Twenty

"That dress would look great on my bedroom floor!" Camden gleamed as I strolled out of the front door of Aunt Cherry's house. I nervously glanced at Aunt Cherry hoping she didn't hear that. I had found the perfect red dress. Camden looked good with his black dress shirt.

"You guys are so cute, let me get a picture." Aunt Cherry squealed jumping in front of us. I placed my hand on Cam's arm and smiled. My hair was curled in long loose waves and my makeup was fierce. I had on silver stilettos and somehow managed to walk. However, the night has just begun and there are many more steps where that came from.

Camden drove us to the school where the spring formal was held. Cherry wished us a good night but only after she reminded me of my midnight curfew.

"I knew you would say yes to me, I mean who could turn this down," Cam smirked looking at himself in the mirror making weird poses.

"Or maybe I just wanted pizza." I jokingly mumbled. He gave me a side glare in which I laughed in response at.

"I'm kidding, of course, I said yes," I smiled looking him over once again. He never fails at putting a smile on my face. He parked at the closest spot and we walked into the dance together. Pink and light green balloons were everywhere along with glow sticks. They led us to the gymnasium where Camden gave them our tickets. They let us go inside where music was blasting and people were dancing. I cringed when I saw some of my teachers supervising the dance.

Camden started coughing abruptly.

"Oh no, I'm choking! I need mouth to mouth, quick!" he choked out. I laughed rolling my eyes.

"Choking on what, you don't even have a drink?" I chuckled while pointing out the obvious. The ends of his lips peaked up a little while he attempted to keep a straight face.

"Good point. I'm gonna get us some drinks." He grinned heading to the table filled with sodas. Kara was walking towards me at full speed making my nerves jump around. She had on the light blue dress she and Lizzie fought over..

"Violet! You are so gorgeous." Kara threw on a giant fake smile. My jaw was slightly open in shock at what she had just said. After all the times I had been called a slut and whore because of her she now tells me I'm gorgeous? I couldn't keep up with the dramas of the female population. I think what I hated most about high school was how girls just pretended to be friends with each other.

"Thanks" I awkwardly answered. I meant to say 'you too' but my mouth refused to let those words fall out. It's not that she wasn't pretty, she was beautiful but after how she made me feel I don't think I could say something nice just yet. Why was she so calm and suddenly nice?

Camden returned with the drinks as he handed me one. I shouted thanks over the loud music but I doubt he heard me.

A slow song then came on. The flow of couples and dates went to the dance floor. A light poke on my shoulder interrupted my thoughts as I spun around.

"Come dance with me." he gleamed. It wasn't even a question, but how could I refuse his goofy smile. He took my drink putting it on the nearest table. I took his hand and we walked to the dancefloor. He spun me around and placed his hands on my waist. Lifting my arms I placed them around his neck, no not in a choking position. In a friendly slow dance position.

I laid my head on his shoulder watching the other couples dance. My eyes met the cold ones of Cash. He had his arms wrapped around Lizzie's tiny waist but yet he still stared at me. A sudden bad feeling entered the pit of my stomach.

My eyes continued roaming around landing on Kara who danced with a familiar boy. A boy I so desperately wanted.

Austin had his arms around her and she was gleaming. My heart sank to my stomach, he lied to me. No wonder he didn't kiss me.

The slow song came to an end and I slowly retracted my arms back. I was breathing a bit faster than normal. A shiver ran through me as the cold suddenly hit my skin. If Austin could play cold than so could I. I will pretend it doesn't bother me at all, as if he doesn't mean a thing to me.

"Do you like whales because we can go hump back at my place," Camden suggested wiggling his eyebrows. I lightly hit his arm in which he laughed at.

"Oh my god, they have a photo booth, let's go," Camden smiled pulling my hand. I laughed at his excitement but then realized that photo booths are actually a lot of fun. We waited in line for a few minutes before we were next.

It was a stand-up one that held more than just one person. We smiled for the first two, it looked really cute. The next one he made a silly face while I was laughing at him. The last was him kissing my cheek.

We stepped out the booth as another group went in. Camden took the photos out of the box and handed one to me. They were in black and white.

"Violet!" I heard someone squeal before I was squeezed into a hug. Lizzie, Cash, Max, and Rose found me. Lizzie wore her dress with her hair in a curled ponytail. Cash wore a matching dress shirt with a pink tie. Rose had a pale yellow dress on that complimented her skin tone perfectly.

