Chapter 49

The anticipation for Winter Formal grew, and my nerves started to get the better of me.

I hadn't attended such a formal event in a long time, and the thought of being surrounded by so many people made my heart race.

But I was determined to make the most of the night, especially after everything that had happened with Jessica.

When the evening finally arrived, I put on my red dress.

It was just as beautiful as I remembered and made me feel elegant and confident.

I carefully styled my hair, letting loose soft curls that cascaded down my shoulders.

I added a touch of shimmering jewelry to my neckline, completing my look with a hint of regal glamour.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down.

Nobody went into these events wanting to stir up drama or make problems. Everyone wants to have fun, so I didn't know why I felt so apprehensive about it.

My father was home from work for the evening and offered to take me to the dance. On the drive there, he complimented my looks, "You look so beautiful, Shana. You remind me so much of your mother."

My father and I didn't talk about my mother a lot, so hearing him bring her up hit me with a wall of emotions. I felt my eyes start to grow glossy.

"Do you really think so?" I asked, voice wobbly. "Or are you just saying that?"

"No, you definitely got all of your beauty from your mother." He pointed to himself. "Just look at me."

I let out a laugh. "Dad, thank you. But you're not bad looking."

"I appreciate that Shana, but I'm an old man. My good looks are slowly fading away."

I smiled, reaching my hand over the console to grab his. I squeezed his hand tightly. "I love you. Young or old. Ugly or not."

He squeezed my hand back with a warm smile. "I love you, Shana. More than you will ever know or understand."

Once my father dropped me off, I walked into the ballroom for the Winter Formal with a skip in my step. The grand scene in front of me took my breath away.

As I stepped into the ballroom for the Winter Formal, I felt like I had entered a breathtaking winter wonderland.

The entire place was adorned with enchanting decorations that exuded a sense of magical charm.

Twinkling lights shone the walls, mimicking the glimmer of stars on a frosty night.

I was surrounded by an ethereal glow that seemed to transport me to a different world – a world of dreams.

The centerpiece of the ballroom was the magnificent dance floor, which looked like it was dusted with sparkling snowflakes.

The elegant patterns of snowflakes were illuminated by soft, radiant lights, giving the illusion of a frozen wonderland beneath my feet.

As couples swayed and twirled to the music, it felt like they were dancing on a moonlit snowfield.

Hanging from the ceiling were intricate ice crystal chandeliers that added an element of sophistication to the ambiance.

They cast a gentle radiance that bounced off the walls, creating a soft and cozy atmosphere. The whole room seemed to be wrapped in a warm embrace, despite the wintry theme.

In every corner, stunning ice sculptures stood tall, capturing the grace and beauty of nature's frosty artistry.

The sculptures depicted elegant ice castles, majestic snow-capped mountains, and even a playful group of ice-skating figures. They added an exquisite touch to the winter wonderland setting, leaving me in awe of the skill and creativity behind their creation.

Clusters of glistening snowflakes adorned the tables, serving as dazzling centerpieces that caught the light and sent shimmering reflections dancing across the room.

The tables were elegantly dressed in white and silver, with accents of blue and pale pink, evoking the essence of a serene winter day.

As I looked around, I noticed students in their finest attire, like characters from a fairytale come to life.

The girls' dresses shimmered like freshly fallen snow, each one as unique as a snowflake, while the guys looked dapper in their suits, like charming princes in a winter kingdom.

In the distance, soft music played, creating a melodious backdrop to the enchanting scene.

It was as if the very air was alive with a sense of magic and possibility, encouraging everyone to immerse themselves fully in the magical wonder of the evening.

As I made my way through the crowd, I noticed the curious glances from my schoolmates.

Some people looked surprised, and a few girls even complimented my dress, making me feel a bit more at ease.

Yet, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being a bit out of place amidst this grand setting.

I had forgotten my phone at home, and that added to my nervousness. What if I got separated from Lucas and James? How would I find them in this sea of people?

Just as I was starting to feel overwhelmed, like a lifeline, Lucas appeared before me, looking absolutely dashing in his formal suit.

My heart fluttered at the sight of him.

I mean, sure, I had seen him in suits before, but in this environment, surrounded by all this grandeur, he looked like a true gentleman.

He was so different from the Bear I used to know, but also, still the exact same. It perplexed me how that could be possible.

"Hey, you okay?" Lucas asked, taking my hand in his, his concern evident in his eyes.

I nodded, trying to hide my nerves. "Yeah, just... nerves, you know."

He smiled reassuringly, instantly calming me. "You'll be fine, trust me."

I felt a sense of comfort in his presence. I couldn't help but open up to him.

"You know, sometimes, it's hard to believe you're the same Lucas from back then, the one who stood up for me when no one else did," I confessed, feeling vulnerable.

He chuckled softly, his eyes reflecting warmth. "Well, people change, and I've changed too. But one thing that hasn't changed is how much I care about you, Shana. You're my friend, and I'll always be here for you."

His words made my heart melt, and I squeezed his hand, feeling a surge of gratitude. "I'm really glad you're here with me, Lucas. I don't think I could have done all this without you."

"You look beautiful, by the way." Lucas looked me up and down. "I feel like I have to mention that. It's the elephant in the room."

"You feel like you have to?" I felt a little hurt by that. Did he only say that out of obligation to be nice?

"No - Sorry, I worded that wrong." Lucas shook his head, and a hint of red showed on his cheeks.

Was he nervous?

"You're beautiful. The dress is just a nice touch."

I couldn't stop the smile that formed on my face. "Thank you, you look nice, too. This suit is so dapper."

"I feel really fancy."

"You look really fancy."

Lucas laughed then extended his hand out to me, "Would you do me the honors of having the first dance with me?"

I started to smile, but stopped when I realized something...

I had no idea how to dance.