The day of the homecoming dance brought nervous energy to Serenah. She had been feeling down since Wednesday, even though she had talked to Romeo and explained why she was uncomfortable. She felt like she had disappointed him somehow. She wanted to be affectionate, but fear kept her from trying it.
The whole day she stole covert glances in Romeo's direction. Sometimes he would make eye contact with her, and she felt relieved. He wasn't angry at her. She didn't know how she would feel if he hated her.
"Earth to Sera."
She twitched and turned to face Liz who was snapping her fingers near her face.
"Um, sorry?" Serenah said as a question, not sure what she'd missed in the conversation with Liz and Penelope.
"Girl, I swear." Liz rolled her eyes dramatically. "I asked if you remembered to pack everything for the game and dance."
"Oh, yes. It's in my car."
"Good. We'll get it after school," Penelope chimed in.
The rest of the day flew by in a blur. After school, they grabbed her clothes from the car and Alastar got Liz's address from them. He was going to hang out with Drake and Karl until the girls were done. Then he would come pick Serenah up.
She wasn't happy about that, but she didn't let it dampen her excitement for going to her first dance.
Liz's house was a two-story, light blue house found at the top of a small hill. The nearest neighbor was at the base of the hill, giving Liz's house an air of mystery. It reminded Serenah of her home in the forests of High Knob. She wondered what her friends would say if they knew she lived in a castle. They'd probably tease her about it. That thought made her smile.
"Finally, a smile!" shouted Penelope startling Serenah.
"Ow! Penelope, that was my ear," she complained.
"My bad." Penelope gently patted her shoulder.
She grinned. "You're forgiven. Liz, your house is huge."
Liz chuckled and pulled into the garage. "You haven't seen my room yet."
The three girls grabbed their things from the car trunk and went inside. Serenah studied Liz's house, fascinated by the interior and all the pictures hanging on the walls. There was nothing like this at the castle. At least, not of her anyway. She felt a pang in her heart when she remembered how her father had ordered all pictures of her to be removed and burned after her healing powers had manifested. Thankfully Alastar managed to save the three portraits from a fiery death and took them to his father's house for safekeeping.
She shook her head, pushing aside the painful memories. She would make happy memories today and take a ton of pictures, too. She gasped in delight when they reached the top of the stairs and entered Liz's room. Her room was as large as Serenah's but that was where the similarities ended. Liz's room was bathed in shades of brown, orange, and yellow.
"Looks like someone loves fall colors," she mused.
"I know, right? They are such breathtaking colors and it's my favorite season."
Serenah thought fall was an interesting season, but she preferred spring herself. All the new growth and life coming into existence brought joy to her. She hated winter the most. So many losses in her life came during that season. She would never like it.
Penelope clapped her hands, startling Serenah. She glanced at her friend and backed up a step at the mischievous glint in Penelope's eyes.
"Um," was all she got out before Penelope pounced her and dragged her toward the bathroom.
Penelope pointed at the shower. "Go take a shower, grab one of the robes, and come out. We'll get started on you as soon as you're done."
"Okay," Serenah said and laughed at Liz's gentle push to get her moving.
She took a quick shower, not wanting to hold everyone up. When she got out, her friends already had everything set up for hair and makeup.
"Sit." Penelope pointed to the stool placed in front of the vanity with a huge mirror behind it.
It was bigger than the one she had at home and that was saying something.
"I call dibs on her hair," chorused Liz.
"Makeup, for me then." Penelope jerked her head in the direction of the shower. "I'll snag my shower and then you can go, Liz."
"Yep, yep," Liz mumbled and moved behind Serenah. "It's hair time!"
Serenah nervously bit her lip. This would be the first time someone other than Lael would be doing her hair and makeup. She couldn't wait to see what magic Liz would work.
~***~
Forty-five minutes later, Liz put down the curling iron and grinned at Serenah's stunned expression. Serenah reached out and timidly touched the mirror. The sensual, yet elegant young woman looking back at her defied imagination. Never had she ever looked this beautiful or felt that she was loveable before today. Tears pooled in her eyes and slid down her cheeks.