Lizzie and I both got past the compliments and she pulled me into the crowd to dance with her. I laughed dancing with her. Rose and Max came over joining us, I turned to see Camden arguing with Austin. Austin looked dreamy dressed up but I refused to let my thoughts wander.

"Whats that all about?" Lizzie looked worried pointing at Cam and Austin. Their argument was getting heated.

"He came with Kara." I shrugged. I continued to dance despite her looks of sympathy.

"Look, I just want to forget about him for one night." I said. She nodded in agreement.

Cash refused to dance with Lizzie, he was acting quite strange which only caused my anxiety to slowly rise.

Loud gasps escaped the lips of the many students around us. Before we knew teachers were pulling Cam and Austin away from each other. What was going on?

I stormed over there slightly mad I had to reveal that I knew Austin was there with Kara. Austin and Cam were dragged outside by teachers and one police officer. They were still arguing when I reached them. My presence silenced them.

"What is going on?" I asked crossing my arms to regain some warmth.

"Go ahead Austin tell her." Cam spat out. Austin looked at me the familiar spark in his eyes now gone. His eyes were filled with regret.

"Dont be a coward." Cam added when Austin stayed silent. Austin looked between me and Cam.

"She's pregnant." Cam broke the silence.

"Who's pregnant?" I gulped. Please don't say Kara.

"Kara." Cam said. Austin sighed looking absolutely defeated. Then there was me who's heart was split in two but played it off as if everything was fine. This was what I was good at. My best skill, pretending everything is okay, pretending that im not so badly hurt.

I didn't know what else to say but to walk away. I didn't want to be around Austin at the moment. Lizzie was right, he is incapable of love.

"Violet, wait-" Austin finally spoke but it was too late. He wasn't allowed to come back inside after his argument with Cam. I went back to the girls who were questioning what happened. I told them. Cam re-entered the dance wrapping his good arm around my shoulders.

Cash's voice invaded my ears as he called loudly for his girlfriend over the music. Lizzie dramatically excused herself before sauntering over to her man. They looked like they were arguing. Cam and I awkwardly watched, they had gained the attention of a few people.

"No! I dont want to leave with you!" Lizzie yelled as she tried to head back towards us but Cash had other plans. His hand reached out and clutched her arm ripping her back to him. She let out a shriek and that was all it took for Cam to see what the commotion was about.

"Let me go!" She called out. Cash looked angry and I could see Cam tensing up from beside me. But his fingers didn't move, instead, he was pulling her with him trying to leave the dance.

"She said to let her go." Camden butt in as he stood in front of Cash's exiting body. Cash had let go of Lizzie and now had his attention fully on Cam. By now the whole school was watching. I had grabbed Cam's arm in fear he would hurt himself.

Before I knew what was happening, Camden had been ripped away from me roughly and he was steps away from me holding his nose as it bled slightly. I gasped looking straight at Cash who shook his hand that just connected with Cam's face. My heart rate was racing uncontrollably. Cam had decked him right back and then again giving him no time to recover. Next thing I knew my arm was being tugged by a guy in a uniform.

The cops dragged us by the arms as they led us out of the gym.

"He punched me! Why are we getting thrown out?" Camden yelled pulling his arm away from the cop. The cop rolled her eyes crossing his arms in a dominating stance.

"At least let her go back in, she didn't do anything." Camden scoffed. There would be the point of me going back in any way.

"No, I'm staying." I scrambled out. The cop walked back inside standing at the door making sure we didn't try to enter again.

Camden sighed running his hands through his hair that were slightly coated with blood. He sat down on the curb and I followed. I sat cross-legged next to him leaning my head on his shoulder.

He was silent for a few minutes. We sat in the cold silent night, not sure what we're waiting for since the car was in the parking lot. Maybe Cam just wanted to think and get some air before driving home angry.

"It's comforting to know that if I ever get into trouble you'll be there for me. Mostly because you were probably involved, but also because you're a really good friend," He placed his arm over my shoulder pulling a cute, no tooth smile.

"I'm sorry about Austin. But you should know something else. Kara's father is second in command in Windrose. Her father wants them to marry as soon as she turns eighteen. Austins family has money and Kara's father wants her away from the mafia life. He offered Austin to be released from the gang if he proceeds with the marriage." He said.

"Arranged marriage? This is the twentieth century, who sets up arranged marriages?" I groaned. Whatever future I planned with Austin was over. He was going to stick with this deal to escape the gang they got themselves into.

"I didn't want him leading you on anymore than he already had." Cam admitted.

"Thanks Cam." Was all I managed to say as I leaned my head on his good shoulder letting a few tears escape.