“I’m sorry that I let her talk to you. I saw her coming and thought you guys needed some alone time,” Benjamin said, kissing her head.
Millie didn’t reply. She was glad to talk to Isabel, but she wished it was a happy conversation that she could smile about, not cry about.
* * * * *
“I miss my friends,” Millie said, sitting on her bed.
“Who do you miss?” Benjamin asked, sitting next to her.
“Well, of course I still miss Savannah, Henry, Tom, Justin, and Luke, but I also miss talking to Isabel, Sasha, and even Michelle at school.” Millie fiddled with her hands. “I just miss our conversations and girly talks. You wouldn’t understand.”
“I do understand. The boys are getting annoyed that I don’t hang out with them anymore.”
“Oh, I didn’t even think about that. I’m so self-centred, I’m sorry,” Millie said, shaking her head.
“You’re not self-centred, Millie. I know it’s harder for you that you’re slowly losing more friends, but it’s for their own safety. When this is all over, you can go back to the way it was,” Benjamin said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“That’s if they will forgive me,” she said, looking at him.
“I know something that will cheer you up,” Benjamin said, taking her hand and pulling her off the bed.
He opened the window and stood on the windowsill. His wings broke through his shirt. His face broke into a smile, as he was relieved that he could spread his wings.
“What are you doing?” Millie asked.
“Come with me?” he offered.
Millie gave him her hand as he pulled her close. Her hands wrapped around his back. He bent his knees and in a split second a rush of wind was throbbing against Millie’s face.
As Millie felt her body slowing down, she opened her eyes and saw Benjamin’s skin glowing in the moonlight. Millie did not look down at the view; she knew she would freak out. Instead, she looked into Benjamin’s mesmerising eyes. After a while, Millie looked at his wings. She built up the confidence to reach her hand out to touch one. It felt so delicate. It was soft and made tingles go down her spine. They were both so beautiful.
“They’re amazing,” Millie said as she stopped touching his wing.
“You’re amazing,” Benjamin said with his sexy half-smile.
“Stop that,” she said, chuckling.
“Well, you are amazing.” He planted an eager kiss on her lips.
“Won’t someone have seen us?” Millie asked after the daze from his kiss disappeared.
“I realised a while ago that the rest of your street can’t see your window. Your window is facing the valley. It’s a blind spot. No one would have seen us. Plus, it’s dark,” Benjamin reassured her, rubbing his nose against hers.
Millie thought to herself, Anyone could see his glowing skin.
Benjamin grabbed both of Millie’s hands as she stepped onto his feet.
“The reason I have brought you up here is to ask you something,” Benjamin said with a pleasant smile.
“What is it?” Millie asked, not knowing what to expect.
“Will you go to the prom with me?” Benjamin asked.
Millie’s mouth dropped. She wasn’t expecting that. “Yes,” she said, all giddy.
Benjamin just smiled and pulled her up to him. His lips touched hers.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” she said as the warmth spread through her.
“I can’t just assume that you will go with me,” Benjamin said, holding her tight.
“I just thought it would be the last thing on your mind, but thank you for asking.”
“I wanted to ask the most beautiful girl in the world if she would accompany me to the dance,” Benjamin said, rubbing his hand up and down her back. “Now that she has said yes, I am the luckiest Angel alive.” He grinned.
Millie’s cheeks became rosy as she planted a loving kiss on his lips.
* * * * *
As the day of the prom came around, Wendy drove Millie to get her hair done, as well as a manicure. When she came home, Millie ran upstairs to have a quick shower. She hopped out of the shower and delicately wiped the drips of water off her with a towel. Her underwear and bra went on next. Her hand then reached for the foundation and gently rubbed it into her face and neck. She picked up the black mascara and eyeliner, and put them on. A smoky eye shadow was brushed on after. Finally, she pulled out her studs and placed the long, black earrings in her ears.
As the doorbell rang, she squealed. She quickly ran over to the bed and carefully put on her dress. She slipped on her black high heels, and packed her black clutch bag with a mobile, wallet, makeup, and deodourant. With a final glimpse in a mirror, she opened her door and walked to the top of the stairs.
