Chapter 6: Homecoming

The next morning I wake up with a smile on my face. I get up and quickly get ready for school, excited to see my friends and gush about tonight. I finish twenty minutes early and decide to join my family for breakfast.

"Hello family," I sing walking into the kitchen.

"Hi Mar-Mar," the twins sing back at the same time my mom sings, "Hello daughter."

My dad just laughs and says hi like a normal person.

I sit down with them and make myself a plate of waffles and bacon. We make small talk and when I am done, I look at the time and freak out.

"Shitake mushrooms! I'm going to be late," I yell while getting up to grab my stuff and run out the door to the car.

I make it to Ariel's ten minutes late and she walks out looking excited.

"I'm so excited for tonight that I don't even care that you're late," she says.

"Sorry I was ready early and decided to eat breakfast with my family. Time got away from me and I was a little late," I tell her apologetically.

"You're all good," she says waving her hand at me.

We chat about tonight on our way to school. Beth decided to catch a ride with Brian, no idea why.

We find a spot, get out, and head inside, immediately finding everyone and heading over to them.

"Hey guys," Beth says when she sees us, coming over to give us a hug.

"You ready for tonight," I ask her with a squeal.

"Let me think about it," she taps her chin and pauses for a minute. "Uh, duh."

We laugh for a minute and then the boys come over to us.

"Hey baby," Danny says pulling me into his chest and putting my arms around his neck.

"Hi," I say, leaning in to give him a kiss.

"I can't wait to see you in your dress tonight," he whispers in my ear, making me giggle because it tickles.

"I bet you can't because you know I'll look great," I wink at him.

He laughs and we walk to class together.

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School let out early today because of the homecoming game and dance, so the girls and I are on our way to my house to meet the stylists who are doing our hair, makeup, and nails.

We walk in to get our nails done first and Beth is cracking up.

"I'm just so ticklish on my feet," she says while trying not to move.

Ariel is laying back in her seat with her eyes closed just loving every minute.

My nails are painted pink with little black butterflies and my toes alternate between pink and black.

Beth's nails alternate between green and silver, with her green nails having silver rhinestones on them and her toes are just painted a sparkly silver.

Ariel's nails are a sparkly blue-ish purple and her toes are painted gold.

After our nails finish drying, the hairstylist comes to do our hair.

My mid-back length hair is curled, Beth's shoulder-length blonde hair is wavy, and Ariel's mid-back length hair is in a half up half down style with some loose strands on the side.

Once satisfied, the makeup artist comes over to do our makeup.

I decided on a smoky eye look, with pink eyeshadow in the inner corners of my eyes and I paired the look with a matte pink lipstick.

Ariel decided on a smoky eye look with sparkly purple eyeshadow in the inner corners of her eyes and she paired the look with nude lipstick.

Beth decided to wear a sparkly green eyeshadow with sparkly white eyeshadow in the inner corners of her eyes and she paired it with clear lipgloss.

When we are all finished we put on our dresses. We stand in the mirror to observe ourselves and then turn to each other and say, "We look hot!"

My mom walks in and gasps.

"You girls look so beautiful! Beth and Ariel's parents are here so we can all take some pictures," she tells us.

We grab our purses and head out my door and down the stairs to meet our parents.

They all tell us how beautiful we are and our dad's all tear up, which makes us tease them.

We take a few pictures together and then we finally hear the doorbell, alerting us that the boys are here. My mom goes to answer the door and the boys follow behind her into the living room.

As soon as they enter their jaws drop.

"You girls look beautiful," Brian says and Danny and Jerrico nod in agreement. Of course, Brian had to throw in. "Even you Bethany," to which their mother yells at him.

The guys look really good.

Danny is wearing a black suit with a pink dress shirt and a black tie underneath. He paired the look with some black dress shoes and his light brown hair is done in a pompadour style.

Jerrico is wearing a light grey suit with a white dress shirt and a green tie underneath. He paired his look with some green dress shoes and his black hair is done in a quiff style.

Brian is wearing a blueish purple suit with a white dress shirt and purple tie underneath. He paired the look with some brownish-purple shoes and his blonde hair is slicked back.

Our parents take a million and one pictures before they finally let us go, telling us to have fun and behave.

The boys lead us to the limo and we head to the hotel that the dance is being held.

The surprise theme for homecoming is mardi gras and the ballroom looks absolutely amazing.

"They did such a great job decorating," I say while looking around in awe.

Everyone nods in agreement and the boys go to get us something to drink.

"Y'all ready to get turnt up in here," Beth yells in her street voice.

We laugh and yell, "Hell yeah!"

We hit the dance floor, forgetting all about the boys, and dance to Can't Hold Us by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. When the song is over, we head back over to the boys.

"So y'all just forgot all about us huh," Danny says handing me my drink.

Beth says, "Sorry not sorry," while I say, "Sorry babe, we were feeling the music and just had to go out there and shake what our mama's gave us," I tell him, giving him a quick peck on the lips.

The boys laugh and we sit around and talk before a slow song comes on and we drag the boys to the dance floor.

I put my head on Danny's shoulder and we sway to the music.

"Are you having fun," he asks me while placing a kiss on the top of my head.

"I'm having the best time ever. I'm really glad you finally manned up and asked me out," I tell him with a tease at the end. He just lets out a sexy chuckle and pulls me closer.

"I love you," he tells me, lifting my head up to give me a heart-stopping kiss.

"I love you too," I mumble against his lips.

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After the dance, we head up to a hotel room that has three bedrooms, a kitchen, and a common area. Apparently, Jerrico's parents wanted us to be able to all chill together after homecoming.

Everyone has changed into pajamas and we're all playing a game of truth or dare but with a twist.

"Anna, truth or dare," Jer asks me.

"Um truth," I say with uncertainty.

"How long had you been crushing on Daniel here before he finally asked you out," he asks while wiggling his eyebrows at me.

"Since the sixth grade," I mumble under my breath.

"What was that? Didn't hear you. Speak up."

"Since the sixth grade, gosh are you happy?"

"Yes, I'm very happy."

He's cheesing and Beth smacks him upside the head. I sneak a peek at Danny and he's looking at me in curiosity.

"I think we're gonna head to bed," he finally says, pulling his gaze from mine and looking at the others.

"What? Why," Jerrico whines.

I roll my eyes at him and take Danny's outstretched hand.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Brian yells after us.

"That's not saying much," Beth says.

We walk into our room and Danny closes the door while I go and sit down on the bed.

I'm nervous and it probably shows on my face.

"Why do you look so nervous," he asks me with a chuckle.

"You make me nervous," I tell him honestly.

"You don't need to be nervous. I just wanna talk alone from prying ears."

"Is it about what I said out there?"

"Kind of. I just wanted to talk about us. Nothing bad though, I promise."

He sticks out his pinky, making me laugh. I wrap my pinky around his and say, "Okay."