The week that followed swept the grisly events of Sunday evening under the excited anticipation of Lydia's first school dance on Saturday. The morning of the dance had the manor buzzing with preparation as Gale helped a nervously excited Lydia manage the primping details of her special occasion with all of the adoring fervor of an older sister who had raised her since birth.

     Corbin was up and dressed to do battle with the harsh cold outside in order to wash and clean his new car so that the ladies he'd be escorting to the dance could arrive in sparkling style. To Corbin's surprise when he reached the garage a speeding blur had enveloped his car, zooming around it faster than his eyes could follow. He took notice of a trail of water spots on the concrete floor that lead from the car to the closed garage door, where they snuck under the door's seal, telling of a freshly washed car. A small pile of damp towels rested near the car along with an open bottle of liquid wax.

    "Shade! What are you doing?" he asked, knowing what but wondering why?

    The darting blur came to a sudden halt, revealing Shade with a wax applicator in one hand and a soft terry cloth in the other.

    "I'm addin' a little more shine to your ride, after all, I can't have you takin' my little sis and Amanda to the dance in a dirty car," she smirked, playfully fluttering her eyebrows at the insinuating mention of Amanda.

    Corbin walked up to his smirking sister with a speechless sigh as he examined the glossy reflection she had been waxing to perfection.

    "It...looks fantastic," he praised. "But, you really didn't have to do this," he added.

    "Well, you picked up a few small scratches when you and Lydia came to save my hide, so I figured the least I could do was take a stab at buffin' 'em out. All in all, I think ol' Red here looks as good as new again," she said, turning toward the car to admire her handiwork. 

    Glancing again at the car's immaculate finish, then at Shade's glowing pride in a job well done, Corbin said earnestly,"Thanks Shade, really."

    Turning back to him, she winked and replied,"Don't mention it."

    Corbin left Shade to her happy task and returned to the solitude of his room. Cleaning his car was something he definitely intended to do for the sake of his little sister's arrival at the dance, whether anyone really noticed or not, but it was also going to offer him a welcome distraction from his own excited butterflies that fluttered around because of Amanda's impending arrival as his date for the dance later on.

    He plopped down on his bed with an anxious sigh as he stared at his tuxedo hanging on the closet door. He wondered how his date with Amanda would go. He was secretly awaiting a night with her more eagerly than he let on in front of his sisters, though he suspected they knew of his feelings for her since when she visited he hovered around her, hoping to be of interest to her. Then of course, there was all that playful flirting they enjoyed openly.

  Her mere presence in a room captivated him and when she smiled discreetly after catching him in the act of stealing glances at her something in his chest swelled. She was like no other, and not just because of her vampiric nature, but because when she was near every breath, every passing second held more significance. During their playful moments of harmless flirting he adored her smile so and wanted to make it last; he wanted to know the thoughts behind her steady eyes and wondered if they could see the light she brought to his.

    He rolled over on his bed with a dreamy sigh, wishing the hours till evening would run away and bring the evening call of the dance. Amanda had agreed rather happily to be his date for the dance and that on the heels of her visits to the manor becoming conspicuously more frequent since he'd moved in, according to Gale. That was a hopeful thought, one that would get him through the day.

    Saturday passed slowly with Corbin constantly checking the clocks throughout Allender Manor as he wandered around, checking in on Lydia occasionally to gauge her excitement for the dance, which was through the roof, or joining Shade for a little television in the entertainment room. When the twilight hour drew near he was glad to find a purpose in getting ready for the dance with a meticulous shave and careful attention to how his heavy black bangs adorned his forehead.

    He slipped into his tuxedo and adjusted its perfect fit while admiring the dash of elegance it added to his reflection in the mirror. The handsome suit emboldened Corbin with a fitting swagger which he felt the night may call for if his courage to pursue Amanda's favor did not fail him. A sudden chime from the manor's doorbell grabbed his attention and alerted the butterflies in his stomach as he realized instantly who was waiting outside in the dark.

