It was now about five in the afternoon, with just two hours before Charlie Brown was due to be at the dance. Currently, he and his sister were in the kitchen, eating a somewhat early dinner. Charlie Brown, of course, would try to not eat too much as there was sure to be lots of tasty goodies waiting for him at the dance.
As for the subject of conversation at the dinner table, Sally was going on about how she never would've imagined that in just six months, her big brother would go from where he was in life at the start of the school year to where he is now.
"It really still boggles the mind, Big Brother," Sally said. "It is truly amazing how, after how many years now of what you've been through, that you'd become what you are now today."
"I guess all I can say really is that miracles do happen," was Charlie Brown's reply.
Of course, in Charlie Brown's case, this miracle took the form of a one Heather Wold entering his life and being that source of companionship and support that had been missing from his life all those years.
In the beginning, it was mostly just the two of them engaging in regular everyday activities, often with their other friends. But it soon grew into Heather becoming a solid support system for Charlie Brown to help him become happier in life and more hopeful about the future. And even Charlie Brown once got to be Heather's rock when she was feeling under pressure over performing in front of that huge audience at the school talent show. Heather and Charlie Brown grew closer and closer over the past five and a half months, and now, tonight on this night, Heather was going to be Charlie Brown's actual partner at a Valentine's Day dance!
"I would say miracles in fact do happen," the Brown's mother agreed with her son.
"I hope that after being so used to having a wishy-washy, self-defeating, failure of a big brother, that you can get used to the new Charlie Brown," Charlie Brown said.
"I guess I'll have to try," Sally joked.
Sally received a glazed look from her brother, but he then smiled at her, knowing that she was just playfully teasing him.
"But still, I really am very happy for you, Big Brother. You deserve it. You deserve to be happy," Sally then said softly.
"Thank you, Sally. I really appreciate that," Charlie Brown said, feeling mildly touched.
"You know," Mrs. Brown then said, casting a knowing look at Sally. "Unless I'm mistaken, Charlie Brown isn't the only Brown sibling in this household who seemed to have changed in recent months. Am I wrong?"
"Yeah, Sally. You've changed a lot as a person as well," Charlie Brown added. "You've managed to move on from Linus. You've gotten a new wardrobe and hairdo. You've resolved to start taking life more seriously. And you've even found a good goal that you want to pursue."
Sally looked down at her plate. "Yeah, I guess I have," she said humbly. "And in a way, what I needed to get to where I am now is similar to what you needed. My problem deep down was that I lacked a proper support system. You know, people who would encourage me and make me see that what I do does indeed matter."
"Very true," Mrs. Brown said, nodding. "You and your brother really are more similar than you appear."
A few minutes later, Charlie Brown had finished his little meal. After putting his plate and silverware into the sink, he faced his mother, who had also just stood up.
"You ready?" she asked him.
Charlie Brown silently nodded. The two of them then proceeded to go to Charlie Brown's room so that Charlie Brown could get ready to go to the dance.
A short while later, Charlie Brown was up in his room with his mother, who was just now putting the final touches on Charlie Brown's suit. While she was doing that, Charlie Brown was busy thinking deeply about what was to come. Within about an hour's time, he would be having, what would be for him, the time of his life. Never in a million years had he would've thought he'd be attending a special Valentine's Day dance with a date at all, never mind the fact that it was with his dream girl. Charlie Brown couldn't comprehend how blessed he felt right now.
"I'm proud of you, kiddo. I just want you to know that," his mother told him.
"Thanks, Mom," Charlie Brown replied. "That means a lot."
After his mother had seemingly finished up, Charlie Brown hopped off the stool and went over to the nearest mirror. He wasn't exactly sure if he really needed to be as dressed up as he was, but he wanted to look as nice as possible for Heather.
"What do you think?"? Mrs. Brown asked him.
Charlie Brown didn't answer right away as he did motion after motion, inspecting every fine detail about himself. His suit was a nice deep navy blue, his black shoes were shining, and his red bowtie was positioned just right.
"You clean up pretty good I would say," Mrs. Brown said. "That color suit, well... suits you very well. Reminds me of the suits those in political office oftentimes wear."
Charlie Brown gave a small chuckle at that. "It looks great, Mom. I hope Heather likes it."
"I'm sure she will," Mrs. Brown said. "I'm sure she'd be fine regardless of what you wore to be honest. I think she'd just want to have a good time with you."
Charlie Brown gave his mother a smile before walking over to his bedside tale. On it was a very important something that he had made. It was a valentine for Heather. But the part of it that was truly of real importance was the handwritten short letter that came with it. His plan was that he would be giving Heather her valentine, as well as this letter, just as they were coming home from the dance. Charlie Brown had to spend numerous hours crafting out that letter, wanting it to express as clearly and sincerely the thoughts and emotions that were embedded within those words. Charlie Brown would even get a taste of those emotions just when thinking about giving Heather that letter.
