"Such lovely service! Here you go." The woman smiles, handing some me some coins.

"Thank you so much!" I grin back, "Have a lovely day." I watch as they leave the diner to enjoy the hot, summer weather, not bitter at all.

Okay, maybe I am.

I sigh as the door shuts behind them, placing the money into the register. Only two hours until the end of my shift and then I have two days off. The feeling is exhilarating, I can't wait to lie in and not worry about making myself look presentable. Absolute Heaven.

The bell on the door sounds once more and I look up, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion at the figure who enters, smiling at me as they walk over.

"Ben?"

"I have a really big favor to ask." He replies, sliding down onto the stool.

"Okay?" I answer slowly, "None of your friends can help?"

"Not really." He replies, "Plus, I thought we were friends?"

"You did?"

"Come on Diner Girl!" He grins, slouching down on the counter.

"What do you want?" I ask, eyeing him warily as I begin to wipe along the counter.

"Come to prom with me."

"What?" I splutter, dropping the cloth.

"Prom. Come with me."

"Are you crazy?" I retort, shaking my head.

"Why the hell not?"

"Because... because you don't know me." I exclaim, picking the cloth back up and continuing to clean the surface. Prom? Is this guy serious? I barely know these jocks, and suddenly I'm their favorite person.

"You're a beautiful girl." He shrugs, "I have no-one else to ask."

"Absolutely not."

"Come on Sav!" He pleads, never losing the smile. "Help a guy out."

"I'm sure any of the other cheerleaders will jump at the chance," I scoff.

"I don't want to go with them," He objects, "Please don't make me sit through a night of Ashleys." He has a point, that does sound like torture. I'll be needing someone to help me at my Prom next year, to keep me away from Ashley and her minions.

"I'm sorry Ben." I answer, turning back and shooting him a quick apologetic smile before picking up the empty napkin holders.

"I'm not accepting that answer."

"I don't have a dress." I retort, carrying the holders over to the counter.

"Then wear a suit. I won't mind." He shrugs and I smile.

"Very funny."

"You can't make me go to my own prom alone Diner Girl." He sighs and I raise an eyebrow.

"Yes I can."

"Please!" He begs as I grab a stack of napkins and shove them into the holder, "Please Savannah!" He continues and I shake my head, "I beg you. What else are you going to do tonight?"

"Watch Netflix." I shrug.

"I'll buy you a McDonalds at the end of the night." He tries bargaining.

"You will?" I stop, looking up at him.

"Of course." He nods, a hopeful expression on his face.

"Sorry Ben..." I dismiss, looking back to the holders and continuing to stuff them.

"Savannah I need your help!" He tries again, raising his voice as a few customers turn our way.

"Shh!" I retort quietly, pleading him with my eyes, "Please don't."

"Agree and I'll stop."

"You are incorrigible." I snap.

"No idea what that means, but thank you." He grins and I falter, biting my lip as I think it through. Ben has always been nice to me, he's never done anything to hurt me personally and has profusely apologized for what happened at Brett's eighteenth. Maybe I could help him out...

"Fine I'll go." I give in, groaning. What's the worse that can happen?

"I'll pick you up at eight." He grins, sending me a salute before turning away and making his way out of the diner. What did I just agree to? And why me?

*~*~*

"Are you sure you don't mind?" I ask, holding the strapless, lilac glittery skater dress up in front of me as I look in the mirror.

"I haven't fit in it for three years Anna, wear it!" Elle smiles, lying back on her bed.

"Thank you!"

"Of course."

"I only have forty five minutes to get ready." I groan, slouching down on the bed and looking pleadingly at her. She rolls her eyes before sitting up, shoving me off the edge of the bed.

"Sit down, I'll do your hair."

"Thanks Elle."

"I'm so excited for you." She grins as she grabs hold of my hair. "Do you remember my prom? David O'Brian took me. I think that's the last time I saw him." She continues, clipping my hair away from my face as she grabs her curlers.

"I stayed up waiting for you to come home and tell me about it." I smile at the memory.

"But you fell asleep ten minutes before I got home." She laughs.

"And the next day you told me I'd missed my chance and you'd never tell me what happened." I recall, rolling my eyes.

"David kissed me."

"No!" I squeal, my eyes wide.

"Yeah." Elle grins, curling my hair around the wand.

"And you didn't tell me?" I exclaim as she laughs.

"He wasn't very good." She wrinkles her nose in disgust as she moves round the other side of my hair. "There was a lot of saliva."

"Gross!" I laugh as Elle giggles.

"Yep." She nods, "I literally ran back to the front door." She giggles at the memory. "Dad was so surprised when I crashed through the door. He got up, grabbed his baseball bat and was ready to beat up the person who was chasing me." I laugh at the image. "It took me five minutes to calm him down."

"I miss him."

"Me too." Elle replies softly, "Do you remember the way Mom pinned my hair up, clipping the tiny tiara from her wedding in the front?"

"You looked beautiful." I reply, smiling up at her. She continues with my hair, finishing the curls and slowly pinning it back.

"Here." She beams, gently placing the glittery tiara on top.

