Callie tugged on the bottom of the dress, her fingers steadying its edge lightly. Callie stared at her reflection, still struggling to believe how lovely she looked in the dress Larkin got her. It took a lot of cutting and trimming to finally fit through her tiny form and it was definitely worth it.

Light shimmered off the floral, beaded prints on the canary yellow dress like bejeweled, precious stones pinned to her body. It hugged her waist a little more tightly, teasing a hint of curves at its nip against her taut, tanned skin. With side-swept chocolate hair that covered a part of her left eye, Callie channeled her inner Veronica Lake, revealing her glamour through its darker highlights. It made her feel momentarily fearless and trailed enough confidence to keep her going for the night.

When Callie left her room, she could see Abe huddled next to Ava, with eyes glued to the tv. Abe gushed when he noticed her striding downstairs. "You look like a princess, darling. Let me take a picture."

"Dad, my friends are waiting outside." Callie whined when he jumped up excitedly, ignoring her protest. 

"Don't rush me. It's your first school dance in over a year, so yeah I'll definitely take a picture. I promise it'll only take a second." Whipping out his dated phone, he wore an excited grin. "Now smile."

Flashing a grin, Callie was able to get a couple of pictures out of it.

"So no date?" Ava pushed her glasses higher, holding a smirk that tweaked the edges of her lips. Once again, she had worn a tee-shirt with a strange, statement print. This time, it said 'Death to the world'. It was hilariously serious, an irony of its own that perfectly suited Ava's personality.

"No date. Just me and Naomi hanging out." She'd have love to have Larkin around but he was thousands of miles away in Bali. Besides, she wanted more time to bond with Naomi. They both needed it.

"Who needs dates when you've got friendships, right?" There was no trace of emotion littered on Abe's face, making it a lot more puzzling for Callie to determine his mood. He was straight faced, staring at her quietly. She knew that his mood swings happened often but it was harder to understand what was running through his mind right now.

Callie folded her arms, brows furrowing together. "I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or sweet."

"Right now I'm on responsible dad mode." He was beaming proudly at his words, wearing one of his many goofy smiles. He was back to his almost childish demeanor. It was sweet, but easier to tap into unexpected mood swings.

Ava gave an unconvinced, loud snort. "He's trying to make us bond by making me watch you guys' lame show."

"It's called the witch's return." Callie said defensively. True, it had many cheesy moments in the series but it was a classic. Also, it helped Callie get closer with Abe which was something she was grateful for.

Ava yawned. "It sounds lame."

"Fine, let's watch what you want." Abe huffed out. Seeing the delivish triumph in his younger daughter's eyes, he decided to question her intentions with eyes narrowed. "What is it you want to watch?"

Ava's caramel eyes twinkled again. "Wrestling." 

"Over my dead body. Is that what Noreena's parents let you watch all the time?" Abe scoffed. He looked appalled by the words she said. He made it seem like it was something much worse, but Callie understood. Abe wasn't a fan of anything violent. He was still obsessed with making sure they carried fake guns around to protect themselves. Knowing Ava so well, it was obvious she said it on purpose. Even though Ava actually liked wrestling, she'd rather use it to tease Abe and get a reaction out of him.

Ava seemed surprisingly upset. Maybe she really wanted to watch it after all. "It's much better than a sappy soap opera about middle aged witches with emotional problems."

"I just realized how much work this bonding is going to take." Abe whistled, wiping off beads of sweat from his slightly wrinkled forehead. Callie almost chuckled. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. Ava was no walk in the park. She's as smart as she's fierce. A double whammy. She truly wished him luck.

"Wanna back out?" Ava wore an ounce of seriousness, speaking with maturity she occasionally showed to them. It made her seem years older than the ten year old kid that she was.

Giving her a flat look, Abe retorted. "I know when I'm being tricked, little girl and it ain't working."

"He's no fun." Ava stamped her foot stubbornly. Then another sly smile pressed her small lips. "Callie's easier to tease."

"She's basically Satan's spawn. Don't let her innocent glasses fool you." Callie said, her eyes shining in amusement.

