Chapter Eleven:
February 15, 2002
I'm so worried about Kay right now I can barely think straight. I had thought that Kay would be smart enough to see what Jordan's true motives are.
But, apparently, she's not.
God, I want nothing more than to go out and find her myself. At least that way, I know that she'll be safe from… whatever he has planned for her, for them.
And this is all my fault.
Apparently, Jessica wasn't clear on the fact that we were only going to the dance as friends. She tried to kiss me, which caused Kay to leave the dance with Jordan.
I'd like to think that she left in jealousy, but I know better. She left because she was angry about being replaced so easily.
If only she knew that she would be in my heart for the rest of my life…
Nervously, Reese approached the front door of the Bennett house. He wasn't worried so much about his first actual "date" with a Bennett daughter—he knew that he and Jessica were going to the dance as friends, nothing more.
He was worried about his ability to mask his reaction to Kay after he saw her in her gown.
He didn't know what Kay would be wearing, but he was certain that she would be beautiful. She always was, and he knew that she would be the most attractive woman at the dance.
But tonight he couldn't ooh and aah over her as he ordinarily would.
Tonight, his date was none other than her younger sister, and even Reese, with his limited social knowledge, knew better than to gush over the sister of his date.
In all probability, Jessica realized that he still loved Kay, but he still wanted to avoid hurting her if he could spare her. So he had to do everything in his power to resist his attraction and love for Kay.
Ding, dong!
"Reese, c'mon in," Chief Bennett welcomed him, as he opened the door. "The girls should be done in a moment."
Reese nodded his thanks and glanced around the room. Jordan and Christopher were also there, as Kay and Charity's dates, but Reese really wasn't in the mood to socialize with either of them—especially not with Jordan.
But apparently Grace Bennett was in the mood to socialize. "Why, hello, Reese," the woman greeted him. "Don't you look fine tonight!"
Reese offered her a thin smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Bennett."
"Ahem!"
Reese's head immediately swung towards the top of the stairs, where Kay stood. The aqua blue of the gown complemented her eyes perfectly. From the tight-fitting bodice to the poofy princess skirt… she was breathtaking. Slowly, she descended the staircase, like a angel coming down from the heavens.
Awe-struck, his gaze followed her until she met his gaze. Embarrassed to be caught staring at his ex-girlfriend, he immediately searched out his 'date.'
Jessica was very pretty, he'd give her that. Her pastel pink fit her perfectly, but he couldn't help but think of her as simply a girl playing dress-up, especially when compared to her sister.
Perhaps it was the fact that Jessica was so naïve when compared to her older sister.
Perhaps it was the fact that her dress looked like it had been made from cotton candy.
Perhaps it was something else entirely.
The fact still remained that Reese was going to the dance with one sister and wishing that she would transform into the other. Imperceptibly, he shook his head. This was not good.
~*~
"And now… it's time for the traditional coronation ceremony!"
Reese rolled his eyes. He had always thought that these things were nothing more than ridiculous popularity contests that no one but the winner would remember five years from now.
He knew that since the juniors had their Prom, the seniors had their Valentine's Dance. He understood that there were some member of the senior class whose lives revolved around who would be crowned the Queen of Hearts.
But that wasn't his life, so he had problems trying to figure out why he should even pretend to care.
"And the Queen of Hearts is Kay Bennett!!"
Reese froze. Kay was just crowned the Queen of Hearts? How on earth did that happen?
"This year's King of Hearts is Jordan Aberman!!"
Reese watched Kay and Jordan approach the stage to receive their crowns. It was then that it all made sense.
He saw Jordan shake hands with the announcer and could have sworn that he saw them exchange a wink. The only question was why had Jordan wanted Kay to be crowned Queen with him?
They were already at the dance together, so it couldn't have been that he had wanted to dance with her. But then what could it have been?
With a sigh, Reese averted his eyes from the sight of Kay dancing with Jordan. What kind of name was Jordan anyhow?
~*~
Minutes later, Reese and Jessica were dancing to a slow song. Reese wanted to concentrate on his date. Really, he did.
But he couldn't help but fear that Jordan was up to something.
As he watched Kay and Jordan dance nearby, he watched the way that his hands roamed Kay's body. Reese couldn't believe that Kay was letting him touch her like that—after all, it was only their first date!
Then, Kay's eyes met his. Granted, it was only for a moment, but it was long enough.
Reese could have sworn that she had looked uncomfortable, but she was putting up with it to avoid causing a scene.
But after she had seen that Reese was watching her, she plastered a large smile on her face and moved closer to Jordan.
Instantly, Reese's blood began to boil. Why did Kay have to be so damn proud? Why couldn't she just admit that she was in over her head?
Reese was about to move away from Jessica and intervene when Jessica did something that changed the course of the night.
"Reese," she began softly, "I'm having a great time tonight. Thanks so much for asking me." Carefully, she reached up and pulled his head down to hers.
The kiss was unexpected, and it took Reese a few moments to figure out what the hell was going on. But as soon as he realized that Jessica was kissing him, he pulled away.
Instantly, his eyes flew to Kay's, and he saw her staring back at him, her mouth open in shock and hurt shining in her eyes.
He opened his mouth to speak, but his mouth just wouldn't cooperate. Instead, he found himself standing there is shock as Kay and Jordan turned and left the dance.
~*~
Around two a.m. that morning, Reese was still awake, pacing in front of the blaring TV. He didn't know what was showing on the screen, and he honestly didn't care.
TV didn't matter. Nothing mattered if Kay was in trouble.
But there was nothing that he could do now. He could try to go out there and find Kay, but he had no idea where to even begin looking. How was he supposed to know where Jordan would have taken her?
If only he hadn't been so damn stupid and had run after her when she had first fled… Then Kay wouldn't be in danger at all.
A soft knock on the door disturbed his thoughts. As he headed towards the front door, he couldn't help but hope that it would be Kay. Who else would it be this late at night?
Mentally, he scolded himself. It wouldn't be Kay. Even if she wasn't with Jordan right now, she would never come here, to him. Especially after what he had done to her.
Slowly, he opened the door to reveal none other than Kay. Her dress was torn and dirty, and her tears had caused her mascara to run. But she was still beautiful.
"K—Kay?" Reese asked, almost afraid that the woman before him was no more than an illusion.
Kay didn't say a word. Rather, she simply threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
Stunned, Reese placed his arms around her and smoothed her hair. It looked like he had been right. Something horrible had happened.
For what was the second time in as many weeks, Reese wished that that hadn't been the case.
Now if only he knew what to do to make everything alright again.