Preventing a Royal Engagement
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! On with Chapter 5! =D
Chapter 5: Planning the Revelation
"We have to do what?" Ty questioned, loudly.
Tinka put down her napkin and said, "I said we have to tell my parents about our relationship."
CeCe, Rocky, Deuce, and Dina listened in on the conversation between the two star-crossed lovers, the remaining cheesy slices of pizza on the table left unclaimed.
"We can no longer hide this, Ty," Tinka told him. "If my parents knew about our relationship, maybe I can get out of my arranged marriage with Anton."
"But your parents hate Ty," Rocky pointed out to the blonde. "Why would they cancel a marriage between you and a guy they approve of, just so you can be with a guy who they completely despise?"
"I know they completely loathe, Ty," Tinka said, "but we have to take this chance. Perhaps my parents will grow to like him. I already told my parents that I don't wish to marry Anton. Now, it's time to show them."
Everyone around the table nodded, understandingly, but Ty was the one who was the most impressed. He suddenly had a newfound respect for Tinka. It was obvious that she loved him so much and the thought of her doing whatever she could to stay with him made him smile.
"Well, we've got your back," Deuce told Tinka, speaking for everyone at the table.
"Yeah, baby, I'll do anything for you," Ty said, draping his arm over her shoulders. "So, if you want to tell your parents about us, then I'm all for it."
"Thank you," Tinka said, gratefully. She smiled at having such supportive friends. Even CeCe, despite their recent argument, flashed the blonde a small smile, which she quickly returned.
"So, Tinka," Rocky said, poking her salad with her fork, "how do you plan on revealing your relationship with Ty to your parents?"
Tinka could not help but smirk at her idea of a revelation, an idea which jerked her awake, in the middle of the night, in excitement. The upcoming ball, she realized, was providing more than just an opportunity for Anton to propose. In fact, it was the perfect time, Tinka believed, to execute a startling revelation.
"Tinka?" Rocky said, noticing the devious look on the blonde's face. "What's your plan?"
"Well, Anton is sponsoring the annual Chicago Autumn Ball, which takes place this Saturday night," Tinka explained, "and I'm, unfortunately, obligated to attend."
"Are you going as his date?" Dina asked, curiously.
"No, he never said I was his date, he just asked my family and I to go," Tinka answered. "That being said, I'm going to show up with Ty."
"That's your idea of a revelation?" Rocky asked, surprised. "Are you sure about that?"
"Yes," Tinka said with a nod of her head. "The revelation has to be made in public, so my parents will be less likely to make a scene."
"And the less likely your father will kill me with one of his butcher knives," Ty added, cringing at the thought of being impaled with dozens of sharp knives.
"You both make good points," Rocky told the couple. "It sounds like a good idea. Let us know how it turns out."
"Oh, that won't be necessary," Tinka said, turning to CeCe, Rocky, and Dina. "My mother is inviting you three to the ball, as well, so you'll be there to witness the revelation."
"I'm in!" Rocky said, excitedly. "There's no way I'm missing this."
"And my mother also said you can bring dates," Tinka added to the girls.
Dina grinned, wrapped her arm around Deuce, and said, "Problem solved."
CeCe sighed, wishing that she could say the same thing. Although the redhead was glad that Tinka's invitation indicated that she did not seem angry at her anymore, the ball reminded her that Günther was not available to take her. Treasured memories of her and Günther started flooding her mind and her mood darkened slightly.
"Lucky you, Dina," Rocky said, sadly. "Unlike CeCe and I, you have a date."
"You don't need a date to have fun," Tinka told Rocky. "Just good friends."
"Well, we've got plenty of those," Rocky said, her face brightening. "Now, all we have to do is shop for dresses."
"We better hurry," Dina said, sounding concerned. "The ball is only two days away."
"I have a suggestion," Tinka said, getting the attention of both of the brunettes. "Why don't you come over to my place and pick out a dress from one of my formal wear collections?"
Rocky bit her bottom lip at the thought of wearing an original Tinka Hessenheffer design, and said, "Um, I don't think your designs are quite my style, Tink."
"Yeah, no offense, but I don't want to go to the ball, looking like a walking disco ball," Dina remarked.
Tinka, who was slightly offended by the comments, said, "I do have a collection of semi-sparkly formal wear that you can choose from. Once you select a dress, I can take measurements and make all of the alterations in time for the ball."
"That's a good idea," Dina commented with a smile. "I'm all for it."
"Me, too," Rocky added, excitedly.
"Well, how about you girls go with Tinka and get that done now?" Ty suggested. "Deuce and I will go and rent tuxes."
"Sounds good," Dina said, pushing her plate aside. "Let's go."
There was a sequence of small squeaks as the six teenagers slid their chairs back and stood up. Ty and Deuce were the first ones up the stairs. Rocky and Dina, having started a conversation about suitable dress styles for their body types, were right behind them.
CeCe, without saying a single word, started making her way up the stairs as well. She had only climbed three steps, when she felt a manicured hand on her shoulders.
"CeCe, wait," Tinka said, approaching the redhead from behind.
CeCe stopped in her tracks and turned to the blonde, who was biting her bottom lip and looking up at her anxiously. It seemed that Tinka wanted to say something more, but it refused to come out in words.
"Tinka, I'm sorry," CeCe said, unable to handle the unbearable silence. "It's not your fault that Günther isn't here. I shouldn't have yelled at you."
"No, I'm the one who should apologize," Tinka said. "Ty and I, we should have been more considerate of you and what you're going through."
"Believe me, I'm happy for you and Ty," CeCe said, truthfully. "It's just hard seeing you and Ty like that. It just reminds me of how much I miss Günther."
"I'm sure he misses you, too," Tinka said. "Look, let's just put this silly argument behind us and move on, shall we?"
