"We're ready," Brooke called out at the top of the stairs. "Is everyone ready for my latest creation?"

My heart sped up even faster. I drew a deep breath and then took the first step with care, since I was not used to wearing heels. That was the one thing that Brooke hadn't thought of, teaching me to walking in them.

Everyone was downstairs: Emma, Amanda, Natalie, and even my parents. All waiting to see me.

I was assaulted with flashing lights. They all had to have had cameras.

When I got to the bottom of the stairs, everyone started talking at once.

"You look beautiful, honey," my dad said.

"I can't believe it. Stunning." That was my mom.

Natalie grinned. "Alexis, you're gorgeous."

"Where have you been hiding yourself?" asked Emma. "Holy cow."

"Smart and beautiful," said Amanda.

"You look fantastic," Steve said.

Once the room stopped spinning, I told Amanda, Emma, and Natalie how great they looked.

"Alexis," Brooke said, pulling my attention away from my friends and family. "There is someone that I'd like you to meet."

I'd almost forgotten about my date after the shock of seeing everyone else.

Brooke grabbed my hand and walked me to the other side of the living room. The most handsome guy I'd ever seen stood, looking as nervous as I felt.

As our eyes met, everything else disappeared. I became lost in his chocolate eyes. It felt as though I'd entered a new world. Strange, new feelings washed over me. I was not a romantic. This was something that I thought was reserved only for movies.

Stars danced in front of me, and I looked around for the nearest chair. My heart raced and my skin was afire. My mind swam. The room spun out of control.

How could a stranger bring such a reaction? I had just seen him, and neither of us had even spoken.

He took a step forward. He hadn't stopped looking at me. I had found my home. I felt safe and secure, everything I lacked with my family.

I shook my head. I needed to get a grip.

"Alexis, this is Cliff," Brooke said. She sounded miles away.

I blinked and then breathed. I hadn't realized that I was holding my breath—that he'd taken my breath away.

He smiled. "It's wonderful to meet you, Alexis."

His voice was the most amazing sound that I had ever heard. It was familiar, but how? Tears of happiness threatened to escape. I nodded.

I needed to regain control. There was no logical reason for the feelings. I took another deep breath. It was just a regular day, only with fancy clothes. I needed to keep a level head about this. If anyone could stay rational over a storm of feelings, it was me.

As I looked at his perfect features. It felt like I knew that face a lifetime ago. He was the answer that I had been seeking. I knew that I didn't belong with my family but somehow I belonged with this breathtaking stranger.

So much for a level head.

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came. Instead, to my horror, I threw my arms around him and whispered, "I've missed you so much."

He wrapped his arms around me, leaning close to my ear. "Not as much as I've missed you." I felt like I was in the arms of someone who loved me and would go to the ends of the earth to protect me. His breath tickled my skin. "Do you actually remember me, my beautiful?"

Before I could answer, I heard my parents and friends gasping in surprise.

My face warmed, and I let go of Cliff and then turned around. I couldn't explain why I'd leaped into a stranger's arms. I only knew it was the right response.

Amanda saved me. "Let's get into the limo. We still need to pick up the others and get to the restaurant."

"A few more pictures first," my dad said. We all posed for the camera. I felt like a princess standing next to my prince.

Before I knew it, we were all in the limo, and everyone spoke excitedly over one another. I sat next to Cliff and tried not to look into his eyes because I knew I would get lost in them again. I needed to stay focused on my friends.

At the restaurant, I sat across Cliff. I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

"Alexis," Amanda whispered, jabbing me in the side.

I looked up. Everyone at the table and the waiter was staring at me. I blushed again, though I doubted anyone could tell through all of the makeup. "Yes?"

Cliff covered his mouth, obviously to suppress a smile. He must have thought I was a total fool, and for good reason.

"What would you like to drink?" the waiter asked.

"I…uh…I'll have what he's having." I looked at Cliff.

I wanted to bang my head against the table. And to think that Brooke had been so sure that we would hit it off.

Cliff smiled at me. "Brooke told me how beautiful you are, but you're more stunning than I imagined."

"Well, I don't usually look like this. In fact, I usually blend in so much that people don't take note." I restrained myself from smacking myself.

