Fic: Prom Night
"I wish you were coming, too."
Winona pulled his bow tie tight and brushed her hands down his shoulders to smooth out any lingering wrinkles. "If I came too, you and Miss Banner might not be the best dressed couple at the prom."
"You and I could be the best dressed couple," Teddy countered with a grin. Winona clucked her tongue.
"You are going with Bianca!"
"Hey. I'm a great date. Especially at a formal." Winona understood the descriptor "puppy dog eyes"; Teddy's expression was as forlorn as any of the pets he doted on. She pat his cheek.
"I know." Teddy was a perfect prom date: fun, attentive, a good dancer and a sharp dresser. She was certain he'd show Bianca a good time. "Don't worry about me. I have Cooper and Ben and Lindy and a battalion of superteens and random model-actresses to keep me company until you all get to the alternaprom."
Teddy perked up immediately. He wasn't really capable of staying sad for long. With a quick kiss, he picked up Bianca's flowers and made his way to the door. "Save a dance for me."
Winona waved. "Always."
Let's get #ALTERNAPROM to trend! #sexysuperheroes
"Why aren't you going to the school prom?"
"I already went," Bobby explained. "I'm a junior."
"Ah!"
Bobby side-eyed Kit. His mannerisms were weirdly like Trick's. He shrugged. "We're all meeting up for the after party."
"And Bobby will take good care of you until I get there," added Trick as he entered the room. "Right?"
"Uh. Yeah, sure."
Kit and Trick grinned the same grin. So weird.
Thinking of crashing #alternaprom Who's with me?
"You look beautiful."
Ginny caught her father's face in the mirror before she turned to meet his eyes directly. They had the same smile.
"Thank you."
"Are you happy?"
Ginny answered "Of course," but her eyes belied her confusion. Tony settled back in his seat.
"You know 'they'--" He made quotation marks in the air with his fingers. "--say these'll be your best memories. To carry you on for the rest of your life. You're full of promise and big dreams and you feel invincible. And that's why there are magazines and websites and storefronts devoted to selling you--" He pointed to Ginny. "The perfect night. The perfect dress and shoes and jewels and flowers and cars and drinks and drinks--" She raised an eyebrow. "--and condoms--" She blushed scarlet. "--and boyfriends. Or, girlfriends. Everything." He grinned and made air quotes again. "'Perfect'."
"Nothing's perfect," guessed Ginny. Tony shook his head.
"We're perfect, but that's not the point." Ginny rolled her eyes, but giggled softly. "'They'..." Tony let the word linger a moment. "Are wrong." He held her gaze. "I don't remember my senior prom. I'm not sure I went." He shrugged. "Don't worry. Be happy."
He stood and held a hand out to her. "Your young man is waiting." She took a deep breath, nodded, and he pulled her to her feet. "And Ginny--" She glanced up. "I will remember yours."
arriving at #alternaprom with Wonder Woman Winona Williams
@fyyoungavengers she's in front of me. that's with.
"Smile!"
Jamie didn't have a chance to comply, or fully comprehend the directive, before the flash went off in her eyes. "Mom."
Sharon looked chagrinned, but only briefly. "Sorry, hon, but it's your Senior prom. Your last school dance ever."
"They have dances in the military." Steve's smile was as wide as his wife's. "I think." Sharon swatted him, playfully.
"None of you are going to stop me taking as many pictures as I want. Where's your brother?"
"Brushing his hair." Jamie reached the bottom of the stairs and gave her mother a hug. "I want pictures, too, Mom. So…can I take the camera?"
Sharon and Steve shared a look. "Don't drop it in the pool."
"That only happened once!"
"Don't let it fall from the roof either," said Steve. Jamie stuck her tongue out. Sharon snapped the picture.
"Anthonyyyyyyyy!" Jamie called, looking at her phone for the time.
"What?" he asked from the top of the stairs. Sharon started snapping again as he walked down to join them.
"I don't want to be late." Sharon reappeared from behind her camera but Jamie anticipated her comment. "And Mom wants to take five hundred billion pictures."
"Just five hundred million," countered Sharon. Anthony smiled at both and kissed his mother's cheek and then his sister's.
"We won't be late."
#alternaprom
#alternaprom!
#alternaprom!!!!!!!!!
superhero prom! #alternaprom'@mommybaka WTF is alternaprom?'
Amelia paused just before the door into the school. She'd determined to be brave, for her father, and Jamie, and especially Jake. She desperately wanted Jake to have a perfect time. She imagined he would tell her all he needed was her, but that was half the problem. She didn't feel like the same person. Her breath caught suddenly in her throat and she moved out of the line of traffic. Jake followed.
She didn't go far, just enough to catch her breath and stop her heart pounding. After a minute she took Jake's hand and focused on a bright spot in the sky.
"Making a wish?"
Amelia kept her eyes on the sky as she shook her head. "It's not a star. My favorite planet."
Jake smiled. "Saturn?"
She shook her head again, still looking up. "Jupiter."
Jake's eyes narrowed very slightly, but he squeezed her hand. "Why is Jupiter your favorite planet?"
Amelia met his eyes. "…It's biggest." She matched his smile but it was as brave -- and shallow -- as ever. He pulled her into a tight embrace and held her until she felt relaxed in his arms.
Whoever designed #Alternaprom has seen PRETTY IN PINK one too many times.
"Nobody's dancing."
"Maybe they're shy," suggested Cooper.
"What's there to be shy about?" Winona whined.
Cooper cocked her head. "Half the people here were invited because their lives are too bizarre to go to a normal school dance and the other half are people who showed up for an open casting call to fill a "Superhero Prom".
"None of that indicates 'shy' to me."
Cooper chuckled. "You're right. They're not too shy. They're too crazy."
Winona placed her hands on her hips. "Well. We'll just have to take matters into our own hands. And by hands I mean feet."
"I'm not dancing Thriller."
Winona touched a finger to her lips. Cooper groaned. And moved into position to dance Thriller.