Appearing right beside Callie, Ava stuck out her tongue. "Your turn is coming."

"I'll be expecting it." Callie said mockingly. The car honk blaring from outside almost made Callie yelp.  "Time for me to go."

Abe had started to say, a scolding tone perking up. "Remember no drugs, especially weed, crack, adderall or—"

"Dad, you can't say this everytime I go out. It's getting really old."

"It's like he mentions new ones every day. It gets funnier each time." Ava nudged her lightly in the side, almost poking through her ribs. Callie winced at the contact. Damn, her little sister had pointy elbows.

"Okay, I'll leave you for now. Just make sure you have fun. You're looking a little too pale."

Callie almost cringed at Abe's dad jokes that never seemed to end. Her lower lip stuck out as she rubbed where Ava's elbows almost dug through. "I'm going to pretend like I didn't hear any of that. Bye, dad."

★★★

"What's this?" Callie stared at the rickety-looking, antique car with a sleek, sonic silver color and steering wheel stick-shift gears inside. Its interiors looked much better with butter colored, leather seats that smelt brand new.

Throwing a quick glare at Damien Pierce, Naomi grumbled. "Some crappy car he found. He calls it vintage. I call it trash." Callie grinned at Naomi's words, admiring her well fitting seinna colored, velvet two-piece pantsuit with a double breasted design and a silk, sparkling white crop top peeking underneath which she paired with black Nike trainers. It looked flattering on her and it was nice to see the shiny glow in her now-shorter blonde hair. Marigold tresses cropped at her jawline length with a side of her hair tucked behind an ear revealing a display of piercings attached to the visible ear.

"How dare you? It's a beauty." Damien Pierce sneered, obviously taken back by Naomi's statement.

"Uh huh. Sure." She muttered sarcastically before adding. "Couldn't you bring your lambo from last time?"

"If you hate it that much then maybe you should have brought your own ride."

Naomi flipped her middle finger at him. Pierce gave a mocking gasp before erupting out a laugh that made her frown deepen the stormy lines in her eyes.

"Let's play nice, guys. Especially you, Pierce." Callie wanted to keep the peace between them. It was important to do so. She and Naomi wanted to have fun tonight, so Pierce was their disgruntled, designated driver.

They gave small nods, which Naomi added with a mumbled "Whatever."

"You look good, Pierce. You'll definitely be Fall King." Callie tried her hardest to compliment him. But it wasn't a lie. His custom tailored, brown tweedy suit jacket reeked of finesse that Damien Pierce carried around like a badge of honor. With his slicked-back, onyx hair that made him look like a 1940s golden age actor, Damien Pierce had opted out of a tie, picking a black bowtie that mirrored his black trousers and Italian shoes.

"You think so?" Blue eyes sparkled up expectantly. The vivid color seemed to resemble deep waves of oceans when it glimmered.

Callie shrugged. "Yeah, isn't that why you've been excited about tonight?"

"I think he's more excited to wear a Tom Ford suit out in public." Naomi noted aloud. Her lips pressed into a tight line, studying the designs adorning the outfit. Damien Pierce did look dapper but Callie couldn't deny how much she preferred Naomi's own.

"You know about suits?" Damien Pierce's eyebrows arched up. Callie cringed. Naomi certainly wasn't going to let his comment slide.

Naomi snapped without missing a beat. "I don't live under a rock. Everyone knows Tom Ford."

Callie raised her hand, admitting. "I don't."

"Except Callie, then." Her tone was distinctively frosty. Forgiving Pierce was definitely going to be a harder task for Naomi Granger. She hated being toyed with.  "Happy?"

"Delighted, actually." Damien Pierce said, a smirk teasing the corners of his mouth.

Sensing an explosive argument that was about to erupt between those two, Callie stepped in with a warning tone. "Behave, Pierce. You're still under probation. We still haven't forgotten your little stunt."

"Isn't that why I'm chaperoning for you guys? To add to my apology." He puckered his lower lip out, looking more uncomfortable by the second.

"Exactly, so don't do anything to make us change our minds. Got it?" She said in a much firmer tone, laying emphasis on the last two words.

