As my butt began to regain its blood flow from sitting on it too long, I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. I actually felt pretty. My black dress was loose enough for me to breathe, but it hugged my upper body heavenly. The gown itself was simple, but gorgeous: strapless and black with silver diamonds. The diamonds covered the top half of the dress and then slowly separated out until it was just sprinkled all around the bottom. I though of falling snow when I first saw my mom holding it and when I saw the mask a few shelves away, I knew that was the dress for me.

I couldn't help but to twirl and giggle as my mom took pictures of the completed ensemble. My hair was lightly curled and a few strands were pulled up with a diamond clip. My make up wasn't over the top since I would be wearing the mask most of the time, but when I wouldn't be wearing it, the smoky eye shadow would be showing, going well with the dress.

My father grabbed my hands in the middle of a twirl and began to dance with me, making me laugh as he twirled me around expertly. "You look amazing. I might have to buy a ticket myself just so I can protect you from all of those boys who will want to touch you," he whispered and I laughed. I kissed his cheek and turned around to face my mother.

"Thanks mom. For everything."

She pulled me into a hug and breathed, "Don't mention it honey. Just have fun and come back before midnight."

"Why? Because my dress will turn into rags and my car will turn into a pumpkin?" Yeah. I was meeting Nathan there. We wanted to surprise each other with the big reveal, so we decided to meet at the mansion it was being hosted at. I was suppose to text him once I got there.

We all laughed and I took a last peek at myself before taking a deep breath and turned to face them.

"Remember, midnight," she repeated and I rolled my eyes. I gave them another quick hug and a peck on the cheek before grabbing my clutch and mask and walked out the door, feeling butterflies in my stomach.

*

After parking my dads car (mine wouldn't start) and then re-attaching my heels -since I had learned that his car could not be driven in 4 inch heels- I took a quick peek at my mirror and readjusted my hair right before slipping the mask. When I had gotten close to the mansion, I saw a mile long line of cars, waiting to find a parking spot or for the available valet -yes they had one- to park it for them. I immediately told myself no and parked right across the street on the public park parking lot were a couple of students who brought their car seemed to park as well.

As I ran across the street as fast as I could in my heels while holding up my dress, I heard my phone beep and I stopped to pull it out of my clutch.

Prince Charming the screen read and I laughed at Nathan's contact name. Once we started to go out, he had managed to get my phone -again- and changed his name to Prince Charming. He changed mine to Cinderella and he joked that on prom day, I would leave him a shoe, which he would then spray with cologne or something because they would stink of sweat, and then he would go all over the school, looking for me so I could try it on.

Stupid fool right?

Cinderella is attending the ball, right?

Maybe. Her fairy godmother never showed up so she's still in rags

Rags or not, she will still be the most beautiful girl in here.

I almost didn't respond. But after a few seconds, my fingers flew across the screen.

How do you know? You won't even recognize her

I'm Prince Charming. I know my Cinderella from heart

I didn't respond to that. It's not that I didn't want to, it's just that I didn't know what to say. He sure did know how to leave me speechless, and he was doing it more often lately.

I placed my phone back in my clutch and took some more deep breaths before continuing my walk to the main doors. I could feel some eyes on me and I heard "why is she alone?" Or  "what a loser.... love her dress, but she came alone." I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing as I handed my ticket to the poor teacher that was stuck collecting them all.

When I saw the massive staircase in the middle of the front hall, I couldn't help but to gawk. This place was HUGE and it looked expensive. But of course Gabby got what she wanted and what she always wanted was something extravagant like this.

I hitched up my dress and climbed the steps, only to groan when the top separated into two sides. I followed the crowd to the right and not even a few moments later, we were at another set of stairs, but this time they led down and to the main dance floor where everyone was at.

As couple descended hand in hand, I took a moment to look at the decorations. But when my eyes met the gorgeous blue ones I was used to looking everywhere, I smiled and started to slowly walk down.

I swear I was having a spotlight moment as soon as his eyes met mine. Everything seemed to warm up around me and the huge grin that suddenly appeared on his face made my hot face worth it.

