I paced back and forth outside the hallway leading to the huge town hall that had been transformed into a fancy party for the night. When I'd invited Willow to be my date I thought that we were going to arrive together arm in arm and she'd help me get through the night. My mother had immediately dampened those thoughts when she insisted that the four of us drive there together as a family. We had to show a united front and that included arriving together at a party I didn't want to be at in the first place.

I was tempted to loosen my tie but that would make my mom more prickly than she already was. I was dressed in a black tux that felt too stuffy for me, a white button down and a black tie. I hated dressing up but for the sake of peace with my parents I shoved that feeling deep down and maintained a brave face.

I heard footsteps headed my way and I crossed my fingers hoping it was Willow. She'd texted me telling me they were close that's why I'd left the party to meet her out front. She had been forced to drive with Robert and her mom which I knew she hadn't been too pleased with. Even if she and Robert were getting along, her relationship with her mother was still strained.

A family of four appeared in my line of sight and I frowned when I realized that it wasn't the Millers. I stood aside to let them pass, giving them a polite nod. I pulled out my phone to text Willow again and ask what was keeping her but before I could it was snatched away from me. I looked up ready to hit whoever the culprit was but was met with my twins smug face. He was dressed like me only his shirt was red and he had on a bowtie instead of a tie. On his arm was none other than Aubrey, the girl who had tried to hit on me at the arcade. Her dress was red, tight and showed a lot of cleavage. She was beautiful and classy but didn't do anything for me.

"I'm not in the mood for your stupidity tonight Matthew, please hand me back my phone."I requested as politely as I could.

"Poor Matthias. Did your little girlfriend stand you up?"Matthew teased.

I snatched my phone back and quickly put it back in my pocket.

I just wished Willow would show up fast so I could show her off and rub her in my brother's face like he was doing to me with his supposed to be date.

"Why is everything a damned competition with you? Why are you so threatened by me?" I asked frustrated at his recurring antics.

Matthew didn't reply because he knew my question had hit home.

"Let's go babe and leave this loser alone like he's always meant to be."Matthew declared pulling his girlfriend with him.

I scoffed feeling irritated that I even had to deal with my brother. It still irked him that I was dating Willow so he always tried to find a way to mess with me. Before I could dwell too much in the fact that I had a dweeb of a brother I heard someone approaching from outside. I turned around just in time to see Willow come in view and it was as if all the air had been knocked out of my lungs.

She looked breathtaking in a cropped sheer top with spaghetti straps that showed off her ample cleavage without revealing too much. The matching long black skirt she wore was high waisted and had a slit up to mid thigh. Her hair was straightened out and her lips were painted a dangerous red and she wore strapped heels to complete the look. She was the definition of perfection.

I didn't realize she had already reached me until she placed her hand on my arm pulling me back to the land of the living.

"I'll take that stupefied look as a compliment that I look good."Willow grinned.

"You look, wow..... there's literally not a word in the English dictionary to describe how beautiful you look right now."I replied.

"You clean up well too Henry. Sorry I'm late, my mother couldn't decide what purse matched her dress best."Willow growled looking behind her where Robert and Pamela were approaching us.

"I'm sorry, I really wish I could have driven with you but my mother insisted otherwise."I explained.

"It's okay, let's just go in. I need alcohol in my system to get through this night."Willow requested taking my arm so we could walk in.

"You do know we're underage right and can't legally drink."I pointed out.

"Neither of our parents care enough to stop us."Willow reasoned.

"True, let's go."

"Now you're talking my language." She replied smiling.

Willow and I walked into the hall and I had to admit that having her by my side gave me the confidence I needed to get through the night.

"Wow, you're mom really knows how to throw a party."Willow commented with a whistle.

As much as I didn't like my mom for making me leave Willow behind even I had to admit that she had done a good job. The hall was decorated elegantly and people were dressed to impress so the whole event screamed sophistication.

