Chapter 41

"Ruby! Ryder's here!" I heard my mom call down from the entry hall. Fixing my hair and finishing the final touches of my mascara and dress, I slipped on some not-to-high heels and carefully stumbled down the stairs.

How do people walk in these?

When I got to the bottom, I saw Ryder hug and greet my mom who had her camera in her hand.

"Hey guys..." I said, and stepped off the last stair.

Ryder's eyes connected with mine and then traveled down my body. I felt nervous because I had never really worn a dress before until today.

Senior Prom.

Could you believe it? Not only about a year ago did I meet Ryder. We had been enemies, friends, back to enemies, and now we were prom dates.

He looked back up at me and I saw a wide smile spreading across his face. He made me tingle with excitement and adrenaline.

"Oh, sweetie, you look wonderful." My mom said and came to hug me carefully so she wouldn't mess up my hair.

"Thanks mom." I kissed her cheek.

"You two, let's go take a picture." She said and led us outside.

Ryder settled his hand on my back and whispered in my ear. "You look amazingly stunning."

I blushed and looked back up at him. "And you look amazingly handsome in your tux. I swear, they were made just for you."

That seemed to make him happy and boost his ego, so he grinned and I pecked his lips.

"Okay you two lovebirds, stand close," my mom took her hands and gestured for us to move together.

Ryder's strong arms looped around the front of my waist and I was pulled back into his chest. He rested his chin on my head and I smiled at the camera.

"One...two...three...cheese!" My mom exclaimed and the flash almost blinded me.

"You guys are too cute." She waved and I chuckled.

"Wait wait wait!" I heard Karen's voice yell from the house next to ours. She came sprinting out of the front door with her own camera. I'm glad that my mom and Ryder's mom had gotten closer.

"Just one more picture, kids. Then you're off." Karen said and I smiled.

"So cute...so cute..." our moms admired the pictures and were pointing to our faces, smiling.

"Ready my lady?" Ryder asked and held out his arm.

I took his hand and grinned. "Very much so."

"Have fun kids! And be safe!" Brenda and Karen both yelled from our lawn.

I giggled and slid into the passenger seat of Ryder's new car. After he decided that riding a motorbike everywhere wasn't the best idea if we would to be attending parties or special tuxedo and dress events, he bought a car with the money he earned from his fights.

When we arrived, the night was dark but the entrance was lit up brightly by lights and camera flashes.

Ryder held his arm and I looped mine through his.

"Wow." We said in unison when we stepped into the gym that had been transformed completely into the best decorations I have ever seen.

There were simple and elegant lights twinkling along the ceilings and the stage was set up with a band who was already playing a slow song. I guess we were a tad bit late, but it's okay.

"Dance with me?" Ryder suggested and I nodded.

We walked out into the crowd of already dancing students. The slow music was already playing and we swayed to it.

"You look breathtaking in that dress." Ryder said and pulled me in closer.

"Thank you," I said. I was wearing a long dark maroon dress that was a simple silk that went down to my toes.

"I can't believe I'm at prom." I said, looking around at the ceiling decorations.

"Why not?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I've never been one to like dressing up and pulling on heels. But I have to admit, it feels nice."

"Yeah, you do." Ryder said, smirking and I rolled my eyes.

Resting my head on his chest, and him resting his head on my head, we slowly danced to the song overhead and I basked in this moment.

I saw Monica off in the corner by herself, sipping a clear plastic cup with red punch in it.

I don't know why, but I felt bad. It must suck to be by yourself at prom.

"I'll be right back," I said, walking to Monica with Ryder's confused look on his face.

When she saw me approach, she stood and walked out to the courtyard.

"Monica!" I called after her. She kept walking.

"Monica!" I ran in front of her, trying desperately not to trip in my heels. Jeez, this girl was fast in them.

"What do you want?" she spit out.

I slumped. "I saw you by yourself and felt bad. I also wanted to apologize from taking Ryder away from you. I know that you liked him a lot, and I was selfish to take him away from you completely."

Her head dropped and she looked to the ground. "I did like him, I guess, but when he got with you I felt jealous and wanted him all to myself. He was pretty much my only friend.

But it's not you who was selfish, it was me. He loves you, Ruby. Anyone would be blind to not see that. It was just a silly schoolgirl crush I had on him. You two deserve each other." Monica smiled.

I grinned and took her into my arms. I felt her stiffen at first, but then she hugged me back.

"Hey, I think I know someone you'd like." I said, pulling back.

She frowned. "Who?"

"His name is Felix. He's Italian..." I dragged on the last part.

"Does he have an accent?" she asked, now curious.

I nodded.

"I do like accents..." she mumbled.

I chuckled and looped my arm through hers, both of us walking back to the gym.

"You look great tonight, by the way." I said, looking down at her red dress.

She beamed. "Thanks! So do you Ruby. Now, go dance with your man." She then nodded over to Ryder who was smiling at us.

Monica nudged me and went over to the punch bar where she instantly started talking with some girls. I smiled and made my way over to Ryder.

"Hey," I said, feeling him loop his arms around me.

"Hey," he looked back at Monica, "so...what were you guys talking about?"

I shrugged. "You know, girl stuff."

He cocked an eyebrow. "You guys made up and said a whole sentence without clawing each other's eyes out?"

I nodded. "Yes. And she's gotten a lot better, Ryder. I promise."

"I can't believe you actually got her to apologize to you." He said.

"Why not?"

"Well, she's always been stubborn, as you know."

I giggled. "Well, I'm pretty awesome, so..." I shrugged nonchalantly.

He chuckled and pulled me in close, resting his chin on my head. I breathed in his scent and tucked myself into his chest.

"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" Ryder's voice muffled into my hair.

I smiled while my heart pounded. "About a million times..."

He chuckled and we kept swaying to the soft rhythmic beat.

I may not have won a trophy or a gold belt, but one thing is for sure.

Ryder's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

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