Nightshade: A SimLit | Chapter 27: Dancing Queen

Amelia was the kind of person who could never resist eavesdropping. Prom was rapidly approaching, and the halls were full of whispers about everyone's prom dates and plans.

"I can't believe I couldn't get a date!" Dominic complained. "I guess I'll have to go to prom alone..."

"Well, I'm going alone too, I guess." Vance frowned as he glanced toward Alexander and Brynn conversing happily at their lockers. "Sounds like she just said yes to him..." he muttered. 'She's never coming back to me, is she?'

'Vance and Dominic are going anyway?' There was an irritated expression on Amelia's face. 'If Onyx doesn't ask me to prom soon, I'll ask him. They're the last people I wanted to have to deal with...'

"Amelia?" A voice interrupted her thoughts.

Amelia turned, smiling when she saw Onyx approaching. 

"Hey, Onyx," she smiled. "What's up?"

Onyx smiled in return. "There's, uh, a lot of talk about prom today, isn't there?"

"Yeah, I just heard Vance and Dominic are going," Amelia rolled her eyes dramatically. "And some other gossip, if you're interested."

He laughed quietly. "What is it with you and snooping in everyone else's conversations?"

"Hey, I can't help it if they're talking loud enough for me to hear! Besides, I... like to know what's going on."

His laugh faded to silence; he was clearly on edge. 'She's my girlfriend... why am I so nervous to ask her?'

"...Everything okay, Onyx?"

"Yes, I was just-- I've been wondering if you and I..." his voice trailed off. "...could go to prom together?"

She lit up. "I thought you'd never ask. Of course we can! Did you really think I could say no?"

"I-I don't know, I guess I just..." Onyx sighed. "I was worried about you-know-who."

"Hey, don't worry about them," she replied. "No matter what we won't let them ruin prom for us, okay?"

Vance glanced over at the two of them with a frown. 'Even that freak has a date...'

"Vance?" Dominic frowned too. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's nothing..." Vance mumbled. 

---

A week later, the time had finally come. Amelia walked into the room, nervously glancing around at all of the other students. "There's so many people..." she said to herself, before spotting her brother and Brynn. 'That's right... I need to go thank Brynn again for...'

"Brynn! Alexander!" Amelia shouted over the music as she approached.

"Hey, sis!" Alexander grinned. "You're running late, you know."

"Well, Onyx isn't here yet, either, so... I won't worry about it." She sighed before looking to Brynn. "I wanted to thank you again for going prom dress shopping with me... and paying for my dress."

"Don't worry about it! You're Alexander's sister, I couldn't just let you come dressed in rags!" She beamed at her. "You look beautiful in it."

Amelia smiled. "Thanks. Yours is beautiful too."

Alexander, still grinning, peered behind Amelia. "Hey, don't look now, but I think your Prince Charming just arrived."

Almost on cue, Onyx spoke. "Good evening, Amelia." 

Amelia turned to look and a blush spread across her face. "W-Wow, you look..."

Before she could finish, Onyx took her hands in his. "You look beautiful."

Alexander snickered as he watched his sister's cheeks go as red as her dress.

"Oh, stop it! They're cute!" Brynn scolded quietly.

"T-Thank you, Onyx. You look beautiful too... I mean handsome? Beautifully handsome?" Amelia stammered.

Onyx laughed. "Hey, I don't mind being beautiful. Let's go get some refreshments. You look thirsty."

She nearly choked on air. "Refreshments, right! I'm super thirsty. Parched..."

Amelia watched as her glass filled up, pretending not to notice Vance and Dominic nearby. "So... you know, this counts as a date, doesn't it?"

"It does." Onyx smiled. "Speaking of dates, how do you feel about Alexander and Brynn?" he asked curiously. 

"Brynn? I like her a lot," Amelia smiled. "As long as she's nice to Alexander I can't complain, right?"

Onyx nodded. "You're right. I don't know her well, but if you like her, I'm sure we could be good friends."

Alexander and Brynn were sat at a nearby table, conversing casually.

"So, you aren't freaked out by your sister's boyfriend being a vampire?" Brynn raised an eyebrow. "Nothing against vampires. I'm just curious."

"I've known him since I was a kid, and he never gave me a reason to be freaked out." Alexander smiled. "He's a nice guy."

She grinned. "Well, at least no one will try anything... man, I'd hate to be on his bad side!" 