With a deep breath, she started to slowly walk down the stairs. Her mother and father turned to look at her, and their eyes lit up. Benjamin was waiting at the bottom. As he saw her, his lips turned into a smile; the long, emerald dress reflected in his eyes. The dress cupped her breasts perfectly, the thick straps accentuating her shoulders. The dress was tight until it hit the waist; from there, multiple layers of fabric flowed down beautifully. Her hair gently fell to her chest in thick curls.
As Millie reached Benjamin, he grabbed her hand, softly kissed it, and slipped on a corsage of red and white roses. She smiled. As Millie looked at Benjamin, she couldn’t believe how good he looked. He was wearing black suit pants with matching shiny shoes and a black suit jacket. His white, collared shirt was unbuttoned at the top, which melted Millie’s heart.
“You take my breath away,” he whispered, leaning into her as Wendy took a photo of them.
Millie’s heart skipped a beat. She wanted to kiss him badly. Her body longed for his. She bit her lips, fighting back the temptation.
“Well, you guys should probably go or you’ll be late,” Ashley said, pulling the camera out of Wendy’s hands.
“You look beautiful,” Wendy said as she hugged Millie good-bye.
“You look like a grown woman,” Ashley said, giving his daughter a kiss.
“Thank you for having me,” Benjamin said with a kind smile.
“Anytime,” Ashley and Wendy said in unison. They waved as Benjamin drove off.
“You look so beautiful, Millie,” he said as he tangled his hands with hers.
“I’m not,’ Millie replied.
Benjamin suddenly pulled the car over. He placed his perfectly warm hands around her cheeks.
“I don’t want you talking like that. You are the most beautiful human being I have ever seen, and as an Angel, I am not supposed to pick favourites. So that’s saying something.”
“How can I be beautiful? I have seen two Angels--well, that I know of--and you guys are stunning. I bet the female Angels are more beautiful than I am.”
“You, Millie, are the most beautiful female of any kind, whether human or Angel. Nothing in the whole universe compares to your beauty.” He leant in closer. “You are absolutely stunning.” He placed his hand over her heart. “My heart is yours for all eternity.”
Millie was speechless. Her breathing grew faster and louder. Her heart was beating faster and faster underneath his hand. Warm volts were going through her body. She undid her seat belt and climbed on top of him. She didn’t care what the people in the cars that drove past were seeing; all she cared about was Benjamin. Her hand undid his seat belt as well, and it slid across him until he was free of it.
“My heart belongs to you,” Millie finally spoke in a tender voice.
Her heart picked up the pace even more. It was beating loudly.
“I’m in love with you,” she said, placing her hands on his cheeks. “I want to be with you forever, and we will find a way to make that happen.”
Benjamin’s eyes filled with tears. “I will do everything in my power to make sure that we will always be together,” he said as his lips pressed hard against hers.
His hands held her hips tightly. Tear
s started to fall down Millie’s cheeks as she thought of how much she loved Benjamin and how much he loved her--how much they wanted to be together, forever.
Every kiss became more passionate and harder. Her hands clenched his cheeks with such a force it would have hurt any man. Their breathing became louder. Millie’s hips began to rock back and forth. The grinding became harder and forceful. Millie moved her hands down to unbutton his shirt until suddenly Benjamin clenched her shoulders and pulled her off.
“Stop,” he said, taking a deep breath. “We shouldn’t do this here.” He gave her a slight smile.
“I’m sorry,” Millie said, wiping the wetness off her cheeks.
“Don’t be sorry,” Benjamin said. “I just want it to be special.” He buttoned up the two buttons Millie had managed to undo. “Besides, I don’t want to ruin your makeup or hair before we even get to the prom,” he said with a slight smile.
“You’re right,” she said, climbing back in her seat with help from Benjamin. “I got carried away.”
“It’s fine, beautiful,” he said, rubbing her leg.
She laid her head on the headrest. “I don’t deserve you,” she said, grabbing his hand.
