- Happily; One Direction -
- Something Different; Why Don't We -
- Enchanted (Taylor's Version); Taylor Swift -

Aurora Holland

The blue matched the shade of my dress perfectly. The way he had the sleeves rolled up just like he usually did whenever he wore a button-up. The way he styled his hair so it didn't look all crazy and messed up, with one singular piece falling onto his forehead slightly. The way he even shined his dress shoes as if this were one of the most important events of the year.

He was here, and I wasn't imagining it.

But I thought he wasn't coming?

His eyes glanced around the room, narrowed as he seemed to be searching for something. It was just like with Miles when he walked in, but this time felt different. The butterflies erupted in my stomach like a firework blowing up as our eyes locked, his lips curling into the same beautiful smile I'd seen multiple times.

The slow song was long over by now, another upbeat song penetrating through the speakers. It felt as if everyone else in the room faded, the only thing I could focus on was the beautiful boy making his way through the doorway and further into the gym.

I completely forgot about anything I was previously feeling, my eyes locked on the boy I'd been crushing on for what felt like forever. 

He immediately caught attention, much like when Logan arrived. He was used to it, however, and didn't react as people whispered when he walked by. He didn't bother saying hi the way Logan would, he just acted as if they weren't talking to him at all. They didn't exist at this moment to him, and he didn't dare break our eye contact as he took his time coming toward the snack table.

Carter stopped in front of me, towering over me despite the fact that I was wearing some of Bailey's dark blue wedges. I still didn't break eye contact, mesmerized by the honey flecks dancing in the dark brown color of his irises.

"Hi baby," He mumbled, breaking the silence first. He was here, standing directly in front of me as if I was the only thing he bothered to arrive for. He called me baby - publicly - despite half of the student body staring as if we were committing a crime.

"H-hi," I stuttered, clearing my throat as I realized how stupid I sounded. I looked down at the almost empty cup in my hands, suddenly finding that more interesting than the boy in front of me.

It isn't true, obviously, I'm just too afraid to make a fool of myself. I've made a fool of myself in front of Carter numerous times, but tonight's different. This is my first and last homecoming to ever attend, and I looked all dolled up in front of the boy I have strong feelings for.

If I make myself look stupid now, I'll never live it down.

He put his hand over mine, taking the cup from me. I watched as he tossed it into a nearby trash can, one of the few that littered around the gymnasium to prevent trash from being thrown everywhere. It didn't do much, but the thought was there.

I looked back at him, seeing him still looking at me. The music continued to play through different genres, and people had gone back to dancing now that the shock of Carter Jackson showing up to a high school dance was gone.

People still looked, especially Ashley's friend group. I even glanced over and saw Paige looking at us, completely ignoring whatever it was that Lila was talking about. But instead of overthinking about the way I had been most of the night, I just looked back at Carter.

Usually, I'd be overthinking to the point I could barely function. But with Carter, I felt safe. That their words and stares didn't matter, because he was here to prevent anyone from doing or saying anything to me. And I can't help but want to take advantage of that feeling.

"I thought you weren't coming," I told him. My brows bunched together, my stomach pooling in nervousness as he brushed some loose hair over my shoulder. He was being very touchy, especially compared to usual.

When we're in one of our rooms, he's very touchy, yes, but whenever we're in public he tones it down. He's yet to do it, and I notice he keeps finding minimal ways to touch me whether it be fixing the necklace around my neck or brushing his fingertips against my curls.

"I wasn't," He said, breaking the silence. "Until I found out you were coming."

"Why?" I asked quickly without thinking.

"If I'd have known you were willing to come, I'd have asked you." He admitted honestly, "But, thanks to none other than Bailey Letterman, I'm here."

My eyes flittered over to the dancefloor where I last saw the girl, seeing she was watching us. She was now dancing with Layla, Griffin and Cameron nowhere to be seen. I didn't look too hard, however, as that wasn't the reason I looked over in the first place.

Bailey's head rested on Layla's shoulders, her eyes on us with a pretty smile covering her face. I then looked back in front of me, at Carter's shirt. It was dark blue, matching my dress almost perfectly like I noticed when he first walked in.

Then I remembered her little talk with me before the dance, and when she was constantly texting someone throughout our time of getting ready.

She planned this, and I now realize it. I feel stupid it took me so long to notice, considering she made it fairly obvious now that I think about it. But Carter's here, and I made a mental note to give Bailey the biggest hug later on.

"I didn't think you'd ever be willing to-" I stopped, realizing I hadn't responded. "I just didn't think you liked dances."

"I don't, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice if it means I get to see that pretty smile of yours." He shrugged as if it were nothing. He looked around the gym, taking in the decorations. "These decorations remind me a lot of Carrie."

