“Everything will be fine; besides, you know I’d always rescue you.” She said laughing.

Joining in her laughter I replied, “Comforting Al.”

After lunch, we separated in different directions, both trying to think of a way to keep Dana calm and on board for the weekend.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pulling up at home that afternoon I immediately knew something was wrong. Eric’s car was parked on our driveway. He knew I was still at school, so he had no reason to be here, something was wrong.                                                                                                                                                            Walking in I found Eric and my father laughing with each other, while mom was fussing over where exactly to put the biggest vase of flowers I’d ever seen.

“What’s going on, Eric why are you here?”

“Christina, that’s no way to talk to your nice young gentleman. Especially when he bought me these divine flowers.”

“Sorry, nice flowers. What’d you do, rob a funeral home?” Turning to Eric I finally noticed what he was wearing and couldn’t help my reaction. Barely holding in my laughter, “And borrowed a suit while you were there!”

“Christina!”

“Sorry.”

“So, what’s with the visit?”

“Babe, I came to talk with your parents about next month.”

“December, What about it?”

“No Christina, the winter formal. Eric came to ask our permission to attend with you.” Mom informed me after finally setting the vase down.

“Well, Eric! As you already know I’m not going to the winter formal so, there, no permission is needed.”

“But babe! Come on, everyone’s going.”

“Good, you’ll have plenty to keep you company then. Now, anything else? Only I have an English essay to write up.”

Mom and Eric were staring in stunned silence, mom unable to comprehend why anyone would want to miss the formal.

“No, all good. Cool, see ya, Eric.” Without looking back, I left the room, grabbed a snack on my way past the kitchen, and just about made it to my room before I heard the inevitable.

“CHRISTINA!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“I can’t believe I let you two convince me to do this” Dana said fidgeting with the strap on her dress, “We are going to get caught I can feel it.”