Part 6

“Careful there,” he put a steadying hand around her waist, stopping her from doing a face-plant.

“I-it’s you!” Bibi was having trouble enunciating so she decided to just convey her feelings in actions. She threw her arms around her date, who recuperated so exuberantly Bibi’s feet left the ground.

“I missed you so much, sugarplum.” Bernard whispered in her ear.

“I missed you too!” Bibi’s voice was muffled in his jacket, which smelled uniquely of him. She breathed in deeply, savoring the moment.

Finally the siblings broke away, both wearing twin grins.

“How’d you get here?” Bibi asked him, still thinking of how it was too good to be true.

Bernard grinned conspiratorially. “Secret.” He winked.

Bibi shook her head, so happy to be standing beside her older brother, who she hadn’t seen in months.

“C’mon, let’s go greet Ailia.” Bernard slipped a hand around Bibi’s waist and led her to her friend and Prince Charming.

“You really do look beautiful,” Bernard told her as they walked.

Bibi’s cheeks hurt from smiling so big. She fingered one of his lapels. “Didn’t you wear this tuxedo for Aunt Hilda’s funeral?”

Bernard grinned at her. “Don’t remind me.”

Bibi laughed, sounding like a mix between and donkey and a pig; Bernard laughed as well, although (thankfully) he never inherited the distinctive family laugh.

“Hello, Ailia,” Bernard addressed Ailia when he and Bibi had made their way over to them.

Bibi always thought that Ailia nurtured a slight crush on Bernard, who the ladies did say was good-looking. Now, however, that crush seemed the last thing on her mind when her fingers were intertwined with Prince Charming’s and her eyes shown of love.

“Hey, Berny,” She greeted good-naturedly.

Bibi eyed Ailia’s Prince. Since they were closer, it was easier to tell of his identity.

“So who’s your prince?” Bernard asked, turning to Ailia’s date.

Ailia opened her mouth, about to respond, when Bibi snapped her fingers happily. “Zaiden!”

Ailia pretended to pout but couldn’t do it for long when her heart was this full. “Isn’t he the sweetest?” She wrapped her other arm around Zaiden’s. Zaiden smiled down at his lovely date.

“Zaiden, huh?” Bernard untangled himself from Bibi and took a step closer to Zaiden. Although they were the same height, Bernard was broad-shouldered and made of muscle, while Zaiden was wiry. They locked eyes. “You take care of her.” He jerked his thumb in Ailia’s direction. “Or else you deal with me.”

“And me,” piped up Bibi. She tried to appear threatening but with the dress and heels she didn’t think she succeeded.

Zaiden looked genuinely frightened when Bernard was warning him but, when Bibi tagged her own admonition into it, he couldn’t help but grin. “Yes, ma’am.” He bobbed his head in her direction. Then, more seriously, he said to Bernard, “I will.” He put his arm around Ailia’s shoulders.

Bernard watched him through narrow slits and mumbled, “Just keep your hands where I can see them.”

Bibi snorted and tugged on his sleeve, bringing him back to her side. “Let’s dance.” She said. And so they did. The two couples danced for hours and hours, stopping only to help themselves to the juice bar every so often. Bibi was thrilled to her toes at having so much undivided time with Bernard and the two quickly caught up. Zaiden and Ailia stuck to each other’s sides, dancing to almost every song.

Just a little before midnight, Bibi found herself in the arms of Zaiden. A little ways away Ailia was dancing with Bernard, who was telling her a funny story about the army.

“Did you send me my dress and shoes?” Bibi asked Zaiden. The song they were dancing to was slow, so talking wasn’t difficult.

Zaiden shook his head. “Nope, that wasn’t me.” He twirled her, bringing her far away and then pulling her close. “But I know who did it.”

Bibi looked up anxiously at him. “Who?”

“I shouldn’t say,” Zaiden cast his eyes around, as if someone was listening in. Then he leaned in close and whispered, “Xzavier.”

Bibi couldn’t believe it. Xzavier was the one who sent her all the wonderful gifts? Did this mean he liked her? She wanted to know. She hadn’t seen him all evening but had just assumed he was off with some of his other friends in another corner. She got on her tiptoes, inspecting the dance floor. “Where is he?”

Zaiden applied gentle pressure to her shoulder until she got off her tiptoes. She was secretly glad; these heels were precarious when she was flat-footed, let alone when she was balanced on her toes.