"Carrie?" I asked, looking at him with a confused look. Looking around the gym anyway, I tried to understand what he meant. But I didn't, causing me to wonder if that meant something good or something bad.

"Stephen King," He said. "I'll show you one day, Sleeping Beauty."

The upbeat music turned slow again, and my attention was averted back to Carter as I felt him grab my hand. He rubbed his thumb along the back of my hand, tingles erupting anywhere he touched.

"Dance with me, Rory." He mumbled. I wasn't sure whether it was a question or him telling me to, but either way, I didn't mind. My mind could only think back to the event when he told me he didn't dance, and something along the lines of not wanting me to expect any extravagant dance moves from him when he saw me watching my aunt and uncle.

"But you don't dance," I stated.

"I don't," He confirmed, pulling me along with him to the dancefloor. "But for you... I do."

My heart thumped hard in my chest as he pushed past everyone dancing, taking us toward the middle of the group. It was definitely unexpected, and I was caught even more off guard as he pulled me to his body abruptly.

His hand snaked around my waist, the other grabbing my hand. My hand met his chest, not knowing where else to put it. I'm not a dancer, the most I've really done that doesn't include Just Dance is the day he and I swayed lightly side to side to avoid my mother's wrath.

I don't really count that.

Enchanted by Taylor Swift echoed in our ears, and I couldn't help but get lost in his eyes as we danced together.

As much as I wished people weren't around us right now, I couldn't help but not care about it now that Carter was here. He calmed me down, and I feel safe with him. He makes me forget about my insecurities, and he doesn't even have to try to do so.

"I have the urge to kiss you," He mumbled, breaking me away from my cloudy thoughts.

"W-what?" I asked, blinking a few times.

He leaned down to my ear, twirling us around. "I want to kiss you again, Rory."

Just the sentence alone was enough to make me go crazy on the inside, and it took everything in me to keep it cool. I glanced around, noticing people were staring. It was probably because Carter Jackson was doing something he's never done before - not even with his ex-girlfriend. That's more than enough to catch attention, not to mention he's doing it with the 'new girl'.

It's quite dumb that I've been here as long as I have yet I still have that title.

"I won't, simply because I don't think I'm ready to share with the world that I caught your attention," Carter continued when I didn't say anything. I stared at him as his eyes danced around the room, not staring at anyone or anything in particular.

Should I be bothered by that comment? By him basically saying that he doesn't want the entire world to know how much we've done together. Maybe I should, but I'm not. At least as of right now, I'm not.

I already get enough attention on my own for being Paige Holland's cousin, the last thing I need is a rumor going around that I was making out with Carter Jackson in the middle of the dance floor on homecoming night.

"Don't get me wrong, Rory, I am glad people are seeing us together," He continued mumbling in my ear, too quiet for anyone else to know what he was saying. "I'm just not ready to share what we do in secret."

"When did you become such a romantic?" I couldn't help but ask, causing his eyes to snap down to me.

"When I met you."

The song ended there, immediately transitioning to a throwback. Everyone cheered, their lingering eyes off of us and on their own group of friends they arrived with. People started dancing together, grinding despite the fact that multiple teachers were hanging around somewhere.

Instinctively, I pulled myself closer to Carter. It was just like I had done with Katherine when we were on the dance floor earlier, simply because I'm too afraid a random person was going to start grinding on me just because I happen to be standing here.

I'm sure some of these people are drunk and high, as well. There's a slight lingering smell of vodka and weed, an odd mixture that I've smelt too much to want to admit.

Carter's hand found mine, interlocking our fingers together. It sent shivers up my arm, but instead of showing any reaction I just watched him closely as he pulled me even closer than I had been willing to step to him.

The last thing I want to do is overstep any boundaries, and I'm still new to being touchy and affectionate with people, let alone him. Sometimes I overthink it and change my mind halfway through, which he quickly notices and makes the move instead. It made me happy he noticed these things and instead of telling me to change, he just accepts it and lets me be the way I am.

Maybe that's why I feel so safe with Carter. He doesn't make me feel like being myself is wrong. He doesn't make me feel like I need to be just like Paige, Logan, or even Layla and Bailey. He doesn't make me feel as insecure as I usually am when I'm with anyone else. I hate being so dependent on him to feel this way, but I'm going to be greedy and take advantage of it while I can.

A guy I didn't know bumped into my back, and my body froze at the sudden action. He didn't say anything, and instead just slid his arm around my waist.

The butterflies swarming my body from Carter's touches were immediately replaced with an uneasy feeling, not liking the feeling of a random boy touching me the way he was.

I shouldn't take it personally, simply because that's how everyone was dancing. They were grabbing each other - their friends, partners, anyone nearby. It was something happening all around, nothing personally that I should take any offense to.

But I rarely touch people. The only people I've found myself being touchy with are Elijah and Carter, but even then it's mostly Carter.

