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CHAPTER 76

As soon the bus pulls up outside the school, I can feel the butterflies in my stomach swirling even more, why do I feel so nervous?

Taking hold of Noah's hand as I watch him grin, guiding us out of the bus after the others, and I still turn my nose up at the two girls that have strapped themselves to Blake and Evans arm, the poor souls thinking that they are in for tonight as they've managed to be the date for my brothers, but oh I do feel a little sorry for them as I know Blake and Evan, and by when tomorrow morning comes those two will quite possibly have forgotten these two girls...and the fact that those two girls are acting as if they are untouchable just because they have Blake or Evan. Oh it makes me chuckle, yes for one night you do.

“You alright?” Noah's voice pulls me from my thoughts and I look up to meet his gaze, a smile coming to my face easily as I nod to him, loving his smile as his arm wraps around my waist keeping me a little bit warmer from the winter air as we make our way towards the school entrance, which is all decorated itself with the light shining through the glass of the doors, and there's still a few pupils from the lower grades around the building as they leave....which only reminds met that Leon should be leaving now,... I wonder if we spot him...

As we get closer towards the entrance, I can already hear the slight vibrations of the music coming from the hall, and with seeing some staff members standing by the doors as we enter, smiling and greeting us, but to me it looks like they are secretly checking to see if we have brought something..that shouldn't be in the school building with us, which makes me smirk a little because I wouldn't put it past one of my brothers trying to sneak in a little cheeky bottle of alcohol, it's something they would do. Even if it's illegal.

But thankfully, no one gets stopped or anything and we step through the doors, into the reception where the usual bright lights have been dimmed, and inside of a white light, it's now tinted to a blueish colour, creating a darker look but still able to see everything, and the lighting goes in with the decorations that are hung up, including a drape of blue material that separates the corridors leading of to places and there's fairy lights and snowflakes hung all around and I can't help but smile as it does actually look pretty.

Through the noise and chaos of the reception, we follow instructions to sign our names down on a piece of paper after showing our tickets, and watching Charlie and Abby get even more exited is entertaining as I stand behind them with Noah....itching to go through the blacked out doors that have the thumping of the music coming from …

“Lexi! Lex where you at?!” Charlie suddenly sticks her head up searching over the heads of people that have crammed into the reception.

“I'm right here Charlie!” I call to her with a little laughter as..well I am stood right behind her.

Turning her head her eyes light up seeing me as she mutters an 'oh' before grinning, “You ready to see all the hard work me and Abby have done?” She grins winking and I chuckle

“Yep! Can't wait!” I tell her as we move forward, the next to walk through these doors...

Hearing Charlie giggle, I smile tightening my grip in Noah's hand subconsciously and he smiles down at me as the doors are pushed open... “time to party...” He whispers in my ear with a teasing and playful hint in his tone which causes myself to let slip a giggle as we step through the doors, and the control of lighting takes a sudden change..

Looking up my eyes widen in awe as I take in the newly decorated hall, dotted around in a kinda half semi circle at one side of the hall is circular tables with white table clothes covering them and some light blue and white balloons attached to the centre of each table, that only have one single white light on them creating a glow that looks stunning. The whole hall has changed, with now a large free space in front of the tables being what you would call, the dance floor I guess as there's already people moving around, and the floor it's self has a spotlights pointing down to it creating some shapes on the polished floor, and all around the hall are small white fairy lights in some tree shaped structures that have fake snow covering them, with also snowflakes and even some fake snowmen dotted around the place. It really does look like a winter wonderland, especially with the dull blue tinted lights that are aimed to certain areas, creating the whole effect and I'll admit....I love it.

Smiling as I hear Abby and Charlie in front of me gushing over the fact of what the final result looks like, I even hear Noah speak quietly, saying something along the lines of 'It isn't so badd...' which makes me smile a little more as we walk through the small crowds of people already gathered on the dance floor and we make our way over towards the circular tables, going to grab a good one before others...

“This isn't so bad is it?” Noah muses nudging me gently and I smile again looking up to him shaking my head in agreement.

