High school for the arts

[art_dancer]

I look out the window as we drive to the house, surprised we got there so quickly. Then again, I guess it wasn't far. As he opens my door, I take his hand, just for playing my part, right?

[it.will.rain]

Eric looked at her and smiled when she took his hand. He shut her door and locked the car before walking inside. The birthday girl ran up to them. "You are so pretty..."She said. Eric smiled. "Happy Birthday Marissa." He said to her. She smiled. "Thank you so much! This is so exciting. I told you guys the real Cinderella and prince charming were coming." She said. Eric laughed a little bit.

[art_dancer]

When the little girl runs up to me and tells me I'm pretty, I smile at her. I knew I had to display confidence, like any princess would, even if I didn't have much confidence in myself. Standing tall, or as tall as a girl who wasn't even five feet could stand, with my chin held high, I tell her, "thank you. It's an honor to attend your party."

[it.will.rain]

"I am so glad you could make time for it. We were waiting for you before we cut the cake." The little girl said. Eric smiled at Rosemary. Marissa looked at Eric. "Prince charming?" She asked. Eric looked at her. "Yes?" He asked. "Can I live with you guys in your castle?" She asked. Eric smiled. "I don't think your parents would be happy with that. Plus I am sure you would be bored." He said to her trying to come up with a good reason she couldn't.

[art_dancer]

"Besides, you have a lovely castle of your own," I say to her, looking at the house. "You know, you don't need a large, glittery house filled with expensive things to have a castle. You just need family, love, and a princess," I say, smiling at her. "And if you leave to live in our castle, then your castle will be missing it's princess. And we can't have that."

[it.will.rain]

Marissa nodded. "You are right!" She said smiling and ran over to the cake. "Cake Time!" She said and the others ran over. Eric looked at Rosemary. "Good call. That was a good way to put it." He said to her. He walked to where the cake was.

[art_dancer]

I smile saying softly to him, "just a little acting, that's all. Learned it from the best." As he walked over to the cake, I followed him as well, knowing the price and princess couldn't be separated for long.

[it.will.rain]

"I bet. Wonder who that is." He whispered to her. He watched as Marissa's mom lit the candles. He started to sing along with everyone else. Marissa made a wish and blew out the candles. Eric clapped with the kids.

[art_dancer]

"Yeah, I wonder," I whisper with a smile. As everyone sings, I join in quietly, following Eric's lead and clapping afterwards.

[it.will.rain]

Marissa smiled and her mom cut the cake and passed out pieces to everyone and then handed one to Eric and one to Rosemary. Eric smiled. "Thank you." He said. He set his piece on the table and pulled out a chair for Rosemary before he sat down. He watched as Marissa moved so she could sit next to Eric and another girl moved so she could sit next to Rosemary. Eric smiled at the two and ate his cake.