- Enchanted (Taylor's Version); Taylor Swift -
- 18; One Direction -

Aurora Holland

Mesmerizing. That's what the gymnasium looked like as we entered, Layla and Bailey on either side of me. Cameron and Griffin lingered behind us, talking about whatever it was they usually did.

The decorations were beautiful, and if I knew who spent all this time making the boring gymnasium look this good, I'd complement their work. It really did pay off, as I found myself calmed down as I focused on the streamers and the giant shimmery disco ball in the center.

"I heard the punch was spiked this year," Layla said from my left, Bailey smiling over at her from my right.

"Wanna go see?"

Layla agreed awfully quickly, looking down at me. "I'll be okay," I assured her. "You guys go ahead, I'm going to get a good look at everything."

"We'll be right over there if you need us," Layla said as she wrapped her arm around the smaller girl's shoulders. 

Bailey sent me a wave, and I watched as the two made their way over to the little makeshift bar.

I don't have a very good view from where I'm standing, but from what I can see it seems like there's a good selection of drinks and snacks set out for everyone.

Music blared through the giant set of speakers, a DJ standing behind them. It was just like you'd see in the movies - headphones around the neck, spinning the record track, bobbing his head to the music.

My hands grabbed at my dress, making sure it was pulled low enough. I felt insecure, especially by the looks I got from other people. I did my best to ignore them, but it was really hard when it was more attention than I'm used to getting.

I don't know if it's good or bad attention as well, that's what makes it worse. At Point Prep, I knew any attention I got was bad. Here, I'm left in the dark. I never know whether what's going to be said is an insult or a compliment, and that alone is enough to scare me.

Looking to my left, I watched as more people entered the gym. I watched as Logan walked in, the girl I briefly met by the name of Alexa under his arm.

They were best friends, from what I remember, making it make sense that they'd attend homecoming together. Z and Naia followed after, the yellow dress hugging Naia's curves standing out dramatically.

It was a beautiful dress, and I felt envious because I know I'll never be able to pull off that color the way she does.

My eyes roamed around the room, looking to see who I recognized. I immediately noticed Ashley, Kaya, Kaya's little sister Sarah, and the two girls I constantly see with Ashley. Their names are Gwen and Maya, from what I've gathered. They all danced in a circle, people surrounding them as if they were the main attraction.

I wish I were confident in that way.

Toward the speakers, I saw Paige. She looked beautiful - as she usually did. She danced with Lila and Eliana as if she didn't have a care in the world, that same squinted eye smile covering her beautiful features.

Familiar feelings of jealousy coursed through my body, despite how much I tried to shrug them away. This was supposed to be a night of fun, yet so far all I've done is sit here and judge how horrible I look compared to all of these girls.

I can't help it. When I've grown up getting tossed around like my feelings mean nothing, frowned upon by most classmates - it's like second nature to hate on myself. Although some people here do find things like that competition, it really isn't. I shouldn't think one of us is better than the other, but I do. I think all of those girls on the floor are much better than me in many ways.

Dread filled my body. I wasn't doing anything but putting myself in a sour mood. No wonder I'm not out there the way they are.

Cameron and Griffin had found Quinn and Guin. Quinn wore a beautiful nude-colored dress, one that fitted her body perfectly. Guin wore a pantsuit, one I'd never even thought of pulling off. I wanted to tell them they looked good, but couldn't find the courage to move from my spot against the wall.

Other people stood around me, mostly girls who had come here alone. They sat along the plastic chairs set out by the school staff, giving some of us a space to sit when we needed to take a minute.

They looked bored and sad, having done their best to dress pretty. They did look pretty - but if they were thinking anything about themselves the way I was with me, then I know exactly what they're thinking right now.

"Didn't think you would be here," A deep voice commented. I glanced over, rolling my eyes almost instantly.

James Hanneman stood next to me. He wore a tux, the usual black and white boring one most people wore. He dressed up nice - I'll give him that. But he's still a dick and I want absolutely nothing to do with him.

