Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years had all come and gone. So had Caeden and Tanya's winter break. I was sitting in the latter's room with about a hundred college brochures and applications spread out between us. Don't ask me how, but she'd enlisted my help determining 'the first step to her future', or so she called it. Truth be told, I'd actually stopped at a few of them during my first few years as an immortal - the famous ones anyway. You know, the Ivy Leagues... and the ones known to host mad parties. So all in all, I was a good enough source of info for a handful of the places she was considering. Tanya had everywhere from Yale, to Brown Mackie, to IUSB, to SMC. No lie, I was jealous. She had way more options than I had. I'd only gone to SMC because it was a cheapo community college that actually offered a good enough degree. Not to mention my mom had all but forced me to go to college.

"So... what do you think?" She had a brochure in each hand and was inspecting them like a cop checking for counterfeit marks.

"I think you need to have a lightning round to decide between all these." I picked up the nearest pamphlet. Columbia College? Yeah, no. "What do you want to major in again?" I let the Columbia college brochure fall to the floor.

"I want to be a publisher."

"How prestigious do you want your degree to be?" Before she could answer I elaborated. "By that I mean, how much are you willing to pay?"

She raised her eyebrows, still scrutinizing the brochures in her hands. "As little as possible."

"And how far are you willing to go. Geographically speaking."

"I'd like to be close. But I wouldn't mind a bigger city." She reached out and picked up the Columbia College brochure from next to me.

"If you want close, I suggest go cheap and commute from home. It's generally cheaper than getting a dorm anyway." I plucked out the west coast colleges and stuck them all in a pile behind me. "Which leaves these guys."

"I really don't want to go away unless it's to a good school, though. But if it is a good school, I'm not going to pass it up."

I reached behind be and shuffled through the pile until I pulled out the few good colleges and put them back in the running. Then I took out all of the crap schools that were more than a state away. "How big a city are you willing to handle?"

She handed the Columbia brochure to me with a slight grimace on her face. "Smaller than Chicago. We used to go there every summer to stay with my aunt and uncle... It's too loud, too busy and too claustrophobic."

I giggled a little as I pulled away all of the options that were Chicago size or bigger. What we were left with was twelve colleges to choose from. "My suggestion now, would be to apply to all of these guys." I gestured around at the pile. "And avoid what I did."

"What did you do?"

"I applied to one college and one only. It's a good thing SMC accepts pretty much everyone." I laid back on her floor, stretching out now that there was space.

"Why did you only apply to one!?"

I understood her shock. I pretty much did the taboo by sticking with SMC only. "Because every scholarship I applied for, someone else got. My parents were pretty much broke. I didn't have Michigan Medicaid, which I assume you have. And so I was stuck with close and cheap. I refused to go to LMC so my choices were SMC and Ivy Tech. By the time came around to apply for places I was fed up with being rejected when I poured my heart out - scholarships - that I just said 'fuck-it, I'm going with the campus I've been to' and that was that." I had applied for over a hundred scholarships and had gotten zero of them. Zip, zilch, nada. And I not only got pissed off and fed up, but I was starting to feel like every other time I'd done things like that. Like nobody. Which really sucked because the way my best friend used to describe me was 'unique doesn't even begin to cover what you are', and so feeling like I was nobody, wasn't an option.

"Well, where did you want to go?"

I didn't answer at first. The funny thing was, what I'd wanted, was pretty much the exact opposite of what I got. "Anywhere but here. I'd have loved to go to California and be able to go to a college on the coast." My voice started to get more wistful as I remembered what had appealed to me back then. "Warm most of the year, larger population, more things to do..." I sat up, crossing my legs Indian-style. "But we had no money, my mom was paranoid about letting me go anywhere, and..." I shrugged, sighing. The only thing good about sticking at SMC, was that, because of it, I was here to meet Jack. I was also given my chance to be an immortal, so all in all I couldn't complain. I'd also spent a nice long time staying at costal countries the past few years to make up for it. Plus I was now living very near where I'd so wanted to go. Bonus. "So get to filling out those papers, missy!"