"I would've taken note of you, even dressed plainly," he said. "You're beautiful. It's something mort…most people can't see. They can't see beyond what the fashion designers tell them is attractive."

"That's true," I said.

"It's admirable that you haven't gotten sucked into that. It's a trait to be truly treasured."

"Admirable? I haven't heard that one before. Well, your cousin is into fashion, and you trusted her opinion of me."

"My cousin? Oh, right. Brooke. She loves making people beautiful, but she isn't shallow. She knows how to bring out people's best. Even when they don't see it for themselves."

The waiter was back with the drinks and took orders. I hadn't even looked at the menu.

Cliff leaned toward me. "Don't worry. I know a dish you'll love."

"Have you been here before?" I asked.

"I'm familiar with French food," he said. "Will you let me order for you?"

"Sure." I was probably better off letting him choose than taking my chances with the unfamiliar names on the menu.

As everyone was ordering their food, I looked at Cliff's majestic features again, and my heart sped up again. I'd never met a guy who held any visual interest for me, and yet I couldn't deny the pull that I felt toward Cliff.

After the food had been ordered, Cliff said, "Maybe we should talk to the others. We don't want them to think that we're snobs."

I laughed. "Okay."

He winked at me and then turned to talk to two of the guys sitting next to him. I turned toward the girls, who didn't notice.

"I had no idea she was so beautiful," Emma whispered.

"I knew she was pretty beneath the boring clothes," Amanda said, "but I didn't know she's freaking gorgeous."

"You think she'll stay our friend?" Emma asked.

"Yeah. She's not going to start hanging out with Natalie's friends," Amanda said. "Just because she's hot now, she isn't going to drop her brains."

"Or she could."

"Why are you so insecure?" Amanda asked.

I cleared my throat.

"Did you know that everyone at the table has been talking about you two?" Amanda asked.

Emma nodded. "Everyone's in total shock at how you look. Not to mention how hot Cliff is." She fanned herself.

"Alexis, do you realize how sexy he is?" Amanda asked.

"I'm not blind."

"And you're every bit his equal," Emma added. Jealousy was in her tone.

I was relieved when the meal arrived. When I took the first bite, I thought I was in heaven. Not only did it taste phenomenal, but for some reason it too was familiar.

As we left the restaurant, my heart felt like a cluster of butterflies. Cliff took my hand to help me into the limo. I kept my attention on him for the entire ride to the dance.

We let the other couples get out of the limo before us. They had all run through the gym doors before we were even outside.

"What a nice night," I said.

"It's nice, but you are much lovelier," he said. His eyes twinkled in the moonlight. "What was that?" He looked concerned.

"What?" I asked, but before I could say another word I heard it too. "Oh no."

"You know what it is?" he asked.

"Yes. Let's head inside," I replied. I knew that whirring sound anywhere.

"I see them," he said. "Brooke told me that you were having issues with crows."

"I hoped they would stay away tonight," I said. "Let's just go in before we have to worry about them."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to watch them," he said.

"They're just ugly loud crows." I tugged on his arm.

He wrapped it around my shoulder. "It'll only take a minute."

We watched the sky for a moment until the nasty crows were overhead. Other kids around us complained and went inside. They were smart.

The flock was now circling overhead, and the wind from their flapping caused Cliff's hair to move around. My hair wouldn't have budged in a hurricane.

One by one, the crows looked down and screeched. I knew they were cawing at me and not Cliff.

Cliff took his arm from my shoulder and raised both hands high. "Go. Be gone!"

All of the birds stopped shrieking and flew away.

I stepped back and stared at him. "Why did they obey you?"

"I have a way with animals," he said. "Let's go in and dance the night away." Cliff took my hand, and we walked into the gym. I couldn't believe my eyes.

It was no longer the ultra-bright gym where Natalie played volleyball. It was an undersea wonderland. The walls were decorated to look like water, bubbles and sea life. All kinds of glittery decorations hung from above. It was magical, and I felt as if I had indeed entered a new world.

"Alexis Ferguson," came a voice from my right. "Is that you?"

I turned to see Sydney, Natalie's loud and annoying best friend. I faked a smile and said, "Sydney, how nice to see you. Meet my date, Cliff."

"Now I believe that you're Natalie's sister," Sydney shrieked. "You look gorgeous. Why have you dressed so horribly all these years? Nice job with your date—what a hottie." She winked at Cliff.