Winona Williams and Cooper Osborn dancing http://youtu.be/9ROegKIJLsb #alternaprom
"What are you doing under here?"
"Hiding."
"I see. Why?"
She didn't answer. Peter sat beside her and knocked her shoulder with his own. Amelia ignored it. Peter repeated the knock. Amelia tried to ignore it, but found herself laughing. She knocked back and Peter grinned.
"What's up?"
Amelia stopped laughing. "I wanted to be prom queen." She bit her lip, waiting for his reply with anxious eyes.
"Don't be embarrassed." He smiled with compassion. "That's okay."
"But it's not important. And Jamie deserves it more than me."
"Why?"
Amelia looked away. She thought she could give 100 reasons. Because Jamie is smarter and prettier and kinder and more friendly and more talented and a better leader and a better teammate and her name is on the school and she's the hero and she's the star and she's more deserving and everyone knows it. "Because she's done more for the school."
Peter knocked her shoulders again. "You won a National Championship."
"That we wouldn't have competed in if not for Jamie."
"You're on the yearbook committee."
"Anthony's doing most of it."
"Amelia. I'm not going to sit here and listen to you argue why you're not good enough."
She turned sharply back. "I didn't ask you to. I was hiding."
Peter crossed his arms. "I'm not going to let you alone to wallow in self-pity either."
Tears filled her eyes. "I'm not. I don't want to mess up Jamie's moment or Jake's prom crying about nothing. I just didn't want them to see. I didn't think anyone would care or notice if I disappeared for five minutes."
"Everybody notices when you disappear." Amelia's head whipped around to find Jamie standing at the edge of the bleachers. "It's like your secondary mutation. Are we mutants?" Amelia frowned.
"It's a long debate." Peter stood, pulling Amelia up with him. "Best not to get into it." He gently pushed Amelia toward her friend; Jamie grabbed her hand and led her back into the gym.
"Come on, they're playing our song." Jamie didn't let go until they'd reached the middle of the dance floor.
this band is whack #alternaprom
Does Winona Williams sleep? #Alternaprom #shecansleepinmybed
WHOEVER IS PLAYING #ALTERNAPROM IS MY NEW FAVORITE BAND
Why's Ginny Stark's bf at #alternaprom if she's at #srhsprom? I thought they were engaged? :( #irlotp
band only plays 80s think they drunk ha #alternaprom
"The alternaprom sounds wicked."
Norma peered over Jimmy's shoulder. "It's trending on twitter?" He nodded. "Anything about my sisters?"
"There's a youtube of Cooper dancing."
She grabbed the phone. "Get out!" He pointed. "I don't believe it."
"Winona's trying to organize a dance-off."
Norma grinned. "What are we still doing here?" Jimmy tucked the phone into his pocket, helped her onto his back and sped away.
I want to be an Osborn when I growup #alternaprom
"Is this our after party and the after party is our after after party or is this like a bonus prom and the after party is our after party just like delayed a week?"
Bobby glanced at her. "Um…"
Tallulah giggled. "I guess it doesn't matter."
"Not as long as you're having a good time."
She nodded. "I'm having a good time."
"Good."
"Good!"
They stared at each other a moment, and doubled over laughing.
"What do people do at an after party?" Bobby wondered.
"What do people do at an after after party?" countered Tallulah.
Bobby flashed her a slightly wicked grin. "They order room service."
somebody's covering this for #ONTD right? #alternaprom
Anthony placed his crown on the table. Now that the royals had been announced he imagined they'd be moving on to the After Party/Alternaprom soon. Jake and Amelia, now wearing Jamie's crown, were the only of their group on the dance floor though he and Vincent were alone at the table. Some had already moved on. "Last year this felt so different."
"What did?"
"Prom." Anthony turned to meet his eyes. "You were my date. Not my boyfriend."
"Ah." Vincent flashed a big smile. "This year's better then?"
Anthony felt oddly shy, but smiled back. "Yes."
"You didn't think we'd be here, did you, Mr. Cute?"
Anthony shrugged, still shy. "No one thought we'd be here."
Vincent was thoughtful a moment. "If I were to guess which couple at last year's prom was end game, I'd have chosen Ben and Ginny."
Anthony considered. It seemed a strange thing to say, even if it was true. Which is maybe why his Strange boyfriend said it. He turned back to watch Jake and Amelia dancing. He thought he would choose them, even last year. Jake had told Anthony he wanted to marry her before everyone had caught to the fact they were dating. Maybe Vincent was bending the truth to make his point. But then, what was his point? Anthony frowned.
"I'm jealous of Amelia." It occurred that Vincent would find this an equally -- or more -- strange thing to say. But it's what he had to say.
Vincent followed Anthony's gaze to the couple on the dance floor. "Because she has Jake or because they are star-crossed lovers for whom nothing else matters?"
Anthony nodded. It seemed the simplest response. But at Vincent's chuckle he realized it was the wrong response. Part of him was amazed he'd admitted to any of it, but he couldn't leave Vincent thinking he'd never measure up to Jake. That wasn't the story. "I'll never be as important to Jake as Amelia is. Or anyone. I don't think I am actually capable of having that kind of relationship."
He didn't aspire to a relationship like Jake and Amelia's, not with Vincent or anyone else, but he admired it. He put it on a pedestal. Vincent shook his head.
"I love Amelia, but I don't want to burn up in some kind of fiery romantic supernova. I like knowing you can live without me. I don't want you to want to…but you should be able to."
Anthony touched Vincent's hand. He wanted to explain better. Amelia was close to Vincent, too, and even Jamie. She was just always there, in the way. And nothing like Anthony. Amelia was drowning in all the emotions Anthony repressed. She demanded attention. He controlled it. Even when he shouldn't.
"I'm sorry."
Vincent shook his head again. "Whatever for?"
Anthony lowered his eyes. Vincent tutted and picked up Anthony's crown.
"You're focusing on the wrong issue."
Confusion spread across Anthony's face. "What do you mean?"