“You deserve everything, Millie.” He kissed her hand.
She smiled as warm volts went through her body.
“Can we go somewhere after?” Millie asked.
“And miss the after-party?” Benjamin said in a sarcastic voice.
“I’m so out of touch at the moment. I have no idea where it is,” Millie said with a huge smile.
“It’s at Vanessa’s house.”
“Well, that should be, oh, so fun,” Millie said with a giggle.
“But, yes, we can go somewhere,” he said, planting a gentle kiss on her lips. “We better keep driving or we’ll be late.” He put his seat belt back on.
“Whatever happened to being fashionably late? Plus, I have to fix my makeup.” She reached for her clutch and began reapplying her makeup.
The prom was being held in the school gym. The seniors practically destroyed the bowling club where last year’s prom was held, and as punishment, this year’s party was at school. Benjamin took Millie’s hand to help her out of the car. He closed the door and linked his arm with hers. They walked up the cement pathway where some fairy lights had been placed on either side. Right before the entrance to the school, there was a photographer taking photos. Benjamin held Millie tight as they both smiled for the camera.
As they walked through the gym doors, they heard booming music coming from the dance floor. Many students were talking and giggling, and teachers were walking around to make sure last year’s incident wasn't going to be repeated. They walked around looking for the table with their name tags. Many people gasped at Millie and Benjamin. The girls envied how Millie looked and how she had the hottest guy in school by her side. They finally found their name tags and sat down at the empty table.
“I am so lucky to have you,” Benjamin said, kissing her cheek. “Every guy is looking at you, and I feel so blessed to be with you.” He planted a gentle kiss on her lips. She chuckled and smiled.
“Millie!” a voice yelled into her other ear.
Michelle was sitting next to Millie with a big grin. “You look awesome,” she said, eyeing her up and down.
“So do you,” Millie said, just as Jonathan sat down next to Michelle.
“Jonathan?” Millie said.
“Hey, Millie, how are you?” He wore a black suit and tie with a white, collared shirt.
“I’m good,” Millie said with a smile.
“Isn’t he lucky to be my date?” Michelle said, leaning on him.
“You are very lucky,” Millie said, observing Jonathan’s face.
He didn’t look happy but he attempted to put on a brave face. Millie felt sorry that he was stuck with Michelle all night.
“Hey, Millie.” Sasha sat down with Will by her side.
“Hey.”
“Looks like you will be sitting at our table, then?” Sasha said.
“Looks like it,” Millie said. “You look beautiful.”
“She looks ever so beautiful,” Will said in his booming deep voice. He was wearing a grey suit with a white shirt, and a tie to match Sasha’s purple dress.
“Aw, thank you,” Sasha said, planting a kiss on his lips.
Sasha was actually smiling. Millie was shocked to see them kissing. “Are you guys going out?” she asked in shock.
“Yeah, we are,” Sasha said with a huge grin.
“Like you would know,” Isabel said as she sat down next to Sasha with a pink tulip corsage on her wrist.
“Hey, Benjamin,” Scotty said. He was wearing a black suit with navy pinstripes. His black, collared shirt had a matching tie as well.
“Hey. How’s everything?” Benjamin asked.
“Everything’s going great,” Scotty said as Millie just stared at Isabel.
Sasha nudged Isabel. Isabel just rolled her eyes. Apart from Scotty and Benjamin’s short conversation, the table sat in silence.
“So! Who’s going to the after-party?” Michelle said.
“Suppose I’m going,” Jonathan mumbled to himself.
“Shame it’s at bitchy Vanessa’s house, but we’ll be there,” Sasha said.
“Yeah, me and Isabel are going,” Scotty said.
“What about you guys?” Michelle asked, mostly focusing her attention on Benjamin.
Millie and Benjamin looked at each other. They wanted to go somewhere private after the prom.
“I don’t know. I haven’t really been on good terms with her,” Millie said, grasping for an excuse.
“That’s right,” Michelle said as she tapped her cheek.