She chuckled lightly as she gathered up the chosen few, getting ready to give herself minor carpal tunnel. "So how's your new place?"

"Awesome. I'm starting to get excited for spring break now. I want you two to come and see it."

"About that, we might have to wait for summer for that. I can get away with saying it's a college visit, but Caeden won't be able to go anywhere that week."

"Why?" My mom had always been far more lenient with Caeden than she had with me. Being the first and diabetic tended to make her more protective of me.

"Your family's doing something that week, for Easter. He can't get out of it."

Silently I swore. I'd been excited. "Oh well, what's a few more weeks?" We were quiet for a few minutes while she filled out line after line. "So, are you two going to Prom?"

She shrugged. "I think so. He hasn't asked me yet."

"Um, you two are dating. Officially. I'd have thought it was a given."

"Well, it is, but, I mean..." She wrote more and I assumed she was concentrating on whatever it was she was writing. "I've always dreamed of when I'd be asked to my Senior Prom, you know? Sort of that Cinderella moment."

"Sap." She shot me a look before going back to her applications. "Hey, I went stag both years. Sue me." I laid back again, looking out the window upside down. "But I get what you're saying. I'll talk to him and get him to go big."

She blushed. "Well, I mean he doesn't have to make a huge deal or anything. Just ask me and make it seem planned, that's all."

"So asking you in view of most of the school would be out?"

Her blush deepened. "God, no! I mean yes! No public announcements!"

I laughed good and long at her reaction. Teasing people was not only fun as all get out, but the fact that it was my brother's girlfriend made it all the better. "So, when he does ask you, where are you getting your dress?"

She shrugged, her blush beginning to fade away. "I don't know, David's bridal? JC Penny?"

"Good choices, good choices. However, I know of a money saving plan." She looked over at me, question plain in her expression. "Ever heard of 'Princess for a Night'?"

"Maybe?"

"Free Prom dress event. Girls donate their old dresses to Ziker's and they give one dress to every girl who shows up - if she finds one she likes, that is. I got my dresses for both years there and there's a pretty good selection, if I do say so myself."

The date was now February 7th and it was a week until Valentine's Day. Caeden was freaking out. To be fair, it was his first Valentine's Day with a girlfriend, but still. "Calm down. Breathe."

He was pacing around his room all but hyperventilating. "I'm so nervous. What if she doesn't like it? What if she says no!?"

I gave him a look that he didn't notice. "Seriously?" He didn't answer, caught up in his nervous pacing as he was. I rolled my eyes and caught him by the shoulders, forcing him to look me in the eye. "Breathe and repeat after me." I waited until he took a breath and let it out. "Just keep swimming."

He gave me his 'seriously?' face and growled slightly. "Stop kidding around and help me out!"

"Yeah, that is me helping you. You need to calm down first. Valentine's day is still a week away, so just slow your roll and breathe!"

He stopped and took a deep breath obediently. "Sorry. I can't help but think I should be going bigger."

"Don't. Trust me on this one. If you go big, she'll be mortified. She wants you to ask her properly so she can have a Cinderella moment, as she put it. It's her Senior Prom, she wants to remember it fondly."

"Didn't you go stag?"

"Yes, yes I did. That alone should show my opinion on choosing your significant other wisely." He knitted his brows together. "By which I mean, you got a good one." I smiled that sibling smile that says 'I love you', 'I'm proud of you', 'Watch your back tonight', and everything in between. "And so did she." He flashed me a crooked smile. "Anyway, as I was saying..."

So I played them on both ends. I kept Tanya in the dark for the next week while funneling Caeden info on how to get the job done. So when Valentine's day rolled around and the final bell rang at the school, I was sitting on the roof with a bird's eye view of the courtyard. It wasn't as fancy as it sounded. Really it was a small square that students could eat in if the weather was good. There were a few tables and benches strewn about and a small gazebo in the north-east corner. However, at the moment it was all covered in a blanket of snow with only a few footprints visible near the door to the art room where students had gone outside to spray anything.

