CHAPTER 15

Evelyn's alarm went off. She had set it at an early time in order to take a shower before being picked up by the twins to attend their salon appointment. She couldn't wait for tonight, have an amazing time with her friends and boyfriend. She really hoped today would be amazing for everyone. After her shower she went downstairs and greeted her parents that were cooking breakfast and chatting. Evelyn smiled seeing them act like a newlywed couple. She loved seeing her mom so happy, it had been a long time since she saw her genuinely laughing. "Good morning love birds." Evelyn said walking into the lovey-dovey atmosphere.

"Good morning sweetie. Would you like some breakfast?" Sophia asked, flipping a pancake on the pan.

"Yes please." Maverick took out the orange juice and handed his daughter a glass. "Thanks dad." Sophia handed her a plate of pancakes with bacon on the side. "Thanks mom." Sophia served herself and Maverick as well and all three sat down to enjoy breakfast together. "Where's Matthew?" Evelyn asked.

"He left for Alexander's already." Maverick replied as he poured himself a cup of coffee. Evelyn 'oh-ed'. They continued eating breakfast and chatting about upcoming events, mostly about Matthew Graduating and going off to college. He got a scholarship for sports as he was going to try and major in baseball. You couldn't say he was the brains of the family, but he still had decent grades. Evelyn thought about Alexander also moving away to college and she couldn't help but feel a little down. Her mother took notice of it and held her hand.

"Everything will turn out for the best sweetie. You'll see." Evelyn nodded. She had finished her breakfast just in time to hear Kristine honking outside. "See you soon, go enjoy your day getting ready for tonight." Evelyn gave her mother and father a kiss and a hug goodbye. She grabbed her purse and headed out.

When the girls got to the salon it was already packed. Good thing they had booked an appointment, if not this day would have been a disaster. "Oh my gosh Kristine it's been a while, how have you been?" A feminine male figure said as he walked towards the three girls.

"Raul, you look as gorgeous as ever. Sorry have been busy with school to the point that I can't even pamper myself." Kristine hugged the man as if they were long lost best friends.

"Then I will make you feel extremely pampered today. I got two of my best stylists to work on your sister and friend. Come on follow me this way girls." The last sentence he said with so much sass, it echoed in the salon. The girls followed behind and were taken to a private room where they would not only get their hair and makeup done but they would first get a special spa treatment. "I know you only booked for hair and makeup, but I know today is prom night and this is all on me." Raul said as he made the girls each seat on a special chair. "Mary will be working on your sister and Susan will be working on your friend. I of course will personally be working on you." He squealed out the word 'you'. He honestly sounded more excited about the makeover than the girls getting them. Seemed he really loved his job.

"I trust you, Raul. Now make us beautiful." Kristine emphasized the word beautiful as she closed her eyes and allowed Raul to work his magic.

"Let's get started." Raul said as he indicated Mary and Susan to start. The girls got the big deal here. Waxing. Exfoliation. Hydration. Their entire bodies were being treated with all the specialties. You named it, Raul did it. They even got a mani and pedi done. When Raul, Mary and Susan were done, the girls looked unrecognizable. They felt and looked amazing. Kristine's hair was put up into a bun, strands of curls emerging from it. Natasha's hair was tied up to her side, loose but fancy. Evelyn's hair was let down, but they had given her loose curls. All the girls' makeup was natural looking. Lights shades for eyeshadow and lip. "You girls look spectacular. Your dates are going to die." The girls giggled and thanked him, Mary, and Susan for their hard work. By now they had just enough time to go home, get change and wait for the boys to pick them up in the limo.

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Meanwhile the boys had been slacking off all day. What exactly did they need to do other than get changed? Matthew had arrived at Alexander's early in the morning just to kill off his boredom. Matthew, Alexander, and Dawson had been playing video games all day long. Dawson's phone chimed. "Kristine says they're already heading back with Evelyn to change. We should start getting ready too." Alexander turned off the gaming console and all three boys went upstairs to change. "Is Evelyn ever going to get a phone?" Dawson asked as he grabbed his tux from Alexander's closet.

"She'll get one soon." Matthew replied, nudging Alexander.

"Let's get ready before Jonathan and Caleb get here." Alexander said, changing the subject. The boys got dressed pretty fast. They looked at each other and helped one another fix some loose ends here and there. By now Jonathan and Caleb had arrived and were chilling in the living room playing games. Dawson, Matthew, and Alexander were making their way downstairs when they heard a honk outside. "That must be the limo driver." All the boys had a small corsage to give to their respective dates. Alexander held an extra small gift bag with him as they all headed out and into the limo. The limo driver had already been informed about the two addresses he was to go so he soon drove off to the McNealy's. The boys got down to greet the girls. Sophia snapping a few pictures of the couples and a few of the entire group. "You look gorgeous baby." Alexander told Evelyn as he held her hand and placed the corsage on her wrist. Evelyn placed a boutonniere on his suit. Their flower ornaments matched their dress and shirt color. Caleb and Natasha, Kristine and Jonathan did the same. After all the ornaments were exchanged, and all the pictures were taken they all got back into the limo. "I got you a little gift." Alexander said, handing Evelyn the small gift bag.

"Oh my gosh, open it, Evelyn." Natasha said nudging her friend as she was sitting the closest to her. Evelyn smiled and did as she was told. Everyone in the limo stayed silent as she opened the bag and took out a small rectangular box.

"Alexander, you shouldn't have." Evelyn was beyond grateful. He had gifted her a brand-new iPhone. It was the newest model too; the iPhone 14 in a light purple color. "This must have cost you a fortune."

