The week flew by and I could say I had enjoyed myself, but that would be a lie. I was forced into shoes, corsets, and cloaks. The caring and soft mother I had seen last week had disappeared and became much more aggressive with her presuits to turn me into a copy of every other girl she saw.

It was supposed to be a little colder on the night of the ball, so naturally my mother bought many coats and cloaks, over working the expensive part of her personality. My father came home in the nick of time, mother was about to buy an expensive diamond necklace from a suspicious looking merchant. Thankfully father had stopped her.

Throughout the week Cas would find me and wish to talk. I however would find an elaborate excuse to not. I knew exactly what he wanted to talk about, which would only make it more awkward than it was meant to be. The kiss, the payment he had wished I gave him for his knowledge.

I hadn't thought the aftermath of a simple kiss would be this excruciating. I couldn't speak to him without remembering the event, I could barely think of anything else other than his lips against mine. Though the only thing that distracted me was my mother and the night of the ball that was coming closer and closer everyday.

And soon that night was only a day away. I hadn't forgotten about Daphne's plan and her wish for me to visit her tonight. I was still incredibly suspicious of her plot and what she wanted of me, but I wouldn't speak my suspicions out loud.

"Father, Mother. I'm going to Daphnes." I called out that night. My voice echoed around the house and I could hear the footsteps of my parents running towards the front door.

"Darling, why are you going to Daphnes? The ball is tomorrow and it's late, you must get a good night's sleep." My mother said, moving down the stairs to stand in front of me.

"Well, she... umm... she's..." I struggled to come up with an answer. "She's helping me with my dancing."

"But Aurora, your dancing is impeccable, I made sure of that." She said as my father appeared beside her. I was true that my mother had made sure I knew how to dance, though I had forgotten a thing or two through the years.

"Yes Aurora, what your mother said. And you shouldn't be going out this late at night." My father said, taking side with my mother. Though I doubted he knew what we were talking about.

"But father, Daphne is an exceptional dancer and if she says I need work, then I need work" I pleaded. "I'll also take the horse."

I could see my father contemplating his answer.

"You can go, if..." I knew he could see the happiness in my eyes as he gave his answer. "You'll be back in an hour."

"Yes of course father." I agreed, giving him a smile as I walked out the door and towards the stable.

Clover seemed a bit tired when I placed the saddle on his back, though I didn't know why since it was only six o'clock and he had been home for a few days.

"Come on boy." I whispered to him as I hopped onto the saddle and rode out of our property.

I could see the sun setting on the horizon, filling the sky with different shades of yellow, red and orange. It was hard to see with the sun blocking my sight, though I still managed to ride into town and make my way towards Daphne's shop.

"Aurora? Is that you?" Daphne asked, her head poking out of her store when I dismounted Clove.

"Who else would it be?" I questioned, walking towards her. "Now let me in, I don't have much time."

She opened the door wide for me and I strolled in, the store hadn't changed much in the past week, though now as my eyes adjusted to the dark candle light. I could see a stunning midnight blue dress on a mannequin in front of me.

My breath was suddenly lost, the dress was beautiful. It was a sleeveless dress with intricate designs sewed neatly across the skirt and torso. It was a ball gown like the one my mother had forced me into. This one didn't have a cage underneath that made it impossible to go through any door. The designs seem to make the dress sparkle in the candle light. I could tell Daphne had spent hours slaving over this dress.

"Well? What do you think?" Daphne asked, her voice seemed to be unsure of my opinion towards the dress.

"It's gorgeous." I whispered, walking towards the dress to run my hands over the delicate fabric. "This is what you've been hiding?"

"Yeah, well I wanted it to be a surprise." She beamed, loving the quiet compliment I had given her.

"I think this is one of your best works." I smiled.

Daphne's cheeks lit up at the compliment, it seemed she thought the same thing I did.

"You can try it on if you'd like. I'll have to make a few adjustments, but we can do that tonight so you can take it home and wear it to the ball." She smiled and I stared at her.

"Daphne, I couldn't possibly wear this dress to the ball. We already have-" I was shushed by her hand covering my lips.

"You are going to wear that dress tomorrow. I have been slaving my butt off for the past week to make it perfect. And if you don't wear it I will take it personally and will never make any more dresses for you ever again." She threatened. "Oh and I will denounce you as my best friend."

"Alright fine I'll try it on." I gave in, though I was secretly happy. Though I was a bit upset that she would take away my title as best friend if I didn't wear the dress.