Caeden led Tanya by the hand out the aforementioned door, pulling her towards the Gazebo. Neither of them had noticed me yet, which was just as well. If either of them knew they had an audience, they'd be red as lobsters. Anyway, from my vantage point, which was a good one, I could see that he sat her down on the bench that ran along the walls of the structure. I couldn't help but remember how a year ago I'd seen her sitting in the exact same spot reading the book that got us on the road to where we were now. My baby bro couldn't have picked a better spot.

I watched as he knelt down in front of her, holding out a rose and two tickets to the Prom. "Tanya, will you be my date to Prom?"

She jumped up and squealed and you'd think she'd just won an award. She gave him a huge hug and a kiss which I averted my eyes for, taking the rose and her ticket from him. Afterwards they walked arm in arm back into the school so they could leave and I called my wings to me as I went for a visit down south.

A month later I was back in Niles, waiting in line with Tanya for Princess for a Night. It was a cold spring this year, so the girl was bundled up with a foam cup of coffee cradled between her hands. Whereas I was dressed in skinny jeans and a tank-top with a jacket thrown over top. She gave my the stink eye as I took a sip of the hot chocolate she'd bought me. I giggled over the rim of my cup.

"When you told me about this money saving venture, you neglected to mention how cold it would be." She shivered and pulled her blanket tighter around her shoulders. We were sitting cross-legged on another blanket she'd spread out at my insistence.

I shrugged. "The first year I did it was about the same, but the second year it was nice and warm. I didn't know what to expect."

She death-glared me. "You are best friends with the Spirit of Winter. Am I supposed to believe that he doesn't tell you when it's gonna be a long winter or not?"

"He's not the Groundhog. He doesn't know until the rodent tells him. And no, he doesn't tell me unless it's relevant."

"This wasn't relevant?"

"Apparently not." I took another sip of my drink, which was almost gone. She squinted at her watch through the darkness.

"You also forgot to mention the fact that we'd have to be up at the butt-crack of dawn to get a good spot in line." "Well, would you rather have first dibs, or slim pickings?" I'd held out one hand for each option. "Keep in mind, getting here later also guarantees a longer wait in the line." I glanced towards the entrance which we could just see as we were on the corner. Yeah, the line was wrapped around the block and the people in front of us had been there for a few hours longer than us. The ones at the front had probably come at midnight. We'd gotten here at a quarter 'til seven. "At least the sun's up." She rolled her eyes. I'd already figured out that Tanya was so not a morning person. So far she'd downed a cup of coffee and was about done with her second... and she was still grumpy. Honestly, I wasn't much of a morning person either, but I'd slept a few days ago, so morning was more of a 'whenever I woke up' sort of a thing. But I bounced back way faster than her - even when I'd been mortal. For the first half hour or so, I'd be demon spawn. Then I'd be my usual chipper self. She was still halfway between the two.

She looked at her watch again. "Yeah, but we've still been here for over four hours already."

"And we've got who knows how more to go." She groaned in despair while I chuckled. Hey, this was my third time going through this, I was allowed to laugh. Especially considering I wasn't getting anything out of it this time. "At least you've got me to keep you company." I smiled widely at her and received a stink-eye in response, which made me laugh again. A few of the other girls had shot us - well Tanya - odd looks for the past hour for seemingly talking to herself. However, she'd been smart enough to have a Bluetooth headset on and so people naturally assumed that she was on the phone. I couldn't play card games with her or anything, but we could still talk. "Hey, so have you heard back from any schools yet?"

"A few. None of the big guys, but SMC, Ivy Tech, and all the community colleges have already sent me acceptance letters."

"That's great!" I really was happy for her. I mean to have your pick of schools was awesome. However... my jealousy flared up too. For her to be able to pick and choose whatever she wanted, with almost no money worries... Well, lets just say I was keeping my personal opinions about all of this to myself. "Any ideas about which you're gonna pick?"

She shrugged. "Sort of. I want to wait until I have all of the letters in before choosing, you know?"