“It's not...” I agree, “I like it...” I tell him, feeling a tug of a smirk appearing on my lips as I know he'll tease me about that..

Grinning his eyes drop back to mine as he raises an eyebrow, “Oh really? You like this?” he questions, “Something that I would never think you'll come to like...” he chuckles with a small shake of his head, “But then again...I never thought I'll see you wearing a dress again, let alone heels...” He chuckles again, but more to himself this time and I can sense a little something in his voice causing me to frown slightly.

“How'd you mean?” I try to question him as we near the tables, still follow the three in front of us...

Smiling as he meets my eye, he shakes his had as if to 'don't worry', and just squeezes me hand, “You just keep me thinking, that's all..” he replies with with a smile as we finally reach a table with Charlie, Abby and Nathan all taking a seat...

I blink with a small frown still on my face as I slowly sit down into my seat, next to Noah and across from the other three, leaving two more seats free....

'You just keep me thinking that's all'....is that a good thing?

Before I have time to even think over my thoughts, more people fill up the hall..two people coming towards are table, more specifically towards the two extra seats and once I look up I hold back a groan.

“Oh yes you can sit!” Charlie grins up at my brother and April, mainly just my brother as the pair stand there before pulling out their stairs speaking their thanks and I swallow down my insults as April happens to pull out the chair next to mine. Oh just great.

Pushing a smile to my face as she glances to me, I try my best to smile even though I'm pretty sure it came out a little sarcastic, but she doesn't seem to show any sign that it did because she smiles back at me, oddly a normal genuine smile.

That's odd. I think to myself, eyeing her out the corner of my eye as I place my clutch bag on the table and adjust the mask on my face. She actually smiled...

Eh.

I still don't like her.

~~

“I wanna go dance! You guys coming?” Charlie pipes up, eyeing me and Abby with a grin.

I bite my lip as I swirl the remains of my orange juice in the glass in my hand as Abby immediately agrees as she stands from her seat, Charlie looking questionably towards me.

“Oh uh...na...” I shake my head pushing a small smile to my lips, “Not right now, later...” I tell her as she pouts at me, but eventually accepts it and drags a reluctant Nathan up too, before the three of them head towards the centre of the room, where many people are already crowded...

“You don't want to?” Noah questions beside me curiously and I shake my head with a shy smile.

“Naa...not at the moment...” I tell him, even though I don't really want to anyway and he nods with a small smile.

“Baby can we?” I hear April speak up, and with looking over to her I see her giving Seth a small pleading look as she touches his arm and I hold back a scoff as Seth seems to just melt at her 'persuasion' and stands from his seat, taking April's hand who grins happily.

Once they walk away from the table, I lean back against the chair, letting out a small sigh that doesn't go unnoticed by Noah...

“You alright?” He leans closer to me so I can hear him over the music.

Looking to him I nod my head with a small smile, but he doesn't seem to take it.

“Lexi, I can tell when something is bothering you...” he says, “And if I'm right, something has been for this whole evening...”

I let out another sigh again, turning to meet his worried gaze, slightly surprised that he's actually noticing something..

Shaking my head I drop my eyes to the table cloth, “I don't know..” I mumble out with a shrug, confused to what really is bugging me. “I don't know...I'm just being stupid..” I shake my head, turning it towards him again as I smile sheepishly.

Shifting closer to me, Noah half smirks and smiles, placing his hand over mine “Yeah...you may be just a little...” He says, a glint of playfulness in his eyes and I roll mine, nudging my elbow into his side gently.

“Funny...” I state, not being able to help the small smile tugging to my lips., even for a few moments he can actually cause a real smile to come to my face.

“C'mon...” He chuckles tugging at my hand, “I won't start prying if you don't want to speak, but I also won't sit around seeing that look on your face...so get up!” he grins standing up from his chair, and pulling me up with him.

“Noah?..what?” I manage to laugh as Noah hurriedly pulls me with him, through the maze of tables and towards the centre of the hall...

