A Kiss Before Midnight

"Ahh I remember our prom there. Our theme was a night in the stars. I have to say it wasn't bad. It was like dancing in space in a way because they decorated the ceiling with different types of star designs and constellations. The whole room had different type of star theme items. I have to say it was really nice." Jake said smiling in remembrance.

Donald snapped his fingers, "Oh yeah I remember that. That was nice."

"I hope ours is. I can't wait to see how the decorating committee decorated the room." Juan said.

"I know it better look good. After Jeff bragged so much about how great this interior decorator he hired was." Sabrina's date, Josh, said.

"I heard she does great work." Helen said.

"Well she better he bragged so much it was getting annoying." Josh said.

"Tell me about it, but that's how Jeff is you know." Daniel said.

Helen nodded in agreement as she smiled looking around the room at her friends talking and getting excited about tonight. Everyone knew each other from either class or from a club. They met Josh in ninth grade after joining him at his empty table for lunch. He pushed a strand of his red hair out of his face as he joked with Daniel. They met Daniel in eleventh grade while in social studies. Helen and Diane worked with him on a project and they've been friends ever since. He touched his waves as he laughed with Chris. Regina met Chris in ninth grade and introduced him to Helen, Mari, and Diane after that they all became good friends. Though sometimes Daniel and Chris argue it's more playful than anything. Juan laughed making sure not to knock down Victoria's vase. Juan met Mari and Helen in Japan club and their rock music club in tenth grade. He met Jake along that time too in their Japan club. He laughed at a joke Jake made about what would happen at their after party. Jessica and Helen met Aidan in eleventh grade in creative writing. He was the only boy in their class who read Jessica's story about two teenage males falling in love during war torn times. He didn't flinch or make any immature comments or anything.

They were Helen's little high school family. She couldn't be happier to know each of them. She smiled looking around again when she noticed something. Everyone hugged her except Nate. The one person who bugged her for weeks to see her dress and she didn't see him around.

"Donald, didn't Nate come with you?" Helen asked.

Donald smirked, "Yes he did, he's just so shy to see you."

Helen blinked her face flushing a bit about Nate. It's true that even though she was with Marc and she was excited for him to see her dress she was more excited to see Nate's reaction.

"Oh really? Um do you know where he is?" Helen said trying to keep her blush down.

Donald's smirk grew, "He's in the foyer talking to the twins."

Helen nodded, "Ok um thanks,"

"No problem," Donald said the smirk still on his face. Helen tried not to blush while walking into the foyer. She knows that Donald knows about her crush on Nate. She's had this crush since she was fourteen. At first she thought it was because of her hormones, but now she knows it's something more. She can't put her finger on it, but she knows it's more. She knows it feels stronger than what she feels for Marc. She has noticed that he's been very distant lately. He also has been talking to her like's 18 going on 4 not 18 going on 19. She doesn't know why he's been talking to her like a child, but she doesn't like it or his new attitude. Something in the back of her mind is telling her that Marc might break up with her, but another part is telling her that's not so bad. She would rather be by herself than have a guy talk down to her all the time.

She walked inside the foyer watching the twins talk animatedly about what's been going on with them to Nate. Nate smiled running a hand through his hair, "That's so cool guys. Johnny, I know you're going to win your baseball tournament. Tommy, I know you're going to be awesome in soccer."

"Aww thanks Nate," Johnny said as Tommy nodded in agreement.

"Did you play any sport in school?" Tommy asked.

Nate nodded, "Yep I was on the soccer team and sometimes I played tennis too, but I liked swimming the most. It was pretty fun."

"Swimming sounds awesome. I'm gonna try it this summer." Tommy said.

"Not me I'm gonna try tennis this summer." Johnny said.

"That's great you two. You guys call me and tell me how it turns out ok." Nate said.

"Ok," Tommy and Johnny said. Johnny saw Helen walk in out of the corner of his eye he turned to her smiling, "Hey Helen, left to get some air?"

Helen giggled, "Yeah it's getting pretty stuffy in there. Well hi Nate I'm surprised you weren't in there. One of the first people who bugged me for weeks to see my dress…"

"Hey even though it's a big living room it gets pretty crowded in there with everyone. Especially Marcus and Juan I mean they're pretty big guys." Nate said.

Helen smiled, "Yeah, that's true, well now that you see my dress what do you think?"