I nodded, keeping my green monster of jealousy's comments to myself. I noticed movement to my left and glanced towards the entrance to see groups of people beginning to pack up their various camp-sites. "Hey, line's starting to move." Tanya craned her neck to see what I had before standing up and grabbing up her blanket and wrappers and such. "There's a garbage can about ten feet away so you can get rid of most of that when we get up there." I felt bad that I couldn't help carry anything, but if anyone noticed a blanket floating mid-air... well lets just say shit would hit the fan real quick. Tanya knew the situation to, so she didn't complain, but I knew we were both wishing I was visible to everyone there - if only for convenience.

About ten minutes later we were halfway to the door as the first group of girls had been let in. From the looks of things, we'd be group three, so still a lot of choices. I turned to look at her from where I was perched on the retaining wall that ran around the building. "So, you have any idea of what you're looking for?"

Again she shrugged, though her movement was a bit more restricted now that she was essentially carrying the campsite. "I don't know, honestly. I thought I might want a ball-gown, but I'm not really a princess type. Nothing short though!" I laughed at the latter sentence. I really could have guessed that one. "Maybe a mermaid gown, or trumpet style? Nothing too slinky or skimpy."

I nodded in understanding. "Alright so shy away from dresses that look like they're made for strippers and drag queens, got it." She shot me a look at that but it was half hearted. "Any preferences color-wise?"

"No pink, no black, no yellow - no white." The amount of emphasis she put on that one almost made me ask why. I sort of guessed that it was because she was uber conservative. And no one wants the pressure of a white dress at a party - too much chance for a mess. "No patterns either." She grimaced and shuddered. "I don't understand the appeal of fully patterned, brightly colored dresses that are frankly overwhelming to look at."

"Girl, me neither. Admittedly, my dress for Junior Prom was 'patterned'," I did air quotes on patterned. "But it was a layer of tulle over top with metallic and black parts colored in, so it really wasn't a pattern per say." The line shuffled forward another twenty or so feet and we followed with it. "So green, blue, brown, gray - "

"No gray. Silver maybe, but no gray."

"Okay, silver, gold, purple, red, orange and sea-foam."

"Pretty much."

"Okay, so why no black? I get the pink and white. I kinda get yellow - I mean, you gotta have a certain skin tone to pull off yellow."

"Um. Well, I really don't look good in lots of black. And Caeden's gonna be wearing a black tux, so that would be way too much black. Also, I sort of had a goth phase when I was thirteen and I swore to myself that I'd never wear an all black outfit again."

"Understandable... Wait, you were a goth!?" I stared open-mouthed at her. Sweet, adorkable Tanya with her glasses, geek hair-cut, paint splattered attire and bubbly personality... had been a daughter of the dark? "Does not compute."

She laughed lightly. "Yeah. About that time, I got into Death-Note, and well... I liked to pretend I was a Shinigami, and that anyone who got on my bad side could end up written in my notebook." She giggled again sheepishly.

"Girl you are darker than one would at first think... No wonder we get along so well!" Now that I thought about it... Mors did remind me a little of Ryuk. Only a little, I mean Mors was way prettier and less of an ass. But give him - or her - Ryuk's outfit and expression and he - or she - could pass. They definitely had a similar body type. I might just have to convince Mors to go as Ryuk for Halloween one of these years. "But yep, I now understand completely."

"So what did your dresses look like?"

"Well, Junior year was metallic brown with the aforementioned tulle layer. It laced up in the back and mad spaghetti straps that I had up even though I wore a strapless bra. It was full length and was basically an A-line ball-gown. Senior year however..." I smiled wickedly. "Our theme was Masquerade and my dress definitely fit the theme. I'd wanted a black dress, maybe dark purple, but the only ones I found here that fit the bill didn't fit me. So I settled for a baby pink dress with embroidered flowers on the bodice... and then went crafter on it." She shot me a confused look. "Well, I'd found another dress with a similar color scheme - but mostly black - that was one size too small, but that we bought anyway for like $10. Well, we tore apart the other one and added a crap-ton of black details to the pink one. Where the pink flowers were went black flowers, down the back went a black strip of fabric, and along the bottom ran a thick black ribbon and a layer of black tulle peeking out the bottom. I also had these gorgeous black lace gloves and I made my mask myself because I'm awesome like that."

