Sorry guys, I didn't realize how long it had been since I last updated. Please enjoy chapter 3! :)
Chapter 3: Date
As the seasons changed, the once green leaves turned red and gold and gently fluttered to the earth. The colder weather also brought rain and freezing wind. Shorts and tank tops were tucked away, and sweaters and boots were pulled out.
It was in between classes and Lenalee was at her locker getting her math textbook. She closed her locker with a loud snap and noticed Allen walking over.
"Hey Allen, how are you?" she asked and smiled brightly once he reached her.
"I'm good."
"Are you ready for math class?"
Allen simply nodded while looking down at the ground.
"Is something wrong?" Lenalee tilted her head a little to the side to get a better look at his face. A light blush spread across his cheeks and he ran a hand through his hair nervously.
"Are you going to the dance next month?" Allen finally asked.
The smile on her lips widened. She knew exactly what was going on. "I want to go but no one's asked me yet."
Allen's head perked up at what she said. "Do…do you want to go with me?"
"I would love to!"Lenalee threw her arms around his neck. "I'm glad you asked me!" The bell rang for class and she took his hand. "Come on, let's go."
A week before the dance, Lenalee was at the mall searching for the perfect dress with a longtime family friend, Anita. At one of the popular formal stores, beautiful dresses of every color and shape hung from the racks; the best ones were worn by mannequins to be displayed.
"What about this one?" Lenalee came out of the dressing room stall in a sparkly blue dress and did a little twirl. The silky fabric fanned out to her knees.
"It's too long."
"Too long? It goes to my knees."
"Exactly, you have amazing legs! You need to show them off." Anita handed her another dress. "Try this one on." Lenalee sighed but did as she was told, and went back to the stall and slipped out of the blue one.
"So, tell me about this boy you're going with," Anita asked.
Lenalee was glad she was hidden behind a door so Anita couldn't see the blush creeping up to her cheeks. "His name is Allen. We met in 9th grade and have been friends ever since."
"Do you like him?"
Lenalee could feel her whole body flush. "Um… What do you mean?"
Anita chuckled lightly. "I mean could he be a potential boyfriend?"
There was a long pause before anyone made a sound. "Oh, I'm…I'm not sure. I do like him though," she answered quietly. After pressing her fingers on her cheeks to make sure they weren't warm anymore, Lenalee stepped out to show Anita the dress.
Anita's eyes widened. "You look stunning!"
Lenalee caught her reflection in the mirror. The dress was beautiful and she did like how it looked on her. It was black with a tulle bottom that came up mid-thigh, and had a wide, pale pink sash that accentuated her waist.
"Why don't you change and then we can find some shoes for you."
It was the night of the dance and Lenalee could hardly contain her excitement. Anita was with her again helping her get ready. She sat in a robe on the toilet seat as Anita curled her hair and did her makeup. Once that was done, she slipped into her dress and black shoes.
Lenalee headed to the living room where Komui and Anita were arguing about her going out on her first date. She stood in the middle of the room and spun in a circle.
"How do I look?"
Komui and Anita instantly stopped and stared wide-eyed at her. A huge smile burst from Anita's lips and Komui busted into sobs. Anita ran up to her and took her hands.
"He is going to fall head over heels when he sees you!"
"Lenalee! Please don't leave me! Why can't you stay here with your big brother and we can go out for ice cream like we use to?" Komui cried and clung to her arm.
"Brother!" Lenalee yelled and attempted to pull him off when the doorbell rang. Everyone instantly stiffened.
"Lenalee, get the door, I'll hold Komui back," Anita whispered frantically.
First smoothing out her dress and hair, she then rushed over to the door and slowly opened it revealing her date for the evening. Allen stood in a black suit and tie on the porch, smiling shyly.
"You look really…nice," he said, keeping his eyes on the ground.
"Thank you. Why don't you come inside for a while?" Lenalee stepped aside and held the door open for him.
As soon as Allen stepped foot in the house, Komui attacked. He took Allen by the collar. "I have no choice but to let my sweet, little sister go with you." He glared at Anita who had her arms across her chest glaring right back. "But if you lay one finger on her, I will hunt you down and make you wish you were never born! Got that?"
Allen raised his hands in surrender. "I won't do anything to her, sir."
"Brother, will you quit it!" Lenalee scolded and yanked Komui off him. "It's just a school dance."
"Do you know what they do at dances?" he cried.
"Dance?" she replied smartly. She was starting to get really annoyed.