Vincent flashed another brilliant smile. "You're at prom with your boyfriend. Your boyfriend of over a year." He wagged the crown, winking. Anthony considered again. Maybe the message was not to be concerned with end games, or games at all. Love and attention aren't won. They're given. Anthony stood, took the crown out of Vincent's hand and interrupted the dance briefly, to place it on Jake's head.
"I love you, Mr. Cute," Vincent awarded him at his return. Anthony took a moment to kiss him deeply before pulling him up.
"Last dance."
Dance. Off. #alternaprom
Jamie and the last group from the regular prom arrived just in time to watch the finale of the Dance Off which consisted of Jimmy, backed up by Norma and Val, versus Anya, backed up by Teddy and Trick. As Jamie jumped into photographer mode and the others scattered to find cold drinks, Amelia scanned the crowd for her brother, but found a new face -- staring -- instead.
"You're Kit." Amelia extended a hand.
"You're pretty."
"Huh?"
"Pretty." Amelia looked confused. Kit raised a finger to his lips. "Oh, are you one of the ones I shouldn't flirt with."
"Huh?"
"You're not Trick's girl are you, Pretty?" He thought he remembered meeting her.
Amelia shook her head, more to clear it than respond. "I'm not Pretty, I'm Amelia."
Kit frowned. "I think you're pretty."
Amelia opened and closed her mouth, unable to figure what to say. Kit leaned in to whisper, "You're welcome."
Amelia pulled back and nearly fell over, but Kit grabbed her elbow and righted her. "...Thank you," she stammered, hoping it covered all required answers.
"You're welcome!" he repeated and at her frown added, "Amelia."
Amelia frowned in consternation. Kit considered.
"Can I buy you a drink?"
Amelia's frown deepened. Kit cocked his head.
"I'm older than Trick. 21 since March."
"No." She bit her lip. "Thank you."
Kit considered again. "Care to dance?"
"I'm engaged," Amelia said shortly.
"To dance?"
"To marry!"
Kit shook his head at her frustration. "You're too young to stop dancing, Pretty."
Amelia couldn't tell if he was deliberately misunderstanding her but she decided she didn't care. This entire conversation was impossible. "I'm not... I'm going to go."
Kit waved as Amelia backed away. It took all her control not to run.
Anthony Rogers is so hot. #alternaprom
"Am I pretty?"
Jake smiled. "You're beautiful."
Amelia scowled. "I don't mean like that."
Jake raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"You love me, of course I'm beautiful. But am I objectively pretty?"
Jake frowned. Amelia bit her lip.
"I'll ask Ben." She turned on her heel and walked purposefully towards the ballroom. Jake scrambled after.
"Ben is not objective. He's your brother."
She waved her hands in some Amelia version of agreement. "So I'm not attractive to him. Like that."
Jake blinked. "Amelia…" But she wasn't listening. He followed her into the crowd.
I would legit KILL for a pic of Nate and Bianca making out. Please. Please? Please! #alternaprom
"Ben! Am I pretty?"
"What?" He couldn't be sure he'd heard her in this noise.
"Pretty. Objectively."
Nope, still didn't make sense. Ben looked from his sister to Jake, just behind her, but he looked as confused as Ben was.
"What?"
Amelia stomped her feet in frustration. "Why is this a hard question?"
Ben exchanged another glance with Jake. "You know you're pretty, dork. What's this about?"
Amelia bit her lip. Her eyes moved from Ben to Jake and finally Lindy, standing quietly at Ben's side. She felt suddenly small. "I don't know. Nothing. I'm sorry."
Ben shook his head. "Don't apologize. Answer the question."
She crossed her arms and looked at the floor. "The new guy said I'm pretty."
Ben worried he knew where this was going. "Well, that's your answer."
"Huh?"
"If he never saw you before today he's objective."
Amelia turned back, blushing with embarrassment but still scared enough to explain. "Not if he's secretly evil."
Ben sighed inwardly. He was tired. But outwardly, he took her by the shoulders and waited for her to meet his eyes directly.
"Don't jump at shadows, Amelia. It's your senior prom. All your friends are here. And none of your enemies."
She let go of the breath she was holding and nodded. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay." He gave her a gentle push toward Jake. "Go be prom queen." She touched a hand to the crown on her head; she'd all but forgotten it was there. A glance to Jake confirmed he'd put Anthony's crown down at some point. Amelia grinned and ran back to hug her brother tightly. He closed his eyes and returned the embrace.
Amelia pulled back, swiftly plucked the crown from her head and dropped it on to Lindy's. Lindy blinked but Ben and Jake watched with near identical smiles.
WTF is skeeball? #alternaprom
The party was moving out of the ballroom. Bobby and Lulu had disappeared ages ago and the older crowd had moved to the bar. Trick and Kit were looking for a crowd to try out the carnival games by the board walk and Nate and Bianca excused themselves for a walk on the beach. Vincent thought the tournament Trick and Kit were attempting to organize sounded fun but he'd rather stay with Anthony.
Amelia appeared suddenly beside him. "Vincent, is there anything here that shouldn't be?"
"Hm?"
"Magic. Is everybody here who they say they are?" Ben had made her feel better, but… she wanted to be as sure as possible.
Vincent held her gaze before answering; she was sincere. He shrugged and glanced around the room with second sight.
"Yes."
"You're sure."
Vincent straightened. "Yes," he repeated, with as much seriousness as he could muster. Amelia visibly relaxed. He tugged at a loose strand of hair. "Are you ever going to tell me what this is about?"
Amelia bit her lip. "Not now."
Vincent nodded. "Good. Now is a party."
Teddy Williams should be on Celebrity Intervention #cokehead #alternaprom
"Well?"
Regina pursed her lips, but she had to admit it. "You were right."
Loki smiled. "Thank you." Regina glared. He was really insufferable sometimes. Most times. "I don't know why you don't always use the mirror." It was so convenient to watch from afar, where little boys with magic sight can't see you. One of the things he missed most about Asgard. That and the throne. And the desserts.
