“Let me get a picture of everyone,” her grandmother said, her voice slightly strained.
Cassie met her grandmother’s slightly amused, slightly dazed gaze. Devon moved to her side, his arm encircling her waist. The feel of him caused her skin to hum with electricity. “Everyone smile!”
Dani leaned happily against the wall, munching on popcorn, smiling in amusement as everyone was moved around and ordered to smile repeatedly. Cassie’s face hurt by the time her grandmother was done snapping pictures, but it was worth it to see the bright smile on her pretty face, and the happy gleam in her eyes.
“Ok, you guys can go now!” her grandmother announced happily, letting the camera drop back around her neck.
Cassie sighed in relief, her feet were beginning to ache and she was ready to get this night over with. Devon approached with her coat in hand; a small smile curved his full mouth as his eyes twinkled at her. “Will you even come out in those pictures?” she inquired softly.
A small chuckle escaped him as he slipped the coat around her shoulders. “Not all the myths are true, love,” he whispered in her ear, his lips brushing lightly against her skin sent a shiver throughout her.
She needed to get control of herself around him, or this was going to be a very long, very tortuous night. Slipping his hand into hers, he led her toward the door. “Cassie wait!”
She turned as her grandmother hurried over, a small box in hand. Cassie frowned as her grandmother handed her the box, a small smile on her face, but a wealth of sadness in her sky blue eyes. “I think it’s time you had this.”
Cassie took the box from her, opening it slowly. A small gasp escaped as she caught sight of the delicate emerald ring. The stone was small, but it shimmered in the light of the room. Surrounding the emerald were four petite, perfect diamonds. Cassie’s hand shook as she pulled the ring free, carefully handling the small gold band.
“It was my mother’s wedding ring and was meant for your mother.”
Cassie glanced up at her, tears welling in her eyes. “Grandma, I don’t think I should take this.”
Her grandmother’s hands enfolded hers, her sky colored eyes were intense. “Of course you should. Your mother would want you to have it. She would be so proud of you dear, just as I am.”
A single tear slipped down Cassie’s cheek, but her grandma quickly wiped it away. “I’m not giving it to you to make you cry,” she said happily, although a strange sadness still clung to her. “You are a woman now; you should have the things that mark you as such.”
Cassie could only nod as her grandmother took the ring from her and slipped it onto her right hand. “Perfect fit!”
Cassie stared silently down at the beautiful, delicate ring. Rapidly blinking back tears, she threw her arms around her grandmother, hugging her tight. Her grandmother’s slight frame shook slightly as she patted Cassie’s back gently. “I’ll always be proud of you, always love you dear.”
Cassie pulled slightly away, staring questioningly into her grandmother’s sky colored eyes. It seemed like such an odd thing to say, but then again it was a big night, for most people at least. “I’ll always love you,” she whispered, dropping a kiss on her grandmother’s soft cheek.
Her eyes were sad as Cassie pulled away, but she was smiling brightly. “Go on now; I’ve held you up long enough.”
She patted Cassie’s shoulder as she all but shoved them out the door. Cassie flashed a bright grin over her shoulder as they made their way to Devon’s sleek Challenger. He held the door open for them, Chris and Melissa piled into the back. Taking hold of her hand he helped her slide into the passenger seat, his hand lingered on hers before he shut the door and hurried to the driver’s side.
Arriving at the school, they piled out into the crush of students making their way through the doors. Cassie handed her coat over to the parent running the coat check. Without the material, she felt more exposed and vulnerable. Sensing her distress, Devon slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her tight against his side.
“It will be ok,” he said gently.
Swallowing heavily, she nodded. She kept her shoulders straight as she allowed him to lead her into the heavily decorated gym. Marcy and company had decided to make the theme of the party Cape Cod in the fall. Though it was neither creative nor original (as it had been done three years ago) it was pretty.
The walls were decorated with a vast array of leaves in every color of the rainbow. Play box sand was spread across the dance floor, there were already groups dancing without their shoes on. Scattered amongst the sand were leaves that had been sorted through and brought in from outside. Hurricane lanterns, with long white candles, had been set out on the tables. Sand, seashells, starfish, and sand dollars were spread out around them. Banners hung from the ceiling in the school colors of blue and gold, and the annoying disco ball was in place, bright lights already bounced blindingly off of it.
Cassie winced as she shaded her eyes, trying to block out the sparkling light. At the back of the large gymnasium the band was playing. She recognized John Parks and Lyle White playing bass and drums. They had graduated last year, and their band was one of the few in town that was actually decent. The slow song they were playing switched, and one of their own, heavier songs blasted from the large speakers set up beside the stage.
Cassie winced again as the noise pounded into her ears. She had forgotten how uncomfortable dances could be for her. Forgotten about the noise and the lights, or at least she had wanted to forget anyway. Digging into the black clutch purse she had brought, she pulled out her sunglasses. Slipping them on, she was able to ease at least one of the annoyances, grateful for the dark glasses that placed the room into mellower shades and hues.
Devon was studying her with concern, but she shook her head as she smiled reassuringly at him. With the pain in her eyes eased, she was able to take in more of the students milling around, greeting their friends as they talked eagerly. Dresses sparkled in an array of colors in the light of the ball. Everyone looked beautiful, happy, and bright.
Cassie couldn’t help but smile. These people may not like her anymore, but she had grown up with them, had once been a big part of their worlds, and she was happy that they had been given this night. Happy that she had helped to give them this night, even if it hadn’t been all that much help. Devon’s hand on her elbow was gentle as he led her over to one of the tables tucked against the back wall. Relief filled her; it was one of the tables farthest from the disco ball, and speakers.