12

I spent the next week at school feeling a little more than nervous, and, not to mention, disappointed. As it turned out, Sean was out for that week.

It was really rotten timing, considering my conversation with my dad and my promise that I'd go to the Prom. Since he'd said that he didn't mind who I chose, I'd decided that very night to take my chances and drop hints for Sean to ask me.

But unfortunately, he wasn't there when I went to school the next day. It all felt like terrible luck. Here I was, finally getting up the courage to move on with my so-called love life, and the one guy I was interested in wasn't around again.

But be as it may, I knew that I still had to go on with my everyday life, and since that the Prom was getting to be the big subject in our school, I decided not to mention that I wanted to go to anyone else. My reasoning was simple enough. I didn't want other guys knowing that I was available and getting ideas to ask. I'd never been that good at socializing, no matter how hard I tried, so turning down an honest invite like that wasn't going to be easy without a really good excuse.

Unfortunately for me, my aloofness to the subject didn't stop some from deciding to bring up the subject anyway.

My first Prom invite happened at the start of my very first class that morning. The boy who decided to ask me was named Charlie James. He was a pretty nice guy, and was fairly handsome with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He was also one of the rising stars of the school football team.

While I admit that I was really surprised by this, considering I never thought that this kind of guy would be asking me out to the Prom, I'll also admit that I really wasn't interested. For as nice as he was, and as much fun as I was sure we'd have, he just wasn't the one I wanted to go with.

Of course, being the awkward girl I've always been when it comes to such things, saying no was incredibly hard too. So I told a little white lie.

"Aw, that's really sweet Charlie, but I can't. I already said yes to somebody else, but thanks for the invite." I told him.

"No prob. Hell, I took my chance. It is getting kinda close." Charlie replied with a sheepish smile.

He looked disappointed but seemed to take it well enough. I imagined that he probably did have a few other girls lined up beside me too. But he'd probably asked me first because of who I was. Ah, the allure of a rich man's daughter.

Or so I thought.

However, sometimes when you tell little white lies, they can come back and bite you. I was starting to learn that one very quickly by lunchtime that day, because by then, most of the guys in the school had come to believe that I was already taken for the Prom.

Of course, this didn't stop some of them from still taking the chance to ask me, but the rumor was the same everywhere I went in there; and, of course, as soon as Anna sat down with me at lunch, she was asking about it too. I knew that she had to have heard the exchange in our first class, even if she had walked in at the tail end of it, and she was probably dying to know if what I'd said was true, considering we hadn't had much of a chance to talk for boys and classes.

"So, spill it, who's your Prom date Mia? You didn't even tell me that you were going. That's so not fair." she pouted as she sat beside me.

Raziel looked smug, "You didn't tell me about any of this either, so please fill us in." he added.

I knew the smile sitting on his face as he said that. He knew I'd lied. He always knew when I was lying.

I did my best to keep myself from blushing in embarrassment, "I just got invited and decided to go, and the guy's a secret right now."

"Oh come on. You can tell me. I am your best friend, right?" Anna begged.

Nope, there was no way she'd leave this one alone.

Raziel just laughed at us, "It's a secret because she doesn't have one." he informed her.

"Yes, I do!" I protested. It came out weaker than I'd wanted.

"Then who is? How come this is the first I've heard about all of this?" Raziel challenged.

I probably should've given up at that point, but I was being stubborn.

"I just haven't mentioned it because I wanted to make sure that it was okay with Michael first. That's all." I claimed.

"Ohhh, is it Sean? It's Sean, isn't it?" Anna said excitedly.

"Don't even say that! That's not funny!" Raziel fumed.

That one made me laugh. Of course that would horrify Raziel and thrill Anna.

But laughing wasn't a good idea. It gave the wrong impression to both of them.

"Oh my God. It is Sean. I was right!" Ann proclaimed.

Raziel shook his head, putting it down on the table in defeat.

"I can't believe it. I can't believe that Michael would even think about letting him take you. Everyone must be going insane." he moaned.

To tell the truth, I was planning on telling him that I wasn't actually going with anyone later, but I didn't get much of a chance by our last class. Instead, I was still being asked out by guys. Of course, now half of them were also asking if it was true that I was going with Sean. Damn my luck. Anna's little outburst at lunch had cost me.

Raziel was quick to tell them to leave it alone, but it didn't stop the questions from coming up again and again. I don't think I'd ever been so glad to get out of school that day then I'd been in my entire life.

