“What about Shakespeare? A Midsummer Night’s Dream?”

“Actually, those are about as close as it comes. But they still have wings and seem very magical. Not to mention mischievous. I’m not like that…am I?”

David laughed. “No, you’re not.” He was quiet for a few moments. “Maybe the stories are wrong.”

“All of them?”

“How true are most legends?”

“I don’t know. It just seems like there would be some documentation if it were true.”

“Well, we’ll keep looking. Anyway, are you ready for tonight?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll see you at eight, then?”

“I’ll be ready.”

David showed up a few hours later with a large box that supposedly held the “wings.” Laurel answered the door in her blue dress with a shawl tightly wrapped around her shoulders.

“Wow,” David said. “You look great.”

Laurel looked down, half wishing she’d chosen something less attentiondrawing; everyone would be looking at her in this. The dress was a shimmering light-blue satin with silver beading, cut on a diagonal that fell in a perfect drape across every one of her curves. The front had a soft sweetheart neckline and it was backless. She was bared almost to her waist by a round edge and more of the sparkling silver beading. A mini-train provided the finishing touch.

David was wearing black pants with a white tuxedo jacket complete with tails. a red silk cummerbund encircled his waist, and he’d managed to find a cravat to fasten around his neck. White gloves poked out of his breast pocket and he’d gelled his hair.

“What are you supposed to be?” Laurel asked appreciatively.

David blushed. “Prince Charming?” When Laurel laughed, he shrugged. “I figured we could both be mythical creatures from a fairy tale.”

“My mom knows you’re coming,” Laurel whispered, leading David quickly upstairs, “but I think it’s best if we try to get the preparations all done before she knows you’re here. She might insist I keep the door open or something.”

“No problem.”

She swept him into her room and, after a cautious glance down the hallway, closed the door. Laurel untied the knot of her white shawl and let her blossom flutter free. She helped the petals back into their upright position; they’d seemed a little limp the last couple of days and didn’t stand quite so high. She turned when she heard David’s sharp intake of breath.

“What?”

“They’re just so beautiful—especially with that dress. I’m amazed every time I see them.”

“Sure,” Laurel said sarcastically. “They’re fabulous when they’re not yours.”

It took only about two minutes for David to secure the garland around the base of the flower and over her shoulders. Laurel turned to the new mirror hanging on the back of her door and laughed. “David, you’re a genius. It totally looks like a costume.”

David stood beside her, smiling at their reflection. “I’m not quite done yet.” He turned back to the box. “Sit,” he said, pointing to the chair. “And close your eyes.”

She did, starting to enjoy this now. His hands touched her face and then she felt something cold brush along her eyelids and cheeks. “What are you doing?”

“No questions. And keep your eyes closed.”

She heard something shake and then a cool mist covered the length of her hair.

“Just a sec,” he said. Then she felt his warm breath, making the still-wet spots on her eyelids even colder but warming the rest of her face. “Okay, you’re done.”

She opened her eyes and stood to look in the mirror. She gasped and laughed as she turned her face to one side, then the other, letting the fading sunlight catch the glitter on her cheekbones and around her eyes. And her hair was full of glitter that sparkled and fell to decorate her dress when she shook her head.

She almost didn’t recognize herself amid the glitter and glimmer of the face paint and the tinsel on her shoulders.

“Now you look like a faerie,” David said approvingly.

Laurel sighed. “I feel like a faerie. I never thought I’d say that.” She turned to David. “You’re amazing.”

“Nope,” David said with a grin. “We’ve proved it scientifically—you’re amazing.”

He ran his fingers through his glossy hair with a lopsided grin. “I’m just human.”

Laurel smiled and squeezed his hand. “Maybe, but you’re the best human.”

“Speaking of humans,” David said, gesturing toward the door, “we should go show your parents. My mom will be here to pick us up in about ten minutes.”

All the tension of the evening rushed back. “You don’t think my mom will see right through this?” she asked.

“She won’t have a clue,” David said. “I’m sure.” He took both of her hands. “You ready?”

She wasn’t, but she nodded stiffly anyway.

David opened the door, then offered his arm with a flourish. “Shall we?”

Laurel’s mom caught them as they were headed down the stairs. “There you are,” she said, brandishing her camera. “I was afraid you’d try to sneak out on me.” She studied Laurel with a smile. “You look gorgeous,” she said. “You look handsome too,” she added to David.