“Noah?” I can't be annoyed at him as the smile on my face proves that.

Giving me a cheeky grin, he stops once we are emerged into the crowd on the dace floor, under the tinted lights that create a different coloured glow down onto anyone under, than including Noah, and I can't help but stare at the way the lights effect him...

Pushing down my mask so it sits over my eyes, Noah grins making sure his own one is down before taking my hand and pulling me close,..

“I'm going to make sure I keep that smile on your face all night...” He whispers as he leans down to my ear, and I feel warmth spread to my cheeks as I pull back from him seeing that still cheeky smile at which I shyly respond to as my heart melts at his words...

Oh I sure hope he does.

~

The time seems to go by quickly as before I know it, it's been at least over an hour before we come collapsing back down onto our chairs at the table, after been up there dancing, or well something close to that as I wouldn't call swaying to the music really dancing, but whatever...it did make me laugh and smile, and if I dare to say it...I did have fun and for once didn't mind the fact that April was hanging around us, and I think I even actually smiled at her...

“Aah...all this is making me need the loo..” Charlie giggles as she finishes off her drink, of again, orange juice, and pushes her chair back as she stands up, “Anyone else coming?” She questions eyeing me and Abby more specifically and I debate about it for a few seconds before smiling at my friend and agreeing, I could use going to the toilet...

Giving a small smile to Noah as a quick gesture of a bye as I stand up, along with Charlie and Abby, before we make our way out of the hall, into the reception where it's evidently quieter than inside and I feel my ears ringing slightly as we follow the corded of way towards the toilets down the corridor.

“Ugh...this damn shoes..” I groan as I once again wobble on these heels just outside the toilet doors, I'm surprised I have last this long in them.

Following behind Charlie and Abby into the loo's, I lean against the door as I slip my feet out these shoes, letting out a sigh of relief at the free feeling and pick them up as I walk in, suddenly feeling a lot shorter.

“Oh thank god....my feet kill...” I dump the shoes onto the counter by the sinks with a relieved sigh.

I hear Charlie giggle as she slips into a cubical “That's the tough life of being a girl Lex!” She calls as the door locks, “Having to put up with sore feet from deadly, but stunning heels...”

I smirk slightly rolling my eyes as I come to stand beside Abby who's in front of the mirrors, fixing her hair a little, “Yeah...” she agrees, “If you have sore feet by the end of the night, you know that you had a good one..” She grins and I chuckle a little shaking my head slightly.

“Yeah...” I mumble, “Well..it's not even the end of the night yet, it's only been a few hours and mine are already sore...”

“Just proves that you have dancing skills Lexi!” Charlie calls from inside the cubical and I snort a laughter hearing her chuckles.

“Naa...she's not used to them, give her a break...” Abby smiles with a hint of amusement and I roll my eyes playfully at their teasing ways and lean against the counter top, pushing up the mask on my face as it begins to itch a little.

Hearing the flush of the toilet, Charlie emerges seconds later wearing a grin as she comes to wash her hands, “Anyway.....we're having fun right! I told you tonight will be great..” She grins.

“Mmhm...” I hum in response nodding my head, “Oh...you found any single guys yet?” I questions smirking slightly as I remember that is her plan to .

Walking over to the hand dryer, she smiles secretively, “I might have...” She grins, sticking her hands under the machine that causes the loud blowing sound to fill the room..

“Really?!” I speak louder so she can hear over the noise and she just smirks to herself, with a helpless shrug.

“I have my eye on a few people!”

I smile to myself, I hope she does find someone by the end of the night...

“You and Noah seem to be doing good...” Charlie speaks, eyeing me from the corner of her eye with a sly smile, “You two seem to be getting stronger together....I knew you two were perfect for each other all those months ago...”

I feel my cheeks warm as I look down to the floor, a small smile creeping on my lips, “I'm happy for you Lex...” Charlie continues to smile, “we both are” She adds and I hear Abby agree.

Smiling to my two friends I don't need to say anything else because I'm pretty sure they can see it all in my smile.