I snatched us two champagne glasses from a passing waiter and handed one to Willow.

"To the most gorgeous girl here tonight."I complimented toasting to my girlfriend.

She blushed and clinked her glass against mine before taking a sip.

"So what are we supposed to be doing tonight? I've never been to one of this before."Willow asked.

"There will be dinner and probably dancing but for most of the night we will be kissing ass."I informed her.

Willow chuckled and I grinned too.

"That I've done before so you definitely picked the right partner to bring tonight. I have a lot of experience with ass kissing."Willow smiled.

Mesmerized by her perfect pouty lips I had to give myself a pat on the back for landing a girl like Willow. She was perfect in more ways than one and I was lucky to have her. I wasn't the only one who noticed because when I looked around us, I noticed people discreetly staring at us, but it was Willow they were especially looking at. I pulled her closer to me and kissed her hair marking my territory so everyone knew that she was mine. Willow just snuggled into my chest sipping her champagne slowly.

"At this rate we will be bored within the first hour and by the looks of things, this event will run for a while so I have an idea."Willow suggested.

"Lay it on me."

"We are going to mingle, your dad is hopeful of winning the next election and we are going to help him by smooching up to this people and talking up your family especially your dad."Willow answered.

"Why are we helping him?"I asked surprised at her idea.

"Because as much of a terrible father he is, he's actually a good mayor and I don't like his opponent. He's the guy who threatened to foreclose the arcade. It will also be fun pretending we actually like your parents for tonight, it might come in handy later when they see your effort."Willow explained.

"When you put it that way, it's hard to say no so let's go."I agreed draining my flute.

Willow did the same and since she didn't know anyone we went around the hall as I introduced her to the guests that I was familiar with. The ladies were impressed by her polite manners and charm while the gents were entranced by her beauty. I didn't like all the hungry looks she got from the men so I made sure to keep her close just in case they tried anything stupid. Willow was a natural and if I didn't know that she was pretending, I would have easily fallen for her facade.

After about an hour of mingling, the MC announced that it was time for the speeches. My family was all seated at one table and I had made sure that there was a seat for Willow by my side. My mom might have influenced the car ride but definitely not who I got to sit with.

"Willow dear it's so nice to see you, how are you?"My mom greeted in her fake polite tone.

I made sure to pull Willow's seat before taking my own.

"I'm good Mrs. Brown. I love your dress."Willow complimented matching my mom's fakeness.

If I did decide to ever run for a political seat, in another universe and life of course it would be a blessing to have Willow by my side. She would make the perfect political wife with how fluid she was in adjusting to whatever was thrown at her.

"Thank you dear."My mom smiled.

My dad joined us next and said hello to Willow. Matthew and his arm candy were the last to join us.

"Willow I thought you were here with Matthew?"My mom asked taking me by surprise.

"Why would you think that?"Willow asked looking offended.

"Don't get upset dear, it's just Matthew told me of his feelings for you and your mother told me that you were dating one of my sons so I assumed you were dating Matthew."My mom explained.

I hadn't introduced Willow to my parents yet because to me there was no need. They didn't care about me so letting them that Willow was my girlfriend would have been the least of their concerns. The ongoing conversation was making me rethink that idea.

"I'm sorry mom but you've got it wrong. Willow is my girlfriend."I declared wrapping my arm around Willow's shoulders.

My mother looked disappointed, Matthew glared at us, Aubrey pouted at the fact that my brother was ignoring her and my dad was talking to his campaign manager oblivious of the conversation at the table.

"Well that is a surprise but congratulations you two. I'm happy for you."My mom muttered.

Her face and tone of voice contradicted her words but I was not going to call her out on it.

"Thank you. We're happy too."Willow smiled kissing my cheek.

Before the conversation could go on any further, our attention was called to the stage as different people delivered their speeches. My dad was last to speak so it was a very long hour as we listened to everyone. At least we were being served drinks and appetizers otherwise it would have been unbearable to sit there and listen to speeches that didn't concern me.