He opened the note and gave it one final looking over. After he was done, he smiled before stowing it, as well as the valentine, into the provided pink envelope.
Charlie Brown was now ready for this big night.
It was now after six-thirty, and Charlie Brown was now in the living room. Any minute, Mrs. Wold would be arriving, and she would be escorting both Charlie Brown and Heather to the dance. Charlie Brown was rocking slowly back and forth, continuously checking the wall clock to see what time it was. He was feeling as nervous right now as he was excited. Wanting to try to take his mind off his nerves, he turned to his sister, who was about to put her coat on.
"And where are you going this evening, Sally?" he asked her.
"I'm going to go hang out with Harold Angel for a bit," she answered.
"Harold Angel? Charlie Brown said, a bit surprised.
"Yeah, you remember, don't you?" Sally said before sheepishly scratching her cheek. "The boy who came to visit me that day after my whole 'hockey stick' mishap. You remember that, don't you?"
"Oh, right," Charlie Brown said, now remembering.
"He's in my singing class that we auditioned for. We're going to do some stuff related to that tonight," Sally told her brother.
"I see," Charlie Brown said. "That's cool."
"Yeah. I never really thought about Harold Angel much ever since that day, but I have to admit," Sally then said, her voice becoming a big softer. "He's really kind of a cool guy. And we already seem to have something in common."
Charlie Brown gave off a sort of half smirk as he listened to Sally talk about Harold Angel. If he didn't know better, he would think that Sally just might have been starting to take a shine to Harold. He only hoped though that if Sally did develop an infatuation for him, that things would not end up anything like how things did when Sally was gushing over Linus.
A few minutes later, Charlie Brown heard what sounded like a car's horn beeping. Just like that, the nerves filled him up again. Nonetheless, he stood up. At the same time, Mrs. Brown came into the living room.
"Well, Charlie Brown, this is it," she said.
Mrs. Brown then led Charlie Brown outside, where Heather and her mother were now waiting. The two of them stepped out of their car and began to approach the duo. Charlie Brown got his first look at how his date looked tonight.
And there were no words for him to describe it.
Although she currently had her coat on since it was cold, Charlie Brown saw that she was wearing an elegant dark blue satin dress that glittered in the light provided by the nearby porch lamps. She had on her feet jet black low-heeled shoes, and her bright red hair was in flawless curls that cascaded down her head. A soft smile was on her face as she approached Charlie Brown.
"Good evening, Charlie Brown," she greeted him.
"H...Hello, Heather," Charlie Brown uttered out. He gulped. "You look... very nice tonight."
"Thank you." Heather looked over Charlie Brown for a few seconds before smiling up at him again. "You look rather handsome yourself. I love that color suit on you."
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wold and Mrs. Brown were discussing how the remainder of the evening was going to go.
"So, while I'm taking Sally to go see Harold Angel, you're going to be taking them to the dance, then I will be picking them up promptly at eight forty-five, right?" Mrs. Brown asked, just to clarify that things were set.
"That's correct," Mrs. Wold said. "I shouldn't be gone any later than like... maybe ten thirty. Heather will be okay being at the house alone for that time. Oh! But how is Sally going to get back home?"
"Don't worry. Harold's father will be bringing her home at about nine thirty," Mrs. Brown assured her.
"Oh, good," Mrs. Wold said, relieved.
"Alright, then I think we're settled," Mrs. Brown said, feeling satisfied with the arrangements. She then turned to face Charlie Brown and Heather, and she took in how the two of them looked together. They both matched well with their dark blue attire, and a couple seconds later, an idea came into Mrs. Brown's head. "Hey, um, Donna? Would it be okay if I took a picture of the two of them?"
"Oh, absolutely! I was actually just thinking about doing that as well," Mrs. Wold agreed.
"Great!" Mrs. Brown said delightedly before facing the kids. "Charlie Brown! Heather!"
"Yeah?" the both of them said in unison.
"Come with us into the living room for a minute," Mrs. Brown said. "Donna and I want to get a picture of you two like this."
"Oh! Alright," Heather responded.
The two of them then followed their mothers back into the house. Mrs. Brown then took a few pictures of both Charlie Brown and Heather standing together wearing their navy blue dance attire. After that was done, the two of them, along with Mrs. Wold went back to the car. Charlie Brown were then on their way to the school to attend the dance together.
And here it is, guys! The Valentine's Day dance arc has now begun! Both CB and Heather went all in in wanting to look as good as possible for their partner. Next chapter will kick off with everybody at the dance and beginning to have fun. I've got a couple of surprises for you guys in the next chapter as I want you readers to be able to partake in the fun too!.
See you guys again soon with the next chapter!
Next Chapter - Chapter 35: The Valentine's Day Dance Part 2