Nate eyes roamed all over her dress, trying to take in every feature he could without staring at her. It was perfect this dress fit her perfectly down to her bust, to her waist, even to her curves. It was like a higher power made this dress to torture him. Helen was beautiful. He didn't know when his cute little friend became so beautiful, but she was. He felt his cock stir, he bit his lip trying to calm down as he answered, "It's beautiful…I really like it."

Helen beamed a slight blush on her face, "Thanks Nate, I thought so too. Well, was it worth the wait?"

Nate smiled, "Yeah it was, I mean you look…wow…I mean…so…pretty. You look really nice Helen." /Don't get hard, don't get hard, don't get hard / he kept repeating to himself.

Helen smiled her blush growing, "T-Thanks Nate," she looked at Nate their eyes locking with each other. It felt like they were seeing each other in a different light. Nate didn't see the shy little girl with messy pigtails. He saw an attractive, smart, sophisticated woman. Helen didn't see the silly little boy with messy hair that would fall in his eyes. She saw a handsome, smart, talented man. Helen couldn't form any words neither could Nate who just seemed to move closer to her. Tommy and Johnny already knew what was going to happen when Nate saw Helen so they walked back in the living room keeping everyone busy there.

Nate was standing in front her. Helen couldn't remember when he became so tall. She didn't know who Marc was at the moment and she didn't care. She didn't feel her heart do a guilty lurch like she thought it would. In fact smelling Nate's cologne just made her heart beat faster. Helen's perfume was having the same effect on him. He brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face, his finger brushing her cheek lightly, "Just making sure you can see."

Helen nodded, "T-Thanks," she said a bit breathlessly. Nate smiled, "You're welcome," he kept his finger on her cheek a little longer than he normally would. She brushed some hair out of his face, "Your hair is still as messy as ever." She giggled as Nate chuckled, "I tried my best, but my hair has a mind of his own you know."

"Yeah I do…" Helen said softly watching the slight pink appear on Nate's face. Nate was holding himself back as best as he could. He wanted to wrap his arm around Helen's waist, pull her close to him, and kiss her like no tomorrow. He was hoping that his excitement didn't show too bad in his black slacks.

/Maybe Donald is right… / Nate thought cupping her cheek staring into her hazel eyes. Helen blushed she felt like Nate would kiss her right here, but she wanted it. She wanted to see how it would feel to kiss him, to be wrapped tight in those strong arms of his as his lips devoured her mouth like a decadent sweet. Helen swallowed trying to push the thought out of her mind, but it didn't work. She felt an invisible force push her closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist in a hug. She rested her head on his chest, "I'm happy to see you," she said softly.

Nate wrapped his arms around her waist, "I'm happy to see you too."

Their moment was interrupted by the doorbell. They snapped out of their daze separately quickly, their hearts beating wildly in their chests as they stared at each other again.

"Helen who's at the door?" Victoria called out from the living room.

"I-I'll see mom," Helen called back tearing her eyes away from Nate to go to the door. Nate walked to the entrance of the living room, but he didn't go in. He leaned against the wall taking a deep breath.

/What happened just now? Why did I want to kiss her? I mean she has Marc, her boyfriend, it wasn't right for me to try and do that, but I couldn't help it. I wanted to kiss her. I want to kiss her… / Nate thought running his shaky hands through his hair. He closed his eyes taking deep breaths. He felt a tap on his shoulder he looked up staring at Ben, the Robinson's butler, who looked at him in concern.

"Young Master Nathaniel, are you ok?" Ben asked in his English accent.

Nate nodded quickly, "Yeah I'm fine, it's allergy season you know so it's hard for me to breathe sometimes in the beginning of the season."

"Oh ok, would you like some water?" Ben asked.

Nate shook his head, "N-No I'm fine. I'm just going to join everyone in the living room is all."

Ben nodded, "Ok, well, you know you're welcome to the kitchen any time."

Nate smiled, "Thanks,"

Ben returned the smile nodding slightly, "No problem young master." He walked in the living room leaving a relieved Nate who started taking deep breaths again. He had to calm himself down. Helen's mother, Victoria, didn't like him in the first place. He's sure walking in the living room with a boner wouldn't make her warm up to him. While Nate was trying to calm himself down Helen checked to see who was at the door. She smiled quickly opening it, "Hi dad,"

Johnathan sr. smiled, "Hi sweetie, I'm so glad my plane came early so I could see you on your big day. You're so beautiful." He hugged Helen tightly. Helen giggled, "Thanks Dad I'm glad your plane came early too."