"How long do you think you can keep a girl like her?"Matthew who was unfortunately seated next to me whispered in my ear.

I turned to glare at him wishing my facial expression was enough to shut him up.

"Come on, a hot girl like her deserves a man and we all know you're nothing but a wimp."Matthew egged me on.

He thought he was poking at my insecurities hoping to irritate me but little did he know that I was confident in the relationship Willow and I had. Sure I had doubts but only at the beginning of our relationship. We were getting stronger together day by day and all those doubts I had were fading away into nothing.

"My relationship with my girl is none of your concern. What you should be worrying about is why you are pining over another girl when you already have a girlfriend. Just admit you lost, move on and actually try to live your own life."I replied calmly.

Matthew had not expected me to be so blunt so my words took him by surprise. The only thing that prevented him from hitting me was the fact that our mom would have his head if he did anything to ruin my dad's special night.

"Why do I threaten you so much Matthew? Why does my existence cause you so much pain and insecurities. Is it because deep down you know that I'm better than you?"I asked ruffling his feathers even more.

"Why you smug bastard?" Matthew cussed lifting his fist to punch me.

"Matthew behave yourself. Your dad is about to start his speech. One peep from you boys and I'm ground you for life."My mom threatened.

I smirked at Matthew happy to have gotten the last word in before turning my attention to my dad's speech.

"You amaze me Henry."Willow whispered lowly so only I could hear.

"Why?"

"Because under the nerdy, innocent and broken exterior lies a strong passionate man just waiting to burst out to defend what he believes in and who he cares for."She replied.

"It's all thanks to you."I said kissing her hair.

Willow had no idea just how impactful she had been on my life. Because of her I had something worth fighting for and as soon as I sold my game and made enough money I'd ask her to run away with me.

My dad finished his speech and most people seemed genuinely pleased with his claim to run for re-election. Dinner was served and while my brother and his date sulked, Willow and I had a blast in our own little bubble. After dinner Willow managed to convince me to dance to a few slow songs with her. Holding her in my arms, swaying to the slow music as I tried not to step on her toes was one of the best memories I made during the course of the night.

"Have you had enough of this party?"Willow asked rubbing her temples after we finished dancing to the third song.

"Yes please."

"Then lets go."Willow declared.

I took her arm and started leading her through the throng of people towards the entrance. I stopped on my tracks when I noticed my mom by the door. She would definitely not allow us to leave.

"Why'd you stop?"Willow asked.

I pointed at my mother and she hummed in understanding.

"There's always a back entrance used by the caterers, let's find it."Willow proposed leading me in the opposite direction.

We wondered around for ten minutes and after getting lost twice, Willow bribed one of the waiters who gave us directions to the backdoor. On our way out we passed by a box of wine so Willow quickly snatched one and we ran out of there fast laughing our asses off.

"We definitely didn't think this through. None of us drove."I reasoned.

"Let's walk, it's a clear night out and I don't want the night to end just yet."Willow replied.

"It's close to five miles, you can't walk that far in those."I said pointing at Willow's heels.

"Hold this please."Willow requested handing me the bottle of wine.

I took it from her and watched her as she bent over to take off her shoes. She tied the straps together, threw them on her shoulders before straightening up and taking the bottle back from me.

"Problem solved. Let's go."She declared walking away.

"You're crazy you know that."I chuckled following her.

"But you like me anyway so who is the crazy one."She countered.

I didn't bother replying, just helped Willow get the bottle open as we walked home. I'd walked home from the town center lots of times before but Willow made the walk much more fun. We were drunk and made wrong turns a few times but we still had the best time together. I ended up giving Willow my jacket when she got too cold and carried her the last few blocks home.

She couldn't get into her house so we had to go to mine where we stole wine from my mom's collection and carried the party to my bedroom. Being with Willow was always fun and she proved me right at every turn we spent time together.