| |
Zoe
––––––––
As Shay and I walked into the school, we passed under a white and teal balloon arch, and he squeezed my hand. I stood in the doorway, taking it all in. The decoration committee had done a fantastic job making the old gymnasium look and feel just like I pictured heaven would be. Everything was white except for the teal flowers strategically placed around the room. Tulle covered the rafters, giving the appearance of a low ceiling. Twinkle lights gave the room a soft glow. Everything lived up to the prom theme: Heaven is a Place on Earth. In the center of the ceiling hung a giant disco ball, which reflected shimmering dots across the walls. Off to my right, about a dozen round, high-top tables had been provided where students could gather, eat, or rest. On my left stood a long line of prom goers who awaited their turn for their keepsake, where a photographer had set up a backdrop to snap pictures. Teachers stood watch over the food tables and around the perimeter of the gym, ready to interfere with any misbehaving students.
A band had been set up on a raised platform on the opposite wall from where we’d entered. Shortly after we arrived, the music started. Screams, whistles, and shouts erupted from the students, letting everyone know that the dance had officially started.
“Zoe, may I have this dance?” Shay asked, giving a formal bow.
I grinned. “You may.”
Shay led me into the throng of dancers then placed his free hand on my waist and pulled me tight against his chest. I inhaled, breathing in his scent: musky lavender tinged with a hint of something as sweet as a strawberry. Even though the music had a fast, upbeat tempo, and Shay was an awesome dancer, he and I swayed to our own slow rhythm. We shifted back and forth for a while, and then he led me into a spin. People moved out of our way as we gradually created an open space. Other dancers stopped to look at us, then resumed flailing their arms and jerking their bodies around in their kind of dance.
“You’re so beautiful,” Shay whispered into my ear.
“You clean up nicely, too.”
“I hope I can make this a night you will always remember.”
“I won’t forget any of this, Shay.” I stood on my tiptoes and placed a kiss on his lips. “I’m so glad to have you back. I didn’t know what I would do if you—”
“Shh. I’m here. I’ll always be here for you.”
We stopped dancing and just stood there, holding each other.
“Get a room,” Sidelle muttered as she and Kieran waltzed past.
I smiled at her and waved. Everything was perfect.
We kept getting glares as people bumped into us, which meant we’d either have to start dancing or get off the floor. Shay kissed the top of my forehead, and then we broke apart. He loosened his tie and jammed out to the rock song the band was playing, and I followed suit. Sidelle and Kieran came back around to join us, and we made a circle as Vash and Cali danced toward us. I spotted Rena and Noah standing in line, waiting for their prom photo. They waved when they saw me looking in their direction, so I motioned for them to join us. Quinn and Caden stood with the rest of the basketball team near the food tables, so we shuffled our circle over to be near them. Quinn grabbed a reluctant Caden’s hand and dragged him to the dance floor, even though his face was beet red. He kept looking back at his teammates with pleading eyes. Maybe he just didn’t want to dance next to Shay and Kieran, who made dancing look like a breeze. Of course for them, it was.
The entire evening was just how I’d dreamed it would be. I was surrounded by my closest friends, my boyfriend’s arms were wrapped around me, and there wasn’t any place I’d rather be. I didn’t want the night to end. A few songs later, I was breathless and needed a break. I tugged on Shay’s hand, fanning myself.
“Do you want something to drink?” he asked.
“Yes!” I screamed over the blaring music. “I need to sit, too, and rest my feet for a bit.”
He led me over to one of the high-top tables and pulled out a chair, and then he kissed my hand. “You rest those pretty little toes, so we can dance the rest of the night away.”
“I’ll be right here.”
The song ended. The gym doors swung open and hit the walls, creating a loud bang. Everyone stopped and stared at the entrance as Aiden and Morgan strolled in, hands linked. He wore an impish smile across his face, or maybe that was him being happy. Morgan, wedged in a red, flowing gown, sashayed across the room like she owned the place. Her dress flared out behind as her two bookends, Ashel and Abby, flanked her with their dates.
My stomach churned, reminding me of the uneasy feeling I had in the restaurant and on the car ride here.
“What are you all staring at?” she yelled. “I’m fashionably late. The party can start now!”
I rolled my eyes and turned away, hoping she didn’t see me. She and I didn’t need to get into a fight tonight. Really, I didn’t want to get into any fights tonight. As I watched my friends on the dance floor, I realized how much I loved them all. I’d do anything to keep them safe. We had to beat Sammael; that’s all there was to it. Then we’d keep him locked in Hell with no way to escape. I had to find a way to get a Seraph’s Sword. The sooner, the better.
“Hey, Zoe.”
I turned and faced Aiden. “What do you want?”
“To ask you to save a dance for me.”
“Why would I do that?” I glared at him. “I can’t believe you took Morgan to prom. Doesn’t our friendship mean anything to you?”
He held up one hand. “Whoa, hold on. I came to this school late in the year and didn’t have anyone to bring. She was available, so I asked her. I know you two don’t get along, but—”
“‘Don’t get along’ is an understatement.”