Johnathan sr. smiled reaching in his suit jacket to answer his phone. He looked at the id cursing under his breath, "I'm sorry sweetie let me get this."

"Sure thing, I'll go tell mom you're here." Helen said walking in the living room. She glanced at Nate who looked back at her. She smiled sheepishly as he returned one back. She continued into the living room. He followed right behind her taking a seat in the closest chair next to him resisting the urge to wrap his arms around her waist again. Donald noticed Nate bouncing his leg running his hand through his hair more than usual. He did notice that Helen and Nate were out in the foyer long after Tommy and Johnny left.

/Maybe the two of them will open their eyes tonight. / Donald thought looking over at Helen who took a quick glance at Nate when she thought no one was looking. Nate bit his lip again repeating the same mantra in his head /Don't get a boner, don't get a boner, don't dream about slipping her out of that dress and kissing every inch of beautiful skin you see. Don't daydream about hearing her call out your name. Fuck! Don't think about that! /

"Mom, dad is here." Helen said. Victoria smiled, "He is? I'm glad. I thought we would have to send him a pix message or email the pictures."

"Dad's here, great now the pictures can begin." Lillian said happily walking into the foyer followed behind Tommy and Johnny.

"I thought dad would still be in Paris." Tommy said.

Johnny shook his head, "Well I'm glad he's here for Helen's prom at least."

"That's true. I hope he'll be here for Lilly's and our prom." Tommy said.

Johnny nodded, "I do too,"

Being CEO of his own Real Estate agency makes Johnathan sr. a very busy man. Especially when he leaves the country to meet with his investors though it means that he's not home a lot, but his family understands. Helen and her siblings are used to their father coming in at different times during the night. Sometimes he's missed different events, but he makes sure to not miss them all. He's been there for Tommy and Johnny's competitions, Lilly's recitals, and Helen's concerts. He also tries to stay in town when anniversaries and birthdays come up.

Johnathan placed his phone back in his suit jacket as he walked inside the foyer, "Sorry about that guys how are you?" He kissed Lilly on the cheek. Lilly giggled, "I'm great dad I'm just so excited about Helen's prom night."

"Me too I'm glad I could make it. T and J how are my athletes doing?" Johnathan said clasping both boys on the shoulder. Tommy smiled, "I'm good dad,"

"I am too our season has been great." Johnny said.

"I'm glad to hear it. Hello dear," Johnathan said kissing Victoria on the cheek. Victoria smiled, "Hello dear it's good to see that you're back in town."

"It's good to be back. T and J Lilly go get the photographers. I'm here so we can start taking pictures now." Johnathan said.

Lilly, Tommy, and Johnny nodded, "Ok dad," they walked in the den where the photographers were waiting. Johnathan looked over in the living room before turning to Victoria.

"Is Marc here yet?" Johnathan said quietly. Victoria shook her head, "No he's still not here yet. He called saying he was gonna be a little late, but that was thirty minutes ago. We haven't heard from him since."

Johnathan shook his head, "For his sake and his family's he better be here."

"He better be." Victoria said.

Helen checked her phone again for the umpteenth time that night. They were all gonna leave in an hour and she still didn't hear anything from Marc. He wouldn't stand her up prom night would he?

Donald walked over to Nate who was taking deep breaths to help control his libido. He tapped his shoulder, "Are you ok?"

Nate looked up trying to push his blush down, "Yeah I'm fine, why, wouldn't I be."

"Because you're sporting quite a boner there…" Donald whispered as Nate's face turned beet red.

"I've been trying all night to keep it under control, but nothing has worked. I mean look at her Donald she's beautiful." Nate said pushing his shirt down as best he could.

"I know which is why you should be taking her to prom not Marc." Donald said in the same tone.

"But I'm not her boyfriend Donald. I'm only her friend." Nate said softly.