"It's not infallible." She crossed her arms. "And sometimes slow."
"You're too impatient." He paused to take a sip of wine, and illustrate his point. "We're immortal. We have time."
Regina's eyes narrowed. "My son is not like us."
"Your son is immaterial."
She turned from the mirror, eyes flashing. "Not to me."
Loki waved his hands. "The girl is primed to spring. The pawns are practically dancing. It won't be much longer."
"You've said that before."
"I've probably meant it before."
Regina turned back to the mirror in disgust. "And yet here we are, again, watching in hiding."
"I fail to see how that is my fault."
"It's never your fault is it?"
"No, it's not. I just trust the wrong people."
Regina rolled her eyes. She spun away from the mirror and Loki both and swept out of the room. She had dignity. And better things to do. "Enjoy the show." It pleased her to think he needed her more than she needed him. And with that she was gone.
Loki turned his full attention to the mirror. "Not long. . . at all."
Is Jakelia even at the #alternaprom?
It was late. Or early. Trick was the first one in the pool, fully clothed, and grinning. After that it was anyone's guess but more than half the party ended up wet. Ginny was momentarily concerned about hotel damages, or worse, tabloids, but she caught Vincent winking and relaxed. Just in time to be knocked into the water. Anthony took over the camera so Jamie could jump in. Ben and Lindy watched from the roof. Jake and Amelia were missing, but together, so no one wondered why.
They were far enough from the hotel Amelia could no longer hear the party. Or the city. Just the waves as they lapped on the shore, and her own heartbeat. She leaned back into Jake's embrace and looked up to find Jupiter again. Jake followed her eyes.
"We went to a planetarium in fourth grade. We watched a movie about a brother and a sister who made a rocket out of a cardboard box. And they flew it into space and visited all the planets." Amelia smiled; she remembered asking Ben to build them a rocket and being disappointed that they didn't have a backyard. She hugged Jake's arms closer. "And after the movie the teacher went around the circle and asked us all which planet was our favorite. And you answered Saturn."
Amelia turned. "You remember that?"
Jake nodded seriously. "I remember everything."
Amelia shifted, turning into his embrace with her back to the water.
"I liked the rings. They reminded me of hula hoops." Jake smiled. "But then I found out all the outer planets have rings. And that Jupiter is made up of star stuff. I mean all the gas giants are but Jupiter is the closest to making it. To being a star, a real star, instead of a pretend one." She'd drawn a map of Jupiter's moons once, and made up stories about people who lived there, never knowing their sun was an impostor. "It's almost there, you know? It's so close. But it will never make it. It will always just be Jupiter. The biggest and brightest and stormiest of all the planets in our solar system. But not a star."
She pulled her lips in over her teeth and shrugged. Jake tightened his arms again. He wished she could see herself the way he saw her. Objectively beautiful. Sunshine. She blushed under his scrutiny.
"I'm sorry." Jake raised an eyebrow. "I wanted tonight to be…" She bit her lip. "I'm sorry."
Jake ran a hand through her hair. "Do you know what I wanted tonight to be?" Amelia shook her head. "With you."
She caught her breath. "What's your favorite planet?"
He brushed his lips across her nose.
"Earth."
Hit the bar hard. #alternaprom
It was near dawn when Winona stumbled onto the roof. Lindy blinked. Ben frowned and stood to meet her.
"You are here." She swayed so much when she pointed toward them Ben was surprised she was standing at all.
"Where's Teddy?"
Winona thought about this deeply before answering. "With Cooper." Ben imagined that was probably true though he had no indication Winona knew it to be so. "He was a little drunk." Ben raised an eyebrow; he wasn't the only one.
"Why aren't you with them?"
Winona paused to think about this deeply, too. "I wanted to find you." She stepped closer to Ben and he moved away instinctively.
"Why?"
"Because …" They did a two-step again and Winona found herself at the edge. "Oh. It's high!"
Ben pulled her back. "Be careful."
Winona made a face. "I can fly." Ben tried to pull her back again but she yanked away and nearly toppled. Ben moved closer but held his hands up where she could see them. "I can fly," she said again, and louder.
"I know."
She raised her chin, pleased he agreed. "Even if I hit it wouldn't kill me."
Ben remained still. "It would hurt."
Winona nodded. "Yes." She sounded so matter of fact Ben had no immediate response. She nodded again and stepped up onto the lip of the roof. Ben held his breath.
"Winona, come down."
Her eyes caught the light as she turned to meet the worry in his tone, and gaze. "You can fly, too. You would catch me."
Again, the candor left him momentarily speechless.
"Please come down." Lindy's voice startled them both. Winona's eyes flickered from one to the other.
"Please always helps." She took Ben's outstretched hand and he pulled her back to the center of the roof. Lindy followed and all three relaxed when they reached it. Winona touched her free hand to Lindy's hair. "I like your crown."
Ben tried to steer her toward the door. "We'll take you to your room." Winona started to nod but everything was swaying. She sat, suddenly, and pulled Ben down with her.
"I'm very tired." She was clinging to his hand, just as strong as he was. Ben pursed his lips and shifted until he was leaning against the wall of the stairwell. Winona sighed and laid her head on his lap, falling asleep immediately, curled with his hand under her body. Lindy settled next to Ben and took his free hand. His answering smile was tired but grateful. With her other hand Lindy stroked Winona's hair. Ben leaned his head against the wall and watched Lindy. The crown caught the light of the stairwell and it danced across her face.
"I love you," he murmured into the early morning. Lindy smiled.
"I love you, too."
Ben blinked. And smiled. He leaned forward until his forehead hit hers. They closed their eyes, and eventually drifted to sleep.
Hope everybody enjoyed #alternaprom THERE BETTER BE PICTURES
Jamie thought she should be tired. But somewhen around five AM she passed through tired and into still awake. Oh well. It was a beautiful sunrise. She slipped out of bed, careful not to jostle Liv, and stepped onto the balcony to snap a few last pictures.