"Yes ma'am." Damien Pierce saluted and that seemed to end the conversation.

★★★

The night was perfect. Bodies swinging and lips chanting to the music playing, drinks flowing like an endless gush of river and colored lights shimmering like rays from the sky, lighting up the usually dull gym room into a buzz of adrenaline bursting through. Harvey was deejaying for the party and Damien Pierce couldn't stop talking about how "talented" his friend was. Naomi couldn't help rolling her eyes each time he said it, and Callie counted it. It was 6 times.

"Harvey's really killing being a DJ. He's way too talented."

Scratch that. Now it was seven times.

Viola came arm-in-arm with her bestie Maddie Holt, dressed in her signature raspberry red dress that was much lighter than the dark hues of her vermilion curls. Maddie opted for a softer color as always, however the fuscia floor length dress with a simple sheath didn't do justice to her lithe figure. Still, she looked as lovely as ever, styling her light-as-honey blonde waves into a bridal bun that suited her.

"Oh wow. Your dress is stunning. I'm not a fan of yellow. But this is...Wow." Maddie practically cried out, trudging towards her heartedly.

Viola, as composed as ever, took a long glance at Callie in full admiration. "Where did you get it from? I'd totally love to get something like this but in red."

Callie found it hard to believe any of what she said, considering how Viola's halter-neck, mermaid dress that was embellished in beaded pearls definitely outshone hers. She was definitely gunning for Fall queen with this look. "Do you wear anything other than red?"

"Yes. I wear amaranth, ruby or blush."

"Those are all shades of red." Her wry tone was unmissed.

"Are they? I didn't notice." Viola responded coyly. Her eyes bustling with devilish amusement that Maddie shared.

Callie was suprised not to hear Naomi's voice for a while and caught her gaze bouncing between them and the building's entrance. "You keep looking at the door. Are you expecting someone?"

Naomi looked slightly alarmed, going bright red instantly. "Just waiting for Jacques."

Callie smirked. "Jacques, ey? Not gonna complain. He's cute."

"Ah, erm, I guess. Give me a second, I need to make a call." Callie watched Naomi disappear out the door, completely startled by her brisk departure.

Maddie almost pouted. "Where's she off to? I didn't get to tell her how much I love her power suit."

"She'll be back." Callie said calmly, trying to mask her own concern.

Viola wore a smirk after a couple of quiet seconds had kicked in while Christina Perri's lovestruck "Arms" played overhead. "Screw that. She's here already. And she's got company."

Callie whipped her head to see Naomi inside once again, donning a mischevious light kindling across her face. Callie's heart practically stopped, seeing the person next to her. "Larkin."

"Who's—" Callie couldn't even pay attention to who was speaking. She'd almost squealed if she could, her excitement betraying her attempt to act calm. Her legs dragged her all the way to where they stood, eyes stinging with unshed tears. She called out his name again, this time more tenderly. "Larkin."

He looked at her, leaving her breathless the way he always did. Relief. Warmth. Happiness. She could feel all the emotions in his eyes. He was armed with a broad, disarming smile and twinkling eyes like the color of vibrant spring.

Without missing a beat, Larkin claimed her lips. It was brief, but God it felt so perfect. His hands cradled her face, emerald eyes shone brighter as he spoke. "You have no idea how badly I wanted to see you."

Her eyes never left his, piercing a gnash through his heart. Likewise, Larkin captured every inch of her with avid intensity like he wanted to devour Callie with his smoldering gaze. It made her body hot instantly. "I knew this dress would look perfect on you."

"I've worn it before in front of you."

"I know. But right now, it's clear it was made for this night." His voice was soothing, delicate enough to make her forget she was in a room full of her dancing classmates.

In his embrace, She gazed upon his eyes once again. He smiled at her lovingly, pressing his lips to her forehead.  She fluttered her eyes shut, drowning in his arms. Treasuring every second to have him back. Even if it was just for today. 

★★★
The last chapter is coming through, people. Don't you dare miss out on it.
Xoxo
Jasmine