Three more days would pass, and thankfully, the questions died down. I guess that the guys were finally beginning to accept reality; or, at least, the reality that had been painted for them.

I slammed my locker shut that morning in frustration. Even Michael had gotten a good laugh out of this whole situation when I'd told him about it the night before. He'd even joked that I should go with Sean just to back myself up on my word. Yep. There was my dad's sense of humor. Michael was a liberal with a lot of things, including the changing tides with our so-called fox boy.

I brooded about this for the entire day, and as the afternoon wore on, I ended up in the art room, working on my project for the end of the year. It was just me in there, but I didn't mind. I probably should've been terrified after what had happened only two months prior, but I wasn't. Instead, I was too lost in my thoughts of the present to even consider that as I worked on my painting. I still couldn't believe that all of this was happening, and all over a silly dance.

Stupid Prom, I thought. Stupid men. Stupid everything.

I heard someone walk up near me as I was working, but they were quiet and I didn't pay much attention to them. But I immediately froze when I heard them speak.

"That's a very beautiful piece. Even if I can't see all of the colors, I'm impressed by the detail alone."

I looked over my shoulder to see Sean standing there. Dressed in black pants and a white shirt, his pale skin and emerald eyes were a stark contrast to his dark hair, even in the dim lighting of the art room.

I managed to find my voice, "Where did you come from? Were you here all day?"

"Just this afternoon. My mom's been sick, so I was out for a while taking care of her." Sean explained as I climbed down off of my step stool. The painting that I had been working on was pretty big, and I'd needed it to reach the top. Hence the words "end of the year project".

"I didn't know that she'd been that sick. Is she okay?" I asked as I turned to him.

"She's fine now. It was just a very bad sinus infection. She gets them from time to time, so I help her out with things at home until she feels better." Sean assured me.

"I'm glad that's all it was. I wouldn't want it to be anything serious." I told him.

I decided to put my art supplies away. It was almost four anyway, and they didn't like us staying after too late after what had happened in the art room.

Sean remained where he was, looking like he was studying me. Then he finally spoke again.

"By the way, I wasn't aware that I was taking you to the Prom this year."

I stopped dead in my tracks as he said that, almost dropping the tray of paints that I was holding. Damn that rumor!

"Uh... neither was I. It just a rumor that started going around recently for some odd reason." I lied, resuming what I'd been doing.

"I see, and here I thought that perhaps you had started it. How silly of me." Sean lamented.

It was funny, but he sounded a little bit disappointed. But it was hard for me to be sure. He was always so damn calm.

I shook my head, just going with the conversation. I reasoned that it would be better that way.

"No. Like I said, it just ended up spreading somehow. I'm going, but I don't actually have a date yet."

"Going without a date? Why would you want to do that?" Sean asked.

"I just wanted to go, but I haven't gotten a date yet." I replied as I finished washing my brushes.

I wasn't about to tell him that it was because my dad really wanted me to go, or offer the information that I'd been asked by other boys quite a few times now.

"Hmm." Sean walked over behind me, " A pretty girl going alone to a dance doesn't feel right. Even some of the less popular girls have dates."

I put the brushes back into their holder, "It's not that big of a deal Sean. I still have time to get a date if I want one. Besides, I just haven't had anybody ask me yet." I lied.

"I find that one very hard to believe. I would imagine that many of the boys here would ask you if they had the chance. After all, you are Michael Renaldi's daughter, not to mention that you're a beautiful girl." Sean countered.

My cheeks grew hot, "I'm not beautiful Sean." I argued meekly, not bothering to face him.

"I'd beg to differ."

"Anyway," I went on, "I don't have a date, and it's not that big of a deal. Hopefully someone will ask me soon."

"But that would be a bit difficult when everyone believes that you already have a date, wouldn't it?" Sean reasoned as he handed me my bag.

"Not really. It's not going to stop them. Trust me." I muttered, looking away and frowning.

"Maybe not." Sean agreed.

I didn't miss the smile crossing his face as he looked back towards the garden through the window. I looked at that same window with some apprehension. I could still remember what had happened just a few short months ago, but I tried to push it to the back of my mind. That was all in the past now. It would never happen again.

Sean's voice brought me back to reality.

"I realize that it's a bit sudden, but would you like to take a ride with me Mia? I wanted to talk to you about something, but I don't feel like this is the best place."