An announcement came from the microphone on the stage. “You only have one more hour left to vote for Prom King and Queen,” Miss Hades said quickly. She was wearing a thin strapped floor-length deep red gown that bunched at the right hip.
“We better go and vote, then,” Sasha said as she dragged Will with her.
“I wonder who’s going to win,” Michelle said sarcastically to Millie and Benjamin. She turned her head to look at Jonathan and huffed. Millie looked at Benjamin and rolled her eyes.
Millie and Benjamin walked around the gym to admire all the decorations. There were fairy lights, flowers, and lanterns everywhere. Student artwork had been hung on the walls as well. Millie stopped when she came to a collage of student photos. It was a memorial honouring those students who had passed away. She saw photos of all her friends. She smiled in memory of them. Savannah looked so happy in her photo. Tom was playing up in his photo. Henry and Justin’s photos were from last year’s yearbook. Millie came to Luke’s and her mouth dropped. It was a photo of Luke hugging her. Her lip started to quiver until Benjamin put his hands on her shoulders.
“You look beautiful in the photo,” Benjamin said, kissing her neck.
“Thank you. I still miss them,” she said as the tears passed. She concentrated on the happy memories.
“I know you do,” Benjamin said. They stayed there for a moment, looking at the photo.
Everyone sat in their seats as Miss Hades announced that it was time to say who won Prom King and Queen. Michelle’s hands clenched together with anticipation.
“I’m glad to announce that Prom King and Queen are Benjamin Clark and Millie Bradford.”
As Millie and Benjamin looked at each, a roar came from the crowd. He smiled and helped her to her feet.
“Typical,” Michelle said under her breath as they walked past her.
As they got to the stage, the applause grew louder and many whistles came from every direction. Miss Hades placed the crown on Benjamin’s head and put the sash over his shoulders. He smiled at the crowd as the girls stared at him in awe. Miss Hades placed the crown on Millie’s head and put the sash over her neck. With a kiss on the cheek, she handed her a lovely bouquet of colourful flowers. Millie put her hand to her cheek--it was on fire. She turned to wave to the
students. She tried to smile, but the pain forced her to frown.
Millie and Benjamin made their way to the dance floor. Michelle skipped over and yanked the flowers from Millies’s arm.
“I’ll take good care of these,” she said flouncing back over to their table.
The music started. Benjamin held his arm tightly around her back and lifted his hand in the air. Millie placed her hand on his and they started to dance. Benjamin was a natural. All the girls in the room sighed, as they wished they were the one dancing with him. He was elegant, and every step he took looked effortless.
“Is everything okay?” Benjamin whispered into her ear as he gently tipped her back.
“No,” Millie replied, thinking about the heat that had finally gone from her cheek. Her eyes widened as she realised she had felt that feeling before. She had felt that same scorching heat from somewhere.
Millie was so distracted, she tripped over her feet. Benjamin twirled her around, making it look like it was part of the dance. It was the same hot feeling she had gotten from Zeke and Drake when they touched her. Benjamin dipped Millie over and applause came from the crowd. Couples started to join in on the romantic dance.
“What happened?” Benjamin asked as his eyes filled with worry.
“When Miss Hades kissed me, it felt really hot. It was the exact same feeling I had when Zeke and Drake touched me in Hell.”
“What?” Benjamin said as his face grew tense.
“I think Miss Hades is a Demon,” Millie said as she stared into his hardened eyes.
“I have to get you out of here,” Benjamin said calmly, still dancing.
“No, I don’t want to go. I want to talk to my friends and enjoy the night. If she wanted to hurt me, she would have done it already. She has been at school for a while. Please, can we just stay for a bit longer?” Millie pleaded.
Benjamin huffed and gave in to Millie. He wanted to make her happy. He knew she wasn’t happy having to ignore her friends. “We can stay,” Benjamin said, and a smile grew on Millie’s face.
“Thank you. Thank you. I love you so much,” Millie said, planting many short, sweet kisses on his lips.
A few minutes later, Millie was standing next to Isabel at the table, “Can I talk to you?” she asked.
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