Winona pulled his bow tie tight and brushed her hands down his shoulders to smooth out any lingering wrinkles. "If I came too, you and Miss Banner might not be the best dressed couple at the prom."
"You and I could be the best dressed couple," Teddy countered with a grin. Winona clucked her tongue.
"You are going with Bianca!"
"Hey. I'm a great date. Especially at a formal." Winona understood the descriptor "puppy dog eyes"; Teddy's expression was as forlorn as any of the pets he doted on. She pat his cheek.
"I know." Teddy was a perfect prom date: fun, attentive, a good dancer and a sharp dresser. She was certain he'd show Bianca a good time. "Don't worry about me. I have Cooper and Ben and Lindy and a battalion of superteens and random model-actresses to keep me company until you all get to the alternaprom."
Teddy perked up immediately. He wasn't really capable of staying sad for long. With a quick kiss, he picked up Bianca's flowers and made his way to the door. "Save a dance for me."
Winona waved. "Always."
Let's get #ALTERNAPROM to trend! #sexysuperheroes
"Why aren't you going to the school prom?"
"I already went," Bobby explained. "I'm a junior."
"Ah!"
Bobby side-eyed Kit. His mannerisms were weirdly like Trick's. He shrugged. "We're all meeting up for the after party."
"And Bobby will take good care of you until I get there," added Trick as he entered the room. "Right?"
"Uh. Yeah, sure."
Kit and Trick grinned the same grin. So weird.
Thinking of crashing #alternaprom Who's with me?
"You look beautiful."
Ginny caught her father's face in the mirror before she turned to meet his eyes directly. They had the same smile.
"Thank you."
"Are you happy?"
Ginny answered "Of course," but her eyes belied her confusion. Tony settled back in his seat.
"You know 'they'--" He made quotation marks in the air with his fingers. "--say these'll be your best memories. To carry you on for the rest of your life. You're full of promise and big dreams and you feel invincible. And that's why there are magazines and websites and storefronts devoted to selling you--" He pointed to Ginny. "The perfect night. The perfect dress and shoes and jewels and flowers and cars and drinks and drinks--" She raised an eyebrow. "--and condoms--" She blushed scarlet. "--and boyfriends. Or, girlfriends. Everything." He grinned and made air quotes again. "'Perfect'."
"Nothing's perfect," guessed Ginny. Tony shook his head.
"We're perfect, but that's not the point." Ginny rolled her eyes, but giggled softly. "'They'..." Tony let the word linger a moment. "Are wrong." He held her gaze. "I don't remember my senior prom. I'm not sure I went." He shrugged. "Don't worry. Be happy."
He stood and held a hand out to her. "Your young man is waiting." She took a deep breath, nodded, and he pulled her to her feet. "And Ginny--" She glanced up. "I will remember yours."
arriving at #alternaprom with Wonder Woman Winona Williams
@fyyoungavengers she's in front of me. that's with.
"Smile!"
Jamie didn't have a chance to comply, or fully comprehend the directive, before the flash went off in her eyes. "Mom."
Sharon looked chagrinned, but only briefly. "Sorry, hon, but it's your Senior prom. Your last school dance ever."
"They have dances in the military." Steve's smile was as wide as his wife's. "I think." Sharon swatted him, playfully.
"None of you are going to stop me taking as many pictures as I want. Where's your brother?"
"Brushing his hair." Jamie reached the bottom of the stairs and gave her mother a hug. "I want pictures, too, Mom. So…can I take the camera?"
Sharon and Steve shared a look. "Don't drop it in the pool."
"That only happened once!"
"Don't let it fall from the roof either," said Steve. Jamie stuck her tongue out. Sharon snapped the picture.
"Anthonyyyyyyyy!" Jamie called, looking at her phone for the time.
"What?" he asked from the top of the stairs. Sharon started snapping again as he walked down to join them.
"I don't want to be late." Sharon reappeared from behind her camera but Jamie anticipated her comment. "And Mom wants to take five hundred billion pictures."
"Just five hundred million," countered Sharon. Anthony smiled at both and kissed his mother's cheek and then his sister's.
"We won't be late."
#alternaprom
#alternaprom!
#alternaprom!!!!!!!!!
superhero prom! #alternaprom'@mommybaka WTF is alternaprom?'
Amelia paused just before the door into the school. She'd determined to be brave, for her father, and Jamie, and especially Jake. She desperately wanted Jake to have a perfect time. She imagined he would tell her all he needed was her, but that was half the problem. She didn't feel like the same person. Her breath caught suddenly in her throat and she moved out of the line of traffic. Jake followed.
She didn't go far, just enough to catch her breath and stop her heart pounding. After a minute she took Jake's hand and focused on a bright spot in the sky.
"Making a wish?"
Amelia kept her eyes on the sky as she shook her head. "It's not a star. My favorite planet."
Jake smiled. "Saturn?"
She shook her head again, still looking up. "Jupiter."
Jake's eyes narrowed very slightly, but he squeezed her hand. "Why is Jupiter your favorite planet?"
Amelia met his eyes. "…It's biggest." She matched his smile but it was as brave -- and shallow -- as ever. He pulled her into a tight embrace and held her until she felt relaxed in his arms.
Whoever designed #Alternaprom has seen PRETTY IN PINK one too many times.
"Nobody's dancing."
"Maybe they're shy," suggested Cooper.
"What's there to be shy about?" Winona whined.
Cooper cocked her head. "Half the people here were invited because their lives are too bizarre to go to a normal school dance and the other half are people who showed up for an open casting call to fill a "Superhero Prom".
"None of that indicates 'shy' to me."
Cooper chuckled. "You're right. They're not too shy. They're too crazy."
Winona placed her hands on her hips. "Well. We'll just have to take matters into our own hands. And by hands I mean feet."
"I'm not dancing Thriller."
Winona touched a finger to her lips. Cooper groaned. And moved into position to dance Thriller.
