stoically, Benny grabbed the stair rail and walked slowly down the stairs. He would've walked the whole way down if the sight of Fayette hadn't stopped him midway. Seeing her standing by the front door next to Sarah, he took in everything about her.

Keeping her theme of flowers, a white delphinium garland adorned her short brown hair, that had tonight been curled loosely. Three strands of tiny pearls encircled her neck, but that was the only jewelry she chose to wear. Upon her feet were simple, light pink flats. If Benny had to guess, the rose in her cheeks, the curl of her eyelashes, and the sparkle in her skin was all natural. She even wore her favorite watermelon chapstick instead of lip gloss. (He could smell it from where he stood.)

But her dress. Benny saw every reason why it was the exact dress that Fayette would love, but he'd never imagined she could look so...stunning. It was strapless, showing off her soft shoulders and collarbone. It was a rosy pink from her chest to her waist, turning to a creamy ivory until it hit her ankles, where it stopped at a soft lavender. The mesh ruffled in tiers, from tiny little ruffles in the pink, to bigger ruffles down to the skirt. Elegant, and understated.

"Has my handsome Prince forgotten how to descend stairs?" Fayette's voice broke through Benny's thoughts, causing him to blink stupidly.

"Sorry, I just... um..." He continued walking down the stairs, trying to gather the exact words he wanted to say. Reaching her finally, he spoke. "I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone more gorgeous, and I likely never will again, my Princess." Winking, he bowed.

Fayette touched her hand to her cheek. "Thou hast stolen my heart."

"Oh, I was referring to my reflection in the mirror, but you look okay, I guess." Benny grinned, teasing.

Fayette couldn't contain her laugh. Straightening his tie, she said, "In that case, I'd like my heart back. You know you look dapper and quite attractive yourself, sir. If you'd have given me time to say so." Taking the purple dendrobium orchid boutonniere and pinning it to his jacket, Fayette smiled. "Sorry it's no purple tux, but I hope this is okay."

"Speaking of which, your dress...? It's not black and white," Benny joked, gesturing towards her attire.

She touched her nose with her forefinger lightly. "Guess I didn't get the memo. My corsage?"

Benny reached on the table near him, opening the box and taking out her corsage to be placed on her wrist. Fumbling, it fell to the ground while both Benny and Fayette reached for it, bumping heads.

"Ow," they said in unison.

Sarah and Ethan, who had beforehand been having their own conversation, gazed over at the two holding the hurt spots on their heads.

"You two were practically made for each other," Sarah said, laughing.

"Don't put me in the same category as Sir Hurts-A-Lot over here." Fayette jabbed her thumb in the direction of Benny.

"Sorry I wasn't raised like a princess," he said, sticking his tongue out playfully.

"Frankly, I'm glad you weren't raised like a princess. You'd look terrible in a dress."

Ethan, remembering a time Benny and he had to dress up like cheerleaders, opened his mouth to speak. Benny, as though knowing what his friend was about to say, stepped on his friend's foot and gave him a look before whispering, "Panties."

With that one word and their conversation earlier in the night, Ethan checked his watch and announced, "Wow, look at the time! We should be going." Linking his arm around Sarah's waist, he led her out the front door.

Benny, with the corsage still in his hand, tied the ribbon around Fayette's wrist. She looked at it proudly.

"Ready to dance?" He asked, holding his hand out for her as Sarah honked the car horn. "Not here, clearly. I meant, ready to go to the dance... The dance, where we will dance... You know, this is the third head injury in the past week. I'm surprised I'm even speaking English."

"Well, we already got tonight's first injury out of the way. If I don't come home without at least a few bandages or maybe even a broken toe, I'd feel a bit like tonight was unsuccessful," she said, taking his hand and walking out of the door with him.

"Do you doubt my dancing abilities?"

"Yes. Don't take offense, though. I doubt mine, too. We could be wallflowers all night if you want," Fayette offered.

"Stand by the punch bowl and make eye contact without actually speaking?"

"Oh, and we should also stand awkwardly far apart from each other."

"And then when I finally pluck up the courage to ask you to dance, I'll accidentally knock over the punch bowl."

"Actually, that does sound like something you'd do."

"I'm not clumsy!" he said, opening Sarah's car door for her.

Fayette smiled, sidling into the backseat of the car. "I'm going to need proof of that."

Benny shut the door, and walked to the other side to sit next to Fayette.

"Are we ready?" Sarah asked from the driver's seat.

Everyone answered in the affirmative, causing Sarah to push her foot lightly on the gas pedal.

Sneaking a glance over at his date, Benny couldn't help but grin. He didn't see the pixie with an evil ex-boyfriend. He didn't see the princess with her whole kingdom relying on her. He didn't even see the mysterious girl that made him so shy for a whole week. He saw the girl with the white dress and the daisy in her hair, standing by her locker door. The girl who sat with him in his important place, the bookshop, and geeked out over comic books. The girl covered with spaghetti sauce in the shower, and the look on her face after they'd kissed.

Sliding his hand over to hers in the seat, he grabbed it and intertwined his fingers with hers. Fayette squeezed his hand gently, her hand warm against his.

The problem with things being so perfect was, they could never stay that way for very long.