I repressed my urge to slap her.

Something shattered behind us.

"What was that?" Sydney exclaimed. "Dude, I think a light bulb just burst. I hope we don't have a replay of the volleyball practice. We don't need all the lights breaking in here again."

"I see my friends over by the food table," I lied. "See you around." I grabbed Cliff's hand and dragged him away. "Sorry about that. She's my sister's annoying and low-IQ friend."

Cliff laughed. "Don't worry. I didn't think she was associated with you."

As we made our way to the food table, which was only halfway across the gym, we were stopped by three separate couples who couldn't believe how I looked.

"Maybe people will leave us alone if we just start dancing," he suggested.

I gulped. I knew that we were going to a dance, but I hadn't thought about the actual dancing. "I should warn you that I don't know how to dance."

"I have no doubt that once you warm up, you'll be a fine dancer."

"Don't hold your breath."

"You've surprised yourself all evening," he said.

We walked to the dance floor, and at first I was as stiff as a board. I started focusing on the music and then I got lost in Cliff's eyes. Everything else melted away, and before I knew it, I was dancing and having fun.

"What did I tell you?" he asked, smiling. "You're a natural."

"It's easy to dance with you."

After a while, I grew tired. I had no idea that dancing was so much work. "Let's get something to drink."

"That's a great idea," he said. As soon as we stopped dancing, I noticed a lot of people watching us. Again, it took a long time to reach our destination.

At the drink table, Amanda and Emma ambushed me.

"Everyone is talking about you," Emma exclaimed. "Everyone."

"Seriously," Amanda said, "they're talking about you more than the royalty court."

"I wonder what this will do for our social status," Emma said, laughing. "Best friends of the newest popular girl."

Amanda rolled her eyes. "Emma, really."

"I heard people say that they were going to vote for you and Cliff for homecoming court," Emma said.

"As interesting as all of this is," I said, "we won't make king and queen because I'm not a senior and Cliff doesn't even go here."

"You could be junior class princess." Emma smirked.

"You do realize that Hailey Adams would hate us forever," Amanda pointed out. "She's only been princess of everything since the beginning of time."

"I hadn't thought of that," Emma said. "We'll have to come up with a plan before we end up in a dumpster—or worse."

"Emma, could you be anymore dramatic?" I asked.

"Didn't you hear what she did to that freshman who took her parking spot?" Emma shivered.

Cliff put his arm around me. "I have no doubt that Alexis can handle anything that comes her way." He turned to me. "Would you like to dance again?"

"I'd love to," I said, taking his hand. "Talk to you guys later."

We danced the night away, and just when I thought that I couldn't dance another moment longer, the music stopped and someone announced that the tickets had been counted for the royalty court.

"My sister will be sophomore class princess," I told Cliff.

"From the sounds of it you could be crowned for the junior class." His mouth curved upward.

"Doubtful." I shrugged.

"I'm glad you don't concern yourself with what others think," he said. "That's an important trait for a leader."

"Leader?" I asked. "I'm not looking to be a leader, unless I become a judge. I'm more interested in being a CSI or maybe an attorney."

They were about to make the royalty announcements, so we turned our attention to the stage. First, they announced the freshman royalty.

When they announced the sophomore royalty, I wasn't surprised to hear my sister's name, but I clapped really loud for her anyway. She'd worked hard for the votes.

"We have an interesting turn of events for the junior class royalty," the announcer said. "There's a tie. I'm told that this has never happened before. There's only one tiara so we'll have to figure out a way to break the tie, what do you say?"

The crowd yelled and cheered. I laughed, unable to believe anyone could get worked up over something so trivial.

He called Hailey Adams, which came as no surprise.

"Now for the other winner. Alexis Ferguson, come on up!" The crowd went wild again.

"Go on up," Cliff whispered. It wasn't until that moment that I realized the announcer had said my name. I didn't want to go on stage—my feet were glued to the floor.

"Come on up, Alexis!" shouted the announcer again.

Cliff linked his arm through mine and walked me to the stage. He helped me up the first step and then I was on my own. I walked up the stairs and to the middle of the stage, next to the announcer and a very irritated Hailey. The lights were too bright, and everyone screamed like crazy.