It seemed strange when Daphne helped me put on the clothing, I fell instantly in love. The dress hugged my curves, despite not wearing a corset. I felt myself grow confident, as if my new outfit had sparked a new side of me, that felt as if she could do anything.

"You look spectacular!" Daphne praised, as she looked at me. I could see a tear in her eye as she looked at her masterpiece.

I looked into the mirror at my reflection, the dress was magnificent. The blue made my dark eyes pop and it complimented my dirty blond hair. A smile crept over my face.

"Okay, now you have to take it." Daphne said, as she searched for anything that could need adjustments.

"Daphne I couldn't possibly-" Daphne quickly shushed me.

"You are taking this dress Aurora, and that is final." She said, turning me around.

"But, I don't have any money." I responded. I didn't know why I was continuously making excuses, I clearly want this dress.

"Don't worry, I'll just take the money your mother had given to me when she bought that ugly orange one. Or was it yellow? Ah it doesn't matter." Daphne shivered, thinking about the horrendous dress. It didn't matter what colour it was. It was still terrifying to look at."That one didn't cost me a fortune or as much time to make."

"Are you sure about this?" I questioned.

"Aurora, for the last time. Yes take it, I want to make sure that you have the time of your life at the ball. Even if you don't want to be there." She said, giving me a careful hug, as if her embrace would cause unfixable damage to the dress.

"Okay." I said and turned to the mirror. "Now can you please get me out, I don't want to ruin it."

Daphne laughed and helped me out.

"It's amazing that the dress didn't need any adjustments." Daphne peered. "I guess I really do know your size."

I smiled at her and put on the dress I had when I arrived. This dress suddenly felt plain and simple to the midnight one.

"What time is it?" I asked as Daphne buttoned up my dress.

"Six-fifty." She said, scanning the large grandfather clock on the other side of the room. Panic began to flow through me as if a dam had been broken inside my mind and a wave of nerves and panic were what began to course through my veins.

"Oh, no. Oh no!" I scolded myself. I had to be back in ten minutes. My feet began to move as I thought of only the door and my quickest escape path.

"Wait." Daphne called, but I was already out the door.

I quickly hopped on Clovers back, he was a bit surprised at my sudden action, but got into focus as I forced him to move. I could hear Daphne's calls to come back as I rode, but I didn't turn back. I just kept going. My parents would have my head if I wasn't back by curfew.

The way home seemed longer as I struggled to beat time. The wind tangled through my hair, whipping it into my eyes. I struggled to brush it away as Clover continued to canter. The sun had set and there was no other light than the moon to guide me.

Finally reaching the house, I was breathless, I tried to run a hand through my wind blown hair, but it was useless. Quickly, I returned Clove to her stall and said farewell. I hadn't gotten past the stable door before I bumped into a solid chest.

"Aurora, we need to talk." I heard Cas say from above me. A blush immediately covered my cheeks as I silently pushed myself away from his rock hard chest. I tried to walk past him, but he continued to block my path. Curse this man for his wall like body.

"Not now Cas, my parents are going to kill me if I don't walk through that door right now." I said, though I had used it as an excuse, it really wasn't.

"Please, I just need to get this off my chest." Cas stated. I looked into his striking hazel eyes, they seemed to hold secrets that I couldn't find. Now that I stared into his eyes and him into mine, I could see golden flakes in the mix of green and brown, as if they had been kissed by honey.

"Alright, but make it quick." I said, caving in from our seemingly staring contest.

"Well... Aurora... I've been meaning to tell you this for quite some time and.... I just didn't know how to tell you..." I listened to Cas stutter. "I-"

"Aurora!" He was suddenly interrupted by my fathers booming voice from the front door.

"I'm sorry, my father..." I stopped what I was saying, thinking Jensen didn't need an explanation. He had clearly heard my father. "I'll see you later."

I quickly ran towards the front door, leaving Cas in a confused mess behind me.

"Where have you been? Your mother has been worried sick for the past half an hour? Was that Cas I saw you talking with? He is not good for you Aurora. Aurora?" I had tuned my father out, then I didn't want to hear his anger and disappointment. "If he dare-"

"I'll see you in the morning, tell mother I said good night." I interrupted him and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. Leaving my father, much like Cas, in a pile of confusion behind me.

I quickly ran up the stairs and into my small bedroom on the east wing. My room wasn't special, a writing desk in the corner, my small twin bed in another and a wardrobe next to the door. Quickly changing into my nightgown, I crawled into bed. Thinking about what Cas might have said if he hadn't been interrupted.