"Maybe it doesn't have to be that way tonight." Donald said in the same tone his words hitting Nate deeply. Donald was right it was prom and many things did happen on prom night. Maybe he could fulfill the daydreams he's had since he hit puberty. He thought once he had a girlfriend his daydreams of Helen would stop, but they didn't. He just daydreamed about her more. Now that he split from his controlling ex-girlfriend, Miranda, he was single again. It takes every ounce of his self control not to just push Helen against the wall and have her scream his name. He controls himself each time because Helen is one of his oldest friends. He wouldn't know what he would do if his advances scare her off or end their friendship. Then again he lost himself a bit in the foyer and she wasn't scared. In fact the look in her eyes said something more…

/But would it be right for me to do it. I mean Helen's my friend, my silly little friend with the bright smile, nice chest, and cute ass. Fuck it's happening again! / Nate thought catching Helen's gaze once again. She smiled sheepishly at him trying to hide the worried look in her eyes. Tonight was a happy night. She would see Marc he wouldn't stand her up…he couldn't…

"Ok everyone time for pictures!" Lilly said happily walking back in the living room with a group of photographers. They heard the doorbell go off everyone looked at the door as Helen's head shot up. She gripped her purse strap in anticipation. Ben walked in the foyer to answer the door, "The families are here,"

"Great just in time for pictures let them in Ben." Victoria said walking in the foyer with Johnathan to welcome the parents. Helen sighed releasing her strap. She felt her heart give a sickening lurch. Something telling her that, maybe, her night won't be as happy as she planned. She put on a smile around her friends' parents. Like her father all of their important meetings ended early as well. They were here to see the special night in their children's lives.

Diane noticed that Marc still wasn't here. They were gonna be taking pictures in five minutes and Helen would be by herself. She shook her head pushing down the anger she felt for Marc at the moment.

/Damn him! Helen can't take prom pictures by herself. It wouldn't be right. What can she do? Hmm… / Diane thought looking around the room. She could see everyone in the room thinking about the same thing. She saw the sadness flash in Helen's eyes, she frowned. She'll be damned if she lets Helen become sad on this night. Her eyes landed on Nate who was still trying to keep his other head down. She smiled, being mindful of her dress as she walked over to him.

"Hey Nate how are you tonight?" Diane asked.

Nate looked up, "Oh hey Diane, I'm good just amazed that Helen and Jessica actually got you in a dress you little tomboy."

Diane hit Nate playfully on the shoulder, "Shut up you!"

Nate laughed; Helen introduced the two of them when he was in the sixth grade. Helen and Diane were in the fourth. Diane wanted to know who was the older kid who sat at their table a lot, not to mention who helped Helen when a couple of people tried to bully her. After a couple of lunch periods Nate and Diane became friends fast. Diane is one of the only few girls who could keep up with the boys in their gym class. Not to mention she can hold her own in a sport video game. She's always been the little tomboy of the group.

"But you look nice though." Nate said smiling.

Diane smiled back, "Thank you, say Nate how would you like to do me a favor."

Nate nodded, "Sure what is it,"

"Because a certain someone isn't here to take pictures and I don't want Helen to have pictures with just us, would you mind taking prom pictures with her? I know it would make her feel better." Diane said holding back her chuckle at Nate's red face.

"Y-You want me to take pictures with you guys? I mean I'm a performer I'm not her…date…" Nate said finishing the last part softly.

"Well…you're single again right?" Diane asked.

Nate nodded, "Yes I am,"

"Well then what's the problem? If Marc says anything we'll tell him that since he wasn't here we had to find someone else." Diane said.

"Yeah we're all friends here we're just taking pictures. What do you say Nate?" Chris said as Diane smiled. Nate ran his hand through his hair as he nodded, "Sure why not? I mean we're just taking pictures right? Besides I've known you guys since you were all little anyway, so it's good. Sure I'll do it."

Diane smiled, "Great, let's tell her." She picked up her dress slightly as she walked over to Helen with Nate and Chris. Helen was staring at her phone, a frown on her face as she kept waiting to get a text or call from Marc, but so far nothing.

/I don't understand he could at least call. / Helen thought staring at her phone feeling a mixture of confusion and anger.

"Hey Helen," Diane said.

Helen looked up her frown disappearing instantly, "Hey guys what's up?"

Diane took a seat next to her, "Have you gotten any word from him?"

Helen shook her head, "No, nothing since the message T and J gave me."

"Oh, well, I know you're waiting for Marc, but the photographers are here along with our parents. So we were wondering if…" Diane started when Nate jumped in, "Would you mind if I took pictures with you? Would you feel ok with that Helen?"