Liz hugged her. "It's okay, Sera. You're going to knock him dead."
Serenah let out a choked laugh and grabbed a tissue to dab her tears. She turned her head at Penelope's whistle. Penelope looked stunning in her emerald green strapless dress and matching heels.
"You look amazing, Penelope," she told her with sincerity.
"I know, right?" She replied and winked at Serenah.
"Now, let me do your makeup while Liz gets dressed. And no more tears. We don't want your makeup to run."
"Yes, Ma'am." Serenah gave Penelope a mock salute and settled back on the stool so her friend could get started.
Liz left the room with a laugh and went to shower while Penelope got going on Serenah's makeup. Serenah watched in amazement as Penelope worked her magic. Once she was done, she didn't recognize herself.
"See what a little lipstick and eye shadow can do," whispered Penelope.
"You'll have to show me some other time how to do makeup like this."
"Gladly." Penelope hugged Serenah. "Now, go grab your dress and put it on while I do my makeup and hair. Liz should be ready to go in about thirty minutes. You can go ahead and text Al so he can get here on time. I can't wait to see his expression when he gets a glimpse of the new you."
Serenah clutched her cell phone tightly at Penelope's words. Would Alastar like her look or would he be angry? Would he think it was too much and tell her father? She wanted to have a wonderful evening but worry over Alastar's and her father's reactions put a damper on her joy. She shook herself from her morose thoughts and texted Alastar.
She was surprised to see his response that he was thirty minutes out. How did he even know to start heading this way without being told? She sighed. She'd worry about it some other time. She heard Liz giggle and turned to see her friend's dress. Her mouth fell open.
Liz was twirling around in a copper-colored skintight spaghetti strap minidress with matching stilettos. "How do I look?"
"Stunning!" gasped Serenah. She shifted her gaze to Penelope and was impressed by her hair and makeup, too. They were both so beautiful. She was lucky to have them as friends.
"So do you," Liz said and moved to her side to critically eye her. "Yes, you "clean up nicely" as the expression goes."
Serenah laughed. She had not heard that particular statement before. She rather liked it. "Thank you."
"Are you going to be okay in those heels, Sera?'
"Yes, I've worn heels before. These are rather comfortable." She looked down at her feet and smiled. The heels were not too high, so she didn't feel as if she were teetering and about to fall. Those were the kinds of heels Lady Lillian would stick her in for formal functions. She'd always suspected the woman did it on purpose hoping that Serenah would fall. She wouldn't put it past anyone who was an avid follower of her sister.
"Picture time!" Penelope sang out and grabbed her and Liz's phones.
The two girls joined Serenah and after a few minutes of striking different poses, all three cells had pictures of the group. She was thrilled to have pictures of this day that she'd never forget until the day she died.
They headed downstairs when they heard the honk of Alaster's car in the driveway.
She hugged them both. "That's my cue. Again, thank you for everything."
"It was a pleasure," replied Liz.
"We'll see you at the game." Penelope hugged her one more time and opened the door.
Serenah went to the car and got in. Alastar didn't say anything at first. She couldn't take the silence and blurted out, "Well?"
He turned to her, gave her a once over, and a nod. "You look nice."
Her heart sank at his words. Nice wasn't what she wanted to hear. She began to doubt her choice of dress, hair, and makeup. If Alastar didn't like it, maybe Romeo wouldn't either. The thought made her heart hurt.
"When we get to the game, keep your head down, and don't cause a scene. Also, be on the lookout for Amanah and her followers. I have a feeling they will stir up trouble. I'm sure you don't want your father to ban you from school events if something goes wrong."
Alaster's lecture stung her with his harsh words. He talked as if she were the problem and not her sister.
"Do you understand, Serenah?"
"Yes," she whispered suddenly feeling miserable.
"Good. Let's go." He started the car, and they headed to the football field, each lost in their own thoughts.