Winona Williams and Cooper Osborn dancing http://youtu.be/9ROegKIJLsb #alternaprom
"What are you doing under here?"
"Hiding."
"I see. Why?"
She didn't answer. Peter sat beside her and knocked her shoulder with his own. Amelia ignored it. Peter repeated the knock. Amelia tried to ignore it, but found herself laughing. She knocked back and Peter grinned.
"What's up?"
Amelia stopped laughing. "I wanted to be prom queen." She bit her lip, waiting for his reply with anxious eyes.
"Don't be embarrassed." He smiled with compassion. "That's okay."
"But it's not important. And Jamie deserves it more than me."
"Why?"
Amelia looked away. She thought she could give 100 reasons. Because Jamie is smarter and prettier and kinder and more friendly and more talented and a better leader and a better teammate and her name is on the school and she's the hero and she's the star and she's more deserving and everyone knows it. "Because she's done more for the school."
Peter knocked her shoulders again. "You won a National Championship."
"That we wouldn't have competed in if not for Jamie."
"You're on the yearbook committee."
"Anthony's doing most of it."
"Amelia. I'm not going to sit here and listen to you argue why you're not good enough."
She turned sharply back. "I didn't ask you to. I was hiding."
Peter crossed his arms. "I'm not going to let you alone to wallow in self-pity either."
Tears filled her eyes. "I'm not. I don't want to mess up Jamie's moment or Jake's prom crying about nothing. I just didn't want them to see. I didn't think anyone would care or notice if I disappeared for five minutes."
"Everybody notices when you disappear." Amelia's head whipped around to find Jamie standing at the edge of the bleachers. "It's like your secondary mutation. Are we mutants?" Amelia frowned.
"It's a long debate." Peter stood, pulling Amelia up with him. "Best not to get into it." He gently pushed Amelia toward her friend; Jamie grabbed her hand and led her back into the gym.
"Come on, they're playing our song." Jamie didn't let go until they'd reached the middle of the dance floor.
this band is whack #alternaprom
Does Winona Williams sleep? #Alternaprom #shecansleepinmybed
WHOEVER IS PLAYING #ALTERNAPROM IS MY NEW FAVORITE BAND
Why's Ginny Stark's bf at #alternaprom if she's at #srhsprom? I thought they were engaged? :( #irlotp
band only plays 80s think they drunk ha #alternaprom
"The alternaprom sounds wicked."
Norma peered over Jimmy's shoulder. "It's trending on twitter?" He nodded. "Anything about my sisters?"
"There's a youtube of Cooper dancing."
She grabbed the phone. "Get out!" He pointed. "I don't believe it."
"Winona's trying to organize a dance-off."
Norma grinned. "What are we still doing here?" Jimmy tucked the phone into his pocket, helped her onto his back and sped away.
I want to be an Osborn when I growup #alternaprom
"Is this our after party and the after party is our after after party or is this like a bonus prom and the after party is our after party just like delayed a week?"
Bobby glanced at her. "Um…"
Tallulah giggled. "I guess it doesn't matter."
"Not as long as you're having a good time."
She nodded. "I'm having a good time."
"Good."
"Good!"
They stared at each other a moment, and doubled over laughing.
"What do people do at an after party?" Bobby wondered.
"What do people do at an after after party?" countered Tallulah.
Bobby flashed her a slightly wicked grin. "They order room service."
somebody's covering this for #ONTD right? #alternaprom
Anthony placed his crown on the table. Now that the royals had been announced he imagined they'd be moving on to the After Party/Alternaprom soon. Jake and Amelia, now wearing Jamie's crown, were the only of their group on the dance floor though he and Vincent were alone at the table. Some had already moved on. "Last year this felt so different."
"What did?"
"Prom." Anthony turned to meet his eyes. "You were my date. Not my boyfriend."
"Ah." Vincent flashed a big smile. "This year's better then?"
Anthony felt oddly shy, but smiled back. "Yes."
"You didn't think we'd be here, did you, Mr. Cute?"
Anthony shrugged, still shy. "No one thought we'd be here."
Vincent was thoughtful a moment. "If I were to guess which couple at last year's prom was end game, I'd have chosen Ben and Ginny."
Anthony considered. It seemed a strange thing to say, even if it was true. Which is maybe why his Strange boyfriend said it. He turned back to watch Jake and Amelia dancing. He thought he would choose them, even last year. Jake had told Anthony he wanted to marry her before everyone had caught to the fact they were dating. Maybe Vincent was bending the truth to make his point. But then, what was his point? Anthony frowned.
"I'm jealous of Amelia." It occurred that Vincent would find this an equally -- or more -- strange thing to say. But it's what he had to say.
Vincent followed Anthony's gaze to the couple on the dance floor. "Because she has Jake or because they are star-crossed lovers for whom nothing else matters?"
Anthony nodded. It seemed the simplest response. But at Vincent's chuckle he realized it was the wrong response. Part of him was amazed he'd admitted to any of it, but he couldn't leave Vincent thinking he'd never measure up to Jake. That wasn't the story. "I'll never be as important to Jake as Amelia is. Or anyone. I don't think I am actually capable of having that kind of relationship."
He didn't aspire to a relationship like Jake and Amelia's, not with Vincent or anyone else, but he admired it. He put it on a pedestal. Vincent shook his head.
"I love Amelia, but I don't want to burn up in some kind of fiery romantic supernova. I like knowing you can live without me. I don't want you to want to…but you should be able to."
Anthony touched Vincent's hand. He wanted to explain better. Amelia was close to Vincent, too, and even Jamie. She was just always there, in the way. And nothing like Anthony. Amelia was drowning in all the emotions Anthony repressed. She demanded attention. He controlled it. Even when he shouldn't.
"I'm sorry."
Vincent shook his head again. "Whatever for?"
Anthony lowered his eyes. Vincent tutted and picked up Anthony's crown.
"You're focusing on the wrong issue."
Confusion spread across Anthony's face. "What do you mean?"