"Elle!" I exclaim, reaching up as tears gather in my eyes. It's just as beautiful as I remember it.

"She'd want you to wear it." She says softly and I turn, throwing myself into her arms.

"Thank you." I manage burying my face in her hair.

"Come on, get on with your make up! You're running out of time." She orders and I roll my eyes, turning back to the mirror to wipe some foundation and concealer over my face before brushing on some mascara.

"I'm done."

"You haven't even touched the eye-shadow." She scoffs, scanning my face.

"I don't really know how to use it. They all contour and blend and I have no idea what any of it means." I retort, dismissing her with a wave of my hand.

"Here." She rolls her eyes, shoving me back down in the chair. "Let me."

"What would I do without you?"

"You'd be an absolute mess that's for sure." She laughs, "But I wouldn't be able to live without you either." She finishes. I smile in response, allowing her to paint across my face with her make-up. It reminds me of when we were younger and we'd dress each other up as Princesses, even dragging Mom in and making her one as well. I would always get upset if I couldn't wear the pink make-up, if I couldn't be the Pink Princess.

"There you go." Elle announces, stepping back.

"Thank you." I smile at her before looking into the mirror. She's done an incredible job, my make-up now as smooth and blended as it is on the models in magazines and I feel slightly beautiful.

"Come on Ann! You have to put your dress on, you only have fifteen minutes." Elle lectures, dropping her make-up brushes on the side.

"Okay okay!" I mutter, standing up and grabbing hold of the dress.

*~*~*

"You look beautiful." Ben exclaims, his eyes scanning me.

"Are you sure?" I question, tightly grasping onto the silver clutch bag my sister lent me.

"Absolutely." He grins.

"Thanks." I reply, turning back to my apartment and waving to Elle who grins back, watching as we go. We walk down the stairs, exiting the building and approaching his blue car, him opening the door for me as I smile. Such a gentleman.

"Thank you." I exclaim, getting in before he shuts the door and gets in on the other side, "I think my sister is more excited about this than I am."

"I think I should be insulted." He retorts.

"Oh no! I didn't mean it like..."

"Let's go." He grins, cutting me off. I shake my head, laughing slightly as he starts the car. This will be an interesting night.

*~*~*

"Wow."

"The social committee really did a good job." Ben agrees as we take in the decor, the Las Vegas theme obvious, neon lights decorating the room, casino tables in each corner, all of them crowded by students.

"Definitely!" I breathe out.

"Ben! Diner Girl?" Chris appears in front of us, confusion clouding his features as he glances me up and down.

"Chris, this is my date for the night, Savannah."

"Chris." I greet, smiling.

"Savannah." He smiles, still looking confused. I understand completely, I don't know why I'm here either.

"Can I get you a drink?" Ben asks.

"Yes please." I accept and he nods, disappearing into the crowd.

"Good to see you again Diner Girl" Ellis emerges from the crowd, a small brunette cheerleader on his arm.

"I really wish you'd all stop that." I groan at the annoying nickname.

"Sorry." Chris says sheepishly.

"You know Elisha?" Ellis introduces and I nod.

"Hi." I smile.

"Hi Savannah." She replies softly, giving me a slight wave.

"Am I the only one here without a date?" Chris moans.

"I think you may be mate." Ellis confirms, slapping his friend on the back.

"Here you go," Ben reappears, handing me a cup of punch.

"Thanks." I grin, taking a sip. Just as expected, it has already been spiked with some form of burning alcohol. Not caring, I take another gulp, finding the alcohol strangely soothing for this strange night.

"If I had known Diner Girl was up for grabs I would have asked her." Chris moans.

"Up for grabs?" I snort, "Sunshine I wouldn't have come with you if you'd asked."

"You came with Ben."

"As his friend." I point out, "He asked me nicely. Plus, he's offered McDonalds at the end of the night."

"Ah, the key to Diner Girl's heart!" Ellis grins.

"Would you like to dance?" Ben asks and I nod, sticking my tongue out at Ellis as I follow Ben to the dance floor.

*~*~*

Standing outside I lean on the fence overlooking the football field that's plagued by darkness, no lights illuminating it. Instead I stare into the blackness, taking in some fresh air as I wait for Ben to return from the toilet.

I ignore the couple making out in the corner, oblivious to the fact I've been standing here for around five minutes. They are too wrapped up in each other, literally, to even think about checking their surroundings. I guess it's nice in a way, being the only thing that the other person is thinking about, the only one their attention is on.

It'll be nice to find something like that, not something where the boy likes to have a different choice for a different day of the week. I deserve more than that.

I hear heavy footsteps behind me and don't turn to look, instead taking a drink from my cup. If it's Ben he'll announce himself and if not maybe it's a teacher, come to bust the inappropriate couple in the corner. That would be fun to watch...

"I missed you." Brett's voice rocks me to my core and I grimace into the darkness. Where are the teachers when you need them?

"Very funny," I smirk, turning to face him.

"I'm not joking." He defends and I stare back, keeping my expression emotionless. His suit fits him perfectly, his hair slicked back slightly. He's, undeniably, and as expected, gorgeous, but I'm never going to give that away.