Ignoring him, I looked ahead of me again. I was already very out of my comfort zone, not to mention my mind kept searching for the one person I knew wouldn't be here. The last thing I needed was this sad excuse for a boy pestering me the whole night.

Looking over to the snack table, Layla and Bailey were nowhere to be found. Just as I thought about finding my way over to Griffin and the others, James spoke up again.

"You've been real off lately,"

Looking over at him, I couldn't help but glare at him. I knew it was a glare of disgust, and I was more than thankful my mother wasn't around to slap it away. "You're not one that can talk about how I act." I snapped.

The boy just smirked, wiping the edge of his mouth with his finger.

It doesn't have the same effect on me the way it does when Carter does it.

"I've missed that," He admitted.

"You're disgusting," I said.

"I've heard," He shrugged in response. Almost as if it were something to brag about.

"That's not something to be proud of. Don't you have something better to do than mess with me?" I asked.

"Not really. It's not as fun fucking with other people the way it is with you," He said.

"You think that shit's fun? It's horrible." I looked at him with wide eyes.

"But I get a rise out of you, and that's hot." His responses were quick, almost as if he knew what to say no matter what it is I told him. I didn't want to entertain him any longer, but I know deep down there was nothing I could say that would make him go away.

Whether I ignore him or insult him, he just seems oddly turned on by my responses.

That's a weird thought.

"Ay!" A shout was heard to my left. I looked over, relief washing over me as I watched Elijah and Katherine make their way over to me.

Elijah's focus was on the lanky boy to my right, who seemed annoyed someone interrupted our conversation.

If you could even consider it that.

"Didn't I tell ya to stay away from Rory?" He seemed angry, but not angry enough to start a fight in the middle of homecoming.

This made me glad for multiple reasons, one being that Katherine deserved to have a good night with Elijah.

Katherine wrapped her arm around my shoulders as they approached, rubbing comfortingly as Elijah stepped between James and me. I gladly accepted her hold, as touch was something that was rare between the two of us.

"I think you should go, bud."

James rolled his eyes, seeming unbothered by Elijah. It was a big twist from weeks ago when he'd been confronted in the hall. Instead of responding to the tall boy in front of me, he just looked past him and right at me. "See you around, Ror."

"No you won't, prick," Elijah called out, turning back to us quickly. "Sweetcheeks! You look gorgeous!"

I giggled at the sudden change in personality from the boy, gladly accepting his hugs. It's been a while since we hugged, which made me sad considering he was one of the first people to hug me that wasn't considered family or something that was forced.

Katherine finally greeted me as well, gawking over my dress. I did the same for her - the black dress clinging to her skin showing off her perfect body. She looked gorgeous, and it made me happy to see she didn't change anything drastic for this homecoming date. She stayed herself, which was more than I could say for me.

"I thought you weren't coming?" Katherine asked as we pulled out of our hug.

I watched as Elijah wrapped an arm around her waist, and although I was very happy for her, I couldn't help but feel sad as I wasn't going to be getting that anytime soon. 

I'm so selfish.

"I wasn't, but Layla convinced me," I answered with a shrug as if it were nothing.

"Layla Harrison's good at that for sure," Elijah commented. He glanced around the room, his eyes bouncing between the dancing bodies. "That's odd." He said with his brows pressed together.

"What?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing!" He exclaimed, waving it off. "I mean it, you look so good tonight, Rora. I'm glad you could make it."

"Thanks?" I made it sound like a question, confused at his change in tone.

Shrugging it off, I decided not to overthink it as that's what I'd been doing the past ten minutes before James decided to come to bother me.

It grew silent between us, Elijah swaying to the music. He swayed Katherine with him, the girl giggling as he sang along horribly to the music. It was cute, but I wanted to throw up.

I hate myself.

I hate myself for not being happier for Katherine, for wishing it were me instead of her. Not wishing it were me with Elijah, perse, but wishing it were me with him. With Carter. Who's not even present.