Vincent flashed another brilliant smile. "You're at prom with your boyfriend. Your boyfriend of over a year." He wagged the crown, winking. Anthony considered again. Maybe the message was not to be concerned with end games, or games at all. Love and attention aren't won. They're given. Anthony stood, took the crown out of Vincent's hand and interrupted the dance briefly, to place it on Jake's head.
"I love you, Mr. Cute," Vincent awarded him at his return. Anthony took a moment to kiss him deeply before pulling him up.
"Last dance."
Dance. Off. #alternaprom
Jamie and the last group from the regular prom arrived just in time to watch the finale of the Dance Off which consisted of Jimmy, backed up by Norma and Val, versus Anya, backed up by Teddy and Trick. As Jamie jumped into photographer mode and the others scattered to find cold drinks, Amelia scanned the crowd for her brother, but found a new face -- staring -- instead.
"You're Kit." Amelia extended a hand.
"You're pretty."
"Huh?"
"Pretty." Amelia looked confused. Kit raised a finger to his lips. "Oh, are you one of the ones I shouldn't flirt with."
"Huh?"
"You're not Trick's girl are you, Pretty?" He thought he remembered meeting her.
Amelia shook her head, more to clear it than respond. "I'm not Pretty, I'm Amelia."
Kit frowned. "I think you're pretty."
Amelia opened and closed her mouth, unable to figure what to say. Kit leaned in to whisper, "You're welcome."
Amelia pulled back and nearly fell over, but Kit grabbed her elbow and righted her. "...Thank you," she stammered, hoping it covered all required answers.
"You're welcome!" he repeated and at her frown added, "Amelia."
Amelia frowned in consternation. Kit considered.
"Can I buy you a drink?"
Amelia's frown deepened. Kit cocked his head.
"I'm older than Trick. 21 since March."
"No." She bit her lip. "Thank you."
Kit considered again. "Care to dance?"
"I'm engaged," Amelia said shortly.
"To dance?"
"To marry!"
Kit shook his head at her frustration. "You're too young to stop dancing, Pretty."
Amelia couldn't tell if he was deliberately misunderstanding her but she decided she didn't care. This entire conversation was impossible. "I'm not... I'm going to go."
Kit waved as Amelia backed away. It took all her control not to run.
Anthony Rogers is so hot. #alternaprom
"Am I pretty?"
Jake smiled. "You're beautiful."
Amelia scowled. "I don't mean like that."
Jake raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"You love me, of course I'm beautiful. But am I objectively pretty?"
Jake frowned. Amelia bit her lip.
"I'll ask Ben." She turned on her heel and walked purposefully towards the ballroom. Jake scrambled after.
"Ben is not objective. He's your brother."
She waved her hands in some Amelia version of agreement. "So I'm not attractive to him. Like that."
Jake blinked. "Amelia…" But she wasn't listening. He followed her into the crowd.
I would legit KILL for a pic of Nate and Bianca making out. Please. Please? Please! #alternaprom
"Ben! Am I pretty?"
"What?" He couldn't be sure he'd heard her in this noise.
"Pretty. Objectively."
Nope, still didn't make sense. Ben looked from his sister to Jake, just behind her, but he looked as confused as Ben was.
"What?"
Amelia stomped her feet in frustration. "Why is this a hard question?"
Ben exchanged another glance with Jake. "You know you're pretty, dork. What's this about?"
Amelia bit her lip. Her eyes moved from Ben to Jake and finally Lindy, standing quietly at Ben's side. She felt suddenly small. "I don't know. Nothing. I'm sorry."
Ben shook his head. "Don't apologize. Answer the question."
She crossed her arms and looked at the floor. "The new guy said I'm pretty."
Ben worried he knew where this was going. "Well, that's your answer."
"Huh?"
"If he never saw you before today he's objective."
Amelia turned back, blushing with embarrassment but still scared enough to explain. "Not if he's secretly evil."
Ben sighed inwardly. He was tired. But outwardly, he took her by the shoulders and waited for her to meet his eyes directly.
"Don't jump at shadows, Amelia. It's your senior prom. All your friends are here. And none of your enemies."
She let go of the breath she was holding and nodded. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay." He gave her a gentle push toward Jake. "Go be prom queen." She touched a hand to the crown on her head; she'd all but forgotten it was there. A glance to Jake confirmed he'd put Anthony's crown down at some point. Amelia grinned and ran back to hug her brother tightly. He closed his eyes and returned the embrace.
Amelia pulled back, swiftly plucked the crown from her head and dropped it on to Lindy's. Lindy blinked but Ben and Jake watched with near identical smiles.
WTF is skeeball? #alternaprom
The party was moving out of the ballroom. Bobby and Lulu had disappeared ages ago and the older crowd had moved to the bar. Trick and Kit were looking for a crowd to try out the carnival games by the board walk and Nate and Bianca excused themselves for a walk on the beach. Vincent thought the tournament Trick and Kit were attempting to organize sounded fun but he'd rather stay with Anthony.
Amelia appeared suddenly beside him. "Vincent, is there anything here that shouldn't be?"
"Hm?"
"Magic. Is everybody here who they say they are?" Ben had made her feel better, but… she wanted to be as sure as possible.
Vincent held her gaze before answering; she was sincere. He shrugged and glanced around the room with second sight.
"Yes."
"You're sure."
Vincent straightened. "Yes," he repeated, with as much seriousness as he could muster. Amelia visibly relaxed. He tugged at a loose strand of hair. "Are you ever going to tell me what this is about?"
Amelia bit her lip. "Not now."
Vincent nodded. "Good. Now is a party."
Teddy Williams should be on Celebrity Intervention #cokehead #alternaprom
"Well?"
Regina pursed her lips, but she had to admit it. "You were right."
Loki smiled. "Thank you." Regina glared. He was really insufferable sometimes. Most times. "I don't know why you don't always use the mirror." It was so convenient to watch from afar, where little boys with magic sight can't see you. One of the things he missed most about Asgard. That and the throne. And the desserts.
