Chapter Fourteen- Preparations

I stood in front of my mirror and pouted like a four year old who just got told no to getting a new toy. "I look awful. Why did I ever let you talk me into this?"

Tasha giggled and finished the back of my hair. She had curled all of it and roped it into a fancy bun. I was dressed as Cinderella. So naturally, I was wearing a long light blue silky dress that was tight around the chest and waist but had a poof at the bottom. She turned me around and slid a shiny tiara on my head but not before applying some blue eyeshadow to match and a thin layer of eyeliner. "I think you look gorgeous." She said. "Not sure why you wanted to go as Cindy though. She's so unoriginal. Who knows how many guys will come dressed as the Prince and vice versa."

I smirked. "That's the point. Then I don't have to worry about being paired up with some nerd from two grades below me. I can chose whoever I want."

Tasha rolled her eyes. "If you say so." She reached around me and grabbed a long blonde wig that she had some how styled perfectly. "Now help me get beautified." She was going as Princess Aurora, aka Sleeping Beauty. And since her hair was so long and dark, she didn't see the point in dying it for one night. Smart girl. Really, she was. I helped her get it on and examined her dress. It looked like it came right out of the movie. It was bubble gum pink and on the lining of the chest, was a very white V. I was secretly jealous.

"Whose Aurora's match again?" I wondered.

"Prince Phillip. Any guy who knows that, is the guy for me." She said dramatically, titling her head back, nearly knocking her wig off.

I couldn't help but giggle. "Yeah, yeah. And any guy who brings me food without me asking is the one for me." I said sarcastically. I glanced out my window. "It's almost seven. Where the heck is Topanga and Aunt Prudy?"

Tasha looked at me and adjusted her fake hair back into place. "Prudy? What kind of a name is that?"

I shrugged. "Her name is actually Prudence but it's always reminded me of a prune. So, that's what I've always called her that, despite her disliking of it."

Tasha shrugged. "Good enough."

I glanced back in the mirror and looked at her through the reflection. "Do I really look okay? I mean, maybe it is too unoriginal. I should just stay home."

She glared at me and spun me back around. "I didn't not spend hours making this dang thing, along with yours, for you to bail on me last second. So shush. You look great. If Cinderella was real, you could definitely pull off her look."

I smiled. She really was a great friend and proved that entirely a few weeks back over the exploding goop incident. She got odd looks and a snicker here and there but it didn't seem to phase her at all. Which is something I envied greatly about her personality from day one. What people thought of her didn't matter and I didn't think it ever would. She lived by the saying of not being born to impress anyone and I loved that about her. I just wished I had more of that trait in myself. How she didn't have more friends was beyond me. I mean, she was pretty quiet and kept to herself most of the time but if you took the chance to actually get to know her the way I had gotten the privilege to, you'd have been surprised at what hid beneath. She was wonderful.

The loud blasting of a car horn outside startled us both. I looked out the window once more and sure enough, almost as if on que, there sat Topanga and my other aunt. I could barely see Topanga but I saw a flash of a red cape so I figured out her costume pretty quickly. It felt as if I was going to a Halloween party, not a dance; a school dance at that. It was weird but I didn't want to disappoint Tasha or Topanga so I had stopped complaining days before.

"Oh! Before we go, I almost forgot." Tasha quickly grabbed her bag and dug through it. A few seconds later, she pulled out a real pair of glass slippers.

"Oh great. I get to look like a dork and cut my feet at the same time. Thank you."

"They won't break. Trust me." She practically shoved them into my hands. "How can you be Cinderella without glass shoes?"

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. But if I break my neck or get glass in my toe, you can pay for my hospital bill."

We made out way quickly into the car and Topanga showed off her outfit. She was wearing a dark green and white plaid dress that stopped at her knees, with a frilly white chest and sleeves , black boots that had laces that never seemed to end and of course her red cape that had a large hood. Her beautiful hair that flowed so perfectly was partially pulled back into a few braids and she was make up free. She also had a large wooden basket sitting on her lap with fake food inside of it. She looked stunning but that never, ever came as a surprise.

"So what do you guys think?"

"I love it!" I beamed.

"Me too," Tasha grinned. "My only question is though, who would your match be? The wolf or the woodsman?" It was actually a really good question. I looked at her and she couldn't help but smile.

"That's the fun part of it."

We arrived at the school and Topanga took her time getting out, but not before giving our aunt a quick kiss on the cheek. Aunt Prudy was always a bit of a stuck up snob so I think it took her by surprise that she was receiving any kind of affection. "Thank you for the drive."

"Yeah, thanks a bunch." Tasha said following her quickly.

"Thank you Aunt Prudy."

"For Heaven's sake, Sarah. How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that dreadful nickname? My name is Prudence. Pru-den-ce. Please address me properly. But you're welcome none the less, girls. I will be here at 10pm, sharp. Do not be late."

I got out last, my shoes clicking instantly against the pavement. I might as well have worn a bell around my neck. Topanga and I waved after her car as she drove off and then turned to each other. "Is Cory meeting you inside?"

Topanga looked around and then smiled cutely. "Nope. He's right there."

Standing at the top of the stairs, was Cory, dressed as a wolf. The head came off but it was actually a pretty wicked costume. The fur was jet black and knotted purposely in a few places. The head had a long snout, jagged looking teeth that stuck out prominently and large yellow eyes. It wasn't scary but his costume wasn't cute and cuddly either. Beside him was Shawn, who wore brown corduroy pants, a dark tshirt, a plaid jacket that was red, and he held a fake axe. His hair was a wild mess and he had a fake pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket. He was clearly the woodsman. I let out a happy gasp. I hadn't seen him since he had taken off from my yard so to see him then, and especially beside Cory, was awesome. I attempted to run to him but was slowed down by the brilliant idea that was Tasha's. I quickly reached down, took them off and then darted up the remainder of the stairs. Shawn looked at me with a big grin and once I got to him, I gave him a flying hug. He caught me, laughed and gave me a hard squeeze.

"I thought some hobo had turned you for good." I joked, still hugging him. By the time I let go, Topanga and Tasha had caught up to us. Cory looked Topanga over a few more times then necessary with a stupid look on his face.

"Well my little pretty, you look lovely. Shall we go and dance the night away?" He held his arm out for her to take it and she gladly did.

"Let us go, you furry beast you."

I giggled at them and then watched as they walked in.

Tasha looked at me. "You ready?"

"I'll meet you in there in a second, okay?" I smiled. She nodded and smiled back, taking the obvious hint. She lifted up her dress and made her way in, quick to catch up.

Shawn looked at me and I couldn't help but hug him again. "I'm glad you're okay."

Shawn chuckled. "Thanks, Sarah. You know, I wouldn't be without your help."

I shrugged. "It was nothing, really."

"It was everything to me."

I looked up at him from our hug and his eyes thanked me more then his words ever could have. "Did you go home?"

Shawn nodded and I slowly pulled away from him again. "Yeah. Cory found me in his treehouse and convinced me that living off of twigs and berries wasn't the way to go."

I chuckled. "Well, good, I'm glad. Just remember though, the underside of my bed is always open if you need it."

"Thanks again, Sarah."

I nodded. "Anytime Shawn. And I mean that."

Shawn extended his arm out to me. "Shall we?"

I linked my arm through his happily. "We shall."