“I don’t see why you gals can’t be friends.”
“Tell her that. I don’t need friends who bully me.”
“Well, don’t do her any favors then. Do me one. Please save me a dance.”
He had a point, in that most of the girls had already been asked. Of course, Morgan was one of the last ones without a date, so she for sure would have said yes if Aiden had asked her.
“Fine, I’ll save you a dance.” I folded my arms and lifted my chin. “But only if you can pry me away from Shay.”
“That’s all I ask. Thank you, Zoe.”
He turned and walked away to find his date with his head down, passing Shay as he returned with a few drinks in hand. He watched Aiden’s retreating back. Shay turned to me. “You okay?” he asked. “Who was that?”
“I’m fine, and that was no one.” I raised the plastic cup and toasted his. “Thanks for getting these.”
“No problem.” Shay peered over the rim of his drink. “What did he want?”
“Nothing. Just a dance.” I tossed back the cool blue liquid and slammed the empty cup on the table. “But I only agreed to dance with him if you and I weren’t dancing.”
“Then we’d better not let him have an opportunity.”
“My thoughts exactly,” I said, beaming.
We threw our empty cups into the trash can and headed back to the dance floor. Hand in hand, we joined my friends and stayed out there until our legs wouldn’t hold us up anymore. Shay was always by my side. Sometimes he reached for me, touching my arm, and other times, he grabbed my hand and twirled me into his embrace. Eventually, I flung my stilettos into a corner, and Cali and Quinn followed my lead. Sidelle, of course, kept hers on.
An upbeat song merged into a slow one, and Kieran appeared at my side. “Zoe?” he asked. “Dance with me?”
“Of course, K.”
Shay let go of my waist, and I stepped into Kieran’s open arms. My two favorite guys seemed to be on better terms lately, but even if they weren’t, I couldn’t imagine Shay denying my best friend a dance.
“I saw you with Aiden,” Kieran said once we were on the dance floor. “Is he bothering you?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
He nodded, satisfied. “So? How is tonight? Is this everything you dreamed it would be?”
“Yes,” I said, smiling at him. “Everything and more.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
Kieran was just as good a dancer as Shay, if not better. Our bodies flowed as one, like we were meant to always be with each other. Maybe it was because we’d known each other for so long. Kieran turned gracefully and whirled, leading me across the floor, and I was the envy of everyone—or at least that’s what I liked to think. Truth was they were staring at Kieran because, well, how could they not? There was a glow about him tonight. It was as if he’d let out some of his Angel Light to shine around us.
“I wish ...” Kieran started, but he didn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he rested his chin on top of my head. We slowed, and I looked up into his blue eyes. “I ... Zoe, I’m sorry. I have to say it. I think I’m in love with—”
“May I cut in?” Aiden stood next to us. “Please?”
We stopped moving, and I stared at him. I shook my head, knowing I was rude, and that I previously said I would. I tightened my grip in Kieran’s hand. I need to hear what Kieran has to say. I have to know who he’s in love with.
“I don’t think so, Aiden.” Kieran turned our bodies.
“Please? Zoe, you promised.”
I looked into his pleading eyes. Kieran shook his head but didn’t say anything. I slowly nodded, even though I really didn’t want to end my dance with Kieran.
Aiden reached his hand toward me. Kieran obviously wanted to tell me something important about someone he had feelings for, but I’d kind of promised a dance to Aiden. Darn the Minnesota nice and promises.
Kieran extended his arm in a sweeping motion, and Aiden stepped in. As soon as Aiden touched my hand, a jolt coursed through my body like an electrical current. I stared, quite literally shocked. I’d never felt anything so intense before. It was nothing like the shocks that Shay and I experienced. This was something entirely different.
Something menacing.
I looked into Aiden’s aqua-colored eyes, the same beautiful shade as Shay’s, and realized this was the first time we’d actually touched. We’d come close many times since I’d known him, but he’d always pulled away. It was like he purposely didn’t want to touch me, like he couldn’t bear it. But this dance had been his request, not mine. As we circled across the dance floor, we passed Shay. My heart ached—I wanted to be in his arms, not in Aiden’s. Aiden kept his back to Shay and Kieran, and both glared at Aiden’s back. Finally, Ever the Same drew to a close. It was one of my favorites by Rob Thomas, and I knew it well, and I wanted to return to Shay’s arms.
Aiden spun me around, then dipped me low to the floor. I tilted my head back and saw Shay and Kieran upside down. Aiden lifted his head and finally looked at them. He winked at my boys, lowering his lips to my ear.
“Finally,” he whispered. “You’re mine.”
Confused, I looked at Shay, whose eyes grew wide then narrowed. He leaned over to tell Kieran something and ... then my world came to a screeching halt.
Shay moved with lightning speed, but he wasn’t fast enough.
Kieran’s body glowed, producing his Angel Light.
My vision dimmed, but I was conscious enough to see a pair of jet-black wings wrap around me.
My body gave in, and I collapsed into Aiden’s arms.
“No!” Shay’s voice rang in my ears.
Then Aiden and I disappeared.