    Corbin reached the door before anyone else and after taking a moment to straighten his jacket to make sure he was presentable he opened the door with a deep breath for confidence. The sight waiting for him on the other side caused all his butterflies to flee and left him breathless.

    Amanda stood at the door arrayed in an elaborately regal dress that exuded the splendor and grace of a bygone era, enhanced significantly by her arresting beauty. A tiny, pleased smile turned the corners of her mouth as she gladly suffered Corbin's flattering gawk of her appearance. His own speech failed him as he stood a prisoner of the vision before him.

    "Are you interested or are you just window shopping," she quipped, breaking his trance.

    "Oh...um, sorry...please come in," he stammered, stepping aside and reaching for his manners. "You look...absolutely stunning," he complimented as she came inside.

    "Thank you. You're not too shabby yourself," she returned, drawing a modest smile out of Corbin.

    After closing the door Corbin circled back around Amanda, taking in her appearance as politely as he could considering he was hopelessly ravished by her alluring presence. From her radiant black hair that was regally adorned atop her head, to the glimmering earrings and sparkling necklace that shone vibrantly against the pale complexion of her bare shoulders and exposed neck she was the sheer image of elegant beauty in Corbin's eyes.

    Shaking his head in admiring disbelief, he uttered,"Wow Amanda, I mean...Wow."

    "Now, now Corbin, you do know vampires can blush don't you?" she said to curb his praise, though she relished every ounce of his doting approval.

    Corbin raised an eyebrow in a bold arch, then answered with an unabashed smirk,"Well start blushing, because I'll be reminding you all night that you're gorgeous."

    The two shared fond gazes for a moment, then Corbin led her to the grand stairway just in time to for them to witness Lydia gracefully descending the stairs in all her dance-prepared glory, with Gale trailing behind her, locked onto her little sister with a proud stare. Lydia beamed a glowing smile when she noticed Corbin, then her mouth fell open in awe of Amanda's appearance. Corbin was left breathless yet again by the exalted beauty possessed by his youngest sister which her formal dress and expertly arranged hair put on such stark display.

    Lydia twirled for Corbin and Amanda's observation in an overly dainty manner once she stepped off the stairs, then she rushed to Amanda, taking both her hands in her own while admiring her dress.

    "You look great Amanda! So beautiful!," Lydia lauded.

    "Thank you Lydia, but I must say, surely you will be the envy of the dance. You look amazing," Amanda stated, looking Lydia from top to bottom.

    "Thanks," Lydia answered, smiling.

     Gale stood back to give all the attention to Lydia while she enjoyed their reactions. As he gazed at the two beauties next to him that he would be escorting, Corbin  wondered inwardly why he was favored so. Then Lydia turned to him.

    "Lydia, you look...incredible. You're so beautiful," he said in an adoring tone that matched the sincerity of his purple-tinted eyes, causing Lydia to look away briefly with a coy smile.

    "Thank you," she said appreciatively, basking in his loving gaze.

    Gale stepped forward amongst them, offering her warm expression to each of them. "You're an absolute vision Amanda," she admitted. "And you're quite handsome yourself Corbin," she added, garnering approving comments from Amanda and Lydia that threatened his modesty. Then Gale slipped away.

    Shade sauntered in as the primped and polished group mingled at the bottom of the stairs. "What a fine bunch of lookers we have here," she remarked whimsically, but nodded approvingly at the grandeur of everyone's appearance.

    Shade's presence brought a jovial round of lighthearted chatter along with a few jesting remarks to those who were already glowing with the promise of the night ahead. Chuckles and laughter were emanating from the future dance attendants when Gale returned with her camera in hand.

    "Okay everyone!" Gale issued over their escalating mirth to gain their attention. "It's time for a few quick pictures before you leave," she announced after they settled down and looked toward her.

    Shade zipped away in a streak to Gale's side, leaving the others to organize a pose at the base of the grand staircase. Corbin was flanked by Amanda on his right and Lydia to his left while Gale aimed the camera carefully to take the first shot, then she ignited their happy smiles with,"Say cheeese!"