His eyes never left mine as I took the last few steps and his smile seemed to widen as I took the hand he was holding out for me.

"Hi," I finally breathed after a few minutes of just staring at each other. His eyes finally left mine, only to roam all around my face, look me up and down and then go straight to my eyes again.

"Wow," was all he said, making me blush and break our staring contest. His fingers gripped my chin, making me look up and he murmured, "Did I die and go to heaven? Cause I have an angel in my arms and I'm never letting go."

The blush I had went even darker and I looked down again. "You're so corny," I laughed softly and I heard him laugh with me.

"But you love it."

He held both of my hands and dragged me where all the drinks and bite size food were. He grabbed two cups, handed me one and I sipped on it while my eyes wandered around.

"A little bit extravagant don't you think!" I murmured. When he didn't respond, I looked over at him and then followed his gaze to see what had caught his attention.

Gabby and her group. Of course. Since this was technical her pre-birthday party, she had a crown on her head and everyone was worshiping her. Her dress would have been gorgeous on anyone, but just the way she wore it made it look like stripper clothes. It was a one shoulder silver dress that hugged every curve and inch of her body. The floor length gown had a hip length slit on the right side and her cleavage was spilling out. They weren't natural I could tell you that, but the boys drooling all around her didn't care.

"Huh?" I huffed, crossing my arms and his head snapped to me. He grinned at me like if he had just gotten caught staring -and he did- and I raised an eyebrow. "Done staring yet?"

"There's no competition. And I wasn't staring. I was just making sure all the boys weren't looking at my girl," he murmured and gave me a small, soft kiss. I was surprised at the embrace, but once he pulled away, he gave me a small smile and asked excitedly, "Would you like to dance?"

Not being able to find my voice at the moment, I just nodded and he pulled me into the dance floor. Jessie J was the artist Gabbys father "bought" for the night and as she belted out Domino, we both began to move as best as we could with all the packed bodies.

"Having fun?" Nathan yelled in my ear even though he was right next to me. I could barely hear him and I was getting pushed into him every five seconds by a girl who was twerking her ass off by the beat. Wrong song woman.... wrong song.

But even though I was getting humped from all sides, the man that stood right in front of me with his hands on my sides, making sure I didn't trip over my dress or shoes made everything better. So yes. I was having a great time. I nodded, knowing he wouldn't be able to hear me and he smiled. As the mood quickly changed and Flashlight started, everyone began to separate to have room and I sighed in relief.

"May I have this dance?" Nathan said as he bowed with one hand behind his back. I laughed, grabbed his hand and curtsied myself before wrapping my hands around his shoulders and got closer to him. I rested my head on his chest, sighed and smiled as he held me tighter to him. "This is way better than our first dance," he laughed in my ear.

I rolled my eyes and looked up at him as I whispered, "The dance is. The kiss isn't." He grinned and pulled my lips up to his. After a long kiss, he pulled away and I took staggering breaths. "Ok. I was wrong."

His laugh was so loud, everyone turned to stare at what he was laughing at. I hid my face on his chest as he just laughed even more and I felt him moving us somewhere else. "Don't be embarrassed. Although I will always treasure that day, the one thing I won't remember was that stupid accident."

"Hey. It was because of that so called stupid accident that I kissed you. If it weren't for that, we wouldn't have kissed." I grabbed the cup he was handing me and took a gulp of it. He raised his eyebrows and blinked rapidly.

"Umm if I remember correctly, I was already going to kiss you before they bumped into us. So excuse me if I didn't make the move at a right time," he defended himself and I winked from behind my cup. He rolled his eyes but smiled and took his own sip of drink.

"Ugh. I have to go to the restroom. I'll be right back but once I do, we are dancing again," I told him and he nodded. I handed him my drink and maneuvered my way through the bodies and up the stairs. Once the crowd began to thin, I managed to find the restroom, but there was a line.

Yay.

As I bounced in line, I groaned silently with all the other girls that were waiting with me. My mask was beginning to make my skin itch, so I took it off and huffed as my face got the cold air.