"Alright, alright," said Anita, "Give the poor boy some room to breathe and stop threatening him." Komui plopped down on the couch with a loud "humph" and started muttering to his bunny mug. Somehow Anita was the only one who could control him.
"I want to take a few pictures and then you two can leave!" Anita said happily. She positioned Allen and Lenalee side by side and took out her camera. After a few snaps she pushed them gently out the door.
"Have fun you two!"
"Sorry about how my brother acted," she said quietly to Allen as they walked to his car.
"It's okay," he smiled. "He wants to protect you; that's how all older brothers are." He held the door open for her and she slid inside.
They reached the school in no time, but finding a parking spot was another story. After finally finding one hidden between two large trucks, they walked through the front doors, arm in arm. Allen gave the man at the door their tickets and they entered the decorated gym. Glittering lights hung from the ceiling, bright colored tablecloths draped from the tables, and balloons littered the dance floor. A fast paced song came on and hundreds of couples flooded the dancing area.
"What should we do first?" Allen practically yelled over the music.
"Let's dance!" Lenalee shouted enthusiastically and pulled him by the hand to the center of the room.
They joined the other couples and Lenalee started dancing around but Allen only stood and shuffled on his feet awkwardly. She giggled and took his hands and tried to get him to move. "You're supposed to dance not shuffle around."
"I can't dance," he replied with embarrassment.
"Just move like this." Lenalee took his shoulders and shook them back and forth. They laughed together as she attempted to teach him some moves. Then the song ended and a slow one came on.
Many couples left to the tables for food. Lenalee and Allen were among the ones who stayed. They glanced at each other nervously until Allen took her hands in a dancing position.
They swayed along with the music, at least tried to, and whenever they caught the other's eye, they would blush and quickly look away. Lenalee scanned the gym searching for any familiar faces. She found Krory and Miranda dancing together, and a few others from her classes but that was it.
"I knew Kanda wouldn't be here," she said, "but I'm surprised Lavi isn't."
"He said he didn't want to go to any of the dances," Allen replied.
"Why, it's his senior year?"
"I think it's because of Sachiko."
Lavi was sprawled out on his bed happily reading a book. He inherited his love of knowledge and books from his grandfather- who was outside smoking at the moment. His parents had passed away when he was very young and ever since then he had been staying with his old man.
They lived in a small, two bedroom apartment downtown. They had very little possessions, just the bare necessities, but that suited their lifestyle just fine. The only thing they had an overabundance of was books. Piles of books were scattered here and there around their entire apartment.
Lavi's phone vibrated beside him and he flipped it open. It was a text from Krory.
Everyone keeps asking where you are.
Lavi sighed and closed his book. He really didn't think people would care that much that he didn't go to a school dance. He texted a reply back:
Just tell them the truth, Krory-kins. I didn't want to go because of Sachiko.
Sachiko, whom he liked to call Chomesuke, was his ex-girlfriend. She had moved halfway across the country last summer and having a long distance relationship didn't appeal to either of them. They had been quite the pair when they were together. Their similar mischievous personalities got them in the worst sort of trouble. However, when Chomesuke left, his life got kind of boring and he didn't like the idea of going to a dance by himself or with someone else. It wouldn't be the same.
The phone vibrated again.
Okay. Sorry for bothering you.
It's all good, Krory-kins. Have fun with Miranda! ^.^
Lavi stood up from his bed and walked to the living room to find his grandfather there.
"Why aren't you at the dance?"
Lavi's mouth gaped open. "You're not seriously asking me that, Old Panda?" he replied aghast.
"You're right," Gramps said indifferently, "I don't really care."
The redhead grinned and shook his head gently. "Why do I put up with this geezer?" he mumbled to himself.
The day after the Fall dance, Lenalee was in her room chatting with Anita on the phone and painting her toenails. She wanted to know every last detail about the date.
"After the dance was over, he took me home and we hugged goodbye," Lenalee was saying.
"So no kissing?"
"Anita! Of course not, it was only the first date!" She blushed and nearly tipped over her red nail polish.
"That's disappointing. So, it sounds like you had a lot of fun."
"I did have fun and Allen is really great…" Lenalee paused to gather her thoughts. "But I feel like, I don't know, like something is missing."
"Well, it was only a first date. You guys were both nervous, so give him another chance."
"You're right, Anita. I shouldn't make judgments so quickly. I still really like him after all."
I hope you guys liked it. Thank you all for your support!