"It's not infallible." She crossed her arms. "And sometimes slow."
"You're too impatient." He paused to take a sip of wine, and illustrate his point. "We're immortal. We have time."
Regina's eyes narrowed. "My son is not like us."
"Your son is immaterial."
She turned from the mirror, eyes flashing. "Not to me."
Loki waved his hands. "The girl is primed to spring. The pawns are practically dancing. It won't be much longer."
"You've said that before."
"I've probably meant it before."
Regina turned back to the mirror in disgust. "And yet here we are, again, watching in hiding."
"I fail to see how that is my fault."
"It's never your fault is it?"
"No, it's not. I just trust the wrong people."
Regina rolled her eyes. She spun away from the mirror and Loki both and swept out of the room. She had dignity. And better things to do. "Enjoy the show." It pleased her to think he needed her more than she needed him. And with that she was gone.
Loki turned his full attention to the mirror. "Not long. . . at all."
Is Jakelia even at the #alternaprom?
It was late. Or early. Trick was the first one in the pool, fully clothed, and grinning. After that it was anyone's guess but more than half the party ended up wet. Ginny was momentarily concerned about hotel damages, or worse, tabloids, but she caught Vincent winking and relaxed. Just in time to be knocked into the water. Anthony took over the camera so Jamie could jump in. Ben and Lindy watched from the roof. Jake and Amelia were missing, but together, so no one wondered why.
They were far enough from the hotel Amelia could no longer hear the party. Or the city. Just the waves as they lapped on the shore, and her own heartbeat. She leaned back into Jake's embrace and looked up to find Jupiter again. Jake followed her eyes.
"We went to a planetarium in fourth grade. We watched a movie about a brother and a sister who made a rocket out of a cardboard box. And they flew it into space and visited all the planets." Amelia smiled; she remembered asking Ben to build them a rocket and being disappointed that they didn't have a backyard. She hugged Jake's arms closer. "And after the movie the teacher went around the circle and asked us all which planet was our favorite. And you answered Saturn."
Amelia turned. "You remember that?"
Jake nodded seriously. "I remember everything."
Amelia shifted, turning into his embrace with her back to the water.
"I liked the rings. They reminded me of hula hoops." Jake smiled. "But then I found out all the outer planets have rings. And that Jupiter is made up of star stuff. I mean all the gas giants are but Jupiter is the closest to making it. To being a star, a real star, instead of a pretend one." She'd drawn a map of Jupiter's moons once, and made up stories about people who lived there, never knowing their sun was an impostor. "It's almost there, you know? It's so close. But it will never make it. It will always just be Jupiter. The biggest and brightest and stormiest of all the planets in our solar system. But not a star."
She pulled her lips in over her teeth and shrugged. Jake tightened his arms again. He wished she could see herself the way he saw her. Objectively beautiful. Sunshine. She blushed under his scrutiny.
"I'm sorry." Jake raised an eyebrow. "I wanted tonight to be…" She bit her lip. "I'm sorry."
Jake ran a hand through her hair. "Do you know what I wanted tonight to be?" Amelia shook her head. "With you."
She caught her breath. "What's your favorite planet?"
He brushed his lips across her nose.
"Earth."
Hit the bar hard. #alternaprom
It was near dawn when Winona stumbled onto the roof. Lindy blinked. Ben frowned and stood to meet her.
"You are here." She swayed so much when she pointed toward them Ben was surprised she was standing at all.
"Where's Teddy?"
Winona thought about this deeply before answering. "With Cooper." Ben imagined that was probably true though he had no indication Winona knew it to be so. "He was a little drunk." Ben raised an eyebrow; he wasn't the only one.
"Why aren't you with them?"
Winona paused to think about this deeply, too. "I wanted to find you." She stepped closer to Ben and he moved away instinctively.
"Why?"
"Because …" They did a two-step again and Winona found herself at the edge. "Oh. It's high!"
Ben pulled her back. "Be careful."
Winona made a face. "I can fly." Ben tried to pull her back again but she yanked away and nearly toppled. Ben moved closer but held his hands up where she could see them. "I can fly," she said again, and louder.
"I know."
She raised her chin, pleased he agreed. "Even if I hit it wouldn't kill me."
Ben remained still. "It would hurt."
Winona nodded. "Yes." She sounded so matter of fact Ben had no immediate response. She nodded again and stepped up onto the lip of the roof. Ben held his breath.
"Winona, come down."
Her eyes caught the light as she turned to meet the worry in his tone, and gaze. "You can fly, too. You would catch me."
Again, the candor left him momentarily speechless.
"Please come down." Lindy's voice startled them both. Winona's eyes flickered from one to the other.
"Please always helps." She took Ben's outstretched hand and he pulled her back to the center of the roof. Lindy followed and all three relaxed when they reached it. Winona touched her free hand to Lindy's hair. "I like your crown."
Ben tried to steer her toward the door. "We'll take you to your room." Winona started to nod but everything was swaying. She sat, suddenly, and pulled Ben down with her.
"I'm very tired." She was clinging to his hand, just as strong as he was. Ben pursed his lips and shifted until he was leaning against the wall of the stairwell. Winona sighed and laid her head on his lap, falling asleep immediately, curled with his hand under her body. Lindy settled next to Ben and took his free hand. His answering smile was tired but grateful. With her other hand Lindy stroked Winona's hair. Ben leaned his head against the wall and watched Lindy. The crown caught the light of the stairwell and it danced across her face.
"I love you," he murmured into the early morning. Lindy smiled.
"I love you, too."
Ben blinked. And smiled. He leaned forward until his forehead hit hers. They closed their eyes, and eventually drifted to sleep.
Hope everybody enjoyed #alternaprom THERE BETTER BE PICTURES
Jamie thought she should be tired. But somewhen around five AM she passed through tired and into still awake. Oh well. It was a beautiful sunrise. She slipped out of bed, careful not to jostle Liv, and stepped onto the balcony to snap a few last pictures.