Cadenza came home for the first time the night before the dance. She was home after her last class, and she had already been dressed for the football game that night. It felt weird attending a football game for a school she never went to, and as a freshman in college, but she was going with Hayden. It was mainly to support Alex, even if she was only on cheer. 

Otherwise it was the dance she was excited for. She loved to dress Alex up. She was like her personal doll that she dictated the appearance of. Cadenza was amazing with fashion, and it was a nice escape from the world of a business major. Alex was pretty docile when it came to Cadenza helping her get ready. The best part was the fact Alex was old enough for prom, and there was still an entire year ahead of her yet.

“I've missed little moments like this,” Cadenza says, running her fingers through Alex's fallen hair. She had yet to style it, but she had a vision in mind. “Just you and me. My roommate isn't as interested in this as you are. A month in and she's already stressed.” 

“What’s her major?” Alex felt a little silly. She had a button up flannel and a pair of sweatpants on. She didn't feel like much of a sight to see. 

“Nursing.” 

“Oh,” Alex mumbles. 

She’d have to start her college hunt in the near future. Laurance, thankfully for her, was doing it now. That meant when it was time for Alex to start applying, there were people who were able to help her. Cadenza wasn't as lucky. While Hayden had gone to college, times had changed since he had gone. Cadenza kind of had to learn on her own and help Laurance. 

“I'm thinking of a looser updo. I have that diamond comb I want to put in the back. As for your makeup. . . something simple and natural. You already have so much going on everywhere else.” 

Alex turns her head over her shoulder, suddenly worried. “Is that a bad thing?” 

“No,” Cadenza says. “I just think a natural makeup look will add a touch of subtleness that the look could benefit off of. Trust me, Al, I know what I'm doing.” 

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Cadenza did know what she was doing. While Hayden didn't approve of most aspects of the dress, he approved of how Alex presented herself. He was also thankful that Cadenza left that sense of innocence Alex possessed. 

Cadenza and Hayden came with for pictures. They started off at the Ro'meave household. Everyone would meet there, but Zianna always had the backyard looking beautiful. Besides, they didn't need that many pictures. 

Alex felt strange as she walked into the house. She knew her way around like the back of her hand now from how often she was there. Laurance had driven the two of them there, and he continuously teased her on how she looked. She started to fear she was pretending to be someone she wasn't. 

The sight of Vylad seemed to calm her down. She knew he was truthful, and he didn't like to tease her in the way Laurance did. Vylad knew when to stop, but Laurance didn't. 

“Are guy friends allowed to tell their girl friends they're beautiful without it sounding romantic?” He asks her, a little smirk plastered against his lips. 

“You don't think it's too much? I don't look like I'm trying to be someone I'm not?” 

“You listen to Laurance far too often,” he tells her, taking a look at her attire once again. “I think you look great.” 

Alex nods. “Thank you. You look pretty good in blue.” 

Vylad chuckles as a response before looking around. Nearly everyone was here now, and Kandi was taking her time getting ready. “I'm going to tell Kandilyn to hurry. There's no time for her to make a fashionable entrance.” 

Vylad's retreating footsteps allow Alex to let out her buried breath. Vylad's words did make her feel better, especially because she knew they were truthful. She was just anxious now for other reasons. 

“My brother's a lucky guy.” 

The voice behind her caused Alex to suck in another breath, hiding it within her. Somehow, over the course of a month, Alex had started to develop romantic feelings for a certain blond. It started off as an attraction, which she was fine with, but it began to grow. And the more he hung out with her brother, or the more she hung out with the twins, running into him became inevitable. 

She turns around to face Garroth. He had taken special care of his hair, more than usual, and styled it slightly more dressy. It didn't surprise her that he was wearing a blue tie, but it was the coincidence that she had been wearing a blue dress that got her. Light blue. He had been wearing light blue. It wasn't because of her. It was because of Katelyn, even if prom two years prior had been a mess. They were going as friends. Both parties were still single, and nearly everyone else in the group had already partnered up.  

Alex hoped the blood rising to her face matched the blush Cadenza brushed against her cheeks an hour earlier. “I don't know if ‘lucky’ is the right word.” 

His smile was charming with a hint of flirtation. Alex hoped that the flirtation wasn't a figment of her imagination and Garroth meant for it. “I would say it is. You look absolutely ravishing.” 

Alex was at a complete loss for words. Her lips parted to speak, but nothing came out. She had to force herself to talk in order to prevent looking like a fool. “You flatter me. But don't you have a date you could be talking to?”

“Katelyn hasn't arrived. She's coming with Aphmau, and Aphmau's late to everything.” 

He didn't have to tell her that for her to believe it. She'd seen it firsthand. 

“On that note,” Alex starts, preventing herself from licking her lips. He made her nervous simply by being around. “You look rather handsome yourself.” 

The sound of the front door opening and Aphmau's laughter rings through Alex's ears. Garroth's attention is diverted from her and turns towards the entrance. 

“Save me a dance, eh?” 

He had left before Alex could ask him if that was allowed.