A week before prom, Ravenna had gone with Iris to try on prom dresses. They tried on several, giggling back and forth as they went. Iris decided on a dark green dress with white lace trim. Ravenna couldn't choose between two dresses, so she sent pictures to Ken for a tie breaker. The one that he chose was a deep red, off-the-shoulder piece with black satin on the neckline and sleeves. It fit like a glove. They swiftly went to pay for their dresses, bumping into Amber on the way out of the changing area.
Rave's phone pinged to signal a text during their drive home. It was from her brother, Link.
Hey, Little Raven! My manager agreed to let us do your prom.
Really? Awesome!
Yup. Anything for you, baby girl. Also, tell your friend to come over the day before so I can hear him play. Ya know what? Bring him to the airport with you when you come to get me!
Grinning, she immediately IM'd Castiel.
RaveGirl: Hey! Hey! Guess What.
Rockstar2288:What?
RaveGirl: I just got awesome news!
Rockstar2288: Just tell me already!
RaveGirl: My brother is playing at the prom with his band!
Suddenly, her phone rang the tune of "Cowboy Casanova" and she picked up.
"Ahoy."
"You aren't messing with me, right? Skeletal Crow will be there?"
"Hell yeah! He wants to hear you play your guitar, too."
"When?"
"The day before prom. Who is the most awesome girl in the world?"
"You are! I have to go practice, see ya!"
"See you later."
She hung up with a smile. Prom should be fun. Ken, on the other hand, was having an awful time.
On his way out of the library he was ambushed by Amber. He tried to walk away, but she had something of interest. A picture of Ravenna in only her bra and underwear, posing in a mirror.
"I took it while she was in the changing room. A bit low, I'll admit, but worth it."
"What do you want?"
"I want you to be my date to the prom."
"No can do, I have a date."
"I know. When you get to the prom, ditch the freak and come dance with me. Then, give me a single kiss on the lips. Otherwise, this picture will be everywhere."
Resisting the urge to punch her, he stormed off. There was no other choice but to do as she said. It was the only way to save Ravenna's reputation. But, he also couldn't tell her what had happened. He risked her going absolutely nuclear meltdown. Worse than anything they had ever seen. For now, he would bide his time and avoid revealing what had happened.
Nathaniel, on the other hand, had heard his sister scheming with her friends and alerted the others. They gathered at Castiel's house to discuss what to do.
"We should tell her. It's only right," Alexy stated.
"Are you kidding me? She'd flip!"
"Yeah, she would probably kill someone."
"What do you think we should do, Cass?"
He took a hit off his cigarette before speaking.
"We do nothin'. Let ol' Kenny figure this one out."
"B-but, it'll break Ravenna's heart."
Realization struck him like an arrow. He looked at his hands, trying to think up a plan to stop it from happening. After ten minutes, he looked up. His eyes gleamed with mischief.
"I'll go, pretend to be helping student counsel, and swoop like a hero when it's time. It's fool proof!"
"Only one problem, her heart will still be broken."
"Yes, but I can fix that. Plus, she'll want vengeance towards Ken."
The guys agreed quietly, all but Nathaniel leaving.
"Are you really going to let her use you like that?"
"Of course not, I have an even better plan. But those guys are loudmouths."
"Knew it."
Smirking secretively, he left as well. Castiel smirked and savored the fact that his plan to get Ravenna was falling in place quicker than expected. It was quite nice.
-five days later-
Castiel, Lysander, and Ravenna were waiting at the gate for Link ten minutes before his estimated arrival time. Cass had all but bounced in his seat the entire way there. He was even more excited than Rave at this point.
"Are you sure we got the right gate?"
"Yes."
"Do you think there will be enough room in the truck?"
"Yes, Castiel."
"Did you-"
"I swear, one more question and I will make you wait in the truck."
He shut up immediately. A plane touched down outside and Ravenna hurried to the door. People flowed out like fish, each heading in their own way. One tall man with long, black hair that reached his hips stopped and hugged her. Lysander and Castiel stared adoringly at their idol. This was the first time they had ever seen Link without the mask that made him Ink.
You see, Link hated the fact that rockstars couldn't go out in public without being mobbed by fans. He enjoyed being able to go to the mall and shop freely. So, on stage, he wore a black skull mask with white decals that hid everything but his eyes. That way, he could play and still be able to enjoy his life. Even if it also made him the band's errand boy.
They all went to the truck. Ravenna drove, Link rode shotgun, and the other two rode in back. The stopped off at a small family restaurant on the way home.
"So, how's Bobby doing," he asked with his mouth full of food.
"Good. Still afraid of ice cream trucks," Rave replied.
"Cool. So, Castiel, my baby sis here says that you are a guitar prodigy. Is that so?"
"I-I wouldn't say that…"
"Modest type, huh?"
Rave and Lysander both burst out laughing simultaneously.
"What is it?"
"It's nothing. Those two are just strange."
"Yeah, by the way, are you the one taking my sister to prom?"
"No, actually."
"Damn, I was hoping it was you and not that stupid crybaby friend of her's."
It was Castiel's turn to laugh. She glared at him venomously, wondering why it was so funny. Suddenly, he went silent and looked soberly at his best friend, who stared back silently. The siblings were left to question what had caused such a moment, but they refused to budge.
And, at the same time somewhere in town, a certain former nerd was having conflict deep within.
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