"Finally!" Everyone said in unison seeing the girl finally get a phone. Alexander shrugged; he had gotten a special payment plan under his phone service account. Evelyn gave him a kiss on the lips, and everyone awed and whistled at them. Evelyn exchanged numbers with everyone and then placed her new phone inside her purse. The driver soon arrived at the salon and the whole group got out. Dawson's and Matthew's 'dates' were already waiting for them at the entrance.

"Shall we?" Matthew asked the entire group as they made their way through the front doors. They handed in their tickets and had to show their school ID to go in just for verification and security of the students. Alexander held Evelyn's hand as they all made their way in. Cassandra found her boyfriend and walked away; Dawson and Matthew thanking her for their help. Julia also found her date and walked to her thanking Matthew for helping her out. The group of 8 were able to sit at one table. The prom committee had arranged catering before the actual dance started. They served your choice of Cordon Bleu or Chicken Fettuccine with a side of mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. To drink they could either have water, sweet tea, or lemonade. Evelyn couldn't help but think how everything was so well prepared.

"Are you enjoying yourself, My Love?" Alexander asked her as they ate their dinner.

"I am. This is amazing so far." Evelyn replied with a smile. The entire group chatted and laughed. They were all indeed having the time of their life and the dance hadn't even started.

"You girls all look magnifique!" Dawson kissed the tip of his fingers in an Italian manner. All the boys around the table agreed with him. They indeed look spectacular, beautiful, and wonderful. Everyone continued chatting until the dance started. The servers hired picked up all the plates from the tables living the drinks behind. The lights deemed out and the DJ started playing his most famous jams. Everyone walked over to the dance floor and started enjoying their night. They danced as a group, they danced as couples, they switched with each other, they went back to dancing together. In all they were just enjoying themselves to the fullest.

"Would you like to go out for some fresh air?" Alexander asked Evelyn over the loud music. She nodded and he placed his blazer over her shoulders before heading out. They sat down by the water fountain located close to the entrance. Luckily, no one else was around. "Did you like your gift?" Alexander asked holding her hands in his.

"I did. Thank you so much. Now I'll be able to contact you and the twins more easily." She said with a genuine smile.

"I have another surprise planned for tonight. I already spoke to your parents and after the dance you and I will be heading on our own." Evelyn was beyond curious. She didn't want to wait for the dance to end. What other surprise could he give her?

"Do we have to wait?" She whined, really wanting to know what the other surprise was.

"Unfortunately, yes. The reservation is for after the dance. If not, I would have taken you there already." Evelyn pouted. Alexander pulled her up and they headed back inside. Natasha and Kristen walked over to Evelyn as soon as she walked back into the salon.

"Let's go to the restroom." Natasha said pulling Evelyn away. Alexander chuckled walking to the table where the rest of the boys were already seated.

"The prom committee really overdid themselves. This dance is amazing!" Dawson commented as soon as Alexander took his seat. "I'm glad we were all able to attend." Caleb agreed with him. Thanks to Matthew they were all able to get into the salon.

"The girls look extremely beautiful too." Jonathan said sipping on his drink. They all had been dancing and were exhausted. The boys agreed. Wherever they went to get ready did an extremely good job.

"Have you checked on the reservation?" Matthew asked Alexander on the side.

"Yeah, I already got a text confirmation." Matthew gave him a thumbs up. The girls came back from the restroom and looked freshened up. They sat with the guys to take a well needed rest. They all chatted about how much fun they were having and how this was better than last year's prom.

"Are we going to the after party or what?" Caleb asked the group. Alexander looked over at Matthew searching for his friend to bail him and Evelyn out.

"I heard it's going to be at Jacob Xavier's house. His parents actually allowed him to throw the party and even let him have alcohol." Jonathan said wrapping his arm around Kristine.

"Sounds like it's going to be a blast!" Dawson said excitedly. "I'm down." The twins, Caleb, and Jonathan, also agreed to go. The dance was still yet from over. Alexander and Matthew would find a way to bail Ale and Evee out. If push comes to shove, they would just have to disappear without anyone noticing. The group continued chatting away, recharging their batteries. Soon a slow song came on and all the couples made their way to the dance floor, leaving Dawson and Matthew behind. "They really love each other, don't they?" Dawson asked Matthew as they both saw Alexander and Evelyn dancing along to the music. Alexander had his hands on her waist, she had hers on his shoulders. They both saw how he leaned down to kiss her.

"They really do." Matthew replied, seeing his little sister smiling.

"He's going to take her away after the dance, isn't he?"

"How'd you…?"

"He's my brother, Matt. Don't worry, I'll help them bail out of the after party." Matthew patted Dawson's back.

"Let's go cut in." He said getting Dawson to stand and walking towards the dance floor. Matthew cut in between Caleb and Natasha. Dawson cut in between Alexander and Evelyn.

"Lend her to me." Dawson said as he swung Evelyn around. Caleb and Alexander laughed it out as they both stood on the side lines. "You look beautiful, Evelyn."

"Thank you, Dawson. You don't look so bad yourself."

"I know this is going to sound out of the blue but, just know that you don't have to if you don't want to." Dawson gave her a light kiss on the cheek before swirling her around back into Alexander's arms. She was confused about what he meant but brushed it off.

"Remember the surprise?" Alexander asked as he pulled her towards the table to grab a drink. Evelyn nodded. "I got confirmation that it's ready. Do you want to bail out early?" Dawson stood by Caleb as he saw his older brother and Evelyn grabbing their stuff and walking about without saying anything. He chuckled and shook his head.

'Guess they didn't need our help.' He crossed his in front of his chest. 'Will I ever be able to get over you?' He thought and sighed.