Dance

The school decided last minute that instead of just announcing the fantasy festival's contestants, they would announce it at a school dance. An invitation was handed out in first period. Anyone who had interviewed to be selected had to come, or else if they were chosen they would be replaced by someone else, and anyone else could come to cheer on friends or watch. It was formal attire, and there would be free food. Although unlike most of the school's dances, the school knew that most people would come to this dance even if they didn't have the normal bribe of free food, only because the fantasy festival was such a big event. They announced the dance two days before it was planned. Many people started to scramble to get dates, because they believed that be the most important.

Marie didn't think like other people though. She was going to go by herself, in a long sleeve black dress. She also decided not to show her wings. She felt that it was too big for people to figure out. She'd always hidden it. She'd always felt different. Even more different than the other different mutated people.

Alisha walked up to Cooper, no shame. She'd heard about the dance and decided that this was her chance. "Cooper," Alisha said, "Whats up? Have you heard about the dance?"

"Of course," Cooper said.

"Are you going with anybody yet?" Alisha asked.

"No," Cooper said, "I was actually thinking of just going by myself. I assume you've already had ten people ask you right?"

"More like fourteen," Alisha said. "Cooper?" She sighed.

"Yeah?" Cooper said.

"I... I really, really like you," Alisha said.

"Like a friend?" Cooper asked, confused.

"No," Alisha said patiently, "Like way more than a friend."

"In that case," Cooper said, thinking why not, "will you go to the dance with me, and maybe be my girlfriend?" Cooper surprised even himself by adding the last girlfriend part. He was planning on saving his love for Marie. But he realized that was IF she came back. So, why not? Plus, it seemed as if Alisha really did like him, and he thought, if you fake it for long enough, it will become real. If this worked. If he faked his love for Alisha long enough, it would turn in to real genuine love.

"Oh my god, yes," Alisha said, surprised since every other girl who'd tried had been harshly rejected.

Cooper smiled sweetly towards Alisha. They were in the library talking again. Marie didn't know what about. She watched.