My eyes danced around the room, avoiding looking at the couple next to me. I want to be as happy for my friends as I can, and if I sit and watch them the way I was it was just going to make me wish more and more that I hadn't come tonight.

I know they were only standing over here so I wasn't alone, but I hate that. I don't need a babysitter, which was why I insisted Layla and Bailey move and do their own thing. I don't want someone to think they need to stand by me all the time, I can easily stand on my own and be content.

Or I can at least tell myself that. Maybe then eventually it'll come true.

Elijah began to say something, and I looked in their direction. It was a story of when he went to get Katherine at the door, but I didn't really listen to what was being said. Instead, I just stared in their direction, nodding as my mind wandered off to the same thoughts I'd been thinking all day long.

Movement behind the boy caught my attention, and I smiled at the familiar boy walking through the doors. His eyes danced around the room, focused as he looked for someone in particular.

Finally, they landed on me, and my smile grew. I didn't feel as sad, and I found myself walking around the couple to where Miles stood in the doorway of the gymnasium.

He smiled as well, and I felt a million times better. I didn't think he'd actually come - especially considering we're not super close friends. We've only run into each other a handful of times since he attempted to help with James, and so I didn't think he'd take my invite very seriously.

Elijah and Katherine's eyes followed me as I met Miles halfway, greeting him. "You came!" I exclaimed happily, all previous thoughts forgotten about. "I didn't think you were interested."

"I thought about it, and you were right." He shrugged, "It's my senior year. Might as well enjoy it."

"Well I'm glad you changed your mind," I said. "You should come to meet my friends!"

I grabbed his arm and linked it with mine, pulling him to where Katherine and Elijah stood. I stopped directly in front of them, dropping Miles' arm.

"Miles, this is my best friend Katherine and her date - Elijah." I motioned, "Guys, this is Miles. He's been helping me with my studies here at Riverway."

"Oh!" Katherine exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand. "This is Miles! He tried to help you with James as well, right?"

"Yeah, although I'm no match for James Hanneman, unfortunately." Miles blushed.

"You tried to stick up for our Rora, which is what matters!" Elijah exclaimed. "Bring it in man!" he then pulled Miles in for a hug, not caring they don't really know each other.

Miles looked flustered but accepted the hug, loosely wrapping his arms around the other boy's torso. When they separated it grew silent between the four of us as now that the introductions were over, it was back to the way it had been before.

Elijah began to sway again, this time much more dramatically than he was before. "We should dance!" He exclaimed.

Just before anyone could give an answer, he grabbed Katherine's hand. This caused Katherine to grab my hand, to which I grabbed the cuff of Miles' tux jacket so he didn't lose us.

Elijah dragged us all to the middle of the dance floor, where it was much hotter than it was where we previously stood. This was probably due to the bodies dancing together, some even going as far as grinding on each other whenever teachers weren't paying attention.

Compared to the two parties I've attended, this was really calm. It was still pretty crazy, but due to the slightly strict rules, it wasn't anything compared to what I'd seen. There was no alcohol - unless it was spiked or snuck in - and there was no grinding and dry humping on the dance floor.

Of course, that could only be stopped to an extent. They could only watch us so much, so when a guy would get too close to grinding on me, I found myself moving closer to Katherine.

It felt nice to begin to let loose. I didn't constantly search the crowded room looking for the one specific person I know isn't coming, and I found myself learning more about what genuine friendships are like.

That sounds cheesy, but then again I'm basically the definition of a cliche. I'm all about that type of thing, and I know I probably shouldn't be proud of that, but deep down I am.

Miles even seemed to be letting loose, thanks to Elijah. It almost seemed as if the two were here on a date, which made Katherine and I laugh as we made jokes about the two.

After a hyped-up song ended, a slow one began. Elijah didn't hesitate to grab Katherine, pulling her body extremely close to his. This meant this was my cue to leave, and I excused myself as I made my way away from the sweaty bodies and toward the snack table.