I felt my heart beat a little bit harder. Us go somewhere together alone? It might have been a gamble. But at the same time, I had the feeling that it really wouldn't hurt anything. Heck, I'd trusted him enough to allow him in my room as a full fox before, so I allowed myself to agree.

"Sure. Where did you want to go?"

"It's not too far, and I promise nothing will happen."

Looking back on this, I honestly have no idea of why I decided to just trust him like I'd started to. Maybe it was because a part of me knew that he wasn't lying to me, and that he never would harm me again, or maybe I was just feeling really bold at that point with everything. Either way, I agreed to his request, and left the school with him.

We ended up leaving my car at my house, and I hopped into the Jeep to ride with him. We didn't go very far, just to a pretty little marina right outside of town. It was such a nice afternoon. The sun was out and it was pleasantly warm, with a soft breeze blowing around us. Yes, this was my favorite type of weather.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" I asked Sean as the two of us sat in the Jeep. He'd taken the top off of it, and we were enjoying the warmth of the sun and the breeze.

"It's nothing too bad, but I didn't think that the art room was really the place to speak about this" Sean answered.

"I guess. It's so nice out here too." I agreed.

"It is. I do enjoy coming out here on days like this. It helps me relax when I take in nature like this." Sean acknowledged. He looked out at the water for a few minutes before finally continuing, "You know, I can't say it didn't bother me to hear those rumors. I honestly didn't think that you were the one who spread them, considering the sources that they were coming from. But it wasn't the context that bothered me. It was the fact that they started because so many already had their eyes on you."

"Sounds like you don't like that." I pointed out.

"No, not at all." Sean agreed, "But getting back to that rumor, I confess that I felt frustrated with it too. I honestly felt like I'd missed something important."

"Something important? What do you mean?"

"I suppose I should be honest now. The truth is, I wasn't going to deny those rumors. Not only because I felt that twinge of jealousy, but also because I had already been planning on asking you to go to that dance with me." he confessed.

I think my heart would've literally stopped if it was possible. I felt like I couldn't move. He couldn't have been serious. He already wanted to invite me to the Prom?

"You're not serious." I managed to squeak out.

Sean looked puzzled. I wouldn't put it together until later that it was because of my odd reaction of being practically frozen and barely able to speak.

"Of course. I was planning on asking. But now, it seems a little silly."

"Silly? Why?" I asked, finally regaining my composure.

I was suddenly feeling like a fool. He wasn't asking after all. I'd jumped to conclusions. How pathetic was that?

Sean humored my jump in emotions, "Don't get me wrong Mia. I really was planning on asking. But then something came up, and coming back now, it seems silly of me to even ask."

"So you're not able to go." I guessed.

"No, I'm going. It seems that you're misunderstanding me." Sean responded, now sounding thoroughly amused.

"What's there not to understand? Are you making fun of me?" I pouted, turning away and crossing my arms.

Yes, it was childish, but he seemed to bring this out in me; and the funny thing was, it seemed like he always would.

"No. I wouldn't do that to you." Sean assured me. I tensed up a little as he touched my shoulder, making me turn back to him, "What I'm saying is that my plans went up in smoke with those rumors. I didn't see a reason to ask you to go, because you're already going with me."

A laugh escaped me, "You know, you're seriously being bold about this whole thing."

"Yes, I know." Sean laughed back, "So, tell me, can I take this as a yes?"

"I guess, but I think you'd better ask Michael first. You're still not one of his favorite guys, and he's really protective." I warned him.

"Of course, but I'm not concerned about it. I'm sure he'll come to like me eventually." Sean responded. He turned the Jeep on, "I should get you home now. It's better if we don't make him worry."

Our ride back was quick, though I enjoyed every second of it. But I cringed to myself as we pulled into the driveway. It looked like Raziel had come to the house again. His Lexus was outside, and he'd let himself in. This was nothing that unusual for him, but I was worried about what might be coming when he realized that I'd been out with Sean.

But I reasoned that it was probably better this way too. He was going to find out eventually that Sean was taking me to the Prom, and if I really thought about it, he believed that already. I'd never bothered telling him that the rumors weren't true.

"Hey, do you want to come in for a minute?" I invited Sean as he parked the Jeep.

"If you don't think there will be too much trouble. I know how he feels about my very presence." Sean replied, glancing at Raziel's car.

