Unexpected Love

Chapter Six

     Skarlet told Ivy about what happened the night before when Lance kissed her as Skarlet opened one of the school doors for Ivy. Ivy's eyes widened as she smiled, "Look at you. Does that mean your official?"
"I think we are just in that talking stage," Skarlet answered unknowing as she opened her locker. Ivy turned Skarlet around, "They are having a dance before spring vacation. Masquerade ball."
"Doesn't that sound like fun," Skarlet said sarcastically. "Last time they had a dance, half the school was asleep."
"Probably because they didn't have a theme"
"Masquerade ball in spring? Sounds like a bad joke."
Ivy smiled, "We are going to have awesome dates. Yours is coming this way now."
Skarlet rolled her eyes as Lance came over. Skarlet got her books in her arms as she heard loud footsteps approaching. She looked over to see Aaron, "Nice one Price."
Lance gave him the strangest look, "What exactly did I do?"
"Gave me a nice weekend getaway in jail," Aaron said.
"Don't blame me for your own stupidity."
Aaron grabbed Lance's white T-shirt and pushed him against the lockers. Skarlet stepped in the middle of them,  "We have a class to get to," Skarlet told Aaron.
Lance straightened his shirt, "Give him another bloody nose for me."
Skarlet smiled, kissed Lance's cheek before going into the classroom.
    Skarlet sat back in history class taking notes form the power point as Lance walked into class with a green pass. Lance took his seat next to Skarlet and showed her two tickets. "Wanna go to the masquerade thing with me?"
Skarlet smiled and took on of the tickets from his hand. "I would love to."
     After six period was over, Skarlet met Ivy in the hallway and told her about Lance asking her to the dance. "Now I just got to find a date."
Eddy came over and placed his as around the girls, "Who loves me enough to pretend to be my date so Austin and I can be at this dance together."
Skarlet looked at Ivy, "I believe you just found your date Ivy."
Eddy looked at Ivy, "Will you go?"
"Yes, I'll be your fake date."
Eddy smiled, "Thank you so much. Try to find something baby blue."
"Yes sir," Ivy said saluting him. Ivy looked at him, "I guess we have to go shopping."
"It not until Friday night we have plenty of time," Skarlet told Ivy.
"I know but it's always best to plan a head."
Skarlet smiled and walked to go to her last period class.
     Skarlet sat in Lance's car as there were little communication as the music was low. Lance looked at her, "Are you OK?"
"I'm fine, just thinking," Skarlet answered. Lance gave her a look that asked her to tell him what was on her mind, "Are we like a thing or?"
Lance shrugged, "I don't know, don't want to rush things you know?"
Skarlet nodded and looked into Lance's grey eyes that she has grown to love by seeing them everyday. "Just don't hurt me OK? I can't take another heartbreak."
"I would never do anything to hurt you."
"Promise?"
Lance picked Skarlet's left hand up from her lap and intertwined his pinky with hers, "Cross my heart, hope to die."
Skarlet smiled, leaned over and kissed his cheek. She opened the door, "See you tomorrow?"
Lance smiled, "Of course."
Skarlet got out of the car and watch Lance drive away before walking into  her house.
     Skarlet saw Stacey on the couch, her eyes puffy and her nose red. Skarlet hated seeing her mom cry. She placed her bag down on the floor as she sat next to her, "What's wrong?"
"I just miss everyone you know. Your dad, my dad, our aunt."
Skarlet smiled and hugged her mom, "I miss them too."
Stacey took a nice deep breath, letting all the sad emotion exit her body as she wiped her tears with the corner of her thumb. She smiles brightly. "Are you and that Lance boy together?" Stacey asked, changing the subject to get into a better mood as she tried to smile brightly.
"Kinda. I think it's still hard for him to even think of being with another girl after his girlfriend died, and doesn't want to forget her, not that I blame him or anything, you can never forget someone, especially if they are long gone."
"When your father died, it was tough to move on. It took me years to get back in the dating world even though I know Nate would want me to live my life and be happy. John is a great guy, but he knows he has to share me in a way," Stacey said moving Skarlet's red hair out of her face.
"Well that makes since. Would you ever love John as you did dad?" Skarlet asked, afraid that if Lance and her started something and it all goes well, he wouldn't love her as mush as he would allow himself.
Stacey smiled, "In the future I think I would love John, but no one can replace Nate, not even if there was a man who was the same exact person as him, but if the relationship is strong enough, I would love John for being John. I can never forget your father, but you can be stuck in love with a dead guy, you would miss to much."
"You think Lance would love me if we were to ever date and I won't have to compete with a dead girl?"
Stacey laughed, "Don't think to much. Lance will love you, girlfriend or just friends."
Skarlet smiled as she know she was being silly about the whole thing, but the idea made her feel sad. Skarlet grabbed her bag and went up to her room.