"You did all that by yourself?"

"Oh, no. My mom helped me." The line moved again and we were now inside the building. However, the line still stretched up the stairs to where the dresses and fitting rooms were. "Coincidentally, she was my date Junior year."

Tanya snorted. "You took your mom to prom?"

"First off, she was one of the chaperones. Second off, my mom is cool, so it wasn't nearly as embarrassing as when a guy brings his mom, sister, or cousin." She giggled as she shifted the items she was holding around a little. "Ok, strategy wise, I think you should chuck those into a corner of the fitting room before you go running for dresses. And maybe shuck off a few layers while you're still in line, just to save time."

"Wait, there's a time limit!"

"Not necessarily. But if you take too long they not so politely tell you to get a move on."

"Great." She set down her bundle as she began to unzip her coat. "Not only did I have to wake up stupidly early, but I now have to work against the clock." After throwing her coat onto the pile of blankets from the campsite she proceeded to pull her hoodie over her head. She sighed as she threw said sweater onto the pile and straightened out her t-shirt. "Any more strategy tips?"

"Go straight to the rack with your size, grab any and all dresses that look even remotely cute to you and take them all. They'll go back later anyway so it doesn't matter. Also don't be afraid to ask other girls to try on ones they've finished with. And don't waist time putting any dresses back either, do that when you're done." I looked her in the eye. "Guard your dress, the one you decide you want, with your life. Some girls are ruthless and wont bother asking if it's yours or not, they'll just take it." She now looked nervous as hell. I slung my arm across her shoulders reassuringly. "But don't worry about that. You've got me here to watch your back." I smiled at her and got a similar one in return.

By the time we got to the top of the stairs and the women running the thing were letting the girls through I'd slipped in ahead of Tanya and went to the rack with her size. I then jumped inside of it and grabbed a hold of any that looked took good to pass up, to keep other girls from taking them. When I saw Tanya's shoes appear under the rim of dresses, I hopped back out and all but threw the dresses into her arms. Once she'd gotten all the dresses that appealed to her we ran back to the dressing room and commandeered a corner for her use. She went through dress after dress after dress. While she was looking at how one fit her in the mirror I glanced around at the other girls and their discarded piles when I spotted a small pile of sparkle and chiffon. I snuck over and, when no one was looking I snatched it and tossed it into Tanya's pile. I'd seen the girl who'd tried it on leave with a dress in her arms a minute or so ago, so I knew no one was going to claim it.

When Tanya had exhausted all of the other options she tried on the dress I'd snatched and both our jaws dropped. Let me tell you, the girl could have won America's Next Top Model in that dress. "Whoa... If you don't take that dress I will disown you."

She stared at her reflection, completely awestruck. Because of the multitude of costume changes she'd taken her glasses of. As well, her hair had grown about three or four inches since I'd first met her and was now well past her shoulders. The dress was a dropped V-neck with non-stop beading on the entire torso. The skirt was champagne chiffon and just barely floated above the ground, with a mini train on the back. It was fitted to her hips where it then fall away without looking like a dress from the 80's. She looked gorgeous in it. She finally let out a breath that I swear she'd been holding. "Wow."

"That's what I'm saying." I paused, a thought coming to mind. "And I'm sure Caeden will agree." At that a slight blush covered her cheeks, but she was still staring open mouthed at her reflection too much to care. "Alright, that's enough admiring, time to change back into your normal clothes and skedaddle."

With one last lingering glance at the mirror she turned away and snapped out of her trance. "Right." She reached back and unzipped the dress, carefully placing it on the chair nearest her while she put her street clothes back on. I stood guard over the dress in the meantime. No way was I letting anyone snatch it while I was there. Once she had everything ready she picked up the dress and attempted to juggle everything to the 'check out counter' where they dry-cleaners wrapped the dress and sent her on her way. Once we got out to her car I snuck the keys out of her pocket and unlocked it for her, now that we were out of sight of prying eyes. After she tossed the campsite into the back seat and reverently hung the dress up by the hanger rack she turned to me and gave me a huge hug. "Thanks for telling me about this. And for coming with."

