Why don't we go

"You look awesome!" Billy gasped, or what passed for a gasp for his gym bro personality.

"What he said." Tom agreed before pulling you into a hug and a kiss.

"They really do," Mary said with a hint of self-congratulations on an amazing job.

"Alright, squeeze in." Your dad held up a camera illustrating his intention, "You know the deal." You, Tom, Billy, and Erin squeezed together in front of the mantle. "Say cheesus." You rolled your eyes and smiled at your dad's lame joke he made every time he took a picture. The camera flashed in your eyes nearly blinding you and again multiple times as you posed with Tom, then solo, then with Erin. Your only relief came when it was her turn to be subjected to the odd form of ****.

After the spots cleared from your eyes you saw Kyle finally working up the courage to ask Mary if she played any games. Meanwhile, Erin clung to Billy's arm protectively while your dad talked to him. "I think I'm blind." Tom rubbed his eyes slowly.

"Did you know about this?"

"That I'd have a star explode in my face? No."

"You know you do that whenever you lie to me right?"

Tom blinked as his eyesight returned, "Guess it's a good thing I don't intend to do it a lot." He smiled then faltered returning to his usual serious expression. "I knew, Billy told me."

"He told you? When?"

"A few weeks ago."

"Why didn't you tell me?" You were shocked, Tom wasn't exactly an open book but he didn't keep secrets from you.

"He asked me not too."

"Why didn't he tell me then? He's my friend. Why didn't she? She's my sister."

Tom shrugged, "Maybe they thought you had enough on your plate." You scrunched up your face as you watched your dad shake Billy's hand.

After the talking was done you and Erin hugged your dad and one more picture with Mary and Kyle before leaving. "Right this way my dudes!" Billy exclaimed as he opened the door to the rented stretch limo.

"Oh wow!" Erin gasped.

"How could you afford this?!"

"It was easy, I picked up extra shifts at Mcdonalds and me and Tom split the cost."

"Well, you did good. " Erin smiled before kissing Billy on the lips.

One eye roll and several minutes later you're riding in the back of a beautiful stretch limo holding a glass of champagne watching the tiny bubbles, the bubbles as the formed promised to take all your cares and that nagging feeling you would not understand for years would be gone. And then they explode out of existence with the cold truth that it was only a temporary fix so you needed more. "What's wrong?" Erin asked already on her second glass.

"Nothing." Nervously you took your first sip and rested your head on Tom's shoulder assuring yourself he would be the one you would dance with tonight and more.

The Belmont was the ritziest hotel in town hosting over ten stories of rooms, a piano bar, a full-sized swimming pool, fully equipped gym, and a grand ballroom where your foursome was set to arrive any moment. "Dude!" Erin gasped as she took in the vaulted ceilings lined with balloons.

The floor filled with students dancing quickly to the beat of some pop song you don't recognize, "Let's get a drink?" You ask Tom holding on to his arm still.

"We're gonna dance." Erin pulled on Billy.

"Guess we're dancing," Billy said to you with a chuckle as he was pulled into the crowd. You shake your head and pull Tom into the crowd.

Tom was a much better dancer than you so you followed his lead taking cues from his body movements and what you see other girls doing. Being a natural athlete that you are you manage to do much better than

Erin grabbed your wrist, "We're going to powder our noses." She informs the boys with a smile as she drags you to the bathroom.

You stand before the mirror confirming what you already knew, that your makeup is perfect and your crown of flowers wrapped in your singular braid and your cascade of curls are flawless.

Erin busied herself making sure the stalls were all empty before turning to you, "Do you have a problem with me dating Billy?"

"Does he make you happy?"

"He does." She smiled blissfully without looking at you.

You weren't surprised by her answer, deep down you always knew he was a sweet guy. "Then I'm happy."

Erin pulled you into a hug before you realized it was happening. One thing that you're happily getting used to is how different girls can be when they show affection towards one another. If it had been Billy he probably would have punched you in the arm or a fist bump.

A few moments later you were back in the ballroom where you found Melanie in a pink and sparkling gown talking to Tom. "Did you lose a bet?"

"No." She punched your arm as she laughed. "It's a special occasion so I thought I would dress special. Besides what else was I supposed to wear? A tux?"

"I mean, I just didn't expect...pink."

"Can't help what your favorite color is." Melanie shrugged.

"Well, you look phenomenal!" Erin said excitedly as she examined Melanie's dress.

"Really. Absolutely amazing," You agreed giving Melanie a hug.

"And you two! Your hair!" She gasped excitedly.

After several hours of dancing, talking, and having punch the night draws ever closer to the inevitable. The night you have been looking forward to and worrying about since you realized such a thing was a possibility.

The dancers weeded out to the rest of their night wherever it is they would be, you and a dozen other couples stayed on the dance floor. The DJ seems to slow the tempo as if to hint they want you to leave already. "Kara?" Tom asks softly holding you close as you two sway softly on the floor.

"Hmm?" You keep your head to his chest already knowing what he's going to ask.

"If you're ready I can take you home."

"W-home?" You pull away from Tom still holding onto him.

"Why? Did you want to go somewhere else?"

"Well...I thought we would...you know." You feel your face blushing.

"What?"

"Have...um...go..."

"Go upstairs to a room that your boyfriend got in advanced on the off chance you wanted to use it?"

You smile laying your head back on his chest. "No. I was going to say go have ice cream. You got your mind in the gutter." You giggle softly.

"What if I told you there was ice cream in the room?"

"Okay, just the ice cream. Don't get any ideas, mister."