"You'd be surprised how many run ins with Vance and Dominic they've had." He rolled his eyes. "They're too stupid to know any better, I guess."

"Well, I sure can relate to that... but... why doesn't he just bite them? It'd teach them a lesson."

Alexander shook his head. "He's just not like that. But I agree. He should chew them up like a piece of gum."

"The decorations look great," Amelia said as the two sat down, trying to make small talk. 'Why do I feel so awkward?'

"Yeah, you're right," Onyx agreed. "But you look even better."

Amelia blushed. "No, you look even better."

"No, you're the one that looks better, and that's final." 

"No, you're--"

"You both look better, now shut up!" Alexander yelled from the table.

They both laughed.

Vance tried to drown out everyone's cheerful discussions, staring down at his drink as Dominic sat beside him. 'Just get over it, Vance, there's no way he would have...'

Dominic glanced over at his friend, frowning. They had said nothing to each other the entire time. It was almost as if he was trying to avoid him. "Um... hey..."

Vance didn't reply, only glancing over in his direction.

"Vance?" Dominic sighed. "You've been avoiding me this whole time, and I don't know what I did, but whatever it is... I'm sorry."

Vance only stood up and walked away.

He watched with tears forming in his eyes. "Vance..."

"Hey, Amelia," Onyx began, looking over toward the dance floor. "It looks like everyone's going to dance now. We should go, too." He stood up.

"Me? Dance?" Amelia frowned. "I don't know--"

"Oh, come on, what else did you come to prom for?" He smiled and took her hand, leading her with him as he walked. "Just one dance?"

"Fine..."

Slowly, the two found their rhythm. She cringed every time she stepped on his toes, but he was far too entranced to notice. 

"You're a great dancer, Onyx," Amelia was beaming as she spoke. "This is amazing. I'm so glad I came to prom with you..."

"Not as glad as I am," Onyx said. "Besides... you're a natural at this. I don't see what you were so worried about."

"You really think I'm good?" Amelia asked quietly.

Onyx smiled. "No, I know you are."

Dominic finally gathered the courage to approach Vance. "Vance," he called quietly.

"Vance, I'm really sorry..." Dominic continued as his friend turned to face him. "Whatever I did to make you mad, I'll do anything to make up for it..."

He tensed as the other boy pulled him close, leaning so his mouth was close to his ear. "You never did anything to make me mad," he spoke quietly.

Dominic had nowhere to rest his head but on his shoulder. He felt his heart racing, and his cheeks got hot. "V-Vance-"

He wrapped one arm around Dominic, using his other arm to take his hand. "Everyone else is dancing. We should too, you know."

Dominic felt a smile pulling on his lips. "Are you asking me to dance with you?"

"No, I'm telling you that you are going to dance with me."

"I would have said yes if you asked," Dominic said, biting his lip as Vance pulled him even closer.

"I know, so why bother?" Vance grinned.

Dominic relaxed as Vance started to lead him in a dance, getting lost in the slow beat of the song in the background. He leaned into him, burying his face in his shoulder. "Vance, I..." He tightened his hand around Vance's, lacing their fingers together. "...this is nice."

"Yeah, it is," he agreed with a slight smile. "We should do this again sometime."

"Attention, students!" One of the school staff members called out. "Please, may I have your attention? I have an announcement!" she repeated.

The students stopped dancing and gathered to listen to her announcement.

"As you all know, earlier we had a vote for Prom King and Prom Queen!" The woman exclaimed. "It is now time for me to reveal and crown our winners." She looked at a slip of paper in her hand, and the students watched in tension. "This year's Prom King and Queen are..."

"Onyx Nightshade and Amelia Wesley!"

The room was silent aside from a few quiet gasps.

Onyx lit up. "U-Us!?"

"I can't believe it!" Amelia gasped. 

"Well, come on up and get your crowns, you two!" The woman smiled. "Come on!"

Even Vance was surprised when his heart didn't fill with hatred upon watching them be crowned Prom King and Queen. 'What's gotten into me...?'

Onyx and Amelia smiled as the crowns were placed on their heads. Onyx took her hand, leading her back out to the dance floor.

He lifted her hand to his lips placing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "May I have this dance?"

Amelia nodded, her heart pounding from the excitement. "Of course."

Onyx wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close, not letting go of her hand. She reached up to put her hand on his shoulder, closing her eyes and blushing at how close their bodies were pressed together in the slow dance. "I never want this moment to end..."

Onyx smiled and pulled her closer. "Neither do I."