CeCe nodded and said, "Yeah, let's do that. Besides, you and Ty are going through a hard time right now, and who knows how Saturday night is going to turn out. Both of you are going to need all the support you can get."
Tinka smiled gratefully, and said, "We better catch up with Rocky and Dina."
CeCe returned the smile with one of her own, and turned around to climb the rest of the stairs with Tinka right behind her.
"Tinkabell!" Squizza exclaimed as her daughter entered the apartment. "It is good to see that you are home!"
Tinka nodded in her mother's direction, but did not say a single word. She did, however, smile at Kasia, who was standing nearby. Even though Tinka disliked Anton with every fiber in her body, she held no grudge against his sister, who was nothing but friendly to her.
CeCe, Rocky, and Dina, who were standing behind Tinka, raised their eyebrows at each other. They could obviously sense the tension in the room. Anton, who was standing on the other side of Squizza, was only adding to the tension, and the girls knew that just one word from Anton could set Tinka off.
Squizza turned her attention to CeCe, Rocky, and Dina, and said, "Girls, it is wonderful to have you in our lovely home once again."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hessenheffer," Rocky said, politely.
"Mama, please excuse us," Tinka said, purposely not acknowledging Anton. "I would like to take my friends to my room, so they can select dresses to wear to the upcoming ball."
"Of course!" Squizza said with a smile, sounding extremely pleased the minute Tinka mentioned the ball. "After all, Saturday night will be a very important night, so you all must look your best."
CeCe, Rocky, and Dina could not help but smirk. Squizza may have had her own reason for why the night of the ball was going to be a big night, but the girls themselves knew that Saturday night, for them, was going to be a big night for a completely different reason, and they were looking forward to it.
Tinka refrained from scowling, as she finally turned to Anton, and said, "Prince Anton, if you would be so kind as to step aside, it would be greatly appreciated."
Anton smiled, thinking Tinka was finally warming up to him, and moved aside. "As you wish, Tinka."
Tinka simply nodded at him, as her silent way of thanking him, and walked directly past him. CeCe, Rocky, and Dina followed her. The four girls were almost in the hallway, when Kasia called out to them.
"Yes, Kasia?" Tinka asked, turning around to address the princess.
"I was wondering if, that is, if you do not mind," Kasia said, "may I accompany you and your friends to your room?"
"Of course," Tinka said, smiling genuinely. "You are more than welcome to join us."
Kasia smiled gleefully and followed the four girls down the hallway. She was the last one of them to enter Tinka's bedroom and, after making sure all of the girls were present, closed the door behind her.
Dina took one look around the glittery bedroom and said, "So, Tinka, where do you keep the dresses?"
"In the closet," Tinka answered. "Where else?"
Rocky, who was the one standing the closest to the closet, reached for one of the shiny doorknobs and slid the door aside. The minute she did, the sight of the closet's contents instantly had a negative effect on her vision.
"Oh, wow!" the brunette dancer cried, shielding her eyes with her hands. "Those dresses are so sparkly, someone could go blind!"
"Close that door and slide open the other one," Tinka told her, clearly not affected by the brightness of her designs. "I stored my semi-sparkly formal collection on the other side of the closet."
Rocky did not need to be told twice. While using one hand to continue shielding her eyes, she used the other hand to feel around for the doorknob. Once she grasped it, she quickly slid the door closed. She then pushed the other door aside and smiled, silently thankful that she did not lose her eyesight.
CeCe, Dina, and Kasia smiled at the large selection of cocktail dresses, evening gowns, and ball gowns that were hanging inside the second half of Tinka's closet. They varied in colour, design, and material. They were not as sparkly as the dresses inside the first half of the closet, but they were sparkly in areas that made the dresses more appealing without going overboard.
"Wow, it's like there's a dress in there for every girl in Chicago," CeCe commented, astonished by the dresses.
"Well, don't just stand there, girls," Tinka scolded with a laugh. "Start trying on dresses. Once you select your favourite, I'll start pinning and taking measurements for alterations."
CeCe grinned and bolted for the closet. A bright pink cocktail dress caught her eye and she gently pulled it off its hanger.
Rocky and Dina joined CeCe in the search for dresses. Rocky fingered the material of a red evening gown that caught her attention, while Dina reached for a blue ball gown near the back of the closet.
Tinka walked over to her desk and pulled open one of the side drawers. She had just pulled out a small box of pins, when Kasia's voice caused her to look up again.
"Tinka, is that ball gown complete?" the princess asked.
Tinka looked to the gown that Kasia was referring to, which was hanging on a mannequin nearby. The gown was an off-the-shoulder gown and fitted from the waist up. The bodice area was sky blue in colour and coated with silver sparkles. Layers of silk taffeta made up the bottom half of the gown. The layers near the top were also sky blue, but gradually became darker the further down on the gown they were located.
"It is a very beautiful design," Kasia commented, smiling.
"Thank you," Tinka said, gratefully. "I finished betwinkling it last week."
"Tinka, if you kindness permits it," Kasia began, "I would be honoured to wear that gown to the ball on Saturday."
Tinka could not help but smile brightly. After all, it was not everyday that the princess of the old country asked her for permission to wear one of her designs to such a prestigious event. "If you would like to wear it to the ball, Kasia, then you may."
"Thank you, Tinka," Kasia said, kindly.
"There is no need to thank me," Tinka said. "I consider it a great honour if you wear one of my designs."
"May I try it on, so we can see if any alterations may need to be made?" Kasia asked, politely.
Tinka nodded and walked over to the mannequin, and proceeded to carefully remove the ball gown. As she did, she looked to Kasia and smiled again, grateful that something good came out of the royal family's visit: a new friend.
Chapter 5 Up! Questions? Comments? Should I continue?
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~TeenQueen661