I hugged her back. "No problem. Alright, I'll be back a few days before Prom."

"See you then." She climbed into her car and started up the engine, the door still open a bit.

"See you." I gave her a salute as she closed the door and drove off. I watched her go for a few minutes before calling my wings and taking off.

Prom night had arrived. I'd spent most of the day helping Tanya get ready. She'd gone the full nine yards as far a beauty shit goes. She got her hair done professionally, ditto on nails. The only thing she hadn't spent money on was her makeup. That's what I helped with. I did the girl's war-paint and she looked fab. Caeden was due to pick her up in about an hour, so I left her to rendezvous with my bro. Caeden looked downright dapper in his tux. And the little bit of pocket scarf that matched Tanya's dress was the last touch. My mom was reluctantly letting him drive tonight. He had a car, but she didn't like him driving it for reasons we all knew. However, tonight was prom and he couldn't have his girlfriend driving him tonight. So she'd relented.

No my brother had not splurged on a limo, nor were they going to some fancy dinner. They were eating at Steak 'n Shake. Which is what I'd done my senior year, so I couldn't complain. Anyway, I car surfed on the way to Tanya's and slipped in her window while Caeden too the pedestrian route. I'd volunteered to chaperone the two of them of my own accord. I'd feel safer that way... plus I hadn't gone to a dance in almost a decade... I was going. So yeah, I gave Tanya a heads up and helped her with the finishing touches while her parents were downstairs keeping my brother on his toes. I ran through her checklist with her on what she absolutely needed for the night and then I ran downstairs to watch her grand entrance.

I stood next to Caeden as he was getting question after question from her dad. I couldn't help but laugh at how nervous he looked as he assured him that he'd have her home as soon as after prom was over. Whatever question her dad was about to ask next was cut off by her mom gasping. We all turned to look at the top of the staircase where Tanya stood looking like a princess. No lie. I was half expecting glass slippers. Even though I'd seen her a few minutes prior, her positioning on the stairs made it all work. I hadn't gotten one of those moments even though we had the perfect staircase for an entrance like that, but, as I'd never had a date, I'd never gotten one of those moments. For once, though, I wasn't jealous one bit.

Next to me Caeden's jaw was almost scraping the floor while his eyes were busy bugging out of his head. I heard him breathe out a 'whoa' as she carefully descended the steps. Her mom met her at the bottom of the steps, camera in hand. Tanya smiled as she posed next to Caeden, who'd managed to compose himself by then. During one of the breaks between pictures he whispered in Tanya's ear that she 'looked beautiful' and I felt so proud of my brother, and so happy that they were happy. And not to ruin the moment, but I photo-bombed the majority of their pictures. It's not their parents would notice or anything, just them. An evil chuckle filled my mind at the thought.

After they managed to escape the front-door pictures we all drove over to Riverside Park where a shit-load of other Brandywine students were also taking pictures and where parents had congregated, including mine. Caeden and Tanya posed for another hour or so with various other students and at various spots around the park. My favorite was on this one bench with gorgeous flowers growing behind it. That one I stayed out of.

One they managed to ditch the parents, everyone piled into their separate cars, and in one case a limo with about ten seniors packed into it. I car-surfed again, deciding that it was the best way to give the two of them privacy while still being able to have fun. So they pulled into the Steak 'n Shake parking lot and I followed them into the restaurant, sliding into the booth next to Tanya. I talked with them while they ate their dinner. Stole a few spoonfuls of their shakes and before we knew it the time was neigh. The whole drive to the great event was accompanied by blaring music and three singing bodies.

When we arrived on the scene, Caeden parked his car and all of us walked in together. Me a little separate, but who cares about that? I leaned towards Tanya. "I bet you win best dressed by a landslide."

"You really think so?"