"Are you enjoying your prom?" I change the subject, a fake smile on my face.

"It's alright."

"Good." I reply, "If you'll excuse me..." I start, taking a step around him to make my way back inside, anywhere away from him.

"You look beautiful." He cuts me off, grabbing hold of my hand.

"Thank you." I answer, looking back at him. "You don't look too bad yourself."

"Obviously." He taunts, smirking.

"Unbelievable." I scoff, wrenching my hand away from his. "You think way too highly of yourself Brett Winters. One day it'll bite you in the ass."

"If that's an invitation, I'm up for trying everything."

"Shut up!"

"You started it." He accuses, pointing his finger at me.

"I don't think I did." I snap, crossing my arms, my empty cup still in my hand. How I wish it was still full so I could throw it over his smug face.

"I just can't help myself around you."

"Or around any other girl." I retort.

"Whoa!"

"It's true!"

"It most certainly isn't." He argues, raising his hands in a surrender.

"How many girls have you talked into bed?" I challenge.

"That's besides the point."

"I really don't think it is."

"What are you two squabbling about?" Ben interrupts, walking out to join us. Finally!

"The amount of girls he's slept with." I answer, not tearing my eyes away from Brett.

"Must be well into the fifties." Ben snorts and I smirk.

"What? No it isn't!" Brett defends, "Stop helping her man. What happened to bros before hoes?"

"I'm not a hoe so it doesn't count."

"Alright, mates over dates then!"

"Look at her. Mate, I'll agree with anything she says." Ben grins, "Might mean I get lucky." He finishes, an amused glint in his eye. He's joking, but there's no harm in playing up to it.

"You two are unbelievable." I say, chucking the cup in Ben's face. He quickly catches it, eyes widening as I turn away. "I'm leaving."

"No Sav! Savannah I was joking!" He calls out desperately and I turn back, struggling to keep a straight face.

"I can't believe how disgusting you are."

"Savannah, I didn't mean it! I'm sorry." Ben stutters and I can't help the smirk that finally erupts on my face, "Oh Jesus... I thought you were serious." He exclaims, slapping his hand over his chest. I laugh, punching him in the shoulder.

"Brett? I was looking for you." Ashley emerges from the door, a green dress tightly hugging her curves, her signature platinum hair trailing down her back. She looks incredible.

"Ash."

"Oh, Sarah," She finally notices me, "I never thought you would be here."

"Ben invited me." I point accusingly at Ben, who widens his eyes, chucking my cup back towards me. I fumble as I catch it, Ashley glaring at us as though we are the vermin that has infected her social circle.

Oh wait... I am!

"Oh, how nice for you." She sneers before turning back to Brett, "Brett, Cindy asked Theo if we could all have a photo together."

"Alright, I'll be there in a minute."

"Now Brett, I don't want to keep anyone waiting." Ashley retorts before disappearing back inside.

"The Queen has spoken." I announce in a loud, regal accent, the alcohol giving me more confidence than usual. Ben's smirks at my words, clearly struggling to contain his laughter.

"Shut up." Brett rolls his eyes.

"Enjoy yourself." I reply sweetly as he walks away.

"See you later." Ben calls after him as he disappears back inside. "She runs his life, and he can't even see it."

"Should we get a drink?" I ask, changing the subject. I'm here with Ben, not Brett.

"Great idea."

*~*~*

Standing in the parking lot as the students decide how to get to the after-prom party, I cross my arms across my chest, shivering. It's a relatively cool night for a June, but then again maybe it's the idea of going to Ashley's house that's making me shiver. She is a witch after all.

"I hope you don't mind, I think I'd prefer to go home." I say quietly to Ben.

"Of course." He smiles, nodding as we begin to turn away from the group.

"Sarah has always been boring!" Ashley smirks, "Hasn't she girls?"

"Yes!" Phoebe claps her hands, laughing, "Last year she threw up after varsity because she ate too much."

"That was Elisha." I scoff, "I'm afraid I have work tomorrow so..." Total lie. I just don't want to spend time around any of you.

"Can't you call in sick?" Brett pipes up, his arms crossed as he stands next to Chris and Ellis.

"Unfortunately not." I reply bluntly, "Have a great evening."

"Do you need a ride home?" Brett asks and I raise my eyebrows. What?

"Brett! You're here with me, not her!" Ashley smacks his chest, glaring up at him.

"I'll drive her. She's my date." Ben smiles, pulling his keys out his pocket.

"Bye." I say, turning away as quickly as possible. It may be paranoia, but I feel an intense gaze burning a hole in my back until we turn the corner, out of sight.

*~*~*

"Thank you for bringing me home." I smile as Ben turns off the engine outside my apartment block.

"I was hardly going to leave you stranded." He grins, amused.

"I hope you're not too late to the party," I exclaim.

"The party won't start until I get there," he remarks, grinning.

"Of course." I laugh. "Night, Ben, thanks for inviting me."

"Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it." He smiles and I nod, watching as he drives down the road and into the night, back to the party.

I'm going to bed.

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