The announcer did a double take when he saw me. "I think we have a winner here! But it's not up to me. It's up to you guys. Applaud and scream to choose the winner."

"I don't know who you think you are, Alexis," Hailey hissed. "I've worked my whole life for this. You're not going to steal it from me."

"Believe me, none of this was my idea."

"You'd better hope that you don't win." Hailey scowled.

"Yell and clap as loud as you can for the nominee of your choice," the announcer told the crowd.

"You're nothing." Hailey glared at me.

"You definitely live up to your reputation," I muttered, loud enough for her to hear.

"Watch your back, biotch."

A single light above the stage shattered. I knew then and there, with full certainty, that I had caused the exploding light bulbs. She needed to watch her back. I would learn to control this strange superpower.

"What was that all about?" the announcer asked, laughing. "Get your clappers and screamers ready, kids. Let's hear it for Hailey Adams!"

The room exploded with noise of clapping and cheering. She smirked at me and then turned to the crowd and waved, encouraging them to bring up the volume.

When the noise died down, the announcer told the crowd to cheer for me and the noise level was noticeably louder than it had been for Hailey. I couldn't help but return her smirk.

She said something I couldn't hear over the noise. I laughed.

The crowd continued. The announcer tried to get them to calm down, but even with the microphone, he couldn't be heard. He backed away from the mic until the noise finally died down.

"We have a clear winner here. The beautiful Alexis Ferguson is your new junior class princess!" He walked to the table of tiaras and crowns and picked up mine.

"You're going to pay." Hailey looked ready to throw a fit.

The announcer placed the tiara on my head and handed me a bouquet of flowers. I stood next to Natalie, who congratulated me. Hailey stormed off the stage.

"This is so exciting," Natalie squealed. "Both of us are winners."

"Who would've guessed?"

She giggled. "Nobody before tonight. You guys were awesome on the dance floor too. Oh, and you're going to have to tell me why threw yourself into his arms."

Before I could answer, the announcer called up the next winners. After they had received their crowns and flowers, we all went up to have pictures taken, followed by an exclusive royalty-only dance. I made small talk with my dance partner.

When the dance was over, I made a beeline for Cliff and my friends. They congratulated me, speaking at once.

Hailey showed up with a scowl. "Since you stole my tiara and dance, I'm stealing a dance with your date."

"She didn't steal anything, Hailey," Emma said. "The crowd picked."

Hailey's face turned red. "Emma, you'll never be popular—or skinny."

"At least she's smart, and she'll make something of herself beyond high school," I said, glaring at Hailey.

People around us laughed. I hadn't even noticed anyone paying attention to us.

"Look," I said to Hailey, "if you want to dance with my date, that's fine. But you'll have to ask him if he's willing to dance with you. Otherwise, you need to leave my friends and me alone."

"I'll leave you alone when I'm good and ready."

A couple light bulbs exploded nearby. I could feel a connection between myself and the lights.

"Would you like to dance?" Cliff asked Hailey. "Perhaps I can convince you that Alexis meant no harm."

She glared at me and then barked at Cliff, "Let's go."

As they danced, Emma asked, "How can you let her dance with Cliff?"

"He's smart enough to see that she's shallow and evil."

Emma laughed. "True."

"Let's dance, the three of us," I said. "We'll show her that we can have fun despite her."

We made our way to the dance floor and danced together. We had fun, and it was obvious that it irritated Hailey.

Cliff and I danced together again when a new song played. Cliff raised an eyebrow. "She's very, uh, interesting."

"What did she say?" I asked.

"She was trying to convince me that you're a beast," he said. "Though all she did was convince me of what a horrible person she is."

We danced for a while longer until people began leaving. Our group made its way to the limo—without any winged visitors. Once inside, everyone decided to go for coffee since nobody wanted to go home just yet.

Once inside the coffee shop, we all sat together at the tables that we pulled together. We laughed about Hailey and talked about all the events of the night.

When Cliff and I were dropped off at Brooke's house, he walked me to my car. He stared into my eyes. "I had a wonderful time, Alexis. I would really like to get to know you better. Will you allow me the pleasure of taking you out for dinner tomorrow?"

My heart sped up. "I'd love that."

"Perfect," he said. "I'll call you tomorrow to work out the details." He opened my door, and I climbed in for the short drive home.