"Girl, I wish I'd found a dress that fit me like that either year. You just rock it and don't pay no attention to haters." We stepped into the lights and music and general atmosphere of freedom for a night. The theme was 'grand ball' so each couple entered at the top of a staircase and got to be introduced royalty-style. I'd be lying if a few jaws didn't drop at Caeden and Tanya's entrance. All I knew was she better not loose a shoe or eat any apples tonight. "Remember children, you came together, so stay that way." I walked down in front of them and straight to the refreshment table where party mints were scattered intermittently and started popping them like pills. They'd always been my favorite part of any party.

I spent most of the night dodging bodies by swinging from the ceiling and other such stunts. When I wasn't on the move I was watching my favorite couple dance. I don't care how sappy I sound, they were magical together. They stared into each other's eyes almost the entire night and no one tore them apart. Not even me. I waited until they took breaks at one of the tables lining the dance floor before hanging with them each time. A few times I got them to request songs - some made for partying, some for slow dancing - and I joined in on the dancing during the fast and loud songs. And because no one could see me to tell me to stop anything, I belted out every song I knew, just because I could.

The longer the night drew out, the more people left the dance floor after wearing themselves out. At right around midnight I convinced Caeden to request Thriller and, just as I'd suspected, 90% of the students who'd decided to quit, got right back on the floor. I don't care what generation you're from, Thriller is timeless. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't smiling all night long.

When Prom ended and the interlude between Prom and After Prom began, everyone went wherever was open for refreshments and to change clothes. I'd made both of my believers pack a set of comfy clothes for After Prom, knowing they'd thank me later. And thank me they did. Tanya was one more step away from a blister and Caeden was tired of having his movement restricted by the formal attire. They each went into the bathrooms at the Speedway and came out looking much more comfy. Tanya was wearing capri-sweats, a t-shirt, a zip-up hoodie and sneakers. Caeden in pajama bottoms, sneakers of his own and a long-sleeve shirt with the sleeves shoved up to his elbows. I handed Tanya a hair-tie and she pulled it back into a pony-tail before throwing her glasses on, having worn contacts most of the night.

After Prom was at Riverside Park. There was a giant screen erected on the side of Wonderland Theater and a crap-ton of blankets strewn about the grass for students to sit on. There were lanterns and twinkly lights thrown up along the trees and classy tiki-torches had been set up at the perimeter of the space. It was really beautiful. Everyone was beyond happy that the weather had held up nicely. However - and I knew this from general sneaking around - the prom committee had arranged for the movies to be played inside if everything hadn't turned out peachy. After everyone was settled the first of two movies began playing.

'Beauty and the Beast', commandeered courtesy of the Wonderland staff from when it had come back to the big screen in 3D. Everyone was sporting glasses, including me. I have to say, this was the best thing I could have hoped for. I'd wanted to see it when it came out again, but at the time I hadn't had a car and everyone had been too busy to take me. So I'd missed out. But the fact that I could see it now was enough for me. Caeden and Tanya had chosen a spot closer to the back, right under a tree which I sat in to watch the film. I was close enough to chat, but far enough away that I wasn't blocking any potential cuddling. Yeah, potential cuddling was definitely happening. The second movie was a newer Disney movie that had come out about a year back and was closer to two hours long. I had seen it at the premier - next to the stars might I add - so I knew the whole story. However, outside, with the lights, it was all the better.

About an hour before the sun was set to rise, After Prom ended and everyone sleepily shuffled back to their vehicles. I was the sole being who wasn't yawning and attempting to keep my eyes open. This time I rode in the car, lest the driver nod off on the way back. Caeden dropped off Tanya before heading home, his windows rolled down and music blasting to ensure he stayed awake. When he pulled in the driveway and killed the engine he turned to me sleepily, leaning over to hug me before climbing out of the car. "Goodnight, Tori."

"Good night, Bud. If mom tries to wake you up early, refuse. You earned sleeping in until dinner." He chuckled sleepily as he fumbled with the lock on the front door. Only after he'd closed it behind him and I heard the lock click again did I call my wings and disappear. Even if they some day forgot me and every fun time we'd spent together, at least I'd remember.