The tale of the shadow phoenixes

Chapter ten.

Eventually the big night came and Cole headed off to pick up Arianna. Leah was going with Tom and James had asked some girl named Jane because there was no one else. (Besides Toe crusher Tabitha). *Ding, dong!* The doorbell rang as Cole rang it. The door opened and a woman who must have been Arianna’s mother stood in the doorway. Arianna’s mother Irene was clearly were Arianna got her beauty and temperament from. Irene looked like an older version of her. Irene smiled warmly. “You must be Cole. Please come inside out of the cold night air.” Irene said. Cole happily obliged. “Arianna is almost done getting ready.” Irene said. A man walked into the room. This must have been Arianna’s father. He had short black hair and cold dark blue eyes. “Irene, who is this?” The man asked in a cold tone. Irene sidled up to her husband. “This is Cole. He’s taking Arianna to the ball. Remember Arianna told us about him?” Irene asked her husband. He simply stood there and gave Cole a cold look. “Marvelo?” Irene asked. Marvelo sighed and gave Cole a nonhappy nod to make his wife happy. Just then the door to a room upstairs opened and Arianna walked out in a beautiful red dress. She smiled at Cole, her face filled with friendliness. She trotted up to Marvelo and placed a kiss on his cheek. Marvelo smiled with real joy at his beloved daughter. Then Arianna hugged her mother and headed off with Cole. “Bye mom, bye daddy!” She called. As they walked it was sort of awkward because Cole wasn’t sure what to do. He considered taking her hand. Cole’s spine shivered at the thought of holding her slender smooth hand. It was just sitting there at her side. He was just about to reach for it when Arianna moved it to tuck a strand of her hair back into place. Cole sighed inwardly. This was super awkward. “James would be better with her to break the silence.” Cole thought. Cole was startled by the thought.

When they finally got to the ball they took a place in the ballroom and began to dance. All around them were young men and women. The women in flowing beautiful dresses and the men in black and white tie suits. “Hey look there’s Leah.” Arianna motioned. Cole looked to see his sister dancing with Tom. Leah looked absolutely happy with Tom. She had her long blonde hair flowing down her back and she wore a dark green dress. Her blue eyes sparkled with happiness. Cole looked back at Arianna. She was so beautiful in the candle light and she was so nice. “Hi guys.” James said. He and Jane were nearby. Cole nodded. They danced until an announcement rang through the air. “Okay everyone, it is time for the SWITCHEROO! Young men pass your partner to the next man and then when the switcheroo you’ll get your partner back. (I made up the “switcheroo” btw.) Cole spun Arianna around and then off to the next man who just happened to be James. James smiled at her. “Hi Arianna. You been having a good time with Cole?” James asked. Arianna nodded. “I guess.” Cole wasn’t as lucky. He was about to catch another girl when she was pushed away by a girl with short, curly sandy brown hair and brown eyes. “Hi Cole. I’m Tabitha.” She said. Cole gulped and began to curl his toes further back in his shoes. “I’m SOOO glad, they’re doing the switcheroo because I’ve been dancing all alone. Nobody wanted to dance with me. I don’t know why.” Tabitha said. “I wonder why.” Cole muttered under his breath.

Next chapter coming soon! 😊

-SunnyFox57.