Miles followed me, probably because he didn't have a date either. I was fine with it, as I didn't want him to feel uncomfortable considering I was kind of the reason he decided to come in the first place.

Logan and Alexa stood with Z and Naia, talking amongst each other. Logan was the first to notice me and Miles, and I felt my cheeks heat up as he stepped away from them and toward us.

"Rora," He commented softly. His eyes never left mine, and I began to feel insecure all over again.

I'd spent who knows how long letting go of all of my insecurities, yet the moment I stepped off of the main dance floor it all flooded back like it had been waiting for me to finish my little confident moment.

I hate it.

"Hi Logan," I greeted.

"You look good," He complimented, and I nodded.

"Thank you."

I wanted to tell him he looked good - simply because he does. But I know he previously had a crush on me, and I feel like if I compliment him then he might take it the wrong way. I don't want that, I don't want more drama than there's already been within the friend group.

I'm well aware that friends can compliment each other, especially considering Elijah does it with everyone all the time despite the fact that he's clearly into Katherine. However, I do think that it's different if one of you has a crush or had a crush on the other. It just leaves too much space for false hope, which I know better than most and it's nothing I would want on my worst enemy.

"Nice to see you, Miles." Logan turned his attention to Miles.

I watched as the two began talking, showing that Logan's previously talked to Miles before I came along. I doubt that they're friends, as the last time I was with both of them at the same time, Miles looked almost afraid of Logan.

They didn't really talk, which is why I meant before I came along. The only time I can remember them being together was the day Logan came to the library to apologize, and Miles excused himself fairly quickly. Now, they're talking as if they're best friends.

But then again, Logan's the type of guy that's kind to everyone - so it doesn't surprise me he's talking to Miles as if they've been friends since grade school. He's like that with people he sees on the street, which is probably one of the reasons he's liked so much.

My eyes wandered to the dance floor, where people danced together. Layla and Cameron were in the middle of dancing as Bailey and Griffin danced together, the first two looking like they were in a serious conversation.

Guin and Quinn danced together jokingly, having the time of their lives despite not having their own dates.

It was nice seeing more than just couples on the dance floor, but as my eyes traveled to Katherine and Elijah, I felt a mixture of happiness and sadness.

I'll never tell Katherine how jealous I am of her. She deserves all of this and more, I'm only jealous because I want to experience it myself.

Yet here I am, in my senior year of high school with no homecoming date.

I know I shouldn't be bitter, as I have had a good time so far. It just sucks when the realization hits, whether it hits now or later on when I'm laying in bed by myself tonight.

I knew it was going to come, I just thought I'd be so high off of the adrenaline of having fun with my friends that it wouldn't come until I was in my bedroom by myself.

The song was nearing its end, and chatter was heard throughout the gymnasium. I gratefully took a cup of punch that Miles handed me while in his conversation with Logan. I was unsure of what was being said, but I didn't care to listen.

I took a big sip of the fruit punch in the red solo cup, thankful that it wasn't spiked the way Layla thought it was. The last thing I need is alcohol in my system considering I'm already on the verge of breaking down all while getting a little too overwhelmed with the scene. I'd do nothing but make a fool of myself, so being sober is the best option for me.

It was one thing to make a fool of myself at a party in the next town over, as the only people I knew that saw me in that state were my friends. Now, the entire student body would see me and that's the last thing I want since I already have so much unwanted attention.

My eyes landed on Ashley and her friends, expecting to see her dancing with one of the most popular guys in school. She had been the whole night - I didn't fail to see her when I was dancing with my friends.

But instead of her focus being on whoever it was she brought as her date, they were glued to the entrance of the gymnasium. Her friends were looking that way as well, whispering about whatever they were looking at.

Confused, I moved my glance from them to the entry of the gym. Just as my eyes landed on the doorway, they widened in shock.

Standing there in the middle of the doorway stood Carter Jackson, wearing the same blue button-up from our first date.

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Was originally just going to make this a longer chapter, but decided to split it up instead <3

* This chapter is not edited *