“Oh and you Abby!” Charlie changes the subject quick, “You are going to be with Nath by the end of tonight...there's no chance about that...” She grins, smirking at a sudden quieter Abby.

“Don't be embarrassed...he likes you babe...” She smiles nudging Abby a little and I grin nodding cus it's true. So damn true.

“Alright! You guys ready? Let's get back out there!”

With the last few checks I grab my shoes and follow the two girls out the bathroom, laughing and making a noise as we hurry back down the corridor, my feet feeling lighter without these shoes on, but I slip them back on once we reach the hall again...rejoining the crazy atmosphere..

Abby and Charlie decide to get back to the dance floor, and I continue my way back to the table , to back to Noah, and with weaving my way around the tables I finally reach ours to see Seth and April sat together on there...but no Noah.

A frown comes to my face , replacing my smile and I slowly take my seat, getting the attention of Seth...

“Where'd Noah go?” I ask him curiously looking around.

Seth shrugs, “He said he'll be back in a bit before he left somewhere...” He tells me, “Probably went to talk to a mate..” He adds seeing me scan the room, “He'll be back..”He smiles softly and I nod my head looking down to the table and taking my phone out from my clutch...maybe he sent me a text..

Checking my phone I see no new message so let out a sigh silently, sitting back in my chair as my eyes scan the crowd in front of us, even though I can't tell who's is who ...but hoping I could tell if it was Noah...

I try to ignore Seth and April's little 'love bubble' going on as they sit too close together, talking quietly, as I look down to my phone again just in time for when a message comes through, and my heart flutters for a moment before I see who it's from.

Evan.

'I see you'

Wow....creepy much Evan.

Raising my head I scan the nearby tables in search for my strange brother, and come to a stop at one of the tables a few rows away, where I spot my dark haired brother without his mask looking straight to me and once my gaze meets his he flashes me a big smirk.

I roll my eyes at him, not helping the amusement of it and stick out my tongue at him where I only see him chuckle before he looks back to his phone, obviously finding that texting his sister is much more better than to his own date that's sat beside him.

Well....I feel special.

Feeling my phone buzz I look back down to read Evan's new text....

'Come ova here!'

Looking back up over to him I raise an eyebrow a little confused, but when Evan motions for me to come over...

Eh, might as well...

Standing from my chair, I glance down to Seth, deciding against telling them I'm going as they probably wouldn't even notice.

Making my way towards my brothers table, a little curious as to why he's getting me to come over, but I smile a little as I approach the table he's sat at with his date and some other people who I don't really know.

“Aah...” I let out a small sigh as I sit down into a chair next to him.

“What's up?” He smirks a little nodding his head towards me, “Why you sat all alone little one?”

I scoff, “I'm not that little...” I roll my eyes but still smile lightly

Evan smirks, “Well...you are...” He continues ignoring my glare, “But anyway..why you sat alone? Where's Mr Lover Boy?”

I sigh again silently and shrug, “He went to talk to a friend or something...” I tell him, taking another glance around...

Evan frowns, “And he left you all alone? That's not how you should treat your date...”

I shake my head, “No..I was at the loos...he wasn't there when I came back...” I say and shrug again, “No worries, he'll be here in a min..” I say, a smile pushed to my lips as I try to reassure Evan, even though I think I'm trying to reassure myself more.

“Hmm...” Evan narrows his eyes slightly, “Well...if he isn't back in the next few minutes, I will personally go find him”

I roll my eyes lightly at Evan's 'threat', taking it as a joke even though I know he's serious and would go and find Noah, along with Chris and Blake...but that's not going to happen...Noah will be back...

For the next ten minutes or so, I spend surprisingly laughing with my brother, and even occasionally talk to his date, her name being along the lines on Katie or Kate...something like that, but for the next moments it feels like I haven't spoke to Evan in ages, and makes me wonder if that's my fault or not....

“Oh...don't look now, but it seems someone's decided to turn up...” Evan smirks, sending a look behind me instantly causing me to sit up straighter and before I can ask who, a hand touches my shoulder...