Carter, who felt me pull away from him due to the guy's sweaty arm - glanced down at my waist. His brows pushed together as he looked back up, but instead of saying anything he let go of my hand.

This only made me feel worse, as my only sense of security was gone. Carter let me go, causing me to stumble back full in the unknown boy's grip. He was the only thing keeping me from feeling the boy's front grind against my butt, but now that he's let go I fear that's what I'm going to feel.

But the feeling doesn't come.

Instead of feeling the boy grind on me like I thought was going to happen, I watched as Carter grabbed the boy's hand. In one swift motion, he pulled the boy's arm away from my waist, using his other hand to gently pull me toward his torso.

"Hey, what's the deal man?" The boy asked. He then realized who it was that he was talking to, any color in his face draining quickly.

"Keep your hands to yourself, yeah?" Carter gripped his hand tighter.

The boy looked at him with a look of fear, only causing me to wonder how everyone seemed so afraid of Carter. This isn't the first time I've seen someone look at Carter like that, and by the way it's happened again, I have a feeling this won't be the last.

But Carter's the last person I'd be afraid of. Intimidated, sure, but never afraid.

He could never scare me, no matter what he says. And I think that thought could be scary within itself, but it's not something I want to think about.

"Sorry dude, I didn't realize that it was your girl I was touching." The boy gulped.

Carter's eyes narrowed, seeming like he had much more to say. I don't know whether they know each other or what, but the look on Carter's face was enough to know he wasn't happy with what just happened.

"Carter, let's get some air, yeah?" I mumbled. He didn't respond, and instead of trying to speak again over the loud music, I just rested my hand on his stomach.

Immediately, he looked over at me. His face softened, no longer looking angry. He let go of the boy without another word and instead used that same hand to gently grab mine, locking our fingers again.

I pulled him out of the sea of sweaty bodies, making my way through the double doors I watched him walk through what felt like only moments before. It had been longer, and I only know that simply because of the fact that multiple songs have played since he showed up, but it doesn't change how quick it felt.

What felt like a long night turned into a short one really quickly.

He only held onto me tighter as we made our way through the deserted hallways, the boy I like so much looking back at me multiple times to make sure I was keeping up with his stride.

We stopped in the empty common room, a section with tables and chairs for people to hang out before, during, and after school. He glanced around to see if anyone else was around, and just as I turned to follow his gaze he grabbed my cheeks.

Steadying my face so I had to look at him, he didn't hesitate to softly press his lips to mine. The same butterflies I felt often erupted again, making me forget about anything else I'd been previously thinking about.

I'll never get used to kissing anyone, or the way his soft lips felt against mine. I'll never get used to the butterfly feeling I got, or the tingles that ran up and down my spine as he rubbed his thumbs along my cheeks.

I'll never get used to it, and I don't think I want to.

He pulled away, and I couldn't help but giggle at the pink tint from the red lipstick Layla had me wear. He pressed the back of his hand against his lips and wiped, only smearing the lipstick more.

I laughed again, glancing to see a nearby table with napkins on it. Grabbing one, I began to softly wipe at his lips, doing my best to prevent it from smearing more than he already had.

"I swear-" He stopped as I brushed the napkin against his lips. "I'm not wiping your kiss away. Lipstick just tastes nasty."

"Not once did I think you were doing that, considering you're the one that kissed me," I responded, folding the napkin. I held it in my hands, watching as he wiped his lips with his hands again.

A look of disgust showed on his face, and I couldn't help but laugh at it yet again. It was quite cute, but this was all his fault as he knew I was wearing lipstick and still kissed me.

"You look nice," He said, despite the fact that he was still recovering from tasting my lipstick.

"Thank you," I said. "This is thanks to Layla."

"It reminds me of the first event you attended," He said. His focus was now off of the taste of the lipstick, and I watched him closely as his hands found mine. He locked our fingers together, stepping close as I leaned against the edge of the table we were by. "For our dads' job."

"Oh yeah," I said. "Paige did me up then too. I chose the dress but she usually did my hair and makeup."

"Yeah, it's not you," He said. His fingers moved from mine, grabbing the napkin from my hands. He folded it once more, using his free hand to tilt my chin up to face him better.

I just looked into his eyes as he gently moved the napkin along my lips, removing the deep red lipstick I was wearing. He continued to do it over and over again, careful to not rub my lips raw from the rough material of the napkin.

He held my chin as he did it, and I couldn't help but feel the familiar swarm of butterflies erupting in my stomach as he did it.

How could he do something so small like this and cause my stomach to erupt like the 4th of July? How can he make my body react the way it does?

I don't think I'll ever understand, but not that I'm complaining.