"You know what? I'll just come back. There's probably someone in there doing something there not suppose to be doing," I mumbled and went back. I didn't bother putting my mask back on as I went down the stairs to find Nathan. When I did find him, I froze in my tracks and blinked rapidly to see if I was seeing right.

He was talking -no arguing- to Gabby and Xander. I made my way towards them, unnoticed and hid behind a talking couple as I listened in to their conversation.

"What part of leave me alone don't you understand. I backed out of everything a long time ago. So why are you still bothering me!?" Nathan hissed at both of them. Xander just smirked and Gabby rolled her eyes.

"Please! We both know what you are doing." Gabby sneered and smoothed her hair. "You know what you're feeling isn't true."

"Yeah man. That's just how she plays. I bet you she doesn't even feel the same way about you. She played you and you don't even know about it," Xander laughed and Nathan frowned.

What are they talking about? Who are they talking about?

"You got it all wrong. She's the sweetest girl in the world and I'm lucky to have her. I should have never agreed to that stupid bet in the first place. It was the biggest mistake of my life and I do regret it. But what I don't regret about is that I got her out of it." Nathan seethed and both Gabby and Xander started to laugh.

"Yeah. Sure. The bet is over because you couldn't even do your job. Claire isn't in love with you and she never will be. You're just like all of us other guys. Can't get the one chick you're suppose to fall for you."

Nathan was about to say something but that was all I could take. Tears were streaming down my face as I stood to the side, interrupting their conversation. "Is it true? Is this all true?" I whispered and all eyes went to me. Nathan paled and took a step back when he saw me. Gabby and Xander just smirked and they crossed their arms.

"Claire.... you were not suppose to hear that." Nathan finally whispered and I let out a sob.

"Hear what? That you made a bet about me. That you were suppose to make me fall in love with you!" I spat the end and he flinched. He took a step forward and I took two steps back.

"No.... well yes. But I backed out! I swear I backed out before any of this could happen! I promise you I didn't do this because of some stupid bet. Claire I..... I love you. Yeah it might be early but I do love you. And my love does not exist under something stupid. It's true!"

"Lies!" I hissed as I wiped my face. The clutch that was around my wrist slapped me in the face multiple times, but the pain wasn't enough to distract me from what was going on. "Was our friendship even true? Was that a bet as well?" He opened his mouth to talk but I couldn't even stand hearing him talk at the moment. My insides were twisting in pain and betrayal and whatever came out of his mouth was probably a lie. Like every word that he had spoken before. "I don't even want to hear your explanation. I'm done!"

I turned around, but a strong hand gripped my arm and turned me back around. I gasped and without even thinking, my hand smacked across his cheek so hard, his face whipped to the side. His grip faltered and I took a few steps back. "Don't you dare touch me. You have no right to do that."

In the background, I could see people staring at us, but I focused on the boy in front of me. His hand was on the cheek my hand slapped and he was staring at me with tearful eyes. "Claire, please. Let me explain. I love you."

"I used to love you too," I whispered. Yes. I loved him. I didn't realize my feelings for him had grown that strong until I heard him say the three words. But by then they were far too late. "But it's too late now. You betrayed me and you don't deserve anything from me. We. Are. Over."

I tried to escape again, but he ended up stopping me for the second time that day. Frustrated, I turned back around and kicked him where no guy ever wants to be kicked. He went down immediately as people "ooohed" around us. I crouched down to his level and whispered three words into his ear before I began to ran.

"I. Hate. You."

I ran up the stairs, blinded by my tears as I heard a weak voice calling out my name. I bumped into people, not even caring as they protested and ran down the hallway before running down the stairs again. I didn't even notice it was raining until I slipped on a combination of my dragging dress and a slippery floor. I landed badly on my arm, but I ignored the numbing pain as I stood back up and began to limp away.

"Claire!" I heard Nathan scream out my name and that made me go faster. As soon as I got across the street, I slumped against my car and curled up into a ball, not being able to take it anymore. My tears were being drowned with the pouring rain and the numbing pain in my arm was nothing compared to the numbing pain in my heart.

As my heart continued to break into pieces, I heard my name being called by the one who broke it in the first place.