"Don't worry about it. I'll handle him, and he was told not to cause trouble." I assured him.

If I was completely honest, I wasn't that confident about handling Raziel. But I was determined to try.

I could hear the TV playing in the den as we came in. Raziel was laid out on the couch.

"Hey." I greeted him, trying to act casual.

"I was going to ask if you were out taking a walk or something, but I can sense that fox with you." Raziel responded, not bothering to move.

"Hello to you too Raziel. I'll take it that you enjoy lounging at your uncle's house." Sean commented, crossing his arms.

"Mi casa es tu casa. That's what he's always told me." Raziel said. He finally sat up and looked at him. I didn't miss that slight scowl he had, "You know I don't like it. What the hell makes you think that you can take Mia to the Prom after what you did?"

"I asked and she accepted my invitation. I don't see where it's hurting anything, and the past is the past. I'm more than willing to make amends however I can." Sean answered.

"You're still not one of us. You're just a dirty fox." Raziel told him as he got up and moved in front of him.

"Actually, the correct term would be half breed dirty fox." Sean countered, not bothering to move or even raise his voice.

"Still a fox!"

I sighed, moving between the two to make sure that nothing more than words would happen between them.

"Come on guys. That's enough. Raziel, I invited Sean here as a guest. Please don't start trouble." I requested.

Raziel crossed his arms, looking away, "Still a damn fox." he muttered.

I shook my head, then looked back at Sean, but he didn't seem too bothered by all of this.

"I'm sorry Sean." I apologized anyway.

"Don't worry too much about it. Perhaps it would be better if I got back now. I wouldn't want to start too much trouble, and I don't think that it's a good idea to leave my mother too long yet." Sean relented.

"All right. I'll step out with you"

I felt a little defeated. I had a feeling that Raziel wasn't ready to budge about any of this.

And I was right. As soon as I walked back in after saying goodbye to Sean, Raziel was on me.

"Okay, so I'll admit that I didn't believe it before. But seriously Mia, you really said yes to that fox?" he fumed.

"Look, Michael said that I could go with whoever I wanted. Besides, I don't think that Sean's going to cause any more trouble. He's been very nice to me since then." I informed him.

"You just don't know about things like him. That's all this is. They love leading people on." Raziel countered.

I scowled at him, "Come on. Think about it Raziel. You and Anna will be there. There will be a lot of other kids. Not to mention that both of our dads will be watching the whole thing like hawks. Do you really think that Sean would try something that stupid?" I asked him.

Raziel stopped. He was probably considering my words, and when I really thought about it too, there was nothing to worry about. There would be many, many eyes on all of us there.

"I guess you're right, but seriously Mia, does Michael even know about all of this?" he relented.

"Not yet. I guess I'll have to tell him tonight. But I can't see where he wasn't expecting it. He sure did act like he did the other day."

I recalled that conversation very well. Michael had commented on how Sean hadn't been in school and what a pity it was, and knowing my dad, that held many meanings. Michael wasn't really one to care much for someone being absent like that if it didn't affect us.

"He's probably planning something with all of this. Maybe he's making Sean repay his debt or something." Raziel guessed. He sounded amused at that thought.

I honestly didn't like thinking that, although I knew that Raziel might have been right. I was thinking about it later that night during my shower. I hadn't had the courage to ask Michael about it. Even though I'd been able to tell him that Sean had asked me, I didn't have it in me to ask him if he'd forced that to happen.

Michael hadn't said much to it either. He'd been pleasant enough, yet I could've sworn that I detected something else under all of it. I was wondering now if maybe I'd been wrong about choosing Sean as my main interest for all of this. Maybe Michael didn't trust Sean that much after all.

Stepping out of the shower, I dried my hair and stood in front of the mirror, studying my reflection. I honestly couldn't see where people thought that I was so pretty. I certainly didn't think so. I felt like I was very plain. There was really nothing that special about my looks.

But as I stood there, I thought about what I'd learned since I'd come there. I turned around and looked at my shoulder blades, but they still looked the same. It made me wonder when my time was supposed to come. Everyone else in this family had their wings now. Even Raziel had gotten his. But I was still showing no sign of it. I wondered why.

Shaking my head, I dressed and decided to just call it a night. But even as I walked out and laid on my bed, I couldn't escape the thoughts that clouded my mind, and even though I tried hard, I found it very had to get any sleep that night. Not with everything that had already happened.

And what I wondered may come.