When he rubbed all the remnants of the lipstick off, he set the napkin to the side. He then leaned his hands on the sides of my hips, his thumbs grazing the sides of my thighs lightly. Despite there being the material of the silk dress I was wearing covering my thighs, it didn't change the way my skin burned at his touch.

The dress was short, something I wouldn't usually wear without leggings or tights underneath. But Layla and Bailey both convinced me I looked good and with a playful catcall from Griffin after he saw the way I looked all dolled up - I went against my own judgment.

"How mad you think your mother will be when she finds out I'm taking you to the event next weekend?" Carter asked softly. He was awfully close, and I couldn't help but feel as if it got much hotter in the building - despite us being in probably the coolest section of the school.

I completely forgot about the event, to be honest. I'd yet mention to my parents that Carter had planned on taking me like it was some sort of date and that I'd be sitting with the Jacksons instead of my own family. I know for a fact my mother will blow her top, but I couldn't care less.

Carter makes me happy, and if he wants to use this shitty event for a date, I'm all in.

"Angry," I mumbled.

"Does she know we've been going on dates at all?" He asked. I felt tingles as he brushed some hair over my shoulder, my eyes never leaving him despite how nervous I was around him.

He was being awfully intimate and touchy - not that I'm complaining. Anyone could walk in at any given moment, and despite knowing we weren't actually doing anything inappropriate, I'm sure it doesn't look that way.

"I'm sure my dad's made her aware. I'm still on the 'ignore' list, so I haven't had too much interaction with her." I muttered, looking down at my hands as I got into a bit more detail. "I mean, she's big on the family spending more time together, but even then she doesn't really talk to me. She just says something to 'snap me into shape', keep me off my phone, or prevent me from seeing you. I think this is her way of stopping us from spending so much time together despite the fact that my dad says it's okay."

"So your dad approves?" He asked.

"He gave your mom money because they betted on which brother I was going to end up dating. He lost. Did I tell you that?" I asked, my nose scrunching up at the embarrassing memory.

"No, I don't think you did." He shook his head with a laugh, "Your dad thought you'd get with Logan."

"He said it's only because the way my mom spoke made it seem like Logan and I were a thing, all because he'd been over a few times." I shrugged, "But I guess your mom knew all along."

"My mom's not very oblivious, she knows more than she lets on." He bit his lip. He was still leaning down, which I'm sure was uncomfortable due to the way his back was bent. But he didn't move, and instead just leaned in closer.

I could smell mint in his breath.

"My dad also had to pay my mom twenty bucks," He mumbled. I laughed, a genuine laugh at how crazy it sounded that our parents were betting over who would date who.

It's kind of childish when you think about it, but harmless as it was something kept between the three adults - not including my mom. It was something that probably came up, and something they wanted to see what would happen without them getting involved.

Then again, my mom's making that really hard with the way she keeps making me join them in stupid things such as taking Jason to the arcade or going out to dinner at whatever random place she chooses that day.

"Your laugh is so pretty," Carter commented, my smile faltering at the sudden confession. I wasn't used to getting compliments, especially ones that weren't fake or backhanded. "I could listen to it all day."

He stood up straight, stretching his back before stepping closer. He was standing between my legs, which made me feel a little nervous as the dress began to ride up my thighs. It didn't help my thighs were bigger than both Layla's and Bailey's, so the dress was slightly shorter than it should be.

Carter grabbed my hands, pulling them up to his neck. He rested them there before putting his on the sides of my face, his pinky resting on my neck under the side of my jaw. He leaned in and connected our lips again, the feeling much like it felt the first time we kissed.

Our kiss was cut short, however, at the sound of heels clicking and the sound of a dramatic gasp.

I pulled back quickly, but Carter didn't bother letting go as he glanced back to see who had walked in on us.

It was Sarah, the same young girl who had been our waitress the night of our first date. She looked from Carter to me, then back to Carter. Her jaw dropped, shock written all over her features as she stood frozen in her spot.

"Did you need something?" Carter rudely asked as I began to feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment.

How is he not embarrassed?

Sarah's eyes glanced down, and it was then I realized that she had a perfect view of how much the dress had ridden up. I shoved Carter away - a little too aggressively - sliding off of the table so I could pull the dress down.

Without another word, she just walked backward, disappearing down the hall she'd come from. Knowing our luck, she was going to go run her mouth to Ashley and anyone else that could listen.

"Let's get out of here," Carter mumbled as he picked up on what had happened. He didn't give me a chance to respond as we made our way toward the entrance of the school. He didn't look back as he pulled me with him, but I found myself glancing back repeatedly to where we had been sitting.

Just as I was about out of view of the common area, I watched an infuriated Ashley enter with a scared-looking Sarah, the rest of their friends lingering behind her as she watched us with a look of hatred in her eyes.

This was not good.

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Over 4,000 words, hope you enjoyed <3

* This chapter is not edited *