16

"Hurricanes can't take away our love."

Sawyer

I wasted no time bursting into my room and diving for my bed. My heart raced with anticipation as I placed the book in front of me and flipped through the pages, trying to figure out what he'd done. I kept flipping until I opened the page to a folded-up note. I picked it up and found an underlined sentence in the book.

"Never pass up new experiences, Scarlett. They enrich the mind."

I turned my attention to the note. His penmanship was surprisingly neat.

Sawyer,

Do you want to go to the dance with me? It's going to be just like in your books, only better.

A warmth spread across my cheeks as a shy smile tugged at the corner of my lips. No one had ever asked me out to a dance. I twirled a strand of my hair as I reread the note. It's as if I was living in a scene in a book. One I'd always dreamed of but never thought I'd get to experience. It's not as if I had boys fighting over me back home. A gentle sigh escaped my lips as I flopped onto my back.

As I gazed out my frost-kissed window, I saw the outside world cloaked in a pristine layer of snow. The snowflakes drifted downward in a delicate dance. I became lost in the tranquility.

??

Excitement filled the air as I stood in front of my full-length mirror. Various dress choices cluttered my bed. How did I prepare for the unknown? The closest I'd been to school dances were the ones I'd seen on television.

I surveyed the array of dresses; each held a possibility but no guarantee. My indecision and insecurity cost me an immense amount of time. The dance was in a few hours, and I was still waiting for Stella. As if she could sense I was thinking of her, she knocked on my door with the widest smile.

"This was on your doorstep when I arrived." She said, holding up a large box with a purple ribbon. "It has your name on it."

She peered over my shoulder as I unwrapped the anonymous gift. I placed my hands over my mouth as I unveiled the dress inside. The luxurious feel of the burgundy fabric was undeniable, and the bindings of books inspired the embroidery on the bodice. The skirt was flowing and voluminous. It was straight from a novel. Josh meant it when he promised me the best night.

"It's beautiful." I said, unable to take my eyes off it.

"Let's get ready." Stella jumped off the bed. "You don't want to make him wait."

The room was alive with excitement as we got ready. Our dresses, makeup, and accessories littered my bed. As Stella worked on the final touches to my hair, I snuck a peek at my phone. Almost time.

"I think I'm going to be sick."

She sighed.

"Don't overthink it." She said. "He likes you."

"Or he's just trying to be nice."

She rolled her eyes.

"If he was trying to be nice, he would have given you a card and been done with it." She argued. "Besides, you look beautiful."

I stood up and straightened out my dress as I looked at myself in the mirror. The sad thing was, she could tell me a million times how beautiful I looked, but I'd never believe it. My mind overruled all of it.

"Sawyer, Josh is here." My mother's voice echoed from downstairs.

I took a deep breath. As I descended the stairs, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness fluttering in my stomach, knowing he was downstairs. My heels echoed against the stairs, alerting everyone of my arrival. Our eyes met and a smile played on his lips. He looked at me the way I'd always dreamed. As if he'd seen the sun after years in the dark.

"You look amazing." He whispered in my ear as soon as I reached him at the bottom step.

My eyes sparkled as I admired the rich coal fabric that complimented his features and his frame.

"Thanks," I said with flushed cheeks. "You look great."

He looked over my head as Stella hovered a few steps above.

"You look great, Stella." He complimented her.

I grinned, knowing she would be too awestruck to thank him, but I appreciated the way he included her after I'd told him she didn't have a date.

A knock on the door interrupted my mom as she urged us to stand for pictures. My mind raced with possibilities of who could be at the door, but Asher was the least likely.

"What are you doing here?" Josh asked as he curled an arm around my waist.

Asher's silhouette exuded confidence as his charcoal-gray suit embraced his frame in all the right places. His cerulean eyes sparkled with an irrepressible mischief.

"I'm here to escort Ms. Stella to the dance."

I think her heart stopped.

"What?"

The corner of Asher's eyes crinkled as if her lack of words were amusing.

"Well, someone was too afraid to ask you out, but it seems they're trying to make up for it." He explained. "They're waiting for you."

A radiant smile illuminated Stella's features as she marched to Asher. Her eyes glittered with delight. He extended his arm out and she hooked hers around it. His eyes locked with mine, causing me to shiver. He smirked.

"Let's go."

Stella's eagerness rubbed off on us as we trailed behind her and out the door.

??

Strands of fairy lights were draped from the ceilings, transforming the gymnasium into a kaleidoscope of colors. The vibrant energy bounced off the walls as the centered disco ball added a touch of sparkle to the lively atmosphere. Balloons hovered over our heads like colorful confetti waiting to rain down on us.

In the gymnasium's corner, Sebastian's eyes darted around, seeking Stella. His eyes lit up as he spotted her from across the room. It made my heart swell. I was beaming as I watched their interaction until Josh blocked my view. He extended his hand.

"Would you like to dance with me?"

"I'd love to." I accepted his invitation with enthusiasm.

??