“He’s not here.” Zaiden admitted.

“What?” Bibi’s thoughts stopped and then spiraled out of control. “Why not?”

Zaiden looked down at their shoes and then back up, meeting Bibi’s eyes. “He didn’t want to come and be the fifth wheel. Plus, he’s sorta broke.”

“Broke?” Bibi repeated. She was struggling to comprehend it all.

“Yeah, that plane ticket was expensive. And then you have the shoes, dress, ticket…” Zaiden trailed off at Bibi’s dumbfounded expression.

“So, wait,” She tried to work it all out. “Xzavier sent me all the gifts and paid for Bernard to fly over here?”

Zaiden nodded, watching her carefully. He didn’t seem surprised when she let go of him, or when she strode over to Bernard, tapping him on the shoulder. Bernard immediately turned to her, giving Ailia an apologetic smile. Ailia returned it and went over to Zaiden.

“Did you know that Xzavier paid for your plane ticket?” Bibi demanded.

Bernard was used to his sister’s ways of speaking before thinking so he said calmly, “Yes, and before you yell at me you should know that tomorrow I’m going to transfer money into Xzavier’s bank account to cover the cost.”

Bibi deflated slightly. “Oh, okay.”

Then some of her passion seemed to return. “Did you know he stayed home?”

Bernard didn’t show any surprise at his sister’s words. Rather, he searched her face carefully. Bibi frowned. “What are you doing?”

As if he found the thing he was looking for, Bernard grinned. “I’d let you borrow my car but it’s a rental.”

It took a second for Bibi to understand what he meant. Then she seemed to leap into action. She sped over to Ailia, who was dancing slowly with Zaiden. “Can I borrow your car?” She asked.

“Sure,” Ailia turned away from Zaiden and reached into the bodice of her dress, pulling out her car keys.

“Classy,” Zaiden deadpanned.

Ailia blushed. “There was no where else to put them!”

Bibi took the slightly warm keys and remembered that she should say good-bye to her friends. She gave Zaiden a hug and pecked him on the cheek. “You take care,” She warned him. He got the double meaning and grinned, nodding.

She hugged Ailia tightly. “You look drop-dead gorgeous. Have a magical evening with your prince.”

Ailia smiled. “You look beautiful. Now go get ‘em.”

Bibi laughed at her friend’s unorthodox words and went back to her brother, who was just watching them. “I’m sorry I’m going to leave you.” She told him.

He put a hand on her shoulder. “I don’t care at all. This night has been so fun.” He gestured down at her attire.  “You’re so grown-up.” His face went soft. “I’ve missed you.”

Bibi threw her arms around him. “You’re the best brother in the world.” She leaned back slightly to look him in the face. “Will you be okay?”

Bernard smirked. “Yes, I saw a pretty blonde over there who looks like she needs a dance.” He tipped his chin at her. It was the girl who was going down the stairs when Bibi and Ailia had first arrived. Bibi decided not to tell Bernard about the muscled boyfriend; he was in the army, he could take it.

“Alright, well, I love you.” Bibi kissed him on the cheek and broke from his hold.

“Love you too.” Bernard gave her a two-finger salute.

“Will I see you at home?” Bibi asked when she was a few feet away. No one even blinked at her the music was so loud.

“Sure. I might burn down some houses on the way though, so I’ll probably be late.”

It was a running joke between them that in their spare time teenagers burned down houses.

Bibi laughed. “Right.” Then she folded herself into the crowd and was gone.

Bernard strode over to Zaiden and Ailia, who were stilling dancing slowly despite the fast music. Bernard held out his hand. “Pay up.”

“I really thought he was gonna show up.” Zaiden said, pulling out his wallet and handing Bernard a five.

“And I thought she wasn’t going to ask about him until after the dance.” Ailia shook her head and turned away as she dug through the bodice of her dress again.

“I guess I just know her better.” Bernard boasted.

“Well I’m supposed to be her best frien- aha!” Ailia finally found what she was looking for and laid a warm and slightly crumpled five-dollar bill in Bernard’s palm.

Bernard stared at it. “That’s the last time I bet with a girl with no pockets.”

*

And this chapter is dedicated to coldfireplace for being a SUPER fan! She is fantastic! Seriously, I love the girl and you should too. So go check her out!